Answers To Reader Questions

Back in late February for my 900+ Followers post, I got a few questions from readers. And since I've been lagging (too far) behind on the blogosphere these days, here--finally--are my answers!

What are you working on right now in terms of writing? from Marsha Sigman
Does brainstorming count? Having discovered that a recent project lost its attraction and energy after the plotting ended and actual writing began, I've been trying to figure out what I'm passionate about that could translate into a book. I'm thinking something to do with birds and/or flying . . .

If you had to choose between writing and ballet, which would you choose? from Janet Johnson
Um . . . you know, that's a difficult question. I'm inclined to say writing, but only because you didn't exclude the possibility I could do other kinds of dance instead of ballet. :)

Have you changed the way you blog from when you first started? from Lynda R Young
Yes, I have, though most of that involves the way I structure my posting. When I started out I'd post every day, on absolutely anything (sometimes it was just a boring "I'm trying to think of something to post about!" or the equivalent), occasionally multiple times. Also, I'm much more focused on writing than I was before.

What's the best and worst part of your hometown? from Deniz Bevan
The worst part is its location, since it's 20 miles or more from anything significant, i.e. where there are places to shop besides a dollar store, gas station, and local grocery store which could do with some sprucing up. (A very, very close second is the town's motto that's emblazoned across the welcome sign right off the highway, which to me seems more than a tad derogatory.) The best part is the library; and the fact my mom started working there in 2011 also helps.


-----The Golden Eagle

The Answers To Your Questions

Last week was my blogoversary, and I decided to celebrate by having readers ask me questions--so here are my answers!

*****

Jemi Fraser:

What's the best book you've read this year?


I have a lot of trouble picking favorites . . . especially when it comes to books. But one really good Young Adult Science Fiction novel I read was Cherry Heaven by L. J. Adlington. The plot, setting, and characters were fantastic.

The Words Crafter:

How in the world do you make it around to comment on so many blogs every day?

I don't use Google Reader, that's for sure. Despite all the support it's been getting recently with all the Crusading, (Rachael Harrie wrote a very helpful post on it--I was completely befuddled before and now I know how it works) I really don't like it. Most of the time I look through posts on the Dashboard, working my way through a certain number of hours or skimming to see if certain bloggers have posted. Or I just use my blogroll.

Deniz Bevan:

Did you see that post TH Mafi did the other day of her daily schedule? What's your schedule like?


No, I didn't see the post--but as for my schedule, it's get up, eat breakfast, schoolwork, writing, schoolwork, maybe some more writing if there's time, lunch, the homeschooling equivalent of P.E., blogging, writing, and I've got dance on Wednesdays. Also, the schedule changes a lot as new things crop up.


(By schoolwork I mean all the subjects I cover in homeschooling. Math, science, history/social studies, language, English, etc. . . .)

Edith F.:

What is your favorite flavor of toothpaste?

Well, it's not mint. (I hate mint.) Most of the time I'm forced to use it simply because it's one of the few flavors that's out there, but if I could choose my favorite is probably cherry. (Hey, it tastes good at the dentist's.)

Ali:

What do you like best about blogging?

Posting and reading comments. :)


And/or What is your favorite lesson you've learned through blogging?

Think before you speak!

Janet Johnson:

What has helped you the most with writing?


Besides a keyboard and word processor, one of the things that has helped me the most is discovering all the information out there online. Before I started reading about writing, I had no idea what a character arc was, how to write a first chapter, the difference between showing and telling, things about publishers and agents and the whole getting-the-book-onto-the-shelf business--a lot of the details that can make a huge amount of difference.

Nicki Elson:

What have you learned about blogging that you wish you would've known in the first month?


People actually read what you're posting, even if your blog is relatively small. (As mine was for a while after I started blogging.) I probably wouldn't have said some of the things I said if I had thought about that . . . I don't object to some controversy, but I get the impulse to delete some of my previous posts whenever I look back and read them.

Sangu:

What's been the most challenging part about blogging for you?


