There will be a lot of changes going on in my life in the next few months. I have committed 2012 to my writing. With that, I am going to slowly give up my commitments with other things in my life that are taking up a lot of my time and causing stress. Writing makes me happy without any drama. Which is a refreshing feeling. Most people in this underground writing community are very positive and not to mention helpful and inspiring.
Yes, I love the theatre. I will always love the theatre. It will always hold a special place in my heart but after May I am taking a break. A long break. A long long long break with no commitments (and no drama). I hate doing that because I like being involved but right now as I weight the pro's and con's compared to fulfilling my dreams, there are just way to many cons. I will always be that person to call for an assistant director or if help is needed.
My commitments will be writing, photography, and being healthy. Plus, I want to spend more time camping and traveling with my hubs. I even bought a cool camera and haven't had a chance to use it because my schedule has been so booked.
I am not a quitter. I fulfill the things I promise to do but this summer will be spent on me. How will I ever write all these stories in my heart if I am too busy with other things. Writing (and editing) is a priority. How will I ever be in the top 10 amazon best seller list if I don't write? (yes that is one of my goals).
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Writing will come first...
Sunday, February 26, 2012 Labels: author, bestseller, book, commitments, indie author, life, me, novel, writer, writing
Traveling Blogger....for rent.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Labels: author, beautiful day, blogger, blogging, collaborate, hi, literary, reader, review, wow, writer, youreadthese?
I want to get into group blogging. I guess some would call this blog touring? Not necessarily host others on my blog although I would not be opposed to doing so. I don't have the readership to give a large audience...yet!
I've been inspired to blog and connect with other bloggers. I have been asked to help edit a friends blog posts before they are submitted and it has shown me how and why blogging is important. I've also learned that writing clear is a must and writers ambiguity is no-no in posts!
I don't have many followers but it isn't always about numbers. I like to think that those who are following these posts thoroughly enjoy them.
It is human nature to "want" to be popular. On MySpace (when it was heavily used) everyone wanted friends. It seems like twitter is all about that too. On twitter I try to follow authors, writers, reviewers, and harry potter fanatics. :) If the hashtag followback is used in your description, forget it. Also if you are a pornbot with any sort of weird address expect to be blocked and marked as spam.
Facebook, having tons of friends is not a big deal for personal pages but for businesses and fan pages "likes" are hustled! There is no problem with doing that..marketing is important and Facebook helps market. It is like peanut butter and jelly, some things just go together.
I limit my personal FB to friends, family, and acquaintances. That is the one social network I keep private and personal BUT I do have a fan page to keep up with my growing fan base. My posts are strictly about the writing/reading world. I try to stay on topic with the fan page but I am not like some writers who are constantly trying to sell their book. I think spreading the word about your works is good to an extent but shake it up a bit. Give your audience something else other than constant selling. Let your audience get to know and love you. I guess I get that from working in retail all those years. I unfollowed celebs on twitter because of tweets related to continuous marketing. Sometimes it is a bit facetious. Ok ok ok...enough of my soap box!
Blogging is fun. It can be done on the go, during breaks at work, late at night, early mornings...even in bed on the iPhone. I want to collaborate with other bloggers. It is nice to write about my day without thinking. With that being said, I like reading posts that inspire and motivate. Posts that help the wheels spin.
I guess what this all boils down to is..... I am new to all of this but eager to meet and collaborate with the bloggers and bloggsters of the literatti world.
I am Courtney "Court" Young. Aspiring author. Wrote "After the Woods" soon to be published by Curiosity Quills Press. Release date is TBA! Nice to meet you! ::waves::
I've been inspired to blog and connect with other bloggers. I have been asked to help edit a friends blog posts before they are submitted and it has shown me how and why blogging is important. I've also learned that writing clear is a must and writers ambiguity is no-no in posts!
I don't have many followers but it isn't always about numbers. I like to think that those who are following these posts thoroughly enjoy them.
It is human nature to "want" to be popular. On MySpace (when it was heavily used) everyone wanted friends. It seems like twitter is all about that too. On twitter I try to follow authors, writers, reviewers, and harry potter fanatics. :) If the hashtag followback is used in your description, forget it. Also if you are a pornbot with any sort of weird address expect to be blocked and marked as spam.
