I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award, and so I’m going to tell you seven things about myself that you might not know (mostly writing-related, because that’s what you asked about).
Some time back, the delightful Jessica Matteliano (@jmatteliano) nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Today I am delighted to accept the award.
That means I’m going to tell you seven things about myself that you may not know. (I can’t entirely guarantee you don’t know them–internet stalking has come a long way in recent years.)
But first, the details of the award.
The Versatile Bloggers Award is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers whom they believe deserve recognition for their high quality standard of writing, uniqueness of content, passion and love displayed throughout the site, and amazing photos.
If even half those things describe me and my blog then I’m thrilled. Thank you so much for your kind words, Jessica.
The rules of the Versatile Blogger Award say I must thank the person who nominated me and share her link (done!), nominate up to 10 bloggers for the award, provide links to their blogs (both coming up after my answers), and inform them of the award, and tell you seven things you may not know about me.
I asked a while back on Twitter what you wanted to know about me, and you came up with some great questions. I plan to answer some of them.
7 facts you may not know about me
1. How I got into writing (courtesy of @Stephen_Norse)
I loved reading and the library floor was slippery.
It was only partly that. I used to spend summer holidays writing next to my sister. We’d each write a scene, and then switch and read each other’s.
They were terrible. I mean derivative, cliche, and really, really bad. But it was valuable practice and a lot of fun.
2. What it would take to get me to swear on Twitter (courtesy of @AnnaKaling)
I would swear on Twitter if I mistook it for real life.
Yes, I swear appropriately in real life, just not at work.
I take that back. I actually swear more at work that at home, because it’s more annoying.
I would also swear on Twitter were it required of me in order to save a small child or a cat. Because who wouldn’t?
3. Why I write what I write (courtesy of @adinalisa)
To answer this question I should start by explaining what I write.
I write fantasy.
I write high fantasy set in alternate universes.
I write fantasy with female main characters set in medieval-type worlds.
I write fantasy in which the protagonists are basically good, and good ultimately triumphs (give or take).
There are excellent reasons for all these choices. Okay, there are reasons.
I like fantasy with cool magic, but I get overwhelmed by the idea of writing fantasy at the epic scale. Hence high fantasy.
Medievalish alternate universes because these are the books I love to read. You can visit places in this universe in real life. In reading or writing, why not aim bigger?
You might think I’m trying to make a feminist statement by writing books with female main characters, but it’s actually much simpler than that.
I like females. I am one. Besides, they smell better than males.
Finally, my main characters are good and eventually triumph because enough bad guys win in real life. Why would I make more of that in my fiction? I want readers to walk away from my books emotionally satisfied that order has been restored to the universe, while being sad at the cost of victory. But only a little sad.
4. My creative process (courtesy of @noelle_nichols)
This is a huge question, so instead of answering it here I’m going to cheat and direct you to a few of my previous blog posts where I’ve answered aspects of it.
I get inspiration from reading about writing craft
Questions I asked myself brainstorming for a sequel
My process for dealing with feedback
What happens when I actually try to revise
5. My ups and downs with writing (courtesy of @Auntblacksheep)
This could on for a while, so I’ll limit myself to one up and one down.
My biggest high with writing is when I’m first drafting and I know what happens in the scene. I sit down and the words pour out like liquid honey when the weather is really warm. It’s the greatest rush to lose myself in my story and live the scene as I write it.
My biggest low is when I’m trying to get to know my characters and I just can’t figure out who they are. They walk around being cardboard cliches, wanting nothing in particular and spouting the most vanilla dialogue ever written. It’s taken a whole draft and more for me to get to know some characters.
6. The hat (courtesy of @Sandra_TRC)
Sandra asked what’s under the hat in my profile picture.
The answer: another hat.
7. I’m half Australian
I tell you I’m a Kiwi and that’s true because I was born in New Zealand. What I don’t tell you is that, to my undying shame, I’m half Australian.
Let the mocking commence.
My nominations
I nominate the hilarious and talented Anna Kaling and the insanely creative Kim M Watt. No obligation to accept the award if you don’t want to, but I for one want to hear all your secrets.
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Heh, heh, heh … ‘to my undying shame, Iām half Australian.’ … only those of us who spent great lengths of our formative years or were born in the Antipodes would understand the really volatile nature of this phrase! š Gotta love it!
Thank you for understanding my shame. *hangs head*
I knew it! I knew you were Australian! The Vegemite gave you away… Thank you so much for the nomination, and also for calling me insanely creative, which may be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.
And an awful lot to live up to. š
I knew the Vegemite would do it. š I could have lied, but that would have been sacrilege.
No need to prove your creativity – proof is already all over your blog. š
You would make an effort to save a small child AND you’re half Australian. I’m rethinking our friendship. But I’m also tempted to hang on until you reveal what’s under the second hat… Hmm.
Ah, I knew there was a reason for keeping that a secret.
I totally get why you write what you write. We could be twins when it came to that answer. Congrats on the award!
I knew you were a kindred spirit! š
Yay, congratulations on yet another blogging award! š Good answers. I’m totally with you on the biggest writing high. I’m addicted to that rush too when the story is flowing so well my fingers can barely keep up with the typing.
What’s this thing between Australians and New Zealanders? I’m a confused European and I don’t see what the ribbing is about.
Thank you! š
Australians are bad-wrong-evil. And they have funny accents.