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Thank you to all the Gather members and my friends and family for helping In Over Her Head advance to the next round! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be a second-time finalist in a First Chapters contest!
Looking over the comments I've received, one thing struck me - I was earning a lot of Gather points. Now, I never joined Gather for the points. They're definitely very nice, but as I cashed in the last amount for a Borders card, I started to wonder. What could I possibly do with more books? I get many free ones at RWA conferences that I don't have time to read. And, sure I could use the points for Home Depot cards, but, really, I don't feel like working on the home projects. I'm too focused on my writing career.
What to do, what to do?
And then I was on one of Audrey H's Good Morning Gather threads and someone mentioned donating Home Depot gift cards to charity. This past Friday, Audrey published this article.
I thought it was a brilliant idea when I first saw it. Enough that I decided I was going to donate my current Gather points and, if I moved on to Round 2 of the First Chapters contest, I'd earn more and donate those. I'm also hosting one of the Wombats threads, with all points also going to Habitat.
One of our Writing Wombats, Ann, is from New Orleans and, though she'd had a difficult time accessing Gather due to the upgrade, she did keep in touch with us via email. Her words and thoughts during the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina also inspired me to contact the Habitat office in New Orleans. They do accept gift cards.
Jamie Chapman (The Wolf Huntress) and Dale Cozort (Bear Country) have joined me in this pledge, as have several of The Writing Wombats. Any comments and votes on our contest entries and our articles will generate points towards this cause. If other entrants, Wombats, or members of Gather, would like to join us, please send your contributions to:Â
New Orleans Habitat For Humanity
PO Box 15052
New Orleans, LAÂ 70175
Attn:Â Gina
Please visit Habitat's website to see how your Home Depot cards can help.
Thanks to Home Depot for making these cards available, Gather for the opportunity to earn the points, Simon & Schuster and Borders for participating in this contest and making it impossible for me not to enter, and you, the Gather community for liking my story enough to take me to the finals for the second time. I have truly appreciated everyone's feedback. Your input has made my writing stronger.
Big shout out to Audrey and Flit for first proposing this idea.  Your generosity has inspired more and may New Orleans be the big winner in all of this!
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Comments: 45
Our entries are: In Over Her Head – Chapter Two
Bear Country – Chapter Two
The Wolf Huntress – Chapter Two
Other ways to help us with points, please check out our first chapters and leave a comment:
In Over Her Head – Chapter One
Bear Country – Chapter One
The Wolf Huntress – Chapter One
Thank you!
Habitat has done incredible things in the wake of Katrina, throughout the devastation zone. Perhaps their most well-known effort is Musician's Village, which is allowing musicians in New Orleans to use sweat equity to gain home ownership, something that tragically can seem out of reach when you consider how tough it's been on entertainers when tourism is reduced, meaning there are less of them in the clubs, and when many locals are pinching every penny during the recovery period, meaning they also have less to use for discretionary activities. Musician's Village is a real bright spot in the recovery, if you ask me.
Your efforts, and those like them, do more than just fund the recovery -- they rebuild our spirit as we realize that the people of our country haven't forgotten we're still working toward recovery.
Ian, every little bit helps. 625 points I believe is $10. That can buy nails.
Blessings
Good idea.
Caren
Kick Start
10 for the great story
Those who see the glass half full and those who see it half empty.
Where one sees exploitation another sees the opportunity to bring awareness. I think perhaps one of your guests has the mistaken idea that you get your points from votes and not comments in the contest. The contest is a venue which generates many comments and therefore points.
I personally think it is commendable for the group of you to highlight the issue so others might know if they're not already aware of the opportunity. Habitat for Humanity is an admirable charity, one which I personally have supported for many years and New Orleans has been overlooked.
Thanks for bringing both to the forefront!
However, if an author is not only talented (and these three authors are VERY talented), but also has a fine understanding of the value of the marketing process in the publishing world these days, that makes them even more attractive candidates as finalists. Add the extra bonus of generous hearts, and the desire to support our Gather friends in devastated areas, and there's no more winning combination. I'm proud of to be able to call these generous folks friends, and to support and join with them in their efforts.
There is no right or wrong way to help in such massive causes. There are only the individual ways of doing it. Some people give up their vacations to come help muck out houses and hammer in nails. Others raise funds among family and friends. Some companies find employment for those who remain displaced. Others come in and create jobs in the detestation area. Some individuals give their generous donations directly to an individual, others choose to give it to a larger cause that will help solve problems affecting neighborhoods or communities. In the same way, some will donate anonymously and others will use their fundraising efforts in a way that also raises awareness, thereby generating larger donations.
Every effort is appreciated -- but I think perhaps it's too short-sighted to believe there is only one way to help.
If you just look at what the comments on this thread have indicated, I hope you can see that the effort of the writers who came up with this novel idea has in turn spurred other Gather members to join in -- and that is leading directly to a larger donation to Habitat. I think that's a noble way of generating awareness about a cause.
Having known the three writers at the core of this effort for some time now, I can honestly vouch for their integrity and their intentions. I am hopeful that will alleviate your concern but I am also wishing you may see the good they are doing is not a "stunt" but is a giving gesture that is a result of their generosity of spirits.
This is a wonderful effort. I was in NOLA 5 years ago to visit friends and see the (then new) D-Day museum. I can't imagine what life is like there now.
If you like true stories, check out the high school Diaries
-Judi In Over Her Head