Facebook, having tons of friends is not a big deal for personal pages but for businesses and fan pages "likes" are hustled! There is no problem with doing that..marketing is important and Facebook helps market. It is like peanut butter and jelly, some things just go together.
I limit my personal FB to friends, family, and acquaintances. That is the one social network I keep private and personal BUT I do have a fan page to keep up with my growing fan base. My posts are strictly about the writing/reading world. I try to stay on topic with the fan page but I am not like some writers who are constantly trying to sell their book. I think spreading the word about your works is good to an extent but shake it up a bit. Give your audience something else other than constant selling. Let your audience get to know and love you. I guess I get that from working in retail all those years. I unfollowed celebs on twitter because of tweets related to continuous marketing. Sometimes it is a bit facetious. Ok ok ok...enough of my soap box!
Blogging is fun. It can be done on the go, during breaks at work, late at night, early mornings...even in bed on the iPhone. I want to collaborate with other bloggers. It is nice to write about my day without thinking. With that being said, I like reading posts that inspire and motivate. Posts that help the wheels spin.
I guess what this all boils down to is..... I am new to all of this but eager to meet and collaborate with the bloggers and bloggsters of the literatti world.
I am Courtney "Court" Young. Aspiring author. Wrote "After the Woods" soon to be published by Curiosity Quills Press. Release date is TBA! Nice to meet you! ::waves::
So many stories...not enough time
Saturday, February 18, 2012 Labels: deadlines, grateful, indie author, life, novel, writer, writing
My mind is overflowing with stories. Geez! It is hard to keep up with all the plots that are floating around in my mind. Thank god for the "notes" app in the iPhone. Without it some of these ideas may have been lost forever. Seriously, I have about 5 projects written down waiting for me to start them. I just wanna write them all.....BUT being able to meet current deadlines is very important. This year I expect to have at least two other drafts for books. Really looking forward to nanowrimo 2012, all the support was very helpful.
Today I slept until I woke up. There was no alarm to annoyingly buzz me up and that felt good. The yards are flooded and ditches are full. The rain almost swallowed my street whole.
Tonight I am riding on a mardi gras float and am hoping it doesn't rain anymore. Whenever I get home from that my goal is to edit until I cannot see straight. I have deadlines to meet and that makes me feel kind of cool. Like a real life writer. You have to remember that I am still new to all of this.
I have met hundreds of wonderful talented people that have really helped me and I will forever be grateful to them. Feeling welcomed and having support in this underground writers world is inspiring. Some people really want to know what I have to say and I am learning lots in the process.
I am understanding more about the writing business, the importance of marketing, and finding your audiences. Thankful that I went to business school so all of this isn't over my head.
Side note: I have started a few other projects but told myself I would not continue with them until "After the Woods" is completely self-edited. The quicker I can turn it in, the quicker I can receive professional edits back. Writing has made my life very exciting.
The possibilities are unlimited with these stories. I get excited talking about my characters. Does that make me crazy? Just a little. I hope everyone can take them in as easily as I have.
Who knows, maybe years from now I will be writing professionally. Touring around and meeting super fans who really love my books. That is the ultimate dream. Who knows. Maybe, just maybe, writing YA fantasy books is my thing. I feel like my stars are aligning...finally.
Today I slept until I woke up. There was no alarm to annoyingly buzz me up and that felt good. The yards are flooded and ditches are full. The rain almost swallowed my street whole.
Tonight I am riding on a mardi gras float and am hoping it doesn't rain anymore. Whenever I get home from that my goal is to edit until I cannot see straight. I have deadlines to meet and that makes me feel kind of cool. Like a real life writer. You have to remember that I am still new to all of this.
I have met hundreds of wonderful talented people that have really helped me and I will forever be grateful to them. Feeling welcomed and having support in this underground writers world is inspiring. Some people really want to know what I have to say and I am learning lots in the process.
I am understanding more about the writing business, the importance of marketing, and finding your audiences. Thankful that I went to business school so all of this isn't over my head.
Side note: I have started a few other projects but told myself I would not continue with them until "After the Woods" is completely self-edited. The quicker I can turn it in, the quicker I can receive professional edits back. Writing has made my life very exciting.
The possibilities are unlimited with these stories. I get excited talking about my characters. Does that make me crazy? Just a little. I hope everyone can take them in as easily as I have.
Who knows, maybe years from now I will be writing professionally. Touring around and meeting super fans who really love my books. That is the ultimate dream. Who knows. Maybe, just maybe, writing YA fantasy books is my thing. I feel like my stars are aligning...finally.
