Oso -- I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you for putting yourself out there early and often on this forum -- conversing, connecting, creating room for people to introduce and express themselves while we all began this hopeful journey.

Thank you for sharing your ups and downs throughout this process.  There were many people going through what you were willing to share...no doubt why your blog suddenly acquired so many "silent" readers.

And thank you for caring so much. Your passion showed all the way through this process. It's that passion that will win through in the end.

* * *

Critiquing a story is an art, not a science.  How can a story that won second place in WoTF fail to earn a place with Clarion or Clarion West? Because the decision was a subjective one, made by people, and not revealing of some intrinsic deficiency in your writing.  You are a good writer.  You've certainly managed to entertain this audience over these last two months...what more should any writer want?

I know that Clarion is a great opportunity.  It's a chance to learn from some great people.  It's a chance to meet some great fellow writers.  It's validation, it's acceptance, it's a promise of more magic to come.

It is also, ultimately, irrelevant.  As you continue to write you will grow and prosper and become the writer you wish to be.  Clarion may be a shortcut to that end, Clarion may provide momentum towards that end...but you control your pace towards that destiny, even with nary a Clarion in sight. 

I wish you luck, sir.  Thanks for making this long and sometimes arduous process much more enjoyable by your words and presence.

Ken