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

Spring 2011 results

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

First Place ($150)

Dean Briggs, NSW: "A Traveller's Blog (Guides Do Not Get Lost)"

Second Place ($50)

Jo Virgona, ACT: "Kevin, the Recalcitrant Migraine"

Third Place ($25)

Dean Briggs, NSW: "I Think the Is Have It"

Funniest Title ($10)

P.S. Cottier, ACT: "Little Nell's death scene from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, 'improved' into a happy ending by an alien's tool”

Highly Commended

P.S. Cottier, ACT: "Little Nell's death scene from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, 'improved' into a happy ending by an alien's tool"

Ingrid Banwell, NSW: "Nearly Forgotten"

David Day, ACT: "The Sushi Girl"

Commended

Fiona Skepper, VIC: "How to Write for an Audience"

Paul Sterling (penname), VIC: “Stiff Luck”

Paul Sterling (penname), VIC: "The Secret Life of Frank Bliss"

Jessie Bate, SA: "Nothing to Lose but my Straitjacket!"


There were 49 short stories in the competition, from 40 entrants.