Commercialized Holidays...GAG!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 Labels: commercialized holidays, hate, love, sucks, valentines day
Thank you Hallmark for making the human populous believe that the day isn't special without a card. Thank you Hershey for making red and pink wrappers for the same candy you sell all year long.
Thank you toy makers for making those little annoying red and pink stuffed animals that sing snippets of the most annoying love songs ever made.
....but without further ado...I give my TOP 5 valentines day qualms:
1. Valentines day should be called Peer Pressure day but with hearts decorations.
I thought as children we were taught peer pressure was bad. If your friend told you to jump off a bridge would you do it? No? Then why are we buying candy, cookies, flowers, cards, ect for our significant others? It is because we are peer pressured into doing so!
If you REALLY love your honey, you should be buying these things periodically throughout the year, not on valentines day. Save some cash! The economy is BAD and this holiday is a waste! The simple principles of economics come into play here. Supply and Demand. The valentines crooks ask a higher price because it is in demand....and we buy it because we are being brainwashed with hearts and cute teddy bears that end up in the annual garage sale years later.
2. Jewelry commercials are shoved down our throats.
I understand we, the women of the world, love jewelry. We love diamonds. Basically, we love anything that sparkles. Why do you think twilight was so popular? We all wanted to be princesses when we were young with the sparkly crowns and shiny cars...but I digress. Lets talk about the real issue here. The cheesy ridiculous commercials. They always use the same ordinary couple with the same ordinary synopsis. Oh wow, a kid told his dad to buy his mom this necklace and she is sooooooo surprised. GAG ME! Oh, your boyfriend is proposing to you on valentines day. HOW ORIGINAL! Are there no other scenarios out there for commercials? I say...BORING! I do not like choking on original commercials but around this time it is inevitable.
3. Restaurants are packed.
Because that is what we do. We wait an hour to be seated and then realize the Clampetts and their crying baby decided to have dinner at this semi-nice restaurant. Because of this, we are forced to scream across the table to hold a semi intelligent conversation. I did not realize so many people came from their caves to show their significant other that they care about them on this forsaken holiday. Normal people, if you want to have a nice dinner where everything is perfect and romantic....STAY HOME! It is like the black friday of restaurants. Make sure to leave your sanity and patience in the car. Expect bad and slow service and leave with your expectations met.
4. Women expect gifts on valentines day.
Being a woman (who is anti-valentines day) I can this. Most women that I know expect something on valentines. This makes it hard for the men in their life because they go to extremes to make their woman happy. They run out last minute and try to quickly grab something because they forgot to prepare for this so called "holiday". They arrive at the shopping center and realize all that is left is the really crappy meaningless cards. Most of them say HUSBAND and MAN because all the wife and woman ones are gone. How do you tell the woman you love, you love her, with a crappy card? The candy isles are empty, all that is left is Easter candy. Cadberry egss wont work for valentines day! The only size pajamas hanging are for XS or XXXL people. The woman expects a gift and the man expects some nookie. These two things goes hand in hand, it is a barter and the man must succeed in his present finding mission. He frantically searches for last minute gifts, waits in long lines, stops at flower stands on the side of the road, and after all that he is so exhausted that he is completely useless and unromantic. My solution: if women didnt expect gifts, men wouldnt fight the crowds and we could finally end this ridiculous holiday once and for all!
5. I hate cupid.
There is something that doesn't settle right with me about a small man that looks like a baby who fly's around in a diaper with a bow an arrow. I do not know if it is because I don't really care for kids or if I don't care for small men. Either way that little guy baby is dangerous. Why give cupid all the credit? All he does is shoot people with his love arrows (which I truly believe is date rape) and then sends them on their way. This is how people get knocked up!
Not mention the fact that Mr. Cupid is long gone after his date rape arrow is shot and is nowhere to be found when the arguments start. He never returns to give more love arrows. He is a wham bam thank you maam kind of guy. Cupid does his duty and then leaves and I hate him for that. I think cupid is really the devil.
What do you hate about valentines day? I vote next year that no one celebrates it and we all pretend it doesn't exist!
Thank you toy makers for making those little annoying red and pink stuffed animals that sing snippets of the most annoying love songs ever made.
