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 2019 results

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

First Place ($400)

Heather MacKenzie, QLD: Mending Fences

Second Place ($100)

Phillip Derone, NSW: Culinary Capers

Third Place

Jim Brigginshaw, NSW: The Mobile Beauty Parlour

Highly Commended

Brenn Hislop, WA: Self-Help Books Don't Help

Janeen Samuel, VIC: There is no Rhyme for Orange (and Not Much Reason Either)

Alan Cornell, VIC: A Circular Christmas

Commended

Enid Joy Collen, QLD: Mr Huntley

Janeen Samuel, VIC: Hunger Strike

Sue Clayton, NSW: Jeans to Die For

Diana Reid, NSW: Namesake


There were 60 short stories in the competition, from 48 entrants.