Questions for the Meet and Greet
- Where do you write?
I’m lucky to have a nice, orange (yes, orange…) writing office. It’s my writing sanctuary, where I have my desk, dry-erase board, bookshelf, and incense! But I don’t always write there. My other writing space is actually at a local Starbucks. Or anywhere. I’ve been known to take my laptop to doctor appointments and sit in the waiting room… writing. - Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
Nothing too exciting. A closet. But between my desk and the closet door is a magazine holder where I have Poets & Writers Magazine, SCBWI bulletins, and other magazines. - Favorite time to write?
If I had a choice, daytime hours when my mind is still working but I’ve woken up! But I’ll also write early in the morning or late at night, when everyone at home is asleep. - Drink of choice while writing?
Decaf or half-caf caramel macchiatto with extra foam. 🙂 - When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
Music! I have a playlist for my story and anytime I want to think about, write or revise, I listen to it. Sometimes during revision, though, I need absolute quiet. - What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
The initial nugget came to me in a dream. It was one scene. As I started mulling over this dream, the characters, and where it was going, I realized much inspiration came from Dante’s Divine Comedy, as well as from my dad’s former background as priest. - What’s your most valuable writing tip?
Keep writing. If you want this enough, then you have no option but to keep going. When doubt settles in, push through it. Perseverance and patience will pay off.
Alexandra Alessandri 
Greetings!
I’m hopping over from GUTGAA and checking some blogs along the way. Nice to meet you! You have a lovely blog…good luck with GUTGAA!
Donna L Martin
http://www.donnalmartin.com
http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com
Nice to meet you, too, Donna! And thank you for checking out my blog. 🙂
Nice answers! I really wish I could do more writing in coffee shops, but I never seem to get around to it. and wow, another person who had an idea in a dream! That happened to me just a few days ago 🙂
Thanks, Trisha! I love writing in coffee shops, though I usually do it with earphones on, listening to my music and blocking out louder patrons. Haha!
I dream a lot and most times they just drift away, but this one, I couldn’t let it go. Those dreams are awesome! 🙂 Good luck exploring yours.
Keep writing, it’s so simple but really the key.
Good to meet you here on GUTGAA
Hi Yolanda! Thanks for stopping by! It’s nice to meet you, too.
Found your blog through GUTGAA. You are so right about hanging in with writing. If you let rejections stop you, you’ll never know what might have been just around the next corner.
Kathy, yes! Rejections stink, but I figure they get us one step closer to the YES. And we only need one yes. 🙂
Hey A.P.!
Just dropping by during my optimal reading time to say nice to meet you! I love the idea of a writing playlist… I even use different music for specific types of scenes.
Cheers and have fun during #GUTGAA!
John
http://www.johnkrissilas.com/
Hi John! I do that, too! (Different music for different scenes) I also find that sometimes, it’s not the lyrics that resonate with what I’m writing but rather the melody and rhythm. For me, music and writing are intricately linked. 🙂
For sure, I actually prefer listening to soundtracks and instrumentals, they can really help get your blood pumping!!
Wow, your WIP seems interesting with it’s multiple influences. It’s exciting to see so many different ideas and inspirations.
Thank you! And thanks for stopping by!
Hello there fellow GUTGAA-ler! I enjoyed your answers but I have to tell you I can never visit your office because I look absolutely horrible in orange. Thank goodness for blogs! Come by and say hi if you get a chance.
Hi Rhiann! I ❤ "GUTGAA-ler"! I crack up with my orange office. It was originally so because it was a craft/creative/storage room. I never got around to repainting it when I converted it into an "office" space. I'll be stopping by your blog!
I love Dante’s Divine Comedy and look forward to seeing what you do with it.
– Liana
Hi Liana–It’s funny. I read Divine Comedy when I was a grad student and never realized the influence until someone pointed it out a few months ago. I brought out my copy and re-read it, and it was one of those DUH moments. 🙂
I second caramel macchiattos as a drink of choice. Your inspiration for your story intrigues me. Hope to hear more about it over the course of the month. Good luck with GUTGAA
Lauren–Caramel machhiato drinkers unite! 🙂 Good luck to you, too, and thanks for stopping by!
You have an orange writing space? How cool is that? Orange is such a happy, creative color.
http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/09/deana-barnharts-gearing-up-to-get-agent.html
Mia–I know, right?! Initially it was a craft room (among other things) and orange was a wake-me-up kind of color. I wanted something that would make me want to be creative. When I converted to writing space I left it. It works. Keeps me alert. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Caramel macchiato with EXTRA FOAM??? Now that’s a good choice! I never realized you could ask for extra foam. (Although in Starbucks anything goes, right? I can’t believe some of the requests I hear people making.) So wonderful to see you again after WOC! I loved your story’s premise and then still love it now. I can’t wait to hear you’re represented! Best of luck with GUTGAA! See you on twitter!
Hi Jeanmarie! 🙂 Yeah… I’ve heard some very elaborate requests and I sometimes feel self-conscious about mine! lol. And you’re so sweet–thank you! The same wishes for you. Hopefully we’ll be celebrating soon! =D
It’s nice to meet you and I wish you great success thru the GUTGAA Blogfest!
Talynn #28
Thank you, Taylynn! It’s nice to meet you, too, and good luck with GUTGAA!