The judges looked down at my draft on the gingham table. I bit my lip as they began to read the hastily stapled book.

“Hmm. The first few chapters read well, but I think you’ve mixed your plot up a bit too much. It’s a bit muddled and hard to make sense of. Not enough twists for me.” Said Andrew Notes.

Meanwhile Sandra Simile finished looking at the second copy and smiled almost as brightly as her jewellery.

“I thought it was fantastic! Considering you wrote this in two and a half hours, and you haven’t written well before in historical romance, I’d say you’ve improved greatly.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Although you used a lot of metaphors..”

My smile dropped. Had I left those in there?

Sandra continued, pointing out the pages, “ I think they help to lift the whole piece. Very good work!”

I was beaming as I returned to my typewriter. Maybe I could have a chance at star writer!

The next challenge began. The presenters stood next to the judges as we prepared ourself for the mystery segment.

Our benches were covered in blue gingham fabric, and the presenters began to speak.

“Today’s mystery challenge has been set for you by Alex. Alex, any advice?”

The tall judge gave us a cool look with his frosty gaze. “Don’t fall into cliche.”

“Wonderful. Off you go.”

The judges left the tent, and the presenters joked; “where are they off to today?”

“Sandra’s going to critique Alex’s childhood journals.” The other nods.

“Right. Well, todays challenge is - rewrite Sherlock Holmes as a completely unexpected character!”

The other contestants looked worried as they pulled the fabric to reveal Sherlock Holmes books next to our typewriters.

“Yep. Must include three unexpected twists and only one quote from the books. Elephant, my dear Watson.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not how that goes.” The other host said to laughter around the tent. “Ready?”

“Typeset,” said the other host.

“Write!”