Monday, March 23, 2015

Aside


There's a major Irish Short Story competition held every year.

Last time I entered - about 5 years ago - I made the Long List.

This time I made the Short List.

There were 1,575 stories submitted and the Short List was 103 which included my story. I made that magical 6.5% of all submissions - you can see that my accountant mind lives on, ha.

The reason I am posting this here is that it is a very weird feeling to make it to the Short List. Weird and wonderful.

I want to celebrate this - you know - but it sounds foolish to other than a writer's ears and self-laudatory. Actually, pathetic is the word. Not the achievement but the desire to blow up the balloons and throw around the sparklers and streamers.

Who would possibly understand that I would want to celebrate an overall non-win as I didn't make the final cut of 11?

9 comments:

  1. I know where you are coming from, I had that feeling with the Irish Blog awards several times - total amazement that people would vote for me. Between 2007 and last year, I once got no nominations at all, another year I I made the long list, and the the others I made the list of finalists and the high point was 2008 when I was a winner.

    Hang in there, Girl, your time will come!

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  2. I think congratulations are in order. Are you going to post your short story so we can enjoy it?

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  3. Yes, what Tom said. If you want to, of course. I'd love to read it.

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  4. Well I sure as hell get it! I am having a big gulp of wine right now, in your honour. It's no small feat to make the shortlist and it's worth celebrating and telling all your friends.

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  5. yes I get it big time! I am reading through Penelope Fitzgerald's novels in order and she published the first one in her 60's. I'm looking forward to reading yours.

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  6. .Go on with you! Don't be so modest. Congratulations.

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  7. I do! Celebrate away! It is wonderful that your work has received recognition ~ that is no small thing:)

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  8. Beautiful writing, so worthy of recognition. Congratulations!

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