Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Burrow is EXPECTING!!!


Jess, Leanne, me, Tara, Mari: Cardiff 2008
The Burrow, as some of you may know, is my writing group. We are CALLED the Burrow because we were originally a band of writers who met through the now defunct Harry Potter forum HPANA. I've known several of these women since 2005 and MOST by 2006 when I first dived into fan fiction for my training ground as a writer.

And TARA, was my very first ever random reader—the reader who wandered in and read even though she didn't know me from a hole in the internets. She was encouraging, enthusiastic, and fabulous.

Our actual writing group formed initially in 2007... I had written four chapters at that point of what would eventually be my first 204,000 word (I know, right?) first original book. (I was still writing my second long fan fiction—and there would be a 3rd before I sort of let that fall away).

preparing for a French taunting at Cardiff Castle
That group has done several writing related projects, mostly drabble-related. We even convinced an art gallery in Cardiff to display our drabbles with their artwork for an event (that is where we got together—Cardiff). And we've critiqued the books we've worked on for each other. As we've gone, I've sometimes felt guilty. Being me, I do something obsessively or not at all, and I have been on a full-scale writing train since I started—7.5 years now, I've done something writing related almost daily. This means there was a lot of 'read me, read me' from ME and less from other folks. But we HAVE produced other books besides mine.

And FINALLY, one of my writing family members has been offered a well-deserved publishing contract!!!

Working cover, designed by our friend Ana
Tara wrote Cardiffella in a WriMo, and then has spent some good time polishing, adding, revising, getting feedback--all those things a person needs to do... and now it is set for eBook publication in April (to be followed by print on demand availability a few months later).

As the title implies, it is a twist on Cinderella, set in modern day Cardiff, and is funnier than funny. You will definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for this. (does anybody else have eyes that water when you hear 'eyes peeled'? Just me then?)

Anyway, I'm THRILLED for Tara, and excited for the Burrow, and a little giddy because that's how I roll.

And here are a few more gratuitous pictures of us...

Sassing at the Taff (the river that swears a lot)

And here we are, in touch with our roots (note Hogwarts scarves-knitted by Leanne on the left)

It's probably apparent from these what a shrinking violet I am *shifty*  In my defense, I AM trying to take over the world.

17 comments:

Amber T. Smith said...

Thanks Ms. Tart!! *supersquishyglomps* I love the post's title... this book baby has been gestating quite some time, after all. *snort*

Couldn't have done it without the support of everyone, you're all fabulous!! I have a suitably wacky thanking piece lined up for the acknowledgments, obviously.*shifty*

Alison DeLuca said...

Cardiffella? You had me at hello. I'll def. be on the lookout for this baby.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats, Tara!

Must've been something in the water in Oregon the year we were born, Hart. I do thing obsessively or not at all, too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Tara!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congratulations to Tara. Your group looks like you all have fun together. Just don't let me hear anything about ya in the news.

Michael Di Gesu said...

ALL THE BEST, TARA and CONGRATULATIONS!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Great pictures and exciting news! Congratulations to Tara!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I want to be a member. I'd be the token gay guy in the midst of all the estrogen.

Yolanda Renée said...

Congratulations on your soon to be delivery! Love the humor!

Powdered Toast Man said...

I want to have a writing/writer's posse. That would be cool.

Amber T. Smith said...

Thanks for all the congrats! *smooshes*

And you know, we DO have fun... all the time! On our private forum, on Facebook, on our blogs... and when we all met in Cardiff, well... 'Fun' doesn't even BEGIN to cover it! *fondly remembers the berr-opening shenanigans, the fluffy handcuffs, and the innuendo-y candy*

Thanks again for the congrats!!

Amber T. Smith said...

What the heck is a 'berr'?? Don't know WHAT I was typing there... but it was supposed to say beer. *nods shiftily*

~Sia McKye~ said...

Oh you made me laugh and what a great group of writers pictured here! Loved it!

Congratulations Tara!

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

Trisha said...

Very exciting news for Tara!! And I love the pics :)

Shaharizan Perez said...

Congrats to my TarTar!!!!! I am so happy and excited for you!!!! *megasuperuberglomps*

RaShelle Workman said...

What great pics.

The book sounds like fun. Can't wait to read.

(((hugs)))

Amber T. Smith said...

Thanks again to everyone for their congrats!! I'm very lucky to have a friend like La Tart... she is fabulous!!