Hi all:
I hope 2020 is going well for you so far, and I also hope it will get better and better. It is customary to take stock of what has gone on over the year, and although I enjoy the posts where people share lists of achievements, recommendations, events, etc., I always find others’ reflections more interesting than mine and seem to have too many other things to share and do this time of the year, so there you have it.
Although I hadn’t planned a “best of 2019” kind of post, I wanted to offer you a gift (of sorts) for Christmas, but I ran into some technical difficulties and didn’t manage to get everything ready. Instead, I bring you a gift for the New Year. Well, not sure it’s much of a gift, but, hey, ho!
I decided to do a little experiment and try to see if writing for a short period of time every day would work for me. Instead of publishing the resulting book, because I’m not too convinced about it, to tell you the truth, and I’d rather invest the money necessary in other things, I’ve shared it on Wattpad. You can read it there, if you fancy it, although, don’t worry, I know the topic is a bit peculiar and not to everybody’s taste.
Here is the description:
You’re Never Too Old to Be a Prom Queen.
Have you ever found yourself in the unenviable position of being told that you are too … (fill in the gap with whichever word fits: young, pretty, thin, fat, short, tall, clever, silly, old…) to do something? Mildred, one of the protagonists of the story, had always dreamed of having a prom. But when she finished her studies, in the UK, that was not the done thing. Now, many years later and with time in her hands after having retired from her full-time job as a nurse, she is still thinking about it. She tells her husband, who is less-than-enthusiastic about her idea. After years of being told what to do, she decides it’s time to take things in her own hands. With more than a little help from her friends, her project starts to take shape.
What started as a challenge becomes a mission that engages the imagination and the hearts of all the people involved.
A heart-warming story for all ages about friendship, creativity, determination, and the power of a tight-knit community and of dreams.
https://my.w.tt/bXAPlbrY32
Thanks for reading my reviews and everything else, and you know what to do! Keep smiling, reading, reviewing, and being happy in 2020!
Aw, it sounds like a sweet, chick-lit story.
Thanks, Priscilla. It has its not-so-light moments, and the protagonists are older than usual, but I think you’re right. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Yup, people are always telling me I can’t do one thing or another. It usually proves motivating. 🙂
It sure does! Thanks, Ichabod and have a fabulous 2020!
What a wonderful gift, Olga. I’ve been told “You’ll never write a book, because you’re dyslexic” as well as “You’ll never be a policeman, because you’re too short.” It’s best not to listen to those who try and dull your sparkle.
I’d be delighted to hear the results of your experience with Wattpad. Over two years ago, I published the first chapter of a book on there and had forgotten all about it until I read your post. I may just go back and revisit it (if I can remember my login details).
Happy New Year.
Thanks very much, Hugh. I know what you mean all too well. It’s best to take such comments as a challenge, but not everybody is confident enough to do so, and it is a shame that some people don’t realise (or don’t care) the damage they can cause. I don’t think this story fits in well with the type of narratives that do well in Wattpad, but I thought I’d give it another go. I have published stories there in the past, but nothing recent, but as you’ll probably see, so far not many people had looked at it (but I haven’t done much to promote it either).
Happy New Year and all the best.
Good luck with this, Olga.
(The link won’t work for me.)
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I wonder if it is because I’ve accessed it through my own account. This is the link I got when I tried to share on Twitter:
https://my.w.tt/bXAPlbrY32
Thanks for letting me know. I don’t think it is your type of story, but thanks for the support, as always, my friend.
All the best.
That’s a better link, Olga. 🙂
Great news! Thanks, Pete! I’ve also changed the one on my Spanish post because I think it wouldn’t work either. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Congrats on the new story, Olga- it sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Jacquie. It was just a bit of fun. Have a great new year.
Hi Olga. I relate to this concept. And I’m glad you made the heroine older. The high school I attended did not have proms, and I never got to attend one. Plus. I’ve been told many times that I’m too (you name it, including old) to do whatever. I can’t wait to read more of this story. Thanks so much for sharing it. Happy New Year — happy new decade!
Thanks, Teagan! I never had a prom either and I also have the feeling sometimes that I’ve missed on quite a few things others have done. So it was an idea that had appeal for me, and it seems quite a few others as well. Happy new decade and congratulations on your new book!
This sounds wonderful Olga. Publish it! 🙂 I’ll have a look but really don’t have time to read on Wattpad, easier on my Kindle. <3
Thanks, Debby. Not interested in publishing it and having to go through the expenses of a professional cover and a professional edit as I’ve never made the money back for any of my books. I could create a Kindle version for you but I know you have a looooong reading list, so don’t worry. Enjoy the rest of the week. <3
I wouldn’t want to put you out. I read 2 part on Wattpad, which I used to partake in, but have no time and literally forgot about it. I do like the story and style so far, so I will see if I can drop by again. <3 Yes. Happy almost weekend! <3
Not at all, Debby. It’s easy using Calibre (it’s a free programme). The results are not always perfect, but they create a reasonable file in most cases. I’ll send you a copy once I have it ready. Thanks for taking an interest! 🙂
My pleasure and thanks Olga. And yes, I use Calibre, lol duh me! I’ve converted lots over to mobi with it. Thanks again. <3
Fabulous! It’s a useful tool, for sure. I’ve sent it to you. Enjoy the weekend!
Oh fab Olga! Thanks so much. <3
Let me know if you haven’t received it. I sent it to your gmail address. 🙂
Thanks! I saw it in there awhle ago. I’ll be reading my 100’s of emails soon, lol. xx
Oh, dear! Every so often, I manage to “accidentally” delete all my old emails. After a few moments of panic, it feels quite liberating. Enjoy the weekend!
No deletions and I loaded it safe and sound. Thanks again Olga and Happy weekend! 🙂 x
I like this idea, Olga, and I like the unusual. I will try to download from this unknown [to me] place. I don’t always have success with sites other than Amazon.
Thanks, Robbie. Amazon is a well known place, a Canadian site that allows people to share stories with the world, for free, read other people’s stories, comment, like… But it is not a place where you can download something. It’s a platform and you have to go there to read the content, which is usually shared as chapters… A bit like the content on a blog. It’s very popular with young people. Famously, Margaret Atwood uses it. I produced a Kindle copy for Debby, so if you find it tiresome, let me know and I can send it to you as well in that format. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Thanks Olga and an interesting way to release the book… I think we all need to explore other options hugsxx
Thanks, Sally. I don’t intend to stop writing, but publishing commercially doesn’t seem the right option for me at the moment. And although I didn’t do it that way, if writers use it to share a work in progress, they might get feedback as they work, that might be an interesting option depending on the nature of the writing. Enjoy the weekend!
I agree with you Olga, and a great idea to get feedback as you say.. I think the book sounds great especially with the older protagonist .. I see there have been 50 reads already.. xxx
Thanks, Sally. Yes, I enjoy stories with older protagonists, and I had fun writing it, that’s for sure. Enjoy the weekend!
[…] Head over to read the blurb and to follow the link to access the book on Wattpad: http://www.authortranslatorolga.com/2020/01/07/2020gift-youre-never-too-old-to-be-a-prom-queen-wattp… […]