It was more writers' bloc than writers' block when a new chapter opened on Northland writing on Saturday.
Dozens of people attended the opening of the Northland Writers' Room in the arts centre at the old Whangarei library building, and the announcement of the winner in a Northland-originated national story writing
competition.
Yvonne van Dongen, from Auckland, was the overall winner with her story Save Us, and Jock O'Connor, from Waimate North, was the Northland section winner for his story Alison Roe.
Both the writers' room and the competition have been organised by the Northland branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors.
One who knows quite a lot about writers' block, as well as the need for a quiet space dedicated to writing, is award-winning poet and former Northland doctor Glenn Colqhoun.
The event's special guest, Dr Colqhoun cut the ribbon on the room and later announced the competition winners.
More than 130 entries were received in the competition - in its fourth year - that had previously been restricted to Northland writers.
Executive judge Auckland writer Graeme Lay said Ms von Dongen had used admirable restraint and treated subjects such as a child's bewilderment and father's anguish with authenticity, sympathy and fine understatement. She had also woven the stories' themes with skill, Mr Lay said.
"A superb story, fully deserving its premier place," he said.
In his story Alison Roe, Northland winner Mr O'Connor had demonstrated that a skilled, observant writer could get material from the unlikeliest circumstances - in this case the waiting room of a takeaway food shop, Mr Lay said.
