As writers, we can't always see our work clearly - this means that we can often miss problems that need fixing, which is SO important. But it also means sometimes we lose track of what IS working. Let people read your stuff. It's important. And sometimes even fun! /END

Isn't it! Particularly delighted to win the "Well, this is weird but maybe good?" competition!

I just think it's worth remembering that writing requires two contradictory things. Step 1) Craft and refine and perfect your work to the best of your ability. But EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY Step 2) Shoot your shot. Get your stuff out there. Give people a chance to read it. 6/

As expected, I was nowhere near winning the overall prize, but I am very delighted by this outcome and also by a couple of people who messaged me or chatted with my after the prize giving to say that they especially enjoyed my story. It all made me so happy. The reason I'm telling you all this... 5/

And then, when I got back late that night, I had do say, "Do you remember how I said I wasn't going to win anything?" "Yeah?" "Well, I won a little bit." As it turned out, I'd scored second place for Character Development and was joint first for "I don't know why but I liked it." 4/

when I was heading out to attend the ceremony, my husband said "Good luck!" and I shot back, "Oh, to be clear I am absolutely not going to win anything and that is totally fine. Everyone else's stories are SO good, I'm just going to support and cheer them on." And I meant it. 3/

My heart sank, honestly, because when I looked at my submission as it was printed in the competition packet, all I could see was problems. Typos everywhere. The character motivations that were so clear in my head, I couldn't see them on the page. It stressed me out. So on the night itself... 2/

So sorry you're having a rotten time - I wish I had an actual puppy to share with you, but sending good wishes!

What you describe as a hypothetical scenario is already the existing source basis for AIs today, in an world where the Internet has been overrun with AI generated content. So the AI is writing the content that the AI regurgitates. This will degenerate quickly. www.vice.com/en/article/m...

I'll DM you... x

Oh, how random that I got to be the one to tell you! It looks like it was posted yesterday, FWIW. Here's the screengrab. Have you met many of Eric's other folks? I'm in touch with a few on Discord.

He makes the wrong choice at every point in every moment.

Oh definitely! Election is brilliant, especially for the way it makes us all so complicit. Tracey Flick is the secret hero of that movie, but it manipulates you away from realising that.

I got the Edward Scissorhands update! In summary, the report was "it still holds up." Which is a relief to hear!

At fantasy con all the volunteers are dubbed “red cloaks” thus clarifying the distinction between the genres.