SLO NightWriters

In 2007, in the process of moving from Woodland Hills to Los Osos, I entered the NW Short Story contest for the first time. I hadn’t been writing for long and I was nervous: would I be good enough? My first contact with the NightWriters was with Anne Schroeder, who couldn’t have been more welcoming and encouraging. When I got the entry in on the day of the deadline and alerted her that it was in the mail and that I was sorry it wasn’t more timely, she said: “All great writers wait until the last moment so that they can make that last minute word change that will make the story even better.”

In 2008 I joined the NW Board and got a first-hand appreciation for the work that goes into much of the NW work, but especially the contest. I knew that Anne would be encouraging the new writers with the same enthusiasm she had encouraged me.

Before last week’s meeting I knew I’d be a finalist. I’d rehearsed a little speech for Anne and the judges (whoever they are), wanting to thank them for the months of work that goes into the coordination and selection of the finalists and winners.

But then, after the reading of the wonderful 1st Prize winning story by Anne Unkovich, my name was called as the 2nd Prize winner. Me? A winner? My speech left my mind, the rest of the evening was a blur and I never thanked Anne.

So here goes: Anne – for the countless hours of work you put into the Contest: thank you. And for the encouraging words, the patience, the welcoming to the “circle of writers”: thank you a thousand times and then some.