Awesome Blogger Award!!!

Dear Helena of Penable Me Blog, nominated me for a blog award.

Now, as you know, I am most appreciative of these tags, but I operate an Tag Award-free blog.

But…

You knew that was coming, didn’t you?

She wanted me to answer the questions, and, because she’s an AWESOME Bloggerm herself, I thought “Why not? It’s not like I have anywhere to rush off to, right now…!”

So, here goes.

  1. Name three people who have inspired you on WordPress –

There are so many bloggers who have inspired me, for so many reasons, it would be hard to just pin it down to three. From those that have become friends, and sources of mutual support, that’s my blogily, to those who have given me inspiration to actually write, to those that are just amazing individuals! Below are some special peeps who I have met, from the blogging community, who continue to influence me, daily ❤

2. Winter or summer and why

I love summer because I like to feel the warmth on my skin, but equally, I enjoy the coziness of winter.

3. What is your favourite piece of poetry and why

Honestly, I really don’t have one favourite poem. There are such different genres of poetry, as there are books to read. I love the humour in Pam Ayres poems, though!

4. Name three books you remember reading in your childhood

Books were an integral part of my childhood. You’d never find me without something to read in my hands. I loved Enid Blyton, and still have an original set of Noddy books from when I was four years old, complete with Gollywogs still in them! Then there was the A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh books. They. impacted me so much that my reading corner in my classroom is based on the Hundred Acre Woods! Roald Dahl, and his Revolting Rhymes was another. I can;t get enough of his imaginative world building for younger kids, and the made up words!

5. Tell me something you have cooked/ baked that you are proud of

Cooking is something I really enjoy, but I don’t usually get much of a chance, as my mother in law cooks up a storm, and feeds the family in normal times. Now, however, I have my kitchen, no mother in law, as she lives in a different house, a pandemic and a lockdown, so plenty of time to cook. I’ve been experimenting with plenty, the last few weeks. But in terms of being proud, it has to be cakes I have made and decorated in the past, from my rainbow multi-layer cake, to a Hello Kitty one for Lil Princess, when she was younger.

6. What was the funniest moment of your life?

Too many to choose just one! Oh, my goodness, I am such a procrastinator, aren’t I? 😂😂 One that springs to mind, was when I was presented with an award for gymnastics, and, gracefully as I could, I glided down the centre of the school hall, and unceremoniously tripped up the stairs to the stage, on the way to accepting the award. More embarrassing for me, but hilarious for those watching!

7. Have you ever cried during a film, if so, which one?

I cry at films, soap operas, charity appeal shows, books… you’d be better off asking what I don’t cry at!

8. Give three things your friends would describe you as

Positive, happy, NUTS!

9. Have you ever got late for school when you were younger and made up a ridiculous excuse? If so, what was it?

No, never had a chance to be late, at school, as I lived far away from my school, so my mum used to drop me in the car.

I was, however, late for plenty of university lectures, as I toyed with being a rebel… but it didn’t last past university. I have the punctuality gene ingrained in me by my parents, who were always early for EVERYTHING!

10. Would you rather spend a night in a haunted house or by yourself in the woods??

I think I’d take my chances in the woods… at least I could run if scared. With a haunted house, who knows… could be locked in!

Read Helena’s post at https://penableme.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/awesome-blogger-award/

10 Bookish Questions… The Last Book I… #bookish #books #reader

10 Bookish Questions: ‘The Last Book I…’

I discovered this fun post on Shelley’s blog, I Write, I Read, I Review, and thought I’d give it a go.

Bitmoji Image

1. The last book I gave up on.That was a long time ago, and I can’t even remember the name of the book! It was something like White Rose, a historical saga, and I usually love those, but could I get into it? Nope!

2. The last book I re-read. I have to say, woth all the books on my TBR pile it is not often that I reread books, but one I remember rereading was My Sweet Audrina by Virginia Andrews, and of course, the countless picture books I love to read to my class at school!

3. The last book I bought. The Cactus by Sarah Haywood because I liked the cover!

4. The last book I said I read but actually didn’t. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever done that… I just say ” No, haven’t read that…I’ll put it on my TBR pile!

5. The last book I wrote in the margins.  Nope, sorry, I can’t do that! I can’t write in books I love! Probably the last would be my A-Level texts for English because I had to!!! That would be Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstein Are Dead!

6. The last book I had signed.  I think the last book I had physically signed by the author was Sacha Black’s guide to creating Superbad Villains! But that was 2 years ago! Since then though I have received books in the post from special authors, that have had lovely messages written in them for me.

7. The last book I lost.   I don’t think I have really lost books, but they have in the past been donated to charity, when I haven’t had space for more, they the regret kicks in…

8. The last book I had to replace.  Continuing from the last question…
I think some were my childhood favourites by Enid Blyton, like the Mallory Towers and St Claires series. I bought them again!

9. The last book I argued over.  I don’t think I have ever argued over a book! But I have found certain ones hard to read, that have been recommended to me by others. I just swallow it and carry on with the next good read!

