I hate waiting. I don't mean waiting for the bus to come or waiting in line at the grocery store (after all, at least I have some smutty reading material or can gawk at the weird people who take public transportation). No, I mean waiting to get feedback for your work. It is hard enough to put yourself out there and allow others to critique your writing, but it is equally as hard, if not worse, waiting for their response.

I recently submitted some of my fiction for a writing contest. I think I have a pretty good shot — as good as any other 30-something, aspiring novelist. I mean, really, how many could there be? Anyway, the contest winners are going to be announced on Friday and I am having a hard time concentrating on anything else. Now would be a good time for me to win something. I'm depressed about not finding a new job, work has become repetitive and I miss my family. At this point in time, I would be happy to win just about anything. I would even settle for a World's Best Golfer award (in the form of a coffee mug) and I don't golf. Do you have one, anyone?

I have been so busy working and looking for new jobs I have not taken the time to do what I love — write. Last night, after I had just gotten settled and comfortable in bed (isn't that when ideas always come?) I got an idea for this month's First Line Fiction contest. I stayed in bed for awhile weighing the pros and cons of interrupting my slumber and finally got up and started to write. It's funny how freeing it is to just write like that with no interruptions. It's the best I've felt in a long time. So, I am about halfway there, loving my main character and the way he views the world. I think I'll sit down and write some more tonight and see what happens.
                                                                 

If you are so inclined, check out the First Line Fiction contest for July. Entries must be submitted by July 27th and the first sentence is by Stuart Nadler — "He brought in his shirt pocket the last photograph he'd taken of his son."

These contests are a great way to get motivated again. When mine is done I will post it here.

Here's another one from Goddess of the Corn - Wendy Swore

100 Word Contest — A Drabble

I am really looking forward to this contest. Make sure you read all the rules before you enter.