Come ’round my friends.

Gather closer.

Fill in all those back seats. No, no, not there, closer. You really want to hear this one.

I wave furiously trying to bring people up, though, I have to admit, those straggling at the back of the room are where I want to be.

But now, I must remind them to move forward, too.

Come up here, so you can really see me, where I stand on this podium, with my red curtain behind me, and my microphone at my face.

A tap on my shoulder from J.A. Belfield aka Judge Julie suggests I should really get this show on the road.

With one final little tantrum and foot stomp, I pull at the hem of my suit jacket (I’ve dressed up to save face); I open my notes and spread them out on the podium and clear my throat with one little cough.

Now, I’m ready.

Or maybe not.

A turn to the right finds that blasted Judge standing next to me still. I smile with the sweetness of a mischievous child. A bolt to my left finds Jocelyn Adams with her pigtails and braces, her plaid skirt and Mary Sues bouncing like a giddy … winner. No, wait … that’s not right. A shake of my head reveals it’s just her … my friend, my writer friend and her smile if that of the Cheshire cat. Oh yeah … here we go.

Another tap on the microphone sends a screeching blare through the room. As everyone covers their ears, I lean forward and take a deep breath.

Today, I, Aimee Laine, humbly, graciously and with the utmost regard for my fellow writer, make the following announcement.

A quick cough gives me a second to prepare.

Yes, I did in fact accept the challenge that was presented to me on the 24th of July via Facebook, by one Jocelyn Adams.
Yes, I did in fact agree to win— I mean, write as fast as possible toward my goal of 90,000 words in my current work in progress.
Yes, I did set this goal, on my own and publicly declared my entry into the race.

And today, I stand before you to announce …

I give the one to my right one last glance and get a nod in return.

Today … I announce that Jocelyn Adams has bested me.

The crowd boos. Right? No? That’s not how it’s working? But isn’t this MY Dream?

Oh … damn. It’s not a dream. This is real. And yes, Jocelyn Adams kicked my butt! She hit 95,000 words before I hit 76,000 words because as her muse pressed forward, my muse took a freakin’ nap. 🙂

But that’s okay, because if ever there were a worthy opponent to ‘compete’ against in a writing competition, it would be Jocelyn.

And I’d even … do it again. 😉

Now, I leave you with the final treat … Jocelyn’s gift which shall be placed into the mail today:

Bravo, my friend. Bravo. 🙂

Click here to hear Judge Julie’s thoughts?

And here to see the winner gloat — I mean, enjoy her win. 😉

Ever taken a challenge, publicly and had to put on your own show of humbleness? Share in the comments!

—–

For Charley Randall … time is her greatest enemy. The love of Wyatt Moreland is her ultimate reward.

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