....but without further ado...I give my TOP 5 valentines day qualms:
1. Valentines day should be called Peer Pressure day but with hearts decorations.
I thought as children we were taught peer pressure was bad. If your friend told you to jump off a bridge would you do it? No? Then why are we buying candy, cookies, flowers, cards, ect for our significant others? It is because we are peer pressured into doing so!
If you REALLY love your honey, you should be buying these things periodically throughout the year, not on valentines day. Save some cash! The economy is BAD and this holiday is a waste! The simple principles of economics come into play here. Supply and Demand. The valentines crooks ask a higher price because it is in demand....and we buy it because we are being brainwashed with hearts and cute teddy bears that end up in the annual garage sale years later.
2. Jewelry commercials are shoved down our throats.
I understand we, the women of the world, love jewelry. We love diamonds. Basically, we love anything that sparkles. Why do you think twilight was so popular? We all wanted to be princesses when we were young with the sparkly crowns and shiny cars...but I digress. Lets talk about the real issue here. The cheesy ridiculous commercials. They always use the same ordinary couple with the same ordinary synopsis. Oh wow, a kid told his dad to buy his mom this necklace and she is sooooooo surprised. GAG ME! Oh, your boyfriend is proposing to you on valentines day. HOW ORIGINAL! Are there no other scenarios out there for commercials? I say...BORING! I do not like choking on original commercials but around this time it is inevitable.
3. Restaurants are packed.
Because that is what we do. We wait an hour to be seated and then realize the Clampetts and their crying baby decided to have dinner at this semi-nice restaurant. Because of this, we are forced to scream across the table to hold a semi intelligent conversation. I did not realize so many people came from their caves to show their significant other that they care about them on this forsaken holiday. Normal people, if you want to have a nice dinner where everything is perfect and romantic....STAY HOME! It is like the black friday of restaurants. Make sure to leave your sanity and patience in the car. Expect bad and slow service and leave with your expectations met.
4. Women expect gifts on valentines day.
Being a woman (who is anti-valentines day) I can this. Most women that I know expect something on valentines. This makes it hard for the men in their life because they go to extremes to make their woman happy. They run out last minute and try to quickly grab something because they forgot to prepare for this so called "holiday". They arrive at the shopping center and realize all that is left is the really crappy meaningless cards. Most of them say HUSBAND and MAN because all the wife and woman ones are gone. How do you tell the woman you love, you love her, with a crappy card? The candy isles are empty, all that is left is Easter candy. Cadberry egss wont work for valentines day! The only size pajamas hanging are for XS or XXXL people. The woman expects a gift and the man expects some nookie. These two things goes hand in hand, it is a barter and the man must succeed in his present finding mission. He frantically searches for last minute gifts, waits in long lines, stops at flower stands on the side of the road, and after all that he is so exhausted that he is completely useless and unromantic. My solution: if women didnt expect gifts, men wouldnt fight the crowds and we could finally end this ridiculous holiday once and for all!
5. I hate cupid.
There is something that doesn't settle right with me about a small man that looks like a baby who fly's around in a diaper with a bow an arrow. I do not know if it is because I don't really care for kids or if I don't care for small men. Either way that little guy baby is dangerous. Why give cupid all the credit? All he does is shoot people with his love arrows (which I truly believe is date rape) and then sends them on their way. This is how people get knocked up!
Not mention the fact that Mr. Cupid is long gone after his date rape arrow is shot and is nowhere to be found when the arguments start. He never returns to give more love arrows. He is a wham bam thank you maam kind of guy. Cupid does his duty and then leaves and I hate him for that. I think cupid is really the devil.
What do you hate about valentines day? I vote next year that no one celebrates it and we all pretend it doesn't exist!
Woman in Black (spoiler alert)
Monday, February 6, 2012 Labels: big screen, daniel radcliffe, Movie review, movies, theatre
I have found myself a bit disappointed after watching this movie. Do not get me wrong, I love Daniel Radcliffe, he's my boo. With that being said, if you do not like him as an actor, you might hate this movie because it is very Daniel heavy. Thank God it had that going for it.
I felt like I watched the same scene over and over again but with slightly different outcomes. Notice the word slightly. How many times does he need to go upstairs? How many times will he try to open that door? Or look in the hallway? If we played a drinking game based on the actions above, you'd be sloshed halfway through the movie.
As an audience, we understand there is something up there and yes we want to know but at some point it was a bit redundant and annoying.
