It's nearing the end of 2012, and this is my first blog post of the year. I. Am. On. Fire.
2012 hasn't been an easy year for my little family, so my grand ambition to have my first novel completed by the time the Mayan's claim game over has not really panned out. But! I have been writing. I've been writing my bloody heart out. Fictional "tie in" novels based on TV shows (aka fanfiction) that I can lay no claim to and that are posted online for the sheer enjoyment of storytelling and gathering reviews from others who've had fun reading. It's damn good practice; I've gained enough confidence to say I've found my style. *confetti and mini parade for me*
This month starts NaNoWriMo and I'm going for it. I may not finish the novel, but 50K words is a decent start, I'd say. In an effort to learn more from the writing and publishing world, I joined Twitter and started following several indie writers. The writing talent out there is staggering -- and the varied differences in style and interest is encouraging. It's a real privilege to read their blogs and their story excerpts and learn from their journey.
One of these writer-bloggers, Steve Montano, 'tagged' me with something called a "Liebster Award." I've never heard of this thing, but the directions seemed easy enough and I figured it was as good a way as any to get me back into blogging -- since that seems to be the thing to do when one is climbing the Novel Writing Mountain.
Basically, the deal is this: you provide 11 random facts about yourself, answer 11 questions asked by the
person who nominated you, pick 11 bloggers to pass this award on to,
and ask them 11 questions of your own.
And, since I'm a fledgling in the writer-blogger world, some of you nominated (below) will have never heard of me before, so here's my virtual version of a typical Midwestern hey there, howsit goin'. *waves* Those who do know me, good t'see ya. *smiles*
*takes breath* Here goes nothin'.
11 Random Facts About Myself:
1) I have a terrible sense of direction. I have been known to get lost in my hometown.
2) I have four tattoos, each with specific meaning to my journey in life and each with a word in Irish Gaelic.
3) I love music -- all genres. A good day for me always includes music. I must write with it: earbuds in, playlist selected, lost inside the story.
4) I fell in love with storytelling when I was 10 and read "To Kill a Mockingbird" for the first time. I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was 13 and read "The Outsiders" for the first time.
5) I love red wine. I like to drink it in a big wine glass so that I have to drink slowly.
6) I am a sucker for humanized superhero stories, movies and TV shows. The damaged hero will draw me in every time.
7) I learned to drive a five speed in a Porsche 911; I can also change a tire, change the oil in my car, and drive a tractor.
8) I grew up and live in the Midwest USA, but I've been to 48 of the 50 States and (so far) five countries outside of the States. The fact that I made it home from each of those trips has my family in awe (see Random Fact #1).
9) I am extremely ticklish and have been known to get violent if such a thing is dared. I cannot help it; it's pure reflex.
10) I cannot stick to an exercise routine. The latest focus for me has been boxing. Turns out I'm pretty good a punching. Who knew. This one may last the longest.
11) My family is my world. My husband, daughter, and I are the "Three Musketeers." Everything I accomplish in life has meaning only if they are a part of it.
11 Answers to the 11 Questions Steve gave me:
1. What would you do for a Klondike bar?
Probably nothing. Ach, boring answer. Ice cream and I have a love/hate relationship. I love, it hates. Now, if you'd asked me what I'd do for some dark chocolate with sea salt, my answer would have been extremely different. I'll let your mind wander.
2. Shotgun, dual pistols, or a sniper rifle?
Depends on what I'm trying to hit. But, as a general, all-purpose answer: shotgun. Less chance of missing my target.
3. Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Coffeecoffeecoffeecoffee.
4. Last good movie you saw.
Hmm. I love movies -- all genres, too. So, I'd have to classify this a bit, I think. "The Bourne Legacy" was the last good action movie I saw. "The Raven" was the last good mystery/horror movie I saw. "The Dark Knight Rises" was the last good superhero movie I saw. "The Lucky One" was the last good chicflick/romance I saw.
I think, though, I'd have to say "Flowers of War" was the last good movie movie. It opened my eyes to a part of history I'd previously not been aware of and made me cry harder than any movie had in a long time.
5. Joel or Mike? (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then shame on you!)
Joel. Hands down.
6. Favorite TV show?
Supernatural. If you visit my LiveJournal you'll figure that out pretty fast. However, The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, and Game of Thrones are pretty close in the running.
7. Favorite alcoholic beverage? (If you’re not a drinker, what’s one of your culinary guilty pleasures?)
Cabernet. Though there are days a Newcastle ale just hits the spot.
8. Last good book you read?
It's a tie between Tana French's "Broken Harbor," and Christopher Beuhlman's "Those Across the River." Possibly because I read them roughly at the same time.
9. If you could live in someone else’s body for one day, who would it be?
Jessica Biel. Fit, pretty, healthy-looking.
10. Preferred superpower?
The power to heal by touch.
11. Aliens or vampires?
Duh. Vampires. The non-sparkly kind, of course.
...wait, are they good-looking aliens or the scary, Ridley Scott aliens?
****
And Now I Nominate…
1) Peter Dawes
2) Matt Bryant
3) Dorothy Crane
4) Joshua Patterson
5) Kane Gilmour
6) Rachel Abbott
7) Shawn Hopkins
8) Chells
9) Lisa Bouchard
10) Jen Kirchner
11) Tina Charles
****
My Nominations Must Answer the Following Questions:
1) What is the strangest talent you have?
2) What's your favorite flavor of potato chips?
3) Do you parallel park or keep looking for a spot?
4) Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?
5) Childhood covers: bullet proof, yes or no?
6) What is the weirdest thing you've done while driving?
7) What would you do if you won the lottery?
8) What is the furthest distance from home you've traveled?
9) If you could pick one song lyric to have etched on your tombstone, what would it be?
10) What kitchen appliance can you not live without?
11) In the game of tic-tact-toe, do you prefer to be X's or O's?
Slainte!
