Sharing My Secrets with The Gad About Town

One of my favorite bloggers nominated me for a Liebster Award, an honor presented by fellow writers in the blogging community! Mark at The Gad About Town is one of my faves because he dishes an ample serving of humor with informative entries. He just sneaks the good stuff right in while you are smirking about something he said (Oh, that’s so The Gad!). I always feel inspired and challenged to be a better writer after visiting his page. I’ve been blogging for almost 2 months now, so this is exciting; thank you to The Gad About Town!

Liebster Award

These uplifting and brand new pages are my nominees. They have fresh and unique perspectives, so please check them out! Congratulations to: FindingOutFibro, IamChronicallyWell, DatelessNCarolina, TheOptimisticCynic, ABipolarJourney. (roll over to learn more)

Now for 11 Secrets about me:

1. I’ve kept all of my teeny bopper heartthrob magazine clippings from my adolescence.
2. Incurable or not, I fully believe I’ll be well one day!
3. Sunsets make me cry.
4. In the fall, I always imagine a hill of multicolor trees is a quilt for a giant.
5. I’m convinced that my hair’s curly factor is based on how happy I am.
6. I still think of myself as a dancer even though my ballet days are LONG gone!
7. I find a big nose to be handsome on a man.
8. I’m afraid I might have a Pinterest addiction.
9. My hair has been every “natural” color. Now it’s curious to try the pastels!!!
10. I believe people are most beautiful when they are being vulnerable.
11. Eleven is my lucky number.

Questions I was asked by The Gad About Town:

1. What’s the best piece of advice on writing you’ve received?

It seems unromantic, however: “Use transitions” is a point one of my first writing professors drove home. Personally, I recommend every writer print out a list of transitions to start swapping out words like “but,” “and,” or “then.” When I acclimated to utilizing transitions, I felt my writing was elevated and smoother.

2. How often do you write or work on writing (e.g. researching)?

Even if I’m just planning my next entry inside of my brain, I feel as though I am writing. Therefore, every day.

3. Are you an atheist, agnostic, a believer or something else?

The way the question is worded is a bit exclusive, however, I believe in Christ’s teachings. I’ve always been a very spiritual person, and faith is a deep personal journey that looks very different for everyone.

4. Do you think this affects your writing?

As far as this blog goes, I didn’t think it would. I don’t have a Christian blog by any means. However, just searching online for supplementary quotes have so often lead me to new spiritual connections I couldn’t ignore. Through this new blogging adventure, I’m learning more about my faith journey even when I haven’t set out to.

5. What’s your favorite book?

Travels by Michael Crichton. It’s basically his memoir and travel journal from his time in medical school onward through his eclectic travels across the world. Sometimes I wonder if this book is the treasure I think it is, or might it be that I was reading it while road tripping all summer with friends who also loved Travels. Sometimes a book can be so much more than a book.

6. Who is your favorite author?

Edgar Allan Poe: Since meeting when I was a child, it was love.

7. What’s your favorite movie?

Oh no! Don’t ask me THAT question…Take This Waltz, Some Like it Hot, Mrs. Doubtfire, Romeo & Juliet, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Little Mermaid, Harold and Maude, Dial ‘M’ for Murder, (stop me or I’ll keep going!) Fight Club, The Notebook, Stepbrothers, American Beauty, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Antiviral, The Virgin Suicides, Metropolis. I’m not finished, but I’m stopping.

8. How would you define creativity?

The hunger in one’s soul coming into the light.

9. How long have you been on WordPress?

Since the end of August.

10. Do you write for a living?

No, but writing is helping me live. (See my About pg)

11. Who is the awesomest person you know (or know of), dead or alive?

Well, I definitely think Helen Keller was a rock star. She was basically in her own sensory deprivation chamber being deaf and blind, but went on to make speeches, write books, and had so many progressive opinions about the world far beyond disability issues. She didn’t even have a voice, yet millions of people listened to her message. Now SHE was awesome!

Questions for my nominees:

1. How did you come up with the name for your blog?
2. What is your chosen spiritual path/religion?
3. Does it impact your writing? If yes, how?
4. Describe the first time you realized your writing could influence/challenge others’ thinking?
5. Who was a childhood hero of yours?
6. Do you feel your writing is a form of artistic expression?
7. What was your favorite childhood game?
8. What is the most romantic thing you can think of?
9. What is your favorite quote?
10. How do you define creativity?
11. What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

 **************

Instructions for presenting a Liebster Nomination:

Thank the blogger who nominated you

Post the Liebster Award image on the acceptance post and/or as a widget

Share any 11 facts/things about yourself

Answer the 11 questions given

Nominate bloggers with fewer than 200 followers

Compile 11 questions for your nominees

My Nomination