Creative Woman of the Pond: Tina from Florida Girl with a New Life
Hello, Invisible Friends. Queen Bitty here.
I’m happy to bring you a long-time Invisible Friend today, Tina from Florida Girl with a New Life.
A fellow writer, Tina often features women doing remarkable things in their life through service or art, which I think is cool.
Let’s meet her, shall we?
1) What made you start writing?
When I was a little girl, reading and writing were the two things I enjoyed most. I spent hours locked away in my room scribbling in notebooks and reading my latest library find. As a young adult, I found myself quietly writing in my head when I should have been paying attention to other things, like the work that was sitting in front of me or whatever boyfriend was floating through my life at the time. The truth is my need to write has always weighed on me, but I pushed it aside in my twenties because aspiring to become a writer felt a little like aspiring to become a professional ballerina. Impossible. I finally started writing my novel-in-progress and my blog because I was simply fed up with my own excuses. It was and is time to live in my truth.
2) What do you write?
I write women’s fiction/chick lit with a supernatural twist.
My blog is really a running conversation between me and my readers on chick culture, women’s stories, and joyful living.
3) Tell me about your book.
My novel-in-progress is a story about three women who each experience something miraculous; they are each granted their most secret ambition. While one woman seeks the power to force men’s hearts, another seeks social status. The last of the three covets the power of revenge. Crashing into and away from each other in a cycle of envy, deception and love lost, each woman is left to look deeper into her own heart. The real miracle, as it turns out, might have been a life that included one another.
4) Tell me about featuring courageous women on your blog.
I believe that in sharing our truths we discover more of ourselves. I feature “truth-tellers” on my blog who are willing to offer up their honest experiences. The stories range from marriages, break-ups, chasing dreams, and starting life over again.
5) Why do you think it’s important for women to be creative?
As nurturers, women give to a fault, but we often forget to nourish ourselves. Creative endeavors help us to water our souls and replenish our hearts.
6) Why do you think it’s important for women writers to connect?
I think Toni Morrison said it best.
“Solitude, competitiveness and grief are the unavoidable lot of a writer only when there is no organization or network to which she can turn.”—Toni Morrison
7) What inspires you?
All of the bittersweet and beautiful nuance of life.
8) What’s your favorite type of pie?
Well, I’ve never met a pie I didn’t like, but I have to go with coconut cream pie.
9) What’s your favorite book?
My running favorite is The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
10) Future plans?
In the short term I am seeking publication on my first novel. Mostly, I plan on seeking my joy, wherever that comes.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a new Wings tomorrow!
For more fun, visit my sister blog, Words n'Whimsy or sign up for my newsletter (both buttons on sidebar!)
January 31st, 2012 at 4:28 am
Tina seems to be an amazing woman. I hope she does get published, and I hope to eat coconut cream pie sometime soon.
January 31st, 2012 at 5:35 am
A fabulously inspiring interview – great questions. Will definitely check out Tina’s blog.
Am a first time visitor to your lovely blog and am very much looking forward to reading more!
January 31st, 2012 at 6:04 am
Thanks so much for introducing us to Tina — she sounds like an incredible woman!
I just got back from vacation and I’m looking forward to catching up on my blog reading!
January 31st, 2012 at 6:41 am
Hi, nice to meet you!
January 31st, 2012 at 6:57 am
She sounds like a perfect example of why women should connect! We’re all talented and fabulous!
January 31st, 2012 at 7:23 am
THANK YOU for the feature. I am honored.
I am tweeting and facebooking this one out to my peeps.
January 31st, 2012 at 7:50 am
I’ll have to check out her blog.
Had a very nice weekend, hope you did too. Looks like the babies have had an excellent birthday celebration!
January 31st, 2012 at 7:52 am
she seems to be an awesome woman!
love the interview!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:11 am
What a great interview!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:14 am
Fabulous feature!
Her novel sounds really cool!
xoxox,
CC
January 31st, 2012 at 8:39 am
It’s fun to learn about our fellow bloggers!
January 31st, 2012 at 9:36 am
Tina’s book sounds SO good, I want to read it!
January 31st, 2012 at 10:26 am
What a wonderful thing, to see two of my favorites in the same place
Beautiful interview, Tina. I love that you are seeking your joy. Have I told you how excited I am to read your book?!
January 31st, 2012 at 10:33 am
Seriously- the novel she is working on sounds amazing!
January 31st, 2012 at 10:55 am
Love this interview, and it’s so true about creativity being a way to care for ourselves. Wishing Tina all the best with her new novel!
xo Mary Jo
January 31st, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Awesome interview! Anyone who likes Coconut Cream pie is a friend of mine!
January 31st, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Tina is really an incredible woman. She’s one of my inspiration in writing. I am looking forward to her novel.
January 31st, 2012 at 1:47 pm
She sounds great!
January 31st, 2012 at 2:37 pm
You always find the nicest people, dear Duckie.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:59 pm
I am so happy that you featured Tina. She is one of my favorite bloggers. Fantastic interview.
*Erin
January 31st, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Once again this was a great interview. I will have to check out Tina’s blog.
January 31st, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Great interview, Blonde Duck! I love her blog! And I never met a pie I didn’t like either! xo style, she wrote
January 31st, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Hi Tina! I’m off to check out the blog now. Love the interview, Duckie! What a fun way to discover new writers.
January 31st, 2012 at 8:52 pm
She sounds great! And I love coconut cream pie too
January 31st, 2012 at 10:02 pm
I agree with her in that being creative does nourish my soul, as does being inspired by others honesty in their writing.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:47 am
I came over from Tina’s blog and now I’ll have a closer look to this blog, just had to comment on this post first! Great interview, very inspiring!
February 1st, 2012 at 3:11 am
Loved Time Travellers wife! Reading a lot of autobiographies at the moment. Aimee (@Aimee_Victoria)
http://www.new-yorkdoll.blogspot.com
xxx
February 1st, 2012 at 6:48 am
What a nice interview. I can’t wait to read her novel. She sounds like an amazing gal. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
February 1st, 2012 at 9:34 am
I’ve been a reader of Tina’s blog for awhile now, and I am always inspired by her! I loved this interview, and the chance to get even more of a glimpse into her life.
Tina-good luck with your novel, though I don’t think you will need it! I already know what a talented writer you are, and your novel sounds like it will be an excellent read!
Good taste in pie, by the way;)
February 1st, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Sounds like her book will be very interesting. I hope she has luck with it
February 1st, 2012 at 7:57 pm
—What Fun!
)
2 of my favorite bloggers on one site.
Loved the interview. Brilliant. Interesting. Xx
February 2nd, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Great feature! That book sounds fascinating!
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Great interview. I’ve been following both of you for quite a while. So what a treat getting to read about her on your blog!