I humbly accepted this award from John W.Howell, a man I admire and respect. Stop by his blog and say hello. He has some interesting stories, and is very supportive to other writers.
First rule is to declare in writing 11 unknown facts about me (the recipient) then answer 11 questions posed by John, then I choose 11 nominees and publish the 11 questions I pose to them.
11 Things unknown to the blogging world about me:
1) I am cheating here. Some people already know this but I can’t resist plugging them. My family has owned and operated one of the first nudist resorts, http://www.cypresscoveresort.com, in Florida since 1964. I lived there for six years.
2 ) When I get writer’s block I have other hobbies that I use to mindlessly work my hands while my brain tries to work. I do beading and make jewelry. When I get a better looking model I might post some of it. I keep a note pad handy for thoughts that enter my mind while I am working, as the thoughts tend to flow as I do the handicraft .
3) I am an avid gardener, but sometimes I get lazy with maintenance.
4) My doggies, Captain, a Pug, and Daisy, an Australian cattle dog, own me. I don’t own them.
5) I make better red velvet cake than my grandmother who gave me the cherished recipe.
6) I spent my 18th birthday naked in Central Park. You can read more about that when my autobiography comes out. I have had an exciting and unusual life for a GA farm girl.
7) I don’t like most country music. I love all other music, but that is the one type of music I will not listen to on the radio.
8) I have two grandchildren that I absolutely adore.
9) I quit smoking and gained sixty pounds, then started smoking again and lost 30 pounds. I am trying to quit again, but this time on a diet. I NEVER have smoked in the house.
10) I was single for 12 years and had convinced myself that I did not ever want to marry again UNTIL I met my husband Greg and now I couldn’t imagine life without him.
11) I paint in watercolors and oils. This is a painting that was done by David Winarchik. The photograph was in front of a forest on his back porch, and he painted in the ocean. It hangs in my den/office. This was done in 1997, I think it is beautiful. I call it uninhibited.
11 Questions from John:
1) What gets you going in the morning? Lately, my shoulder pain. I have adhesive capsulitis, otherwise known as frozen shoulder. Then I have coffee.
2) Who had the most profound influence on who you are today? My husband, Greg, because he is supportive and non-judgmental. He lets me be me.
3) Where do you find inspiration? In art, all that is beautiful around me, because there is so very much beauty to be grateful for. In writing, issues that I am very passionate about, and characters who develop from real people I have known.
4) If you had time where would you go? Well, If I had time AND money, I would go to Australia. With just time and no money, I would go to the beach more often.
5) What is your favorite movie of all time? The Wizard of OZ, only because it brings back such good childhood memories of all of us kids gathered around the new color television to see the movie change from black and white to color. I also love Casablanca.
6) What teacher taught you the most and where was that? Betty Capproni at Columbus State University. She tossed out my care plan and made me do it over, but I had photocopied it and resubmitted it. She gave me a perfect score only because I had stuck by my convictions that my patient’s real problem was anxiety (he had breathing issues), his doctor agreed with me. The patient’s breathing problems abated when he got treated for anxiety, and he was able to come out of ICU and off of other meds. She taught me to believe in myself. Lots of teachers encouraged my writing in High School. I moved around a lot in elementary School and Junior High, so I don’t recall many well.
7) When do you feel best in the day? Early morning after my shoulder stops hurting. I work best in early mornings when I am home by myself.
8) Who do you think did the most to help your career? Probably Betty Capproni.
9) What is your favorite meal? Homemade collard greens cooked with ham hocks or homemade vegetable beef soup served with cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet. I can eat bowls and bowls for days and days.
10) Do you respond to customer surveys and do you ever flame the company? I do when they are short enough and I am always honest with them, but in as nice of a way as I can be. Like giving a book review.
11) How far have you ever walked and why? Sixteen miles pulling a wagon and my son, because he needed milk and diapers and I had no car. My husband was at work and there was nobody available to take me. I lived 8 miles from town.
Questions for my nominees:
1) How many hours do you sleep each night?
2) Who was the first person who encouraged you to write?
3) Do you have any pets?
4) Have you ever hidden something you wrote so no one could find it but you couldn’t throw it away?
5) Who is your favorite celebrity and why?
6) Would you say black and white or shades of gray?
7) How much time do you spend on the computer every day?
8) If money were no object, what is the first thing you would do?
9) Do you have children? Grandchildren?
10) What is your favorite candy?
11) If interplanetary space travel were possible would you be brave enough to leave earth?
My nominees:
WyndyDee
Drops of Ink
Violet’s Veg*n e-comics
Toni Slate
K.W.Villa
Kevin Brennan
countingducks
Kira
Professor VJ Duke
S.K. Nicholls 