THE SORE LOSER FILES

Well, I’ll be Horn-Swaggled!

Now you see it, now you don’t

That’s what they say in Texas, right? Shit like “horn-swaggled?” Maybe I got that wrong, I don’t know. If I did, I apologize to any Texans here, those whom I consider friends, anyway, for the gaffe.

The only reason I brought up the Lone Star State is that our newest, shining light is originally “from” there, y’all.

Maybe it’s “horn-snaggled,” like a snaggle-toothed steer or something? I don’t know.

But, there is something that I do know: It appears that the grand prize-winning story in the “challenge,” is now sporting a new, credited image in place of the original one, which, in spite of this platform’s own “rules,” was uncredited. Ripped off the Internet, somewhere, most likely.

Huh.

I guess someone took note of the fact that many writers were crying “foul” for handing sixty thousand bucks to someone who violated Medium’s rules.

Is this even Kosher? Changing the image after the fact? People weigh in on this with me.

Here’s the funny thing, though. The new, credited image is positioned wrong! Yes! Someone shoved it in there so fast that, rather than being under the title, which is the way the rest of us do it, or most of us, I should say, it’s over the title.

Still no subtitle, though. Maybe that will magically appear before I’m done writing this. In fact, maybe I’ll suggest one to show what a team player I am. To prove to the Medium gods that I’m a vibrant and vital member of this community!

Ooooh, one just came to me:

Read at your own peril

What do you think? A keeper? And, look. No punctuation. I deliberately left off that period that, damn it, I keep wanting to insert, but don’t.

Before I go any further, yes, I’m a sore loser. A whiner. A sour-grapes-chuckin’ beeyatch. I already made that point and succinctly. But, I wouldn’t be feeling like a cow-pie shriveling in the Texas sun if the challenge had been on the up and up. You know. More transparent, maybe? And if more people I actually thought deserved to win…won? Yeah. Like me. And probably you.

You know it’s true. You’re just taking the high road, as I should do, but my wagon went off the track somewhere near Galveston, y’all. I lost that durn high road.

Apparently, there were several writers on the “Honorable Mention” list (i.e., one step above losers like me) who used uncredited images and threw proper formatting out the window. Many of these stories were utter shite, too. I’m guessing a lot of clueless newbies jumped into the fray for the sole purpose of entering the “challenge.”

It’s a challenge, alright, folks. A challenge to discern just WTF we got ourselves into and why, if someone with a single story here, takes home the cheese.

But, hey. Let me pull up my big girl drawers and extend a hardy “congrats” to everyone who won or “placed.” I’d go a step further and say “well done,” but my hypocrisy extends only so far.

And speaking of “congrats,” did you see some of the comments from the gushers? From what I could discern, there wasn’t a dry seat in the house. What the hell am I missing as I couldn’t get past the first paragraph?

Wouldn’t it be great if we knew the exact criteria on which the judges based their votes? Is that so unreasonable to expect? Something other than “the range of subjects and the variety of tone was exciting. It was a really strong group of contenders.”

Blech.

“Variety of tone?” Can we be more specific, please? Why was it a “strong group?” What do they have that the rest of us lack?

Also, who were the judges? I’m not talking about the “famous” ones. I mean, the gatekeepers? What are their names? Backgrounds? What makes them qualified to say who wins and who loses?

You know, I broke my own rule entering this thing. As a screenwriter, I’m constantly encouraged to enter this competition and that one. For a fee, of course. For the chance to make other people a boatload of money. I never do. I don’t believe in such “contests” because I understand the power of subjectivity and how it can crush a dream quicker than you can say “wha’ happened?”

I wish I could tell you why I entered this one. Stupidly, I believed I had a shot. How pathetic. But, soon, this, too will be in my rearview mirror and, as I always do, I’ll move on.

Hopefully, you’ll understand that I just had to rid myself of the stench of “shit that’s not fair.” That said, hard work should be its own reward, right?

Right.

But, what went down here feels so not right. Yet, that’s the way it is.

Doesn’t that get to you, as it does me? Even a little?

Regardless. Thanks for reading.

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.