I FOUND AN OPAL!

Well, actually, I found the Opal. Here she is, in interview format.

AMS: What are your writing goals for this summer?
OS: In New Zealand, we are heading into winter at the moment. It's the busiest time of the school year, so I am lucky if I get a few hours of writing time in any week. When summer comes around again, I'd like to finish my WIP- but summers a while off yet.

I often feel like there is some big conspiracy that life is behind to prohibit writers from writing by producing enough business to make our heads spin.

AMS: What is your favorite character that you've written?
OS: It's hard to say who my all time favorite would be. At the moment I'm fond of a character in my WIP, who seems to be made of bits and pieces from people I know.

Oooh, sounds like a fun one to write! Nearly all of my characters are inspired by aspects of people I know. (Watch out...just joking! ...maybe)
AMS: Favorite author and why?
OS: Ally Carter is always at the top of my list, I love her books. I also like Jodi Picoult, because I love her writing style.

I haven't read either of them! But I do see their names and books all over the place, I'll have to check 'em out.

AMS: Favorite childhood toy?
OS: I played with dolls all through my childhood, so probably the doll I got for my birthday one year. I called her Anna and was played happily together for years.

YAY FOR DOLLS! Why isn't it acceptable for grown-ups to play with dolls?! Maybe that's the reason why we have daughters...

AMS: Best piece of writing advice?
OS: I can never remember how it goes exactly, but I'll give it a go. "Remember when your writing your first draft, you are shoveling the sand into a pile so you can form a sand castle." Or something along those lines.

I've never heard that one before! I really like it, writing it down right now.

AMS: Are there any particular songs that inspire your writing? Which ones?
OS: I listen to a huge range of music, so it's hard to say which songs inspire my writing. It's almost never classical though. I listened to Crash by Jamie Mcdell and Cool Kids by Echosmith on repeat when I first started my current WIP.

Love love love Echosmith.

AMS: Do you share your writing (besides blogging)? If so, with whom?
OS: I used to share some of my writing with a friend at school, but I stopped doing it a while ago. I also have two critique partners. I find that sharing writing I haven't edited myself doesn't generally help. If I have polished a piece, then I am prepared for others to put their thoughts into it. I guess it's important for me to be happy with it before I consider changing anything, even if it a slow way to go about it.

That's interesting! I usually save my writing until the end (by end, when I finish the first draft) to share, but there are a few people I share with as I go along. It keeps me motivated to finish! And it's cool to know that other people are excited about my writing too.

AMS: What are you looking forward to most this summer?
OS: When summer comes back around to New Zealand, sometime in December, I look forward to traveling, seeing my best friend, loud music and dip dying my hair. I don't like summer because of the heat, but over the last few years I've come to cherish the few months of no school when I can put unnatural colors in my hair, sleep in and learn what I choose.

AMEN TO THAT! Love sleep.

AMS: Latest book you've read?
OS: I just finished The Raven Boys, after months and months of letting it drop down my TBR list. I am still confused about what happened, but I came away quite pleased.

I haven't read Raven Boys yet, but I have read other Maggie Stiefvater books and I think she's amazing.

AMS: How often do you write?
OS: I haven't had the time to work on my WIP for a few months now, which is pretty miserable. During the holidays, I might spend the whole day writing, so at the moment I'm just looking ahead to that. Ideally I would get a few hours every week.

Good luck finding the time!

AMS: Favorite ice-cream flavor?
OS: Cookies and Cream! Whoever thought of putting chocolate cookie in ice cream was genius.

PREACH! So utterly, inexplicably beautiful.

Opal can most often be found hidden behind a book or computer. She dreams of one day ruling the world with her cat, Hunter. If she can't rule the world, she hopes to at least change it for the better in some way. Opal blogs at Opal Swirls, where she talks about life, writing, books and whatever else floats through her mind.

Tune back in THIS MONDAY, for my summer goals and a SPECIAL announcement. On the special-o-meter, it's probably like a four or five, so not too big. But kinda cool. Anyway, come back! Because I love you and you're the bestest, most fabulousest readers in the universe. Have an AMAZING weekend!!