What it says on the tin really. I’m asking for funding. It’s that simple, I need help.
About me:
Name: D Michelle Gent – known by various friends, colleagues and acquaintances as Michelle, Shell, Mich, Chelle and universally – Trouble – No I don’t know why… that’s not true, I DO know why but I can’t help it, I promise.
I’m a writer, I have a few books out, all of which are Urban Fantasy/Horror. I have seven short stories written too, they are Young Adult Urban Fantasy and I’m getting good reviews all round for all of them. You can check the first of the short stories out for free if you like, here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/253328
Family: Yes, a good, supportive and slightly unorthodox family that love and support me in everything I do. Since finally realising that a toxic relationship is no good for anyone and cutting myself off from those I used to hold dear, my life - and therefore the lives of my immediate family - has been SO much calmer, more peaceful and more productive and satisfying.
Life: Ups and downs but more ups than downs, especially the last few years. Although a few of the downs have been cataclysmic and life-changing (not in a good way), we’ve got through relatively successfully. My darling husband has been plagued with health issues over the past number of years. He was laid low with acute labyrinthitis a few years ago - think dizzy to the point of vomiting constantly for thirteen weeks - not anything I'd ever want to go through. Then he had a severe liver infection - cause unknown. A short time later, he suffered from a large and exceptionally painful kidney stone which had to be removed by surgery. Then he had a fatty lump removed from the back of his neck. To top it all off, he had a heart attack while he was alone and underground. He hasn't had the best of times and I have to admit, it's taken its toll on his earning power where work is concerned.
As I said before, the ups have outweighed those downs and our grand daughter's arrival (I was birth-partner by sheer luck), my books doing resonably well where the reviews are concerned (if not the sales) and life in general is good.
Reason for this fundraising: There is no room for anything but the absolute truth in this, which is why I’m baring my soul and putting everything out there.
The reason I’m starting this fundraiser is because I’m scared. Actually, I’m not just scared, I’m absolutely bloody terrified. My husband is my life and soul, soul-mate, best friend, companion, rock and wind beneath my wings. Since we met when I was 16 and still at school, he’s been all I ever want and all I ever need.
Three years ago, he had a heart attack. He was underground at the time (he’s a coal miner) and he was alone. He managed to walk, stagger and struggle for almost half a mile to find others who could help stretcher him out of the pit (mine) and help make sure he didn’t die there - yes, that was a very real, very frightening possibility.
The phone call I received altered my life immeasurably. I could tell you how it cut my legs from under me, how it collapsed my world around me and everything else I felt, but I’m sure you can imagine the helplessness and utter despair I experienced when I was told he’d had a heart attack and was on his way in an ambulance to the hospital.
He spent three days there, being checked, observed and helped. I spent three days running from hospital to home, worried out of my mind, not knowing what was coming next, if he'd recover fully or partially or even if he'd ever be able to live his life to the same level he had before.
He's on medication for the rest of his life now.
I decided then that I would do whatever I could to make sure he never had to go underground again.
Well, it turns out I’ve not been able to pay off the mortgage, we still need his wage.
This year, the mine where he works has been in trouble, big trouble. It is closing next year and Trev will be out of work – which means more struggle and worry for us.
Rather than hoping that something will come along, I’m getting my head into gear and doing something about it right now.
I’m in the middle of a few projects, at least one of which will be finished by the end of the year. I have the 4th in the Urban Fantasy/Horror series started, mapped out in my head and rattling around in the background. There are a number of themes for the short stories running around, alongside a brand new Paranormal Detective type story. The last of the main projects is the more contemporary, almost true to life story about bikers, set in the 80s. I’m VERY excited about that one, I must admit.
This fundraising will enable me to concentrate more on the projects in my head.
Bear with me, you’ve read thus far:
The utterly unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky goal is to pay off the £90,000 ($153,000) mortgage before next summer.
The wouldn’t-it-be-wonderful, I’m-so-bloody-lucky goal is to raise a (FABULOUSLY) healthy year’s wage of £50,000 ($85,000).
The totally-awesome wage of £25,000 ($42,000) is the next goal.
£15,000 ($25,000) would ensure peace of mind until next summer, allowing me to work on my writing and get at least three full novels finished.
£10,000 ($17,000) would allow me to finish at least two of the novels.
If I raised £5,000 ($8,500) – which is a more realistic and attainable goal of course – I could concentrate on getting the 80s project out and give me time to work on other contingency plans for the summer when the pit (mine) eventually closes.
Of course, I’d be grateful for every penny and cent that came my way and I would show my gratitude in a number of ways, so I’m setting a goal for my fundraising of £2,500 ($4,250).
In return, there will be ebooks, printed books – including a full collection of all my works to date, signed paperbacks, hardbacks and limited editions, numbered hardback books. Along with various thank you pieces – bookmarks, postcards, posters, mentions on Twitter, mentions on Facebook, a character named after you, personal thank you in the form of a hand-written letter, PLUS each donator will be mentioned by name on my personal Blog and in a specially filmed Vlog.
Not only that, but my undying and unending gratitude for helping me to keep my family, my peace of mind and what’s left of my sanity intact.
I will also promise to answer every email, post and connection on Facebook and Twitter asking about the progress of ALL the projects.
http://www.gofundme.com/cbfy5o
Thank you for reading this far and indulging me.
