01/10/2024
Procrastination, Writer’s Block, and a Top 20 Finish: Lessons from the Kalemba Short Story Prize 2018 Edition.
In November of 2017, a friend of mine, Mwaka Mpundu, sent me a link to the Kalemba Short Story Prize 2018 Competition. At the time, I was dealing with major creative block and the pressures of university life. Writer's block had hit hard, and I just couldn’t think of anything to write.
Weeks flew by and before I knew it, I was two days away from the competition deadline, December 15th 2017 with nothing to show. Yet, sometimes pressure brings clarity, and ideas suddenly began flowing. I spent the next few hours writing non-stop, pushing myself to reach the submission requirements.
I submitted my story, unsure if it made sense, but relieved that I had at least given it a shot. Then, I moved on. To my surprise, in February 2018, I learned that my story had made the Kalemba Short Story Prize’s top 20 list—despite being written at the last minute.
While I didn’t make the top 5, the experience was both an inspiration and a wake-up call. It showed me the importance of getting things done in the moment, how much better it could have been had I written it in good time and not waiting for the 'perfect time.' My name and story are listed on number 12 on the list.😁
Key takeaway: Don't let writer's block or procrastination hold you back. Sometimes, just starting is the most important step. Whether it's perfect or not, progress is better than standing still.
