I've sneaked on here while LitPig is snoozing in the spring sunshine. The theme of this brief post is NEVER give up. I try never to give up on a short story if I truly love it and keep trying with competitions even when there's no hint of success. One such writing competition is the annual Fish International Short Story Prize. I've been submitting entries to that one since 2010. The winners and listed came out last week for 2014/2015 - read them here. I wasn't hopeful of getting anywher ... but there I am on the shortlist (the last name!). And when I saw it I almost cried. Didn't win (or come close) but I didn't care. For me this was one very personal measure of success. We all judge our progress in different ways and that's what makes us unique. For me this was a particularly special moment in my writing career to date.Another big deal for me was that the Fish shortlisted story is the second story taken from my novel. The first story was shortlisted for the 2014 Commonwealth Writers Short Story prize. So I'm taking that as a positive sign ...
What have been the special moments for you? Please share ...
Brilliant! I knew you'd do it... It's a great omen for your novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. All trotters crossed :)
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteA shortlisting IS close to winning.
Thanks, Patsy. Sometimes a short or long listing is just enough to let you know you're on the right track (or is that tack?).
DeleteCongratulations - again :-) I was thrilled when I was shortlisted in the Fish Flash Comp a couple of years back - it's still the shortlisting that I'm most proud of! x
ReplyDeleteOh well done! Yes, for me some of my shortlistings are my proudest achievements. It can be very personal what a competition or publication means to you.
DeleteWell done on that shortlisting, Tracy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally :)
DeleteThat's excellent, Tracy, and illustrates the need to keep going. That novel definitely has to be published!
ReplyDeleteIt's all in the lap of the writing gods, Rosemary, but I'm trying to keep them happy.
DeleteCongratulations, Tracy - another real achievement!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan :)
DeleteBeing short-listed for the Fish International Short Story Prize is a huge achievement, Tracy. It's a very prestigious competition. Congratulations and well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalie. As you can imagine I was pretty chuffed about this one :)
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