Monday, September 3, 2012

QUESTIONS FOR #GUTGAA MEET AND GREET

Deana Barnhart

Hello my fellow Gutgaans. I'm so excited to participate in Deana Barnhart's Gearing Up To Get An Agent as a first round judge. I love meeting new people so please leave a comment saying hello. Click here to continue with the blog hop.

Time for the meet and greet.

-Where do you write?

My writing desk is in the corner in my bedroom.

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?

I have a window to my left and another to the front. I stare outside when I’m daydreaming or having difficulty with a scene. There is a large oak tree which houses squirrels and pigeons perch on the window ledge. It’s is very relaxing.

-Favorite time to write?

I enjoy writing late at night when the kids are asleep. There is something velvety about the night. Sometimes, I’ll sit on the balcony stare up at the sky. I love when the moon is full overhead. It’s very inspiring and sparks my creativity.

-Drink of choice while writing?

I like a cup of coffee with sugar and hazelnut creamer.

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?

I listen to music. I love Pandora. I have several stations set. There is my new Bollywood station (I love Indian music), Pop/RB station, my Within Temptation/Avenge Sevenfold station, and Opera Station.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?

My latest manuscript was inspired by a short story I wrote in college. After my daughter was born it evolved into a bedtime story, QUEST FOR THE GOLDEN APPLE. I decided that it needed more attention during NaNoWriMo and QUEST evolved into a full MG. I lovingly call it my Goonies in the Hood fantasy adventure, and the characters are absolutely adorable. I gush about them here and here.

-What's your most valuable writing tip?

I put off writing when I had my children. I thought I didn’t have enough time to devote to learning my craft and raising little ones at the same time. I didn’t realize that by writing a few hours a day, I would be so much further along in reaching my dreams. So, I say to find the time, heck, make the time to write—even if it’s only fifteen minutes a day. Don’t look back at your life in 10 years and regret the time you’ve lost.

104 comments:

  1. Squirrels are really fun to watch! I have trees at the back of my house, and I love to see them jumping across the branches! :D

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  2. And I would say, don't regret the time you've lost, period. Everything unfolds in perfect order. Don't think of the time you waited as opportunity lost but as life experience gained, putting you in a better position to write.

    So nice to meet you! I love your writing room view!

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  3. I wish I had windows by my writing spot. It's interesting to see the differences in everyone's answers, a night person versus a morning person.

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  4. Pandora is my lifeline when writing. That or I Heart Radio. I actually prefer I heart radio lately - a lot more options! It was nice to get to know you and I look forward to seeing you around GUTGAA

    rebeccaethington.com

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  5. HI Angie! Love your answers. I'm a sugar and hazelnut kinda girl too.
    I love the idea of Goonies in the Hood. :D

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  6. Woo Hoo! I'm your 100th Follower!

    Love your advice - you just gotta make time. Good luck on your agent quest.

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  7. Hi everyone, thank you so much for saying hello. I can't wait to stop by your blogs to get to know you a little better.

    With that in mind...I'm off a hopping'.

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  8. I agree about just writing and not regretting time lost. I gave up querying far too soon 10-11 years ago, but now I realize it just wasn't the right time for me to realize my lifelong dream yet. As good as I was then, I'm even better now that I'm over 30.

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  9. Great post and a Goonies ref to describe your MS? Has to be awesome!

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  10. AHHHH!!!! Goonies is one of my favorite movies of all time! Your book sounds awesome! I'm definitely adding it to my TBR list.

    Thanks so much for volunteering your time to GUTGAA as a judge. I'm blown away by how kind everyone in this community is. Writers truly are the best people around!

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  11. I need a balcony! The velvety time of night you describe sounds magical. At least I do have the window. Love your writing advice. It is important to write every day, even if it's a short time.
    -Jenna

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  12. You're so lucky to have windows to look out of when you ned some inspiration or quiet time to think. My desk faces a an old fireplace so there's nothing to look at...

