It's rather fitting that some things come to a close on this day -- the last day of the year.
I submitted my last entry into the Rooglewood contest this morning. I can hardly believe it took me until the day of the deadline to send it in because I'm usually earlier than that. And, even with the extra time I took, I still felt a little bit like maybe I could have done better if I had more time.
But there was no feeling of regret when I hit "send." Mostly it was just a prayer that Rooglewood would hear the heart of the message when they read it and that maybe, if I win, they could help me bring the full potential out of my little story. And there was also a feeling, after working on these stories for more than six months, that it felt good to close that chapter and move on to the next one.
I did it. I wrote them. And I'm really proud of them.
Last year, the act of hitting "send" on my contest entry catapulted me into an anticipatory state. I could not WAIT until the winners were announced. I counted the weeks until I would find out if my story made it. I counted half-weeks. :D And it was both fun and nerve-wracking -- like Christmas when you are little. But this year, I feel pretty steady. Granted, my stories have only been in flight for about 20 minutes. So maybe the rollercoaster of emotions will kick in later. Haha. Yet, for the moment, I am just resting and contented. March doesn't seem that far away.
I hope that your year has been wonderful and productive. Mine has -- with more than just the contest entries. :) May your next year be even brighter. God be with you!
I feel like I should place an addendum here: I am not quitting the blog. Regardless of how the title of "goodbye" looks, I was saying goodbye to the year and my stories -- not to the blog. I will see you next week, God willing. :D
ReplyDeleteI must say, I got concerned when that title came up on my dashboard! So glad you're not leaving us after all. :) Have a great 2016 and all the best with the Rooglewood entry!
DeleteThank you, Jessica!
DeleteCongrats on finishing all your entries. I can't believe you did more than one,I almost didn't finish one.
ReplyDeleteI hope you win, you definitely deserve to after all your hard work. Happy New Year!
Did you finish, Skye??? That is so awesome! I'm so excited that we both have entries in this contest! I hope yours does well, too! I want to read the rest of it!
ReplyDeleteSuper excited. Your writing is awesome!
ReplyDeleteOnly two months until we learn the results, Soleil!!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing your entries! I only finished one, and only got it sent in a few hours before the deadline :D. I am SO last minute.
ReplyDelete~Savannah Perran
Hey, but we made it before midnight, right, Savannah? That's what counts. :) Congratulations on finishing your entry. Believe me, I know what an accomplishment that is!!! I hope you win!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's definitely what counts :). I decided that I'm NOT looking at my story anymore until the deadline. Otherwise I know I'll see little things that should have been changed. So after Dec. 31th, I closed the document and didn't open it again :D.
DeleteCongratulations!! Can't wait to see where God takes your writing in 2016. And March really isn't that far away. It'll go back quickly. =) Happy New Year, friend!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too, Emily! I'm so proud to know you, and grateful for your friendship and encouragement!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing! That is such an achievement that you were able to send in all three!! I hope they win, I want to read all of them! :)
ReplyDeleteI sent mine in on the 30th; it is such a wonderful feeling to finally have it done (although I am remembering little things that could be changed, but oh well.)
This contest has been so much fun, especially seeing all the fantastic ideas coming from one fairy tale - this year's book should be so good!
I hope you have a wonderful year :)
I agree -- it is a wonderful feeling. And I think most writers can think of an awesome revision idea AFTER they submit theirs stories. Lol.
DeleteI am so looking forward to this year's anthology. The premises which have been hinted by the authors are incredibly intriguing!
Good luck! I hope you win!
ReplyDelete~Anna
the3musketeerssite.wordpress.com
Thank you!!!
DeleteCongrats on finishing your stories! It's incredible that you wrote more than one entry - that must have taken some serious effort. They sound so interesting, and I really hope I get the chance to read them. c:
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julia! Maybe you will get to read them! :D
ReplyDelete