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 2015 results

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

First Place ($500)

Brian Howley, VIC: "Jeff's Breakfast"

Second Place ($100)

Alan Williams, France: "The Story Teller"

Third Place

Edward Burger, VIC: "The Longest Journey Begins With the First Step"

Highly Commended

Jim Brigginshaw, NSW: "Finding a Spot in Sport"

Jim Murphy, VIC: "Dementia"

Commended

John Pitman, WA: "The Legendary Bulldust Bill"

Edward Burger, VIC: "A Fool in a Gown"

Alan Williams, France: “Snail Shells and Apricots”


There were 68 short stories in the competition, from 45 entrants.