Many thanks to the ever-inspiring Douglas William Thurstan Smith, who nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Because obviously, I am radiating sunshine and rainbows so no one would suspect me of working for the dark side. Since I’ve realized that this blog is almost two months old already, I thought it might be fun to tell you all a bit more about myself. You have been warned. *maniacal laughter*
1.) Thank the person who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
2.) Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
3.) Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
4.) List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.
Do You Keep a Diary or Journal?
*eyes you suspiciously* Is this so snoops know what to look for? I hate to disappoint, but I haven’t kept a diary since elementary school, and I was mortified enough when my husband (at that point, of about three years) found it, opened to a random page, and was reading about my fifth-grade crush. He about near died of laughing, which would’ve served him right. It’s since vanished. So nope, no diary and no journal.
Why Do You Write?
I actually get asked this a lot. The honest answer is I don’t know how not to. I’ve been writing since before I can remember. My very first story was when I was three, and it was about frogs eating bubbles and then exploding when they got too full. I’m sure that probably says a lot about three-year-old me, but who can afford a therapist to find out these days? Since then, there have been periods I haven’t written, when life has gotten in the way, but in the end, it always sneaks up on me. It’s like an itch that I have to scratch, and when the urge becomes too strong, I just sink myself back into writing again.
What Challenges Have You Set for Yourself?
Create a Philosopher’s Stone. I only need a couple thousand souls, and I’m accepting volunteers.
In more feasible terms, my first challenge is finding an agent to represent my YA contemporary fantasy novel, which I’m currently in the process of doing. No deadline on that because, ha, it takes time and will not be rushed.
My other big challenge for the year is to finish my mid-grade comedic fantasy and have it ready to start querying by mid-year, and I’m … well, okay, I’m slightly behind on that, but what’s the point of a challenge if you don’t shirk like a pro and accomplish it at the very last second like a true procrastinator?
What would be your ideal working environment?
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere with no people, a light cool breeze, a warm, sunny day, and some soft green grass. It sounds like paradise to me. Oh, and a big tree to sit under. With no snakes within a mile of my vicinity.
What Places in Your Past Do You Appreciate More Now, From a Distance?
Pretty much all of them. I moved 900 miles away from home at 17, and I don’t get back to visit as often as I’d like. I miss the mountains from home. They’re different than the ones I live in now. Driving in them was beautiful, the hiking paths were always fun, and swimming in the rivers was just the best. I don’t trust the rivers around here. On the one hand, there’s a chance that you might get superpowers from swimming in them, but if not, the alternatives of what you would get suck.
What Will You Remember Most From 2017?
Oh, look, these questions are about to get real. So, in 2017, I had a miscarriage, which affected my family in a lot of ways—both positive and negative. On the positive side, we took a long, hard look at what we wanted for the future and made steps to move forward. It also involved me creating this blog! I needed something fun to do, and I thought, hey, I like reading and I talk too much. I should blog! (Ha, I’m not known to have great ideas.)
What’s On Your Reading List?
Um. Everything except the kitchen sink? Okay, probably also that.
A few things I’m really looking forward to reading, though:
The Chronicles of St. Mary’s: Time traveling, comedy, history, and characters that are witty and sarcastic and brilliant. I fell in love with the first one after a chapter, and there are nine (NINE!) of them, and the fangirl in me couldn’t be happier.
Time Was by Ian McDonald: Time travel and tragic love and the need to overcome all the odds? Yes, please. I don’t need my heart anyway.
Beartown/Us Against You by Fredrik Backman: I just love this author so much, and I haven’t read Beartown yet, but since the sequel comes out this year, it seems like a great time to read them both and not have to deal with that pesky wait between those books, at least.
Do You Have a Job, if so what is it?
I am a transcriptionist, which is actually extremely fun and rewarding. I also do freelance editing work.
Does it relate to where you want to be in the future?
Sort of, I guess. I mean, I’ve learned a lot from what I transcribe, and I’m very lucky for that. It’s a privilege afforded to few. Also, it requires me to stay sharp with spelling and grammar and all the annoying nitty-gritty aspects of writing. More than that, it allows me flexibility that most people don’t get, as I don’t have a set work schedule, which does give me some freedom to write, as well!
What creative projects are you working on?
Right now, I’m trying to find an agent for my YA contemporary fantasy, Shifters: The Gathering Force.
Aside from that, I’m writing a middle-grade comedic fantasy, Kai and the Wayfarer’s Amulet, which will be finished this year and ready for querying.
As far as more recent projects, my short story is part of an upcoming anthology, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, which has a blog, too, if you’re interested.
What do you find the most frustrating aspect of blogging?
Coming up with ideas! I am mauled by regular plot bunnies every day like clockwork, to the point where I have to beat them off with a big stick. But blog post ideas? Pffft. I have no idea what I should talk about or what people want to hear about or what I’m even doing here.
If you’ve already participated, I apologize. If you’re not interested in participating, I won’t be offended. Consider this a shoutout and a thank you for your lovely blogs! (And everyone should go check them out, obviously.)
Annemieke (A Dance with Books)
Shannon (It Starts At Midnight)
- If you could choose one super power, what would it be?
- What book currently on your bookshelf means the most to you?
- What’s the one place you’d want to visit, regardless of time period?
- If your life were a novel, what would the title be?
- You can have any creature, mythical or real, as a sidekick. Which would you choose?
- What is your all-time favorite book cover?
- How do you decide which books to read?
- If you could design the Eighth Wonder of the World, what would you build?
- What was the last five-star book you read?
- What’s one thing that you do that’s a stereotype of where you live?
If anyone feels inspired by this, consider yourself tagged, too. I’d love to see your answers and get to know you all better. 🙂
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