AndiJ37

Hello, everyone! I took a break for a while. I'm posting two books on here. That's all I plan on putting on here for now. One for each of my other pen names. I have a friend who wants to read them, and this is the easiest way. I'm not sure how fast I'll upload. Maybe once or twice a week. I'll maybe post faster if people are enjoying one or both. I hope all of you are doing well.

checksmartreaders

@AndiJ37 I am. I got your book at Amazon but won't have time to read until end of April. I changed my job and working full time while attending school. I will send you a private message to share more :) 
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AndiJ37

@checksmartreaders Aww <3 Thank you! I hope you're doing well!
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checksmartreaders

@AndiJ37 that's amazing Andi and I want to buy it!!!! 
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AndiJ37

Hello, everyone! I took a break for a while. I'm posting two books on here. That's all I plan on putting on here for now. One for each of my other pen names. I have a friend who wants to read them, and this is the easiest way. I'm not sure how fast I'll upload. Maybe once or twice a week. I'll maybe post faster if people are enjoying one or both. I hope all of you are doing well.

checksmartreaders

@AndiJ37 I am. I got your book at Amazon but won't have time to read until end of April. I changed my job and working full time while attending school. I will send you a private message to share more :) 
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AndiJ37

@checksmartreaders Aww <3 Thank you! I hope you're doing well!
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checksmartreaders

@AndiJ37 that's amazing Andi and I want to buy it!!!! 
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AndiJ37

I posted three stories I'm going to try to keep up with for the Wattys ongoing contest. I’m not sure if I’ll actually enter them, but I'm hoping it motivates me to keep up with them. Two I started a while ago and have wanted to finish for some time. I'm excited to finally complete them. 

AndiJ37

Is anyone trying for the Wattys this year? I'm thinking about doing the ongoing thing to motivate myself, which is what I really need right now. Having to make sure I update each week would be beneficial to me in a lot of ways. What is everyone's plans for this year?

lookinprettyGrim

I think it would be good for you. It could help and either way it's always one step closer to completion than before. You're right, any progress is good. It felt good when I completed Last Hurrah even though I got nothing out of it. It'll be nice to do that again and to see you do the same
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AndiJ37

@BubblegumCherry96 It is a good motivator, and they have two options for this year. One for ongoing books and one for complete. The ongoing requires you to update once a week, and I think it would help me stay motivated to keep up with certain stories. I don't expect to win, but I've had some things happen that have impeded my writing quite a bit, and I'm looking for ways to bounce back. I say you should go for it. No matter what happens it's more written.
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lookinprettyGrim

That’s new, and interesting. I hadn’t even considered the watty’s since I entered Nona’s (awful) rough draft but that was ultimately the whole reason I even finished her book. It really is a motivator. I’m glad you mentioned this. Makes me want to move a story ahead so I can write for a certain character that I’ve been dying to voice. I’ve been stuck in limbo with it though for so many reasons (excuses really at this point). I think it’s a really good idea.
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AndiJ37

Decided I’m not going to continue in the ONC this year. My personal life has been chaotic, and it’s taking me a bit to bounce back. But I look forward to cheering for all of you still in the contest. Maybe I’ll give it another try next year. 

AndiJ37

I am officially deep in writer's burn out. I wrote an article on this and have been here once before. It's what brought me to Wattpad in the first place. That time I was still writing some. But I haven't been able to type anything in days. Logically telling myself not to panic while emotionally panicking is where I'm at right now. But I make choices based on instinct, and it is telling me to take a step back instead of pushing things right now. How is everyone else doing with their writing?

AndiJ37

@woodlander8 ❤️thank you! I think the emotional rollercoaster is a big part of it. I had a bad thing happen and at the same time something amazing was happening and I think it’s thrown me off. Thank you for all your support and encouragement over the last few weeks. I appreciate it! 
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AndiJ37

@CovertEyes thank you! That’s great advice. I’ve been taking a step back, so I think it’s helping.  I was given two weeks paid off work. I was going to tell them I was ready to go back a week early but decided to take the time. 
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woodlander8

@AndiJ37 I'm sorry your experiencing writer's burn out right now. That's tough. But give yourself some grace. You've been through a lot emotionally speaking in the last several weeks, and that kind of toll can make it hard to access our creative outlets. You will write again. I know you, but I also know how hard it can be to take a break, almost like if you do then the pressure intensifies about starting up again. But you were meant to write, and you will again soon. We'll be here when you do <3
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AndiJ37

As a self published author, you aren't sure certain things will happen for you. I applied to have my books Illaria and the Marked Lands, Slot 47,  and Starlings on My Window Sill to be included in this big author event in my area.
          
