Wattpad Block Party - Winter Edition III

Tamoja Presents: A Letter To You

There are a million things I thought about for this post. I thought about horror, humor, sci-fi,plugging a book, plugging myself, but I just wanted, instead, to write you a letter.

 It's probably been done before. If it hasn't, maybe it could be, and definitely should be. I won't make t long, there are a couple hundred posts I know you want to get your claws in----me too!But there's just something I want to say, and what a better platform than the ultimate Wattpad Block Party! 

Dear Wattpad Family,My name is Tamoja. I've been on Wattpad for two years and I have written about 40 works here.Some cringeworthy, some fairly decent, and a couple, well a couple I swooned over even though I wrote them myself. 

My journey here started just like yours, I signed up, I read, and read, and read, and then I wrote.It was a natural progression I think, seeing books in the works just makes you want to join the party doesn't it? I hadn't written previously except in notebooks (lots of angsty songs and letters), and have no training, but man did I feel the pull and passion. And here I am two years later, writing my second Block Party Post, staring at my published book, and with a script on the desk of TNT network. 

It's been a ride, to say the least. But the truth of the matter is, as much as holding my own book in my hand filled me with gratitude, and getting to the final 10 of the TNT contest blew me away,(still not sure right now if I won or lost but by the time you're reading this you'll know), it isn't what tops my journey here. 

You did. From the first day I got here, I met a bunch of people who made me feel like I was family. Each person I follow, I take stock in, and each person that follows me means something more than a random number. This community is changing lives and making things happen every day, and I am so proud to be a part of that.You guys (and you know who you are- you're reading this) are so much more than virtual friends that make me laugh when I'm devastated, and snort soda through my nose when I laugh. 

Most days, you are my first connection of the day, and the ones I chat with, and whose words I read until late in the night, and I am THANKFUL. 

My Wattpad experience isn't yours, it never will be, because every single person gives, and gets, in degrees of who- and where they are in life. But to me, this is home for my spirit, and food for my soul. (Yes, I went full on sappy). 

Wattpad is a land of opportunity. It's gotten me published without querying or tying to find an agent, it's given me opportunities to grow and learn and develop by watching, studying, and discussing. It's my sounding board, my launch pad for crazy brain ideas, and my safe spot. 

Of course there are times when I struggle, books unread, ideas that launch and soar in my head but don't speak to anyone else, books I fell in love with reading by people that end up scrapped,and times people move on or lash out (we all know it happens sometimes, life rolls). 

But through it all, there are no other people I'd rather stand with or be beside. There aren't enough hours, not enough ways, to say how incredibly grateful I am for having this platform, and having you in it. 

I use the words thankful and grateful a lot, some people say it's phony or annoying, but I'll never stop. Like everyone, life has handed me some curveballs and beatings, we've all had bumps and bruises, but we got through them and for me, having you beside me for the low tides make them bearable. 

Now that I've got that out of the way I'd like to give you a bit advice - I'm not a guru, but you can take this one to the bank: don't be afraid to reach for it, whatever it is: a contest, a book, a television show, the hand of a friend, a happy life. The greatest regret is always the what if, andI'd much rather fail trying than dream of that 'what if' I had tried it. 

If you're afraid, grab a virtual hand, PM a friend to soundboard with (I'm here --so are millions of people who would be proud to support you), tag team the worry and build each other up. 

Life is a journey, and no matter the destination, getting there is half the fun. Be bold, be kind,and above all, be you, because I think you're terrific. 

As Wattpad continues to grow and change more opportunities and dreams are headed your way, it's an evolving platform and one way to keep your stability is to anchor yourself to the very heart of it, the people here. Those out there who say writing success and making it are all about being an island and keeping your own head above water may tread faster for a bit, but I'd much rather be stranded with my arms linked around those who make me happy and get there a lot less painfully. 

Thanks for being part of the block party!! From my heart to yours- you're a force! 

My name is tamoja, I am a Wattpad Ambassador, a writer who dabbles in almost every genre, and a cheerleader to kindness. I currently run "What's Hot" a listing of wattpad happenings for Wattmag. My short story The Friendship Promposal is published in the Anthology Once Upon Now by Gallery Publishing with some amazing wattpeeps. I made it to TNT's top 10, and I am proof that it's possible to be a real life Cinderella, you just have to believe and keep keeping on. 

Many thanks to Kelly for her amazing work on the block party, my fellow ambassadors for their labor of love, my friends who keep me going, and the wattpad staff who make this whole experience possible.

***********

P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

GIVEAWAY LINK ONE:

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-for-wattpad-block-party_31.html

GIVEAWAY LINK TWO (with Widgets):

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-with-widgets-for-wattpad.html