I'm sorry, but this is amazing.

The Wordos:

Eric Witchey wins second place in a quarter to be included in Writers Of The Future Vol. XVII

Leon West places in a quarter to be included in Writers Of The Future Vol. XVIII

Jay Lake places first in a quarter to be included in Writers Of The Future Vol. XIX

Ken Brady is a published finalist and his story appears in Writers Of The Future Vol. XX

Now, Stephen Stanley has just won first place in the third quarter of this contest year to be included in Writers Of The Future Vol. XXI

Five years in a row we've had someone from the Wordos go to L.A. for the workshop. I'm very happy for Stephen Stanley. He's been in the workshop since I arrived in Eugene in October of '93. This is his second sale and a BIG one it is. And I don't think the news has sunk in yet. Last night after the workshop, it was interesting to hear him talk about putting conflict in stories. He had reached a point, or had a realization, where he focused on having his characters MOVE, that they had to be doing something, working towards something, dealing with a problem.

And I have a hunch to place in Writers Of The Future, one needs a good conflict. I'm not good at plot yet. This is something I'll continue to work on.

Congrats, Stephen Stanley! He's also been entering The Illustrators Of The Future. I don't think a single person has won in both contests before. Good luck, Stephen, I hope you place in that contest, too.

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Slow writing day today. I don't think I've hit a wall, but I certainly hit an "off" day. 300 words written. That is all. Must figure out what's wrong.

Oh, how will tomorrow fare?