By the end of today, the blog announcing the New Year’s Resolution Writing Contest will have received over three thousand hits. That level of activity has resulted in thirty-seven new stories published on BC.

We don’t have comparative statistics, but it appears the level of comment activity is up.

A new author is among those who have posted a story entry.

Given that the contest opened for submissions less than a week ago -- we’re pleased with the initial results.

Not surprisingly, the quality of the stories has ranged from good to excellent. All have been enjoyable to read.

The contest will be open for entries until the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day.

Please enter as many times as you would like. You will be eligible for only one award, but each entry will be considered.

Please contact authors you know on other sites and ask them to take part in the contest,

Please read the entries and leave kudos and comments. I believe a kudo should be left if you finish the story. The author gave you something. A kudo is a thank you. To me, it’s rude to read a story and not leave a kudo.

A few years ago, there was a similar writing contest on BC. Those running the contest choose to issue awards to about half the stories entered. My submission was not noted. I reacted childishly and threw a hissy-fit. I left the site for six weeks. After some time, I pulled my head out of a dark place and came back.

I, like many of us here, have suffered due to my gender dysphoria. I’m a wounded dove. When I get very tired and think about things my mind sometimes drifts to how being who I am has impacted my life. Sometimes my assessment isn't pretty. Things that shouldn’t bother me. . .do. I have an extremely large, and quite fragile, ego.

When I write a story, I pour my heart into it. It hurts when the story isn’t broadly accepted. I can’t imagine that other authors don’t feel the same. This probably sounds silly to some of you -- given the fact that I’ve sold so many books on Amazon. But that’s how I’m built. You would think with my books garnering a 4.3 out of five average and over 1,700 comments (usually positive) my ego would be bullet-proof, but it isn’t.

Of the thirty-seven stories connected with the contest, I would consider nine of them to be exceptionally well written. We only have three awards to give out.

When I score stories for this contest, one of the categories I score is Passion. I give a score of one through five based on whether it is clear the author cared about the story. I have only rarely scored a story in this contest at less than five. People are putting themselves out there for this contest.

I’ve suggested that we add ten to fifteen “Honorable Mentions” based on an estimate of sixty-plus total entries. Emma has rightly said that those who don’t get mentioned might be crushed. Based on my personal experience I must agree with her.

The purpose of the story is to stimulate writing activity. Our prime directive is to Do No Harm. We will stick with three awards for writing and will not give out Honorable Mentions.

Jill