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 2021 results

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

First Place ($437)

David Vernon, ACT: The Gardener Revealed

Second Place ($62)

Jim Brigginshaw, NSW: Willy Faces Up To It

Third Place ($31)

David Vernon, ACT: Of Anal Probes And Ivermectin

Highly Commended

Leigh Garrahy, QLD: There's No I In Team

Greg Southwell, ACT: Resident Hero

Karen Jamieson, NSW: People These Days

Commended

Crisetta MacLeod, NSW: The Salutary Tale Of The GABA Interspecies Tea Party: Give Peace A Chance

Ray Scott, VIC: A Good Mate

Tony Barrett, TAS: Of Mice And Mechanics

Heather Mackenzie, QLD: Natty Notions


There were 64 short stories in the competition, from 50 entrants.
Total entry fees received: $625.12.