More response to Janet's letters...
Dear Emily,
I am out of town and only have my mail forwarded weekly, so didn't know the results of the contest until just now when I checked my email. I entered two pieces: "The War is Over" and "Meeting my Mother." I thought that this was some of the best writing I've ever done, so felt terribly discouraged on seeing that they weren't that good after all!
That was my first reaction along with all the other negetive thoughts: I'm just not a very good writer so why am I still trying to do this? Those pieces are chapters in a book of memoirs, that I am writing, so the thought also came to me: If two of my best chapters aren't any good, maybe the whole book won't be any good.
In a more reflective state of mind (which I haven't achieved yet, but will eventually) I still believe that I'm a pretty good writer and that my book will be read. Having been a judge for an essay contest, I know how difficult it is to make these decisions. Often, it's very little that separates the winners from those that didn't win and you have to choose.
I cannot deny that I am disappointed, but I'll get over it and I still believe that writing contests are good and it is very worthwhile to enter them every so often. I have entered a few and regardless of the hurt feelings when first seeing the results, they help me to look carefully at my writing; to try to see it as others might, to be a little more objective, to improve the quality. They make me stretch myself a little. And these are all good things. So, thank you for having the writing contest and I hope you'll make it an annual event. I know I would probably enter again and I will keep writing my book.
Laura Ehramjian
_________________________________________________________
Also look at comments under the original posting!
I am out of town and only have my mail forwarded weekly, so didn't know the results of the contest until just now when I checked my email. I entered two pieces: "The War is Over" and "Meeting my Mother." I thought that this was some of the best writing I've ever done, so felt terribly discouraged on seeing that they weren't that good after all!
That was my first reaction along with all the other negetive thoughts: I'm just not a very good writer so why am I still trying to do this? Those pieces are chapters in a book of memoirs, that I am writing, so the thought also came to me: If two of my best chapters aren't any good, maybe the whole book won't be any good.
In a more reflective state of mind (which I haven't achieved yet, but will eventually) I still believe that I'm a pretty good writer and that my book will be read. Having been a judge for an essay contest, I know how difficult it is to make these decisions. Often, it's very little that separates the winners from those that didn't win and you have to choose.
I cannot deny that I am disappointed, but I'll get over it and I still believe that writing contests are good and it is very worthwhile to enter them every so often. I have entered a few and regardless of the hurt feelings when first seeing the results, they help me to look carefully at my writing; to try to see it as others might, to be a little more objective, to improve the quality. They make me stretch myself a little. And these are all good things. So, thank you for having the writing contest and I hope you'll make it an annual event. I know I would probably enter again and I will keep writing my book.
Laura Ehramjian
_________________________________________________________
Also look at comments under the original posting!
posted by Emily Hanlon at
2/22/2006 07:33:00 PM
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