Gearing Up to Get an Agent

Yesterday, I visited Marcie Colleen’s blog, The Write Routine, and found out she was participating in the GUTGAA blogfest.  Curious, I clicked over to Deana Barnhart’s blog to see what it was all about. 

GUTGAA, which stands for Gearing Up to Get an Agent, is a month-long challenge of meet and greet activities, polishing pitches, and making connections with other serious writers, in hopes to land an agent.

For today's exercise, I give you a brief bio and answer questions posted by Deanna Barnhart.  So to all my fellow GUTGAA challengers and to those who are curious as I was...

WELCOME!

Bio:  My name is pronounced, RO-mah-lee.  It’s a combination of my parents’ names.  Why my name is spelled the way it is, is another story.  Anyway, I am a dental hygienist, mother of two young boys, marathoner, triathlete-in-training, student of the Picture Book Academy, and children's writer.  My husband tells me I don’t know how to rest.  It’s true.  Even in my dreams, I am thinking about my next big story. 

Where do you write?

I write anywhere and everywhere.  Whenever I have the time to write, I write.  I have my handy composition book and pen with me at all times.  Sometimes I’ll write in my car while waiting for my kids to get out of school or after I've dropped them off.  I also write during my lunch break at work, during half-time at my sons’ soccer games, and before bedtime (if I’m not too exhausted).  If you want to see my varying work space, visit My Desk.

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

My husband is next to me in bed, watching videos of my son’s baseball games on his iPhone while I am working on answering these meet and greet questions.  Romantic, isn’t it.

Favorite time to write?

My favorite time to write is in the morning after I’ve dropped the kids off to school.  I’d sit in my car in the school’s parking lot and write while waiting for the traffic to die before I head out to work.  It’s pretty quiet if I keep my windows closed.  The playground in front of me gives me inspiration for my stories.

Drink of choice while writing?

My favorite drink is a nice hot cup of chai tea latte.  It warms my soul, soothes my mind, and takes me to my happy place.  It helps my writing muse.  But the reality is, I drink mostly water.

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

I prefer to write in silence.  Music distracts me.  I can’t write and dance at the same time.

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

My inspiration for my manuscripts always comes from my two boys.  They are fun, active, witty, and silly- perfect qualities for a great picture book.

What's your most valuable writing tip?

Aside from READ, READ, READ and WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, I recommend finding a critique group.  It made a huge difference in my writing career.  I’ve learned a great deal from my peers.  Feedback is valuable!

~Happy Writing!