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A good sob sounds perfectly reasonable to me. My own reactions to big news are unpredictable and often incongruous. As a separate thing from winning the fellowship, I'm so pleased you found that 9/10 vindicating. Isn't that what we all want in whatever we do?--Some external validation and reassurance that we're on the right track? I'm glad you got it. It's what I wish for, for everyone brave enough to tackle a creative pursuit. You do know how to write a cliffhanger, sir! I look forward to part 4.

PS I noticed your link in today's entry to the Black Board post. Kind and generous of you, Matthew. Thank you.

Great interview series, Scott. "For a long time, I stayed away from the Black List. Back when Franklin first opened the site up to aspiring writers, I uploaded a script which got me the only real meeting I have even taken–a story replete with former Navy SEALs seeking revenge for dead wives, Sinoloan drug lords, and shoot-outs at baseball stadiums in San Diego. It was a ridiculous Taken rip-off (one many of us have written) although at the time I was convinced it was brilliant. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the Black List’s reviewer hammered it, giving me a 4/10. My pride told me that they didn’t know good writing when they saw it, and my ego told me that I didn’t need some website loaded with Netflix algorithms and trendy vowelless spelling to help me find my way. I carried on and continued writing in relative anonymity." It's such steep learning curve to discover that our writing is not as good as we imagine it to be in our heads. But I'm so glad that you persevered and went with your own tastes. That 9/10 is proof positive that if we write what we love, (and write it well I might add)we start to see results. Wishing you all the best with the fellowship, Matthew.

"Write what you want to. More than that, write what you absolutely have to. That’s the only thing that’s going to get you anywhere." This is what I am absolutely trying to do this year. It has been a long time coming. But I hope that THIS is the year (I also think I said that last year mind) But best of luck to you for next week and beyond, Matthew!

Matthew, this is not only inspiring but mirrors what so many writers go through. Its good to know 'one of us' got the break. Good luck and enjoy your moment in the sun.

Sounds like a very lucky, unlucky day. Congratulations, I'm looking forward to the next installment of not just the blog, but your story, Matthew.