So be it, Tessa - but 'the all' weren't the judges. Your - or their choice - in writing is subjective. Regardless who won, there was always going to be complaints.

Who cares what you want to read? Who cares if it's depressing? If you go into anything with a mindset that it's shit, it WILL be shit. And I'm not just talking about writing. The power of the human brain is incredible.

I know you have been in this game for years more than me and most people on this platform. I can have an opinion and yet I'm just a piece of crap to be stomped on.

I still stand by what I wrote. It wasn't your contest nor your decision. Remember too that shit books like 50 shades of grey sell...

Professional good writing in your eyes probably is different in theirs. It doesn't make it wrong or unworthy.

Reverse the mindset: what if you won and people were giving you shit and yet you thought your story was heartfelt and incredible? THAT was my point.