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 2006 results

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

CATEGORY 1: HUMOUR

First Place ($300)

Jim Murphy, VIC: “The Case of the Missing Third”

Second Place ($100)

Peter Watts, WA: “Stranger on the Train”

Third Place ($50)

Fiona Murray, QLD: “A Postmodern Tragedy”

Highly Commended

Barry Rosenberg, QLD: “Kissing Frogs”

Commended

Janeen Samuel, VIC: “Uncle Quentin Falls Into Adventure”

Peter Appleton aka Paul Sterling, VIC: “Getting It Write”

CATEGORY 2: GENERAL

First Place ($300)

Liz Hobbs, SA: “Drowning in Crimson”

Second Place ($100)

Travis de Valle, VIC: “Dreamer”

Third Place ($50)

Brooke McReynolds, QLD: “Dead Hearts in Paradise”

Highly Commended

David Campbell, VIC: “Oboe D’Amore”

Commended

Nikos Andreopoulos, VIC: “Bread”

Christopher Currie, QLD: “Hindrance”


There were 110 general and 81 humorous short stories in the competition, from 116 entrants.