Prize Finalist And Virus Worries

It’s been kind of a crazy week.

In the beginning of the week, I found out I was a finalist for the 2019 Brighthorse Prize in short fiction, and at the end of the week, I found out that school might be closed starting next Monday because Japan is worried about the Coronavirus.

That’s a lot to process.

I have mixed feelings about receiving another finalist/runner up rejection from a competition for my short story collection. On the one hand, they recognized my work. On the other hand, I didn’t win and I won’t be able to have it published. I am maintaining a positive attitude and celebrating it for the win that it is but it’s really hard to do.

I continue to submit and get rejected so that’s been the same as far as my writing life goes.

As for the virus, I won’t know anything about what will happen to my school or the other schools in my city until later today. For me, it’s a normal school day. I still have classes. It’s actually not a bad thing. Today is my last day with some of my 9th graders (jhs third years) so I glad to have the time with them just in case there are no more classes and their graduation is cancelled.

I am personally not worried about contracting it but I am worried how this will affect future plans. Will there be an Olympics this year? Will we be able to travel during the summer? So many things to think about.