Esther Chilton

Please welcome Laura Sansom to my Guest Writer Spot for the first time. She’s written a great story for us. Before you read her story, you might like to know a little bit about her:

Laura is an aspiring writer whose projects has, and will continue to include poetry, article/ content writing, flash fiction and short story. Her works in progress being a new mixed media project, scripts for TV and film.

Recently published works include an article for theintern247 website and regular postings on O-Posts website and ap2hyc.

See her blog – www.fayed.wordpress.com as well as her reviews appearing on the website, amazon and Goodreads.

Current creative projects awaiting confirmation / publication are novels, scripts, third poetry anthology, children’s story book and comic strip. Also some craft and photography work. As well as a mentor to a student through the Arkbound project.

Laura has a wide range of interests in film, T.V / film and theatrical drama, Sci-fi, fashion, music, photography and a variety of crafts.

Laura has attended many a networking event and this year attended Henley on Thames literary festival. She has previously attended London book fair, London film and comic con, Soho create and more.

Always looking to broaden her horizons as she attends many networking events and has previously attended Henley on Thames Litfest, London book fair, London film and comic con and Soho create.

Now for her story:

Applauding health and safety

By

Laura Sansom

“I’d like to thank the directors for this prestigious prize and wish them well in future competitions. Thanks to all those who supported me, it means so much to me to finally be recognised for my writing work.”

 Let me explain a little more. Sure I was there and was well into the feel of the regalia at this well-known literary festival. I was there for the creative atmosphere and enjoying the buzz of talented writers. However I was fully aware that I wasn’t even one of the commended prizes, nor runner up and certainly unless I missed the memo I wasn’t a winner either.

  I was people watching in one of the hubs that are set up as a bit of a pre-show meeting place and paying attention to every little detail I could, well one less detail than I should have as one of the advertising display stands came crashing down only millimeters from where I was standing. I was quite shocked and I am sure I possibly let out a squeal too. Complete strangers and organisers came rushing to me and made sure I was alright.

 I found myself in the refreshment tent and being given a strong cup of sweet tea and a few biscuits to calm my nerves. The woman who sat with me talked about what and the why I was there. I explained that I was a failed competition entry but came along anyway.

 A second person came to me to assure me that all would be done to make sure it wouldn’t happen again and that they take health and safety very seriously. I think they were making sure I wasn’t going to sue or make a problem for them. I agreed it was unfortunate and joked that perhaps I needed to give up the writing as it seems to be life threatening and with no reward.

 So I was ushered into the hall, last one in – the person the whole audience watches and tuts at as they wonder in far too late to be excused as being fashionable or important. I took my seat and the commendations were announced, then the clapping. Then there were the runner ups and the traipsing of these successful writers who are better than me. Then it came to the usual spin and build up as they went to announce the winner. Obviously only those that were in on the competition such as organisers and judges would know who the winner was and obviously the winner knew otherwise they wouldn’t be in the audience to accept their prestigious accolade.

“And the winner is…”

 Hang on a minute, that was my name. Maybe it was someone else with the same name. Maybe it was a spelling or typo error, I mean it happens at these ceremonies, doesn’t it? Think BAFTA’s!  Nope, there it was again, my name announced only now the organizer presenting the awards was looking at me and beckoning me to the stage. Quick, I needed to think on my feet, speech!

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