In anticipation of attending the Whidbey Island's Writers Conference in March 2005, I submitted a short story to the benefactor's Award Writing Contest. The manuscript could be no more than 2,000 words. I won third place in the contest with "The Measure of Her." Donald E. McQuinn ( Warrior and Wanderer ) was the judge.

For the Whidbey Island's Award Writing Contest's website Click Here .

The Measure of Her

The guard checked her name on his clipboard and waved her through.  In the parking lot her Russian Red lipstick glared at her in the rearview mirror.  It hadn't even been an impulse purchase.  She'd seen it last week in a magazine article on makovers, and she'd had time to make a better choice.  The name was what drew her to it, prompting images of large men in bearskin coats.  But the color was garish; she'd have been better off with her usual slick of petroleum jelly.  She smiled.  In sunlight the lipstick drew attention to her stained teeth.  Read more...