Friends Forever, huh?

Finishing Note (Please Read)

Hello! I have a quick story to tell you. (yes, yes I know: but Julia!! you just told us a whole story, now you're going to tell another in the authors note?? yes. yes I am.) It's about a little girl who had a dream of becoming an author--very much like Ashley. When she was little, she wrote quirky little stories like diaries of a dog, or some short little story about two spunky best friends. She had lots of ideas but could never seem to finish them. Until one day, she decided to embark on the crazy adventure of writing a novel in a month. She was convinced she couldn't do it. But she began anyway. What once was a shallow, cliché story turned into her full blown novel project. Her characters developed. Her plot deepened. She made it her priority to touch on the tough, ugly details of high school and life....and she finished her novel.

Just to clarify, that girl is me.

It's a little less than a week before my ending date for this book. About a month ago, all that existed of this story was a shallow, cliché backbone. My characters were flat and undeveloped. I had absolutely no plot. But I started writing. A lot. And I did it. I'm happy to announce that one of my huge life goals has been accomplished. I've written a novel!!

One of my main goals with this book was to create real characters that changed and developed with the story. Along with that, I wanted to touch on real issues: trust problems, depression, self harm, loneliness, popularity, divorce, bullying, etc. Now as someone who has thankfully not gone through the majority of these things, I sincerely hope that I have done them justice. It was my intent to show them for what they are, without sugarcoating. And my love and respect and sorrow goes out to all of you who have struggled with these things. You're loved. You're worth it. Breathe easy, babe. You're making it out of the woods.

Now, about the sequel...

I don't have a lot of information to give y'all yet because I've been mega-focused on completely this story. However, what I do know is I will be writing a Spin-Off of this book with Shelby as the main character. Yes, you read that right, Shelby. I have big plans for it so pretty please with a cherry on top give it a try??

I will be taking about a weeklong break for vacation and rejuvenating then because my brain needs a bit of a break from a month of writing about 50,000 words. However, after that you can keep your eyes peeled for my sequel appearing in my words (I'm so excited, y'all.)

Please feel free to give me feedback on how you felt about the book as a whole. was it good? Cliché? Were the characters realistic? Any closure questions you want answers to? I can tell you what happened a little after the epilogue but it's nothing major....

Just Cole and Ashley's marriage
And
Ashley's parents getting married
And
All that jazzy stuff.

Also, because you guys as readers are the absolute bomb diggity (more bomb then Cedric diggory. No? Okay.) I wanted to give y'all a quick thank you for reading this book. So here's my letter to you:

Hello reader! *waves excitedly* thank you for taking the time to read this story and going through the whole journey with me. We went through the whole 45 chapters (and epilogue :)) together. Wow, what a ride, huh? I'm so glad you stuck around the whole time.

I just want to give you a reminder today that you should pursue your dreams. They're attainable. You might have to work your butt off. You might have to find your hustle. But you can do it babe. You're capable of greatness. You're capable of so much greatness that I'm basically like Hagrid in Harry Potter,

"YER A READER, READER. AND A THUMPING GOOD ONE AT THAT."

And do you know what that Hagrid mini-speech means? It means you're cooler than Steve Rogers (and Steve Rogers is pretty darn cool, whichever way you look at it.) It means you have so much potential. So go live it, babe! Go forth and write. Go forth and create a YouTube channel. Or audition for a play. Or perfect your jump shot.

I dunno what your dream is, but get out there and start working or it's never gonna happen. This book is evidence that dreams come true. You may be exhausted at the end. You may have gained a really screwed up sleep schedule (me, yes.) but it will be worth it. Because the feeling of accomplishing something you've always wanted to do is amazing.

All my love to you, dear reader.

-J

Alright, it's 6 AM and I think I'm gonna head back to bed and sleep it off. I CANT BELIEVE IM DONE WITH THIS. I think the shock of it has yet to hit me, because currently, the earth isn't shaking. I'm not feeling as though I'm Ed Sheeran/Taylor Swift by the way everything is changing. But it is done. And I am in disbelief, because I've wanted this for so long.

One last thanks is in order. And that's to the lovely Mschic, my very best friend, who kept me sane while writing this. Thank you for kindly forcing me to take s break and breathe. Thank you for being my google when I needed info but was trying to type at the same time. Thank you for adding your brilliance to my ideas. (Y'all the Cole self harm part was her idea, I just expanded upon it. Give her a round of applause)

And quick final thank you I forgot to add--thanks Author274 for being like the first reader of this and telling me to continue it :)

I think I've made this the longest authors note ever. I just wanted to make sure I said everything I wanted y'all to know. But ya haven't seen the last of me, don't worry (or don't be too relieved, whichever), a sequel is in the works!

Love y'all. G'night.

-J