Hello, hello!  I didn’t really plan on putting this out there, mainly because Creative Non-Fiction (CNF) isn’t my forte.  But then, I wondered why not?  Yes, my life is boring.  No, I don’t particularly enjoy writing about it.  But, a while back, I wrote a short essay about my feelings toward doctors (one doctor in particular, actually).  I’ve been submitting it places with little hope of it finding a home.  Anyway, I recently found out that it’s a finalist in the Pen 2 Paper writing competition.  It’s called “Wrap Me up and Tie it with a Bow” and you can find it under Non-Fiction in the link above.  Names have been changed and I’m sure some of the details are off (who can clearly remember that far back?), but the gist is true.  Feel free to take a look.  And keep all appropriate appendages crossed for me when they announce the winners.

Pen 2 Paper is the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities’ annual creative writing competition.  It has been around for at least nine years now and currently has four categories in which people can enter: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and comics.  You don’t have to be a Texan to submit.  You don’t even have to be cripple according to the guidelines.  But disability does have to be a main theme of the story/poem.  The goals of the competition are to give writers with disabilities a forum where they can share their work; bring awareness to disability issues through the arts; and challenge all people of all ages to think, rethink, and express their stories, perspectives, fears, and discoveries about disability.

I think what they’re trying to accomplish is interesting and I’m proud to be a small part of it.  With more than 400 submissions this go around, it’s obvious they’ve built a strong competition over the years.  Plus, it’s one of very few writing venues where I don’t have to worry about being the token cripple.

Anyway, I think I’ll leave it at that.  Please do check out my essay, “Wrap Me up and Tie it with a Bow.”  Feel free to let me know what you think of it here or on my social media pages.  Also, check my publication page on my website to look at any of my stuff you may have missed.  I’ll be back next week with my usual randomness!  See you then!