The Liebster Award!

Greetings, fellow writers, readers, bloggers, and humans! (At least, I assume you’re human. You never know these days.) Recently, I was tagged for the Liebster Award by Kristianne from Whimsical Wanderings! Her blog is relatively new, so make sure you go check it out! She has a lot of cool posts on there. I have really enjoyed reading them.

So how exactly does this spiffy-looking award/tag work? I’m glad you asked!

The Rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you. (Thanks, Kristianne!)
• Answer the eleven questions he/she asked.
• Nominate eleven more bloggers for the award.
• Make sure they know you nominated them.
• And ask your eleven nominated bloggers eleven questions.

Kristianne’s Questions:

1. What is your blog all about? What do you write about on there?

My blog is an arbitrary conglomeration of art, book reviews, short stories, project updates, character interviews, and glimpses of my doings in real life. I also like to write about ideas that have been on my mind lately. Often these posts are my way of wrangling with confusing thoughts and trying to shape them into something that makes sense. I have done that with the subjects of light vs. darkness, creative inspiration, angels, and faith. Undoubtedly, there will be many more to come. All of these together justify my blog’s tagline of “the arbitrary musings of an artist and author.

2. Have you ever finished a full-length writing project or wanted to?

Yes, I have! I have written a five-book fantasy series (three books of which need a horrific amount of editing, but we don’t talk about that), one standalone novel (that also needs editing), and numerous short stories.

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert (or an ambivert)?

I am what is called an extroverted introvert. That may seem like a contradiction, but allow me to explain. If given the opportunity, I avoid large groups, but I enjoy smaller gatherings. Even then, I get mentally exhausted quickly and have to recharge by myself for a long time (as opposed to extroverts who supposedly gather energy from being with people). In groups of friends, I am not typically shy or soft-spoken. I can be just as loud and outwardly “extroverted” as the rest of them. However, when I am in larger groups or among strangers, I grow more reclusive and prefer to listen rather than speak.

4. What inspires you the most? Certain books? Movies? Music?

Oh, music definitely inspires me. I often say that I cannot live without music (which, while a slight exaggeration, conveys the proper sentiment). I listen to music while writing, and it aids the process. It keeps my mind from wandering by overriding the extra layer of thought in my brain. More generally, certain artists have songs that I return to time and again. At this point, music is a part of my being, and I don’t mind at all. (In case you were wondering, I’m listening to the song “Ezio’s Family” from the Assassin’s Creed soundtrack at the moment.)

5. What book are you reading right now? (Or if you’re not reading anything right now, what was the last book you read?)

The last book I read was The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Despite a name that made me frown as a young library-goer, it was actually a very good book. Definitely up there among the better historical fiction books I’ve read. Since beginning this blog post, I have made progress on two more books: Fawkes by Nadine Brandes and The Light Thief by David Webb. Both are good so far!

6. What kind of music do you like to listen to (if at all)?

I’m quite pleased you asked! I listen to a wide range of music genres: pop music, CCM, Celtic music, movie and game soundtracks, and the occasional rap and kpop. I also really enjoy the playlists of “epic” music that can be found on Youtube and instrumental music with a waltz-type rhythm and a strong piano melody throughout.

7. Which type of character would you like to be in a book? The protagonist? Mentor? Sidekick?

Protagonists go through a lot of pain. Mentors get killed off (and I wouldn’t make a very good one, I don’t think). I’d probably make a good sidekick, though. I would be supportive of the hero and motivation for him/her to defeat the bad guy so everyone can live happily ever after. Although now that I think about it, sidekicks get killed off quite often, too. (Since that’s the case, I’d probably choose to be a character who is at first an ally of the villain but has a redemption arc later on and joins the hero. Those characters are fun, and rarely die unless the villain wants to make them pay for their betrayal.)

8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Israel, I think. Imagine walking where the people of the Bible walked! It would be such an awesome experience.

9. What is your favorite season? Why?

I like autumn! For one, because my birthday and Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) are in the fall. For two, because the trees turn such vibrant colors, and for three, because the weather is so beautiful!

10. Generally, which do you prefer: books or movies? Why?

Generally, I prefer books. I’m picky when it comes to books, but even pickier about movies. The acting must be impeccable, the costumes good-quality, the characters engaging and realistic, and the settings vivid. The plot, too, must make sense, or else my family and I roll our eyes. I have many of the same requirements for books, but I much prefer holding a tome in my hands and immersing myself in the story. With movies, you’re on the outside looking in.

11. Who is someone you look up to and want to emulate? (It can even be someone from the past.)

Questions like this are always hard for me because I know that no one is perfect. No matter how skilled someone is at their craft, they will always fall short in one way or another. I would love to emulate the writing of Andrew Peterson, Rosemary Sutcliff, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, but even they were not perfect. In daily life and faith, I would hope to be like my pastor or my parents, but they’re still only human. I look up to all of these people and want to be like them, but the person I want to imitate in every aspect of my life is Jesus. He alone is perfect, and every day I hope I am more and more like him.

---

The Nominees:

Ashley @ The Everhart Author

Elisha @ The Voyaging Storyteller

Gloria @ Pink Pen Ink

Joy @ Inky Ramblebeast

Lemon @ World of Chronicles

Liesl @ Quote, Unquote

Mary @ Wild Writing Dreams

BookmarkedOne

S.J.Barnard

Evelyn Brooks

Joy Caroline

Whew, that was a lot.

The Questions for Those Tagged:

1. What is your current favorite book/series, and why?
2. What are your favorite genres to read and write?
3. What is your favorite fandom?
4. Would you rather bring one of your characters to this world for a day or visit your favorite book world for a day?
5. What is your favorite kind of character to write or read about?
6. Do you prefer coffee or tea? (Or something else?)
7. Would you rather be really good at one specific talent or average at a wide variety of talents? Why?
8. What is your passion in life?
9. Do you have any “unusual” talents or hobbies?
10. Would you rather live in a desert or a snowy region for the rest of your life?
11. Can you think of a movie adaptation that is better than the book?

---

Thanks for reading, friends! I’ll see you next week.