I loved the cinematography of the movie. The way the scenes had that dark look to it but I wish there would have been more of a plot twist other than the ending or odd scenes that did not really keep the pace going.
Capture the audience and give some crazy info about the house. Or at the beginning give hints why no one wanted Daniell to go. We just know, dont go there and go home. How about a small hint about the woman in black to get our suspicions high and then go on with the story? Hollywood changed the plot anyway so why not do it right. So many directions the director could have gone...but I digress.
I enjoyed the props. I loved the way the house looked, I was intrigued the first time it was shown. The child actor that played the son was great. I don't know where they found that little boy but he was on point with his acting and dialogue. Great call by the casting director. I also liked how grown up Daniel seemed. There were things i liked about the movie. I enjoyed the backstory but would have liked to see more of it at the beginning and those points be played upon until all info was given.
There were several scenes I did not quite understand. One being the fog scene. What was the point the director was trying to make? Was this scene necessary? I think back and say no. Yes, it was cool but confusing. Was that the point? I would have liked something more suspenseful than running through fog. I understood why, so he could hear the accident and yadda yadda but I felt like the director relied too much on the fog. I would have led him to the mud where he felt like something was tugging at his feet and it blacked out where he could hear the scene. There were so many OTHER ways to do this.
Overall, I do not believe the movie was worth seeing in the theater. Keep your money and rent it on redbox when it comes out, that way you are only out a buck and a few hours.
It wasn't the worst movie I have ever seen, but definitely not on my "would watch again" list.
That's all!
I felt like I watched the same scene over and over again but with slightly different outcomes. Notice the word slightly. How many times does he need to go upstairs? How many times will he try to open that door? Or look in the hallway? If we played a drinking game based on the actions above, you'd be sloshed halfway through the movie.
As an audience, we understand there is something up there and yes we want to know but at some point it was a bit redundant and annoying.
I loved the cinematography of the movie. The way the scenes had that dark look to it but I wish there would have been more of a plot twist other than the ending or odd scenes that did not really keep the pace going.
Capture the audience and give some crazy info about the house. Or at the beginning give hints why no one wanted Daniell to go. We just know, dont go there and go home. How about a small hint about the woman in black to get our suspicions high and then go on with the story? Hollywood changed the plot anyway so why not do it right. So many directions the director could have gone...but I digress.
I enjoyed the props. I loved the way the house looked, I was intrigued the first time it was shown. The child actor that played the son was great. I don't know where they found that little boy but he was on point with his acting and dialogue. Great call by the casting director. I also liked how grown up Daniel seemed. There were things i liked about the movie. I enjoyed the backstory but would have liked to see more of it at the beginning and those points be played upon until all info was given.
There were several scenes I did not quite understand. One being the fog scene. What was the point the director was trying to make? Was this scene necessary? I think back and say no. Yes, it was cool but confusing. Was that the point? I would have liked something more suspenseful than running through fog. I understood why, so he could hear the accident and yadda yadda but I felt like the director relied too much on the fog. I would have led him to the mud where he felt like something was tugging at his feet and it blacked out where he could hear the scene. There were so many OTHER ways to do this.
Overall, I do not believe the movie was worth seeing in the theater. Keep your money and rent it on redbox when it comes out, that way you are only out a buck and a few hours.
It wasn't the worst movie I have ever seen, but definitely not on my "would watch again" list.
That's all!
Life update.
Saturday, February 4, 2012 Labels: blogging, dream, life, life in general, writer, writing
Life in general has been a bit crazy. I sometimes feel like I am in a twilight zone episode and keep living the same day over and over. Especially during the week. Thank Goodness for weekends.
This week was full of craziness. I was up to my eyebrows in work at work and at home. My couch seems to suck me in and I will wake up hours later as if I time traveled to the future. Seriously, stay away from the couch. It is dangerous.
I have auditions for a show I am directing on Monday and Tuesday which means I will have to schedule my theatre and writing time wisely. Directing is something I really enjoy but my mind is focused on writing. I have things to do and am doing them but it seems like now that I have important obligations everyone needs me everywhere. This must be what a celebrity feels like.
I cannot stop thinking about the story that came to me at work one day like a dream. I plan to start on that soon. I already have a few hundred words but I want to get that going. Also, I have been thinking of the second book to this little saga that continues from After the Woods. I may have found a title for the 2nd book of the series but nothing is official yet.
