Monday, September 3, 2012

GUTGAA Meet 'n Greet


Deana Barnhart
Hello, my name is Hope, and I'm addicted to writing.

I've written a few WiPs now, but it wasn't until my latest I felt comfortable claiming the title of writer. Mostly, because I wrote Birds of a Feather in five weeks. But also (and probably more important) because I'm no longer afraid of not having another idea worth writing.

I've conquered the doubt!

Okay, maybe not entirely, but enough to say . . . Yes! I am a writer!


And now for the GUTGAA questions :) I should probably admit to my addiction with smiley faces too :) :) :)

-Where do you write?
My laptop sits on my desk in our loft. This is where I do most of my online stuff, edits, and quick bursts of writing. If I have time, I take my laptop to my bedroom, shut the doors and fall into whatever world I'm creating.

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
Hmm, it's a bit messy and I don't like mess, I'll clean up soon :) Okay, there's a thesaurus and other writing-craft-books, pictures of my family (two from when my husband and I first got together--man do we look young!), my planner, a dry-erase calendar on the wall below the shelves of crafty stuff, silver nail polish and a pink pipe cleaner in the shape of a heart (thank you Quynn), a scratch-off lottery ticket (thank you Cort), a Mason jar (almost time to can peaches again), my phone, stackable filing tray-thingies, my scissors that don't belong there (thank you Harlan), and a my easel with a blank canvas waiting for me to paint a big pink horse on it for my niece's birthday :) Yep, I need to clean!

-Favorite time to write?
I'm sporadic, but I'm finding between 6pm and 9pm becoming the best time to hide away and get creative. It falls in line with husband getting home, finishing dinner, kids settling in, and all that jazz.

-Drink of choice while writing?
COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With peppermint or Italian sweet cream , mmmmmmm :) I need my third cup now, I'll be back in a sec...

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
My last WiP, I had a soundtrack playing. My current WiP, it's silent. So I guess it depends on the story.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
A rejection on a full request of my last WiP. I read the email, opened a Word document, and started typing. The first couple sentences were my own feelings, then a character was created and her story began. I had no idea what I was writing or what her journey would be until it showed up on the screen. 

-What's your most valuable writing tip?
Critique partners--can't live without them!! And I like the idea from Stephen King too--draft with the door closed, edit with the door open. I'm sure I'm botching that up pretty bad, but just get your thoughts down and your story out without worrying what it sounds like (door closed), then edit with input (door open). I think that's the gist of it :)

Hopefully you're all still awake and don't think I'm too Looney-tunes after stepping into my writing space :) I look forward to learning more about all of you!

THANK YOU DEANA for doing this blogfest! 
It's amazing and the amount of work you've put into it and continue to dedicate to GUTGAA is astounding! THANK YOU!

If you haven't signed up, hop over to Deana's blog and get on the linky list! And don't forget to meet and greet your fellow bloggers and GUTGAA participants below :)



22 comments:

  1. I love that you turned a rejection into something as positive as a new WIP - that's so cool!

    And LOL, if I had a desk, I am sure it would look quite similar to yours!

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  2. Just stopping by from GUTGAA to say hello. I agree that critique partners, good critique partners, are very important.

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  3. I love this quote: draft with the door closed, edit with the door open. How fab!

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  4. Critique partners--can't live without them!! And I like the idea from Stephen King too--draft with the door closed, edit with the door open. I'm sure I'm botching that up pretty bad, but just get your thoughts down and your story out without worrying what it sounds like (door closed), then edit with input (door open). I think that's the gist of it :) - I love these writing tips, especially the draft with the door closed, edit with the door open one. That's pretty much how I write.

    I think it's awesome, and inspiring, that you turned a rejection into a WIP. :D

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  5. That's cool how you started your last WIP. I've never sat down and just wrote. I've always had an idea in my head.

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  6. I also like how you used a rejection as inspiration. I don't think I've ever heard that one before.

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  7. LOVE your inspiration for the latest WIP! I want to read it based on that alone!

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  8. Critique partners are a great tip, especially because yours are fab! :)

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  9. Really? After getting a rejection, you started writing? That's amazing. When I get a rejection I want to go throw something. But you diving back in is so impressive!

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  10. Love your WIP inspiration. I am so apathetic to rejections, I just throw them in a drawer! ;-) A request for a full is awesome! Best wishes.

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  11. Oh yes! I’m having so much fun being part of the GUTGAA and reading what everyone says. Question: I need help getting critique partners, how do I do that? ~Aidyl

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  12. Writing a story from a rejection, that is the coolest inspiration ever. Great to "meet" you better.

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  13. So rejections are worth something after all, eh? J/K And all that stuff in your writing room sounds important, but then again I like to collect things, lol!

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  14. Interesting inspiration! I want to know more about that!

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  15. hey sista! yay coffee! and crit partners! woot!

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  16. Great meet & greet post, Hope! I too love the story of your rejection turning to inspiration. :)

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  17. Have you ever tried the York's peppermint patty creamer in the little individual tubs? It's addictive and lasts forever since it doesn't have to be refrigerated. I always buy creamer and then don't use it fast enough because sometimes I like my coffee with just regular creamer. Have a wonderful GUTGAA!

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  18. It's that shot or two of absinthe that helps, especially if the kids are driving me insane.

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  19. What an awesome coffee twist! I'm a fan of Stephen's closed door policy, too-- the open one lets the riffraff wander in too easily. :P So nice to meet you.

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  20. Love your current WIP inspiration! It's fun putting pen to paper and just letting the words flow. Enjoy GUTGAA!

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  21. Hi I like the just get it out and then edit, this idea has really helped me to progress through my wip, just stopping by. Happy GUTGAA
    Paula

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