A little late for this edition, very sorry fam. But wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. May 2025 bring you all joy, success and love.

Now, here opens the shelf!

>Elliot by emmian_

"Nice and easygoing, the writing style fits the genre too, creating a warm but funky vibe."

Q: How long have you been on Wattpad and what makes you stay?

A:10 years! I love the community here, the fact that ppl are so supportive and the chance to read amazing stories and gain life long friendships.

Q: Tell us how you came up with this story, what was your inspiration?

A: My own struggles with relationships and gender identity.

Q: Describe the main characters of this story and how you connect with them.

A: Elliot is vibrant and outgoing, known for his colorful clothing and lively personality. He expresses himself through dance and fashion, embracing his individuality and creativity. Despite his confident exterior, Elliot grapples with insecurities about his identity, especially as he begins to realize he is trans. He is determined to embrace his true self and pursue his passion for dance. Elliot believes in love and is a romantic at heart. His feelings for Nate drive much of his emotional journey, and he is hopeful that their connection will deepen over time. He is the type of person I wished I was when I was younger.

Nate is often serious and introspective, keeping his emotions close to his chest. He can come off as stoic, which sometimes makes it challenging for others to read him. He is deeply protective of those he cares about, especially his family and friends. Nate values loyalty and is willing to stand up for his loved ones. He grapples with his feelings for Elliot, torn between attraction and fear of vulnerability. He struggles to accept love, which complicates his interactions with Elliot. Beneath his serious exterior, Nate has a caring heart. He genuinely wants to connect with Elliot but often finds himself battling his own fears and insecurities, which makes their relationship more complex. He is the knight in shining armor a person like me wished they'd met, but he also has his own baggage which makes him a complex person and makes you love him even more. 

Q: What makes you keep going with this story?

A: It is a feel good story with a happy ending that makes your heart flutter and gives you a smile reading it.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: Creating new characters!

Q: Looking back at the story you wrote so far, is there anything you would have done differently?

A: I might have added some more chapters to the end to give it more depth, but I also like the fact that the reader can make up their own.

Q: Do you want to share a message with Wattpad?

A: Wattpad was the place where I first came out as trans. The support of the people here is fantastic!

Q: Would you like to tag any of your friends or supporters and leave them a message?

A: mikamarcell I wouldn't have come this far without your support!

>The Girl Who Changed It All (GXG) by litttchick

"Love the inclusion of figure skating in a gxg story!! And the writing style is smooth"

Q: How long have you been on Wattpad and what makes you stay?

A: I've been a part of the Wattpad community since 2016, when I was just 12 years old. Initially, I joined the platform to share my own stories, as writing has been a passion of mine since I was six. Literature has always been a huge inspiration for me.

Although I was hesitant to share my work at first, I started reading on the platform instead. It wasn't until 2020 that I finally gathered the courage to post my first fanfiction. The overwhelming support and kind messages I received from readers really helped me break out of my shell.

Since then, I've been excited to share my own original stories with the community. I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow writers and readers, and I'm looking forward to seeing where my writing journey takes me.

Q: Tell us how you came up with this story, what was your inspiration?

A:My inspiration for this story began with my love for reading girl-on-girl stories. Since I was 12, these stories have captivated me and helped me discover more about myself.

Another spark of inspiration came from my fascination with winter sports, particularly figure skating and snowboarding. I'm extremely fascinated by figure skating, the elegance, the precision, and the beauty of it all captivate me. Although I'm not a fan of the cold, I find myself drawn to the magic of winter sports. One day, the idea struck me to combine these passions into an enemies-to-lovers story featuring a figure skater and a snowboarder.

Movies like Ice Princess, Cloud 9, and I, Tonya also played a significant role in shaping my inspiration. These films not only showcased the beauty of winter sports but also explored complex characters and relationships, elements that I sought to incorporate into my story.

Q: Describe the main characters of this story and how you connect with them.

