Wendy Raven McNair
Author & Artist
State of Shock
(NBCC) South Africa 2012
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Common Page
Common Page
November 2011: Welcome
Good News & Bad News

11/9/2011 1:42:39 PM

Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?
Before I continue, let me apologize for the delay in this post. The reason for the delay is because
it's very difficult for me to share bad news. It's taken me a minute to  muster up the nerve to put
this out so please accept my apology for the delay.

BAD NEWS
Ascend will not be released by the end of 2011. 
I didn't want to wait until the end of the year to announce this since a lot of readers have been
asking for months if it would be ready this year. I hate to disappoint my readers but the story
just isn't where it needs to be for release and with only two months remaining in this year, only
a miracle could get a polished complete story out before 2012. I realized this around the middle
of last month and I admit, this realization has interfered with my creativity. Asleep came out in 2009
and Awake followed in 2010 and it was my dream that 2011 would see the completion of this
trilogy with the release of Ascend so my personal disappointment has been intense.

GOOD NEWS
I will be traveling to the African continent for the first time in my life in August 2012. I've known
about this for a couple of months but I'm mentioning it now because a significant portion of
Ascend will take place in Africa and I'm thrilled that I'll have the opportunity to actually visit and
incorporate this rich experience into the story. I know some of you may be too disappointed
right now to celebrate this opportunity with me. No worries, I understand. It took me awhile before I
could find the silver lining in this and I hope that eventually you'll also see this as a positive.

Please know that I won't give up on this trilogy. I will complete it. It's important for us to tell
our stories from our perspective so that we see ourselves reflected back to us and to the
world; even in fantasy. I'll continue to work on Ascend so that it'll be the best that I can create.

It was very difficult writing this post and I would be encouraged if you shared your personal stories
of triumph after a great disappointment. I hope that my efforts to continue to push forward inspires
you to continue pursuing your dreams despite the setbacks.

QUOTE
By persevering, the egg walks on legs. ~ African Proverb
Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. ~ African Proverb

CLICK HERE TO POST COMMENTS TO MY EMAIL



_________________________________________________
1/14/2012 10:34:16 PM
Name: JennJustReading      Subject:  Thanks for the update     

I truly appreciate you keeping us updated. While I wish it to be sooner rather than later, I understand the need for it to be where and what you want it be. Keep your head up; you owe us no apologies. We will be here to cheer you on, and later to celebrate in your success. 

Have a wonderful, inspiring trip -what a magnificent opportunity.

Jenn! Great to hear from you.  Your encouragement is  
much appreciated.  Thank you so much for posting. 
Hope all is well with GirlsJustReading. A celebration,
hmmmm... You got me thinking.  ~ WRM


__________________________________________________
12/18/2011 10:45:15 AM
Name: Zgirl 16268      Subject:  answer     

Thanks Anoynomiss... i think. i was just wondering. I support Ms. mcnair aswell

Thanks Zgirl 16268. Your support is greatly appreciated. ~ WRM

__________________________________________________
12/16/2011 1:18:06 PM
Name: Anonymiss:)      Subject: voice of truth      

you just don't get it Zgirl...the book's not coming out for a while. Like...late fall/winter 2012 while...if THAT. I'm predicting a 2013 release...
ah well...i could give you some good books to read until then if you want.

good luck ms. mcnair

Hi Anonymiss:). Thanks for stepping in on my behalf.
You're very perceptive. I appreciate your kindness in

offering to give Zgirl 16268 title suggestions. All the
best to you Anonymiss:). ~ WRM


__________________________________________________
12/12/2011 6:06:01 PM
Name: Zgirl 16268      Subject: Ascend      

Hi again just to clarify do you think by the first couple months of 2012 it will be out because I can't find a book to read and I'm just kind of sitting here. do you understand that? Because I know Ascend will be worth the wait!:) you are a fabulous author. And you display our culture in a fun and interesting way, I really appreciate that. You are a inspiration. :D

Hi Zgirl 16268. Sorry, I don't mean to be vague but
at this point I can't give an exact date. I do know it
will not be within the first couple of months of 2012.
My trip to Africa is in August 2012 so it will take at
least that long since I want to incorporate some of
my African experiences. My apologies for the long
wait. Please ask your school librarian or your
neighborhood librarian for titles you can read that
fit your tastes; they're usually the best resources.
You can also ask your friends for titles they enjoy,
that way you won't face a long "reading" drought
while waiting for Ascend and perhaps the wait won't
seem so long. ~ WRM


__________________________________________________
12/9/2011 8:31:42 PM
Name: Zgirl16268      Subject:  ascend     

I'm not trying to rush you at all, Ascend will be worth the wait but it's the end of the year and I just want 2 kno about how much longer?

Hi Zgirl16268. I don't have an exact release date for Ascend
but my Africa trip is scheduled for August 2012 and I hope to
incorporate some of my experiences from this trip into the
story. Thanks for hanging in there, Zgirl16268. ~ WRM


__________________________________________________
11/12/2011 5:51:42 PM
Name: Sabrina      Subject: Dissapointed BUT Still a devoted fan!      

Ms. Wendy,

Though I am disappointed that I'll have to wait a little while longer for Ascend, please know that I am now and will remain a devoted fan. I've recommended Asleep and Awake to many friends and fellow readers. I'm so excited for you and your upcoming trip to Africa and I know that as a result, Ascend will be as awesome - if not moreso than the first two books of the trilogy. On behalf of all of your readers, I thank you for your effort of giving us the best story you can. No worries - we'll wait for it!

Thank you for spreading the word about the trilogy, Sabrina.
I will do my best to create a story deserving of your kind words. ~ WRM


__________________________________________________
11/9/2011 10:56:33 PM

Name: Alexis      Subject:  No worries :-)     

Like I said in my last comment, it doesn't matter weather Ascend comes out this year or next spring, your true fans are behind you all the way. I can understand your disappointment in not being able to get the book out faster, but I think I can say for all the fans, that we understand that things happen,such as writers get a creativity block, and once again that is OK. Like I said before, the longer it takes, the better the story,this fantasy, is going to be. I can remember my first time writing my first fan fiction; it was call "A Boy In My Dreams". I was so happy that I had written something that I thought was great. So I got up the courage to post it online, and little did I know that only a few people actually read my story. Now see the sites that I read stories on, the authors on there get rave reviews from other fan fictions lovers, so when I posted my story there, I was look for all of the love and support. When I did not get it, it crushed me, and I thought that I was a horrible writer, and I said that I will never write again. After about a month or so, I decided that I was not going to let this affect one of my favorite things to do, so I dusted off my shoulders, and got back to the drawing board. I took more time prepare this story, made sure that I shown this story from different angles, and made sure that I was really happy with what I wrote. Needless to say, when I posted that new story, which is called "Open to Me", I gotten way more love than I was looking for. I am happy that I did not let that disappointment stop me from what I love doing, which is writing fan fiction. I hope my little triumph encourages you to keep pushing for that goal of having Ascend in every hand of your fans with a smile on your face. Thanks for all that you do, and keep work.

Oh and I am happy that you are getting a chance to visit our motherland. I hope when your trip does come around, you will have the experience of a lifetime, and a head full of wonderful memories to bring back to us.

Thank you, Alexis, for being the first one to offer encouragement.
I'm sorry you went through a crushing ordeal. However, the way
you handled it was pure class and tenacity, using it to help you
improve instead of letting it deter you. All the best to you. ~ WRM




















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