Three students from Southeastern took home top honors in the Perfect Love Letter Contest as part of the annual Jane Austen festival held in Mandeville. The contest encourages area students to get creative and share original work in celebration of the English novelist.
This year’s winners include first-prize winner communication major Stephanie Katz, along with third-place winner Yasmin Guendozi and creative writing senior Ammy Pickering, who placed with an honorable mention. The winners entered the contest after assistant professor of English Dr. C. Denelle Cowart encouraged them to submit.
“I was very pleased and proud that they did so well,” said Cowart. “I am usually a judge, but this year I took myself out of the final judging because so many of those who placed were my former or current students.”
Pickering, a member of the La Literati writing group, was informed about the contest during one of the group’s meetings. This type of contest was a first for her, and placing in the competition made her feel successful as a writer.
“I had known about the contest before, but never considered entering until I was given the push by my creative writing peers,” said Pickering.
Katz, who cites “Pride and Prejudice” as what began her love of all things English, thought the contest sounded like a good challenge.
“I was so excited when I found out I had won, especially since I’d never won a writing contest like this before,” said Katz. For taking home first place, Katz was awarded a gift certificate to Vianne’s Tea Room in Mandeville.
Katz is waiting to hear about another submission for a book-to-film adaptation contest she entered, but according to Katz, the love letter contest was the tougher one.
“I did not have any personal experiences to draw on, which is probably why this was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write,” said Katz. “I’m not a flowery, romantic person so I actually tried to use that to my advantage and I guess it worked.”
Pickering, however, knew exactly who to write her letter for, and pulled her emotions together in order to do so.
“Choosing to write the letter to a deceased grandparent was difficult,” said Pickering. “After only a few words, I no longer thought of the letter as a part of the contest. It soon became a sort of closure for me.”
To be eligible, contestants were required to write an original love letter in 250 words or less that would receive a knowing nod from Austen herself. According to the festival’s Web site, the subject matter had to deal with love, and be directed to a loved one, such as a sweetheart, family member, friend or a cherished place or thing. Judging criteria was based on creativity, heartfelt emotion and true expression of love and appearance. According to Katz, the theme required a lack of clichés or flowery language that is found in most love letters, and to try to write in the English dialect of the time, which was also her favorite part of the competition.
“I think content, heartfelt emotion and remaining true to the Jane Austen style of writing were considered to determine winning entries,” said Katz. “What makes Jane Austen’s love letters different from other love letters, in my opinion, is her approach. Austen’s love letters are very intelligent and to the point. She’s not flowery or overly sentimental and I like that about her.”
Cowart, who announced the winners at the festival, was very proud of Katz’s submission.
“Stephanie’s entry best captured Jane Austen’s elegant, clear prose style and also had an original, creative approach to the topic,” said Cowart.
The dates for the next Jane Austen festival are March 10 and 11, 2012. Students interested in entering next year can find more details at www.janeaustenfestival.org.
“I would strongly suggest anyone to enter the next contest,” said Pickering. “It has been a fulfilling experience. By participating, I was able to learn more about myself. For that, I am thankful.”