Competition | 2 July 2011

Lucy Vickery presents this week’s Competition

In Competition No. 2702 you were to invited to submit an imaginary example of an embarrassingly overblown author’s dedication or an extract from an equally nauseating acknowledgments page.

It seems that these days writing is a far from lonely pursuit and gratitude is routinely heaped by authors on battalions of helpers. But inspiration for the comp came from an era when emotional restraint was the norm in the shape of J.S. Mill’s fulsome dedication to his wife, which opens On Liberty:

Most popular

Brendan O’Neill

The moment in the ‘grooming gangs’ debate that shamed Jess Phillips

…Were I but capable of interpreting to the world one half the great thoughts and noble feelings which are buried in her grave, I should be the medium of greater benefit than is ever likely to arise from anything I can write, unprompted and unassisted by her all but unrivalled wisdom.
Saintly spouses featured strongly in a large and entertaining entry. The winners earn £25; Basil Ransome-Davies nets £30.

Although my name stands alone on the title page, Mutely Weeps the Trellis would not exist without the inspirational love, support, loyalty and self-sacrifice of all the generous, charming and talented people who made sure I was never alone in reality.  My darling late husband Jack, who spared precious time from his international golf empire to dry my tears when the words wouldn’t come; my kid sister Tiffany, whose celestial home-made low-cal taramasalata often restored my health and optimism; the members of the South Pasadena Ladies’ Writing Circle, invincible towers of empathy and strength; Montezuma, my cat, whose mystic aura lent spiritual depth to my creative energies; Dr Schmutziger, my therapist — I can truthfully say that in unlocking my subconscious he made possible a vision of personal completeness and artistic assurance that I would otherwise never have experienced; and of course Big Pedro (he knows why).