A Toast to the Winners of the 'Write me a letter' Challenge

All I really want to say is WOW and leave it at that as no words will truly express the sheer joy you all brought me with this challenge. I am the winner, hands down, for having gotten to read the letters you wrote and all the comments both on my challenge piece and on the forty-six entries submitted. Thank you.

I knew going into it that we have a community full of generous, kind and brilliant creators, so it's no surprise that judging was particularly difficult. Yet I was still stunned at the creativity and depth of emotion in each piece. You all had me laughing, ugly crying, giggling, looking over my shoulder, and checking to make sure there weren't cameras in my house (some of you did your research!!).

So please join me in taking a moment to congratulate everyone on a job well done. I would've chosen every last entry to win as each one held something special from the creator, and I was incredibly touched. I will never forget that you took the time to pen your wonderful thoughts to me. Please know that if your piece was not chosen, it was absolutely NOT for lack of sincerity, creativity or worth. I sincerely mean that. But I did promise winners (with prizes), and I shall deliver :)

Thankfully this is my contest, and the beauty of that is I can do what I want, lol. Sooo...I decided to expand the amount of winning entries. Woohoo! I've chosen one grand-prize winner ($10); four, second-place winners in four different categories ($5 each); and eight, runners-up, two in each of the four categories ($1 each). Those categories are as follows: Uplifting, Humorous, Unexpected, and Not-What-They-Seem.

Without further ado, here are the winners!

~

Grand Prize ($10) - Since we last spoke by S.A. Crawford

You told me, when the fire first started, that it couldn't burn forever. That fire clears dead wood. That a controlled blaze is better than slow rot; you were right. The crabs that scurried out to eat the morsels whipped from my paper box by the wind understand that; food falls from the heavens and they don't question it. They just enjoy the gift.

Even before I went back and listened to her lovely voice, Crawford's words whisked me away to a scene I couldn't help but feel in my soul. The pace of it was just right, the cadence and word choices, lilting but full of depth and emotion. I felt the pain of distance, of time, of the day to day. But also the hope, the tenacity to cling to life despite the ugly and bitterness that leak in. It expressed how I feel so often these days. Thank you for this stunning piece, S.A.!

~

I'll reveal the remaining winners by category with a write up for the 2nd place winners and my favorite quotes for each. I've also added a few honorable mentions that stood out to me as well.

Uplifting

2nd Place ($5) - From light years away x by Celia in Underland

When you gaze upwards to the night sky, know that each flicker is a silent but sincere acknowledgment of all that is you - your pain, your joy, your struggles, and your immense capacity to love and uplift others even within the confines of your own solar winds.

I loved that this beautiful letter felt very personal and yet I think the positive message could be received by so many others as well. The night sky has always been a source of reflection and comfort for me, so Celia's approach resonated. And her choice in words and phrasing made this a true joy to read. Thank you, Cosmic Star!!

Runner Up ($1) - Greetings and Salutations by Hope Martin

Because whether we feel it or not, we are powerful. We are beautiful. And we have kingdoms to run, fellow Queen.

You're not alone, and I hope you know that.

Runner Up ($1) - Yes, Heather, There is a Writer in You by JBaz

The written word gives so much more than any of us will ever know, and asks for so little, other than to be set free.

How many people in their daily life, have jobs that offer this type of freedom?

Honorable Mentions - An Abecedarian of flowers by Novel Allen; A letter to Heather by Hannah Moore

~

Humorous

2nd Place ($5) - Deer Sissy by Dana Crandell

Deer Sissy, I jes thot I wood rite and ketch you up on things since you bin gone. By the way, this is me, just so you don't have to wait til the end to figger it out.

