Year 12 PLC student Anna Kennedy has edged out thousands of young writers to be a regional finalist in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Young Writer competition for 2012.
The writing competition, which is a launching pad for young writers in Australia, unlocks their creative potential using a trigger.
“The SMH competition required all competitors to use the trigger word ‘flight’ as a part of their writing,” said Anna Kennedy.
“However, I didn’t want to portray flight as a symbol of freedom, as it is typically used, or even as a literal flight of a bird or plane, I wanted to explore a different angle.
“I chose to write a story where a person’s physical ‘flight’ from danger results in them being unable to face up to the consequences of their actions; they take flight ‘mentally’ also.
“The events described in my story are completely fictional, but take their inspiration from news articles and research about the severity and mental trauma of bullying.”
Anna loves to write and enjoys reading and certainly never thought she would be a finalist in such a prestigious writing competition. Writing may not be part of Anna’s future career, however she will always find time to write and hopes one day she may have a novel in her.
“My writing would be described as introspective, in that the reader is positioned to view the world through the eyes, the emotions and experiences of one character,” said Anna.
“Often I use personal experience as a basis for a story that can be universally identified with.
“I endeavor to write in a way that shows a perspective on the world that is often not considered, which I hope allows the reader to reflect on how they might respond to the events I describe in my writing.”
The competition culminates in a luncheon for all the finalists at the NSW State Library in Sydney later this year. Anna has to produce an extra two stories on any topic which, along with Anna’s first piece, will be judged to decide the winner.
“I am deeply honoured to have been selected as Regional Finalist for the New England, and I am delighted to have had the chance to compete,” said Anna.
“I have always loved writing, and this result has certainly encouraged me to continue with my efforts.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the creative writing workshop which runs as part of the competition; I hope it will assist me with my HSC studies and also with my future writing.”
