Afterward: National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

September 2024

It was a busy day, Friday, Sept. 6th, 2024, as I was nervously awaiting my turn to read two upcoming unpublished manuscripts that I wrote for a competition held at my local Veteran’s Administration Hospital. The competition was called, “The National VA Creative Arts Festival.” This competition was for the local level.

Winners go on to the national level competition with results to come out at the end of the year from participants who entered across the national VA Hospitals and Clinics.

I happened to be competing in the Creative Writing Division. There are other divisions such as the Art Division, Dance Division, Drama Division, and the Music Division.

During the local competition, I entered two categories of the Creative Writing Division – Humor and Short, Short Stories. The story I read first was in Humor then Short, Short Stories.

The story I read in Humor was about my son’s boys. I had hoped that my son would be able to attend the competition so that he could hear me read the story that would someday be published.

As I approached the microphone, I realized I was being videotaped as well. I just focused on my reading and the audience paying no attention to the camera as anxiety might start in. When I looked in the audience, I saw my son also taping me which I thought was impressive. This made me feel not so nervous. I happened to be the eighth person up and the 14th person up to perform my task of reading my stories.

I could now wipe my brow from sweat and nervousness; the contest is done for the day. I waited in anticipation of the announcement of the winners.

I was happy to have won two first place ribbons in Categories: Humor and Short, Short Stories. Now, the stories go on to national to be judged.

Now I am off to Choctaw Creek Park in Choctaw, OK to set up an author table at the Pepper Festival held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. To say I was super exhausted is an understatement.

Nevertheless, this is the life of an author on the move!