The Great Liebster Award

This author has been given the honor of being nominated for the Liebster Award. I was nominated by Elise VanCise, freelance photojournalist, published in print and digital media. This award is a fantastic opportunity for the nominees to share a part of who they are outside of their usual posts.

Let’s start the fun with 11 questions from Elise to her nominees:

1. In your writing, what do you feel is your greatest strength and weakest point?

I think one of my strong points is that I can get inside the characters head and emotions. My weakest point, besides atrocious spelling, is not finishing the projects that I start. There are lots more, but you only asked for one.

2. Do you have a favorite writing tool?

I love my new laptop! My hubby bought me one and I have been much more productive since. I would also like to say how hard it is to do NaNoWriMo on pen and paper.

3. If you could have a writing retreat anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I think if I could go anywhere I would pick New Zealand. I would want somewhere where you can find a remote place that is beautiful with the comforts of home, but also I would want to see Hobbiton.

4. Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate?

I love dark chocolate. I especially love it when it is combined with almonds.Though I did once have milk chocolate covered potato chips which were unbelievably good.

5. What do you think of the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon?

Oh, she is trying to trap me into admitting I liked them over all. I know there were several editing mistakes and there are lots of people who hate them. However, it gives me hope that I can make it, too. Also, I think it is funny erotica was being sold in such a prominent place in Target and Walmart.

6. Do you have a favorite character, from books (your own or others), movies, or television and what makes them your fave?

My favorite character I have ever read about is in Lord of the Rings. I know what you are saying that is so cliche, but what can I say. Samwise Gamgee is one of my heroes. I bet you thought I was going to go with Frodo or Gandalf. The reason is because he is a supporting character which without his presence the Ring would not have been destroyed. He made many mistakes, but came in at just the right times to save Frodo from opposing forces as well as himself. He also saved the Shire after the Scouring of the Shire by replanting with his gift from Lothlorien.

7. Do you prefer character driven or plot driven stories?

I think i prefer character driven plots. I like to see them change and develop by the end of the story.

8. Kindle or Nook?

I don't have either one, but when I can get one I will probably get a Kindle fire. My friend loves hers.

9. How do you deal with a bad review or critique?

I am not sure. I have not been able to finish my first novel and have only received kindly worded criticism on my flash fiction. Though I would hope that I would take it with grace.

10. What book/s are you reading now?

I must confess that with NaNoWriMo and then the holidays I haven't been reading much. The last book I was reading was Breathless by Tawdra Kandle, which is book two of The King Series. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to move to number 3.

11. Zombies attack, you can use 3 things from where you are sitting right now to defend yourself. What are they and could you survive?

I am sitting at the dining room table and the tree most deadly things near me are a pen, a gingerbread house and oh ya a knife. So I may have a chance, but if I can fend them off for a few steps there are a some swords in the garage that are pretty handy. Though maybe my keyboard would make a good weapon.


11 random things about me:

1. I homeschool my children.
2. I drink Diet Mtn Dew.
3. I love giving presents.
4. I like to bake cookies with my children.
5. I have tamed a wild horse by accident.
6. I mostly prefer YA books.
7. I participate in Renaissance re-creation with the Adrian Empire.
8. I love carving stamps for letterboxing.
9. I am going to start making mead in January.
10. My sister once got bit by a moose.
11. I have known my best friend for 19 years


Now for the fun part passing this prestigious award along to fellow writers/bloggers. My nominees for the Liebster Award are…

Kimberly Kinrade at http://kimberlykinrade.com/
Rose Anderson at http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/
Nicole at http://twistedsense.com/
Michael A. Buccilli at http://mbreventures.blogspot.com/
Kristen Strassel at http://deadlyeverafter.com/
Benjamin X. Wretlind at http://bxwretlind.com/blog/
Steven Vincent at http://trueknights.wordpress.com/
Frances di Plino at http://francesdiplinoreviews.blogspot.fr/
Nicole Pyles at http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/
Donna B. McNicol at http://donnamcnicol.blogspot.com/
Anna Katina at http://www.gayadesigns.com/


And here are the 11 Questions for my nominees:

1. What made you start writing?
2. What is your favorite coffee shop treat?
3. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
4. What is the loveliest thing you have ever seen?
5. Are the names of the characters in your novels important?
6. What is your favorite bedtime drink?
7. Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
8. How much research do you do for your books?
9. What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
10. What makes you laugh?
11. What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Don't forget to tell us 11 random facts about yourself. Please also put a comment here so we don't miss your answers!

Hobbiton photo credit: suesviews via photopin cc

Zombie photo credit: San Diego Shooter via photopin cc

Flash Me A Letterboxing Quilt

"Hi honey, we're home," she called out as she opened the door holding it wide so a charging toddler could get by unscathed.

The burly man snatched up the giggling girl and crossed the small living room in 3 strides. He took his wife in his arms and they kissed as the little one tugged gently on his beard. His day had just become complete. "You have a package from Canada," he raised his eyebrow, "or Moon Flowers does."

Her eyes lit up and a squeal of joy that mirrored her daughters escaped her lips. "Yay, happy," she gloated as she released her husband and went to the waiting stack of mail. What greeted her eager eyes was a cheerful green envelope with adorable stamps on the outside. She knew what had to be inside, but couldn't remember any wonderful treasures being on the way. She carefully opened the packed little envelope and gasped with wonder. These had been given up for lost over a year ago.

"What is it that has made you so happy dear?" he asked.

"A beautiful quilt," she replied with her attention focused mostly on the contents of her package.

"A magical quilt that will fit in a tiny envelope or a tiny quilt for dolls?" he teased her.

"For dollies," the toddler gushed as she squirmed to get free of her fathers arms.

"No, Gwen it is not for your dollies. It is for mommies wall." she said as she began laying them out on the table in the dining room.

"Cards!" said Gwen. "Can I help, mommy?" 

"Of course you can baby," She said patiently.

Gwen's face wrinkled to a frown and she crossed her arms. "Not baby," she sulked.

Her mother looked up from her wondrous cards and said, "Only babies pout like that." 

Gwen hastily slapped on a smile and the pair began to admire the tiny pieces of art that looked like little quilt squares. Each square had a hand carved stamped image on it. They laid them out, rearranged them several times until they were just perfect and finally glued them to a framing mat. They found charming gilt frame in the craft closet and put it all together. As she admired their work she felt the gratification she had been missing since life had become too hectic to work with her art.

"Daddy look. All done!" Gwen said while looking expectantly at her father.

They held up the finished project. "What do you think Matt? Did we do a good job?"

"You certainly did," Matt replied. He smiled and kissed his family. Seeing his wife and daughter so happily absorbed in eachother's company made him feel like the luckiest man in the world. 

(This was triggered when I received a box of cards the prompt that I followed was to focus on dialog and stay under 500 words)

The finished quilt.

My Card

These cards are over sized Letterboxing Trading Cards. You can find out more about LTCs and Letterboxing at Atlas Quest.