THE kingdom’s literary talent clearly shone through once again as writers of all ages used their imagination to pen powerful short stories in the popular www.GDNlife.com contest.
GDN Media’s unique social media platform has proved to be a popular tool for Bahrainis and expatriate residents keen to share their words, photographic skills and general goings-on with the wider community.
We can proudly announce the decisions of our panel of judges for the second annual contest who each receive a prized wooden plaque in a presentation box to treasure for ever.
• www.GDNlife.com Short Story Competition Adult WINNER 2020/21 – Chris Noronha
– We’re Going To Be Fine
https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=41745&category=18
• www.GDNlife.com Short Story Competition U18 WINNER 2020/21 – Hannah Lamb – Imaginary Friend
https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=40557&category=18
• And, the winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the short story that has received the most views, likes and comments – went to teenager Tala Attia – A Concealed Lie
https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=41745&category=18
Ms Noronha, who was born in Bahrain and whose family heralds from Aldona, a village in the Taluka of Bardez in the Indian state of Goa, works as a personal assistant and now resides in Gufool.
“I have read all the other submissions and I’m over the moon that my story was considered the overall winner,” she said. “I have loved writing since starting school as I could express my feelings more succinctly than I could verbally.
“At the time I wrote We’re Going To Be Fine, my mother was not well and I felt low. To stay optimistic, I penned my thoughts to my dad with whom I would share anything and everything, until he suddenly passed away when I was 17.”
Her writing style stood out for one of the judges, Rohini Sunderam, from Bahrain Writers Circle, who explained: “We’re going to be Fine, struck a particularly personal note with me, even so, of the entries under consideration, it was the best.
“Very moving, a clear coherent narrative and I liked the letter format that Chris used.”
Ms Noronha posted her entry in July and so far it has been read by more than 7,000 visitors to www.gdnlife.com.
U18 winner Hannah Lamb, 14, picks up the annual prize and follows in the successful footsteps of her younger sister, Elle, nine, who was chosen as a monthly winner.
The American expatriate lives with her family in Adliya and said: “I was really excited to hear about winning the annual competition, and I am happy to have the opportunity to share my work with others.”
Her entry Imaginary Friend has received more than 3,700 views.
“The ideas of reincarnation, our inner conscience and souls, and what happens after death, inspired me to write my short story,” she explained.
“Over the summer we didn't travel because of Covid-19 and one of my favourite pastimes was reading. I read a variety of books, but some of my favourites were ones that mentioned the afterlife such as, The Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, The Book Thief, The Midnight Library, and the Aru Shah series.
“After noticing that reoccurring theme, I realised how strongly I liked reading about that topic, which inspired me to write my own story about my own version of the after-world.”
Judge Chris Fenton, a GDN columnist of education matters and head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, was impressed.
“Hannah, your use of dramatic prose and your original idea make this a stand out piece of writing for me and a worthy overall winner in the Under 18 category. I look forward to seeing how you progress in years to come,” he said.
Mr Fenton also admired the winner of the GDNLife People’s Choice Award – the dark story that has received the most views, likes and comments after picking it as the U18 monthly winner last April.
A Concealed Lie had already attracted 10,700-plus views – thousands more, in just a couple of weeks – than the annual winner of the inaugural GDNLife People’s Choice Award.
“A serious, well-worded and thought-provoking piece of writing that delivers amongst other things, a damning indictment on the education system through the eyes of a student in an intelligent and creative way,” Mr Fenton said at the time.
To date it has been read more than 15,300 times.
“I’m delighted to have won this annual competition and was excited when I received the news,” said talented Tala Attia. “Thank you for providing me with this great opportunity!”
The 16-year-old remains stunned by the attention her work continues to generate. Originally from Egypt, she currently lives in Janabiyah with her family and attends St Christopher’s School.
“I honestly enjoy writing,” she said. “I think it’s a great way to express what needs to be said. I'm always observing my surroundings and I get inspired daily by little, unnoticed things that occur around me, and from that I’m able build a wider image to create a story.”
