I never win anything…well, almost never. Once, when I was still working as a school librarian, I put in for a raffle for an autographed hockey puck. The puck was signed by Colin White who just happened to be the ONLY NJ Devil player whose autograph I hadn’t gotten that year. I crossed my fingers and waited for the raffle to be called. And wouldn’t you know it….I won! I was so excited to finally have that last autograph for my collection BUT, then I saw one of my second grade students in full-on ugly cry because he hadn’t won. I had to make a split-second decision: pretend I didn’t notice, keep the puck and hope he got over it or hand him over the puck. I chose to give him the puck. And while it made me feel good, I still don’t have Colin White’s autograph and I wonder what that kid has done with that puck 8 years later.

So what does that have to do with writing? Well, nothing, really, but it was my only good story about winning something. Now I have another good story about winning! At the end of last year, I saw a post for a scholarship contest for the annual 12×12 Challenge. For those who are not familiar with the challenge, go here. I decided, “Why not!?” and went for it. I was shocked when I received an email back so quickly from them but that shock wore off when they explained that I had forgotten to attach my manuscript. OOPS! Once I resent it, I figured I was as good as done but, lo and behold, I got an email saying that I was a winner. Check out the announcement here. There was no way I was giving this up to any sobbing person this time!

And, WOW, 12×12 has been great so far! Lots of wonderful people, advice, webinars, and chances to submit to agents. I’ve officially written 5 or 6 drafts so far (I lost count) but I am trying to write one exclusively each month. My February draft is so unique and exciting that I’ve already submitted it out. Fingers crossed! Maybe this will be my year to get back all of that good karma I put out into the world by giving away that puck (or maybe not, since I haven’t had anything go my way since I’ve won the scholarship). Perhaps I should give away a lot more stuff!

P.S. If you haven’t already signed up for thewritersmatch.com, the site is really moving along and there are lots of writers there swapping stories as we speak. Check it out and maybe you’ll find yourself a critique partner!

P.P.S Here’s a picture of Colin White at the White House with George W. Bush. I bet he got an autograph!