Yes, This Will Be On the Test

Writing, Reading, Laughing

Monday, September 3, 2012

GUTGAA Meet and Greet




Here we go with Deana Barnhart's Gearing Up to Get An Agent fab blogfest. The first task is a meet and greet.

Mini-bio: I’m a mom of two amazing kids in their twenties. One is an actor and one a writer. We will be eating lots of ramen noodles in our house until we all hit it big. I snagged a BA and MFA in theater arts back in the 80's. I never had "big 80's hair." I taught design for years at UCLA, and had a couple of plays produced there. Yes, you may call me, Professor Rose. Yes, you may snicker at the thought of that. Now I teach fifth grade north of Los Angeles. I love writing YA because those teen years are so deliciously crazy. It’s a kick to go back into that emotional soup. My short stories appear in the current Journeys of Wonder, Volume 1 anthology and the upcoming Paramortal 2 by Cliffhanger Books.
 
-Where do you write?
My "office" is a white tile topped kitchen table in a corner of my bedroom. (I have issues with getting rid of furniture) There's a bulletin board above the table to tack up pictures, notes, and irreverent inspiration. 

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? Mirrored closet doors that are covered with post-its for various projects artfully hiding a "side-view" of me hunched over my laptop.

-Favorite time to write? After lunch into the evening

-Drink of choice while writing? Water or flavored iced tea - I had to give up the Diet Dr. Pepper. Sad day.

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? I HAVE to play music. I’ll listen to the playlist I’ve created for the project I’m working on. I listened to Elton John’s Aida about a million times when I was writing my short story AFTERDEATH for the Journeys of Wonder Anthology. Yes, I cry at the end of Aida every single time.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it? Lately I’m into using fairy tales and myths as springboards. I’m working on a Rapunzel retell so I read every version of the story I could get my hands on, including watching the movie TANGLED. Is it wrong to have a crush on an animated character? Don't tell me if it is.

-What's your most valuable writing tip? Hook up with critique partners who are honest and caring. I'd shrivel up and die without Lisa, Julie, Ian, and Deborah.

Join in the blogfest fun. Click on the badge in the sidebar to hop in. Can't wait to meet everyone.

35 comments:

  1. yes, critique partners and betas are beyond helpful.

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  2. Crushes on animated characters are perfectly normal. :)

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  3. Rapunzel is one of my fav fairy tales, I recently wrote an alternate, tragic ending (even though the original Grimm's story had some tragedy in the end) for a blogfest, and I enjoyed writing it. Great to meet you!

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  4. Critique partners are just about the best thing ever! Great writing tip!

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  5. That's too bad you had to give up the Diet Dr. Pepper. It's about the only diet pop I will drink. I'm a Coke girl, but diet Coke... yuck. Diet Dr. Pepper is good though.

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  6. It sounds like you have a very artistic family. And ramen noodles aren't so bad. :)

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  7. Ooh I'm glad you're participating in this!

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  8. Wow, having a kid interested in writing must be pretty cool for you!

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  9. Loved reading this and getting to know you a little better. How awesome to have such creative kids. I have two creative daughters in their twenties.

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  10. This sounds like fun! I'm not feeling creative these days or I would totally join. I love Rapunzel but have yet to see Tangled though I know I'd love it. No, there is absolutely nothing wrong with falling in love with an animated character, my animated boyfriends would tell you that if they could. I speak for them.

    Heather

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  11. I love fairy tales and myths, so I think it is awesome that you are getting inspiration from them. I enjoyed finding out where you write! I like to have music on, too. I think it is awesome that you have such a creative family. :)
    ~Jess

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  12. Amen to your valuable writing tip about critique partners. You guys totally rock!

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  13. I just joined in the hop! How fun! I also ordered your anthology and can't wait to read it.

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  14. You gave an awesome tip about CPs! Thanks! And you sound like you have an artistic family.

    Nas

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  15. Whoa, you are driven and accomplished. A masters degree, I have never known anyone with a masters. Kudos to you! -Russo @ www.threegnomes.blogspot.com

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  16. Completely agree with the crit partner advice!

    I hope all 3 of you hit it big one day very soon!

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  17. I didn't have big 80s hair either.

    It was great learning more about you.

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  18. Hi! Stopping by from GUTGAA. I LOVE Tangled. My 4-yr-old puts up with mommy wanting to watch it every day. I think it's an extension of my Mandy Moore addiction. I don't write YA, but I agree with your "fun" to go back. I love teen movies for that reason. Mandy Moore, Hillary Duff, Amanda Bynes: quirky girl gets yummy boy. Perfection!

    Glad to meet you!

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  19. I used to be addicted to ramen noodles until I checked out the calorie count. ^_^ Best wishes with GUTGAA!

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  20. Love the movie Tangled! I watch it again, and again, and again. Fab animated film.

    See you around GUTGAA.

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  21. I may be the only American who has not yet seen Tangled. So I take it I should? Best wishes for a great GUTGAA.

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  22. I LOVE Tangled LOL And Elton John - best concert I have ever attended. Bebopping over from GUTGAA to say "Howdy!" I wish you the best of luck and in hitting the big time :)

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  23. Why Professor Rose, I am quite intrigued by your WiP and am interested to know just what spin on the story you have taken...

    Why did you give up Dr. Pepper?

    Very nice to meet you, much luck with GUTGAA! Maybe you can upgrade to mac n' cheese after this, eh?

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    Replies
    1. ALSO, sliced boiled eggs + ramen noodles = happy day.

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    2. Wow, Charlie, you are quite the gourmet. I had to dump all caffeine. Yes, I do cheat, but only once a week.

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  24. Greetings!

    I'm hopping over from GUTGAA and checking out blogs. Nice to meet you...you have a lovely blog! Good luck with the contest...

    Donna L Martin
    www.donnalmartin.com
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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  25. So nice to meet y'all. I'm having a blast hopping around to your digs as well.

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  26. Love Tangled. So funny. Good luck with GUTGAA.

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  27. I love the story of Aida though it makes me cry too! I didn't know there was an Elton John/Tim Rice version - dropping everything to go find it -

    Oh wait, i love your mini-Bio with the professor and ramen references!

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  28. Yup. Gotta have critique group. My writing would suck without mine. And as far as having a crush on animated characters... people and glass houses. ;)

    Enjoy GUTGAA!

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  29. Your house sounds like a very fun and creative place :) Rapunzel is my favourite fairy tale, so your manuscript sounds like something I'd definitely read! Nice to meet you.

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  30. I love the movie TANGLED, so much! Only saw it a little while ago for the first time. It was beautiful :)

    Nice to meet you :)

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  31. I love Tangled! I've watched it three times with my kids. :)

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  32. How do you write with music on? I get too distracted when I try to do that!

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  33. Tangled is super fun! I write to music too, but one without lyrics. :)

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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