I Can Go The Distance

So, I've been attending the Storymakers Conference for the last few years. It's been awesome. I've met cool people and learned lots of great stuff. But everytime I've gone, I've felt a little bit of the ol' imposter syndrome creeping in.

This year I decided that I was just going to really put myself out there. And boy did I.

The first step in my plot was to enter the annual video contest. The conference theme was "I Can Go the Distance." So, of course, I had to wear a toga and do my best Hercules parody. I wrote the script over a week and filmed it with my family over a single day.

I was pretty happy with how it turned out. And I WON!

They show the video at the conference during lunch. Because I won the video contest I had to stand up and aknowledge my inadequate singing which I had attempted to compensate for with witty lyrics and unabashed ridiculousness.

Right after we watched my video they announced the winners of the first chapter contest. I had two entries in the Adult Speculative category.

They announced my category right at the beginning and I did not place. Of course, I was disappointed. But I knew the calibre of the other entries so I wasn't surprised. I had entered in previous years and had recieved some increasingly positive feedback from the judges. So I felt like I was getting better.

At that point I was content to sit back and cheer for my friends who had entered in other categories. I knew there was a Grand Prize but it never crossed my mind that I would be considered for it.

I was probably more surprised than anyone when they announced that Exegesis had won. That's right. Out of hundreds or entries, mine was chosen as the best. It was surreal. I definately dissociated a bit walking up to the stage. My wife was there. My friends were cheering. Afterwards, Charlie N. Holmberg told me good job.

Wild. I hope I can top that day at some point in my career. But I'll be coasting on the high for a while.

Now... To finish the book.