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 2007 results

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

First Place ($300)

Kaye Watson, VIC: “The Effortlessness of Being”

Second Place ($100)

Jo Hamlet, WA: “The Pink Teddy and the Dead Body”

Third Place

Daan Spijer, VIC: “Don't Trifle With the Law”

Highly Commended

Steve Mitchell, VIC: “Re-entry”

Janeen Samuel, VIC: "The Envelope"

John Clanchy, ACT: "Talking to Anyone Can be a Comfort"

David Campbell, VIC: "Ozzie"

Commended

Christine Tapper, WA: “La Mare”

Jim Murphy, VIC: “Venus and Me”

Ross Duffy, SA: "An Uncommon Plea"

David Cohen, VIC: “The Man Next Door”

Ross Duffy, SA: "The Demon Booze"


There were 86 short stories in the competition, from 73 entrants.