A:I drew inspiration from my own life when creating Zephyrine and Cassidy, making them relatable and authentic.

Zephyrine, the main character, embodies perseverance, a trait I've admired since childhood. Like me, she's driven to achieve her goals. I also connected with her rebellious side, as I often tried to fit in at school by joining the 'bad kids' crowd. Deep down, I knew that wasn't truly me, but rather a coping mechanism. Zephyrine's desire to make her parents proud resonated with me as well, as it's a sentiment I've carried with me throughout my life. What makes Zephyrine unique is her confidence, strength, and talent. While I infused parts of myself into her character, I also made sure she stood on her own.
Another aspect of Zephyrine I relate to is her unwavering support for Cassidy once they start developing feelings for each other. The way she stands up for Cassidy is truly admirable, and it's a trait I value in my own friendships. I'm the type of person who will always be there for my friends, and I appreciate that same loyalty in return. Zephyrine's actions remind me of the importance of having each other's backs.
Cassidy, Zephyrine's enemy-turned-love-interest, is another character I deeply relate to. Her reluctance to label her sexuality mirrors my own views. I also drew from personal experience when portraying Cassidy's struggles with her mother's pressure. Despite the challenges, Cassidy's resilience and determination to keep moving forward are traits I admire and can identify with. What's more inspiring is that even when Cassidy gets hurt by the person she least expects, she's able to overcome the pain and grow from the experience. While both characters share some similarities with me, their stories are distinct and authentic in their own ways.

Q: What makes you keep going with this story?

A: I'm incredibly proud of the work I've put into this story, and I'm thrilled to have finally completed it. The research and effort that went into crafting this narrative were well worth it. I've received wonderful feedback from readers, with many admiring my dedication to the project. For me, it's always been important to see things through and ensure that the final product is something I can be proud of – and something that will resonate with my readers.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: My favorite part of being a writer is how I get to step into my characters' worlds and experience their stories firsthand. When I'm writing, I completely forget about my own reality - everything else fades away, and I'm fully immersed in their lives. It's like I'm right there with them, feeling their emotions and rooting for them. Writing is my happy place - it's where I can express myself and let my imagination run wild. I also have to admit, I get really attached to my characters! I fall in love with their quirks and flaws, and I feel like I'm saying goodbye to old friends when I finish writing their stories. It's a bittersweet feeling, but it's also what makes writing so special to me. What really touches my heart, though, is when readers reach out to me with kind words about my stories. When they tell me that my writing made them cry tears of joy, it means the world to me. It's moments like those that make me feel proud of myself and my work. Knowing that I've made a positive impact on someone's life through my writing is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Q: Looking back at the story you wrote so far, is there anything you would have done differently?

A: Upon reflection, there are a couple of things I might have done differently. One possibility is expanding the story to make it a bit longer. However, overall, I'm satisfied with the narrative as it stands. Perhaps adding a more dramatic plot twist could have enhanced the story, but I'm content with the work I've done so far.

Q: Do you want to share a message with Wattpad?

A: I want to thank Wattpad for creating this amazing platform. I'm constantly inspired by the talented writers and the incredible stories they share. Thank you for providing a space where I can express myself, connect with others, and feel a sense of belonging. I absolutely love this app, and I feel right at home here. Keep up the great work.

Q: Would you like to tag any of your friends or supporters and leave them a message?

A: alice8491 for being the first woman from my server to read my story and giving me nice honest feedback I'm forever grateful.

isz-books for being one of the first ones to read my book after my best friend and being so supportive. She's an amazing writer!! Check her books out. 

>NIKKI & JOE, CASUALLY by mygoodbones

"Love the representation of diversity and bisexuality, and the humor is great"

Q: How long have you been on Wattpad and what makes you stay?

A: In total 8 years. What makes me stay is the really unique and supportive community and the easy access to lgbtq+ stories. I love the in-line comment feature as it's not something that other sites provide and it allows for a different kind of interaction with authors.

