Liebster Award

So I'm back to collect the second of the blog awards for which I was recently nominated. Another honour!

But before we get to that, an important reminder that today is the day of the IWSG's first ever Twitter Pitch Party. It's not too late to join in! Get crafting that perfect Tweet-length pitch and hook an agent or publisher for your next masterpiece. The event runs until 8pm Eastern Time. Check out the full details here.

In other news, there are still a few days left to contribute to the IWSG's next free anthology, Guide to Writing for Profit. The only requirement is that you are a member of the IWSG bloghop, Facebook group or Goodreads Book Club. Details here.

So I was nominated for another award. This time, my thanks go to Sarah Zama of The Old Shelter. Her blog is well worth a visit - steeped in history, her knowledge of 1920s culture is second to none!

The rules for this award are simple:

• Say thank you to the person who nominated you.
• Answer the 11 questions they asked.
• Nominate 11 people and ask them 11 questions of your own.

So here we go with Sarah's questions:

1. What is the one reason why you like that author so much that when a book of his/hers comes out you automatically buy it?

Terry Pratchett was that author for me, but sadly there aren't more books forthcoming for obvious reasons. His characterisation and humour was always spot on and that's what kept me hooked!

2. Do you read in just your mother tongue?

At the moment, yeah, I don't read in any other language than English. As a kid, though, I was quite obsessed with learning French (just don't ask me to speak it now!) and picked up a few French editions of Tintin and Asterix books, reading them alongside the English versions to pick up all the nuances. Because of the puns, comedy names and bizarre insults that were rampant, the translators often had to deconstruct the original version entirely and come up with something that would work in a different language.

3. Do you think reading in the language a story was written in is the best thing? If yes, why? If not, why?

Well, I don't know if it's the best thing unless you're proficient in that language. But assuming that you are, it's probably the closest you can get to the original author's intentions (see above).

4. Do you read in a preferred genre? Which one? Why you prefer it?

At the moment, I really love reading books about worlds that may be very different from our own, but to which we can relate because of the characters that exist there. So that could be sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian... I'll give most things a go, though. I'm not much of one for pure romance but I have read a few. 

5. Do you ever go exploring genres you don’t normally read?

Again, see above. I don't really actively go looking for them, though, I just go with what comes up that sounds interesting based on the premise.

6. Have you ever being part of a reading group? If yes, how was the experience?

I've never done anything like this, but I wouldn't rule it out. I like the idea of comparing notes because two people can interpret the same thing in wildly different ways.

7. How do you feel about all the new formats available to readers?

I think they're great. I've only got experience with Kindle, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of turning the pages of a physical book, but having as many options as possible for people to read can only be a good thing.

8. I’ve meet people who basically only read in one format (for example only ebooks) Do you? Would you?

No, I don't, but the number of books I read on my Kindle now far outweighs those I read in physical form. The latter tend to be books I win in a giveaway or receive for Christmas, for example. It just offers so much more convenience, not to mention the fact that my bookshelves are overflowing, but I couldn't imagine restricting myself to just ebooks.

9. Today, getting in touch with our favourite authors is a lot easier than before. Have you ever taken advantage of it?

No, this isn't something I've participated in. I'd feel a bit nervous about bothering them if it was a big name, although I'm sure some welcome it. Having said that, some of my favourite authors are fellow bloggers, so technically the answer is yes. 

10. Turning books into movies. This most upsetting practice.

It can be upsetting sometimes, yes. There are occasions when the movie outdoes the book, though I'm drawing a blank on that right now! 

11. Would you ever write the novel you want to read?

I'm always trying to!

These are my 11 nominees:

Shah Wharton
Sophie @ Sophie's Thoughts and Fumbles
Diane Burton
Yvonne Ventresca
Nilanjana Bose @ Madly-in-Verse
Debbie @ My Random Musings
Anmol Rawat
Emily Bloomquist @ My Life in Ecuador
Jenelle Schmidt
Mark Noce
Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

Here are the questions for my nominees:

1. If you were to write a historical novel, which time period would you pick and why?

2. Have you ever taken a creative writing class and what did you learn? If not, would you consider it?

3. Describe one thing from your everyday life that inspires you.

4. What's your social media outlet of choice and why do you enjoy it?

5. What's the maddest thing you've done when researching a story?

6. Pick a favourite book character and give one question you'd like to ask them.

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

8. Describe one ambition you would still like to achieve.

9. What was the last book to make a big impression on you?

10. Name one musical artist that inspires you and say why.

11. Have you ever been lost and what was the outcome of the situation?

Don't forget to check out the #IWSGPit if you have a book to pitch. It really is a fantastic opportunity!