Interview with an angel…Angelina C. Hansen

Good Morning everyone. Today it is my privilege to interview Angelina C. Hansen, an author of YA literature. I met Angelina in a group for writers of YA fiction on the She Writes website. It’s great site that supports women who write, but some of its members are men. Let’s get started.
                                                                                      
Angelina, how long have you been writing?
Since I was three, but you wouldn’t want to see that stuff. The first draft of my first novel is dated April, 28^th, 2007. That must be the official date.

What inspired you to start writing?
The short answer? Boredom. The long answer? My subconscious mind had been tapping me for years. For example, seven years ago when I was house hunting, a little voice inside my head would say, “That would be a cozy place to write a novel.
It took me another three years to acknowledge that voice.

How did you discover your ‘voice’?
Opened my mouth and there it was .^_^.
But for real, my voice appeared as I was writing my second novel, a highly emotional story of my heart.

Why did you choose to write for children?
Because I’m 16. Really. I just inhabit a 40-year-old body.

Which age groups are your favorite?
Kids aged 3 to 5. They laugh when I’m being my goofy self and never roll their eyes.

What are your favorite children’s books? Authors?
As a child I was obsessed with CHARLOTTE’S WEB and THE BOXCAR CHILDREN. And I read all things Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl, and Judy Blume.

If you could have an author as your mentor, who would you choose?
Laurie Halse Anderson who I’m looking forward to listening to at the SCBWI Summer Conference in L.A. in a few weeks.

How do you keep going when you get an industry ‘no thank you’?
What’s that? Just kidding. I take whatever feedback I receive and use it as an opportunity to improve my craft. After I stop pouting, of course.
Do you participate in a critique group? Why/Why not?
For my first novel, I had an online crit group, but now I use trusted beta readers because I can give them the entire manuscript and it doesn’t take forever.
Do you have a Social Media presence? Why?
Yes. Because networking with my fellow writers encourages, enlightens, and entertains me.

Where can we find you?
In bed. Wait. You mean online? On Verla Kay’s Blueboards, SheWrites, and Goodreads.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AngelinaCHansen
Website: http://yascribe.com
Blog: http://yascribe.blogspot.com/

What is your dream writing related event?
Reading from my debut novel to a huge crowd in a high school auditorium without belching into the microphone.


That’s funny! I’m not sure belching into the microphone would be a big problem. Some might even join you, but that would more likely be the Freshmen class. Thank you Angelina for the chance to get to know a bit of you.

Fridays R 4 Fun

Today I thought I’d hold a car show. Not one with the usual sedans and sports cars, but the truly different car.
Where to begin? How about I start with home. Looking for that new couch or overstuffed chair for your living room. These two pieces of furniture make sure you get there in comfort.     It gives new meaning to ‘couch potato.’
Before you start up that DVD you’ve been dying to watch, you realize you need something from the market. You slip on your shoes and head to the store, in your shoe . When you get there you find that the parking space you want has a shopping cart blocking your way. Remember, you’re trying to eat only healthy snacks. How about a banana?   That’s really a good choice, because if you misplace your dentures you can still eat it. But don’t worry, here they are.
Later you decide it would be better to go out for entertainment. You don’t need tickets for the local theater, they have open seating. What to choose…should you pick a pirate movie? Nah, you’ve got the kids with you. There’s that movie about mutant turtles. Or you could watch that film about so many miles under the ocean and all of the strange things you can find there.
On your way, you remember you promised to visit Grandpa. You turn around head down his street and there he is, waiting for you in his new hover chair. Your dad was always a bit of a roadster.

You have dinner together. It’s time for dessert. Grandpa says he forgot to pick up ice cream while he was at the store and volunteers to go get some. You tell him it’s too late to go out by himself, after all the neighborhood has changed and not for the better.
He tells you that’s not a problem and invites you out to the garage to see his new motor scooter.
That concludes the show for the evening. Please come back next week for sights of the strange and different.

Oh, BTW Sunday I’ll be interviewing a great, upcoming YA author, Angelina C. Hansen. Be sure to stop by and get acquainted. See you there.

Today is a Great Day!

This morning I woke up feeling a little tired. I took the dog and went for our usual walk. Clear skies and bright sun, everything I need to get the creative juices flowing. I'm back home and the blood is wizzing through my veins.

Today I feel like there are endless possibilities! I can write that great story. I’m full of ideas just waiting to jump out onto the page. I am filled with energy!

I'm planning on getting lots done. I’m starting with that costume. It should be finished by the end of the day. The difficult bits of the breastplate are done. I plan to get that WIP right up to the climax. If it weren’t so hot I’d bake a cake. In this heat there is no way I’m firing up that oven!

