A is for Awards & Awesomeness

I was recently given a couple of blog awards by some awesome fellow bloggers. In addition to that, this cool little notice popped up on my blog. 500 likes…that is humbling. Thank you to all of you who take the time to stop by and read my ramblings!

The first award I was given was the Inspiring Blogger Award, from the lovely Susan. The second is the Sunshine Award, from fellow writer Joel. Both bloggers are fantastic and I recommend checking them out. I find that Susan and I share a lot of our world views, and Joel’s writing posts are some of my favorites.

The rules for both of these awards are essentially the same, so I’ve created a hybrid version and combined them into one. Slick.

1) Display the award’s logo in your post or on your blog

2) Answer 10 questions about yourself.

3) Nominate 10 other bloggers.

4) Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know that they have been nominated.

5) Link the person (people) who nominated you.

The Questions

1. What inspired you to start blogging? I’m a writer and I knew I needed a central place for updates and information about my books. I tried it once a couple of years ago and failed at updating, but this time around I was determined to do it right. So far I’ve kept up on it regularly and managed to create a page where information on my books and writing is accessible (at least in my opinion).

2. What is your favorite blog that you like to read? Becca is awesome and the type of chick I would be BFFs with in real life: Lady or Not Ionia is an awesome writer helping other writers: Readful Things

3. What is your favorite color? I always hate this question because I feel like context is necessary for the answer. My favorite color to wear is blue, because it complements my eyes and fair skin. My favorite color on a car is usually a dark gray. The color I identify most is probably green, because I am Irish. And I always try to add plenty of red, because I am a redhead and also sort of a fiery pain in the ass.

4. What are your passions? Writing is and always will be my number one passion. World travel is another, as is history (most of what I read is historical fiction and non-fiction). Also I’m a Tolkien geek to the extreme. I still need to take pictures of my home office and post them here so people can simultaneously nod in respect and egregiously facepalm my life choices.

5. Favorite animal? As much as I’ve always tried so hard to be a dog person, I am really so much better with cats. We “get each other.” In a non-creepy way.

6. What is your dream job? Being a full-time author would be the obvious first choice. A strong second would be either a history professor teaching courses on Tudor/Plantagenet studies, or a travel writer.

7. How much time do you spend blogging? A few hours a week between blogging and reading other blogs. I try to read as many as I can, both from those I follow and new finds.

8. Do you watch TV? If so, what are your favorite shows? I’m kind of a premium cable snob, so I watch a lot of the HBO/Showtime/Starz shows. I was into all the legacy HBO shows (Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Carnivale), and currently I watch Game of Thrones, The Borgias, Spartacus, Dexter, Shameless, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood. Basically if the premium cable networks make a show, I’m probably their target audience. Luckily only 1 or 2 of these shows are airing at any given time. I do watch Family Guy sometimes too.

9. Favorite flower? Orchids are the quickest way to con me into doing something for you.

10. Finally, Sarah, have you ever felt as narcissistic as you do right now answering these questions? This exercise hardly scratches the surface of my narcissism.

The Nominations

The hard part for me is nominating 10 blogs, as I’ve done this several times over now and I don’t necessarily want to repeat (equal opportunity awarding, right here folks). So I decided to honor some fellow writers, as well as people who help other writers.

For those of you I’ve nominated…this is a “no pressure” nomination. Enjoy it as you will and pick whichever award suits you (or both!) 🙂

 

1. Squirrely Writer: http://squirrellywriter.com/

2. By Candlelight: http://mllegette.com/

3. Rosie Amber: http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/

4. JK Holmes: http://jkholmes92.wordpress.com/

5. Virginia the Vuriliferous: http://vathev.wordpress.com/

6. Ramanda429: http://ramanda429.wordpress.com/

7. There and Draft Again: http://thereanddraftagain.wordpress.com/

8. Rejection Love Letters: http://rejectionloveletters.com/

9. Hot Tea & Dark Chocolate: http://hotteaanddarkchocolate.wordpress.com/

10. Readful Things: http://readfulthingsblog.com/