Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

  • Home
  • About Sonia
  • Blog
    • Starting Over
    • Solo Cruising
    • Travel & Adventure
    • Peace Corps
    • Writing & Publishing
  • Books
    • Freeways to Flip-Flops
    • My Gutsy Story® Anthology
  • Media
    • Press Kit +Videos
    • Print Media
    • Awards-Reviews-Testimonials
    • Sonia’s Blog Tour
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Archives for “My Gutsy Story” November 2011 contest winner

Winner of the first “My Gutsy Story” contest is…

December 15, 2011 by Sonia Marsh

My Gutsy Story 1st place

Jill Fales (1st Place)

Congratulations to Jill Fales who received the most votes with her “My  Gutsy Story” about taking her kids on the Great American field trip, an educational road trip across the U.S.  Jill writes a weekly column in the Newport Beach Independent called Mom’s Voice and with her large fan base, Jill received 74 votes in total, which amounted to 40% of the total.

Rhonda Hayes (2nd Place)

Congratulations to Rhonda Hayes. Rhonda’s “My Gutsy Story” was the first one submitted for the contest, and Rhonda’s story was so moving and inspiring to all of us. She received 59 votes. or 32% of the total. Rhonda is writing a memoir, so for all you readers interested in memoirs, please check out her website.

Karen van der Zee (3rd Place)

Congratulations to Karen van der Zee for her humorous “My Gutsy Story” about her wedding in Kenya. Karen has published numerous romance novels and is now focusing on her travel stories from around the world. She writes a blog called, “Life in the Expat Lane” which is packed with vignettes from her life all over the place, and now lives in Moldova. Don’t know where Moldova is? Find out on her blog.

Nikki Ah Wong (Honorable mention) came in 4th, and has an inspiring “My Gutsy Story” about adventure in mid-life. Check out her new book, “Housesitting in Australia.” I just downloaded it and find it fascinating that housesitting can be an alternative to renting, if planned correctly.

Lauri Kubuitsile (Honorable mention) came in 5th. Lauri wrote an amazing “My Gutsy Story” of courage and how she ended up taking charge of her own life at sixteen. Lauri is an award winning author from Botswana. You can find out more about her on her blog: Thoughts from Botswana.

 *****

Thank you to these 5 amazing “My Gutsy Story” writers.

This month, since the holidays are coming up, I have decided that there are TWO WINNERS:

1). Jill Fales

2). Rhonda Hayes

Jill gets to pick the prize from our sponsors first, and I shall let you know what she selected on Monday, December 19th’s post.

Rhonda gets to select her prize after Jill, and I shall let you know too, on Monday December 19th.

Please continue submitting your “My Gutsy Story” for December.

We keep adding new sponsors all the time:

1). Angela Ackerman has kindly offered two choices: a first chapter critique or a blog consultation (offer my expertise of the blog layout, content, etc and offer advice on tweaking it to improve, draw in visitors, increase visibility, etc). Winner can choose which would benefit them more. Angela and Becca have put together the most helpful blog for writers called The Bookshelf Muse. Check out their emotional thesaurus, weather thesaurus and so much more to help writers.

2). Peet’s Ccffee and Tea, gift card and basket. I am a huge fan of Peet’s coffee, as some of you may know from my previous posts. If you are a writer, you probably drink coffee or tea and all my local Peet’s, see me every day. Details of their prize will come later.

*****

If you wish to submit your own “My Gutsy Story” please check out guidelines here.

Our sponsors are listed here.

Also our December 2011 contest started with Muriel Demarcus story on Monday December 5th. You can read her wonderful, “My Gutsy Story.”

Richard Potter wrote our second December story on December 12th. You can read his inspiring “My Gutsy Story.”

The December votes start on January 1st until January 11th, with results for December contest winner announced on January 12th, 2012.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Welcome to My New Life

Welcome to My New Life

Do you feel trapped?
Let me Help You Rediscover Your Freedom.
I divorced at 58, and now belong to myself.
If I can do it, so can you!
Let me help you find your purpose and become your own best friend.

Click the cover to buy on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Forgotten How to Drive — My Tesla’s Drives Better Than Me
  • Why I Quit Dating Apps at 68—And My 35-Year-Old Son Has the Same Problem
  • Solo Cruising Doesn’t Mean You’re Alone

Also Available At:

Latest from the blog

  • I’ve Forgotten How to Drive — My Tesla’s Drives Better Than Me
  • Why I Quit Dating Apps at 68—And My 35-Year-Old Son Has the Same Problem
  • Solo Cruising Doesn’t Mean You’re Alone
  • Single Woman Cruising Solo
  • What Does Self-Love Mean to You?

Top Posts

  • “My Gutsy Story®” Bonnie Kassel
  • Differences Between a French, a British and an American Gym
  • Join the "My Gutsy Story" contest and sponsor prizes
  • Online Dating: My Coping Mechanism for Boredom
  • Book Launch Party! My BIG Day is here
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Loading Comments...