a1b85-infinitydreamsawardExpat Blogs, Mommy Blogs, Writing/Book Blogs

These are the digital circles I run in.

But my recent posts have focused exclusively on my expat and mommy identities. I wanted to do a non mommy-expat post.

As if in answer, one of my critique partners posted as part of The Infinity Dream Award, a chain post that seems to be going around YA author blogs, and nominated me as one to carry on the chain. Never before have I been excited about a chain post. Never before have I been included in a group of published and aspiring novelists. It’s a little different for my blog, but I’m doing this. (Also, my daughter’s been home with a cold, and I’ve no energy to think of my own post. Perfect timing!)

First, thank you to Kaitlyn at E.M. Lita for nominating me and thinking I met the criteria of “crazy talented writer”. You made my month. Here are the rules for the Infinity Dream Award:

  • Thank and follow the blog that nominated you.
  • Tell us eleven facts about yourself.
  • Answer the questions that were set for you to answer.
  • Nominate 11 bloggers and set questions for them. (Yeah, I’m just going to name a few blogger friends/acquaintances I’d love to know 11 random things about.)

11 Random Facts About Me

  1. I’m left handed, as God intended everyone to be otherwise he would have put the fork on the right side of the plate.
  2. In middle school I faked a science fair project in its entirety. I never did an experiment. I collected no data. But I gave an awesome presentation about a project that never happened. I got an A. I look back and think of it as an exercise in creative writing.
  3. I hate coloring and drawing! Hate!!! In fourth grade, we had a unit on “publishing” a book. I was thrilled for two minutes, then my teacher explained we’d have to illustrate our books. I protested and argued that even professional authors often have other people illustrate their books. My teacher was not persuaded.
  4. I also hate crafting. The combination of numbers three and four makes me the worst mother ever because according to the many mommy bloggers out there, the only way to demonstrate love for your child is to glue tissue paper on to toilet paper rolls. Bonus points if you use seasonally themed colors.
  5. I love french fries. I have to actively police myself from eating them off any plate on the table.
  6. I took belly dancing lessons in Morocco. I still remember a little.
  7. I adore animals. I would pet every single dog I see on the street, if society found this behavior acceptable in 32 year-old adults.
  8. I am fantastic at reading books aloud. I come up short in the crafting area, but I knock it out of the park at bedtime story reading. I do different voices for the characters. It’s quite the show. Someday, I’ll post a reading of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus on Youtube. The tantrum I throw is pretty spectacular.
  9. I have enormous feet. I wear a size 11 shoe. I’m only 5′ 7” (170cm). The last time I shopped for shoes in Brazil, the sales guy just didn’t believe me when I said 43 (size 11 here in Brazil) and brought out a 39. I couldn’t get my foot in the shoe. The look on his face was rather unprofessional in my opinion.
  10. I can and do hold grudges indefinitely. It’s not one of my better qualities.
  11. I think Matilda by Roald Dahl is the single greatest children’s book ever written. This is not up for debate.

11 Questions From E.M. Lita

  1. What are your goals for the remainder of 2015?
    Finish a second draft of my YA novel then send it to beta readers and throw the greatest preschool Halloween party Brazil has ever seen. (One of these is way more likely to happen than other.)
  2. If you had to wear one item of clothing for the rest your life, what would it be and why?  Underwear. I think it’s obvious why.
  3. Favorite flavor of ice cream?
    Mint chocolate chip. I’m confused. Are there other flavors?
  4. How many bookcases do you currently own?
    Seven. But we just talked about building some floor to ceiling cases in the dining area.
  5. Do you have any half-finished manuscripts hidden away in a drawer somewhere? If yes, summarize one.
    No. I just have my current unfinished manuscript which throws a bunch of bilingual and multicultural kids ostracized by the 15 countries that remain after 2 global pandemics onto a stealth ship. It’s like Divergent set during a semester at sea.
  6. Do you prefer writing with a pen or pencil (or keyboard!), and why?
    Keyboard. Being left-handed, I’m happy to avoid the black or blue hand syndrome that comes with using a pencil or pen.
  7. Is there a favorite book you go to for inspiration when writing a tough scene? If yes, what is it and why?
    Not for a specific scene. My challenge lately is character voice, and I’ve been going to Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell and The Living by Matt de la Peña.  I think both of these books have incredibly strong and unique protagonist voices using third person narration.
  8. Do you insist on solitude for writing, or can you indulge in background noise?
    I can block out background noise pretty well. What I need is a child-free writing environment. I cannot concentrate if I’m waiting for the next spilled cup of juice or potty break or broken bone.
  9. Serial comma: yay or nay?
    Yay. I’m not a barbarian.
  10. Favorite season?
    Fall. And I miss it. Here in Vitoria, Brazil, we have two seasons: unbearably hot and bearably hot.
  11. The final and most important question from Buddy the Elf: What’s your favorite color?   Red.

Who’s Up Next? This chain might not be right for everyone’s blog, but I’d like these writers know there’s someone who’s curious what they have to say.

Julie Dutra, Mayken Brünings, Louisa Aricheta, Nicole Lynn Hoefs, Lana Pattinson, Lisa Ferland, Elizabeth Menozzi, Chloe at Life Unexpected

My 11 Questions for the Nominees

  1. What is one thing you dream of achieving as a writer?
  2. What’s the worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
  3. What is one lesson you wish you could drill into every single person’s head?
  4. What is the perfect breakfast?
  5. If you could eliminate one song from history, which would it be?
  6. Do you have a current WIP or writing project? If yes, summarize. If no, come up with something right now and summarize it.
  7. What is one thing people often misunderstand or get wrong about you?
  8. What’s your favorite animal?
  9. What is one activity you absolutely hate doing?
  10. What is one “classic” or famous book you’ve never read?
  11. What is one thing you love about yourself?