The Losing Game: Writing Acceptance 7/?

That thing we all strive: acceptance. I GOT ONE. I'm actually late posting this one, but it's honestly because I was so excited I couldn't part with it without making sure the post did it justice. I thought about it and thought about it and then eventually it was December 29th and I ran out of time. It's hard to explain why this acceptance is so meaningful to me if you don't know me personally. If you do, you know that the best compliment you can give me is a belly laugh. I will (humbly) routinely inform my friends that I am the funniest person they know. (It's actually amazing that I have friends. I guess all those pennies in mall fountains as a kid paid off.) So when I found out I was an honourable mention in a humor poetry contest, one I'd submitted to unsuccessfully* for the last 3 years, the validation struck that secret chord that David played that pleased the Lord.

That the poem in question was an insult poem to someone committing one of my biggest pet peeves (reclining their chair all the way back on a plane. A monster akin to Ted Bundy and Charles Manson, I'd say.) was also gratifying. If I can make my many and varied neuroses work for me, I can justify having them and not working toward amending them. And as you might now know, anything that helps me avoid doing work on myself is my particular cup of tea. (Also teacups are my cup of tea, if you're ever looking to get me a gift. It's the WASPiest thing about me. I have several. They are frou frou af.)

Anyway, here's the letter that brought me joy, and if you're interested, I'll link to the poem. A huge, slobbery, heartfelt thank you to the team at Winning Writers, and to the judges, if they're reading this. Or if they aren't. But really: Thank you.

[WRITING ACCEPTANCE 7/?] Dear Erin, We are pleased to tell you that you are currently a finalist in our Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. We have identified 15 finalists from among the 4,749 contestants. We will announce the winner on August 15. Before we go to the final round of judging, please confirm the following: Your poem: To the Man Sitting in Front of Me... 1) Your poem is your own original work 2) You own the copyright for your poem 3) You give Winning Writers the nonexclusive right to publish your poem, with attribution, on WinningWriters.com. We may also publish your poem in electronic form, such as in our email newsletters, in press releases, and in ebooks. Any other use would be negotiated with you. ... Dear Erin, It is my pleasure to announce you won an honorable mention in our 2018 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Your poem exemplifies the spirit of Wergle Flomp! We will officially announce your award and make your winning entry public on WinningWriters.com on August 15. Congratulations again! Best regards, Winning Writers

So, I'm very excited. File this under major accomplishment and major good fortune. I'll share the link to the piece here if you want to read it. (You can read any piece of mine that appears online in the publication section if that's something that interests you. If you're just here for the gifs and camaraderie, that's fine too!)

Watch this space for the rest of the posts I haven't known how to share! They're coming before the end of the year, because like you, I am beholden to the Gregorian Calendar. #ChristianPropaganda #AlsoMathIGuess Until next time, - E.B. Kirsh