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  13. Great to get to know you better. I also wish I'd started writing earlier in life. Better late than never, eh?

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  14. Hi :) Love getting to you a bit through your blog. Late at night is my favorite time to write as well. I know that regret of which you speak. I gave up writing for a couple of years when I married and had my first two children. Luckily, I didn't stay away too long. :)

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  15. Hi! Nice to meet you.

    Pandora! I live on it. It really is amazing how finding the right music and tune in the muse.

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  16. Amen to late night writing and Pandora. :)

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  17. Nice to meet you. I wish I'd started earlier too--except that I would have stunk. Sometimes, you have to find the right entry point to your individual life.

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  18. I wish I had big trees to enjoy like that. Ours are growing, but it'll take another 5 years before we can fully get there. And no squirrels yet.

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  19. I'm jealous of your view as well. I usually write in my bedroom either early morning or late at night (since that is when I have alone/quiet time)...and my room is on the third floor of my house. Now, might I add that my third floor is the kind with the sloped ceilings and one teeny-tiny window? Yeah. Most women's fantasy is of this hot muscular guy sweeping them off their feet to a tropical island? Mine is of having a huge library in my house with a fireplace and a little office nook off of it with giant windows with window seats and a desk to write. *Sigh*. Ok...sorry to go off on my Calgon moment. hehehe Between your relaxing picture on your page and your word choice...you lured me in! It's very nice to "meet" you! =)

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  20. I love how that you use your own words as a bedtime story1 That's so awesome!

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  21. Such great advice.

    *waves* hello fellow first round judge! So glad I found your blog ;)

    I'm currently on my balcony writing and commenting. There's something so inspirational about being outside. Peaceful.

    Except when that guy with the weedwacker does his thing...

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  22. Stopping by from GUTGAA- You hooked me at "Goonies in the hood" ! Haha! And, I agree about making time to write- so important!

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  23. Dear Angie,

    Glad to hear you're judging. I enjoyed your answers to the GUTGAA questions. Describing the night as velvety is perfect. Love that. And, *fistbumps* for the hazelnut coffee creamer. |m| |m| Woot! I've also had to find those interstitial times to write around raising my four boys. Happy writing!

    Warm regards,

    Don #138

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  24. I love that you tell your kids bedtime stories that you made up yourself! I'm sure they love it, too. How special. :)
    It's nice meeting you!

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  25. We just have baby trees in our yard so I am totally jealous of your oak tree!

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  26. Writing outside at night would be fantastic. It would be so inspirational, =)

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  27. There is something velvety about the night. I wish I could write at night because I truly, truly love the deep nighttime. But my brain is too tired by then.

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  28. Hi! Nice to meet you! My mom used to tell me stories she made up, too. I don't remember any of them now, but I'm sure if I could I'd get inspired too.
    Well, read you around! And make sure to stop by and say hi!
    http://johanalvera.blogspot.com/2012/09/meet-and-greet-gutgaa.html

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  29. Hazelnut creamer, very yummy. I wish I could write outside, but the mosquitos would eat me alive.

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  30. Oh goody! Another Pandora fan. I thought I was all alone! Nice to meet you and hope to see you around GUTGAA. :))

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  31. Hi Angie! Good for you, carving writing time even though you're a mom. I had that same realization when my second child was an infant. I figured there would never really be a time in my life when I'd become 'less busy' so it was now or never. I'm so glad I got to writing.
    Nice to meet you!

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  32. Nice to meet you! I also live Indian music (and movies actually), though I think I'd be too inclined to get up and dance if I listened to it while writing =)

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  33. I agree, there's something deeply magical about the black of night--whether it at the end of the day or the beginning. Your coffee sounds delish!

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  34. I admit I've never actually listened to Indian music. But I love just about every other kind of music; so I could be into it. Any recommendations?

