WHODUNIT/ROGUES’ GALLERY

I Wonder Where the Wunderkind Went. Don’t You?

Like a “mercy fu*k,” it was one story and out.

What a funny place this has become. What a whacked-out, goofy, trippy, oh-so-mysterious, often frustrating, ever-shifting, place.

You know I’m right.

The other day as I was thanking my lucky stars that my old screenwriting manager reconnected with me since I’m such a flop here, I couldn’t help but think about the big winner of the Medium Writers Challenge.

Yes, I’m dredging that up, again. But not in any bad way, yeah? I have a curious mind and I like to know things. Shouldn’t writers be curious and questioning or mere stumps that sit around on their keysters sharing “9 Ways To Get Medium To Love You Even Though They Never Will?”

Curiosity keeps the fire burning and I’m not referencing acid reflux here, but that creative fire that propels us ever forward even when the odds are against us. Even when we get slapped in the face by turds that “go viral” while our carefully-crafted stories end up as virtual bird-cage-liners.

Hurts, doesn’t it?

Admittedly, I had a very bad attitude about the outcome of the MWC. I wrote three stories detailing my “feelings” about it under the kicker “The Sore Loser Files.”

Yes. I can be a sore loser. Especially when I get a whiff of bullshit, much like someone taking home sixty grand who has never written a story here prior to the challenge. On top of this, the winner, who declared that she was in a state of “fizzy shock” after learning she’d garnered the big bucks, hasn’t shared another breath-taking tome, since.

Don’t you find this odd? You curious writers out there, and I know who many of you are, isn’t this insulting in a way?

(By the way, I was in “fizzy shock” too from all the wine I burped up after learning the results of the challenge.)

Now, I don’t know who wrangled this writer and persuaded her to enter, but if I was Medium, I’d sure as hell be insulted. Apparently, this was a good enough platform to snatch a pile of cash and bounce, but not good enough to hang awhile and prove she has authentic writing chops. I’m sorry, but her entry was “meh,” at best. So many other stories had this one beat by a country mile (pun intended), including my own.

But, that was then. And truly, the sting has worn off, but friends, I’m curious as hell. Where, oh where did our wunderkind go?

Earlier today, I saw that one of the winner’s gushing fans wrote a story congratulating her and calling her an “inspiration.”

WTF.

An “inspiration” who follows the “one and done” credo. Interesting.

As goofy as this is, and as perplexed as I am, I’m certain about this: You don’t disappoint your fans. Not if you want to keep them. So to me, accepting a huge payout on a platform you have no intention of committing to, sucks.

At least fake it, for fuck’s sake. Write one or two more mediocre stories and then make your exit. We won’t miss you. Not those of us who knew what a ridiculous dog and pony show the MWC was. Of course, no one forced us to enter it, but damn it, can’t something be REAL? For once? Without the stench of bullshit?

There was some attempt to engage with the gushers after the writer won. Lots of crocodile-teary “thank yous,” and “I can’t believe how kind and generous you are,” and “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect like this.”

And on, like that.

Before you get up in arms, know that I’m not being “mean” to this person, I’m not even calling her out by name. No need to anyway. I’m just mystified, as any curious individual would be.

Now, you may know something I don’t. Have I missed something? Has she written other stories? I’ve looked, but hell, we all fuck up. I could have missed one. Or, one.

And, if that’s the case, I apologize.

Still, have there been any podcasts or interviews, or anything like that? Any promoting of this platform by the winner? If not, I’d say Medium got the wool pulled over their eyes just like the rest of us.

What say you?

© Sherry McGuinn, 2022. All Rights Reserved.

If you can handle it, read every one of my stories and those of other fab Medium writers. I’ll get a couple of shekels and you’ll have full access to this whole joint! https://sherrymcguinn.medium.com/membership

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. She is currently pitching her newest screenplay, “The Month We Fell Apart,” a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story, as well as “DEAD TIRED,” a female-driven, ass-kicking thriller.

Thanks for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, I’d love for you to check out the following, as well as my newsletter, Sherry Raw.