Campaingers - Getting Acquainted

I've been happy to meet my fellow writers in the Urban Fantasy group in Rachel Harrie's Platform Building Campaign, and I thought it'd be good to put together a post that we could use to get to know each other a little better, so I thought up some questions. Feel free to answer some or all; I'm looking forward to getting to know more about everyone. If you come up with additional questions please ask!

*Edit* - I couldn't not answer my own questions right? So here goes:

1) How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since I was very young, but in terms of writing novels I started my first novel at fourteen and haven't stopped since.

2) Are you currently working on a novel?
I have ideas...I'm hoping they work themselves out soon so I can write!

3) What stage of the query/publishing process are you in?
I'm currently doing heavy editing/revisions on my last novel and gearing up to do a second round of querying which includes a re-submission to an agent that had previous requested a partial.

4) What do you think about self publishing? Would you ever do it?
I believe in self publishing although I find the marketing aspect of it daunting. I have self published two of my novels, Black Eden and Wasteland Rhapsody (see links at the side)

5) What kinds of things inspire you in your writing?
Anything! A random thought, something I overhear, something I see on television...

6) What is your favorite book? (or favorite books)
I have a few several books spanning from my childhood through adulthood. These include The Secret Garden, Wuthering Heights, and The Sound of Waves

7) What are you currently reading? (or what is the most recent book you've read?)
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

8) What upcoming novels are you looking forward to?
Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

9) When you're not writing, what do you like to do?
I love reading, drawing, painting, graphic design, sewing, baking, cooking, watching T.V., music...etc.

I'll add more questions if I think of them. I'd also like to think of other things we can do as a group that could be fun, so any suggestions would be great! So far I've come up with: a group story (I did this during another blogfest and it was fun), or helping each other workshop our first pages/opening lines/query etc.

The Calm Before the Storm

I feel like I'm in the calm before the storm in two ways. First, we're literally bracing for impact here in NYC for hurricane Irene. I've prepared for it as much as I could, and now all I can do is wait it out and hope the hurricane won't be the worst it could be. First an earthquake, now a hurricane. Real busy natural disaster week for NYC...

The second "calm before the storm" scenario is more figurative. I feel like there's a story in my head trying to get out. I've had so many ideas flit in and out of my mind but now I'm in that weird area where I have the itch to write but the story hasn't quite worked itself out yet. And I can't find the time I need to sort it out. But I will, because I always do. Can't wait for both these storms to pass.

Platform Building Campaign!

Through several of the blogs I follow, I came across a cool blogfest hosted by Rachel Harrie. I think it's a great opportunity to network with other writers, so I'm happy to jump on board. If you don't already know about it, check it out!

The Earth Shakes

So, apparently there was an earthquake here in New York around 1 pm today...which was actually an aftershock of an earthquake that happened in Virginia. It's the topic of the moment...but I completely missed it because I was on the subway so I felt nothing. When I got out I had texts and voicemails about it and all I could do was look around like "????" Thankfully it wasn't serious though, but is it wrong that part of me wishes I'd experienced it?

Inspiration

I was thinking today about the things that have inspired me with my writing. Writers, artists, creative people in general...we're all well versed on all the types of inspiration out there and how we channel that inspiration into the things we create. I tend to think of myself as hyper imaginative sometimes, just based on the ideas that pop into my mind, and even the type of things I dream, (I once had a dream involving traveling to another planet, taking a tour of space, having the ability to fly, and getting chased by a dinosaur that ended up with me finding a fairy taking care of a giant squid that was about to give birth. My dreams bring me endless joy). But I digress.

I've been inspired by some interesting things. A television commercial, an overheard phrase...I got an idea once from an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (had nothing to do with vampires though), and my latest novel was inspired by something I remembered about the Tale of Genji. I've also had inspiration come to me while I'm just lying around. This morning I was just lying in bed when my mind took off a story. Who knows, maybe it will turn into my next novel. Since finishing my last book I've had ideas come to me, all of which I've written down, but none of which gripped me enough to delve into a new book. This new bit of inspiration may just be different and intriguing enough to get me writing. We'll see!

Anyone had inspiration come from something really strange or unlikely?

Weekend Baking

So, I have a huge sweet tooth, and I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with making something delicious with my own hands. That adds up to me spending many hours in my tiny kitchen baking or cooking. This weekend was the weekend of cupcakes....mainly as a favor for my mother to take to a baby shower, but of course I wasn't going to make batches of cupcakes without having a stash for myself. This weekend, Oreo, Coconut, Chocolate Nutella, and Red Velvet cupcakes were on the menu:

Oreo

Coconut

Chocolate Nutella

Red Velvet

Having delicious things makes me happy.

Writing Contest

Hey all, agent Lauren Ruth from BookEnds Literary Agency is judging a contest over on Blackbird in my Window's blog. Your first 500 pages will be posted on the blog for critique/judging. Genres are:

literary fiction, mystery romance, science fiction/fantasy, women's fiction, chick lit, historical fiction, steampunk, and young adult. In nonfiction, she's looking for memoir, parenting, family and relationships, food and lifestyle, business, popular science, popular culture, popular psychology.

Check it out if interested!

New Book Joy

Ah, the moment when you open up a box that came in the mail and see beautiful new books lying there. For book lovers, it is squeal worthy. I am now in possession of Supernaturally by Kiersten White, and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater; those were the July releases I was waiting to snatch up. I also bought Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, because I've been meaning to read it and figured it was a good time to get it seeing as I've finished reading the first four Mortal Instruments books. My TBR list keeps growing.