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 2013 results

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

First Place ($500)

Sue Braint, VIC: "Sunburn"

Second Place ($100)

Simon Vella (penname), VIC: "The Gift"

Third Place

Glen Silver, SA: "Christmas Tree Capers"

Highly Commended

James Ian McKenzie, QLD: "The Job"

Simon Vella (penname), VIC: "Walk in the Park"

Dean Briggs, NSW: "Droving Ms Dazy"

Commended

Yadida Sekel, NSW: "Waiting for the Light"

James Murphy, VIC: “The 2025 Ecumenical Council”

Tim Hehir, VIC: "Playing Cards with Betty Grable"

Emily Hitchman, ACT: "An Accidental Drop"


There were 76 short stories in the competition, from 52 entrants.