Note before you read: This is already pretty long, and it's not JUST a normal 'thank you for reading my books' send-off. No. This is the backstory to what you finished reading not long ago. This is the journey of Antoinette Drake, from idea to creation to published work. I hope you enjoy ;) Love you guys! (PS, it might jump around...I wrote it as I went)
Dear Reader,
Congrats! You've reached the end of Antoinette Drake's story. Okay, that isn't exactly true...Toni still has more adventures to take, missions to dive into, and secrets that need revealing as the story goes on. Still, The Hawthorn Pearl marks the end of the trilogy that I began all the way back in 2012.
This is the story of Antoinette Drake, and it isn't really different from what it is now. The idea for Antoinette Drake and the surrounding cast of characters she deemed allies and enemies came from a dream. Kinda cliché, I know, and I'm not sorry for that either. Some of our best ideas happen while we sleep, and in Toni's case, that special dream is how I found the basis for these stories of mine.
The dream, while small and insignificant now - considering how far its grown since I started - I still consider that my origin. Most of the characters at the time had no names set in stone (Toni's name initially was VALERIE, but I kept nearly every last name that made it to the final product - such as Drake, Frazer, and Sinclair).
Anyone reading this who is a writer, you know how it feels to get inspiration for a character. It starts out pretty small, doesn't it? You begin not thinking of where you end up but which characters deserve more development than others. My characters are anything but perfect, nor are they very dynamic. Most of the supporting cast, in fact, doesn't do much with the plot - until the very end, at least. Still, I try to give them at least some depth to them.
I was in my Sophomore year of high school when I realized that I wanted to be a writer. A few years back, I'd caught the "vampire bug" and became obsessed with supernatural EVERYTHING! Since Twilight happened to be the first, I knew there could be something better...and there is! Oh yes, there is! I, in no way, formed the story of Antoinette Drake around Anita Blake - I already established that a dream had caused the spark of inspiration. However, I still enjoyed that series...though I've grown out of it. No, not the whole SUPERNATURAL EVERYTHING, but the Anita Blake phase.
Anyway, I was a Sophomore when I discovered my talent, formed my pen name RJ City, and started what everyone knows as The Hunters Trilogy, previously known as the Antoinette Drake, Vampire Hunter Trilogy! The first draft - which I co-wrote and formed ideas with a fellow writer - took me until the end of my Junior year. My close friend broke ties with me not long after graduation, but I still can't hate her. Lately, we've made amends, and she still supports my story, I think. Well, I also have her to thank for pointing me to Wattpad, this lovely site!
Wattpad was a new opportunity, since I'd been on websites like Quizilla and Fictionpress.com that didn't give really specific feedback. Plus, I was still on my first draft so I had no idea how people really felt about it. Here on Wattpad, though, it's a different story. On June 6th, 2014, I joined Wattpad. There very next day, I posted - I think - the first 2-3 chapters of The Blood Diamond.
I hated those chapters, and I still think they could be SO much better! Just the life of a writer that can't seem to edit her beginning, I never really wanted to change much, but since my co-writer - you know, the one I mentioned previously - had ill will when it came to her contributions, I was adamant about editing those small tweaks.
You wouldn't believe me how long it took to change some of those tweaks. Small or not, some - if not most - were significant plot points, but I'm glad they worked out just fine. If anything, becoming an independent writer instead of working as a partnership was a turn for the good. I still owe my friend a signed copy of my books, maybe a dedication or two when it becomes published. She'll like that.
There isn't much else that the earliest fans and followers don't already know. Most of this was stuck in the background, but now that everyone knows, there's not much else I can say except, well, THANK YOU.
I know I've said it hundreds of thousands of times, but the fact remains: reads matter the most. You can have thousands of followers, but have no following. I count myself EXTREMELY lucky to have people who repeatedly praise my chapters and writing style. As young as I am, I'm often intimidated when someone years older than me enjoys my work, but there are some really great people on Wattpad, and that's what I love about this site.
BUT this note isn't about Wattpad, it's about this journey and everyone who's stuck around until the end. Now, for shout-outs...You knew they were coming! ;)
Mokita: You were my first follower, as well as one of the first to give me feedback on The Blood Diamond. You may not have the time for other stories (since you're so popular!) but you still make the time to chat with me on here and on Facebook when you have the time. You're amazing, and I can't wait for you to read the rest of the trilogy <3 THANK YOU!
APRIL1979a: You actually read the first book before anyone else here on Wattpad - before the edit happened, I might add :) I'm glad you managed to join this site - if only to read and enjoy the other two works. Your feedback couldn't be more spot-on, and you always leave a comment <3 Wattpad needs more readers like you! THANK YOU!
AliceVonStrot: You were one of the first to comment on book one, and I can probably consider you to be the reader who followed me to the end. Your comments always make my day, as well as all you do to support the trilogy. THANK YOU!
AlexandraSinclair: You, Ma'am, made my beautiful covers! I owe you more thanks after everything you've done for this trilogy, and I am so thankful for your patience with the chapters <3 I hope you enjoy the last book! THANK YOU!
julienorris: You gave my stories a chance thanks to another popular author, and together we shared our talent. Although you had a lot on your plate, you still read my stories (I believe you're on book 2). You also were the only one to make covers for me - besides my official ones, I mean - and I can't thank you enough for that! Just know that I appreciate you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the trilogy! THANK YOU!
LissyPop, Bren_DiGarcia, BeautifullyEternal, JulieMcGee, & RKClose: (Grouping you for space and no repetition) You are a bunch of amazing ladies who gave my stories a chance and ended up enjoying them. You've become true fans over the year that I've been on Wattpad, and know that I appreciate all the positive feedback you've given! <3 THANK YOU!
Everyone else: If I had picked any others, this author's note would be MILES long! :P I had to condense my shout-out list, so just know, everyone who read, voted, and commented, THANK YOU! <3
This has been a great journey, hasn't it? I hope everyone enjoyed! Remember: the teaser for the prequel will be posted by Friday, the 17th! Until then! <3
- RJ City
Wattpad Author
YOU ARE READING
The Hunters Saga #3: The Hawthorn Pearl
Paranormal"THE AFTERLIFE CAN BE A REAL BITCH, RIGHT?" "Henri-" I began, but Henri's hand snatched up mine and squeezed tightly enough to break bones. I bit my tongue to hold back a cry. It was a warning. "Maria didn't say anything about a couple of vam...
