Showing posts with label competitions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label competitions. Show all posts

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Competition

So as I read up on how to prepare my two-year-old for the baby-to-be, I am reminded of how a pediatrician friend described the conflict for me years ago:
"Imagine that your husband comes home one day and says, 'Honey, I'm going to have another wife. She's coming to live with us, and I love her just as much as I love you. But don't worry, you're still special to me! Plus, she's so cute and sweet--you'll love her too!'"
This, my friend says, is how the first child will feel about the new baby, at least for a while.
Oh no! So what, do I have to watch _Sister Wives_ to understand the rollercoaster of emotions my son will have as he deals with this new addition to our family? NO, no, of course not! Besides, that guy's Beauty & the Beast hairdo irritates me no end.
But it does make me wonder how my son will ever understand. My hope is that he enjoys the pride of being a Big Brother, and that as the baby grows up, he learns he can enjoy the kid's company too. That maybe they can even be (dare I write it?) friends?
So, this new anxiety can be added to my list of things to pretend I'm not worried about.
It's going to be a long 9 months.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ego drain or ego boost?

At first I was kind of bummed out that my short story didn't get picked as a finalist for the WD _Your Story_ competition. My husband was even kind enough to have some strong words for the editors who chose the final 5 to be voted on by readers.
But then I realized--I wasn't just bummed out--I was actually surprised! Why does that matter? Because it showed me that I beleive in my work, and that I think it's interesting and should be enjoyed. Silly as that sounds, it was a lightbulb moment for me as a writer.
I am still hopeful for a new writer's contest I entered for Glimmer Train online. Their decision date is Oct. 31. Scary? Yes. But also invigorating. I can't help but smile when I check on my submission and see that it is still "in process", which means not yet rejected.
And you know what? I believe I have a chance at winning.
Hope springs eternal!
As Beckett said, "No matter. Try again, fail again, fail better."