I did so win the Writer's of the Future contest! I got the check in the mail today!
I'll be darned.
I must figure out what it is in that story that made it better than my others. Must must must. Actually have a clue there, too: I think it's the parenthood theme that grounds the story in a way a lot of my other stuff probably hasn't.
Of course, my opinion may change substantially the next time I read my WINNING CONTEST ENTRY (muahahahahahahaaha). We'll just have to see.
(Oh, shut up already, Sidra, cash the check and get drunk on the proceeds. You didn't write Watership Down, for Quetzlcoatl's sake. Oh, yeah? Well, maybe someday I will.)
There. You've now seen the inside of my head. Just as wrinkly, grey, and bloody as you expected, wasn't it?