Networking! It takes a lot of time and some energy to get around to all those blogs. But it's also fun. :)

Alison:

Has reading all these blogs and author interviews/guest posts, etc made you want to try your hand at writing?


Nope! I was writing even when I didn't know people blogged about it--probably because I hadn't read the horror stories at that point. LOL.


Just kidding about the horror stories (although I have read some unfortunate occurrences with the publishing process especially) but I have been churning out words for a while.

Have you had a blogging slump? If so, how did you push past it.


Writing, and getting outside. Exercise helps me think a lot of time.

Arlee Bird:

Now that you know about establishing a platform with your blog do you feel like you are doing that?


Yes, I do. I feel like I've got a substantial platform (400+ is a whole lot more than I ever expected) and I try to increase it with the Crusades and other events like that--including the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Still trying to get around to all the bloggers participating!


Oh! And also, Old Kitty and L'Aussie both wondered what the "cbox" I mentioned in my post is. It's the green chatbox-thing on my right sidebar, beneath my button and the Crusader mention. Across from the "Need A Button?" text. People can leave messages and chat in it, if there are other bloggers on at the same time. (Which you can tell by the little black-and-red icon above.)

*****

Thank you all for asking questions! It was a lot of fun answering them, and I hope you enjoyed the post.

Is there anything else you bloggers would like to know about me? :)

-----The Golden Eagle

Blog Parade!

Okay now. Bleah Briann is having a blog parade (as you can see from the title :P) and she's trying to get 100 people to do it. Eesh. So, dear followers, how about pasting these questions to your own post and answering them yourself?

The rules are that you must give my your link to your post (and you must post with the image), you tell your own followers to link up to you, me, and Bleah (you MUST tell me if you do it!), I will then link back to Bleah and state just how many of my followers have participated in the parade, and then you also have to go to her blog and link up. Got it? Comment if you've got questions . . .

So here we go:

Justin Beiber or Adam Young?

Never listened to either. But please, Bieber? He looks like he's twelve.

The Prince Of Peace or Lord of Lords (trick question)? *haha*

Huh? Princes are good, but Lords can also be good . . .

Peaches or Apricots?

Peaches. But my mom LOVES apricots, and I have to say, they're tasty. :)

Blogger or Facebook?

Blogger! Duh, I'm here, aren't I? :P

Myspace or Twitter?

I don't have accounts in either.

Computers or Cell Phones?

Computers, dude.

Dating or Waiting?

Right now? Waiting.

Peaches and Cream or Strawberry Shortcake?

Hmmm. I'm not really a fan of sweet stuff, so I can't say either.

Stripes or Polka Dots?

Striped! Polka dots just don't jive with me much. I think they look too silly for me.

Pink or Blue?

Blue. I used to be pink-crazy, but not anymore.

Black or White?

Depends on the season. White's good for summer, bad for winter, black's good for winter, bad for summer.

Skirts or Shorts?

Shorts! I like being able to stretch and run an generally move unrestricted.

Jeans or Slacks?

Um, I don't wear either.

Sneakers or Flats?

Sneakers!

Sandels or Flip flops?

Sandals! (what's with the clothing?)

Once Upon a Time or The End?

The End!

History or Mathematics?

Mathematics! I love math!

Awards or Tags?

Hmmm. Both. Or awards that come with tags. :P

Ballet or Soccer?

Dance.

Keyboard or Pen and Paper?

Keyboard! This is the third millenium!

E-mail or Hand Written Letters?

Depends.

Candles or Flashlights?

Flashlights! Flames are good occasionally, but with flashlights it's just *flick* instant light!

TV or Books?

Books! Unless you're talking about NOVA. Then I might have some trouble deciding.

Action or Romance?

Action! But why not both?

Cats or Dogs?

Neither. How about something that stays in a cage and doesn't run around the house breaking picture frames?

More Questions or Stop Now?

Either! I'm up to stop or go.

So, go link up to me and to Bleah Briann!

-----The Golden Eagle