Tuesday, September 4, 2012

GUTGAA Meet and Greet Writers

-Where do you write?
I write where ever it's quiet. Sometimes it's in my bedroom, or at my desk in the front of the living room, or at the dining room table. My most productive place to write is at a coffee shop or on weekend retreats where I don't have anything interrupting me, like laundry or kids or cats or...

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
My son sitting in a chair reading a chapter book.

-Favorite time to write?
Late at night, when it's quiet. Did I mention I like to write when it's quiet?

-Drink of choice while writing?
Irish Breakfast Tea with Silk and sugar.

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
It depends on where I am in the story. Most of the time I like quiet. Did I mention that yet? But, there are times when I'm writing a scene that the only way to get in the mood is listening to music.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
I wrote a character that is like me when I was young. But she is also who I wanted to be.

-What's your most valuable writing tip?
Be open to revision and let go of your favorite lines, there will be a ton more to come.

Biography
I'm the author and illustrator of a non-fiction picture book, "Through Endangered Eyes - a poetic journey into the wild." It was published in 2009 by Windward Publishing, an imprint of Finney Company and won an Eric Hoffer honorable mention. I am working on my second picture book for an endangered animal series. Between that, my kids and husband, my ya novel, my home zoo of cats, a dog and two tortoises, and teaching art to elementary students, I'm enjoying life to the fullest.

15 comments:

Wendy Jo said...

You write about endangered animals?! I wanted to save them all - that was my dream growing up! How amazing, I have to find your book now.

And PS - We are like GUTGAA Twins! How fun :)

LisaAnn said...

It's great to see you, too! I still think that camel painting was one of the greatest things I've seen... How are you?? :)

Cynthia said...

Breakfast tea with Silk...hmm..I don't think I've tried that before...Saying hello from GUTGAA!

Angie Sandro said...

I take it you like quiet:)

I do too. It keeps me from having to ignore the kids screaming at each other, lol. Nice to meet you. Good luck with GUTGAA. Please, stop by and say hello if you haven't already. http://anjeasandro.blogspot.com/

Utsav said...

Hey Rachel! Glad to meet you. Picture books are awesome and so few people write them! Kudos to you.

Dr Margaret Aranda said...

Hi Rachel! Love your blog and so glad to meet you through GUTGAA! I'm a doctor who was in a car accident with my daughter, then 3. I made it through 6 years being in bed....and I'm amazed and grateful to be here! Love the animals! Love the Foster Parent! Love the children! ...it makes the world go around...


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

Angelica R. Jackson said...

Hey Rachel, long time no see! I didn't know you were doing GUTGAA. I'm not, but wish you the best!

Katie Slivensky said...

Your work sounds fantastic! I need to go check it out now. The novel I'm querying is a MG adventure about endangered species, so I feel I've found a kindred spirit! I'll be following your blog for sure. =)

AVDutson said...

I hear you about letting your favorite bits go. I was just reading Save The Cat Strikes Back and he talks about fighting the urge to keep scenes for only one good line.

Christina Mercer said...

We are quiet-time-with-irish-breakfast-tea twins :-D
I'll be rooting for you with GUTGAA. I'm not quite ready with my current ms (as you know), so perhaps I'll catch the next GUTGAA.

Utsav said...

Hey Rachel, We are hosting a pitch contest over at http://pineapplelightning.blogspot.in/.
Do enter!

Russo said...

I really enjoyed reading your meet and greet. Your writing advice really struck me because it was something I needed to hear. Thank you for helping me and not even knowing it.

Heather M Bryant said...

Writing when it's quiet is the only way to go for me!

So great to meet you!

Tamara said...

Wow. Your life sounds really full and amazing. I'm always envious of people with artistic talent. I have a good eye for putting stuff together, but no drawing/painting ability at all. Except for face-painting, which is really just practice and brushstrokes. That's what I do for a part time job.

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for following my blog!

Unknown said...

Just wanted to stop by and say hello! Thanks for popping by my blog, and you're very welcome about the GUTGAA query :) I hope you have as awesome an experience with GUTGAA as I am!