ROUND 3 — DREAMS AND FLASHBACKS

Dream sequences and flashbacks can be really tricky to write. As a writer you will have to create a scene that includes before the dream happens, the dream itself, and the transition out of it. Flashbacks are written in a similar way. Start with what sets it off, include the flashback itself and then what snaps them out of it. For this round you can choose between a dream or a flashback. One or the other. You'll need to focus on including the transitions as well as writing the dream/flashback.

BEFORE THE FALL

Flynn Haywood. He was all I could think of since I first met him—the messy, chocolate curls; the mischievous glint in his icy eyes; the way his lips pulled into a natural, award-winning smirk. Everything about him drove me crazy, but what made it all worse was he saved my life without me asking him to.

So, seeing him at Martha's Sweets and Treats bakery at two o'clock in the afternoon wasn't on my bingo card. He waltzed in, the bell jingling to announce his arrival. How fitting! Though his gaze darted around the room, his confident posture gave off the air he belonged there. It both annoyed and intrigued me at the same time. That was until his lingering stare fell on me.

I squeaked, ducking into the kitchen behind the counter. I crawled on all fours, ignoring the reprimanding thoughts bouncing inside my head. I needed to get away from him.

Martha's hazel brows narrowed as she followed me to where my friends argued about how much sugar to add to the mixture. I hid around the corner, my mind too frazzled to listen to the specifics of their disagreement. All I knew was I had to be out of sight. Apparently, this was my best option.

I sat with my knees to my head, the room brimming with a sudden silence. Through the sudden white noise in my mind, I began to think of him. Jonathan. It felt like so long ago now, but since meeting Flynn I couldn't help feeling like I was cheating on him emotionally.

I drifted to a simpler time, a small moment in the tapestry of our relationship that abruptly ended. A short, insignificant moment that should have meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. But now, it felt more important than ever.

It was a warm spring day in the middle of April. There'd been nothing but rain all month, apart from this one day. Jonathan seemed to be good at that. He picked a day out in the month and the sun would shine for him and whatever he'd planned. It so happened he had set up some battery-powered fairy lights, a blue gingham blanket—he had to choose my favourite colour and shade—and a basket of assorted pastries under the old sycamore tree in Amblewood's notorious surrounding forest. The scene was like something from a fairy tale.

After an hour of small talk and catching up after months apart—he'd been away on a business trip with his father, and I was filming for the new season of my television show—we seemed to run into a wall blocking the path forward. We lay there, side by side on the blanket, gazing up at the sunset through the tangled branches of the tree.

"Do you ever think about what would happen if one of us died?" he said nonchalantly.

I blinked. "Not really. I don't think about death often," I replied matter-of-factly. Truthfully, it never crossed my mind.

Jonathan sighed, his soft face contemplative and thoughtful when I turned to look at him. "I sometimes wonder whether we'd be able to move on. Maybe I'm worried if I die, you'll stuff yourself in your room or apartment and avoid the world for the rest of your life." He shrugged, turning to meet my gaze as his fingers ran circles on my arms.

"I wouldn't," I reassured though it was a blatant lie. That wasn't how things would pan out. "What about you? What would you do if I died?"

He turned away, not daring to meet my gaze. "Move on, eventually, I guess. I'd have to at some point."

There was a part of me that didn't like hearing that, so I prodded, "Would you want me to move on?"

"God, yes," he whispered, turning to face me again. "You deserve love, Tessa. If I'm not the one there to give it to you, I hope someone else will."

Rivers of tears streaked my face as I snapped out of the reverie. It still hurt to relive those tender moments. The more I was transported back to a year ago the more I think he knew what was coming for him—for us.

Drawing myself to my full height, I wiped the salt water away. Flynn Haywood had come into my life for a reason. Maybe he'd been guided by Jonathan's spirit to patch up the hole he'd left behind. I didn't know.

What did I know? Flynn Haywood was here. He was alive and breathing. Maybe he liked me. Maybe I liked him too. What kind of person would I be if I didn't at least give us a chance? 

FIRST PLACE WITH 15 POINTS

JUDGES COMMENTS

Judges Score: 9
Public Vote: 6
Total Score: 15

Firstly, wow! The writer knows which words to use exactly. The descriptions bring the scene to life without using cliché phrases. I could feel part of the scene myself. 

The flashback fit nicely and the transition was very smooth. The connection of the female lead with Jonathan wasn't as deep as I'd expected it to be. 

The pace was good, though the flashback was a bit slower. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but it fit the emotions of the female lead. 

The decision to accept Flynn into her life was a bit abrupt. While I suppose the flashback was the tip of the iceberg, the scene felt a bit forced. However, the writer showed her feelings and reaction when she first saw Flynn (in the scene) so the decision itself was logical. 

Finally, the ending provides a satisfying resolution to the protagonist's dilemma and it gives a hopeful tone. If this scene were part of a completed (or even ongoing) story, I would definitely read it!