Being an underground writer is fascinating. I wouldn't consider myself underground (yet) but I am moving in that direction...I think. I have met hundreds of people that I absolutely adore. I've read hundreds of blog posts full of reviews and success stories. I have a feeling that 2012 is my year and that something spectacular will happen. Every author wants to sell millions of copies of their books but what if that really happens?
Every day I have PM's in my inbox on Facebook asking when my book will be released. People genuinely seem interested and it makes me feel proud. Seriously, even my friends moms are wanting to know. Who knows.... it is fun to think about it. I am looking forward to my future television interviews. If you find me talking to myself, I am really practicing questions I may be asked during an interview. Have to get my answers right!
Dream big or go home!
This week was full of craziness. I was up to my eyebrows in work at work and at home. My couch seems to suck me in and I will wake up hours later as if I time traveled to the future. Seriously, stay away from the couch. It is dangerous.
I have auditions for a show I am directing on Monday and Tuesday which means I will have to schedule my theatre and writing time wisely. Directing is something I really enjoy but my mind is focused on writing. I have things to do and am doing them but it seems like now that I have important obligations everyone needs me everywhere. This must be what a celebrity feels like.
I cannot stop thinking about the story that came to me at work one day like a dream. I plan to start on that soon. I already have a few hundred words but I want to get that going. Also, I have been thinking of the second book to this little saga that continues from After the Woods. I may have found a title for the 2nd book of the series but nothing is official yet.
Being an underground writer is fascinating. I wouldn't consider myself underground (yet) but I am moving in that direction...I think. I have met hundreds of people that I absolutely adore. I've read hundreds of blog posts full of reviews and success stories. I have a feeling that 2012 is my year and that something spectacular will happen. Every author wants to sell millions of copies of their books but what if that really happens?
Every day I have PM's in my inbox on Facebook asking when my book will be released. People genuinely seem interested and it makes me feel proud. Seriously, even my friends moms are wanting to know. Who knows.... it is fun to think about it. I am looking forward to my future television interviews. If you find me talking to myself, I am really practicing questions I may be asked during an interview. Have to get my answers right!
Dream big or go home!
Special Thanks to you!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Labels: awesome, contest, happy, thank you, thanks, win
Yesterday was a day that I will never forget. I have never won anything
of this caliber before and usually things like this don't happen to me.
Because of you...ALL of you and your friends/family...and some unsung
heroes I was able to push through and end up on top! My book will be
PROFESSIONALLY edited & published!!! I should be signing my
preferential contract this week....(more details coming soon).
Glad you were able to put up with my constant posts about the contest (as annoying as they may have been)! It consumed most of my conversations and I obsessively checked the site daily. There were several days that I wanted to quit because it was easier than continuing on and trying to push through. I dealt with people trying to cheat the system in round 1 and round 3. I was frustrated! I am thankful they did not win! I kept thinking how they will be able to market a book if no one knows about it except for those they bribed or exchanged votes with? Their thought process was completely wrong. I knew that no matter what happened, everyone would know that I wrote a novel and that it would be published, eventually. I am thankful I was able to reach so many people...I have had several PM's asking me when and where "After the Woods" can be bought. They want to know more! SQUEE!
My percentages jumped up high and fell extremely low..I would be ranked 1st and within an hour be 4th. I was either 3% behind or 1% ahead. Giving up was the easy way out but I don't think I could have lived with myself if I would have listened to that coin. (I flipped a coin on Saturday and it said tails, which = not trying anymore...but I am not a quitter!) No one really knows how I felt inside, every day was a struggle, lots of ups and downs.
The contest closed Sunday night and the winners were officially declared yesterday morning. Because of you, I HAD 898 VOTES!!!!!!!! WOW!!! I have already started working with the publishers and have been given a list of several to-do's from CQ.
The moral is....Sometimes, dreams really do come true. I came upon this contest on accident (fate maybe?) at the end of November. If you would have told me 6 weeks ago I would be declared a winner, I would have probably laughed and said, "Yeah right".
I do not underestimate the power of communication! I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart (in no particular order). Seriously, Thanks!
