I’ll Take Awards Where I Can Get Them
When I sit down in front of a computer each day, typing away the best years of my life, I often feel as though I’m talking to myself and my imaginary friends. Tumbleweeds roll by in the desert that is my comments section and, though I don’t have sales numbers yet, I can only assume that my new book is getting about the same amount of attention. Which is why I was tickled pink to get this book review from my fellow author Thea Landen, and a Liebster blog award nomination from Rosanna over at Writing Prompts from Life.
The nomination comes with some meme-style questioning. If you’re here because I’ve passed along a nomination to you, please don’t feel obligated to complete it. Instead rejoice in the knowledge that I find your writing worthy of note and I wish to send my readers to your shores.
Those, such as I, who choose to accept the Liebster Award must do as follows:
Write 11 facts about her/his self
Answer 11 questions from her/his nominator
Nominate 11 blogs with under 200 followers
Leave 11 questions for the nominees to answer
First the facts:
1. I have been previously employed at a book store, a clothing store, a video store, a call centre and an art supply store. Of those, the video store was the best job; the call centre was the worst.
2. According to my birth date, my sign is Scorpio. Of course I think astrology is complete bunk, which is a shame because Scorpio is by far the coolest sign.
3. On the shelf above my computer are five plush toys: A Dalek from Dr. Who, a Teddy Bear wearing a University of Toronto Jersey, a well-loved Popple, an equally well-loved green monster named Monzie, and the original constellation class starship Enterprise.
4. I own a small collection of Wonder Woman action figures.
5. I have two children, two siblings, and a growing number of nieces and nephews.
6. I love the song ISS (Is Somebody Singing) by Ed Robertson and astronaut Chris Hadfield. It makes me believe all the idealistic stuff I believed as a kid, that we as humans can accomplish great things together, that world peace is not only achievable but inevitable, and that we will one day live among the stars (some of us already do).
7. My first book, Wardroids, is out as an ebook or print on demand. This is one for the bucket list and I’m very proud. People I’ve never met have read it, which was my only goal. New goal: sell five hundred thousand copies so I can make a million dollars.
8. At the age of nine, I played a cat named “Fungus” in a stage production of Hansel and Gretel. I didn’t have any lines, but I got to meow, yowl, and burp. I was nominated for best supporting actor (I didn’t win, but got free lobster brunch).
9. My laundry and dishes are rarely done in a timely manor.
10. Winter is my favourite season. I love snow.
11. I love Karaoke. Sometimes I find videos on youtube and sing when there is no one in the house.
And now for Rosanna’s Questions:
1. What is the best advice you can give bloggers? Write. Write all the time, a least once a week if you can. Once a day is better. Write for yourself if no one else is reading.
2. What would you like to do to make your life more exciting? I wholeheartedly enjoy my life, but at times I wish I’d become an astronaut. Perhaps if my books do well enough I can afford one of those space flights that rich people are signing up for.
3. How often do you engage in a hobby or activity that makes you happy? All the time. For one thing I write every day. It’s hard work, especially as I try to change hobby into career, but I feel tremendously satisfied when the story in my head comes to life on the page. I also take improv workshops once a week, which is fun in a more conventional way, with laughter and the permission to be silly. Sometimes I wish I painted more, but I’m lucky if I get out my oils once every six months. I enjoy painting, very zen, but the compulsion to do it just isn’t there the way it is with writing.
4. List 3 blessings you’ve been gifted with during the day. I’d rather list three things I’m grateful for. One, my children who made me cards on Mother’s Day. My son’s had many rocket ships, and my daughter’s featured cats and bugs. Both were covered in hearts. Two, I’m grateful for my book launch coming up on June 9th because I get to share it with my favourite author who is also my mother. Three, I’m grateful for all the friends I have, some new and some I’ve known all my life.
5. What are your best assets? My sense of humour, my intelligence, and my ability to let things slide off my back without getting too stressed out.
6. Why is the world a better place because you live in it? The world might not notice my existence but I believe I am a positive force in the lives of those who know me. I cause more laughter than tears.
7. How are you today? Good. How are you?
8. How can you show love for yourself today? I’m normally a pretty healthy eater, but if I’m in need of some self-love I usually make myself something with chocolate in it.
9. Have you given yourself a pat on the back for a job or chore that you did well? Absolutely! Congratulations on your first book being released! Good job finishing the first draft of your work in progress!
10. How does winning this award make you feel? Super.
11. What can you do today to make yourself feel better? Get out in the sunshine!
My eleven nominations (I actually have no idea how many followers they have). As I stated before, these bloggers are writers worth reading. Please check them out! Nominees, I must reiterate, only complete this Liebster questionnaire if you want to.
3. J M Blackman
4. Pippa Jay
8. Thea Landen
9. Tara Tyler
10. SC Wade
11. SL Hennessy
Questions (in case any of my nominees choose to accept this award):
1. What drew you to write in your chosen genre?
2. Planner or pantser?
3. Is there something you have written/published/done that you wish to shamelessly promote? (Use this question to do so).
4. What book should I absolutely read?
5. When you aren’t writing/blogging, what are you doing?
6. The new Mars colony needs writers, do you sign up to go or stay on Earth?
7. What is it like where you live?
8. Describe your writing space.
9. What is your main goal for the future?
10. Any advice for those who’ve read this far?
11. Quick! Compose a Haiku!
Thanks again, Rosanna for the nomination.
BTW: For those of you living in Southern Ontario. The place to be on June 9th is at A Different Drummer Books in Burlington, Ontario. My mother and I will be having a joint launch to celebrate the release of her new young adult novel Dying to Go Viral and my new sci fi Wardroids. Festivities start at 2 pm.
