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Articles
> Short Story Challenge 2008 > Behind the Scenes
with
Short Story Challenge Writers
Behind the Scenes with
Short Story Challenge Writers
by
Dan Connolly
(Seattle, WA)
It goes without saying that
contests like this year’s Short Story Challenge are
always relevant because a writers’ appetite for
recognition is something that will not go away. Contests
are inundated with the merely curious and even the
fairly serious but most of all with the efforts of the
tireless, dedicated few: writers’ intent on carving out
a niche for them selves. And so it is that a forum like
this is the perfect vehicle for someone peddling his, or
her, wares. These events can often be a hot bed where
new talent gets to be seen; where judges review writers
and writers place their work before those in the know.
The majority of these writers come armed and ready with
a natural ability formally called ‘talent’ but which now
assumes the name of ‘craft’. Unfortunately however, most
will receive little to no recognition and a few, at
best, will be given that nice pat on the back known as
‘the Honorable Mention’. Only one will be awarded the
greatest of all prizes: First Place- the blue ribbon
that goes quickly to the top of a resume and which is
soon replaced, hopefully, with an even larger accolade.
The group you are to read about has inevitably faced
rejection, weathered rounds of bad coffee and has maybe
even experienced the occasional computer crash where the
fruits of great effort vanish in the blink of an eye.
To find out who will be in
this year’s contest, and to find out what makes these
people tick, I set out to create a sort of ‘interview’.
This interview ended up morphing more into an
‘overview’. Regardless, I wanted to understand those who
relish getting up every morning to work in solitary
confinement for hours and then get rejected time and
time again. I also wanted to find out where these folks
are on their career paths, what they hope to gain by
being in such a contest and if these assignments are
tough to fulfill. And wouldn’t you know it, before you
could sharpen a pencil my inbox was flooded with
responses.
This group of writers
hails from around the country and all agree that
continuous effort and sweat equity are their keys to
success. I asked if the assignments were stressful or
invigorating and most agreed that they are invigorating.
As Audrey W., from Austin said, “You're given a genre
that you might never otherwise choose, and that helps
you grow as a writer.” Jennifer F., from Escondido says,
“It is more invigorating than stressful. …I like the
idea of having to write from an assigned topic.”
Jonathan S. from the Las Vegas area echoes this
sentiment when he says, “Without
question, it is invigorating. …the joy of creating a
unique and creative story far outweighs any stress.”
When I asked how they
keep abreast of writing opportunities- if their finger
is kept continually on the pulse- I was humored when I
read, “I was looking for a job for my son on
Craigslist when I came
upon a posting... The contest sounded interesting so I
followed up.” Sometimes, I guess, that is all it takes.
Jonathan S. states, “This
is my first year in the short story contest. I found out
about it because I participated in the 2007 script
challenge and placed 2nd in my heat.” Nice
work Jonathan! Audrey W. states, “No,
this was my first time. I heard about it because I have
competed in two previous screenplay competitions through
NYC Midnight.” Some then, do stay on top of their game
and are trying to nurture it regularly.
When asked if it is easy to
write on spec, the typical response was that no, it is
not. More than one person lamented the tight deadlines,
which can sometimes mean solid ideas are not given the
chance to be fully fleshed out and realized. Of course,
it is good then that each of the contestants’ labor
under the same, unforgiving circumstances. One writer
however, mused that tight deadlines actually forced her
to complete her work- otherwise she will tend to
scrutinize it endlessly.
As to what each hopes to
gain in entering the contest, the general consensus was
that writing in varied styles gave them a chance to
grow. Of course, all agreed that winning would not be so
bad either… Jennifer F. was probably the most direct
when she stated, “I'd like to place. Something to add to
my resume.” Nicely said- and good luck!
My last question of, ‘Where
is your writing career now?’ elicited some fun
responses. One person simply replied, “What career?”
And, while one person works as an editor and relishes
the challenge of producing her own work, another has a
novel in the works. She sees this as a way to pad out a
portfolio that, she hopes, will help bring her book to
market. One contestant says that writing on spec is what
he normally does now in the screenplay world so, I
suppose, this is just like any other day in the office.
So there we have it; a quick
look into the minds of those who dare enter the
emotional rollercoaster known as ‘The Short Story
Challenge’. A brief glimpse at those who might have to
stare rejection in the face then muster the courage to
say, “Screw you”. Only one will be lauded after running
this minefield. And, perhaps, that person is amongst
this very group. But whether the aim of entering this
contest is to add a ‘bullet’ to the resume, or to simply
develop as a writer, they all will be producing the best
work they can, in the short time allotted. NYC
Midnight’s Short Story Challenge 2008 then is surely a
cruel master that demands brevity and intelligent, lucid
writing. It is the forum of the gifted, audacious
thinker that we call ‘the writer’. And it is to each of
these bold individuals that we say, ‘Good luck, and
forever stay the course’.
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