Will Young
Matt Hall
Tabitha Boykin
Danielle Leblanc
Krisi Girolamo
Jean Heubach
Emily Rabelo Lopez
Toni Kuhn
Darline Duncan LeJeune
Laurie Vilo
Lauren Vilo
Thomas Vilo
Thea Isis Gregory
Ashley Graeter
Robert Rezaie
Lindsey Simon
Crystal Williamson
Travis Hensley
Kayla Ann Robbins
Amanda Foley Richards
Robert Von Danger Powers
Cameron Boullion
Amanda Tomlin
Carrie Wilson
Austin Halter
Jennifer Longmire
Kristen Andreasen
MaryAnn Rubel LeBlanc
Carrie Cooper Wood
Allison JayeBarry Bond
Cody Underwood
Dorothy Underwood
Scott Mitchell
Stephanie Barclay
Jessica Jackson Desormeaux
Sheila Nguyen
Chisty Beard Alkire
Dylan Kilday
Caleb Countryman
Monique Quibodeaux Batson
Jessica Lyn
Chad Petersen
Kristal Degeyter
Kristina Roach
Jeff Courts
Traci Martin
Ashley McGlothin
Garret De La Cerda
Lisa Ozio
Staci Richards
Shea Duerler
Mark Pyland
Joveta Philyaw
Courtney Denai Deggs
Alex Hampton
Benny Solis
Breezy Laird
Kevin Rice
Kimberly Van Etta Muscarello
Rain Pletcher
Donny Avery
Okinccia Black
Conley Hightower
Alex Rhodes
Kara Monceaux
Ashley Burton Riley
Alvin Adams
Kristina Petersen
Cindy Shelton Thomas
Slate Schwertner
Nikki Turner
Dana Greer Leyva
Rob Copeland
Mary Lou Montgomery
Martha Adams
Ashley Harvey Bartholomew
Mary Grimes
Debbie Pletcher
Rhiannon Pletcher
Kay Richards
Ashley Heep
Andrea Gilstrap Williams
Alyssa Quimby
Heather Chisholm
Lesley Bass
Sam Arisco
Katherine Powell
Krislyn Stampley Hodges
Katy Cowels
Linda ForNow
Donna Gonzalez
Vic Demented
Kyle Bauer
Daniel Paris
Anna Taylor Trahan
Francis Walsh
Andy McCall
Laura Wallace
Lindsey Bass
Khalida Thomas
Rachel Duran
Larry Jones
CJ Wallingsford
Hannah Chesser Ezell
Drake Thibodaux
Kimberly Cervantes Griffis
Aimee Harris Rathburn
Buck Burke
Corey Watkins
Christina Danielle Yancey
Kacy Campbell
Krysta Wheeler
Martha Japalucci
Cassie Queen
Laura Worthy Deggs
Ivan Hogge
Graves Jones Jennifer
LeeAnn Collins Barnes
Katy Deromie
David Sorrells
Thomas Haverly
Stephanie Domec Shaw
Mandy Anderson Street
Jennifer Sztaba
Crizz Hndz
Lindy Ryan
Michelle Jornett
Jennifer Longmire
and many others......
I also want to give thanks to the team over at Curiosity Quills for hosting a wonderful contest geared towards nanowrimo contestants. Also, for being so nice and responding politely when I would write 50k word emails. CQ is a new company but let me tell you, they handled all the hurdles very well and I appreciate each of you.
I may have overlooked some others but it was definitely not intentional. I tried to keep a list of everyone that tagged, posted, tweeted, and voted but I know I missed some from twitter. Please tell your friends I said thank you.
Seriously...thank you all so very very very much. I cannot say thank you enough.
-Court
Glad you were able to put up with my constant posts about the contest (as annoying as they may have been)! It consumed most of my conversations and I obsessively checked the site daily. There were several days that I wanted to quit because it was easier than continuing on and trying to push through. I dealt with people trying to cheat the system in round 1 and round 3. I was frustrated! I am thankful they did not win! I kept thinking how they will be able to market a book if no one knows about it except for those they bribed or exchanged votes with? Their thought process was completely wrong. I knew that no matter what happened, everyone would know that I wrote a novel and that it would be published, eventually. I am thankful I was able to reach so many people...I have had several PM's asking me when and where "After the Woods" can be bought. They want to know more! SQUEE!
My percentages jumped up high and fell extremely low..I would be ranked 1st and within an hour be 4th. I was either 3% behind or 1% ahead. Giving up was the easy way out but I don't think I could have lived with myself if I would have listened to that coin. (I flipped a coin on Saturday and it said tails, which = not trying anymore...but I am not a quitter!) No one really knows how I felt inside, every day was a struggle, lots of ups and downs.
