Monday, October 19, 2009

Wow

I won ...

As I type the above words I am still somewhat stunned. I have won writing contests before. I made the top 500 in the Amazon contest while competing with something close to 10,000 other writers.

Sp why does wining Literary Agents Nathan Bransford's first paragraph contest feel like my greatest achievement as a writer?

Maybe it is because that paragraph comes from my very own memoir, not a fictional world I created?

Maybe because this has been one hell of a tough year and I've spent much of it debating if I really was good enough to make that top 1% of writers that get their novels published?

Maybe because I really have not been writing the way I sued to or should be?

Maybe because I read at least half of those 2600 entries and realize the talent level I was competing against?

Maybe it's all the maybes together?

Whatever I know I am truly elated and that I have new energy and desire to sit down and finish that memoir, because as cool and overwhelming as winning the contest is. there is no maybe to it. I'll need a heck of a lot more than a strong opener to finally land that agent and book deal I have been working for these past 8 years.

I'm taking this win as a sign that yes, I am good enough to be in that top 1% and yes, as long as I keep plugging away I can achieve my goals.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to vote for me or my fellow finalists. And if any of those 9 happen to find this blog I want to congratulate them and say thanks for making the contest one I am proud to have competed in. Without so many great entries this wouldn't mean quite so much.

70 comments:

savannah said...

congratulations, sugar! well done! xoxo

David said...

Congratulations, Travis!

This is just the beginning.

Laurie Powers said...

Congratulations, Travis! Fantastic.

dee said...

Told you so....the Feedstore Chronicles is where your talent lies...and this proves it...of course I think we just lost a book for our humor line...bummer....

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Travis, I feel like I'm saying this all over the internet, but I'm so very very happy for you. Your grace now is making me even MORE excited for you.

Good luck finishing your memoir & I look forward to watching where it takes you.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Way to go, Travis! You deserve the top spot award, no doubt about it! I'm thrilled for you!

Tana said...

Big Congrats! I hope the book hits stores by next year! Good luck with Nathan, I hope this work out in your favor. =)

Stephen Parrish said...

Congratulations, my friend. You truly deserve this, and all the success yet to come.

Lynnette Labelle said...

Congrats! That's fantastic!

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Charles Gramlich said...

That's great news, Travis. Congrats! And yes, you definitely have the talent. I think you have the perseverance too. Now you just need a little luck.

Michelle H. said...

Big congrats! Well deserved!

Eric said...

Congratulations Travis. You should be so proud. I hope you celebrate this moment over and over. Although you were competing among some very talented writers, your entry had something special - that undefinable extra that we all seek (and rarely find). I hope this launches you forward in a multitude of ways.

Take a bow, Travis. You've earned it.

Hilary said...

That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you. May this be the start of great, new accomplishments for you. Congrats, Travis. :)

Anonymous said...

Super-duper! Congratulations! You wrote from your heart, from your soul, from your experience... and it shows. Have a great week (I know you will!).

- Julie

jjdebenedictis said...

**flails pom-poms and does hand-springs despite being unaffiliated with a sports team**

ssas said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:D

Jessica Nelson said...

I just read the finalists and saw your paragraph. Very good and such a strong voice! So that's your memoir? It sounds great. Congrats! You finaled because it was truly good writing and sucked me right in!
:-)

erica m. chapman said...

Congrats! I just read it over on Nathan's blog!! So thrilled for you :) Woo Hoo!

Jenn Jilks said...

Well done, what a great feeling. Confirmation is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

/m\Pat-on-the-back/m\

James said...

Congratulations. I really liked your paragraph.

writtenwyrdd said...

It would make me feel pretty wow, too. :)

Spy Scribbler said...

Travis, you're a great storyteller! We all believe in you for a reason. :-) I'm with Charles: all you need is a little luck. :-)

alex keto said...

great news!
You deserve it because you are a great writer

Spiced Apple Eye said...

Congratulations!

WordVixen said...

I am not a fan of memoirs at all, but in your case I'd certainly make an exception. Your Feedstore Chronicles are hilarious and I know I'd just gobble that book right up.

Congratulations Travis!

Wayne Kernochan said...

Such humility humbles me sir. I thnk your comment afterward was a bigger win.

Angie said...

Wow indeed! Congrats! :D

Angie

Janna Leadbetter said...

You rock! That's all there is to it.

Josin L. McQuein said...

Congrats Travis!

I wish I had a dancing Snoopy icon here to celebrate, but I don't, so I'll toss virtual confetti instead.

Great opening!

Annie said...

