The City of Bunbury received more than 80 entries in its Shore Lines Writing for Performance competition.

The competition will culminate in an award night on Saturday when the final 20 chosen for performance in the Shore Lines Writing for Performance Festival in October, will be announced.

While the majority of entrants were from the South West, several were from the metropolitan area and one from New South Wales.

Writers used a variety of mediums of expression for their entries including poetry, short stories, plays, and song lyrics also accompanied by the piece of sheet music.

Some common themes included the idea of love, relationships, religion and faith but the re-occurring South West theme of space and place was once again dominant.  

Writers again created their own vivid picture of favourite places or spaces including the Back Beach, the cafe strip, or the main bar at a local pub.

Tales were told from the perspective of a stay-at-home mum, a retiree, long-suffering teenager and household pets but beware - vampires become the central characters in several dark pieces.

The sheer diversity of the works suggests this year's festival will feature a play or verse which will appeal to every taste.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said the biennial festival gave writers a unique avenue for self expression and the festival extended this to encourage actors and directors to be involved. 

Winners will be announced at a civic reception at the City of Bunbury on Saturday night (30 May).

Shore Lines Writing for Performance Festival, when the 20 chosen works will be performed, is on in Bunbury’s main streets on Saturday 16 October 2010.