    Great to meet you!

    jennymherrera.com
    jennymherrera.wordpress.com

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  35. My comment was eaten, so I apologize if this is a double post. I agree with your writerly tip wholeheartedly. I used my kids as an excuse for too long (and they deserve better!!) I shook myself out of that, and even though I'm stupid-tired most of the time, I'm much happier and that makes me a much better mommy. Look forward to seeing you around GUTGAA!

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  36. I so agree that you have to just start wherever you are. I think so many times we have a preconceived notion of how things have to be, rather than being able to just accept things as they are, and go with it. Nothing is perfect, but anything is doable! It's nice to meet you - and I hope I made sense. I've been hopping for a while now and think it's getting close to stopping time for the day!

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  37. I just want to give a mass shout out,, fist bumping thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say hello. Usually, I try to respond personally to each comment, but I spent the day trying to connect on each of your blogs.

    I find it is easier for me to follow you back from my moderation email. Please let me know if I missed you. It wasn't intentional :-)

    Have fun with GUTGAA EVERYONE.

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  38. Hey! Nice to meet you. Like you, I started later than I wished I had. Although, I wouldn't have been as ready, you know?

    I love your advice...it's not even writing advice. It's life advice. Nice. (That's a lot of ice's.)

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  39. Oh your story sounds cool. And it's cool how it was a college story, turned bedtime story, novel. The picture at the top of your blog is just gorgeous too. Nice to meet you.

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  40. Great writing advice!

    I don't think I could write by a window. I think I'd get distracted. I like the idea enough I should give it a try though.

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  41. Oooh, love your description of the night being velvety. And, Goonies in the hood killed me! Loved your answers.

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  42. Hi Angie! I like your writing tips. And you listen to A7F while writing? Wow.

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  43. Great answers! I enjoy writing outside sometimes. I should do it more, because it's relaxing. I also love Pandora, but lately I've been using Youtube for a playlist, but Pandora is great because you don't know what's going to play next. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  44. Goonies in the Hood has me ROFLMAO. :) Good luck!

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  45. Goonies in the Hood?! Oh man, that sounds awesome!!! :)

    Nice to meet you and thanks for commenting on my blog. I'm now returning the favor!

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  46. That sounds like such a wonderful writing spot :) I love to go outside and stare up at the moon too - she calms me when life gets hectic.

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  47. I love your writing advice. It rings so true--never put off your dreams. Further them little by little. Great interview! Good luck with everything!

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  48. Hi! I love your description of your writing area! I'm totally jealous. :) Thank you for the link in your comment on my post. I finally got my answers up. :)

    Great to meet you! :)

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  49. Love your advice :) And I love to look out the window when I'm writing and let nature inspire me.

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  50. Your writing tip was so true! I waited until my kids were in school full-time before I started writing, but now I wish I hadn't waited that long. That's so cool that your novel evolved from a story you told your daughter.

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  51. Goonies in the hood! LOVE IT! Very nice to meet you :)

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  52. Oh, I love staring at the moon! I got an inspiration for the beginning of my novella that way.

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  53. "Goonies in the Hood." That sounds like such a fun story!

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  54. Great writing advice. Even just 5 minutes of writing a day is better than giving up. Those minutes will add up, and you'll be surprised with what what you have.

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  55. Your story sounds like so much fun! Good luck with everything. :)

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  56. Isn't Bollywood music fun? I love your writing tip. There's some days the kiddos will let me write for a couple hours and then there are days that I turn on the computer and have to turn it off as soon as it loads. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  57. Hello fellow GUTGAA'er and well-rounded geek! I love the hook for your WIP "Goonies in the Hood," I have to see it now. It's so hard for women, mothers, and writers to carve time out themselves and I really applaud you for making the time.

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  58. Great to meet you, and great advice! Writing, even if it's only a little bit everyday, is something I try to do whenever I can. It keeps me sane!

    Your view sounds amazing! Look forward to seeing you around the blog hop!

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  59. Oh! I wish I had followed your advice. Too late now.

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  60. Hazelnut creamer is awesome! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Great to meet you!

