I Write, Therefore I Am.

Subjectivity. Writing will always be at its whim.

Obviously, I did not make the cut. At first, I was rather sad and disappointed, but with time and discussing the whole contest with other ABNA authors who didn’t make the cut, I’m feeling much better.

There were authors who made it to the quarterfinals last year, who submitted the very same pitch this year only to be booted in the first round. Strange? That’s subjectivity for you.  Many great writers moved on. Many great writers did not.

I’m okay. Really I am. No one even  read my manuscript. They have no idea what I am capable of. So being cut in the first round is not a reflection on what I can write.  All they read was my 300 word pitch. Pitches are difficult—take a 250 page book and describe it 300 words or less. Now make it enticing. It’s tough. I tried. I learned. I am better for it.

Next year though, if I enter next year, I will make sure my manuscript and pitch contains vampires, werewolves, and fire and brimstone, because that seems  to be the key to getting past the pitch phase.  I had none of those things. I was so foolish.

I will keep plugging away. I may never catch a break. But that is not why I write.