Ink Calamities: winner

Something amazing happened this weekend, something I had given up on.

I won 'The Five Poison Apples' contest!

I am having the hardest time writing this post! I don't really know how to explain all the things I am feeling. I'm overwhelmed, I've been flooded with comments and congratulations! It all feels like a beautiful dream, that I'm going to wake up from. I'm hesitant to accept that my story made it! My friend Maddie's did too! I am so proud of her!

I have been trying to sort through all of my emotions. I wanted to write something to help the people who didn't make it. Because I've been there, believe me I've been there. Not just losing, but the rejection, the questioning. The constant thoughts that I'm not good enough and I should stop trying. I've been writing for twelve years and it hasn't been an easy road.

Keep going, don't let anything stop you! Take everything in stride, critiques, rejection, and mistakes those things will shape you and help you grow. They will only make you stronger, don't let them break you. Put on the 'The Greatest Showman' Soundtrack and go conquer the world!

I promised to share my party pictures, so enjoy!

I kept telling my parents that this was a pity party, because I figured we wouldn't win, so this was supposed to soften the blow. I had lost the previous contests and this was Elizabeth's first contest. I was hoping for an honorable mention.

Me crying when I found out I won... I'm not usually that emotional. Elizabeth gave me some beautiful fan art, her and her sister Isabelle did. I adore it!

I'm so happy Elizabeth was there, it made everything that much more exciting and fun. She didn't win, but she was super happy for me, I don't know if I would had been able to do that if I was in her place.
I'm so proud of her for entering and pouring her all into her story. It's fantastic.