For years I have only written for my number one fan--me. I've enjoyed being a closet writer all those times, writing longhand in journals or typing away on my laptop, but not once have I completed a full novel. Not once have I ever thought that I will ever be published.

At the end of February, 2014, I joined Wattpad after finding it in a Google search for great writing apps. I knew nothing about it! After three months and two stories started, I had very little reads, but I did make connections with other writers, which was super awesome. Really though, I was shocked that people were reading my stories and seemingly enjoying them.

In the summer of 2014, I almost deactivated my Wattpad account, thinking that I've wasted my time, yet again, and was ready to move on to another venture. A friend encouraged me to keep going. She believed in me. Boy, I'm sure glad I listened! In August, I started posting "Confessions of a Wedding Planner", a 12-chapter novella I wrote in 2011. Those twelve chapters got longer, simply because readers asked for more. Words like "update please" and "can't wait for the next chapter" were posted on the comment section. These words were my encouragement. Those readers were my inspiration.

It wasn't until I received a shout out from YoungAndUndefinedr "His Biggest Rival" and "Late Night Calls") that my book received more traction. Now, that once-upon-a-time twelve-chapter novella, even in its first draft stage, has garnered nearly 3M reads, and has turned into the first book of The Bliss Series. It has hit the #1 hotlist in the Chick Lit category. It has been Featured by Wattpad, selected by Cadbury Sweet Escapes and has been listed in Top Romance Stories by TheChoiceMovie and AllegiantMovie. Most of all, it has attracted more than 14,000 followers! That's 14,000 times more inspiration than what I had two years ago.

"Revenge of the Jilted Bride", book four of The Bliss Series won the HQ Love Award in the Wattys 2015. The rest of the series has appeared in the Chick Lit and Romance hot lists.

Back in the summer of 2015, I entered a Twitter Pitch event and received requests for my book, Harley, the first story that I started writing on Wattpad. In October 2015, I signed a contract with Limitless Publishing. And on January 19, 2016, it was released on Amazon KU.

This summer, I'm delving into the world of self-publishing with my most popular book on Wattpad, "Confessions of a Wedding Planner". It will be released on July 26, 2016.

In the fall of 2015, I became a Wattpad Star, and took part in the Imagines: Celebrity Encounters Starring You book, published by Simon and Schuster's Gallery Books.

One of the projects I've been quite proud of are the romance anthologies on the site, featuring a group of talented authors of varying sub-genres and heat levels. The first anthology, Mistletoe and Mischief, continues to appear on the Short Story ranks. Our Valentines-themed anthology, Hearts on Sleeves was Featured by Wattpad in the month of February, and this summer's Sun-kissed Anthology continues to gain reads and votes by romance readers worldwide. This project is my way of giving back to the community who has been nothing but supportive and welcoming. My hope is that readers discover a new author through these anthology, even a different genre that they may not normally read.

Over all, I've such a great experience with writing on Wattpad and out of it too. I'm lucky to meet great writers who are always there to lend a hand or have a chat with, which make the craft of writing less solitary. I am thankful for each and every read, vote and comment. I am grateful for wise words from friends, and those who share my works with their followers.

To new writers out there, never be afraid. Take the leap. Fight the fear of not getting reads. If it's in you, share it, love it and own it. Success is slow and at times, challenging, but it is all worth it!

MichelleJoQuinn