I’m a WotF finalist!
November 21, 2007 by Andy
This week I learned that I’m one of eight 4th quarter finalists for the 2007 Writers of the Future Contest. It’s the best news I’ve had since my last son was born. This is the third time I’ve entered, and I worked harder on this story than I have on anything else I’ve ever written.
How do I feel about my chances? Well, the other finalists seem like they’ve got their acts together–no slouches in this group. One of them, Chris Owens, has been crunching probabilities.
I think this is the best story I’ve ever written, and I’m arrogant enough to think other people ought to read my stories, and even pay for them. But what’s the first thing I do when I find out? I pull up my story and read over it again. And it seems appallingly mediocre.
I’ve heard it said that all writers feel that their work is both brilliant and pathetic at the same time. I hope the judges feel less ambivalent about it. Wish me luck.
Hi,
I feel the same way. It was much hard work. But when I went back to reread it last week, I could have gagged. Of course, after going through the story dozens of times, revising, proofing, ect–I’m SICK of reading it. I only got a couple of pages before I had to stop. ‘Appallingly mediocre’ sums it up perfectly.
Best wishes!
Chris