Thursday, January 24, 2013

My Liebster Award

First, I want to thank Rhiann Wynn-Nolet, YA writer and Thursday's Children blog hop creator, for presenting me with the 



The Liebster is for blogs with fewer than 200 followers. The rules require me to answer 11 questions, nominate 11 more bloggers, and make up 11 questions for them to answer.

The Eleven Questions I was asked:

1. What’s your writing goal for 2013? To finish writing my second novel. Then revise, edit, and polish it.

2. If you could write like any author (living or dead) who would it be, and why? Oh my. That’s a hard one. My first thought is Jane Austen, because even after 200 years, her works are still popular. But that seems like a cheat, because I don’t know if I’ve actually even read any of her stuff. There are so many current authors that I admire for their story telling: Kami Garcia, Kimberly Derting, Maggie Stiefvater, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins just to name a few.

3. What was your favorite book as a teen? Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. I wasn’t a very good reader, so I didn’t read a lot as a teen. But FitA was different, I looked forward to sneaking away to read – probably because I was sheltered and FitA was considered naughty.

4. What would be the best thing about getting a book published? For people to read my words and connect in a way that leaves them wanting more. Also, seeing a beautiful cover with my name on it, on a shelf in a book store.

5. Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece, Renaissance Italy. You have to go live in one. Pick one, and tell me why. Renaissance Italy for the art and fashion. 

6. What’s the one thing that makes you decide not to finish reading a book you’ve started? I pretty much always finish reading, even if I’m not feeling it. I guess I’m always hoping it’ll get better. I am a true optimist. However, I have stopped reading on two occasions: once, because I just “wasn’t getting it” and the other was just “too slow” to keep my interest.

7. Tell me three things about the MC in the most recent book you’ve written. I’m only at about 5,000 words into my current WIP. She’s 15, angry, and keeps a photo face down under her socks in a drawer.

8. What’s the single best thing about writing? Creating.

9. Sea shell, oak leaf, rock, pine cone, cactus. Pick one, and tell me why. Definitely sea shell. There are so many different shapes, colors and sizes. And the creatures that live in them are amazing.

10. Do you hate or love editing/revising? I love editing. It’s like working on a piece of artwork, adding color and detail.

11. Scariest book. Ever. Why? The scariest book that I’ve read would have to be The House of Thunder by Dean Koontz. 

Here are my 11 Nominees:

1. Natalie Traver because she collects fortunes, and so do I.

2. Dannie Morin because I like her answers to 10 Questions, especially 9 & 10

3. Amber Mauldin because she is an amazingly strong woman, and a talented writer.

4. Angi Black because she has some awesome gifs – and Sam and Dean!

5. Wendy Knight because of dinosaurs, My Little Pony, and tumors. Lol

6. Sarah Fiete entirely because of the stuff in her sidebar. She cracks me up.

7. Jenny Kaczorowski because she’s from the duct tape capitol of the world. Awesome.

8. Paula Lesso because she’s my bff and has webbed toes, like me.

9. Mary Schneider because she’s also a friend and animal lover.

10. Jessika Fleck because my finger slipped (lol) and she writes paranormal.

11. Mary Holm because I liked some of the things she said in her April 11, 2012 post on The Hunger Games. "I'm not the arbiter of What is Good and What is Bad. Being a writer myself, I don't like to pronounce judgements on a work of art that someone just poured her heart, soul and guts into." I wish more people followed that rule.

And finally here are my Eleven Questions:

1. What inspired you to start writing?

2. What are your all-time favorite books?

3. What would be the best thing about being published?

4. What is your greatest achievement in life so far, and why?

5. Tell me about an embarrassing moment.

6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

7. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?

8. Who would you be most excited to meet in person?

9. Fur, feathers, or scales. Pick one and tell me why.

10. What are your biggest pet peeves?

11. What are your hopes for 2013?





Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Dickless (Clark, that is) and Vomiting

New Year’s Eve 2012
1 minute 14 seconds on the clock: My 15-year-old daughter squeals in delight, with her noise maker in hand and her boyfriend by her side.

1 minute 10 seconds: 19-year-old daughter enters the room with her boyfriend. She wasn’t quite as bouncy, as she was coming off an evening long sugar high.

50 seconds on the clock: Ryan Seacrest announcing that the ball has begun its descent. 

15 seconds on the clock: “Dad! Get out here!” 15-year-old yells.

13 seconds on the clock: Greyhound vomits in the middle of the room. It’s green and it smells.

12 seconds on the clock: A chorus of “Ewwwww! That’s so gross!”

11 seconds on the clock: I’m on the run for the nearest towel.

4 seconds: I return with a towel, as daughter yells again, “Dad!”

3 seconds: I throw the towel over the throw-up.

2…

1!

I throw my arms in the air, cheering, “Happy New—“ To my left, 19-year-old is making out with her boyfriend. To my right, 15-year-old is making out with her boyfriend. Husband is still missing in action. “Whatever." I slump off. "I’m going to bed.”

So, how did you ring in the new year?