The contest closed Sunday night and the winners were officially declared yesterday morning. Because of you, I HAD 898 VOTES!!!!!!!! WOW!!! I have already started working with the publishers and have been given a list of several to-do's from CQ.
The moral is....Sometimes, dreams really do come true. I came upon this contest on accident (fate maybe?) at the end of November. If you would have told me 6 weeks ago I would be declared a winner, I would have probably laughed and said, "Yeah right".
I do not underestimate the power of communication! I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart (in no particular order). Seriously, Thanks!
Will Young
Matt Hall
Tabitha Boykin
Danielle Leblanc
Krisi Girolamo
Jean Heubach
Emily Rabelo Lopez
Toni Kuhn
Darline Duncan LeJeune
Laurie Vilo
Lauren Vilo
Thomas Vilo
Thea Isis Gregory
Ashley Graeter
Robert Rezaie
Lindsey Simon
Crystal Williamson
Travis Hensley
Kayla Ann Robbins
Amanda Foley Richards
Robert Von Danger Powers
Cameron Boullion
Amanda Tomlin
Carrie Wilson
Austin Halter
Jennifer Longmire
Kristen Andreasen
MaryAnn Rubel LeBlanc
Carrie Cooper Wood
Allison JayeBarry Bond
Cody Underwood
Dorothy Underwood
Scott Mitchell
Stephanie Barclay
Jessica Jackson Desormeaux
Sheila Nguyen
Chisty Beard Alkire
Dylan Kilday
Caleb Countryman
Monique Quibodeaux Batson
Jessica Lyn
Chad Petersen
Kristal Degeyter
Kristina Roach
Jeff Courts
Traci Martin
Ashley McGlothin
Garret De La Cerda
Lisa Ozio
Staci Richards
Shea Duerler
Mark Pyland
Joveta Philyaw
Courtney Denai Deggs
Alex Hampton
Benny Solis
Breezy Laird
Kevin Rice
Kimberly Van Etta Muscarello
Rain Pletcher
Donny Avery
Okinccia Black
Conley Hightower
Alex Rhodes
Kara Monceaux
Ashley Burton Riley
Alvin Adams
Kristina Petersen
Cindy Shelton Thomas
Slate Schwertner
Nikki Turner
Dana Greer Leyva
Rob Copeland
Mary Lou Montgomery
Martha Adams
Ashley Harvey Bartholomew
Mary Grimes
Debbie Pletcher
Rhiannon Pletcher
Kay Richards
Ashley Heep
Andrea Gilstrap Williams
Alyssa Quimby
Heather Chisholm
Lesley Bass
Sam Arisco
Katherine Powell
Krislyn Stampley Hodges
Katy Cowels
Linda ForNow
Donna Gonzalez
Vic Demented
Kyle Bauer
Daniel Paris
Anna Taylor Trahan
Francis Walsh
Andy McCall
Laura Wallace
Lindsey Bass
Khalida Thomas
Rachel Duran
Larry Jones
CJ Wallingsford
Hannah Chesser Ezell
Drake Thibodaux
Kimberly Cervantes Griffis
Aimee Harris Rathburn
Buck Burke
Corey Watkins
Christina Danielle Yancey
Kacy Campbell
Krysta Wheeler
Martha Japalucci
Cassie Queen
Laura Worthy Deggs
Ivan Hogge
Graves Jones Jennifer
LeeAnn Collins Barnes
Katy Deromie
David Sorrells
Thomas Haverly
Stephanie Domec Shaw
Mandy Anderson Street
Jennifer Sztaba
Crizz Hndz
Lindy Ryan
Michelle Jornett
Jennifer Longmire
and many others......
I also want to give thanks to the team over at Curiosity Quills for hosting a wonderful contest geared towards nanowrimo contestants. Also, for being so nice and responding politely when I would write 50k word emails. CQ is a new company but let me tell you, they handled all the hurdles very well and I appreciate each of you.
I may have overlooked some others but it was definitely not intentional. I tried to keep a list of everyone that tagged, posted, tweeted, and voted but I know I missed some from twitter. Please tell your friends I said thank you.
Seriously...thank you all so very very very much. I cannot say thank you enough.
-Court
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