Amy Quonce, author
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Where I come from

1/12/2013

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Every day this year has been spent working on the final edits of my books. (Easy enough to say seeing we're only twelve days into 2013, but I'm not against making it sound good.) My editor has gone through the manuscript and advised me how to improve it even further. The changes have been sent back, and I am now awaiting the final copy of what will become my very first novel. But knowing me, I can't just idle until I get it back. But how will I spend my time? Luckily, the answer arrived in my inbox this morning.


The 2013 Oswego Reading Council's annual writing contest is underway. The topic this year:
"Where I Come From". Oh, the story was writing itself as I was reading the contest rules. The first time I entered was in 2011, and I walked away with the 2nd place ribbon. The following year I placed third. Will this year's essay be up to par and place in the top three again? Only time will tell. Even if it doesn't, it allows me another chance to create prose, and perfect my craft.


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Want to read my stories from last year? Click the links below:
http://windingroadbook.weebly.com/1/post/2011/05/writing-contest-2nd-place-winning-story.html

http://windingroadbook.weebly.com/1/post/2012/05/woo-hoo-times-two.html

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Reach for the stars

5/22/2012

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It never crossed my mind years ago that my life would take me in the direction of becoming a writer. Sure when I was young I would often find myself with a paper and pen, but typically I was working on poems or creating lyrics for songs. (I gave up writing in a diary after my mom got a hold of it and wrote comments on all the pages...lesson learned!)

In high school I did enjoy being editor of the yearbook but soon after graduation my life went on a roller coaster ride and the creative side of me fell into deep hibernation. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I secretly started to journal, which opened a door into the literary world. 

In the past year I have written a full length manuscript, published an anthology, started working on its sequel, created a website, joined a writers critique group , began public speaking and accepted second place in a county wide writing contest. Tonight I accepted my second award...this year I placed third in the Oswego Reading Councils annual writing contest. 

Life often works in mysterious ways. Right now I am planning my presentation for this summers Delta Lake Writers Gathering and I'm still trying to wrap my head around how I got here. Each time I venture down a path I find a new opportunity has arose, and I am very grateful for that. Where will my writing take me next? That's between the universe and me!

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Woo Hoo times two !

5/1/2012

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Wow,  for two days in a row I have received some wonderful news in my inbox. If good things happen in three's, I can't wait to see what tomorrow may bring.
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2011 Oswgo Reading Council Award Ceremony
Yesterday I got an invitation to speak at the Delta Lake Christian's Writer's Gathering.
On July 5th from 3:30-4:30 I will be taking the podium and talking to the audience about the art of self publishing. I plan on sharing my experiences with the formatting process, promotional aspects, and all of the tiny details that go into actually publishing the book.

Today I was notified that I placed 3rd in the Oswego Reading's Council annual writing contest! This year's writing prompt was: Reach For The Stars. Here's a sneak preview of my entry:

Under the Blankets of Heaven

 
It was hot that summer night when I placed my blanket on the plush green grass and laid upon it. The air, calm and crisp, smelled of budding flowers and fresh lake water. Crickets chirping in the background provided the only noise within miles. It was the kind of night that made one feel as if anything were possible.

Setting my gaze up towards the pale blue moon, I noticed one particular star shining brighter than the others. It’s magnificent glow drew me in like a painter placing marks upon a fresh canvas. Mesmerized by its beauty, I found myself softly uttering a little tune that I had learned as a kid.

“Star light, star bright, the first start I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” As a young child, that had always seemed to be nothing more than just a silly nursery rhyme. But tonight, with that one golden star shining bright enough to light up the vastly dark sky, it seemed as if the impossible could happen. So closing my eyes, I placed a wish under that beautiful star beam, before slowly reopened my lids in order to savor every last moment. Then I reached out towards the light and tried touch those stars, in hopes of keeping one for myself.

