// Creative Commons Image by shoobydooby // When I worked for my college paper, my friend and I had the chance to cover an early morning Oscar nomination announcement one year. Since the event was more than an hour from campus, I remember more about the drive than the stars or the films honored.
 
Flash forward to the present where my latest novel, Fool’s Luck, has been entered into several contests. With the first contest, I learned of my success after the fact, making the victory a pleasant surprise.
 
In the next contest, which is akin to the Golden Globes for my genre, the fanfare was more pronounced, with a live announcement and everything. So, I waited for the appointed hour and tuned in as the finalists were named.
 
As you likely can gather by this point, I was not chosen to join that august few. After the initial letdown, I realized I was longing for another accolade to bring greater validation to my work, as if awards, while appreciated, make your creation better. I also was reminded of the difference between the ambition required to enter such contests and greed that leaves you unsatisfied unless you receive every recognition possible.
 
Undaunted, I am moving on with my next project, a film adaptation of Fool’s Luck. Let’s see where that version of the story takes me.
 
Through this experience, I’ve learned it’s just fine to wait until the day after to discover your fate in such contests. That way, no one will bear witness to how much ice cream is required to commemorate the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.