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NTRWA March 2006 Spotlight
On...
ANDREA GEIST
by
Gina Nelson
This is a good opportunity to get to know you a little better. How was
your birthday party with the gals?
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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