Okay, I can no longer say that I'm one award away from being an award winning author.
At a very wonderful poetry reading and award ceremony the following was announced:
- "It...", a flash fiction story by Victoria S---, won the Wesley Ryals Merit Award for Fiction (competition: students, teachers, faculty, alumni of FSC; also known as 2nd place with a pretty certificate)
- "Syll-a-ber-ee," a poem by Victoria S---, won the Cantilevers's Student Writing Award for Poetry (competition: students only; also known as best student poetry; certificate of acheivement, plaque and $500.00 to Barnes and Noble 0.0)
- "Tail-gate Ponderings," a poem by Victoria S---, dedicated to her amazing boyfriend, Brian A---, won the Wesley Ryals Award for Poetry (competition: students, teachers, faculty, alumni of FSC; also known as the best over all poem; certificate of achievement, plaque, and unspoken honor of "Poet of the Year")
I can hardly believe any of this. It's so surreal. I knew I was getting an award and, since everyone who already knew wanted to throw me off, they let me think I was getting it for fiction. I never thought it would be "Tail-gate." I think it's better that it's "Tail-gate" because it's who I am now, not that angsty, hurt, mourning high school senior that wrote "It...". I'm so utterly happy. Peter Meinke, our guest speaker and guest poet, told me that my reading was "amazing" and he thought it was a "refreshing reversal" that truly put everything in perspective. Coming from him - a poet published in his own books twelve times over, international professor, and credentials beyond my comprehension - it was as if the archangel Gabriel had decended, sat down next to me at dinner, and said "You're cool. We like you up in heaven. No worries about making it there, just be yourself" (not that I'm doubting religion, etc, it's just a metaphor). I got to read my stuff too. It was the first time I"d gotten to do a reading. I wish you two and brian could have been there!!! It was completely amazing. I was shaking and could hardly stand by the time it was over.
I won. I really won.
They like me. They really like me.
And maybe I can finally admit to myself that I'm good at what I do. For once, I deserve to be proud of myself and to let people know that I am.
And maybe...just maybe...I'll make it out there in the big wide world. Maybe I've got that shot; I sure as hell am going to take it. =)
t h e . l u n c h . g r o u p
AIU Online
At 10:53 AM,
Debaser said…
Congrats. That's a very impressive achievement.
Post a Comment
<< Home