Is It Just Me

 IS IT JUST ME?

I was astonished to read, in the correspondence pages of a writer-orientated magazine, a letter of complaint from someone who had written 'two really good stories' which did not fit the criteria of a story competition she wanted to enter.  What about, she asks, insisting on a synopsis and a higher word count, or changing the competition to that of a novella rather than short story? 

The arrogance of suggesting that the organizers of the competition should change it to an entirely different form leaves me amazed. 

After I'd managed to close my mouth, I thought, Why doesn't this person try writing to the competition's word-specification?  Or else enter a different competition?  Why does she think she could receive special treatment? 

But then I am often surprised by reactions like these, especially from people who have not yet succeeded as writers.  Nearly every authorI know or have met (and in the course of a longish career, that's plenty) is not just humble but entirely unassuming.  If someone likes what they've written, that is a cause for genuine celebration.   

There is such a difference between quiet self-confidence and self-importance.  In my experience, it's the former who get there in the end.