Can I Say.....I'm Freaking Blown Away!!!

Many of you may remember that a couple of weeks ago, I posted the new contest on Jason Evans' blog, The Clarity of Night, with the picture prompt of a black bird in silhouette. It was an awesomely breathtaking picture that spoke to me, but in a way I wasn't sure I'd be able to capture. Well, I gave it my best shot and I'm happy to say I received an honorable mention!! This may not sound like much to a lot of people, but to me, I was awestruck. You see, I love reading and writing, it was always a dream to be able to write, one that I would have never attempted until I found my place in the blogging community. I've received so much good feed back on this story, I knew I could have improved it, but honestly, I tried to put my best foot forward. This is a learning process, right?

Altogether there was 237 entries, mine was the 234th. First, I forgot the date to send my entry in; then, I didn't know if I was happy with my entry; and finally, our internet was spotty and it went down on the last day of the contest and only came back up with only five minutes to spare in the contest. In the last minutes left, I hurriedly sent Jason my entry and hoped for the best. After I sent my entry, I looked at the others and thought, holy crap! How did I ever think I could compete??? There were so many fantastic entries and as I looked back at my own little tale, I cringed. No one was going to like it, it was a pathetic attempt. I guess this second guessing and nervous anticipation is how it's supposed to work. So, I've been sitting today anxiously waiting for Jason's results, knowing I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell, and wouldn't you know it, the internet goes down again and stays down all freaking day!!! I wasn't able to check the results until almost midnight. And as I was scrolling through the winners (all fine stories I must say) and the honorable mentions (which I didn't think I had a chance at), there was my name!! I rubbed my eyes, closed the browser and re-opened it to look again. And I was still there. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Honorable Mention--Taylor, Dottie, And The Hunt Begins

I'm so honored to be included in such company as those who participated in this contest. Everyone who participated deserves a big pat on the back and a Woo Hoo! To put yourself out before the eyes of so many others is an incredibly hard thing to do. I hardily congratulate you on your most worthy efforts. I didn't make one of the top five entries, but when there were almost 250 entries, I was amazed my story was even noticed.

Thanks Jason for an amazing contest!!! It has to take so much work to have a contest like this, especially with the amount of entries this contest produced. I imagine that exhaustion is reigning in your house tonight. All the participates congratulate you on your worthy efforts!!

I wasn't sure I was going to post my entry, but I'm so happy right now that I'm doing my happy dance. :) So, here's my entry:

Silhouette -- The Clarity of Night Contest

And The Hunt Begins

I raised my face to the night wind. There's the sweet scent I'd caught earlier. I inhale deeply, letting the scent wash over me, through me, heightening my senses.

Fear.

I run, grinning wildly, as the land glides beneath my feet, almost at a full gallop. I scent the air again, yes, there it is! A hawk calls over head, pointing the way.

At the edge of the brush, I skid to a halt. I'm not the only one drawn by the scent as I hear a growl off at a distance in the waning light. I sat on the cold hard ground, forcing my heart to slow, biding my time. I can wait my turn, I will have my feed.

I open my jaws and yawn a loud whine, alerting others that I too wait to feed.

“Help me.” I hear in the distance as the growl grows closer. The ground vibrates, limping footfalls coming nearer. Damn, it's a helpless thing, groping in the twilight for a savior. A small hand lands upon my flank, curling in my fur.

“Please, I'm lost.” It pleads.

Food, my instincts cry.

Help it, my heart demands.

Shifting is always the worst part, especially when I've been denied my feast. Bones pop as I change, no one feeds tonight.

A child cries in the darkness.

“I'm here.” I reach out, taking the small hand in mine. “I'm here.”