Monday 3 September 2012

GEARING UP FOR THE EPIC GUTGAA BLOGFEST


DEANA BARNHART
and the #GUTGAA Blogfest
I hope you had a fabulous weekend bordering on the mythic ;)

If your weekend fun was mostly mythical why not make Monday spectacular by signing up to Deana Barnhart’s Gearing Up to Get An Agent Blogfest (this link is for the full list of blogfest activities)

In the GUTGAA Blogfest, you could meet and greet a group of people who are spinning their way through the query process and working on ways to get themselves an agent.
Monday 3rd September is the meet and greet session. Imagine, this is an opportunity to meet people who would love to hear all about your writing and all about you too. What’s not to love? ;)

Questions for the Meet and Greet

-Where do you write?
I write at my desk in the small ex-bedroom with the stunning view over mine and my neighbours’ backgardens (sometimes, it has a too stunning view of everything that goes on in the gardens)

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
At the left hand side of my desk is the larger pin board – it is currently covered in maps and images of castles and my favourite ‘Donald Maass Writing Tips’

-Favourite time to write?
My favourite time to write is whenever I get a block of time with no other responsibilities. I have been known to write in bed, at the kitchen bench while cooking, in the car and definitely while waiting for the washing machine to finish a cycle.

-Drink of choice while writing?
My drink of choice while writing depends on which time of day it is I have, in the past, lined up a cup of tea, next to a cup of coffee and a can of diet ‘cola’.

-When writing, do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
Mostly, I write with music that matches the emotional intensity of whatever I am writing. I like my music atmospheric. If things are intense I don’t notice that the music has ended. Obviously, I couldn’t hear it over the tapping of the keys. ;)

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
The inspiration for my short stories came from a walk in a park. At the entrance there were two gatehouses. One was shabby and the other was beautifully kept,  and I couldn’t help but wonder why.

-What's your most valuable writing tip?
My most valuable writing tip (apart from the 58 writing tips on the Donald Maass’ Literary Agency Website) is to read. Read for enjoyment first. Then, as a writer, read every newly published book can find in the genre you want to write. Read so you can unpick how the author created characters, pace and plot.

Answers complete :D

Now, I need to get out there and Meet and Greet a lot of new friends who are all gearing up for acquire themselves an agent.

This Monday will be epic, if not mythic ;)

Like Deana and about 200 other writers I can't wait to see what everyone wrote! 

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR DEANA BARNHART'S GEARING UP TO GET AN AGENT - #GUTGAA - BLOGFEST?

38 comments:

  1. I like your inspiration for your book. It reminds me a little of the similar houses and shacks I encounter during my cemetery expeditions.

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    1. Hi Carrie-Anne
      You are brave. I like to view cemeteries from the other side of the road ;)

      Delete
  2. Nice to meet you :) And I can't help but wonder about the gatehouses too! Now I want to read your book!

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    1. Hi Amy
      Gatehouses are suggestive - mini impressions of what might be at the other end of the drive.

      Delete
  3. Did you ever find out why one gatehouse was better kept? It's funny where our inspiration comes from sometimes. Haven't signed up to this particular blogfest as started back to work this week after summer break and wasn't sure how much time I would have to give but I will enjoy dropping in on one or two blogs to catch up with what you are all doing.

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    1. Hi Suzanne
      Yes. It was prosaic - the big house decaying and they had kept on one gatekeeper/groundsman - he looked after his house only.
      I've been a bad blogger over the holidays so I decided this blogfest would throw me back into blogging with a vengeance ;)

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  4. Walks in the park and loads of reading. I like you!

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    1. Hi Angelina
      *grins
      And I left out the bit about my sandal-ercise footware too ;)

      Delete
  5. Getting outside and exercising definitely bring out story ideas. I have to remind myself of that when all I want is to hole up on the couch and write.

    Donald Maass' "Writing the Breakout Novel" really helped me. His point about cutting out scenes that take place when characters are traveling somewhere or making tea in the kitchen to mull things over was pretty eye opening. Most of those scenes slow the pace of a book which he says is already slow. NOTED! Although I kept a couple car scenes -- one is action and one has a conversation that moves the plot forward. Maybe I'm making excuses...

