Thursday, August 28, 2008

Happy Anniversary, Dude: Day 4

Okay, short and sweet today.

Yesterday's winner . . . is Kennen. Congratulations! Shoot me an email. I've actually met Kennen, and he's a stud.

Two more days, plus the Grand Prize. For contest rules, CLICK HERE.

I hope I didn't mortally offend anyone yesterday with my potty humor. I humbly apologize for having never grown up.

Today I'm going to make it easier on you. Today is a day for inspiration. Please tell us in the comments, using only one sentence, about someone who has greatly inspired you and why.

As for me, I'm inspired by my mom and the reason is simple - she is the only person I've ever known who is truly and completely and utterly selfless.

Have at it!

40 comments:

J.N. Future Author said...

thursday! only one more day ^.^ again,kenen ,congradulations!

hmm, inspiration....if its not a person, i would say dreams are my inspiration. if it has to be people - authors in general ^.^

Rebecca McKinnon said...

Both my parents, for all their sacrificing without complaint - and for teaching me I can do anything.

Cheryl said...

My great-grandmother, who lived a life full of harship and uncertainty, but never complained or waned.

Karen Pellett said...

My husband is my inspiration for whenever I am with him he treats me like a queen and helps me want to be a better person.

Jewel Allen said...

The mom of the firework-accident-victim Bridger Hunt inspires me to forgive.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I'm inspired by my best friend Dedee (who I believe you've met). She always tells it to me straight, letting me know when my writing is really hitting the mark, gently pointing out when it's not. She lets her house fall apart as she counsels me through bouts of despair and somehow asks all the right questions to get me going and creating again. I wouldn't be writing without her.

Cherry said...

Dang it James! I hate crying. Promise to do something less serious next.

My dad, Major Jesse D. Lyons was a strong, quiet man who served family, God, and country and loved to joke around with his children.

Unknown said...

My mother, because she taught me how to respect women and be self-sufficient.

Brian said...

I know that pretty much all of these are inspired by family, but Christopher Paolini helped to inspire me to try to write because of his young age. It showed me that it doesn't matter how old you are.

Dedee said...

Wow. Awesome contest today.

I'm inspired by my great, great, I'm actually not sure how many greats, grandmother who came over the plains in the Martin-Willey Handcart company. If she could do Rocky Ridge, I can do anything (I hope!)

Sorry, it was two sentences. I hope that doesn't disqualify me.

Unknown said...

I'm coming in late to this contest. Dang! I wish I had kept up with your blog, James. I had a good first liner for you.

Every English teacher I have ever had has inspired me because each one has nourished my love of words with his or her encouragement to keep writing and never give up.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

A dear friend of mine has been my inspiration. Before she passed on, she dealt with chronic illness that keep her from accomplishing many things she wanted to, but despite her limitations, she never stopped learning and passing knowledge on to me.

Tamra Norton said...

Well aside from my mom...

I have these two slightly nerdy, completely funny author friends (I'll call them Tall and Taller), who have acomplished something I want for myself about as much as I want food and toilet paper on any given day, who have been such great mentors and cheerleaders to me over the past year in my endeavor to follow in their footsteps.

Peggy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peggy said...

I'm inspired by my dad who knows how to do practically everything, and has taught us that if we try hard enough and believe in ourselves, that we can do anything as well.

Anonymous said...

I'm inspired by my dad, who emerged from the wreckage of his family spirit and ambition intact to make something great of himself.

Anonymous said...

I know that this is kind of unoriginal, but I am inspired by:
My Mother, she has had five children including me, is homeschooling all of us, and taught us to work, to clean up after ourselves, and pretty much everything else we know.

Unknown said...

I am inspired by thepioneerwoman.com author. She is like Martha Stewart only better and without any support staff. Her blog is the coolest, her recipes are the best, her photos are awesome and she writes really well (I am not one for the "romance" genre, but her story on her blog called "From black heels to tractor wheels" is awesome!

Alysa Stewart said...

My sister in law inspires me because she is always gracious.

Melanie Goldmund said...

I felt inspired by the seminary teacher I had in my senior year, Brother Shoell, simply because I truly felt that he cared about me.

Melinda said...

I'm inspired by the men and women in our armed forces and their families.

Huge. Sacrifice.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

I am inspired by my oldest son who, through his autism, sees the world differently - with all the quirks, silliness, laughter, and love.

Enna Isilee said...

Oh boo. I'm really late on finding out about your giveaways. But I'm here now.

And how about that interview...?

;)

James Dashner said...

Wow, I'm really enjoying these. You guys are making the Dude get a little teary eyed.

Thanks for sharing.

Tami, you're very sweet.

Q said...

I am inspired every day by writers who finish something and then share their wisdom--they make me write again, even when it's hard.

Tamra Norton said...

So are you Tall or Taller, I can't recall? For me, everything beyond about 5'5'' is considered Tall.

Anyhoo...thanks for all you do.

Cindi Lou said...

I'm inspired by my Dad. He is always putting his family first and helping and supporting us in our dreams and letting his own quietly fall to the side...

Shari said...

I am inspired by my dear- best- family- writing- amazing- neighbor friend, Karen, who always listens, believes, encourages and loves me, and never judges.

Suzy - Q said...

Okay, so I'm going total unoriginale and choosing my mom, too.

She's the only person in the world who always knows exactly what I'm doing sometimes even before I know myself.

She's definitely got that 100% Mom Radar, sixth sense, what-do-they- call-it... gut feeling... and she follows it to a T.

Sometimes I wish she didn't...

Suey said...

I'm inspired by my four kids who survive and thrive in this crazy world with so many many stresses and tempations.

(And guess who's at my house right now jamming away (band practice you know) with my son... your latest winner Kennen! Kennen is into your books because my son, who is your original fan remember?... got him on to them!)

Heather Hoyt said...

I'm inspired by Theodore Roosevelt, who managed to do so much in his life that he lived three lifetimes by the time he was sixty.

Daron D. Fraley said...

I am inspired by C.S. Lewis: A man who admitted his own declaration of atheism was a mistake, converted to Christianity, then with a fire stoked from a belief in Christ, shared those new-found beliefs within his writing and radio shows, touching both both young and old, and in the end, left this world a little better than he found it.

Crystal Liechty said...

I'm inspired by my little boy, Griffin. He makes me a better person every day, whether it's by teaching me the depth of my own patience through his tantrums and fits or the limitlessness of my joy through his laughter and kisses.

Anonymous said...

Yoda. Because he only uses violence when necessary.

Anonymous said...

My inspiration for life is Peyton Manning, because he encourages me to play football and he is a good football player

buttercup said...

My inspiration is my older sister who remembers everyone's irthday and anniversary. She even sends you a get well card if she knows you're sck. It may not sound like much but it is a HUGE deal to be remembered.

Shannon said...

I am inspired by my dad, who as my school librarian, introduced me to a love of books that 25 years later has me spending more on books than movies and lurking on many an author's web site and blog.

Melanie said...

My oldest daughter is always looking on the bright side with her Polyanna "at least..." points of view that come packaged with a hug and kiss.

Em said...

Exekial...Moroni...Isaac..Lehi..Yom Kipper...

JD566 said...

I am Jordan ,reemember,I was at brookvale school. I was in the class of Donovan,the kid that went up with Maxine and some other girl.I might see you at borders tonight at 6:00 ok.Ill try to get that book.
YOU SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE ON IT.That is my advice. you will have fun and be RICH. Remember I was the guy with the brown shirt that wanted you autograph on a bookmark.See you later.