A Room of My Own: Angela Goff

The second post in Yearning for Wonderland’s new feature, A Room of My Own, features the creative space of Angela Goff (@angela_goff on Twitter).

Angela has a blog, Anonymous Legacy, where her most unique features include her Visual Dare and also Sunday 7 writing challenges. Be sure to check it out!


Q: Please describe your space, describing any features that make it extra special to you.

A: My hometown has an amazing art community, and the old town square has been revitalized over the past ten years into a fabulously hip center for all that is quirky, cool, and uniuqe ~ two locally owned and operated (and thriving!) bookstores, a framing shop, organic grocery, European bakery, art studios, not to mention a good score of locally owned and operated restaurants, ranging from Brazillian to Irish to Cuban to veg/hippie to fine upscale dining.

 All that said, it’s the location of Gallery Row -and the clientele – that really makes it a perfect writing spot for me. Despite what you see in the photo, it’s almost never empty, and there’s always a wonderful mix of people coming and going there, from all walks of life.  Knitting circles, bible studies, students practicing their acoustic guitar, people breezing by after work or dropping in for an after-lunch coffee and desert — they all descend on Gallery Row at some point, making it the best possible place to eavesdrop and people-watch, which of course makes the backbone of any writer’s repertoire.

Q: What is your favorite/most inspiring object in this room?

A: The walls: (1) because it’s the original exposed brick of the 140+ year old building; (2) because they always have a rotating exhibit of artwork from local artists [also fuels my writer’s imagination], and (3) it’s along this wall that all the high tables with the super-tall chairs are arranged, not to mention all the electrical outlets. This means that anyone working on a laptop typically commandeers those spaces, usually facing out toward the street. Why? Because most of us are writers and we’re all people-watching and eavesdropping between sentences. 😀

Q: What rituals do you go thru when you want to write in this space?

A: First priority is to claim a wall table near a power outlet or power bar. Then buy a coffee so I can get the code for the 2 hour complimentary WiFi. Then write like the dickens and slurp coffee so I can reward myself with the WiFi later. (I’ve found it’s a great incentive to not procrastinate, which is always tempting.)

Q: Any other details you would like to share about your special room.

A: You know how I’m always tweeting about writer’s meetings with one group or person or the other? Well, nine times out of ten it’s happening here. There is an astounding number of rising authors in this town (and I speak in full confidence that we all will, at some point, get published), and I’m usually up here at least once a week just to meet with other writers, even if I don’t get any personal writing time in. The atmosphere is just perfect for literary conspiracies, not to mention that the drinks and desserts there are out of this world. (Starbucks, eat your heart out.) 🙂

Thanks to Angela for sharing her Room with us. Want to share your Room? Email me at annabbps AT gmail.com with a photo and answer the above questions.

Keep an eye on this space for more writers/artists and their inspirational spaces!

See the spaces of other creatives in “A Room of My Own”!

* Lillie McFerrin

* Daniel Swensen

* Angie Richmond

A Room of My Own: Angie Richmond

When Virginia Woolf wrote A Room of One’s Own, it spoke of a need for a writer to have their own personal space to read, reflect and think. The need for a special space, no matter how humble, is essential to any creative person.

I have decided to start a new feature on Yearning for Wonderland called “A Room of My Own”. This feature will highlight the creative spaces of my favorite writers and artists.

The first creative person featured is both a writer AND artist, Angie Richmond. She is the creative mind behind the 22 Things Exercise. You can visit Angie’s blog and should follow her on Twitter (@write_me_happy).

Q: Please describe your space, sharing any features that make it extra special to you.


A: My space is warm and inviting. It’s cluttered with a multitude of items that inspire me, including a statue of the Queen that waves (solar power is awesome!) My space is a shrine to all that is creative.

Q: What is your favorite/most inspiring object in this room?

A: Right now the most inspiring object is a headline from a newspaper that says “Imagination knows no bounds”. Different items inspire me for different reasons. How I feel in a particular moment, dictates which item inspires me most.

Q: What rituals do you go thru when you want to write in this space?

A: I make sure I have a cup of tea next to me along with paper and pens.

