But I Smile Anyway…

Thank you Simon, of Planet Simon blog, for tagging me in this Writers Tag!

☆ Post the Tag and Image on your blog (see above).

☆ Thank whoever nominated you and give a link back to their blog.

☆ Mention the creators of the tag and link back to their blogs.

☆ Nominate 6+ deserving bloggers and notify your nominees by commenting on their
blogs.

This Writers Tag was created by Lorraine Ambers and Ari Meghlen.  Click on the highlighted names to check out their blogs and don’t forget to leave a comment to tell them that you’ve played the fun Writers Tag so they can connect with you too.

So let’s get started with this fun, quick-fire Writers Tag and get to know each other a little better. 

The Questions!

1. Name one novel that inspired you to write – I have to say Enid Blyton’s books carried me to another world as a child and made me want to write stories!
2. What’s your favourite genre to write and read? – pre-blogging I was a bonafide Chick Lit reader. the stories I wrote seemed to have that chick lit flavour to them too. But since blogging, I have been introduced to so many different genres, I don’t think I can actually say I have a preference to read any more! Writing-wise is the same. I have tried a few different styles and find that they all satisfy me as a writer!
3.  Do you prefer to write stand-alone or series? Having only been in this writing game a short while, I can honestly say I have only written one full-length novel, and it was designed to be a stand-alone, though since finishing, there is a possible novella spin-off that could be written!
4. Use 3 words to describe yourself – eclectic, positive, loopy
5. Reveal your WIP aesthetics or an image that represents your MC or setting.  Ooh, this is hard! On my mock-up cover, I used this image… 
6. How long did your first MS take to draft? Mine was an epic journey and the idea and first words were written in 2001. The last words of the first draft were typed in April of 2018… my teenage WIP turned adult!
7. Who is your author idol?  Having had the pleasure of getting to know her, my author idol is Amanda Prowse, best-selling author of over twenty books. Her story of how she got to where she is now is inspirational. She started out as an indie, like many out there, and her sheer graft was rewarded by an agent approaching her and a fantastic publishing deal… and the best thing? She is so down to earth!
8. Share a writing memory that made you determined to carry on. Reading my WIP out aloud to my children, and them wanting me to carry on reading this story!
9. Tell us something surprising or unique about yourself. I don’t think there is anything surprising, or unique about me! I’m a run of the mill British Indian, born to parents of Indian descent, but born in Kenya, themselves!
10. Share the hardest part about being a writer and how you overcame it. Time. I think time, for me, was the biggest factor, and I knew with my teaching career, that things like NaNo, though amazing, would never work for me, timing wise. So instead, I created my own writing month, RiNoWriMo, in August last year, which was when I managed to add 50,000 words + to my now finished first draft!
11. What’s your favourite social media and why? Share your link. Oh I have to say I love far too many! Facebook for the camaraderie and interaction, Instagram because I love sharing and looking at photos, and Twitter for the ease of sharing!
12. Share some uplifting wisdom in six words or less – Never give up on your dreams ❤

To my nominees, here are the questions for you to copy should you wish to play this tag. I’ve left them the same as the question I was given… 

• Name one novel that inspired you to write.
• What’s your favourite genre to write and read?
• Do you prefer to write stand-alone or series?
• Use 3 words to describe yourself
• Reveal your WIP aesthetics or an image that represents your MC or setting.
• How long did your first MS take to draft?
• Who is your author idol?
• Share a writing memory that made you determined to carry on.
• Tell us something surprising or unique about yourself.
• Share the hardest part about being a writer and how you overcame it.
• What’s your favourite social media and why? Share your link.
• Share some uplifting wisdom in six words or less

I nominate:

All my writer friends that are out there in the blogosphere!!!!!