Made of Awesome Contest

*REVISED 5/29/11*

Title: Note to Self

Genre: YA Gaslamp Fantasy/Steampunk

Word Count: 77,000

Note to Self

The coin and train ticket Mr. Minchin pushed into her hand at the gate of the orphanage meant one thing to Gracie—freedom.

Freedom to search for her family.

The pretense that Gracie planned to spend the rest of her life plucking feathers off dead chickens, was as much a ruse as Mr. Minchin’s parting words that he regretted sending her away. She even suspected this job recommendation was his final revenge for all the fights she’d started with the other children. Though in her defense, she’d ended most of the spats long before Mr. Minchin had need to intervene with his yardstick.

She didn’t know why her aunt and uncle had never come to claim her, but if they were still in Chicago, despite the passage of eight years, she intended to find them. She refused to believe Mrs. Minchin’s explanation that they simply hadn’t wanted her.

“That money is only to be used as a last resort.” Mr. Minchin wagged a liver-spotted finger at her. “Things are different in the real world. If you’re sassy with your supervisor he’s going to garnish your wages rather than slap your knuckles with a ruler. And if you lose your job at the Rochester poultry factory, don’t bother returning here, since once I close this gate, you’re on your own.”

She nodded, tucking the coin into her skirt pocket; the money wasn’t a parting gift, it was his insurance to get rid of her for good.

 “Don’t worry. You won’t be seeing me again.”

Thanks to everyone who has commented on the old version.

Check out the contest details here:

http://shelleywatters.blogspot.com/2011/05/made-of-awesome-contest.html

Coloring Contest!

Steampunk Coloring Contest

In case you haven't guessed, this was my entry for the Angry Robots contest.

Although I have dabbled in making my own weapons for conventions and cosplay purposes, I didn't have any good photos that I thought could win the Angry Robots contest. So, I decided I'd throw together a quick steampunk fashion drawing as an entry.

Do I think it will win? Not a chance, but it was fun to take a break from writing and get in touch with my artistic side again. It's really helped me get out of the funk I've been in as a result of my "empty inbox blues." That means all of you benefit because it inspired me to hold a contest!

The reward is a $10 E-gift card at either Barnes&Nobel or Amazon.com--winner's choice.

  If I end up with more than 50 followers at the end of the contest I will award a second $10 gift card to another entrant.

How it Works: 

1. Earn one entry by being a follower of this blog and leaving me a comment about how lovely you think my ladies are.

2. For +1 entry, spread the word on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook and provide the link in the comments section.

3. Earn an extra +3 entries by picking one of the uncolored figures to color in on your own.  (You do not get extra points for coloring in both.)

To color the image in I suggest print, color, scan--or Photoshop/Window's Paint is fine. Let your child color it in if you don't want to; this is not a contest of skill.

After you're done, share your completed picture on your blog,  Facebook, or Twitter then leave me another link to your beautiful artwork in the comments section.

4. The winner will be selected by a random number generator on June 1, 2011.