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 2019 results

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

First Place ($400)

Heather MacKenzie, QLD: Ancient Chinese Wisdom With Spag Bol Sauce

Second Place ($100)

Kenneth J Johnson, QLD: Devil in the Detail

Third Place

Clancy Fraser, VIC: Housemate

Highly Commended

Shirley Fletcher, NSW: War of the Reptiles

Geoff Covey, QLD: Glumpstead Hall

Lacey Sawtell, QLD: Out of this World

Commended

David Campbell, VIC: Crossing No Man's Land

Roger Wagstaff, QLD: Bonding on One Wheel

Shirley Fletcher, NSW: The Debate

Liz Bemrose (penname), NSW: Return and Earn Dirty Looks


There were 65 short stories in the competition, from 55 entrants.