Wednesday Writer ~ Tina Scott

Tina Scott

Tina Scott, an award winning writer and artist gets her inspiration from life, but her tales gain a creative edge after taking a spin through her imagination. With seven kids and a handfull of grandkids, she has plenty of inspiration to keep her imagination alive.

CRW: Welcome, Tina, to Writers Mirror. It is really great to interview you today.

Tina: It's fun to have an interview, Cindy. Thanks.

CRW: No, thank you!  Okay Tina, tell us what inspires you to write?

Tina: Life--writing has always been a part of me.

CRW: Do you try to write daily, and if so, do you set a goal of a certain number of words?

Tina: I do like to write daily. I'm not good at setting word-count goals though--I spend all of my time checking to see how many words I've written.

CRW: What gets in your way of writing?

Tina: My family--but that's a good thing. If it weren't for them I'd probably stay sequestered in my writing room and never see the light of day.

CRW: How do you get past, through or around it and still make your writing happen?

Tina: When I don't have time to sit down to write, such as during the holidays, I am still thinking of my current WIP. I stop and make notes of ideas that come to me so that when I do have time, I have more to go from.

CRW: What makes you CRAZY about writing?

Tina: Trying to get published. I've been trying to get an agent for a year now.

CRW: Where is the weirdest place you have worked on a writing project?

Tina: From bed. I keep a notebook, a pen, and a flashlight by my bed. On a good night I have to force myself to sleep.

CRW: How long does it take you to complete a book?

Tina: I wrote the rough draft for my 230 page fairy novel in four months. My main character had a lot to say and I had to work hard to keep up with her.

CRW: By the way, Tina placed in a First Chapter Contest with this very fairy novel. I love fairies Tina, so am looking forward to you publishing this book. I always love when an author listens to the character.  Others probably think we are crazy, but they really do talk.

CRW: Where do you get your character’s names?

Tina: All over. When I wrote my fairy novel--she told me her name.

CRW: There's that talking character again. What is your favorite writing food?

Tina: I don't generally eat while writing--it takes my consentration away from my goal.

CRW: Good habit. Chocolate tends to inspire me.  Tina, please tell us about your book(s).”

Tina: I have self-published a children's picture book. It's a tale about a coyote who has a dream--how he saves the day and also makes his dream come true. My sister-in-law, an accomplished artist, did the illustrations.

CRW: Who did you use to publish it?

Tina: I self published through Instantpublisher.com

CRW: Please give us your best “Elevator Pitch” for the book.

Tina: Coyote dreams of flying, but in real life his efforts are disastrous. Through hard work and imagination, Coyote learns how to make his dream come true.

CRW: Where can Writers Mirror Readers purchase it?

Tina: Through my blog, or on my website.

CRW:  Tina's website and blog are listed at the end of the interview.
 
CRW: What other books do you have available?

Tina: I recently published another children's picture book called When I Grow Up. It's a short, rhyming story that empowers children to make right choices and let them know that their options are limitless.

CRW: Sounds like a good book for all. Okay, here is the deep question. Why are you a writer?

Tina: I've wanted to be a writer since first grade. After my youngest child started school, so did I. It was through my college English class that this dream re-surfaced. Shortly after that, I found ANWA through a newspaper ad. It really is a part of me.

CRW:  For readers unfamiliar with ANWA, it is the national writing group called American Night Writers Association. I currently serve as the General Treasurer, and will take this opportunity now to blatantly invite everyone reading this and interested in writing to come to the wonderful ANWA Writers Conference on Saturday, February 27th, 2010. To learn more or to register, Google ANWA.

CRW: Okay Tina, my commercial for ANWA is over.  Please tell us you who do you hope reads your work?

Tina: I hope to eventually find publishers for my novels so that everyone who wants can read them. My children's picture books were published with my children and grandchildren in mind.

CRW: What would be the best complement you could receive from a fan?

Tina: I've had several people who purchased copies of my Coyote tale tell me that their children want them to read it over and over again. That brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction.

CRW: Good for you Tina.  Time to list your contact info.
Tina: http://www.totallytinascott.blogspot.com/ and my web site, http://www.tinascott.net/

CRW: Tina, we thank you for sharing some of your writing thoughts with us on Wednesday Writers.

Tina: It's been a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting me here.