(Why, yes. It HAS been a long time since I posted a blog update. Shut up.)
I entered the Writers of the Future contest for the first time, third quarter (deadline June 30). I heard on September 15th that my story got an “Honorable Mention” status. I feel pretty good about that.
The next entry deadline is almost here, September 30th. I just finished a new short story that I think might be a contender – after some serious revision.
The beach at Fort Worden
I thought I’d share my internal dialog:
Right Brain: I finished it! This is the best story I have ever written! It’s so shiny! I love it so much! I have to submit it RIGHT NOW!
Left Brain: No way. We just finished it. This is a rough draft. Do you remember what happened last time we did that?
Right Brain: Okay, yeah. But we revised that story later and, well, THIS story is SO MUCH BETTER! It’s so fluffy! We sent it to Mom and she LOVED it.
Left Brain: Mom loves everything we write.
Right Brain: She said it made her cry.
Left Brain: It was supposed to. But we already know the characterization of the protagonist is inconsistent. And we still have some fact checking to do…
Right Brain: So, let’s do it! Let’s start right now!
Left Brain: We need to catch up on everything we let slide while we were finishing the story. Plus, we already sent it off to our crit group. We need to wait for their feedback. Those women are smart. They always catch stuff we miss.
Right Brain: Okay, okay. But after the crit group meeting we still have two days. Plenty of time. We can revise that sparkly story and get it in before the deadline.
Left Brain: Whoa there. We have to wait for the sparkles to fade, so we can see the flaws.
Right Brain: This story doesn’t have any flaws. I’m sure of it.
Left Brain: Oh, the flaws are there alright, we just can’t see them. Yet. We have to put that story aside for at least two weeks, a month would be better, so we can see the flaws and fix them.
Right Brain: But, but…. okay, you’re right. I guess we have to wait until next quarter to send it in.
Left Brain: Sadly, yes.
Anybody else ever had this conversation with themselves?
viewpoints 
Hahahaha, Miriah! Yes, that’s what my left brain (what I have of one) always tells me. I try to deny its existence, which may be why it’s vocalizations keep me in abject fear when they arise. Congratulations for writing, for finishing things, and for the honorable mention, mo charaid!