Hello everyone,
A few months ago I sent off my latest story to a writer’s contest, confident that this was my strongest story to date. Today I received my answer.
The story didn’t place, but the editors did choose to send a personal email, letting me know that they enjoyed reading my story.
I admit, it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for, but it’s more than anyone’s done before, and that’s the important thing.
It’s easy to become frustrated; things often move much more slowly than we would like, but it’s important to recognize that all we can do is our best, whatever that is.
Sometimes I think the real definition of talent should be “continuing to try and refusing to give in to things like logic and reason.”
And now, Round 2!
Time to crack open the story, polish it up. The contest runs again in a few months, and I’m hopeful.
Just submitting your story to a writing contest is a big success in and of itself. I’m glad you’re choosing to let their rejection of your entry only fuel your commitment to your writing. Please let me know if you would like for me to beta read your story. I would be happy to do so and give you my feedback.
Many thanks. It’ll be a little while before the next draft is ready, but I welcome the opportunity, and if you have anything you’d like me to look at, please let me know.
I think it’s awesome that you have found the courage to submit a story in the first place. It’s great and an achievement in itself. Sure it is a disappointment that it did not make the cut, but it’s awesome that you are not giving up. Nor should you! The next time you submit a story who knows? You might win then! Goodluck is all I can say! 😀
Many thanks. That is most kind of you to say. 😊
I long ago determined that doing a thing is more important than winning a thing. (This made me revise my previous opinion about participation trophies, by the way.) Anyway, good on you for submitting … and for deciding that you can make the story better subsequently. In many ways, a rejection can be the gift that makes you a better writer.