La Voz continues to receive short stories that will compete in the XIII edition of this literary contest. This time, the contest pays tribute to the Canarian writer Alexis Ravelo, who passed away on January 30. As in previous editions, the maximum length of the stories must be 100 words, including the title if there is one.
Once again, the Tourist Centers will collaborate with the contest, whose participation period will extend until August 31.
Also, all the stories will have the same title: "A character loses his author" and the same beginning: "Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51..."
From this beginning, participants must imagine the reaction of Eladio Monroy, protagonist of the six novels in the series dedicated to the adventures of this character, upon learning of the death of his creator.
Each author may submit a maximum of five stories, which may be signed with a pseudonym, although they must always indicate a name and contact telephone number. All those who wish to participate can send their stories to concursorelatos@lanzarotemedia.net.
The stories will be read in the "Reading on the Radio" space of Radio Lanzarote (90.7), and published in La Voz de Lanzarote. Both the publication and the reading will be subject to the space and time availability of both media.
The decision of the contest, which will be made public in the second half of September, will be made by a jury formed by journalists from Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero and La Voz de Lanzarote, who will choose three winning stories and seven finalists.
The winner of the first prize will get a dinner for two at the Castillo de San José restaurant, while the second prize is one of the unusual experiences for two people from the Art, Culture and Tourism Centers of the Cabildo de Lanzarote. Finally, the third prize is a meal for two people in the restaurant of the Monumento al Campesino. All prizes are for adults
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51..."
Moving the paper to a distance suitable for his presbyopia, he read again. Quickly, he folded the newspaper over its folds and placed it face down next to the coffee. He looked around without moving his head while dropping a damaged notebook on the table. With bright eyes and a mute and uncomfortable smile he wrote: "Alexis Ravelo", by Eladio Monroy.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51..."
Fearing the worst, he quickly took the spring-loaded pen from his shirt pocket that he always carried just in case and wrote down Gloria's phone number and some directions on a napkin. "Casimiro, tell her that I won't have time to prepare lunch. Take the newspaper to Matías." Soon, Roque and Loreto hugged him.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
-And now if I no longer exist, what am I doing here? - Eladio wondered without knowing whether to continue with the almost cold cortado. He got up from his imaginary chair and left without paying before the distracted eyes of the possible owner.
-Already outside he thought fleetingly: "Some unfinished idea, like everything in life."
Outside the story, Eladio Monroy reinvents himself in a probable twist, believes in reincarnation next to his creator; be it as a sugar cube in a cup of tea.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
Eladio more real than ever. And now what?. I can't disappear overnight; as if nothing had happened here. By that rule of three, Madame Bovary, for example, would be in limbo, and nothing could be further from the truth; there we have her majestic, claiming feminism across the five continents, in a dark and turbulent era of history in which she had to live.
You, Eladio, continue with your 12 o'clock cortadito that you like so much, despite the logical and understandable disorientation of this moment.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
After silently assessing his orphanhood, he recreated his life as a fleeting character in the human mind; and even so he thought that all the creator's effort was worth it in the eyes of others. And he continued with his most intimate plea:
-What would this life be, if only what is seen and touched with the hands, -he became transcendent - filled our existence with color?.
-And he answers himself: "Darkness on all fronts. Characters like me would sleep the sleep of the just unjustly, if you will, for all eternity."
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
His mentor, his adventure buddy. Dead.
Eladio reacted. Finally free. Free to do and be how he had always wanted.
Wear a jacket with a hood, one of those informal ones. Jeans, have hair, black hair and a nose according to his face, be taller,... more risky. Carry many cases simultaneously and solve them all highlighting his expertise. "Eladio Monroy"... even the name would change... and the years, he would take a few off. See everything closer than far away. A chalet on the coast, sleep lulled by the sound of the waves. And a boat to set sail for unknown places.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
Yas, as is life, with so many plans for the future, illusions, projects and suddenly the energy of the body vanishes and everything is over forever.
The course of our existence in this life is a true and great adventure, from the moment we are born and burst into tears until the moment of absolute silence, the hour of our death.
How lucky, (in quotation marks of course) to be able to count on his important legacy through his entertaining novels, youth literature, stories, talks and also some other, short story, so in this way he will live among us forever.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
The article added a brief biography and a photo. He was surprised not to know him, how was it possible being a famous Canarian author! He showed it to Casimiro, who also didn't know who he was. He ran to the bookstore to ask Gloria and Manolo, but they hadn't heard of Ravelo either.
He looked in other bookstores. In the library and on the Internet. He found no trace of the author.
Finally he went to all the kiosks and saw that in no other copy did anything appear about Ravelo, but his did not seem to be a fake.
What's all this about?__He wondered.
A character loses his author
Eladio Monroy entered, as almost always, at twelve o'clock, in the Casablanca bar. He ordered a cortado and sat down to read the newspaper. On the cover was the news: The writer Alexis Ravelo has died at the age of 51...
The letter K tattooed on his cheek wrinkled.
-We'll have to hold three funerals for him. You have to die slowly -he said, stirring the spoon.
Then he ran out of the bar thinking that this was the worst of times. That only the dead are free and that, most likely, there would be no tomorrow. When he got home he went straight to the library, full of novels; tough guys don't read poetry. He checked that Ravelo's books still had the ink stuck to their pages.
-If they are erased, I'm done -he whispered before curling up on the sofa.