Congratulations to our Nemi Writing Challenge Winners Kim Sisto Robinson and Akidah Njuzu!

Both of our winners of the Weekly Writing Challenge are going to take home 1 set each of 3 books from the popular Nemi series from Titan Books. The Challenge was to write a short essay about your alter ego. Enjoy the winning entries below:

She loves the color red and even wears it on her toes- she's bold. As I parked my Prius, she steps out of her Porsche GTS S Hybrid. She’s bikini and Laboutin clad. She’s noticed staring and smiles, not one of those “poor girl” smiles but a “you’re interesting, I recognize you, keep your head up smile”. She leans over and motions to me, I walk over before I’ve had a chance to weight the consequences. This woman wears candy paint well.
She whispers- “you and I are the same, you know?” We are- I think not! I’m a size 16 and she’s a 6, I’m making deals with my best self about what treat I’ll bribe me with,  if I make it to the gym 3 times a week and she has a six pack. She recognizes my confusion and asks me if I want to know “the secret.”
I know of what she speaks, all of us want it, it’s better than the fountain of youth or billions. What woman doesn’t want to know “the secret” to it all? The path to “skin fit” the rules to live by that ensure life passion, make you your best self in every situation. The secret she says and looks around-  it’s that “ I live in the land of "no excuses".
 She rocks a blonde mohawk and her eyes sparkle with mischief- she knows that she can save the world and she's vegan cool. Of course she can live in that zip code.  She puts Beyonce to shame, not because she has a college degree, or probably does a good private pole dance for her hubby. But because she’s inspiring, a muse for movement, her presence, makes me feel like anything is possible!
 Hello . .she queries - Yes I say.
Look at me . .
As I walk past my own mirrored reflection, I see a silhouette that encompasses my past and present, then I know. She smiles back at me- she is a sliver of all that I could be and now that I realize that, I’m free to redesign inner goddess as I see fit. - Akidah Njuzu

Frieda is ageless, fierce, feral, fanatical, and doesn’t give a damn about what others think.
She is a tiger in the midst of pussy cats, but definitely knows how to purr and rub gently against somebody’s leg. Her hair is long, flowing, and crow-black against the shimmering sky. 
I’ve heard through my inner consciousness that she sings in a band near Piccadilly Circus, that she wears a leather suit like Cat-Woman, that she growls and giggles at the idiotic men who hunger after her.  Stupid Fools.
She always goes home alone.
At night she reads poetry: Plath, Sexton, Jong, Gluck.  She can’t get enough of the words, imagery, metaphor.  The ink sticks inside her throat like something wicked, sultry, sweet, something else.  
She is never far away from me; her pulse throbs next to mine like a lover, a friend, a sort of pulsating heat. 
When I write, she erupts with her cranberry lips, Marlboro breath, mental illnesses, and mouthfuls of inappropriateness.  She is Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Erika Jong, and Lady Gaga all rolled into one naughty, intriguing, Merlot drinking, Coyote Ugly, marijuana smoking, Beat Movement, rebellious Freak.
And I have really grown to love her.  - Kim Sisto Robinson

There were so many amazing entries and wild alter egos introduced, we decided to put up more of our favorites here:

By day, I work as a reference librarian at a public library in the suburbs.  I help patrons of all ages find information on a variety of subjects and patiently respond to their queries in a calm, soft, and unassuming voice. My blouse, slacks, and loafers are neutral in color and conservative in manner.  My long hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, my face is void of make-up, and thick glasses rest on the bridge of my nose.

By night, I transform into Leticia DuPree, a cabaret singer at a piano bar in the city. I don a sapphire sequined low cut gown, long white gloves, fish net stockings, and black velvet pumps.  My glasses are thrown aside for contact lenses, my wavy hair falls freely down my back, plum blush paints my cheekbones, and bright red gloss coats my lips.  My act features the old torch songs of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.  I sing with a sultry, titillating, and seductive voice.  The audience showers me with applause and I blow kisses in gratitude.  In between songs I flirt with the crowd and tell bawdy jokes.  Their uproarious laughter fills me with satisfaction and delight. -Jeanne Willwerth

My alter ego is THE MULTI-TASKINATOR.  She is an extraordinary 35 year old.  Her energy level is off the charts.  She flows from school (where she and I have gone back to finish our degrees) to work (where she impresses our boss and coworkers with her witty dialogue and brilliant ideas daily) back to school (it was her idea to take all of these credits) to home (where she sends our husband on a culinary adventure every night with the gourmet dinner she creates) effortlessly.  In fact, she creates time in her day to help the homeless, volunteer at the animal shelter and still remembers her friend’s kids’ birthdays.  She is everywhere all at once, but while she is with you she is in the moment.  She is not rushing on to the next place in her mind.  She is Relaxed.  She is Poised.
She is the MULTI-TASKINATOR! - Melissa Marek

My Alter-Ego is Jolene the Goth Queen.  She is five foot ten, has long black hair with bangs, wears black mascara, and dons mid-drifts that show off her perfectly flat stomach.  Jolene does not take no for an answer.  She goes beyond stalking guys on facebook and myspace if she's interested; she calls and texts them constantly until they give her a date.  Even if she doesn't like a guy too much, she keeps him in her little black book.  Jolene will add pages of boys to her little black book until it is bursting at the seams.  She rarely talks to her family and is not very serious about her career, but she doesn't need a family or a job because she has a date every night and wants to pursue a career as a low-class gold digger.  Her part time jobs at the bar and Hooter's will help her long-term career goals. Jolene's church is the Saturday night bar.  Instead of telling the truth in love, Jolene lies through her teeth to get what she wants.  She is not the jealous friend or girlfriend; she is the one who has a quick one-night rendezvous with another girl's boyfriend.  Jolene has sharp teeth and drinks saliva instead of water.  She ignores the classics and reads Cosmopolitan and other oh-so-sophisticated women's magazines.  If Jolene ever settles down, her true love will have muscles, a bald head, a loud voice with no substance, and black leather pants. -Margaret Robbins

“I can’t believe you just did that!”
“Me either.” You’re going to get in so much trouble!”
“Nah, I won’t.  My foster parents could care less about what I’m doing, and you guys are too chicken to rat me out.  Besides, it was a small prank, what’s the harm?”
RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAANNNNHHH!
“Uh oh, what’s that?”
“Great, somebody called the cops.  Come on, we gotta get out of here.  I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want to go to jail.”
Okay, before you go judging me, let me tell you about myself.  My name’s Tasha and I’m 17.  I’ll be graduating this year, and starting at UCLA in the fall.  I live in East L.A. with my foster parents, Jimmy and Suzanne.  I’ve never met my parents, and I could care less.  I love skateboarding, heavy metal, and guys (what can I say, I’m only human).  I’m a bit of a rebel; I like to get in trouble. Nothing too serious, just enough to give me a bit of a rush, you know?  Like when I pulled the fire drill at school last Tuesday.   It gave me a nice flush of adrenaline and got me out of a physics test, not too shabby if I do say so myself.  I live life to the fullest, say what’s on my mind, and could give a shit what people think.  Life’s too short to waste being untrue to who you are, you feel me? -Domonique Burke