1. What is your Wattpad goal? 

 My Wattpad goal at the moment is just to keep posting my book, keep getting feedback on it, and generally just get a little bit more involved in the community! It's such a wonderful bunch of people, with such amazing ideas, I'm hoping some of their genius will rub off onto me! One of the things I'm doing, is being a judge in the 'Mistletoe and Holly awards', if anyone wants to check that out! I'm not sure of my genre yet, but it's going to be a lot of fun! My ultimate dream though, it's gotta be being one of those books that really reaches people, and maybe one day get published! Fingers crossed!

2. Are you still surprised when you get a new vote, follow, or comment? 

 Always! There's plenty of people that I spoke to before I published my book, who I became friends with, who asked for me to let them know when I published so that they could go check it out, and I'm so grateful to those people who did! But even then, I'll see followers, or votes or comments, or even people adding my book to their reading list who I haven't met before. I'd love to know how they came across the book, and let them know how unbelievably thankful I am! But yes definitely, there's always still a little happy dance with every new person! 

3. What is your favourite story? 

 I've spent ages trying to pick my favourite, but there are just so so many! I've been making friends in the community and getting a general feel for what the Romance platform looks like, and I've happened across so many great ones! I honestly couldn't pick one without tagging a billion people! Anything with a little hint of cheesy, completely forbidden love, I can't resist, so if anyone knows of any, then let me know!

4. What's the best way to handle a bully? 

 This is such a tough question, because bullying is such a big issue and there are so many different types of bullies. I'd say one of the best things to do (which is so much easier said than done!) but just to ignore them! You are so much stronger than you think, and so much more appreciated than you know, and I promise that after high school (when bullies are at their largest in numbers) that it honestly does get so, so much better! It it's really bad, then tell someone. Even if you don't want them to do anything, having someone there to give you a cuddle always works wonders. And if you need someone to talk to, and you feel like you don't have anyone, you can always message me! I'm not a stranger to the subject! In books, we love to have people stand up to their bullies in the cafeteria and embarrass them in front of everyone, but unfortunately this doesn't actually seem to work so well in real life! If there's any kind of physical bullying going on, then absolutely, without a doubt, go and tell someone! Just try to be strong, and remember that there's always two sides to a story, and maybe they just need a hug too. I hope everyone's doing okay!

5. How would you celebrate a publishing deal? 

 Oh my God, I've never even considered this! It feels like such a dream, that I'm jinxing it if I try! I guess in the current climate of coronavirus, I'd have to have myself a little quarantine party, but I doubt it'll happen anytime soon, so afterwards, back in the normal world, I'd probably go out for a meal, and celebrate with my family! And I'd buy myself a hammock for our porch - I've always wanted one and I feel like a published author should have somewhere they like to sit! I'm a small town kid, with small town kid dreams, so a nice, warm place to sit with a mug of coffee and keep on dreaming is good enough for me!

6. If you could hang out with your favourite celeb for a day, who would you choose and what would you do? 

 My favourite celebrity is Brendon Urie, from Panic! at the Disco! Honestly, I'd just get him to stand there and sing the entire day, I think he's the most talented lil guy in the universe, and he seems to have plenty of interesting stories to tell! I'd spend the day in a little pool of melted star-struck panic on the floor, while he just sat and talked. Also, it would be nice to have some food there. And some puppies too, if we're really dreaming here.

7. If you could gain advice from your favourite author, who would you choose and what would you ask?

 One of my favourite writers, has got to be Agatha Christie! She's written so many iconic books, and so, so many of them! I would ask her how the hell (especially with murder mystery novels) she would be able to churn out books like that, with such complicated plots and characters, as fast as she does! I think her work really made way for murder mystery, and I think there could be so much to learn from her!

8. What is your favourite thing about Wattpad? 

 I just love the community. I've had my current account for only about 2 months now, and my book has only been up about 2 weeks, and the response from the community has just been incredible! My favourite thing about Wattpad is the people, they're so supportive and creative, and being surrounded by such passionate, intelligent people has spurred me to be a better writer, and given me lots to think about. There are countless examples of people being such wonderful human beings that there's no way I could list them all here. One for example, is our gracious host - @BooksbyLwordpress  , who was kind enough to reach out and give me a shot! I'm very grateful to everyone who has been kind and welcoming to me, so thank you!

9. What is your favourite movie? 

 My favourite movie would have to be 'The Breakfast Club'! It's a complete classic, and I love the old-time cliche of a rag-tag bunch of misfits coming together, and where else could that have started but 'The Breakfast Club'. If you haven't seen it, I really recommend going to check it out, it's incredible! Definitely one of those movies that cheers you up on a bad day. 

 10. What's the song you enjoy? Who is the artist? 

 One song I'm really enjoying at the moment (and always!) is 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel. It's an older song, but it's been covered by newer artists again and again. It's a song that always really inspires me to write, because of how much it makes you think, and really examine your life alongside some absolutely beautiful lyrics! It's actually one of my chapter titles towards the end of the book, so how could I not choose that one, really?

11. What's a good piece of advice for a newcomer? 

 One of the things I did, before I even published, was just became accustomed to my community, to the people and the works, and the feel for the site. I read a lot of books from friends, and they promised to return the favour, when I finally published. This helped so much, because for a month and a half, I was making friends with people and learning, and it really gave me a footing for when I finally published my own! My advice is really to just reach out to people and say hi, be friendly and offer to read their works and I'm sure they'll do the same! And if you're worried about reaching out, then try it on me first and I'll be sure to give you a confidence boost! Good luck, honestly to everyone - I know it's daunting and scary, but I believe in you!

request time

Hi everyone, thanks so much for reading this 'Meet the Author'! It was so much fun, and I've really enjoyed answering the questions. If you've got a minute, feel free to check out my book, 'All I Have', which is up on my profile @MaggieFinnegan at and I'll attach a link also. It's a heartwarming tale of a girl trying to find her way home, in spite of everyone working against her! I hope you read, and enjoy, there's new chapters published every week! Thank you so much for reading, and thanks so much for @BooksbyLwordpress  for having me also! 

 Link to my book:  

https://www.wattpad.com/story/239502431-all-i-have