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  61. Hi Angie,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love Bollywood music, too. Amazing picture, by the way. And I envy your view. I'm very glad to meet you. Take care.

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  62. I agree, you have to make the time to write. I'm a full-time stay at home mom and I'd go nuts if I didn't have my writing. :)

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  63. Goonies in the Hood? That sounds awesome! Thanks for participating as a judge!

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  64. Hi, Angie! It's so nice to meet you!

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  65. Goonies in the hood? That sounds beyond awesome! I agree with the making time thing. Time is hard to come by for all of us!

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  66. Gutgaans = love it!

    I love being able to stare out a window and daydream. Sounds like you've got a nice one for it. And I write at the same time, for the same reason :)

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  67. Hi there! Nice to meet you. It sounds like you have a gorgeous view from your window!

    I love your advice about making time. I have four kids, but I always try to make time for my writing because I know if I don't, I'll regret it someday. I also think it's important to show them by example how important it is to really work hard to attain your goals in life. I just hope it will pay off for me in the end. Hope you're having fun with GUTGAA! :)

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  68. That's excellent advice Angie! What's important, though, is you're writing now! And I can't tell you how beautiful your writing area sounds. I want a window and tree to daydream out of:)

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  69. Thanks for visiting my blog for GUTGAA. A new follower here...I hope to read more from you. I see you are into anime. I've listened to instrumentals from anime movies/shows sometimes while I work and I am curious to learn more about the stories as well.

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  70. When my kids were young, I used to write late at night, too. There's a special creative feeling when most of the world is asleep.

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  71. Stopping by to say hi. Nice to meet you. Good luck with GUTGAA!

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  72. Love that advice! Besides, kids are SOOO easy to ignore! :D

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  73. Absolutely agree that your advice is excellent. Time is precious no matter how you look at it and you should always make the time to enjoy the things you love. And by the way--you scored some awesome points for being a Within Temptation fan! Pretty sure The Heart of Everything and Silent Force could act as soundtracks to my series on their own. Thanks for stopping by my blog and it is nice to meet you!

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  74. Huh. Now I want to go sit out on the back porch and write at night. :) You make it sound so inspirational!

    I've had to tell myself not to regret any time not spent where I think it should be. (Because I'm the sort of obsessive compulsive who seriously schedules things in minute or greater increments.)

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  75. I loved your writing tip!! Having kids myself, I know how you feel. Your life gets put on hold until you realize hey, you're important too, you just need to find the time to do something for you. I saw that you are already agented, congrats on that and good luck with your book!!

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  76. Nice to meet you, Angie! I see you're a fellow NaNoWriMo writer, I think I'm addicted to NaNo! :D

    I think your writing advice was excellent, and completely agree. You don't want to look back on your life and have regrets! If something is that important to you, you'll make time for it.

    Good luck with GUTGAA and the rest of your writing journey. :D

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  77. It looks like everyone is having a good time with GUTGAA, meeting and greeting is so much fun. I especially am enjoying seeing all of your wonderful blogs. There are some that absolutely blow my mind with their beauty.

    Thank you for your warm wishes. For liking my writing space. I hadn't realized how much I enjoy being in it until my computer died. Now, I'm sitting on the bed with the lap top. Not quite the same.

    There are some blogs I haven't gotten to yet. So if I haven't stopped by yet, let me know. Leave a copy of your link in the comment and I'll follow you back.

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  78. SUCH a great writing tip. I totally agree! Anyone who waits until they have unlimited free time to write a book will never get one written, in my opinion.

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  79. That's great advice!

    Stopping in from #GUTGAA. It's nice to meet you=)

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  80. i'm jealous of your view! i have a window, but not much of a view...some day perhaps.

    best of luck to you!

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  81. Yay! Another MG writer! It's the best genre, if I do say so myself :)

    So nice to meet you, and thanks for visiting me! And I love the nighttime. Most of my novels seem to take place at night!