Those opening lines were enough to have me cracking up and thrilled to keep on reading. What a genuine bit of clever fun. The play on words, the dialect, the humor, the wit. It was the total package, and I loved it. I was so happy that Dana went on to write a follow up letter, Me Agin, Sissy! Thank you for the laughs, Hillbilly Bro :)

Runner Up ($1) - Dear Auntie Heather by Abigail (aka Cathy Holmes)

She wonders why I’m so concerned about her being rude, when you’re worse. She says you can be downright mean. Oh! How dare she say that about my wonderful Auntie Heather? I am offended on your behalf, and mine as well. I may have to give her a nick for that.

Runner Up ($1) - Harlequinade by Dharrsheena Raja Segarran

No worries, it didn’t stop me from committing other mischievous deeds but that’s a story for another letter. I know you’ve been going through a tough time and I hope my story made you smile.

Sincerely, The-Boy-Slapping-and-Potato-Chip-Stealing Thief

Honorable Mentions - Dear Heather by Paul Stewart; Dear Heather by Dana Stewart

~

Unexpected

2nd Place ($5) - You Need to Hear This by Kendall Defoe

Questioning: Again, as I said about turning 50, you consider what you need and what your life is all about. You question what things you would change, and maybe perhaps what can still be done. Not always a healthy thing to do, but I have a questioning mind. And the answers...?

Although there were several creators that chose to use the alphabet requirement in a similar fashion, I appreciated Kendall's approach as it felt like things I'd share with my friends that I was writing or chatting with. Our frustrations, questions we don't have answers to yet or maybe never will, just having a conversation. It seems we're at a very similar stage in life, and I felt a shared understanding with so many of Kendall's musings deep in my gut. Thank you for trusting me with your thoughts, KD.

Runner Up ($1) - Across Worlds Across Universes by Thavien Yliaster

Aerin informs me that you lost your dragon form. Don't fret. Your manna's been siphoned off. It'll return soon.

Oh, let me know how when Aerin's due. For the longest time you were like Aribella, not wanting younglings. I can't wait for you to be a father.

Runner Up ($1) - Hello, Lover (The Map of Icarus) by lucyjb

Sometimes things are sad.

But I think that ignoring the sad things is to discount their cause, and so I will let myself miss you, I will be sad, because you are worth missing.

Is that so pessimistic?

Honorable Mentions - Memories of Qatar by Lynda Spargur; Vampire Boy by HandsomelouiiThePoet (Lonzo Ward)

~

Not-What-They-Seem

2nd Place ($5) - Thanks for the shoes by JD Pernoste and Anneliese Dahl

I have a weird neighbor that I keep an eye on, gaunt and creepy and always looking hungry. His hours are strange, and he always glares at me. He conceals his cigarette as I walk up, almost like hiding his habit from his lover. When my cat disappeared, I swear he looked a little bit less hungry.

This story!! It kept twisting and turning but had so many parts that were true from my life. It was an impressive piece to say the least. Whatever you think is going to happen, well...just keep reading. Kudos to Anneliese for doing her research and finding enough (or remembering enough) from previous stories of mine that gave this a chillingly personal touch. Thank you, Annie (I think...lol)!

Runner Up ($1) - Dear Poltergeist by Rachel Deeming

PLEASE. PLEASE. JUST LEAVE. PLEASE. STOP TORMENTING ME.

In desperation,

[There is no name. The letter writer could not remember his own name, not even an initial.]

Runner Up ($1) - Camouflaged by Lamar Wiggins

I apologize for breaking our exciting streak of creative collaborations. This year, I just want to be myself. Together with all my flaws and idiosyncrasies, with all my attitudes toward petty differences, all my phobias and my blatant hatred of oysters, everyone can take it or leave it.

Honorable Mentions - Fact is Creepier than Fiction by Veronica Coldiron; I Hope This Letter Finds You Well by Rebekah Conard

~

Please check out all the other amazing submissions linked in the original challenge post shown below. They are a feast for the mind and soul.

My endless thanks to everyone that took the time to participate and read!

Much love to you all,

Heather

Note: Tips will be paid to the winning stories by Thursday, November 2, 2023.