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 2012 results

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

First Place ($200)

Dean Briggs, NSW: "The Victor Vector Factor"

Second Place ($50)

Adam vanLangenberg, VIC: "Arthur Wickerton and the Very Fine Ladies"

Third Place

B. J. Stirling, NSW: "A Man of Many Parts"

Highly Commended

Roger Wagstaff, Qld: "Spencer's Chocolate Creams"

Fiona Skepper, VIC: "In Search of Rasputin's Penis"

Phil Tennant, WA: "Salad Daze"

Commended

Jacqueline Allan, VIC: "Waiting for Barbie"

Lynnette Lounsbury, NSW: “Welcome to Luanda”

Peter Lingard, VIC: "Great Balls of Fire"

Denise Probert, VIC: "I'm Better Known Than Marlon Brando"

Jim Murphy, VIC: "Standing on One Leg"


There were 55 short stories in the competition, from 46 entrants.