My First Award!

I was recently nominated for my first ever blogging award, the Liebster Award, by Allison D. Reid. Thanks, Allison!

The rules are as follows:

Say thank you to the person who has nominated you for the award.
– Answer the 11 questions the person has asked you.
– Nominate 11 people (comment on their blog to let them know).
– Ask the people you have nominated 11 questions

So here are the questions:

1. What is your favorite book, or if you prefer, your favorite author?

An impossible one to narrow down! My favorites depend on genre, but include authors like Shakespeare, Jane Austen, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Tolstoy, Dumas, and Anthony Trollope.

2. Is there a country you have always wanted to visit, if so where?

England. I’ve studied it extensively (at least, the Nottinghamshire area as part of my historical Robin Hood novel, which is seriously on the back burner at the moment) and I’d love to visit. The only wonderment is that it’s going to feel too modern when I get there. I might need to book a time travel visit instead. 🙂
3. What do you enjoy about blogging, and how has your blog changed in unexpected ways since you started it?

I’ve really enjoyed connecting with other bloggers and getting to read indie authors works. I’ve met so many people through blogging, book coaching, and book reviews, and I never thought I’d be doing much of any of that. I just planned to jot down my thoughts on writing and call it good.

4. What’s your preferred writing and/or blogging space?

One without interruptions. Currently, my writing space is divided between the family computer for online work and the dining room table for my works-in-progress. Thankfully, the creative muse seems flexible.

5. How do you find inspiration?

Music. Songs and dance have always inspired me, though other books came in a close second. I’ll catch a glimpse of a personality in a song, a dance, or a novel, and I’ll think “That’s so neat! What if that person had a full story? What made that person do that, feel that, etc., and before you know it, a story is well underway.

6. What do you like to do for fun when you need a break from writing (or from your blog)?

Gardening and baking. Working with your hands and producing something valuable (and edible) is one of my favorite ways to take a break from writing, especially since it still lets me think about what I’ve just written.

7. What started you down the road of writing and/or blogging?

It’s actually Christina Wehner’s fault that I have a blog. She got hers first, and it seemed like so much fun that I had to get my own, too. And here we are, years later, still at it.

8. Are there any Indie authors you would recommend to readers looking for a good book?

Absolutely! Allison D. Reid’s Windrider Chronicles are great for those who like a slow fantasy rich in worldbuilding. I also really enjoyed Chrys Cymri’s The Temptation of Dragons and Cecelia Isaac’s Turquioseblood, both fantasy (with dragons).

If you prefer historical fiction, I have two upcoming reviews for a few of those that I’ve really enjoyed, so stay tuned. 🙂

9. How do you keep yourself motivated?

In writing, it’s usually my characters that keep me motivated. I like spending time with them (most of them, anyways) and I want to find out the next chapter of what they did (or re-experience some of what’s already written) and so I keep coming back to write and edit, over and over again, even though it sometimes takes years to get it right.

10. What superpower would you choose and why?

Probably the power to put physical objects together. It’d be so useful when something breaks…no glue required. And then, to be able to sew by fusing fabric? So very cool.
11. What four people would you invite to a dinner party; contemporary, historical, or fictional?

Jane Austen (I’d love to ask her about her plans for Sanditon). One of my ancestors, to find out what he really was doing during the American Revolution and who his parents are and where they were born (genealogical investigation has run into a bit of a brick wall with him and his family line). And my grandmothers. I’d love to get to talk to them again, this side of heaven.

 

And here are my nominees, in no particular order:

Christina Wehner

Ronel the Mythmaker

Sara Zama of The Old Shelter

Janet Morrison of Janet’s Writing Blog

Sue Rancht of Space, Time, and Raspberries

Trix Wilkins of Much Ado About Little Women

Hope Ann of Writing In The Light

Lynne of Lynnelives

Shweta Suresh of My Random Ramblings

Carrie-Anne of Welcome to My Magick Theatre

Silvia Villalobos of Silvia Writes

 

Finally, here are my questions:

1. What is your favorite book, or if you prefer, your favorite author?

2. Is there a country you have always wanted to visit, and if so, where?

3. What do you enjoy about blogging, and how has your blog changed in unexpected ways since you started it?

4.What is your favorite time period to read or write in, and why?

5. What is your favorite time period to watch on film or television, and why?

6. How do you find inspiration?

7. What started you down the road of writing and blogging?

8. How do you keep yourself motivated?

9. What four people would you invite to a dinner party (contemporary, historical, or fictional)?

10. What is your favorite kind of weather?

11. If you could have any pet, real or fictional, what would it be?

Thanks! I look forward to reading all your thoughts. 🙂