Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I Ponder Wednesdays: We Have A Winner!

Happy Birthday, to me... Happy birthday to me... Happy biiiirrrrthday to MEEEEE... Now who wins the prize?!

Okay, I am obviously not a songwriter (my brother got all the talent, there!), BUT, it's time to announce who won  Bethany's Birthday Bonanza contest!! WooHoo!

Let me say this much, I am so very, very glad that I chose to use Random.org. Why? Because the entries were SO darn fantastic. We even got some newbies to the blogging world! I hope everyone waves hello to Karen Moore and Kathy Gorman! *waves hi* Karen is a self-published PB author of a book that I'm eager to get my hands on, and Kathy is a retired teacher (from one of my old schools, no less) who loves to write for kiddos! Please embrace them and show them how wonderful our community is!

Anyway, the entries... wow. You guys had me laughing on the floor and begging for more! I loved the characters, each play on words (atta girl, Beth!), and all the love that was so obviously put into them. They made my birthday week very special!

So without further adieu, our winner is...

ABIGAIL BEAL!!!!!
 
 
 
Her story about 6 year-old Humphrey, his stuffed Elephant, and the birthday wish of ALL birthday wishes coming true? AWESOME! I really, really hope that you finish this one, Abigail. I look forward to the ending, and would absolutely be honored to look at it once it's done!
 
Everyone congratulate Abigail! Hip, hip, HOORAY!
 
Thanks to all of you who entered. I so loved this last week! Thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes and words. I'll say it again, I love our community! See you next week!
 
 
*Abigail- email me (bethany.telles@ymail.com) and I'll get you your prize!!!*


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I Ponder Wednesdays: Happy Birthday to MEE! Oh, Do You Want A Contest?


NEWSFLASH!!!

In one, ONE WEEK it will be my birthday. And let me tell you, birthdays are great. But mine?

It's the BEST!!

I used to start counting down the days 'til my special day from July 19th. Oh, how much my childhood friends must have suffered. I would go as far as to tell janitors at my school just how many days/hours/minutes it was until I was to turn another year. I am not sure why, but I have always loved my birthday to an unhealthy point.

I have since calmed down a bit (in other words, I have taken my squeals of delight into rooms where no one can hear me, and have only done the July 19th countdown thingy in secret with my poor children).

However, it is now OFFICIALLY my birthday WEEK, and I would love it if you would help me celebrate. So...

 
 

You are hereby invited to
Bethany's Birthday Bonanza
 
WHEN: From today, 9/12/12, to Sunday, 9/16/12, 11:59 (PDT)
 
WHERE: Right here! On this blog!
You don't even have to get out of your seat!
 
WHAT: This is a contest!!
You are to write a 250-word story
that must contain the following items-
1. Your MC celebrating his/her birthday
2. An elephant (real, imaginary, or stuffed)
3. An odd question
 
RSVP: Please either subscribe to my blog or "Like" my FB page*,
then submit your story in the comment section below.
You must do BOTH (subscribe/Like AND submit story)
in order to be put in the running.
 
PRIZE: After the contest time is over, I will chose the winner using Random.org.
The winner will receive a $15 Amazon
Gift Card, for MY birthday!!
 
 
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen!
 
OH- the WINNER will be announced next week, ON my birthday!
We'll have a paaaaarrrtaaayyy!!!!
 
Good luck!! I greatly look forward to reading your entries...
 
 
*If you have already subscribed to this blog and/or have "Liked" my page, please let me know so that you can get an extra VIP point. :) Thanks!


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

I Ponder Wednesdays: What if You Can't Say "I'M WONDERFUL"?

It's no secret that I would LOVE to have an agent. I would love to have a companion on my side who can not only celebrate happy occasions with me, but can also tell me when something I've written is just terrible! Call me crazy, but I crave to have a kinship with someone so professional.

Now, I know there are ways to getting agents that I am wholly not comfortable with. Many agents have changed their submission guidelines to "No Unsolicited MS"...

Wait, huh? Of course my manny is unsolicited! That's why I'm querying YOU!

But they mean that they only take queries from writers with whom they've met at a conference, or even if one of their own clients highly recommends you.

Well, THAT'S easy! Many of my friends have agents. I'll have them whisper my name into their agent's ear, and I'll be a shoo in! YeeeHaw!

And you know, that might work for some. If you chose to do that, bravo! But for me, I just don't feel that I can ask a friend of mine to do that. They worked hard to get their agent. I applaud them for their accomplishments and if nothing else, I'm inspired to be just like them.

When I thought about it, I realized that throwing myself out there is difficult all on its own, for me. I have an issue with begging people to read my blog posts! I really want my writing to speak for itself without me having to shout it from the rooftops-

 HEY! I'M A REALLY GREAT WRITER!!!!!!

I'd prefer agents, editors, reviewers, followers, and peers to not have to listen to me gab about myself (which is funny, because here I am preeetty much gabbing away), but instead, be impressed with my ability to bring characters to life on paper.

So, here's my question to you:

In this day and age, when self-promotion seems to be the way to go,
do YOU think writers lose out if they
just don't have the gumption to say,
"Hey, I'M wonderful!"?
 
Okay, so there's that. I look forward to your feedback! Next week, I will announce a fun little contest that I can't wait to host. :) Tell your friends!

Happy writing!