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  82. Hi! So you write middle grade? I've been looking for more fellow MG'ers! Nice to meet you through GUTGAA,
    Heather

    My baby blogs
    themysteryofwriting.wordpress.com
    midwesternfarmgirl.wordpress.com

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  83. Hi back atcha, fellow judge! Goonies in the Hood--I love it!

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  84. Love your advice about not waiting. Way to carpe diem that be-atch!

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  85. Goonies in the Hood fantasy adventure. Love it! I have a mulberry tree outside my window to stare at while daydreaming. It helps to have a nice view, doesn't it? Love the velvety night writing too. And yeah, if we all waited for the time to write, it would probably never happen. It's great to meet you! Have fun with GUTGAA.

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  86. Goonies in the Hood sounds like a lot of fun!

    Good luck with GUTGAA!

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  87. I love hazelnut creamer, too :) I love how we all have such random things in common!

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  88. Hi Angie. It's so nice to meet a fellow coffee and Pandora radio fan. I looked at your more recent post about tattoos as well. My current MS has a heroine with a special tattoo of a koi fish. :)

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  89. Hi Angie,
    Nice to meet you! Glad to see another children's writer. Was kinda feeling lonely...

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  90. Hi Angie,

    Wow. I can't believe how many comments you have. Ninety-two. (or three now) that's impressive. how long have you been blogging? I love the picture on the front.

    I think it's great that you got inspired by a short story you wrote. It's always cool when you go back and realize there is more to the story and characters than you originally thought. My story was actually inspired by the same process.

    Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I'd love it if you'd hop over to my blog. I got so inspired by all the great blogs on here that I finally started one two days ago. It's www.onemagicbeanbuyer.blogspot.com
    Now I'm kind of in desperate need of followers. haha.

    Anyway, good luck with GUTGAA. Nice to meet you. :)

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  91. Got on to the comic book blog beforfe I got here, and really think that's cool. I'm not an artist, but I really think comics are cool.

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  92. Lol, the comic book blog belongs to my daughter. She wanted a place to show off her art. I wanted a degree of control over access to her. I'm sure I'll be less over protective in a few years.

    My thanks to all who have stopped by. I never expected to meet so many people. It is an honor.

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  93. Well, tell her to keep going with it. It's an underrated art form, but all the artsy young people I work with are all over it.

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  94. Your MG sounds super fun! And I love your advice. Sometimes all you can give is a few minutes to your dreams, and it seems like so pitiful. But a few minutes a day can add up to so much! I recently bumped into a friend I hadn't seen in three years. She told me back then of her dream of writing. And she hasn't done anything since. I told if her if she'd just written a page a day, she'd have a novel by now...probably two! Nice to get to know you more. :-)

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  95. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I definitely hear you on making time to write, despite children, life, and everything. Good luck with your manuscript!

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  96. Hi Angie,

    Just dropping by to visit and meet you as well! As you might have seen on my blog, I'm also a late-night writer! There's just something about the stillness and the simplicity that helps when putting words on a page.

    I also liked your writing tip. It's sometimes hard for me to write in small segments (I usually prefer to produce in sprints), but that's the reality of it once you're juggles multiple, equally important projects. Thanks for sharing your insight on that.

    Cheers and hope to see you around!

    John
    http://www.johnkrissilas.com/

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  97. I don't know what I'd do without the window by my writing desk to daydream out of. You have 2. So lucky. Have a great time with GUTGAA.

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  98. Hi Great tip. I have a one year old and a three year old and I am amazed at how much writing I have accomplished. Let's not talk about the housework though ok...

    Amber A Bardan
    http://amberabardan.com/page8.html
    Twitter @amberabardan

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  99. Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  100. I bought myself a desk on Friday and it's also in the corner of my room. Sadly though, it isn't in front of a window, but I'm planning to make pretty paintings that I can stare at instead. :-D

    I love your tip about making time. It's amazing how much writing can be done fifteen minutes at a time.

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  101. Angie, where can I find your Indian music station? I've been wanting to tap into one of those for a long time.

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