    Here's my GUTGAA Meet & Greet: A Girl and Her Diary

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    1. Hi Stephsco
      I agree and more with you, Donald Maass, his book and tips have helped me keep my writing tight, and the tension high.

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  6. Great to meet you! So curious to hear more about your story - the inspiration sounds incredible. And I totally agree on the reading piece of advice - there is nothing more inspiring (IMO) than a beautifully written book.

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    1. Hi SStokes
      Hey! I'm loving the name Stokes at the minute - Teenwolf-itus, I'm afraid.
      Thanks for stopping by.
      I adore ruined houses - I find them very inspiring.

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  7. I am curious about your manuscript now with that inspiration, and I agree about reading. No matter what, I read every night, even if it's just a chapter

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    1. Hi Heather
      Thank you :D
      I'm always intrigued and inspired by architecture.
      I read every night too.

      Delete
  8. That's when I like to write, too--when there is nothing else pulling at me to be done.

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    1. Hi GE
      I find it amazing--that sense of peace that means nothing interrupts the writing. :D

      Delete
  9. I like that line about reading for enjoyment first -- and then reading with a critical eye. Sometimes I go in with the latter rather than the former, and it takes away some of the joy. Good luck! :)

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    1. Hi Diana
      Turing on the hyper-critical eye can take a lot of the joy out of reading. I hate that so I remind myself to just enjoy the characters and the world-building the first time through.

      Delete
  10. Greetings!

    I'm hopping over from GUTGAA and trying to visit some blogs...good luck with GUTGAA!

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

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    1. Hi Donna
      You are a long way further through that long list than I am. Have fun with the GUTGAA blogfest. I'm exhusted. I can't imagine what the organisers are feeling - apart from delighted.

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  11. Nice to meet you! My name is Lisa Ann, and I'm one of the first-round GUTGAA judges. Your WIP has me thinking already, and best of luck to you! I can't wait to read everyone's submissions!

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    1. Hi LisaAnn
      Welcome - I was just thinking about the GUTGAA organisers and judges ;)
      Thank you for your good wishes. I am enjoying meeting lots of new people.
      Happy September!

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  12. I love that you say to read for enjoyment first. Books are meant to inspire. :)

    I'm your newest follower. *waves* Very nice to meet you!

    AA
    http://anallegedauthor.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Alleged Author
      Thank you for visiting and for staying around in miniature too ;)
      I love books, I always have.

      Delete
  13. Good luck with all the contests! Glad to get to know you.

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    1. Hi Nichole
      Thank you so much! It is nice to meet you too. :D

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  14. Hello! *waves* So nice to meet you!

    So wise. We have to read. A LOT. Find out what we like, what we don't like. HOw characters are created and their ARC changes. Very good advice.

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    1. Hi Kelley Lynne
      It is very nice to meet you too.
      I'm not so sure about the "wise" I love to read. No matter what, in every part of life I've learned a lot from reading. In the case of writing reading is a base-essential. :D

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  15. Great answers Elaine. I follow Donald Maase; I should read some of the posts :)

    .....dhole

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    1. Hi Donna
      Nice to hear from you. I more-than follow Donald Maass - images of jabbering-nonsense and bowing could feature ;)

      Delete
  16. fun answers
    a walk in the park, could make a weekly cartoon out of that!

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    1. Hi Tara
      Thank you.
      I do the regular park circuit including the cafe - there's even more poignant fuel for the cartoon in there.

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  17. I just love reading everyone's answers to where they got their inspiration. The world is a fantastic place isn't it? Inspiration everywhere. Great to meet you!

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    1. Hi Jeannette
      I have to agree, the world is a fantastic place and it's full of truly inspirational people.

      Delete
  18. Hi through GUTGAA! *Yay!* Here's to Inspiration and to your contributions!

    Dr Margaret Aranda, Author
    www.drmargaretaranda.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Doc (I bet you don't get that a lot ;)
      Thank you for dropping by. I am looking forward to GUTGAA :D

      Delete
  19. Here's to your stunning view. May it be a source of inspiration. Fingers crossed, lol.

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    1. Hi Angie
      I think it's an inspiring view.
      If you like variety in garden sheds it's awesome ;)

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