Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." - Beatrix Potter

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." - Anaïs Nin

"Sharing your writing, being enlarged by others' writing, is what makes you feel famous." - Gretchen Bernabei

"Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth." - Edna Ferber

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Ben Franklin

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones to form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." - Hart Crane

"There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately, no one can agree what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham

The Best of Times Short Story Competition

Autumn 2006 results

Note: stories are available for reading only where the authors have given permission.

First Place ($200)

Peta Murray, NSW: “Brahma, Beer, Bile and Bhang”

Second Place ($100)

Peter Watts, WA: “The Legend of Lucky Last”

Third Place ($50)

David Campbell, Vic: “Harry and the Wobbleboards of Kazmurkistan”

Highly Commended

Michael Hunt, NSW: “The True Story of Rock ‘N’ Roll”

Phil Ilton, Vic: “Kirribilli Capers”

Dan Patch, NSW: “Silly Mid On”

Allen McKay, NSW: “Sentimental”

Commended

Megan Hills, Qld: “Confessions of the Body”

Margaret Dakin, Qld: “Not if I See You First”

Peter A. Lane, NSW: “Longer, Straighter, Phooey!!”

Margaret Carmichael-Leonard, Vic: “Love, Set and No Match”

Christine Tapper, WA: “Solemates”


There were 106 entries in the competition, from 65 entrants.