Wednesday was not a good day. At least, it wasn’t up until 12.28pm.
Until then, I’d had whinging children constantly in my ear and I wasn’t feeling the best emotionally:
Will the BOOK be a FAILURE? Or a ROUSING SUCCESS?
Does it matter?
Of course it matters!
Well, it depends on how you define ‘success’
Shut up, brain.
So for some peace I turned on a DVD for the kids and retreated here for ten minutes solitude.
Then the phone rang. “Hello it’s C from the council,” she said and I immediately thought, “Have we forgotten to pay our rates?”
Then she said, “I’m calling to say you’ve won the local division of the Alan Marshall Short Story Award. Congratulations!”
This was after my heart stopped for a moment when she checked that in fact I hadn’t won the open division. No, I was short-listed there.
So I began jumping around. I even blubbered a bit. Then I rang everyone in my acquaintance four people to share the lovely news.
******
And yes, those of you who follow the link will see I win a tidy sum. But it all will go back into the book fund, I’m afraid. No shoe shopping for me, although I’d love to go on a spree with Kelley one day.
******
So I have a presentation ceremony to go to. Which means two things:
- The stress over what to wear has already begun.
- In order to wear my nicer clothes means a few trips to the gym is in order because…well…I wasn’t kidding at the end of yesterday’s post.
******
After all the excitement died down, the following occurred to me:
- Cate Kennedy, one of Australia’s best known short story writers has read my story. What’s more, it seems she liked it. Crikey.
- Maybe I’m not a total hack after all.
******
Sometimes.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations Karen! That is fantastic
Bet it was just the boost you needed to remind you that your writing IS fab, and everyone is going to love your book!
Leigh’s last blog post..Getting together with friends
Of course you’re not a hack! This is too cool. Congratulations!
Janet’s last blog post..Obviously, We Weren’t Having Enough Fun
Woo hoo! Congratulations!! You go girl!!
Tracey’s last blog post..Nose stuck in a book.
No way are you a hack. Congratulations and I’m sure you’ll find something really fab to wear. Good on you….
jen’s last blog post..My ah-ha moment about some of my blog content
That’s so great Karen, well done
Any chance you might let me read the winning story??
Thanks all guys for your support
xxx
The story wil be published online sometime over the next 6 weeks or so. I will certainly post a link when it’s up.
Be warned though: it’s not an easy story to read and certainly wasnt to write.
Congrats!!!!
What fabulous timing to give your confidence a boost.
Lightening’s last blog post..De Nile Is Not JUST A River In Egypt
Karen, that’s amazing! Congrats! And I’m looking forward to the link so I can read the story. Sometimes the hardest ones to read are the most fulfilling and affecting.
D.Paul’s last blog post..WHOOPS
That is FANTASTIC news – congratulations!! Well done!!! I am very excited for you.
jeanie’s last blog post..It didn’t work
Hey wow! That’s so cool! Well done, it’s such exciting news!!
Congratulations! That’s a very exciting piece of news to read on your blog.
Congrats Karen!
If I get down to Melbourne, perhaps I will take you shoe shopping. And for a latte.
Kelley’s last blog post..outed
That is fabulous news, congrats!!!
A win well deserved
Jayne’s last blog post..Trivial History May 24
Congratulations Karen! That must be wonderful and inspiring news and just the what you needed to remind you are talented and everyone is going to love Surprise!
Trish’s last blog post..Smiley Saturday – Peace Globe Project
Thanks all again.
Jayne- I’m not sure about that. I read it again last night and although there are good bits, unfortunately I am a terrible self-critic and I see problems, too. Or maybe I’m being too harsh? I never know! It’s a brain-twisting occupation.
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