When we launched the 12 Stories Life Writing Competition, we weren’t sure what to expect. Would people be keen to share their stories? Would we discover untold moments of transformation, resilience, and joy?
The answer was a resounding yes!
From across Australia, we received heartfelt stories of big life changes—some unexpected, some long-awaited, but all deeply personal. Mum and I loved every minute of reading them and we felt honoured to be entrusted with these incredible glimpses into people’s lives.
The Power of Life Writing
Every entry reminded us why we started 12 Stories in the first place: to encourage people to reflect on their lives and put their experiences into words. Life writing isn’t just about preserving memories—it’s about making sense of them, capturing the emotions of a moment, and leaving something meaningful for others.
Judging wasn’t easy, but we based our decision on relevance to the theme, audience engagement, and overall communication. Every story had something special, but one stood out in particular…
Announcing Our Life Writing Competition Winner!
We’re thrilled to announce that the winner of our inaugural 12 Stories Life Writing Competition is Colleen P. with her inspiring piece, A Brilliant Career.
Colleen’s story is a fantastic reminder that life’s big changes don’t stop at a certain age. At 80 years old, she embarked on an unexpected adventure—one that took her from script editing to acting in an award-winning film! It’s a tale of embracing opportunities, stepping outside your comfort zone, and proving that it’s never too late for a new chapter.
Here’s her winning entry:
A Brilliant Career
In 2024, Donald Trump was chosen for USA President, AI continued to astound the world and I turned 80.
Living my life to the fullest, education and career choices selectively chosen, fulfilled me.
“Mum, you can slow down now!”
“That would be nice … knit and crochet.”
“You do that as your ‘rest time’ watching TV,” chimed Doug.
“I worry I’ll run out of time, not reach my goals.”
“We know, but your writing takes priority,” my daughter added.
“Oh yes, I didn’t tell you … Kerrie’s daughter wrote a script and asked me to proofread it.”
“And you said, ‘No now I’m eighty, I’m pulling back my volunteering?”
“Well, not quite. I suggested she email it.”
“Of course you did!”
“Don’t be rude!”
“Mum you have to learn to say no.”
The script arrived and I enjoyed working through it marking up minor discrepancies here and there and adding comments where required before returning it by email.
Twenty-four hours later an incoming email accepted my script editing and the Film Director offered me a role in the movie.
“But I am eighty. I can’t memorise lines, anymore!”
Discussion continued with me stating why I wouldn’t be suitable and the Director retorting why I would. She invited me to the first reading to meet the actors and oversee the lines spoken with pauses, inflections and pitch.
We helped each other; adding personalities to the characters. At the conclusion I wished them ‘good luck’ as the film was well-written and I believed that as a black comedy it would be popular with viewers.
Next morning the Director invited me to play the role of a 65-year-old woman who thought her daughter-in-law was not worthy of her son.
“But I’m eighty”, I protested in a mix of pride to be selected and horror that I had no experience in film acting. My comfort zone is writing the stories and scripts, not acting for an audience.
The film took five months to shoot and my blonde pageboy wig took fifteen years off my looks. I became the well-to-do church parishioner who married her ‘toy boy’ clergyman, the Minister. It’s amazing what a twin-set and pearl necklace and earrings can do.
The family relationship of the clergy, his wife, her sister and bushman husband performed the story of the daughter-in-law plotting to ‘rid herself’ of her family troubles. Learning the industry jargon of ‘bumping in and bumping out’ of the scenes and ‘lights – camera – action’ became as familiar as my writing with ‘introduction – development – resolution’.
The successful short film is currently showing in the Berlin Film Festival, after winning ‘Best Comedy 2024’ and Lead character, my distasteful daughter-in-law, who never was good enough for my son, won ‘Best Actor 2024’ across all the genres.
In March 2025, I will turn 81 and I’m as excited as a teenager waiting for the results of the other five accepted International Film nominations, to find out what places Where the Gold Tops Grow has achieved.
***
What an incredible journey! From proofreading a script to performing in a film now showing at the Berlin Film Festival, Colleen’s story is a powerful example of saying yes to life’s unexpected twists.
Colleen has kindly supplied us with some images to share also. On the left is the ‘real’ Colleen celebrating her 80th birthday; on the right are two images from the film ‘Where the Gold Tops Grow’ (directed by Tracey Chouvin).
This is Just the Beginning…
This was our first 12 Stories life writing competition, but it certainly won’t be the last! We know there are so many more incredible life stories out there waiting to be told.
Right now, we’re busy planning our next competition, and we can’t wait to share the theme with you. Will it be about a defining childhood moment? A place that shaped you? A leap of faith you took? Stay tuned!
If you’ve been inspired to capture more of your own stories, why wait? The 12 Stories Life Writing Project is a great way to get started—it guides you through 12 meaningful topics, helping you craft a collection of personal stories over 12 weeks.
You can learn more about it at 12stories.com.au
Thank you to everyone who entered our life writing competition, and congratulations again to Colleen!
