Ruby Burke from New South Wales wins Best Australian Yarn Youth 12-14 age category prize

Watching The Best Australian Yarn awards ceremony unfold at WA Museum Boola Bardip on Friday night with her mum via livestream from New South Wales, Ruby Burke learnt judges had chosen her short story as the winner of the competition’s $1500 Youth 12-14 age category prize.

Orange Slices is a beautifully written account of a relationship between a young woman called Ava and her grandfather, Atticus, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Read Orange Slices here: https://thewest.com.au/genwest/best-australian-yarn/best-australian-yarn-orange-slices-by-ruby-burke-c-12579969

Burke, who wrote Orange Slices when she was 14 and recently turned 15, shares some insights into her writing journey with GenWest readers:

How are you feeling about winning the Best Australian Yarn Youth 12-14 age category prize ?

I am absolutely elated about winning the 12-14 Youth Prize! I was avidly watching the ceremony from home with my mum, and when we heard my name and story being announced she started laughing! I don’t think I really knew how to react - I was shocked speechless. Eventually I started laughing with her. I was so happy and in disbelief at the same time that it felt like the only appropriate thing to do.

What does it mean to you to have your writing recognised in this way?

It means the absolute world to me to have my writing recognised through the 12-14 Youth Prize. I’ve always loved how people could share their stories, testimonies and experiences through written word. The West Australian and GenWest have provided me with the priceless opportunity to share one of my stories with the world, and to have it honoured in such a way means more to me than I could ever (believe it or not!) put into words.

Do you think this success will spur you on to keep writing?

I absolutely think this success will motivate me to keep writing. I have always loved writing, and I am a firm believer that everyone has a story worth sharing, no matter their abilities. However, the encouragement that the 12-14 Youth Prize has given me has furthered my passion to keep telling stories and has instilled a belief in myself I didn’t quite carry before - a belief that I can truly achieve something with my words.

Do you write regularly/in your spare time?

I write every chance I get in my spare time. My family can testify to that - I’m constantly tapping away on my laptop or my tablet. I love the way writing feels; building worlds, shaping characters, and meticulously crafting them into words on a page, all with the goal of sharing a story that carries meaning people can enjoy, dwell upon, and relate to. I find inspiration in every experience, and each day makes me want to write more and more.

How/why did you become a writer?

Nobody else in my family is a fiction writer - I guess you could say I’m the first! That being said, I cannot be more grateful for my family’s unwavering support and encouragement for me to keep reading and writing over the years. They ferried me around to every library, book fair, author meet and greet, and writing workshop without protest, they believed in my abilities even when I didn’t, and they have always been my greatest advocates. I strongly believe I wouldn’t still be writing, let alone earning an achievement such as the 12-14 Youth Prize, without them.

Where did the idea for Orange Slices come from?

My grandmother passed from Alzheimer’s when I was a baby. Although I never got to know her, discussing her with my family got me thinking about the relationship we might have had. My other grandmother lives with us and seeing my mum care for her and help her with everyday tasks inspired me to explore that type of relationship - one that contrasts youth and the beginning of life with age and the end of life, and how both ends of the spectrum have such different yet equally important perspectives of the world.

What do you think you might spend your prize money on?

I’m going to save it! One of my biggest dreams (other than becoming an author) is to travel - I think that the world is full of amazing stories waiting to be discovered. I hope I can put the prize money towards that someday.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I just wanted to thank GenWest for this incredible opportunity to share my story. I cannot express my gratitude enough!

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Thank you to our sponsors of The Best Australian Yarn’s Youth 12-14 and 15-18 age categories, the Department of Education WA and the Premier’s Reading Challenge.