Looooooooooooooooooooooong Author's Note
I thought it would be appropriate to write a note about the last 2 ½ years of KK fanfiction.
First off, I'm not a writer. Never was. Believe me, I'm sitting back, looking at the 5-part Prom series thinking, "I wrote that? ….the hell?" haha but seriously, it's true.
Who knew? My friend mentioned fanfiction briefly almost 3 years ago but I never really got into it until one day I was scanning through, trying to find a story about Finn and Amanda already dating, or their future, or anything. But what I really wanted to read was something about prom, and somebody crashing prom. Cue light bulb in Amanda's head.
Prom was a sketchy beginning but it came quicker then I could put down on paper. I never had my own prom, I was homeschooled, as some of you know, so I created my own. I was a newly aged 17 year old when I started prom, and I guess you could say I created prom to be a combination of what I would've liked and what I wish Ridley would write. A nervous, brave Finn to accompany me, or a gentleman Philby to be by my side. The inspiration for the underground Disney World actually didn't come from me, there really is an underground Disney world. Ever wonder how the parade floats get back to their starting position?
Prom Sequel…I don't really have a clue where the idea came from, maybe from Amanda's loneliness and want for a family *shrug* not sure. But I couldn't get the idea of Wayne in a tutu out of my mind so that stuck. This was definitely one of my funnier stories.
Moving on: A graduation story was originally going to be my last story, because I thought of graduation as the final step before the rest of your life (haha get it?) Being a recent high school graduate at the time, and not graduating from an actual school, I wrote this story as sort of an ode to my future. Philby and Willa's valedictorian speech was one that I took seriously and took the leap of faith into my future. This was probably my favorite of the 5 stories, although I really like this last one. I loved the idea of friends sticking together, especially Finn and Amanda. I'll be honest here; I was ready for Philby and Willa to have a fight.
I've always picture Willa as a pent up feisty girl who wants to be taken seriously. Here's something that I only told a few people but I wrote Willa to be a lot like me. I could always connect with her when reading the books and she was the easiest for me to write. Might also be because I secretly want someone like Philby :p.
For the rest of my life. Partial credit goes to tjnolen, who originally talked me into writing a 4th one before anybody knew graduation was going to be my last one. He even came up with the idea of Finn freaking out about the wedding. I still can't believe he talked me into it, along with a few other fans. I think ya'll knew I wouldn't leave writing without giving Finn and Amanda a proper wedding. That story was an odd one to follow, I'll admit. It was very back and forth but I loved writing it.
Take my hand is very precious to me. It truly is. And from the comments I've gotten, I think you all feel the same. I've definitely gotten better at writing as the stories go along. I loved the idea of tying all the stories together in the end, with the underground thing and all, and I went all "How I Met Your Mother" with Finn telling Wendy the story. I contemplating making it all fake and just part of a bedtime story but let's face it…that would suck!
I attached some of my favorite comments I've gotten for Take My Hand.
sarah see 8/6/12 . chapter 10
Hi future animator! Let me start off by saying that i am your biggest fan. I love this story so much so please update it. I wish you could write more stories about the kingdom keepers even if not the prom saga. But you are growing up and i cant blame you for that and i know you have a job and school. Im really sad if youre going to quit writing about the kingdom keepers completely, but again i cant stop you from growing up. I really think you should become a writer or novelist. I know this was mega long but the point is that if you are not going to quit fanfiction then i would be the happiest person in the world because i live for these stories!
kingdom-keepers-rule 8/8/12 . chapter 11
acfmpw? ACDDFI their real names or AAAGGHHH! Hey, here' Jess? Or OH HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID! DDGMMP? or even... OH GOD PLEASE JUST UPDATE I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!
her-eyes-fiery-pinpricks 8/14/13 . chapter 24
THIS IS THE END?
WAHHHHHHHHH
OMG IM CRYIN. I remember reading the first one two years ago. TWO YEARS AGO! The one chapter when Finn gets knocked out and Amanda screamed? I was reading that in the grocery store. I was on my way to the pool. NOW ITS DONEEEE
You are amazing, really. Wow. I've seen Kingdom Keepers fanfiction history happen!
Just an incredible job :)
her-eyes-fiery-pinpricks 8/15/13 . chapter 28
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING
MY FEELINGS
OH MY FEELINGS
Just OMG. Wow. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Like I said before...history is being made!
:D You're incredible."
Also, SHOUT OUT to those who cried during Graduation and the engagement/Finn's letter and no more DHI, thank you for crying with me :)
I'd like to thank a few fans in particular who are the reason for me continuing these stories.
Tjnolen: For being my email buddy for a while and for convincing me to write more. AND saying that I should consider writing/publishing my own books. That was amazing to hear.
SurferChik13: I haven't heard from you in a while but I have not forgotten the time when you said you copy and pasted my stories so you could read them on your kindle-that made me feel like a real author and super special! THANK YOU!
ChoChang4eva: I remember the day I got all yours emails saying you had commented on every chapter…. YOU'RE AMAZING! THANKS!
Her-eyes-fiery-pinpricks: I REMEMBER YOU! I remember you telling me two years about you reading my stories in the grocery story! But seriously, the comments…you are an amazing individual-especially the last few comments.
The fact that you said Fanfiction history happened here almost made me cry. Really made me feel special.
And last but not least…..
Kingdom-keepers-rule: You've been there since the beginning! I tracked down some of my favorite comments from you….
"OMG WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO WILLA AND AMANDA! UPDATE SOOOOON! *ahem* thank you." (Prom 1)
"DUUDDEEE! YOU'RE KILLING ME!" (Prom 1)
"I loved this whole story! This is your first? Oh my God, I thought it was like your 51st cuz you write so well! Ohh please PLEASE write more stories!" (Prom 1)
"OMG OH MY GOD OH MY GOD! Holy waffles I know where this is going! And I think I like, no, LOVE the idea! P.O.S.T. S.O.O.N! Like, right now? AAAHGGGGHHHH! I NEED TO KNOW!" (Prom 2)
Among many other comments, you have always been there begging for more, but in a nice way. I appreciate your existence. You've read my stories, and I've read yours. Keep writing please :)
And to EVERYONE! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING MY STORIES! I truly hope I can get back to writing someday, but I will make no promises.
This girl is starting her junior year in Animation and life is showing much promise.
P.S. If anyone has ANY questions or is curious about ANYTHING with the Prom series, please don't hesitate to PM me! I'd love to write back to you! I'm not falling off the edge of the earth after all ;)
To all the fans, KEEP WRITING! And God Bless :)
For the last time,
Amanda