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Our 2023
Winner & Finalists

Learn more about our 2023 Writer Games 1st place winner and finalists here!

Mentored by Maseeha Seedat

K.Z. Richards

1st place winner of the 2023 Games

K. Z. Richards is a stay-at-home mom who decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer once she realized that although she’d “grown up,” she’d never really stopped playing pretend. She returned to school as a mom of two with another soon on the way, and while attending Utah Valley University, she wrote her first novel and earned multiple first- and second-place awards for her short stories published in the university’s student journals. At graduation, she was invited to read an original short story, and she has since put her creative writing degree to work, earning first place with her story “Black or White,” in the anthology, 72 Hours of Insanity, and joining every writing community that will have her. She can’t resist a challenge and welcomes any chance to improve her writing, especially if it involves intriguing prompts and strict deadlines.

The Story Behind the Story:

I did not have this story in mind when I wrote a six-word story about an exploding bird box, and when I received the prompt for this round, I laughed at my round-one self and her bizarre sense of humor. How was I supposed to turn that drivel into a decent story? Hoping to write something intriguing rather than nonsensical, I then considered, Under what "normal" circumstances might one encounter an exploding bird box? I've always loved stories involving magicians and illusions, and a magic show provided the perfect setting. The overall theme, Buyer Beware, added the layer of theft and deception, and imagination supplied the rest. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Top Writing Advice:

If I could give one piece of advice for new writers, it would be this: keep going. If you diligently read, write, and repeat, your writing will improve. Writers aren’t born, they are made.

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~ K.Z. Richards

Emma Lynn

Finalist in the 2023 Games

 I am the junior Editor in Chief of Élan, an international student literary magazine, in which I manage the selection of works we choose to publish. I find all of my writing inspiration in nature – forests specifically – and for me, writing is all about the characters. I write primarily young adult and middle-grade fantasy genres and am currently querying my YA fantasy novel, called Unbridled
     When I am not writing, I enjoy fencing, playing the violin, drinking tea, and sketching outside. I adore hiking, and long trails through the woods are my absolute favorite. I’m a big fan of The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Princess Bride, and the Jim Henson classics like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal!

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I am currently querying my YA Fantasy novel Unbridled, which is about Princess Misteria, who takes it upon herself to embark across the continent to retrieve an antidote for her poisoned father, battling with conflicting desires for freedom and her loyalty to her kingdom. 
 

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Mentored by Millie Florence

The Story Behind the Story:

Millie was the best mentor I could ask for! I've admired her work for years, so getting her feedback on my piece were great! As for the story itself, my initial six-word story had 2 aspects to it I knew I'd have to translate to the full-length story -- a seller, and a cost. Millie and I used the idea of a seller/buyer relationship as a jumping-off point, and it just flowed naturally from there! Overall, I'm very happy with the work created and I'm very proud to be part of such an amazing opportunity! 

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Top Writing Advice:

If you feel like your project has value and meaning but just isn't being picked up -- do not give up on it. A lot of people associate rejection with failure, but don't shelve an idea just because it isn't everyone's cup of tea. Take breaks for as long as you need, but don't give up! If it means something to you, it will mean something to someone else.

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~ Emma Lynn

Lulu M.

Finalist in the 2023 Games

Lulu has always loved stories, though it took her a while to realise that her insatiable hunger for printed pages and that stack of half-filled notebooks were signs that she was meant to be a writer. Now, over three years and many, many words later, she can’t imagine doing anything different.  
Lulu writes because she believes in the power of the light that stories can shed in the dark places of the world, and how they can help us understand ourselves, our fellow creatures, and our Heavenly Father. She loves setting stories in her home nation of Great Britain, as well as exploring other places, worlds and times through her books. When she isn’t caught up in a flurry of inspiration or daydreaming about her characters, you can find her wandering and wondering in the countryside, avidly discussing period dramas and fantasy classics with her friends and family, or scrambling up walls at her favourite climbing gym.

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Mentored by Moriah Chavis

The Story Behind the Story:

I finished this draft very close to the deadline - I rediscovered the concept in my notes just in the nick of time, and it worked really well with the prompt! 

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Top Writing Advice:

Write what you love! I definitely spent too long trying to write what I thought would surprise or intrigue my readers, without ever asking myself if I cared about it - and consequentially, my stories would often feel flat and soulless. Your stories can't be important to your readers if they aren't important to you (;

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~ Lulu M.

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