You've got to love those Disco Mermaids.
They had a contest last week for a scholarship to the SCBWI National Conference. Man that's some chunk of change! No requirements, no word count, just give them 13 reasons why you want the scholarship. I savor a writing contest. It is a creative avenue for me to just have a blast and write a story. The Goddess of Contests didn't smile down on me, so no scholarship. But I had so much fun writing it I thought I would post my losing entry.
The Knight of the Silvery Moon
A post had been sent to all the scribes in the kingdom, a contest of wit and craft for the prize of Mermaid’s Gold. It was a scholarly quest for thirteen reasons to prove to the King and the two Queens one’s worth to attend a four-day tournament of all writers in the land. The winner would become a Knight of the Silvery Moon.
My quill is shaking, but my heart is stout and I will show that even a lowly scribe’s apprentice can strive to be a Knight of the Moon. I unraveled the scroll and studied the writer’s conference to come. It does not take long for I found that the thirteen reasons why lay in the gathering itself.
On the first day of the program it fills my heart with joy to discover that three of the reasons stand out: enlightenment, skill and perseverance will test this scribe’s ability. With the keynote address given by Sir Walter Dean Myers, his scholarly words will be certain to enlighten us all to the details this poor writer must face. A master class given by the poet, Lord Lee Bennett Hopkins, will test my skills of language and grace. The Royal Guild of Editors will expose their secrets of critiquing and this will be of a certainty to show this apprentice how to keep one’s thoughts open to suggestion and, of course, to persevere.
Saturday sets forth a day of merriment and information with four more reasons to attend: inspiration, bravery, camaraderie and mirth. With writing workshops aplenty, this scribe can drop into any of the great halls to be encouraged of the mind and inspired of the soul. But one must keep a brave heart when, with a manuscript critique scheduled for the day, I will be reminded that one must always be prepared to re-write in order to strive towards publication.
From lands abroad the gathering will bring camaraderie of purpose with the best children’s literature in the kingdom.
In the eve, the mirth of the Silvery Ball will abound, where we all will feast on wine, food and dance as we cheer the noble contest of the most silver of all adornments.
On Sunday, the Lord’s day we will not rest, for there are yet three more reasons for this scribe to attend: strength, grit and honor. These great virtues will be taught by a chosen few at the celebration lunch of the Winners of The Golden Kites. The awarded scribes will speak of the secrets of their great strength and determination to have a book published, what grit must be shown to fight the dragon of bad reviews and what an honor it is to have the peers of the realm bestow such a reward on them.
Finally, on the last day of the gathering, though there be many more reasons, this scribe but only needs three to fulfill the quest to become a knight: knowledge, humor and determination. . My head will be full of knowledge from the days of tutoring of all the noble scribes. My heart will be full of laughter as Lady Lisa Yee speaks to us about being true to one self and write of that of which we know. My soul will be strengthened with determination to go on to the wars of publication as an anointed Knight of the Silvery Moon.
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