A week ago I wrote a blog titled “Writing and Waiting.” I was inspired to write the blog because a short story of mine was a finalist in the Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine, and I was beyond anxious while waiting to hear if it would win anything. I was so excited and nervous. Over the last few years, I have read many of the awesome short stories that have won or placed in the contest, and to have my story be one of the nine finalists this year was thrilling. And even though I was disappointed not to win anything, I’m so honored that the judges liked my story enough to make it a semi-finalist and then a finalist.

While driving over to my mother’s in Petoskey, Michigan, on July 1, I learned that my story had been chosen as a semi-finalist. And even if it was counting my chickens before they hatched, I worried about having a decent author’s photo, just in case my story won something. Before this I had wanted an updated photo because the photos I have been using for bios are candid photos taken by my husband, a stranger at a writing conference, and my granddaughter.

My nephew, who is a wonderful photographer, was also visiting my mother. So, after I arrived at Mom’s, and after I said hello to everyone and gave everyone a hug, I asked him if he would take some pictures of me after supper. He’s a big supporter of my writing. Shortly after we ate and finished up the dishes, he walked back into the kitchen with his 35mm camera slung around his neck. “Aunt Vickie, are you ready to have your picture taken?” He loves any excuse to take photos.

We went out into my mother’s beautiful yard. The sun, nearing the end of its day, created a magical light. We included my dog Ziva in some of the photos because she wasn’t letting me leave the house without her. She seemed to know she was part of a special moment. Even when my nephew took photos of just me, Ziva stood next to me.

Before the photo session, Max talked about taking more photos of me in different settings around Petoskey. After the photo session, I so loved the photos he had taken that I told him we didn’t need to go anywhere else or take any more photos. I don’t like having my photo taken, and I often feel that photos of me don’t turn out well. So, I felt lucky to have a lot of great photos to choose from. And I reasoned that if Max took more photos, I would have too many choices.

Even though my short story didn’t end up winning or placing in the contest, every time I look at the photograph of Ziva and me, I’m filled with love and peace. It reminds me of my kind and talented nephew Max and my loving and loyal dog, Ziva.

And I’m enjoying a sense of calm now because it’s at least a month or more before I expect to hear from other editors about other stories and essays I submitted this spring. As those deadlines approach, I plan to stay cool, calm, and collected. As if!

More about the Wisconsin People & Ideas writing contest . . .

I’m looking forward to reading the stories written by the 2024 winners. (Click here for their bios.) I have read the stories of past winners, all of which are wonderful. But there are three stories that stick with me. All three of the stories, besides being beautifully written and thematically rich, have at least one character that is unforgettable. I’ve listed the stories alphabetically by author’s last name because it’s so hard for me to pick a favorite. You can read the stories by clicking on these links:

1. “In Rock Springs When the Angel Trumpets Sound” by Tom Pamperin
2. “Everything Burns” by Kim Suhr
3. “Honor Cord” by Allison Uselman