Dear friends and lurkers alike,
I just wanted to let you know that I did not advance to the Semifinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Don’t worry, I’m not upset at all. I knew the second half of my book had some problems that I hadn’t fixed, so I was very happy just to get this far.
The best part of this whole thing for me has been the overwhelming support I got from you all. It really energized me at a time that I was feeling a little burnt out, and now I’m ready to get to work making the whole book just as good as the opening excerpt – or better!
So thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement. It’s the end of the Amazon line, but definitely not the end of my journey to publication. ;)
“Everybody in this league is successful,” Allen said. “Everybody in this league has made it to this level where they’re a flagship in their society and their community where they grew up. People look up to them. They’re outliers in their world.
“We’re not outliers among ballplayers, but we’re outliers amongst the people that we grew up around. I started analyzing why that is. What made me successful? I was successful because of the opportunities that I had, outside of the other opportunities that people had, the breaks, people pushing me forward. The communities I grew up in, people were always adding an extra five bucks to get me to camp. The same thing that Bill Gates went through with the computer access. I had access to a gym, just the same. Once I started going there, people started seeing my passion for it, they started helping me.
“That’s why I always tell people, no matter what sport you’re in, whether it’s team or individual, everybody has a team. There’s a crew that helped get you where you are, no matter how you see it, how you look at it. You start thinking about it, analyzing situations. Anybody in this locker room, people helped you achieve your goal.”
(From a great ESPN column by J.A. Adande. Emphasis added by me.)
15 responses to “A big thank you to my team”
You’re such an amazing writer, I have no doubt that you’ll be successful no matter what you do. I can’t wait for the day something you write gets published because by reading this blog I can tell how hard you work and how motivated you are, and you’ll definitely earn it and undoubtedly appreciate it more than so many people would. Keep doing what you do, you’re great!
• SassyLittleGinger’s recent blog post: The Legend of The Butter Lamb.
Thanks! Hehe, don’t take this the wrong way, but such a heartfelt comment is kinda funny coming from such a Sassy Little Ginger like you! (Makes me appreciate it even more.)
haha I know what you mean, my blog isn’t exactly professional or to be taken very seriously. i still kind of have a soul, though! sometimes.
• SassyLittleGinger’s recent blog post: The Legend of The Butter Lamb.
Well, I know that I can’t wait to read the rest of it — especially if you’re planning on making it as good as that opening excerpt! :-D You are a fantastic writer, and I can’t wait to read ANYTHING that comes from you.
Congratulations on getting as far as you did. I am so proud of you!
Thanks, sis! :)
I absolutely loved the story Kristan. Cannot wait for it to be a published book so that I can buy it and brag I knew you when….
• Pseudo’s recent blog post: Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
Thank you, Pseudo!
Aw, I was so rooting for you to win! I concur with everyone else above– you are an amazing writer and someday the rest of the world will catch on. Can’t wait to see you on the NYT bestseller list!
• RTW’s recent blog post: It’s Been 6 Months…
It’s an amazing accomplishment to have made it as far as you did, and if it inspired you to hone your work more, that’s great. Good luck with your book. For me, I’ve always been far less motivated to re-write than I am to write in the first place.
Again, kudos.
Thanks, y’all!
And yeah, haha Sonja, I’m far less motivated to re-write, which is why ABNA served as a much-needed swift kick in the butt.
Hey at least you made it that far. Congrats girl!
So true. ;) Thanks!
i’m proud of you regardless. and as my stepson (he is six!) told me this weekend, “when you fall off the horse, you need to get back on, sam. i thought you knew that.” :) there is always a next time.
• sam’s recent blog post: grr
Hehe, so wise for six years old. Thanks! :)
At least you had the courage to submit and suffer through the waiting and wondering. That is always the first step towards advancement. You cannot go further if you do not take this step.
• Lauren’s recent blog post: Too Literary Journal or Not