I wasn’t at all surprised when my arms could not reach the sky. As much as my fingers longed to caress those diamonds dancing in the night, I knew those gems were far too special to be had by just one person. They were a gift from heaven that was meant to be shared by all. Every wish from around the world was centered on the faith that these tiny stars held the power to make everyone’s dreams come true. They provide a small glimmer of hope to those who are desperate to fill a void in their lives. This hope was not mine to take. Content with my revelation, I knew it was time to go home.

Rolling up my blanket, I neatly tucked it under my arm and proceeded down the path of which I had come just one hour earlier. The walk home was different than the one I had taken previously. Instead of looking for a place to escape, I had found a path that was full of pure contentment and peace. I saw life differently now. Because I reached for the stars, I had touched upon an epiphany. Millions of miles away there was a speck of light that guides us along our lives. If we follow it’s glow, we will find what our heart truly yearns for, and become the person that we were meant to be. I found my path that night under the blankets of heaven. And I will follow the light ‘til it guides me to my next destination.

~Amy Quonce

 

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Writing contest 2nd place winning story

5/4/2011

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I was caught off guard the other day when I received an unexpected but very exciting phone call.  The Oswego Reading Council had awarded me 2nd place in their annual writing contest ! Each year the topic is chosen by the council and everybody in the entire county is eligible to participate. This year's topic was "The person I most admire is...".  Each entry was subjected to two rounds of judging.  Over 600 submissions went to the preliminary round of judging by the Oswego Reading Council board.  The top 10 entries were then given to a group of professional writers authors for the final judging. The award ceremony will be in a few weeks but for those who cannot attend I wanted to share with you.
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"The Person I Most Admire"    by Amy Quonce

For years I have seen the subject of the annual writing contest come and go without much thought of it sinking into my mind. Then before me was presented this year’s topic: The Person I Most Admire. I was captivated immediately and without hesitation I had already begun composing drafts within my head. There was no doubt who I admire most in this world…my daughter.

My little girl (who will remain forever young in my eyes) has been overcoming obstacles since before she was even born. The doctor had crushed the excitement of my first sonogram when he sadly announced that my baby was going to be facing serious disabilities, and immediately sent me to see a specialist, who in turn tried to convince me to terminate the pregnancy. Tears streamed down my face as I stared off into space, trying to envision my future daughter’s life. And that’s when it came to me…she did have a future, and it was my job to make sure that she had the best life that I could provide for her. Six months later my beautiful baby was born and she has been the inspiration for my life ever since. Faced with many medical difficulties, she has persevered through it all. Never once has she grumbled about having to go to yet another doctor, or undergo another surgery. She takes it all in stride and has amazed her physicians every time. I will never forget the time that one prominent doctor, who has seen her since she was an infant, came up to me and proudly announced that he tells all of his colleagues about her because he cannot believe how far she has come. He never expected her to walk or talk, and now she has been a dancer for 12 years, and will happily tell anybody all about it who will listen.

My daughter was born with the good natured attitude that I dream of having for my own. In her eyes each person she meets is her best friend, and the world is full of individuals who get along with everyone, despite their differences. It is an innocence so rare that it simply must be cherished. Even after suffering from a personal tragedy, she picked herself up and never let the sparkle go out of her eyes. She possesses a special quality for finding the silver lining in everything, and I can’t help but smile each time I realize that this special child is my own. I have been given a gift so precious, that I often wonder what I did to deserve it.

During her short 14 years of life, she has turned every mountain into a mole hill without ever complaining about the journey that it took her get there. While she may still be facing a life with obstacles stacked against her, I know she will take each step with pride and give all that she can. And I will be standing behind her, awaiting to catch her if she should happen to fall. When this day does arrive, there will still be a smile upon my face because I am so proud of her in all that she has done. I wish that someday I could be more like her.

I would like to thank the Oswego Reading Council for bestowing this honor to me!


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    Author

    I have the privilege of being able to shape the minds and lives of children who are battling disabilities.  It can be very trying at times, but more often than not it is very rewarding.  As a mother of a child with a disability, I know the struggles that they go through on a daily basis.  This allows me to have a little more compassion for the people that I work with.


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