I figure one doesn't earn a Writers of the Future SemiFinalist placement their first time out by writing junk. ;-) And to why I've never gotten higher...I decided I could not support Scientology any further. But I've been part of anthologies up for awards so even if I'm the crappiest writer in the book...still makes me think I'm semi-decent, at least. Plus I've gotten praise from editors who've bought my work within the editing process, so that's worth something.

However, I'm also adopting Margaret Mead's attitude toward cronehood and embracing the crone in me--which means I feel confident enough to say "yes, I am a good writer." At the very least, I am a workmanlike, competent writer, and that's good enough to be a good writer in my book. Again, good but maybe not great. Though I'm not done growing as a writer yet.