Interview with Jo Hart: Blogiversary Buddy and...Another Contest!!!

I made this cake for Jo on our Blogiversary really! (maybe)

by Carrie Bailey

The only thing more spectacular than having your writer's zine turn one year and feeling the satisfaction that comes along with knowing you stuck with it though the hard times, the writer's block, the typos is...

Having a blogiversary buddy to share it with!!

Writer, Jo Hart, of The Graceful Doe will have been blogging for one year this September 11th.  She's a lovely writer and mother from down under who agreed to a co-celebration of blogiversaries.  Peevish Penman turns 1 year old this September 10th.

I baked Jo this lovely Irish Cream Bundt Cake to celebrate, because my last name is Bailey... (okay, I stole the image off the internet and it's not even animated, but it's the thought that counts, no?)  Anyway, we're going all out for one year celebrations and offering a point based contest to win:

A critique for 5 pages of your WIP by 2 writers

That is, a critique from both Carrie and Jo for up to five pages of your manuscript. That's right a total of two critiques for your first five pages. And because it's our blogiversary there will be not one, not two, but:

THREE WINNERS! Three people will be getting a critique from both Carrie and Jo.

HOW TO ENTER: Simply comment on this post (or Jo's contest post) with your entries. We'll be running entries on a point system:

+1 entry for following @gracefuldoe on Twitter (+2 if you are already a follower)
+1 entry for following @PeevishPenman on Twitter (+2 if you are already a follower)
+2 entries if you subscribe to The Graceful Doe's blog (+3 if you already subscribe)
+2 entries if you subscribe to Peevish Penman's blog (+3 if you already subscribe)
+1 entry if you tweet about the contest (please include link to tweet)
+4 entries if you mention the contest on your blog (please include link to blog)

That's it, that all you have to do to win one of the three five page two writer critiques :D

The writing book giveaway on Peevish Penman for "How Not to Write a Novel" and "Your First Novel" is still going as well, so if you are farther along in your novel writing career and just need two honest, straight-shooting, talented writers to edit five pages of your WIP...Jo and I are ready.

Also starting on Peevish Penman's one year anniversary are Writer Wednesday Interviewers with aspiring and inspiring authors.  Although I'm a few days off, Jo Hart graciously agreed to answer a few questions to start off our new #ww interviews: 


PPM:  Do you have a mantra as a writer and would you recommend it for other writers?

My writing mantra is 'Show, don't tell' and it's definitely something I would recommend to other writers. For me showing is all about involving the reader in the story and allowing the reader to experience the story along with the characters.

PPM:  If you had to spend a year writing on a deserted island without any contact from the outside, what would you bring and why?

Pens and notebooks of course as there's no power for a computer, but also I like writing with pen and paper when I'm outside; lots of chocolate (preferably M&Ms) and Coca-cola because I can't write without chocolate and I need caffeine to stay awake when writing late; a dictionary and thesaurus for when I get a mental block; all my novel notes/plans to refer to; a warm dressing-gown or blanket to snuggle up on cold nights (I can't write when I'm too cold); and some novels to read when I need a break from writing.

PPM: So far what has been your greatest challenge as a writer and how have you overcome it?

That's a hard one. I would have to say finding the time, actually, making the time to write. Between being a mum to two children under four, teaching part time and doing all the housework, sometimes it feels like there's not much time left to focus on my writing. The best thing I ever did was taking part in NaNoWriMo because it showed me how I could make better use of my time to get writing done. Now I waste less of my free time on the internet (though it can still be distracting), take advantage of my children's quiet time in the afternoon to get some writing done (one naps and the other plays quietly), and I tend to choose writing in the evenings over watching TV or reading now (unless I'm really tired).

Aside from being a talented writer, Jo is also an excellent graphic artist and made the new header for Peevish Penman as a blogiversary gift.  To read the interview conducted on me, visit The Graceful Doe.

And now a slide show of the firework display I commissioned to kick off our blogiversary celebration:

The fireworks were actually big enough to be seen in both Australia and Oregon.