Nov 3, 2009

An interesting thing happened on my way to becoming an author...

by Valerie Ipson

I was asked yesterday if I would be a judge in a writing contest. I won't reveal which one, because I wouldn't want to be inundated with gifts, luxury cruises, and Hershey's Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Toffee and Almond Nuggets, all in an effort to persuade my vote. That would just be wrong...wouldn't it? (Not even just one measly bag of nuggets? *BIG SIGH*)


Anyway, it gave me pause. (Kind of like the mention of Hershey's Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Toffee and Almond Nuggets just did.) And then I laughed. It reminded me of all those years ago when I had my very first ever item published in the newspaper. Because I could string a few words together in a somewhat coherent (and humorous, I hasten to add) manner and a newspaper was willing to publish it and pay me 10 bucks, suddenly I was an expert of sorts. Never mind that I didn't have another thing published for, like, forever. People just seemed to be impressed with even this one minor success.

They also seemed to think I knew the ins and outs of writing.

My son's 2nd grade teacher saw the article and asked if I would come once a week to teach Creative Writing to the class. And I was actually asked to judge an elementary school Reflections writing contest. I guess it turned out alright. No anarchy in the streets over the winners chosen.

No chocolate-covered bribery attempted either.

Darn it.

6 comments:

  1. Good thing we just had Halloween and you have all sorts of chocolate, right?

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  2. You're so funny, Valerie! I love reading your blogs! (Even when I don't comment.)

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  3. Your posts always bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart Valerie! Makes me wish we were next door neighbors...I would bring the chocolate!

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  4. Yes Valerie people do think we're experts and sometimes that's a blessing and a curse, ha.

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  5. That's my kind of neighbor, Kari, thanks. (Can't we just all be neighbors? Wouldn't that rock?)

    And I totally agree, Terri--a blessing and a curse!

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