2023 Adjudicator’s Workshop – Pleasure

One can take pleasure from virtually anything.

There are everyday pleasures such as eating a delicious meal, sipping a refreshing drink, watching a well-made film and reading a good book. There are also romantic and sexual pleasures, the pleasure of making a connection and the pleasure of a job well done.

As well as personal pleasure, there is vicarious pleasure that comes from seeing other people happy. On the flip side of the coin, there is schadenfreude, pleasure derived from the misfortune of others.

Some people even enjoy being scared, with the adrenaline boost that gives. Pleasure and pain have a strange and sensual kinship.

Pleasure is a theme that anyone can write about with relish.

---

The Workshop

Write a piece of work where pleasure is a key theme. You can interpret that however you want, be it in a light, fun-hearted way or something darker and more horrific. What pleases you? What do you see other people taking pleasure in that you don’t understand or find pleasing?

For an extra challenge if you choose to write a flash fiction, try to keep that within 250 words. Similarly if you choose to write a short story, aim for no more than 3,000 words.

Pleasure often has a limit, after all.

---

Justin Park – July 2023