![[30 / 30]](https://i0.wp.com/farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4206301417_f27b20c91f.jpg)
Hi friends,
I was slightly embarrassed at first to share this bit of small news because it seemed so, well, small, but then I remembered: it’s the little things in life that make it grand!
My story “Dear John” was recently selected as a winner in Smokelong Quarterly‘s 30-word story contest.
For anyone counting, that amounts to just 3 sentences in my case.
The best number to me, however, is that only 5 stories made the cut from over 1400 entries. So it feels kind of like being the shy girl in school you think no one notices – but then having the star quarterback ask you to prom. (Ok, that totally never happened to me and doesn’t even work as an analogy. Also, I lusted after the skater boys and genius slackers, more than jocks).
It was fun to take a little break from the monster work of a novel and write something of this size. I find sometimes I’m more creative when given strict constraints. And affirmations keep the fire going: Yes, you *might* just get picked out of a crowd. Chances are slim, but it happens!
Enjoy the bite-sized fiction here. And remember to celebrate the small things!
Yay!
paris (im)perfect 
Mazel tov from New York. I LOVED your entry. Well-deserved!
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That’s pretty darn fantastic my friend! Way to go. And yes…celebrate the small things, because over time, they are what count the most!
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Well done! Very evocative for so few words. You shouldn’t be embarrassed, you should be proud. It’s a big thing to win a contest, especially considering the number of entries. Congrats!
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Congratulations! A very elegant three sentences.:-)
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Totally worth celebrating. I loved all 30 words of it. Very Carver-esque, in my opinion. Congrats!
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Thanks, y’all! 🙂
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I never mix arithmetic and literature…
I refuse to count my words…
About the quarterback… well… let’s see… with a long skirt everything is possible despite my hairy legs (very hairy… I saw tears in cacti’s eyes while watching them)
Bull’s eye!
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Felicitations Sion!!! I don’t think this is a small accomplishment — out of 1400 entries and to have been selected. That’s a huge and wonderful accomplishment. What a gem you created in a few short words — like a perfect capture of a photo.
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Congrats, Sion! I loved Dear John — great imagery of the crumbs and the table. This short fiction reminds me of John Edgar Wideman — he spoke at the American Library in the summer on his new microstories. You might enjoy them, too!
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Genius, Sion – I love it! Felicitations! And you are so right: life is all about our little triumphs and moments. You are an inspiration. xo
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Well-deserved!!
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Congratulations! I hope you’re doing something nice to celebrate. 🙂
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