Answering a Writer's Questions

 

I was nominated by Jenna Brownson to take part in the“Siblinghood of the world blogger award.” Jenna is a great friend and wonderful writer. I’m to answer 5 questions and pass the process on by asking other bloggers original questions that I've thought up.  While I have no desire to be nominated for an award, I will answer the 5 questions as it's an interesting exercise.

Here’s what Jenna asked me (and 4 others):

Please answer these 5 questions:

1. What was the best book you were ever told you “had to” read, i.e., assigned for school reading?

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

I still have it -- sophomore year in high school. It is marked and heavily underlined and has moved back and forth across the country several times.  I don’t remember now why I thought it was good. Perhaps it was the first time I was asked to analyze and discuss the characters and plot, to think critically and objectively and that the teacher believed I was capable of doing so; an incredibly patient man (thank you Ken Capon).


 

2. You blog. Do you write other than your blog? If so, what do you write?

In general, I write about crafts, and how to make them. My blog is a place where I share only one aspect of my life- it’s an offshoot of my professional life. The blog functions as a friendly sort of business card. I hope that the people who visit are inspired to make something.

As a rule, I direct most of my writing to my friend Jodi, who is very smart but not terribly crafty (or so she says) and I sometimes make tiny comments as if I’m speaking directly to her (even though she doesn’t read my blog very often because she is crazy busy).

3. How do you take your coffee? If you don’t drink coffee, how can you consider yourself a serious writer?

Black. My husband roasts his own beans and has become an excellent roaster.

4. What’s your day job? What education/training did you have in order to get said “day job”?

Craft developer and stylist. I came by my “job” by accident – working from home for my art director/editor neighbors when my son was an infant. Since then, I’ve developed and styled hundreds (literally) of crafts for FamilyFun magazine, the Girls Scouts of USA and Storey publishing. I wish, wish, wish I had an agent for what I do and have no idea how to get one (if you do- please email me!)

I have a BFA in ceramics and an MFA in sculpture. I constantly take classes to learn and develop new skills. I’m currently taking online Photoshop and Lightroom classes through Creativelive.

5. What do you do for exercise?

I go to a gym- which I hate. In the summer, I ride a bicycle. Last Christmas, my husband gave me an indoor bike trainer thingy for my bike but I haven’t set it up yet.
And then there is the dog- we walk as often as we can....