It has been a pretty incredible summer for me for a lot of reasons, the latest being that on Wednesday, Paste Magazine announced me as the winner of their That Summer writing contest. The contest was held in conjunction with Biographile’s That Summer series which featured short, non-fiction stories by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Jo-Jo Moyes, Sophie Kinsella, Bret Anthony Johnston and more. To have my name appear on the same page as some of these authors and to be included in the series is, in the truest sense of the word, awesome.
The series was based on memories of a summer that changed you or touched you in some way. I actually wrote two pieces, one about the summer of my first kiss and the one that I ultimately decided to enter, a story about the summer my father passed away. In the way that fate often works, tomorrow is the anniversary of my father’s passing nine years ago. The night I write about in the story would be tonight. It seems incredibly fitting to share it with you all today.
Yesterday the story appeared simultaneously on Paste and Biographile. I would be honored to have you read it.
Additionally, Nick DeLorenzo was awarded an honorable mention for his story, The Leap. When I read it last night, I understood why it captured the attention of the editors. Please head on over to Nick’s blog and have a read.
In true Wine and Cheese (Doodles) fashion, expect a blog post later about how difficult it is finding the balance between pride and arrogance.
In the meantime, I truly hope you’ll take a few moments to read both pieces.
Once again, thank you for all your support and words of encouragement.
Dina
Link to the announcement:
Story on Paste:
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/07/writing-contest-winner-an-otherwise-ordinary-day.html
Whole series on Biographile:
http://www.biographile.com/while-the-sun-sets-on-that-summer-the-stories-remain/34955/
Nick Delorenzo’s Story, The Leap:
Wine and Cheese (Doodles) 
Congratulations, I am so happy for you and maybe shall raise a doodle in your honor, ok, maybe just the wine;) this is awesome news:) !!!!!
LikeLike
Thank you! Chips, doodles, ice cream and wine for all!
LikeLike
Ooh, don’t forget some wood fired pizza too;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats Dina! Your story is moving…it had me crying in my coffee.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy. Sorry I made you cry, though. 😉
LikeLike
congrats to you and i will read them, indeed. thanks for sharing ) beth
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Beth!
LikeLike
Once again Dina ….Congratulations on the well deserved acknowledgement of your beautiful writing…. Keep it up….XX.
Stephen Hall http://www.stephenhallart.com 55 Bethune Street, Suite C320 New York, NY 10014 646-963-3306
________________________________
LikeLike
Thanks Steve. I shall, for as long as I can.
LikeLike
Beautiful writing, Dina! Congratulations.
LikeLike
Thanks you, Cherry, I appreciate that.
LikeLike
Congratulations! This recognition is more than well-deserved.
LikeLike
Thank you! I am just finishing up a piece about how uncomfortable I feel promoting myself and how I truly think it is a by product of being raised in the 1970s–the under praised generation–I’d love to hear your thoughts on it if you read it.
LikeLike
Sure, I think I can definitely relate to that!
LikeLike
Yay! Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
By the way, the link to your post has a superfluous “and” at the end so it isn’t working.
LikeLike
and, thanks again!
LikeLike
Congratulations Dina!
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Thanks,Dawn!
LikeLike
Dina, first off – CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is SO awesome! (Okay, now I’ll stop sounding like a 13-year-old, but that is TRULY FABULOUS!!! 🙂 . I just read your story and I’m still processing how you must have felt. I lost my Dad when James and I were living in Sudan. He died quickly, and unexpectedly, leaving me the guardian of my youngest sister. We took an epic flight back to the States, which included a ride on the now-defunct Concorde and nearly 40 hours in transit due to political riots in Egypt. Losing a Dad is hard business, and you told your story with such beauty and compassion.
All the best, Terri
LikeLike
Terri, thank you. I am sorry for your loss as well (though glad my story didn’t have to compete against yours—I’m not sure I could hold a candle to that. Have you thought about turning it into a screenplay?). Losing a parent is never easy, but I am always grateful for the little things, that I was able to say goodbye, that I was able to share simultaneous happiness with him, that I had him around as long as I did. But it’s never easy. Never. Thank you again for the kind words and all the !!!!. It made me smile on this gray, rainy day. D
LikeLike
Truly a moving, touching story. Nicely done. I can see why it was published. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Sharon.
LikeLiked by 1 person