Wednesday, September 5, 2012

GEARING UP TO GET AN AGENT HOP

- Win a copy of LET THE REASON BE LOVE by Merrill Osmond (Ends 9/14)
- Win a copy of NOLICHUCK by Jackson Keene (Ends 9/17)
- Book Review:  ASHES by Ilsa J. Bick

Deana Barnhart

I know I'm a little late getting into the game, but I am excited to participate in this year's GUTGAA! Here is my "Mini-Bio" and "Meet and Greet" questionnaire:

MINI BIO:

I am thrilled to be able to call myself a published author. My debut novel, The Rock of Ivanore, came out in May with Tanglewood Press. I spent about fifteen years writing for magazines and newspaper, two years as an editor for Mapletree Press, and eight years as a creative writing instructor. I am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Creative Writing at California State University at Northridge. I am also the mother of five amazing kids ranging in age from 18 down to 4. 

Where do you write? I have my special chair (that NO ONE but me is allowed to sit in) at my desk in my bedroom. I sit in the chair with my feet on my bed and my computer on my lap.

Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?  My open bedroom door, across the hall into  my son's room. It's messy. As usual.


Favorite time to write? Late at night when all the kidlets are asleep.


Drink of choice while writing?  I don't drink anything while I write, but I do sneak into my chocolate stash from time to time.

When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? Utter, complete silence. Such a rare commodity.

What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?  There was quite a debate recently between pantsers and plotters. I have always been a plotter, writing detailed outlines before writing the first word of a manuscript. So I decided to try an experiment and see if I could write a book without any sort of outline. I set a goal to write a complete 60,000 YA thriller over the summer, and I did it!!! I guess I am a plotter AND a pantser now.

What's your most valuable writing tip? Write, write, write! Never stop! 




17 comments:

  1. If I ever find a kid with a clean room I'll question the parents' sanity. Messy rooms are normal for kids.

    Enjoy your writing time!
    - Liana

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  2. How funny, the answers to the last two questions are almost the same as mine. I even used to sit at the desk next to my bed across from my daughter's messy room, have since migrated though.

    It's nice to see a published author involved in GUTGAA. I'm envious. ;)

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  3. Congrats on getting your book published. For that matter, congrats on writing a novel with 5 kids at home! I have 2 kids and struggle to find time to write.
    Glad to meet you!

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    1. Welcome Sarah! Yes, 5 kids makes writing a challenge, but I HAVE to write or I'll go insane.

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  4. How do folks write in silence?! No music at all? I'm stunned. I think my brain would freak out. :)

    Trish Skinner
    "drive-by" GUTGAA participant

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  5. I like quiet too sometimes. Especially if I'm working on something tricky.

    Congrats on getting published. That is rock awesome!

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  6. reetings!

    I'm hopping over from GUTGAA and checking out some blogs. Nice to meet you...you have a lovely blog...good luck with GUTAA!

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

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  7. Hi! Good to meet you and check out your blog. I also set a goal to finish a book this past summer and I did it, too :) Goals are awesome (when you achieve them) :)

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    1. Congrats on finishing your manuscript. That is a huge feat!

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  8. What? You have a chocolate stash. I'm coming right over. By the way anyone reading this...ROCK OF IVANORE - ROCKS! Read it - read it - read it.

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    1. Awww... Thanks Leslie. And I'll be happy to share my stash with you any day. :)

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  9. Hi! Stopping over from GUTGAA. Glad to meet you. That's great you tried the "pantster" approach. I tend to waffle between the two. I write like a pantster and then stop and say, "where the heck is this going?" and end up drafting an outline. Which I usually abandon at some point.

    Best of luck with GUTGAA and with all of your writing!

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  10. Hi, congrats on getting published. Good luck with GUTGAA

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  11. I'm sorry to be so late on the GUTGAA meet and greet. As always, life exploded into chaos when I thought things would calm down. Well, can't be helped. Congrats on getting published and good luck with the sales.

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  12. Hi From GUTGAA! There are so many people signed up for this wonderful event it is taking a long to time to get around to everyone and make introductions. But I have determined too do it, even if it takes me the entire month!
    Nice to meet you!
    Talynn

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  13. Laurisa, I'd love to hear what you have to say about the Northridge program. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to school yet, but I am always looking at options.

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