Q: Tell us how you came up with this story, what was your inspiration?

A:This story focuses on a romance between a pansexual man and a bisexual woman which was a large part of my inspiration; I feel like bisexual representation of characters in heterosexual-presenting relationship is sorely lacking and since I couldn't find many books about such relationships, I decided to write one of my own. It was a fun and exciting challenge to see how I could write a deeply lgbtq book about a 'straight' romance. I was inspired by queer culture and a desire for happy lgbtq representation that still acknowledges real struggles without sensationalizing traumas.

Q: Describe the main characters of this story and how you connect with them.

A:The protagonist, Nicolás, "NikkI", is a deeply senstive and emotional man. I connect with his insecurities and the guilt he carries around. He's incredibly selfless to the point of hurting himself and during the story, he has to learn that he can't always put others first, as it will hurt them too. Because of the negligence by his parents, Nicolás fears abandonment which I relate to. At the same time, Nicolás is a great friend and has a loving friend group and lgbtq+ community supporting him, which is very dear to me, as the lgbtq+ community is a found family for me as well.

Nicolás is largely responsible for his younger sibling, Cecilio, who struggles with OCD and schizophrenia. Cecilio, "Cece", is nonbinary and punk, your typical angsty teenager with a mushy insides. The relationship between the siblings is also in focus in the story as we get to watch them grow closer together after years of distance. The bond between them is really dear to me. I feel like we don't get enough sibling love in stories but I consider my siblings my dearest supporters so it means a lot to me to write scenes between these two.

The love interest is Jospehine, "Joe". Josephine has recently gotten out of an abusive relationship and is on her journey of recovery and finding herself. I relate with her habits of people pleasing, though as she gains confidence in herself, Joe learns to stand up for herself more which I think we can all aspire toward. She struggles with her identity the way many people in their twenties, myself included, do, which made her arc so rewardig to write.

Q: What makes you keep going with this story?

A: I adore the characters so much. They truly feel like my friends, who I just carry around in my head. I couldn't imagine leaving any of their journeys incomplete.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: Watching myself grow. I've learnt so much from writing--truly important skills like empathy and communication. And I adore getting to set myself a challenge and try to meet it. Even when I fail, I'm getting better. The great thing about being a writer is that any word your write is helping you become a better writer, even if you delete it a day later. It's really rewarding to get to see your progress unfold in front of your eyes.

Q: Looking back at the story you wrote so far, is there anything you would have done differently?

A: I may have spend up the start of the story a little, as the way it stands now, I fear some readers may feel that the romance does not start quickly enough.

Q: Do you want to share a message with Wattpad?

A: Thank you for providing a platform where people can share their creative and find support. The access to lgbtq+ stories and writers--and consequently, people--has been so important to me and I would never have found them without Wattpad.

Q: Would you like to tag any of your friends or supporters and leave them a message?

A: Everyone over at @freetheLGBT! I've found such a wonderful community of lgbtq+ writers and friends through our Rainbow Bookclub and the discord server that I couldn't imagine what type of writer I would be without them. They're all such wonderful and supportive people.

> Always/Never by kae-ruby

"I love the writing style and dynamic between Ridge and Accha. Supervillains, heroes, and time travel? perfect ."

Q: How long have you been on Wattpad and what makes you stay?

A: I have been on Wattpad since 2016. The community here is lovely and supportive. I probably wouldn't still be writing so consistently without meeting so many valuable friends and engaging with others who share my passion for writing. I joined to write fanfiction, but I quickly grew a passion for original stories, where I was able to have a lot of fun! I will be here for as long as I can continue doing that, and writing stories that help my craft. I owe a lot to my choice to make an account here in many ways that I would never have expected!

Q: Tell us how you came up with this story, what was your inspiration?

