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NTRWA March 2006 Spotlight
On... I just had one of my best birthdays ever -- the fine women of NT came over for a girls only party & sleep over. We had a great time.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. I love dogs! My family consists of Mollie, Chester, Jax and Mabel Grace, all rescued dogs and our latest family member is Adelaide, a tortoiseshell cat. I enjoying reading and a variety of crafts such as jewelry making, polymer clay, stained glass and crochet.
What brought you to the DFW area and how long have you lived here? I went to Texas Tech University then spent 2 very long years in Arkansas before moving to Austin. I moved from Austin back to DFW in 1994 --yep, I went to high school in the area. I was a Farmerette.
When did you start writing? How long have you been a member of NTRWA and RWA? When a career change was forced upon me in 2001, I evaluated what I wanted to do. I wanted to write. My research led me to RWA® and NTRWA and I joined NT. I feel comfortable in the supportive atmosphere offered by NT.
NT and RWA® have taught me a great deal about writing and I think my skills have improved. I think I have only missed 2 meetings since I joined. One of the best results of joining the chapter has been the friends I've made. I am especially fortunate to have Shannon Canard for a friend and critique partner.
You haven't asked what I like to write.
Ahem, so what do you like to write? Everything I've written, except one MS, is contemporary with paranormal elements. Some are steamy and suspenseful.
So, what is your work in progress and where did you get the idea? I am trying to clean up a completed manuscript - since I submitted it to the Great Expectations Contest, I'll leave out the title. I am working on the outline for a new novel for the NEXT line. I have the first chapter and the rough story line completed. It is called Taking A Chance. I had written a short story for a contest titled One Demon At A Time. This would probably be a great novel but I haven't developed the plot further -- I'm waiting for an ah-ha moment.
I'm not sure where I get my ideas -- they just appear as a seed in my mind and with nurture I have a story.
Where do you see yourself in five years? My goal is to be published. I want to have at least 3 books published. I want our slot machine business to be successful enough that I have more time to write. I'd also like to win a big lottery-- but this is what I want.
Where do I see myself? Well, I'm superstitious so I don't want to jinx myself, really.
What do you struggle with as a writer? My primary struggle is time. I never put enough detail in my writing and always have to go back and add and add -- usually my critique partners point this out.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Wow, that is a tough question. I try to live my life by the tenet of John Wesley. Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. So when I have helped someone or an animal, I'm pleased. Last year I placed in the Great Expectations romantic suspense category-- that made me proud and happy.
I asked one of your critique partners to describe your strengths, both in your writing and your personality, for the rest of us. Here’s what she said, “Andrea is generous, kind and thoughtful. These qualities give her writing a sweetness and sincerity that is 100 percent genuine. She has a unique sense of humor and it shows in her work, bringing sparkle and intelligence to her dialogue.” Wow, that is so kind. See what wonderful friends I have? I have been told I write 'sweet' stuff, so when I am writing very steamy / erotic, I guess we should call it Sweet Smut. Calling my sense of humor unique was a nice way of saying weird or offbeat. But then I march to the sound of a distant plumber. And I can pun with the best of them.
Write on!
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