David Cross

Story Competition

•David Cross was a member of staff at Ibstock for 32 years – first as a teacher of English, then as a Vice-Principal.

• David Cross was a master story teller.

• This skill prompted the College Governors to launch a story competition that would keep his name alive and remembered by successive generations of students.

Winners• There is one winner and two runners-up• Each of these receives a small glass

trophy to keep and has their stories published in a booklet.

• In addition the winner receives a large and grand silver cup which they keep for one year.

Deadlines

• Stories to be finished and handed in Monday 1st June

• Short listing by English teaching staff – Tuesday 23rd June

Rules

• There is no word limit – aim to write no more than 6 sides of A4

• Stories can be word-processed or hand-written

• Each student in the college has to write a story as part of their English programme of study but you do not have to enter it into the competition unless you wish to do so

Tips

• Do not overload with dialogue

• Avoid ending with: “I woke up and it was all a dream.”

• Include:- a gripping opening- well formed characters- a thoughtful ending – twist, cliff-hanger…

Suggestions

• Accidents• Fantasy• Family Disagreements• Leaving Home• Runaways• Natural Disasters• Stalkers• Illness• A Newcomer

• Science fiction• Lost• A Surprise• Homeless• Refugees• Wartime• Captured• Rescue or Escape• Phobias