So…what gets you moving? What will you get done today?

Almost There!

This progress bar depicts how far I have come in the making of the costume for the cover of my book. It says that I am at least 70% complete. I’ve been working all weekend, which made this post late.

If you recall, the book takes place in ancient Nubia. The main character, Kandake, is a warrior. The model that represents Kandake will be clad in breastplate and sarong.

The breastplate is being made from calf-skin leather. Here are the stages: It started with my wrapping Makeda in duct tape. Whis resulted in this shell I it covered with a plaster wrap and filled it with plaster to add strength to the form You see it here wrapped in plastic, prepared for the leather.  Here is a picture of the entire calf skin.  In this next photo, it has been cut and stitched to it’s basic shape. It is now soaking in a tub of water, softening It will be stretched, molded, and dried over the form above.

The sarong began as a length of fabric. I altered the color slightly. As you can see, it’s been stitched, stamped, and painted. Here is a close up view of the detail All that’s left is to add a few beads.

See, I’ve not been slackin’, I’ve been very busy.

Fridays R 4 Fun

Today is Friday. That means another installment of the crazy or strange photos I find interesting.

When I was searching for what to show you this week. I came up with the idea of strange and bizarre hairstyles. As I was sorting through the pictures it occurred tome that some of these people were serious about their hair. Because I don’t want to offend anyone, I switched it to animals, dogs mostly.

This one is my favorite. It’s a cat that reminds me of Yoda, “There is no try, there is only do.”  I think of Fabio when I look at this one. I’m not saying it looks like him (legal disclaimer). Oh yeah, bad hair day.   Worse hair day.

Now for our special guests. Lets see if you can guess who or what they are supposed to be. Contestant No. 1 step forward please. That’s right you guessed it, Golden Goldilocks. Johnny Depp has nothing to worry about with this one. This one is just sad. Even he looks like he wants to cry. Flower Power, Psychedelic Dog. This little guy is all set for Halloween Mr. Bones. And can you guess who this is.That’s right! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle…uh Dog.

This concludes today’s excursion into the realm of strange hair. And of course the other legal disclaimer…no animals were harmed or injured during this production.

Anybody have a suggestion for next week?

Where Does the Time Go

Oh my gosh, is it Wednesday already? Seriously, I can’t believe it’s the middle of July and I still have so much to catch up on.

I poured the plaster for the mold, but I have to do it again because I didn’t make enough. I’ve added the first layer of color to the fabric for the kilt/skirt for Kandake (it’s more like a sarong). And now it’s time to make a decision about the type fasteners I will use.

I’m trying to push, but I’m tired and I don’t feel well. I think it was something that I ate. I got up this morning to go for my walk and almost didn’t make it. It took me so long to get out of the house that it was 8 o’clock and already hot.

There is so much left to be done and I’m TIRED. Well if I can get enough accomplished maybe I can take a nap.

Back in the Saddle

There have been too many interruptions. To be honest most of them have been self imposed. Now it’s time to settle down and get to work.

Today I was talking with a friend bemoaning my need for a second critique group and not being able to find one. True to her nature, Diana Guerrero let me have it in spades. She’s an awesome writer and the facilitator of my very first writing group.

She knows me and my writing very well so I can’t get around her at all. She said that I’m holding myself back and many other things that I will not mention here. So here’s what she said.

“Everybody can write, but not everyone has talent. Get out of your own way. It’s time to grow up. Find a writing partner, and get to it.”

When it comes to writing and what I’m doing, or not doing, I can count on Diana for the voice of truth! Since I don’t want another '’put on your big-girl pants’ discussion, this is what I’m doing.

I have contacted a fellow children’s writer and asked her to become my writing partner, revamped my writing schedule, and just doing it. So…officially, I’m back in the saddle.

Fridays R 4 Fun

                 Last week LynNerd asked about pictures of strange shoes. I had no idea how footwear could be so extraordinary. So, let’s begin our tour through the shoe department. I will start with the more mundane.  This one is perfect for the beach. This one’s ideal for your next BYOB party. A novel way to bring a date. But what if you can’t get out?Take your work with you. Never worry again about being mugged. Maybe you’re not the gun type. Worried about leaving the kitty home alone?Or maybe you’d prefer to go shoeless. There are many options
but be sure to get a pedicure  There’s always the barely-there choice. or these Need more support? Try these.    Do you remember the go-go boot? They were cute and you could dance in them. I doubt if these are for dancing..

This concludes our tour. Any ideas for next week?