Writing
	November 14, 2025

NYC Midnight 500-word Fiction 2025 (Round 2)

Won 2nd Place 🥈

WHAT THE JUDGES LIKED ABOUT YOUR STORY –

JUDGE 1: Oh my goodness, this was a sweet, poignant story. Your protagonist was wonderfully endearing. Her situation was sad yet oddly heartwarming. I chuckled at “So now I’m hosting a picnic with a stranger while my dead husband sits between the sandwiches.” This was cute. I thought the man was lovely – your characterization was extremely strong. You painted a vivid picture of a sweet, kind man. I adored his gentle sense of humor. The revelation that he had come for the same reason was startling and heart-wrenching. I loved the sense of peace at the end, as they both released ashes, and as they held hands. Lovely!

JUDGE 2:  This was a sweetly moving tale. I like the reveal that he is also there to pay tribute to his wife. And I really like the ending. Very well done.

JUDGE 3:  The story is demonstrated on the page through the action and details. The almost sarcastic tone supports the narrator’s character and adds comedic impact. There are some specific details, such as the descriptions of the hill and picnic, which create imagery that helps bring the reader into the experience of the story. The story is contained on the page, meaning it feels complete and does not read like a section of a larger piece, and the last line affirms the story.