          All authors will have signed copies of the chosen books placed into local libraries. The librarians were reading all the books submitted, so I was told competition was steep.
          
          I found out today all three of the books I applied with, were chosen to be included, and I’ll be a featured author at the event. It feels very surreal and unexpected. 
          
          It's a dream come true to have my books in a library!

lookinprettyGrim

I think I teared up, congratulations. Well deserved, continue glowing ❤️
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AndiJ37

@bored_mama aww thank you for saying all that! ❤️
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bored_mama

@AndiJ37  I got a lot of notifs when you published your onc entries so I just went ahead and read the  blurbs. Let me tell you, you are amazing and so very creative! Loved those blurbs. Good luck!
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AndiJ37

I’m thinking of doing ONC this year. Anyone else thinking you will or for sure doing so?

AndiJ37

@violetsadowski good luck with your current work! 
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violetsadowski

@AndiJ37 If I wasn't working so hard on my current work then I would.
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AndiJ37

As writers/authors, we have an ethical responsibility if we intend to share our writing. That doesn't mean you can't write something just for fun that doesn't have any deep meaning. You absolutely can. Nothing is wrong with that. 
          
          The problem comes when the writing is unethical, irresponsible, and down right wrong. It's not okay to write explicit scenes between a minor and an adult and call it “age gap” trope. 
          
          It’s not okay to write non-consensual touching and calling it the “way guys are.” 
          
          It's not okay for a character to physically and verbally abuse another character and call it “alpha, hot, sexy”. 
          
          It’s not okay to glorify trafficking and call the traffickers “good people” because they took vulnerable people off the streets. 
          
          None of that is okay. As writers we have a responsibility to do better. To not put this stuff into the world and make it acceptable. Because it’s not. Abuse and assult and everything I mentioned can't be “just a fantasy” or “just a book”. It's wrong, and I'm tired of seeing it praised. So young people think it's the kind of relationship they should have and want. 
          
          I'm tired of seeing these in an abundance of books.

AndiJ37

@CovertEyes Yes! I wish more people would. It's disheartneing to see how often these things are put in books, and they are frequently popular. 
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CovertEyes

@AndiJ37 100% yes. More of us need to speak up! 
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Mjthe112222aaaa

this message may be offensive
Finally I'm tired of seeing the whole leader of the pack shit and my mafia husband 
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AndiJ37

Important Announcements. Posting from  Berry Patch. Duncana and I wanted to let you know what's going on with us. First, we will fully finish the Berry Pancake awards. Rest assured if you entered, you will get results. 
          
          We felt the responsible thing to do is to let you know why we are moving slower than usual. A couple of weeks ago my mom was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer. They removed an apple sized tumor from her brain. 
          
          The doctor gave her 6-18 months to live with treatment. She was getting ready to start intense chemo and radiation, but I just received a call that she is falling and incoherent like before they removed the tumor. It looks like the cancer may already be back like it was. For this reason, she may not have much longer. So I ask that you bear with me if results seem slower than they should be. 
          
          Duncana has also hit a bump in the road. She found out yesterday she has to have unexpected surgery. This will slow down her results as well.
          
          As we said, we are still giving the results but ask for your patience as we navigate these difficulties.
          
          The Unchained Imagination Contest will still go on as planned. I already have all the prompts set up in the book, so all that will be needed is for me to hit publish. If you haven't checked that out, please do so. It has some great prizes, including one for the tag fest contest. It's a way to get a professional book cover, meaning an experienced graphic designer is making the prizes.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/1287401675-unchained-imagination-contest-2023-tag-fest
          
          The book club will remain on break for now. I'm not sure the future of it with all my personal things, and we have lost a lot of members. I need to decide when I'm in a better place to think about it. 
          
          Dunacana and I greatly appreciate your support for our community. We love all of you, and our goal has always been to help you grow as writers and find support. We thank you for your patience during this time!

AndiJ37

@inkysparrow Thank you! And prayers for your sister in law. 
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inkysparrow

@AndiJ37 I am sorry about your mother and Duncana. My sister-in-law has colon cancer so I can imagine your worries.  Sending healing prayers your way.
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AndiJ37

Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the kind words! 
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