Michelle xx
About me:
Name: D Michelle Gent – known by various friends, colleagues and acquaintances as Michelle, Shell, Mich, Chelle and universally – Trouble – No I don’t know why… that’s not true, I DO know why but I can’t help it, I promise.
I’m a writer, I have a few books out, all of which are Urban Fantasy/Horror. I have seven short stories written too, they are Young Adult Urban Fantasy and I’m getting good reviews all round for all of them. You can check the first of the short stories out for free if you like, here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/253328
Family: Yes, a good, supportive and slightly unorthodox family that love and support me in everything I do. Since finally realising that a toxic relationship is no good for anyone and cutting myself off from those I used to hold dear, my life - and therefore the lives of my immediate family - has been SO much calmer, more peaceful and more productive and satisfying.
Life: Ups and downs but more ups than downs, especially the last few years. Although a few of the downs have been cataclysmic and life-changing (not in a good way), we’ve got through relatively successfully. My darling husband has been plagued with health issues over the past number of years. He was laid low with acute labyrinthitis a few years ago - think dizzy to the point of vomiting constantly for thirteen weeks - not anything I'd ever want to go through. Then he had a severe liver infection - cause unknown. A short time later, he suffered from a large and exceptionally painful kidney stone which had to be removed by surgery. Then he had a fatty lump removed from the back of his neck. To top it all off, he had a heart attack while he was alone and underground. He hasn't had the best of times and I have to admit, it's taken its toll on his earning power where work is concerned.
As I said before, the ups have outweighed those downs and our grand daughter's arrival (I was birth-partner by sheer luck), my books doing resonably well where the reviews are concerned (if not the sales) and life in general is good.
Reason for this fundraising: There is no room for anything but the absolute truth in this, which is why I’m baring my soul and putting everything out there.
The reason I’m starting this fundraiser is because I’m scared. Actually, I’m not just scared, I’m absolutely bloody terrified. My husband is my life and soul, soul-mate, best friend, companion, rock and wind beneath my wings. Since we met when I was 16 and still at school, he’s been all I ever want and all I ever need.
Three years ago, he had a heart attack. He was underground at the time (he’s a coal miner) and he was alone. He managed to walk, stagger and struggle for almost half a mile to find others who could help stretcher him out of the pit (mine) and help make sure he didn’t die there - yes, that was a very real, very frightening possibility.
The phone call I received altered my life immeasurably. I could tell you how it cut my legs from under me, how it collapsed my world around me and everything else I felt, but I’m sure you can imagine the helplessness and utter despair I experienced when I was told he’d had a heart attack and was on his way in an ambulance to the hospital.
He spent three days there, being checked, observed and helped. I spent three days running from hospital to home, worried out of my mind, not knowing what was coming next, if he'd recover fully or partially or even if he'd ever be able to live his life to the same level he had before.
He's on medication for the rest of his life now.
I decided then that I would do whatever I could to make sure he never had to go underground again.
Well, it turns out I’ve not been able to pay off the mortgage, we still need his wage.
This year, the mine where he works has been in trouble, big trouble. It is closing next year and Trev will be out of work – which means more struggle and worry for us.
Rather than hoping that something will come along, I’m getting my head into gear and doing something about it right now.
I’m in the middle of a few projects, at least one of which will be finished by the end of the year. I have the 4th in the Urban Fantasy/Horror series started, mapped out in my head and rattling around in the background. There are a number of themes for the short stories running around, alongside a brand new Paranormal Detective type story. The last of the main projects is the more contemporary, almost true to life story about bikers, set in the 80s. I’m VERY excited about that one, I must admit.
This fundraising will enable me to concentrate more on the projects in my head.
Bear with me, you’ve read thus far:
The utterly unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky goal is to pay off the £90,000 ($153,000) mortgage before next summer.
The wouldn’t-it-be-wonderful, I’m-so-bloody-lucky goal is to raise a (FABULOUSLY) healthy year’s wage of £50,000 ($85,000).
The totally-awesome wage of £25,000 ($42,000) is the next goal.
£15,000 ($25,000) would ensure peace of mind until next summer, allowing me to work on my writing and get at least three full novels finished.
£10,000 ($17,000) would allow me to finish at least two of the novels.
If I raised £5,000 ($8,500) – which is a more realistic and attainable goal of course – I could concentrate on getting the 80s project out and give me time to work on other contingency plans for the summer when the pit (mine) eventually closes.
Of course, I’d be grateful for every penny and cent that came my way and I would show my gratitude in a number of ways, so I’m setting a goal for my fundraising of £2,500 ($4,250).
In return, there will be ebooks, printed books – including a full collection of all my works to date, signed paperbacks, hardbacks and limited editions, numbered hardback books. Along with various thank you pieces – bookmarks, postcards, posters, mentions on Twitter, mentions on Facebook, a character named after you, personal thank you in the form of a hand-written letter, PLUS each donator will be mentioned by name on my personal Blog and in a specially filmed Vlog.
Not only that, but my undying and unending gratitude for helping me to keep my family, my peace of mind and what’s left of my sanity intact.
I will also promise to answer every email, post and connection on Facebook and Twitter asking about the progress of ALL the projects.
http://www.gofundme.com/cbfy5o
Thank you for reading this far and indulging me.
Michelle xx