Your hard work is paying off! Good for you!!!!!!!

Melissa Amateis said...

I was so excited when I read that you'd won! Congrats! Now get to writing!

Unknown said...

OH MY GOSH Travis! I am so proud and happy for you!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!

Merry Monteleone said...

Congratulations and major happy dances in your general direction, Travis!!!

Anyone of us could have told you that you belong in the 1% - I expect great things from you, Travis. Now get writing.

Cloudia said...

Yay Travis!!!
Congratulations, you work so hard that you deserve it. I enjoy your writing!


Aloha, Winner!

Comfort Spiral

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Again, I'm SO happy for you, Travis! What a great honor and thrill this must be. The Universe gives us signs and we are smart to follow them. Nathan is a brilliant agent and he loves your first paragraph. That's not a sign from the Universe, it's a powerful hit with a big hammer over the head! I have just three words for you. GO FOR IT!!!!!

Lana Gramlich said...

Congratulations, hon! That's absolutely great news! I hope it buoys your spirits on to greater things!

Mark Terry said...

Congrats!!

G. B. Miller said...

Congrabulations!!!!!

Bubblewench said...

You totally deserve to be in that 1%! You can do it Travis!! Congrats again, totally wonderful!

Sylvia said...

Well done and congrats!

Deanna said...

Congratulations Travis! That is awesome. You can do it!!!!!

Mary E Campbell said...

That's awesome Travis. Congratulations! Can't wait to hear more about that Feedstore.

Barrie said...

FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Aleta said...

Congratulations! Never give up!

Robin Lemke said...

You absolutely have the talent - it's just a matter of keeping at it. I can't wait to see your books up on the shelf!

Beth said...

Yes!!!
Congratulations!

Dawn Anon said...

Congrats!!

A Paperback Writer said...

Yea for you!
I voted for you, and I'm so glad that a decent paragraph actually won! It sort of restores my faith in people's judgment.
Happy basking in the glory!

Anissa said...

YAY!!! Congratulations Travis!

Diane said...

Incredible! So proud! :O)

Terrie Farley Moran said...

You won because you deserved to win.

You wrote an excellent opening paragraph and it touched readers and writers alike.

Congratulations.

Terrie

Miriam Forster said...

Wow indeed! Congratulations on a richly deserved win, Travis. I'm very impressed.

Mandy said...

Travis, this is so wonderful!! I am so proud for you! Congratulations!

Lexi said...

Whoohoo! Ride the wave, Travis, and enjoy every minute!

Teresa said...

Congratulations, Travis!! You really deserved to win.

Barbara Martin said...

Excellent. Now you have an excellent phrase to still in your next query letter. Now there are no exuses, Travis. Polish that non-fiction stuff and away you go. I'll be cheering you on to the finish line!

Clare2e said...

Travis-

You may have had your doubts this year, but the rest of us-- now including the gimlet-eyed Nathan Bransford-- are far too smart for that. Get to writing!

JM said...

Congrats!!! Yay for you!

Jackie Brown said...

Yours was simply the best. Congratulations and yays!, Travis.

Crystal Posey said...

WOW. As usual I am behind on all the blogs and am just now reading this so...

Here is my belated CONGRATS! This is absolutely wonderful news. *applause*

Peter Cooper said...

Congrats and great job, Travis! Very well deserved.

the walking man said...

Brother you drew me in with that paragraph and now I want the rest of the story.

B.E. Sanderson said...

OMG! I just saw Nathan's blog! I'm squeeing all over the place for you Travis. Wow. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Aren't you the guy who just won Nathan Bransford's first paragraph contest?

Luv the fish pic dude! Go Travis, go Travis, it's your birthday, go Travis...

Much props and congrats to you, and may you have mega sales in your writing career!

your other wife said...

Like I said before EXCELLANT! I know you are a great writer!!!!!

Rick said...

Wow! I know you've heard it before, but congratulations, man!!

carla stewart said...

TRAVIS!!! I just heard the news and am totally excited for you. May it lead to wonderful things. With your persistence and talent you will make it big someday. So proud to know you.

And to refresh your memory - You beat me in a contest back in the day (FIW). I remember not being disappointed in being second, but thrilled that you were FIRST. Way to go, Travis!

Lauren said...

Congrats! I am so happy for you! I'm sure it's just one very awesome rung on your ladder to even more awesome literary achievements :)

pattinase (abbott) said...

I voted for the guy who wrote the best opening. He just happened to be you.

Anonymous said...

Travis,

As I said on Nathan's blog, it was an opening paragraph that I wish I had it in me to write.

Well done.