We have a WINNER!

The "Don't Let Your Dreams Fade" vlog contest is over and, after much agony, I have chosen a winner. I loved Ally's vlog. She seemed very real to me.

When I was explaining to my publisher why I picked Ally, I wrote this:

"I loved that she talked about how going through a year's worth
of testing for learning disabilities made her not really like reading or
writing, but that she has come back to it and now dreams of making it
her career. I loved that she was sitting in front of her own writings,
taped to the door, but didn't mention them. I loved that she mentioned that she's in that tough third kid position, who will struggle money-wise with
college because of older siblings. And I love how at the end, she says, 'I hope you pick me, but...if you don't, I'm okay with it.'

She feels like the kind of person I'd enjoy hanging out with in real
life."

Meet the winner, Ally:




Many thanks to all who entered. I loved hearing your stories and I watched all of the entries. You guys are all awesome and it was hard to have to pick just one winner. You all are winners to me. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with me.

Don't Let Your Dreams Fade vlog contest: $1000 prize!

Here's an example of one way you can make your contest video. This is my daughter Kennedy. It took her about an hour to film and edit the video (you don't need to edit if you don't know how). Easy peasy!

First, read all the details and the fine print so you know if you qualify -- this is a contest for US Teens ages 14-18. (Yes, just US teens. It's a US publisher.)

Just use whatever camera you own or can borrow, and upload the video to youtube or any other video hosting site that will give you a link to it. Show your friends -- no need to hide it -- and enter on my website at the link above by including the link to your online video.

Contest ends March 8th. And I am the final judge. Fun times for me!