Interrupting my current musings/rants on blogging to report on a Grand Day Out provided by Get Writing Conference 2011 and to say that my efforts to get there (2hrs 40 mins in never-ending downpour) were rewarded with an extremely well-organised day, some excellent speakers, and (roll of drums) – third prize in the short story competition.
When this was announced I was busy with mental preparations for the pitching session to follow, and found myself distinctly unprepared for the moment of glory, not to mention applause and photocall (knew I should have had that hair cut!) but I’m really grateful to the judges for choosing Every Day a Washing Day. Anyone who has read – or goes on to read – the story might like to know it commemorates our baby son Andrew who died at 4 months and who would have been, yes, 26 this year. It’s not something I have often explored in writing but I make no apology for doing so. It also goes to show – I hope — that if you can apply the craft to the initial inspiration, therapeutic writing is not without literary merit. I’m not sure of the rules, but it would be nice if the third place leads to publication either in an anthology or on a website so that eventually the story will be read more widely. I’m also hoping I’ll get the chance to read the first and second prize-winners some time.
As to the day itself, I managed to clamber from the back of the auditorium without falling over in front of anyone to get my certificate from Sue Cook – and a second time to get the photo done. Two more good results!
For those who like to study the competition runes, Every Day numbered 975 words in a comp with a word limit of 2000, another argument for not worrying too much about word limits.
Ali Bacon / Books and Other Things 
Never knew about your son. Very sad. Writing comes from the heart and often things we keep hidden surface in the most unexpected places. So congratulations on being placed with such a personally influenced story. I look forward to reading it.
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Not something I have written about or talk about these days, but of course it (he) never goes away. A chance remark set the story in motion.
AliB
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I’m so sad to hear about Andrew but I hope that writing the story helped just a little. Congratulations on the win. Wish I could have been in the auditorium to see the look on your face and I bet your hair looked just great.
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Thanks Ros. Of course prize was only third but still something nice on the C.V. It was a challenge to transform the personal into the fictional, so thanks for prompt!
AliB
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