A: Always/Never is a combination of science-fiction and a campus novel (a story that takes place while the characters are attending university). I took an elective class in my last year of university about university novels, and found myself writing one, too, even though the workload for that course was large! From there, I also had the pleasure of reading Don DeLillo's "White Noise." The psychology of the story intrigued me, especially in relation to human nature, so I combined that idea with a theme I've always wanted to write: time travel! I love time travel movies (even the ones that break your heart), and always felt like I could never do this sort of story justice. Way too much science, I told myself... but, actually, I did enjoy that aspect once I focused on subjects that intrigued me, along with including some superhero wackiness that helped make me more confident in writing a somewhat absurd comedy.

Q: Describe the main characters of this story and how you connect with them.

A: Ridge is the main girl. She's a villainous person at first, who only wants to get what she deserves through any means possible. She's smart, but not incredibly people-oriented. When writing her as the protagonist, sometimes I struggled, because I set out to write a character different from myself. But the more time I spent with her egotistical, over-the-top dramatics, the longer I understood that she's also very caring (the kind of person who would overwork herself to make others happy). I related a lot more than I initially expected to her, especially her experiences with failure and not wanting to accept it. Her past self, before she becomes a villain, is closer to me, and I had a great time playing around with the aspects of that dynamic, trying to picture how I would talk to my own past self, if I could. In many ways, it was very fulfilling! Special extra mention to the love interest, Accha, who gets her love of working in a laboratory from me, and who is inspired, like a lot of characters I write, by a real person with whom I had many awesome conversations about learning new languages with.

Q: What makes you keep going with this story?

A:I made sure I finished the draft entirely before posting on Wattpad for this story in particular. It required a lot of research, and I wanted to make sure I was doing it justice. My love for dissecting character psychology helped a lot, as well as trying to represent more characters like me. It had been a while since I had written a story like this one, so I was eager to get back to familiar territory, and also tackle it from a new perspective.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: Having fun. I love trying new genres and experimenting with new ideas. I also love seeing myself represented in my characters. I enjoy being able to help others, too, whenever I can, from the perspective of another writer.

Q: Looking back at the story you wrote so far, is there anything you would have done differently?

A: I think I could have done more with the setting presented in the beginning of the story. Ridge spends a lot of time in the past, so she only interacts with her campus life, and that makes it hard to remember the initial set-up. The difficulty of a story like this is hoping everyone remembers tiny details and can keep up with the real science, plus the superhero science. So, I might have been able to expand on that some more. I limited myself to a shorter story, since everything I write winds up long (and I succeeded!) but that did mean I had to consider cutting out characters.

Q: Do you want to share a message with Wattpad?

A: I am infinitely grateful to Wattpad for helping me become a better writer! I was only doing this as a silly little venture at first, not expecting anything from it. I still don't! But I am grateful I stumbled across this orange world, that I get to volunteer my time as an Ambassador to help in lifting others up, and that I have been very, very lucky to remain here. I'm not sure how it happened, but I cannot express how much that writing has become important to me, something that I do now every time I get a few minutes to type out even a couple of sentences, and I think I owe a lot of that to being free to explore who I am as a writer here.

Q: Would you like to tag any of your friends or supporters and leave them a message?

A: Thank you to my fellow Ambassadors. Love you all for working so hard and being amazing people! And to every book club and community that has helped me develop as a writer (and as a person). Most importantly, thank you to everyone who has ever read my stories. I am so, so grateful for all of you, and it means so much to me that my words are being read by someone other than me. The friendships I have made with other writers thanks to communities and clubs are amazing, and I value them with my whole heart. I hope I can continue to grow alongside these wonderful other authors :)

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜❤️🧡💛💚💙

To be continued...

[Disclaimer: Please note, this event and its rules are the creation of a team of Ambassadors (volunteers) and is in no way affiliated with Wattpad or its staff. Selection of said stories is entirely run by our team and is not the responsibility of Wattpad or its staff. This title is not a contest or a challenge, it's just a monthly event to support writers.] Warm vibes, The LGBTQAIP+ Family