Wishing Un-Well?

1. If you have the NP to spare, try all the neopoint totals you can afford.

Admittedly expensive, this can be a tad annoying if the actual amount needed is 984,521 NP. You'll need to play a whole load o' games to get that many neopoints, so get playing (or win the lottery, whatever floats your boat- lots of Neopians have made handy guides about making money so you could always check one of those out). However, if you really want that avatar, and you want to be THE FIRST to get it, you're also gonna need patience, tenacity, and a huge pot of coffee.

2. If you have the determination, try every item in Neopia.

Now, this is where it gets weird. On the list of the items granted, it's filled with mostly Snorkle Snouts, Bags of Peanuts and Gift bags of Neopoints, whereas you never see any Blue Ixi Plushies or even a whiff of mashed potatos, why? I don't know, and neither does anyone else (despite what you may hear) apart from TNT, of course. Surely the best way to go would be to ask for one of these items, but surely everyone in Neopia is thinking this and wishing for these items, so your chances of yours getting should decrease. My head is potisitively reeling, and we're not even on tip three yet! Oh well, time to move on.

3. If you have the patience, try every time on the clock.

Well, in one day there are 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. That's 86,400 clicks! I doubt even the mathematics faerie (well, there's a library faerie- maths should get their own) knows what to do now- from what we know, you need a specific money total, with a specific item AND a specific time. Let's face it, the odds are not in our favour. Also, unless you have a super-super-super fast computer, you're not going to be able to click it every second. On average, there are about seven seconds between every time you input all your wishes, so that's already a solid week with no sleep (I'm kidding by the way- don't actually go a week without sleep)! Yeah, not gonna happen. So how about first trying clicking on every minute, or on the hour. At least this way you're gonna get to feed your pets and actually sleep a bit, because nobody likes a grumpy grump.

4. Always check the Neoboards!

You never know- some posts on the Avatar and Neosignatures boards are very helpful (though some are not- be wary) and they prove just how many people are searching for this avatar. Some of the things they say are so wacky you just might fall out of your chair- some believe the answer lies in the heart of Jelly World's jelly (and we all know that place doesn't exist)! Whatever the case, it's a good way to make some new friends, and TNT have said (in a previous editorial) that if they see many people trying for it, they might give a hint- so get trying! You might just be the one that sparks a surge of determination for the avatar, and we all want hints- even the people who aren't trying for the avvie (it makes for a great story)!

5. KEEP TRYING!

So. You've tried all these tips, and failed to even get your wish granted. You've spent 44 million neopoints and you've aged ten years from sleep deprivation... but still, no shiny new avvie. What now? Well, take a short break, and relax for a while- dozens of people are going through the same frustration you're going through- just check the avatar board! Speaking of the AC (avatar chat), why not create a board? People are delighted chances to have a bash at getting the avatar- even if the well chats die down from time to time (remember to keep posting; the AC is a quick-paced, competitive board). In addition, the ACers are often post new methods and theories, so keep updated on these- less work for you and they could give you new ideas!

6. Most of all, have fun!

Remember, Neopets is just a game. Always remind yourself that there is some fun to be had with chasing avatars- especially when you share it with others! Who knows, you might make some friends in the process. Even if the hardships are clouding the fun aspect of the avatar hunt, try to picture the feeling of strolling on to the Avatar Board, head held high, creating a new topic with "I FOUND THE WISHING WELL AVATAR!". Think of the newbie's congratulations... think of the expert's envy! It'll all be worth it in the end!

So you see, the Wishing Well is more complicated (and FUN) than first thought, and it was pretty complicated (and FUN) to begin with! If you take all these factors into account, you're going to have to just hope you get lucky. Keep going, you might just get it one day. :)

I wish you the very best of luck, Neopia- remember if you find it... Bessie_13 told you where to look. ;)