Q: Any other details you would like to share about your special room.

A: My space is ever changing. More items get added to my desk and corkboard often. Nothing has ever been removed.

Thanks to Angie for sharing her Room with us. Want to share your Room? Email me at annabbps AT gmail.com with a photo and answer the above questions.

Keep an eye on this space for more writers/artists and their inspirational spaces!

See the spaces of other creatives in “A Room of My Own”!

* Lillie McFerrin

* Daniel Swensen

* Angela Goff

Interview with DJ Tina T

On a non-writing contest related note, I recently had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with DJ Tina T regarding her DJ youth camp, Camp Spin Off. Because arts education is one of my passions, it’s my pleasure to share this interview about an artist who focuses on giving back to young people.

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DJ Tina T, voted Las Vegas’ “Top Female DJ” for the third consecutive year, is a well-known disc jockey playing in the hottest clubs in Vegas. Despite her meteoric success, DJ Tina T also has a passion for mentoring teens.


She founded Camp Spin-Off (now in its second year), a one-of-a-kind camp focused on teaching music and positive messages to teenagers.

Q: You’ve had a successful career thus far. What made you decide to start Camp Spin Off?

DJ Tina T: I went to all types of summer camps growing up and have the best memories from it all. Camp Spin-Off is a way to combine my passion for DJing with traditional summer camp in a positive way.


Q: Camp Spin Off is the first and only sleep-away DJ camp of its kind. What advantages does a sleepaway camp offer for musical kids?

DJ Tina T: Having it be a camp where we actually stay in cabins and live together as a community for one week allows everyone to be fully submerged in the culture. You eat, sleep, breathe DJing at camp. For many of these kids, it’s their first time staying away from home and it becomes a much more unique and memorable experience than just a day camp.

Q: What is your favorite class offered at Camp Spin Off and why?

DJ Tina T: My favorite class at Camp Spin Off is the basic DJing class using turntables and vinyl. Most of the kids have never touched a turntable before and with the technology these days, many of them will not end up using vinyl records. Its nice to see everyone taught in the original format before moving on to other platforms.

Q: I love the motto on your website: Less Skin, More Skill. What other positive messages and ideas does Camp Spin Off offer?

DJ Tina T: Every staff person, camp counselor and guest DJ brings a positive message to camp. I feel like we also break down stereotypes of DJs and show the kids that we are normal, down to earth people that they can talk to. Another positive message specifically to the girls who attend is that it’s not just the boys anymore.

We have an equal ratio of girls to boys at camp which helps girls not feel intimidated in a male dominated industry.

Q: You were voted best Female DJ in Las Vegas in 2010, 2011 and 2012. What special challenges do female DJs face? What do you find easier to accomplish because you are a female DJ?

DJ Tina T: The biggest challenge is being taken seriously as a DJ and not just a “female DJ.” As much as I am honored to get awards like this and love representing for the ladies, I also want to just be recognized as a great DJ and not someone who is good (for a girl).

It is easier to accomplish things like: getting your foot in the door with clubs who are doing niche female DJ promotions and getting booked for female industry related events in fashion, beauty etc.

Q: What makes you passionate about helping young people discover music?

DJ Tina T: Discovering my love for DJing when I was 15 makes me passionate about working with young kids who are in the same place I was. When the interest is there, you need people to support, motivate and inspire you. It feels great to make a difference in someone’s life.


Interested in Camp Spin-Off? You too can be a summer DJ star!

WHAT: Camp Spin-Off, where aspiring young DJs between ages of 13-17 go to play and learn

WHERE:
Forest Home Ojai Valley
655 Burnham Road
Oak View, CA 93022
Topatopa Mountains

WHEN: July 29 to August 2

WHO:
This five-day, sleep-away camp is located in beautiful Ojai, CA, where young teens get access to great hiking and outdoors activities. The teens are mentored by some of the biggest names in the DJ world.

Tina also sponsors a limited number of scholarships that fund the education of kids in need.

Learn more about Camp Spin-Off: http://www.campspinoff.com/

For more about DJ Tina T: http://djtinat.com/

Article first published as Interview with DJ Tina T on Blogcritics.