Welcome to the Winner’s Circle where we celebrate the success of our ICL students. Today we’re celebrating Talma Edge who placed in our IFW A Trip That Didn’t Go As Planned Personal Essay Contest!
What contest was your winning entry submitted to? An Unplanned Trip
How many writing contests have you entered? 2
Tell us the title of your entry and a short summary of the story. “A Weekend At The Cottage” A young woman finds herself alone at the cottage, celebrating her 40th Birthday, with only the fond memories of her grandmother. Breaking up with her boyfriend was quite a blow to her self esteem. Celebrating her Birthday, alone, turned out to be very self reflective after all.
What inspired your winning entry? I was inspired by my 4 year old granddaughter “Sophie” coming to visit. Thinking in the future of how she might feel, coming here, once I have passed. I am hoping to share memories with her-similar to my story.
How has entering this contest helped your writing? Every opportunity to write strengthens the writer. Not only was I pleased to hear stories from others in the competition, but the feedback from the judges was very informative.
How did the critique in the Winners’ Workshop help you?
I learned to “show and not tell!” It is amazing how your works come alive when you think in this perspective. I felt the critique was very professional and helpful for my future writings.
Are you a full-time writer? If not, what is your “day job”? I am a physical therapist assistant by day and a writer evenings and weekends! I pray one day I can dedicate more time to my writing as it has always been my passion!
How long have you been writing? My entire life to some degree.
What will you do with your piece now that it’s been recognized? I am hoping to lengthen it. I might choose to incorporate the story into a short story. I have a fan (yea) who asked if I could write a continuation of this piece; she is yearning to hear more!
Any fun plans for the prize money? I learned how to do mobile banking so I could keep the check as a “first time winning” for writing.
What do you do when you’re feeling discouraged or blocked? Do you have any tips for your fellow writers? I have to relax my brain. I write medical notes all day, which can be boring and very serious. Waking early on the weekend is when I do my most relaxed thinking. I have to write what my thoughts are when I first wake up. My mind is most creative in the early morning.
If you could go to the yard sale of any character in the history of children’s literature, whose would you go to, and what would you buy? I would love to go to Cinderella’s yard sale. I would purchase her old ragged clothing. I believe the ragged items are what encourage us to do more for ourselves. Without our ragged edges we might never become the writers we strive to be.
What contest was your winning entry submitted to?
