Okay, as "weird/gross/dangerous/potentially fatal" crap your friend(s) can possibly talk you into doing, submitting to a writing contest is pretty tame.

Even if it's something you've never really tried, or thought about trying, before. Good old Kevin found a site for Kansas City-based screenwriters who are currently holding a short screenplay competition for aspiring local screenwriters. Winners receive $250 bucks, and perhaps a chance at being produced.

What the heck does this have to do with me? A few months ago, I wrote a silly little skit with the potentional idea of me and a couple of other writers performing it in some manner at the last Shore Leave convention. Well, that didn't happen, mostly because I'm a big coward when it comes to performing on stage, so into a drawer it went. Kevin decided that the skit was funny enough for me to take a stab at rewriting it to conform to screenwriting format and the contest's guidelines (entries have to be 12 pages or less in standard screenwriting format).

So, I spent my lunch hour getting the script readied, and got it prepped to go out in tomorrow's mail.

Realistically, I figure I'll get my ass kicked by folks who know what they're doing at this sort of thing, but I heard the old adage -- the one I keep offering to hopeful new writers such as those entering the Strange New Worlds contests -- ringing in my ears: "You can't win if you don't try."

Now, what kind of wannabe mentor would I be if I didn't follow my own advice?

I'll keep ya'll posted as I hear back about this. Keep those fingers and toes crossed!