The requirements for a short story competition can vary. It could be that you have to submit your story by a certain deadline, stick to a particular style of writing, and make sure your story hasn't been published elsewhere before.
To win, you need a compelling opening to hook the judges. Develop complex characters they can relate to. And, proofread carefully to eliminate any errors.
First, come up with an interesting idea. Make it unique and something that will catch the judges' attention. Then, focus on creating well-developed characters and a clear plot. Also, pay attention to your writing style - keep it engaging and easy to follow.
One characteristic is the strong connection to the land. NZ historical fiction often features the unique landscapes of New Zealand, like its mountains, forests and coasts, which play important roles in the stories.
Well, to judge a short story competition, you first need to look at the plot. Is it engaging and coherent? Also, check the character development. Are the characters believable and well-rounded?
The Teach First NZ stories are likely about the experiences within the Teach First NZ program. It could include stories of teachers' journeys, the impact they have on students, and the challenges and successes in the educational context in New Zealand.
The grand prize of the 2012 short story competition was titled " The Three-Body Problem " and the author was Liu Cixin. The novel was a science fiction novel about the confrontation and conflict between the humans on Earth and the civilizations from the three-body galaxy. After the novel was published, it received widespread praise and became one of the representative works of Chinese science fiction literature.