When you get a little older, the amount of presents you get on your birthday is vastly different from the pile you were lucky to get on the day you blew out seven candles on your cake. But I have to say, I've realized over the past decade that I care a lot more about giving than getting presents.
I love to buy Christmas/Yule presents. I love to buy birthday gifts. And I don't ask people what they want anymore because I want to give them things that have a meaning instead of buying Grandad a package of the socks he likes. Where's the surprise in that??
Writing is a lot like gift-giving. I write the books I think you all would like to read, or at least a good portion of you. And those I don't get with one book, I'll try to get with another...and another. No one is safe. Muahahaha!
Over Christmas, I gained a few new readers with my free read, and that helped to remind me why I do what I do. I can write all day long for myself and get some pleasure from it (because I love to write), but NOTHING compares to having readers wanting more, making me feel like I've got a golden touch. "I love it! What else do you have?" "Anything new coming out? I can't wait."
Comments like these make me get all sappy and wanting to hug the world. Why, yes, I will have something new coming out, and it's because of you! Not just those who are fans, but for those who aren't, too. You push me, inspire me. I want to make you all happy, make you read until all hours of the night, and make your breaths catch along with my characters.
To up my chances of making that happen, this year I set a goal for myself to write a short per month. I'm making no guarantee, since I've never tried writing on a disciplined schedule before, but I'm going to do my best because nothing beats new books or getting new fans with those new books.
I had a contest I planned to run for Christmas, but my hosting hour went by so fast, I never got to it. So what better way to celebrate my birthday today than to blatantly attempt to bribe new fans my way (and give longtime fans new gifts)?
You can enter by leaving a comment or by emailing me at allurevansanz (at) aol (dot) com. In your comment or email, tell me a short story you'd like to read and chose the names of your main characters.
For example: "I'd like to read a medieval M/F short. I want his name to be Sir Licks-a-lot and her name to be Lady Takemenow." or "I'd like a M/M" or "F/F".
Get as detailed as you like with looks or keep things vague. Makes no matter to me, whatever your comfort level.
OR...
If you'd rather just get a free book, you can request that, too. There's "From the Ruins" "Handling Gwen" or "Candied Cane"(the gift I handed out for Xmas). Just tell me the book you'd like to receive in your comment for a chance to win it, because today is all about you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me today.
All my best,
Allure
