Sophie Conlon
After producing a work of fan fiction based on the video game Dark Deception, Year 10 student Ani Drexler has won the Mount Gambier Library’s writing competition.
Run during Youth Week, the competition encouraged young people to submit a short story they were proud of or an essay important to them.
Ani was shocked when she found out she had won the competition and received the prize of a Lenovo 14-inch laptop.
“My stories and characters are incredibly precious to me, so when I heard that I’d won a prize with them, I was proud of them and myself,” she said.
“I’m ecstatic about the win and very grateful for the beautiful prize.”
Author Jacqui Davies judged the competition and said Ani was a natural writer and story teller.
Ms Davies described Ani’s submission, No Way Back, as a thrilling read from start to finish.
“The story’s shadowy atmosphere added tension to the already electrifying story, and the descriptions of people and places are acute and highly effective; I really did feel like I was there,” she said.
“Ani also used a broad and thorough knowledge of foundational storytelling techniques by using sensory descriptions, emotion and action and dialogue, rather than using lengthy passive descriptions.”
Ani said she was keen to keep writing and was sure the new laptop would come in handy in pursuing her goals.
“I read that I’d won a laptop, and my eyes flew wide open.
“It will definitely get plenty of use because I’m going to keep on writing.”
No Way Back is available to read on the Mount Gambier Library website.
