Liebster

I am so grateful for all the blogs out there, big and small, that have entertained and educated me as I continuously try to improve my craft. My blog is new and small, but when I started it I knew I wanted it to be full of those things which I am passionate about. I review books I’ve loved and talk about what I’m learning through my writing journey. I’m thankful to other writers for sharing their passions and inspiring me.

Thank you to RhiannWynn-Nolet for presenting me with the Liebster blog award. It’s for blogs with fewer than 200 followers. The rules require me to answer 11 questions, nominate 11 more bloggers (I picked 9), and make up 11 questions for them to answer.

The questions I had to answer:

1. What’s your writing goal for 2013?

My goal this year is to finish revisions on current WIP and plot out the next two books. More importantly, I want to improve my craft. I want this book to be even better than the one that preceded it in its writing, tone, and resonance.

2. If you could write like any author (living or dead) who would it be, and why?

That’s a tough question because there are so many amazing authors out there that I admire. But I also don’t want to be just like another author. I want to be inspired and challenged by those authors, but I also want to have my own voice.

3. What was your favorite book as a teen?

Asking someone who loves books as much as I do to choose a favorite one is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. I didn’t read much young-adult as a young adult. I did really adore The Great Gatsby. In the fourth grade I fell in love with The Hounds of the Morrigan and have read that book until the cover has fallen off.

4. What would be the best thing about getting a book published?

My book is coming out in October, and I can tell you that so far, the best thing about getting a book published has been working with my editor. I love being challenged, and I had to take a book that was already the best I could get it and find a way to make it even better. Danielle helped me with that, and it’s been a great experience.

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

I think I would choose Classical Greece. Greece is a beautiful place (I would love to visit soon) and I was always interested in their learning and creation.

6. What’s the one thing that makes you decide not to finish reading a book you’ve started?

If the writing is horrible, I usually can’t go on. Even if the story is good, if I am distracted by the telling or lack of dimension in characters, I can’t stick with it.

7. Tell me three things about the MC in the most recent book you’ve written.

Brave, angry, resilient

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

Creation. I love taking common words and creating something new.

9. Sea shell, oak leaf, rock, pine cone, cactus. Pick one, and tell me why.

Sea shell. I love the ocean, but I especially love the colors on sea shells and how they can speak to you if you listen closely.

10. Do you hate or love editing/revising?

I love editing/revising. I like it much better than drafting. I never like what I write when I’m drafting, but I love being able to mold it and make it better during revisions. Drafting is like scraping the clay out of the earth with your bare hands. Revising is being able to finally fashion it into something beautiful.

11. Scariest book. Ever. Why?

Probably Stephen King’s It. It’s also one of my favorite books of all time. It terrified me when I first read it in the 8^th grade. But now I love it so much for the relationships that develop between the kids as they are facing unspeakable horrors. It shows there is hope in love and friendship no matter how terrible everything else is.

My 11 amazing nominees:

1. Megan Whitmer, who is funny and supportive and just announced her book deal with Spencer Hill Press!

2. Maggie Hall, who just signed a three-book deal (!!!) with Putnam/Penguin and who offered me her couch so I could come Mardi Gras.

3. Erica Cameron, an amazing friend and whose book, Sing, Sweet Nightingale comes out next year!

4. Kelsey Macke, who can both sing and write beautifully and recently got an amazing agent!

5. Angi Black, a prolific, amazing writer and incredible friend who is brave enough to hang with me IRL.

6. Lindsay Currie, who is an awesome person and whose blog gives wonderful advice.

7. Andrea Hannah, who is absolutely adorable and both an incredible writer and mentor.

8. Darci Cole, a writer who also creates amazing wands. She's also super funny and supportive.

9. Leigh Statham, who is super sweet and has a book that sounds amazing.

My 11 questions:

1. Who (or what) inspired you to write?

2. What was the best piece of advice you ever received?

3. Book you are an advocate for.

4. What is the hardest thing about the writing process?

5. What are your writing goals for 2013?

6. If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

7. When I grow up, I want to be ____.

8. What was the last book that made you cry?

9. If you could spend a month anywhere in the world, where would it be?

10. Plotter or pantser?

11. What’s the one thing you’re most excited about right now?