AN amateur writer from Richmond was surprised to be placed as runner-up in her first writing competition.

Elaine Walton entered the Winning Words competition with a poem based on personal experiences, keeping to the theme of ‘it was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ – a famous line from the Charles Dickens novel A Tale Of Two Cities.

Three other local participants were short-listed and commended – Linda Conroy of Gilling West, Jackie Fallows from Northallerton and Lesley Chapman from Askrigg. All the participants were members of Write to Win workshops at The Station in Richmond, run by professional writer and current gallery manager at the Station, Irene Lofthouse.

Ms Lofthouse said: “The aim of Write to Win was to encourage aspiring writers to grasp the nettle and put their work not only in front of an audience, but to enter a competition.

“I’m delighted participants overcame their fears. Confidence as writers will grow as a result of being short-listed – and as being a runner-up.”

Ms Walton added: “The Write to Win course was a great way of developing my writing.

“It was really fun and we all enjoyed ourselves.”

There will be another Write to Win course in June at The Station.

Contact Irene Lofthouse for details on 07899-007327 or irene.lofthouse@btinternet.com.