WRITING RAMMY 2023

Our 2023 Writing Rammy saw some incredible stories, poems and art from people of all ages across the Falkirk area.  Our celebration event at Falkirk Library on Monday 13th November was hosted by local author and Writing Rammy supporter Helen MacKinven. It was a special evening where many of our authors got up and shared their work with friends and family.

Adult Fiction

Winner – For Whom the Clock Ticks by Jamie Andrew

Runner Up – The New World by Rebecca Ferguson

Adult Poetry

Winner – My Braw Big Dug by Kay Miller

Runner Up – Erica by Heather Merrick

Runner Up – Rough Castle by Andrew McAuley

Teen Fiction

Winner – Love Letters by Stephanie Cameron

Runner Up – Samantha Gordon

Teen Poetry

Winner – Chloe Lannon

Junior Fiction (8-12)

Winner – Anna Lynas

Runner Up – Striking a Friendship by Emma Clarke

Junior Fiction (8& under)

Winner – The Dragon that Saves the Day by Zainab Iqbal Sikander

Runner Up – The Boy who went to School on a Plane by Lucas Aitken

Junior Graphic Novel

Winner – The Last Brownie by Beth Callahan

Runner Up – Bella the Sea Monster and the Crisps by Kikka & Chris McKee

Adult Poetry Runner Up, Writing Rammy 2023

Erica by Heather Merrick

She’s with the stepdad. He’s maybe not official yet, but close enough. She doesn’t recognise me, and he doesn’t know.

She sits on the stool next to mine. They can’t sit on your lap anymore. I ask what she wants.

She’s more interested in the ink visible at the end of my sleeve, seeing familiarity in the swirls.

“What does it say?”

“’Erica.’”

“That’s my name.”

Yes it is.

“That’s because you’re on the nice list.”

The stepdad says Santa isn’t meant to have tattoos. Santa isn’t meant to have done any of this, mate. And you’re not meant to have Erica.

Under 8 Fiction Winner, Writing Rammy 2023

The Dragon Saves The Day by Zainab Iqbal Sikander

Once upon a time there was a big dragon. I mean very, very, very big. It had razor sharp teeth. He had big eyes and he breathed fire. Everyone said he was cute except when he smiled and that was a problem. He wanted to go to dragon school.

This is Eric’s list for being scary.

Eric’s List

  1. Go to the hair cutter
  2. Make my wings scary
  3. Take fire classes

When he had done all the things he felt strange. He felt like the world was in trouble. He felt like he was the only one to save the world but where do I have to go. Then he saw dragons flying the opposite direction of the dragon school and then he saw more dragons and finally the last dragon came. Eric said ‘What is going on?’ The dragon said there is a fire breathing dragon attacking our school! Eric said ‘Don’t worry I am going to save your school’ and then he few off.

When he arrived at the dragon school he saw fires everywhere and then he saw the fire breathing dragon. Then the fire breathing dragon said ‘Well, well, well, look who came!’ Eric said ‘I challenge you to a fire breathing contest. If you win you get to keep the school.’

They fought for three hours and it was the last round and then Eric won the contest. He was so happy that the dragon school was rebuilt. Then he lived happily ever after.

The end.

Under 8’s Fiction Runner Up, Writing Rammy 2023

The Boy Who Went to School on a Plane by Lucas Aitken

Once Apon a time there was a boy called Jeff.  Now Jeff was not your ordinary seven-year-old boy.  Jeff was a boy who went to school on a plane.  Jeff’s mum and dad were very poor, so they got his flight for free.  Jeff also loved to sky dive.

Jeff knew everybody on the plane.  When Jeff was getting ready for school, he had a thought.  “Could I jump off the plane that takes me to school?”  He was thinking about how he would do it as he was travelling with his dad to the airport.  He did not talk to his dad, the whole way in the car.  Finally, they got to the airport and Jeff said goodbye to his dad and took his seat on the plane.  After a long time of waiting, he got out of his seat and walked to the door of the plane.  Everybody was looking at him, but nobody had the courage to speak to him.  Jeff got his parachute, opened the door, the alarm went off and he jumped.  As quick as a flash the pilot leapt out of his seat.  He saw that Jeff had jumped out of the plane and he was going to rescue him.

He said to the other pilot, “I am going to rescue that boy. Take the controls!”  The pilot got his parachute and jumped out of the plane.  He was trying to get close to Jeff.  He was gaining speed and getting closer and closer.  He was waiting until he could feel the boy’s breath beside him.  He shouted to Jeff “What are you doing Jeff?”.  “Skydiving,” said Jeff.  “My goodness”, said the pilot “You should not be skydiving at seven years old”.  “How do you know my age?” replied Jeff. But before the pilot could answer, they both heard a pop.  It was Jeff’s parachute, it had burst!  He fell to the ground at lightning speed.  He was heading for the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.  Thud! Jeff hit a tree! 

He saw the pilot coming after him, but he landed safely on the ground because he had a parachute.  “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Bump, bump.  Jeff fell out the tree and onto the ground.  It would take them five days to get back to their house.  However, the pilot had superpowers and lifted Jeff across the Atlantic Ocean to Jeff’s house.  As they got closer to the front door, they say Jeff’s parents running out of the house.  They were both saying, “Where have you been and who is this with you?”  Jeff said “It’s a long story, I should probably tell you inside.  This man is the pilot of the plane that takes me to school every day”.  “Nice to meet you pilot” said Jeff’s parents.  “Let’s go inside and you can tell us all about your adventures.

 But Jeff knew that this was his first adventure and that he had many more to come.

The End