ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 18, 1995 TAG: 9512180022
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: SHORT STORY CONTEST
Halfway through the judging of the Extra section's Christmas Memory story contest, several of us gathered in the kitchen at a friend's party. Naturally, the topic of reading over 800 short stories - in one week - came up.
``That one made me cry,'' said the artist.
``EVERYTHING makes you cry,'' said the editor.
Arguments ensued over which stories should be in the top five. Rigorous debate surrounded the selection of the No. 1 story, which will run with a full-page illustration on Christmas Day.
The judges - two editors, a teacher, an artist, three feature writers and a children's-book writer - became downright proprietary about their favorite picks.
About the only thing agreed upon was this: Every single one of the 800-plus stories had merit. Just the sheer act of sitting down to recollect a favorite Christmas memory - or to make up an imaginary one - inspired more good will and holiday cheer among readers than we ever imagined.
As Salemite Mildred Sadler wrote in the introduction to her submission: ``I don't cherish any illusions about my article, but I do want to thank you for holding this contest. As my memory went to work and I wrote down what I could recall, it was a real blessing with actual therapeutic effects, at a time when I needed it.''
The blessing was ours, in reading each and every story.
We hope you enjoy reading our picks. The five runners-up will appear through Friday in Extra, starting today with ``The Christmas Tree That Almost Wasn't,'' by Christopher Powell. Runners-up received $50; the winner - to be announced when the story runs on Christmas Day - nabbed the $300 prize.
We expect to return with the contest next year, perhaps with some refinements. For example, we're thinking of a separate category for student entries, and maybe separate divisions for nonfiction essays and creative fiction.
One of our editors summed the experience up best when she turned in her top selections and said: ``Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go blow my nose.''
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB