Michelle C. Hillstrom's Blog, page 6

End of NaNoWriMo / Beginning of December 2018 Update

Hey Readers, Writers, and Followers! So, I just realized that NaNoWriMo ended four days ago and I never wrote a blog update with my final thoughts on National Novel Writing Month 2018. Oops. Slacker status over here… like usual.

But I will proudly say that I was NOT a slacker last [image error]month. For the first time since I started participating in NaNoWriMo back in 2014, I WON! And I didn’t just win, I KILLED IT! My final word count was: 75,679 words for Friendzone (my NaNoWriMo Novel). That’s almost as long as A Kiss of Betrayal, which took me two years to write! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first NaNoWriMo Winner Shirt. I will obviously share pics once it arrives.

Unfortunately, I did not get to participate in any events other than the Meet & Greet and the Kick-off this year. My health constantly makes it hard to get out and socialize. My [image error]back is very particular about chairs and sitting for extended periods of time. Maybe I will get to be more active next year. Of course, I don’t really get much writing done at write-ins because the environment isn’t very conducive for my writing style or creativity, but it is still nice to get out and see people and soak up all those writer vibes. For me, when it comes to writing, I have to be lounging or reclining in a comfy chair or on my bed with either my writing playlists or something on the TV for background noise. If I am not listening to one of my writing playlists, I like to have an old favorite movie or TV Show on. Something that I like but am not going to necessarily get drawn into to the point that it distracts me from writing. Or sometimes I write in the living room while my family is watching football. I actually find football very soothing to have on in the background while I write.

Friendzone continues to grow and develop further. These characters have wicked sexual chemistry and such an in-depth history together. Their story continues to unfold itself in ways that have surprised me. I posted on my Facebook last night that I am beginning to think that before I am done writing it is going to be 800 pages long. A friend suggested that I break it out into a series instead. I have toyed with the idea but haven’t made up my mind if I want to do that yet or not. That would mean having to make/buy more than one book cover and honestly those do not come cheap when you aren’t turning a profit with book sales yet.

[image error]I didn’t focus much on #MeToo: A Collection of True Story Crimes Against Women during the month of November since I knew so many people (including myself) were focused on NaNoWriMo and Thanksgiving of course. But I have started posting and talking about it more again the last few days and have had more women submit their stories. It’s hard reading and receiving all of these stories from women and learning about the things they have gone through, but I know that these stories need to be told and that there are people out there who need to read/hear them. The silence surrounding these crimes is what gives them power. Learn more about my #MeToo project here.

Well, it’s getting late and I still have to come up with tomorrow’s Write About It Wednesday prompts, because like I said at the start, I’ve been totally slacking, but not really, I’ve just been focused on Friendzone.[image error]

If you would like to submit a story or poem to the #MeToo Collection email me at mchillstromauthor@yahoo.com.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button near the top of the page before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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Write About It Wednesday – Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Eve and Write about It Wednesday, Writers!

I hope you’ve been having a great Thanksgiving week so far. As I am sitting at the [image error]kitchen counter writing this blog, my mom is baking pies and the house smells amazing. I am going to be attending THREE Thanksgiving dinners this year. Thankfully, not all on the same day! Two with family and one “Friendsgiving.”

My contributions to the dinners will be simple this year, just fruit salads and a yummy Cranberry-Brie Bomb Appetizer recipe that I saw on Facebook. I’ll be trying that one out for the first time this year. It looks delicious so hopefully it will turn out well. Here is a link to the recipe if you want to try it too!

So obviously Thanksgiving is what is on my mind this week and will be the topic of our writing prompts. Let’s get started!

Write about the First Thanksgiving.
Write about Thanksgiving kitchen hijinks and mishaps.
Write about your favorite Thanksgiving.
Write about a Thanksgiving tradition or recipe that is special to your family.
Write about a Thanksgiving Romance.
Write about a group of misfits that come together for their own Thanksgiving celebration.

[image error]Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Let me know if try the Cranberry-Brie Bombs. Tell me about your Thanksgiving plans in the comments.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button near the top of the page before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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NANOWRIMO 2018 DAY 20

Hello, Followers, Writers, and Readers!

Just wanted to pop on and give you a quick update on my NaNoWriMo Progress now that we are about two-thirds of the way done.

My current word count is: 35,881 words and I expect to hit about 42,000 before the end of the day. I was behind for quite a while and I am not writing every day, rather I take a couple of days off and then write in large bursts. I don’t know why but that is what has always worked better for me than just a slow and steady plugging away a little bit every day.

A couple of days ago I made the decision to switch from third-person-pov to alternating male and female first-person-povs. Friendzone has really wanted to be written in first-person-pov from the beginning, but since I really wanted to show some of Taylor and some of Mikayla while they weren’t together I figured I had to do third-person. However, a couple days ago I realized I could just break out of my comfort zone and do alternating first-person-points-of-view. I’ve only written one short story in a male point-of-view before, so I’m nervous about writing half the story from Taylor’s pov, but I’m also really excited because I think it is going to turn out really good. It’s just going to take a lot of editing and rewriting. Now that I’ve switched to the first-person-povs the story is honestly writing a lot faster and a lot smoother. First-person is always easier for me to write (from a female pov anyway) than third-person. I don’t know why I am always trying to force the third-person-pov. I’m just stubborn, I guess.

Besides being the 20th day of National Novel Writing Month today is also Teaser Tuesday, so I’ve picked out a little excerpt from Friendzone for you. You will notice this was written while I was doing third-person-pov, so I will have to edit it and rewrite in first-person, but this is still one of my favorite scenes at the moment.

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“Up against the wall, rebel scum,” Taylor directed her with his weapon and Mikayla obeyed. She backed into the wall and Taylor stalked after her. She was pinned into a corner with Taylor blocking her path.

“So, are you having fun?” Taylor grinned down at her.

Mikayla nodded and began to lower her gun.

“Uh-uh-uh,” Taylor tsked. “You keep that weapon up there where I can see it.”

Chagrined, Mikayla raised her gun back up in mock surrender.

“I could get used to this I think,” Taylor said as he moved in closer.

“Get used to what?” Mikayla asked as he moved in even closer. The distance between them becoming almost nonexistent.

“You. Doing whatever I tell you to.”

“Ha! Don’t get used to it,” Mikayla laughed.

Taylor placed a finger on her lips. “Sh-hh.” He ran his thumb over her lips and brushed her hair behind her ear.

Mikayla’s breath caught in her throat as she watched Taylor as he studied her. He licked his lips and Mikayla licked hers in turn. Taylor leaned his face in even closer to hers. She could feel his breath on her lips as she whispered. “You owe me a kiss, Mikayla.”

Mikayla held her breath as she lifted her face. The distance between their lips was microscopic. She could feel the heat radiating off of his mouth and warming hers. Just one tiny movement would connect them. Mikayla closed her eyes as she felt Taylor subtly shift his weight. Then she heard the sound of the laser gun blast and her vest binged and lit up indicating that she had been hit.

Mikayla opened her eyes in shock. Taylor took her face in his hand. “Whenever I kiss you, Mikayla. It’s not going to be because I won a bet.” He let go of her, turned, and ran around the corner.

Mikayla finally found her breath and her voice. “Asshole!” she shouted after him just as the music turned off and the light began to slowly light the room.

I hope you liked it and that you are as excited about “Friendzone” as I am! This book is one that I have been very excited about since I first got the idea for it. I can’t wait to finish it and start getting your reviews and hearing your thoughts on Mikyala and Taylor’s friends-to-lovers love story!

[image error]What are your thoughts on the excerpt? Are you excited to read more? How’s NaNoWriMo going for you? Tell me in the comments.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button near the top of the page before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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Write About It Wednesday: The Death of Stan Lee

Welcome to Write About It Wednesday, Writers. I’m sure by now you have heard that Stan Lee passed away on November 12. [image error]

Stan Lee was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, a writer, and a publisher. He created or co-created some of the biggest superheroes including the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, Hulk, Thor, Ironman, and the X-men just to name a few.

I’m not going to pretend to be a huge comic book fan. I never really read them growing up, but I did occasionally watch the cartoons with my brothers on Saturday mornings. I always really liked Storm from the X-Men and would pretend to be her whenever the neighborhood kids would all get together and play “X-Men.” But I never truly became a big Marvel Fan until the release of the big blockbuster movies from the Marvel Franchise.

But, I have seen the amazing way his comic books and superheroes have affected people. The responses that everyone had on social media after the announcement of his passing. The joy I’ve seen on the faces of cosplayers at Lubbock-con. The imagination that he has sparked in myself and my friends when we would pretend to be the superheroes that he created.

I admire the way he shared his talents and creations with the world. I admire the good sense of humor he exhibited in his on-screen appearances. I admire the appreciation he showed for his fans and the community that he fostered.

 

To pay tribute to this icon today we are going to write about Stan Lee and Superheroes.

Write about a time that you met Stan Lee or the impact the he and his superheroes had on you.
Write about your favorite superhero.
Create and write a story about your own superhero.
Write about Marvel vs DC.
Write about attending comic-con.
Write about why comic books and superheroes are important to you and the world.

[image error]How is NaNoWriMo going for you? Tell me in the comments!

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And you can follow yours truly on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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Write About It Wednesday: Marine Corps Birthday & Veterans Day

Happy Write About It Wednesday!

Today is a special WAIW because the topics are near and dear to me. We’re going to be writing about Veterans and the Marine Corps.

[image error]I served in the Marine Corps Reserves in the early 2000s and though I wasn’t able to serve for very long due to my health, it is still something that I feel very proud of.  This weekend is both the Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day.

On November 10, 1775 the United States Marine Corps was born at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, PA. Every year, since 1925, Marines around the world, both currently serving and those who formerly served, celebrate the birthday with balls and cake-cutting ceremonies. It is a BIG Deal. Marines are very proud of their service, the Marine Corps history and heritage, and without a doubt believe that the Marine Corps is the best military branch in the world.

Veterans Day is a government holiday observed annually on November 11, that honors [image error]military veterans (people who served in the  United States Armed Forces). It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries. These holidays mark the anniversary of the end of World War I which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in military service. It is also not to be confused with Armed Forces Day, which specifically honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.

I come from a long a proud line of Veterans who have served America ever since the Revolution. On Veterans Day I think about my grandfathers and the long line of men and women who served our country before them. I think about my friends who sworn to protect and uphold this country and our Constitution? What about you? What does Veterans Day mean to you? This is what I want you to think about for our writing topics today.

The Marine Corps Birthday:

Write about the scene in Tun Tavern on November 10, 1775 when Commandant Samuel Nicholas asked for volunteers to enlist in the Marine Corps.
Write about the formation of a fantasy military organization.
Write about your personal experience in the Corps or your experience meeting a Marine.

Veterans Day:

Write about the Veterans that you know.
Write about a battle or war.
Write about a family being reunited as a member of the armed forces returns home from deployment.

[image error]To all of my brothers and sisters in arms, thank you for your service.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And you can follow yours truly on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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NaNoWriMo Day 2: Four Funerals and a Wedding

Happy Friday, Writers!

It’s Day Two of National Novel Writing Month. I hope day one went well for you and that all the words are flowing smoothly. I ended the night last night with 3,021 words. I was hoping to reach four thousand, but I was worn out from staying up late the night before and started having trouble concentrating.

For day one, I was writing the opening scene of Friendzone which takes place during a funeral. For the first time while I was writing, I started to cry, which I feel pretty proud of. I was discussing this fact during and Instagram Story video last night (make sure you are following me on Insta so you can watch my videos!) when I came to the realization that ALL of my books have funerals in them… That’s not weird, is it? Friendzone starts with a funeral, The Possessive Kiss starts with a funeral, The Faithful Kiss ends with a funeral, and there is a funeral in the middle of A Kiss of Betrayal. So, I guess I have some sort of weird funeral signature in my books. My readers can always count on my books having a funeral in them. Hence, where the title of this blog post comes from. Now, to be fair, there are actually two weddings, and a sort of commitment ceremony in my books, but that doesn’t play as well in the title.

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So, I started trying to figure out what it is about funerals that makes me want to write about them in all of my books. Well, first of all, three of the books are about vampires, so clearly death plays a large role in the stories, but why do I want to write about death? I could say that there is some deep meaning, some deep statement that I am trying to make about life and death… but really, I am probably just trying to work through my own issues with death, grief, and loss. The first funeral I remember attending was my grandfather’s funeral when I was just a toddler. The next funeral after that was the funeral of a guy I was dating when I was seventeen. It was devastating. I’ve had to attend a couple of funerals since then, but I really just don’t handle them well. Any funeral, any death… I have a very bad and overly emotional reaction. I pretty much do everything I can to avoid it all. But of course, death is a part of life, something we have to learn to accept. I guess that writing about death and funerals is my way of trying to learn to accept it and my feelings towards it.

Other than this blogpost, I have not been able to write yet today. This morning and afternoon I was busy with mundane day job work. But, as soon as I post this I will be switching over to Scrivener and putting my nose to the grindstone.

[image error]How has day two been going for you? Are you on par or ahead of your word count goals? Tell me in the comments!

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And you can follow yours truly on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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NaNoWriMo 2018 Day One

Yesterday was the longest day ever. It was so hard waiting for the clock to strike midnight, the start of National Novel Writing Month. I’ve been preparing, plotting, outlining my NaNoWriMo for months now and I reached the point where there was nothing left to do but start writing.

[image error]This year my NaNoWriMo project is a New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel called, Friendzone. Friendzone is the story of Mikayla and Taylor who have known each other since elementary school. Their friendship has had its ups and downs due to cliques and trying to figure out who they are, and where they fit in.  When Mikayla and Taylor end up at the same college, they leave their past behind and become best friends. However, as with many male – female relationships things become complicated as feelings grow beyond just friends. Can men and women ever really just be friends? But more importantly, is that really all they want to be?

The idea for Friendzone grew out of one of my own friendships from elementary school. There was a boy that was always in the same class as me, almost always assigned to sit beside me. We played basketball together, rode bikes together, and just always somehow seemed to be thrown together. My parents would always tease me saying that he and I would end up getting married one day. However, our friendship changed once we moved on to junior high. We drifted apart and ended up no longer being friends. This novel sort of developed out of the idea of what might have happened if we had somehow managed to become friends once again.

This idea has been brewing in the back of my mind for a couple of years, and like I said [image error]earlier I am so prepared to write it. Waiting to start writing until the kickoff of National Writing Month has been torturous. If you are a true writer in your soul, you know that it can be painful when you are ignoring your Muse and not writing. I told my family yesterday and mentioned in my Instagram stories that it felt like the words were crawling beneath my skin and were going to pop out of my pores if I didn’t start writing soon. Do you have any idea how loud and annoying an ignored Muse is?

At ten o’clock last night the LubbockWriMo Kickoff Party started. (Finally!) We met at a local market that stays open for twenty-four hours, has a coffee shop, lots of tables, and free wi-fi – all the things that a writer needs. We had a good turn out at the event, about twenty people showed up.[image error]

I stayed at the event writing until about 1am. By that time my back was done for, but I did some more writing when I got home last night and managed two get 2,104 words written. Once I am done writing and positing this blogpost I plan to get some more writing done. I am using today to give myself a good cushion since I know that I won’t have a chance to do much writing on Thanksgiving. Planning ahead, folks!

I’ve also created this FB & IG story template to introduce your name and NaNoWriMo Project. Use it if you like![image error]

On Instagram I am participating in two challenges. #IgWritersNov and #IGWritersNaNo. Today’s prompt on #IGWritersNov asks what my goals are for November. Here is the list that I have compiled.[image error]

[image error]How is your first day of NaNoWriMo going? Have you reach your word count goals? What is the name and genre of your novel? What are your November Goals? Tell me in the comments!

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And you can follow yours truly on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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Write About It Wednesday – Halloween and National Novel Writing Month

Happy Halloween, Writers!

Halloween is my favorite holiday, until December 1st and then Christmas is my favorite holiday. They’re tied for the best holiday. Don’t you agree?

It’s been a while since we have done a Write About It Wednesday. I’m going to try to get better about keeping up with blogging. I know I’ve said that before though, so… I make no promises.

If you are a new follower, Write About It Wednesday is pretty much what you would [image error]imagine. I give you a couple prompts or things to write about to help you out if you are feeling stuck with writer’s block or just want the challenge of being given a random topic to create a story or blogpost out of.

Along with Halloween tonight at midnight National Novel Writing Month also kicks off. If you need information about NaNoWriMo check out my post here. I will be going to meet up with the LubbockWriMos for the kick-off party tonight. And I will be sporting some fantastic Halloween LuLaRoe Leggings to showcase my Halloween Spirit.

So today you have two different broad topics to write about.

Halloween[image error]

Write about your favorite Halloween.
Write about Halloween in a fantasy or sci-fi world.
Write about Halloween from the POV of monsters/demons/witches/ghosts.

National Novel Writing Month
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Write about your NaNoWriMo project. Why do you want to write this story?
Write about a person driven mad by the stress of NaNoWriMo.
Write about why you participate in NaNoWriMo.

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe Halloween. What are your plans for today/tonight? Are you dressing up? Going to a party? Going trick or treating?

Or, like me, are you gearing up for NaNoWriMo?

Tell me in the comments!

[image error]Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also,  follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And you can follow yours truly on Twitter at @shelliewriter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers!

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National Novel Writing Month 2018

The most challenging month of the year for writers across the world begins in one and a half days. On November First, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, begins.

NaNoWriMo is an internet-based challenge that encourages writers to write 50,000 words or more in just thirty days.

Chris Baty started the project in July 1999 with 21 participants in the San Francisco Bay area. The project has grown to a large nonprofit organization. By 2015, 431,626 people participated (633 different regions). Of those participants, more than 40,000 won, meaning that they successfully met and verified the 50,000 word minimum.

The NaNoWriMo Rules:

Since NaNoWriMo is used to get people writing, the rules are kept broad and straightforward:

Writing starts at 12:00: a.m. on November 1 and ends 11:59:59 p.m. on November 30, local time.
No one is allowed to start early and finish 30 days from that start point.
Novels must reach a minimum of 50,000 words before the end of November. These words can either be a complete novel of 50,000 words or the first 50,000 words of a novel to be completed later.
Planning and extensive notes are permitted, but no material written before the November 1 start date can go into the body of the novel.
Participants’ novels can be on any theme, genre of fiction, and language. Everything from fanfiction, which uses trademarked characters, to novels in poem format, and metafiction is allowed.

To sign up for your National Novel Writing Month or to learn more visit the website: nanowrimo.org.

On Saturday, I met with a group of local writers who are also participating in NaNoWriMo. We all met through our passion for writing and competing in NaNoWriMo through our Facebook group: LubbockWriMos. We discussed out writing projects and caught up on what each of us have been doing since we last saw each other. For some it was the first meeting they had attended or the first time that they had met some of the participants. Many of us fit the typical writer stereotype of being introverts who do not socialize much.[image error]

Before I joined the LubbockWriMos group which I found through NaNoWriMo participation, I had no idea there was such a large number of writers in my city. I didn’t know there were so many people out there who were like me. Who enjoyed the same kinds of things as me and whose brains worked the same strange, creative way as mine.

I think it is so important for writers to find a group of writing friends. The support and creative mojo that you get from spending time with other writers. They can be a great source of inspiration and motivation. They can help you find resources and connections that you need to further your career. They can help you work through writing blocks and self-doubts.

That is the best thing that participating in National Novel Writing Month has done for me. Connecting me with people I would never have met and befriended otherwise.

Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month? Is this your first time participating or are you a NaNoWriMo vet? What has NaNoWriMo meant to you? Do you have a writing group that you meet with or at least one or two writing friends? Tell me in the comments!

[image error] If you are participating add me as a writing buddy! My username is: Mhillstrom3168. Be sure to comment your username so I know who you are, and I can add you back.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button before you leave so you never miss a post. Also, make sure you are following me on Facebook, Instagram, and  Twitter.

Until next time,

Write on, Writers, and Good Luck to all the NaNoWriMo Participants!

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#MeToo: A Collection of True Story Crimes Against Women

Hello Readers, Writers, and Bloggers!

It’s been a while since I have checked in with you. My health hasn’t been the greatest lately, so I have been busy taking care of myself instead of blogging.

But, I do have a couple of new projects in the works!

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you probably already know that my latest project is called “#MeToo: A Collection of True Story Crimes Against Women.”

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This Collection is comprised of real and true experiences that women have dealt with in their lives, written and told in their own words. I am collecting these stories and poems and putting them together in a book in order to further the cause of creating safe work spaces, homes, and relationships. Raising awareness for the importance of teaching consent and healthy relationship behaviors both in personal and professional lives.

The types of stories I am looking for include personal experiences of:

-Sexual harassment

-Rape/Assault

-Sexual, Emotional, or Physical Abuse

-Stalking

-Gender Discrimination

-I will accept other topics if they fit in with the theme as well.

 

I am still collecting stories. Submissions will be accepted until December 31, 2018.

All stories will be listed as anonymous submissions.

Through writing my own stories I have found peace and strength. This is a cause that is very personal to me and I am including several of my own stories and poems in the collection. Participants will retain the rights to their submissions and will sign a waiver allowing for the publication of the story.

Currently I have 19 stories. I would like to add at least 16 more to the collection. If you have a story that you would like to include email me at mchillstromauthor@yahoo.com.

The plan is to have this Collection published in March of 2019. It will be available on Amazon in ebook and paperback format.

I hope others will find release, peace, and strength through writing the stories. I hope that through sharing this collection survivors will know that they are not alone. Survivors of these crimes need to be given a voice. That is my greatest purpose with this collection. Many have been silenced for too long.

Proceeds from the sales of this collection will be donated to help sexual assault survivors.

I plan to also create a #MenToo Collection next year is I can collect enough stories. I will begin collecting #MenToo stories in April.

I believe you. and I stand with you.

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