0. Introduction
425 words. Approximately 2 minutes, 7 seconds.
I would like to apologize in advance for what you are about to read. It will likely be some combination of boring, banal, brash, badly-written, and any other number of negative-sounding “B” words that you can come up with (feel free to use the comments section to come up with them).
That is to say that I haven’t really done any writing in a long time. I’m perpetually dealing with imposter syndrome and self-defeating feelings of not being “good enough.”
I can hear you scoffing now. “Not ‘good enough’ for an online writing competition where nothing is really at stake?” you have no doubt audibly asked your computer screen. You may think it’s all sorts of poppycock or what have you (“Why doesn’t he just look at his own journal archives?” I imagine you are frustratedly shouting, “Surely he’ll be able to see what a genius he is and also he’s so handsome.”), but it’s really no laughing matter. I’m so insecure with myself that I find I really can’t start any sort of story without several paragraphs of apology and warning regarding what you’re about to read, and it’s really no wonder that this sort of attitude pushes people away.
I feel you feeling sorry for me, and I just want to say that’s great! Continue doing so, because I am a fully pathetic character and it would really be for the best if you ignore my writing abilities and just push me along in the competition, like one of those reality show contestants that somehow continues on despite not having any ability and who doesn’t seem to realize the world is playing a joke on them. The difference here being, of course, that I will realize the joke being played on me but understand that I am using it to my advantage.
All this really to say that I’m sorry again (so very sorry) that you’ll inevitably have to suffer through me for the entire season until I somehow win to the surprise of practically everyone.
Anyway, on to the actual post!
I, personally, am not a fan of introductions. Why do people feel the need to go into their whole backstory and warn us about what might be coming up? My philosophy has always been to just get straight to the point; no apologizing, no whining, no self-pity designed to get sympathy points. So with that being said, I don’t think I’m going to put anything here in the way of introduction; it’s wholly unnecessary and I’d like my work to speak for itself, free of any expectations.
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This has been my post for LJ Idol this week. Just warming up, folks! And there's still time to sign up if you haven't yet!