10. The last book I couldn’t find. A book you can’t find? Do you not know about Amazon and Ebay?? I think I have always managed to find books I wanted to read, and if I wasn’t having much luck, then I would always find another book to distract my search!

peacefully reading

If you want to have a go, you can answer the book tag questions too!

Writer’s Tag

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… Mock Up cover
  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!!!!!

SIPB SUMMER BLOG TAG

Here’s a fun little tag set by a great little FB group I am a member of, Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers. Read Amelia’s, Esme’s and Rachael’s too!

They have put forward 10 questions to answer about ourselves, just a little ‘get to know you’ kinda thing, and I do like these kinds of tags!

My answers…

  1. What is your favourite Summer holiday destination? I don’t have a specific place to be, to be honest. Just getting the chance to relax is the best, wherever I am!
  2. What is your favourite childhood memory of Summer? I loved spending my summers in Kenya, with my family out there, carefree, enjoying life, visiting various amazing places while I was there!
  3. Which do you prefer: ice-cream or frozen yoghurt? It’s got to be ice cream, but at the moment, if I get a frozen delight it has to be low carb, and low sugar, so Keto friendly ice pops made from cream cheese, and fruit are refreshing, and so are sorbets!
  4. What is your go-to dinner on a hot Summer evening? A nice big salad with grilled meat of some sort!
  5. What is your favourite BBQ food? I love to make chicken kebabs with vegetables, smothered in oyster sauce, yum!
  6. Share a song that takes you back to an amazing Summer. Killing ME Softly by the Fugees. 1996. I was going to be starting my last year at university and it was an awesome summer!
  7. How do you beat the heat in the Summer? I stay in where possible, wear minimal clothing, unless I have to look decent, drink lots of fluids, have a fan on, and sleep with just a sheet.
  8. Do you prefer swimming in the ocean or a pool? I like to swim in a pool, but I enjoy paddling and splashing in the ocean!
  9. Do you prefer to travel with family, friends or solo? I think there’s a place for all! I love my family trips, creating memories with young and old, I love to go away with friends, as there’s a different sort of joy you can have with your buddies. I’ve never travelled alone, but I’d like to try, as I think the beauty of choosing what you want to d whenever you want could be really freeing!
  10. Flip-flops or barefoot? I am a total boho barefoot babe where I can be! I love the feeling of grass, sand etc under my feet!

 

Here are the questions if you fancy a go!

  1. What is your favourite Summer holiday destination?
  2. What is your favourite childhood memory of Summer?
  3. Which do you prefer: ice-cream or frozen yoghurt?
  4. What is your go-to dinner on a hot Summer evening?
  5. What is your favourite BBQ food?
  6. Share a song that takes you back to an amazing Summer
  7. How do you beat the heat in the Summer?
  8. Do you prefer swimming in the ocean or a pool?
  9. Do you prefer to travel with family, friends or solo?
  10. Flip-flops or barefoot?

Blue Sky Tag

Just sitting here browsing my reader, as I do, and I came across the Blue Sky Tag, as responded to by my dear Blog Sis Willow – Check her responses out here!

So here’s the thing…

There’s a thing about 11 for this tag:

11 rules…no.

11 cups of coffee… had it been tea, I mighta…

11 tags – nope, you’re all IT!

11 questions

11 answers… Something like that.

For me, I’m going with this…

Consider yourself tagged.

Join in, have a bit of bloggy fun, use the awesome Blue Sky Tag banner (that Rachael designed).

Here are your Questions. Enjoy and have fun!

  1. If you only had 24hrs to live what would you do? I’d spend it with my loved ones, doing all the things I love to do, read, eat, sing, dance, be merry!
  2. If you could have a drink or a meal with anyone, dead or alive, real or fictional who would they be? I always respond the same to this… it would be my grandparents, all four of them, as I never really got to know them, and I’d love to learn so much from them about the past, and family history.
  3. Do you like poetry or prose? I like both at different times. Love to write them both too!
  4. What is your favourite meal? You can’t ask a foodie that! I love food, generally, apart from most seafood!
  5. Where would you like to live if money was no object? Honestly? Closer to my folks, wherever they live!
  6. What was your most interesting job? I really love my day job at the moment, teaching preschoolers, but one of the most interesting was my first ever job as the assistant manager of a designer boutique in Kingston-Upon-Thames. It was well before the era of reality TV, but really, there could have been a great fly on the wall series made about the customers that came in, and the owners. I loved it!
  7. What was your most boring job? I can’t say any have been boring, because I try to make all I do a little fun. The most boring element of any job I had was stuffing envelopes during marketing campaigns in the office job I had for nine years. Though even that wasn’t bad, as I had great company!
  8. Ice-cream or lolly? Ice cream first, followed closely by ice lolly!
  9. Cat or Dog? Obviously cat, Sonu Singh would kill me if I said anything else! but I do have a soft spot for the canines out there too!
  10. Soap opera or Drama? Again, a hard choice. I do love my Eastenders, and the one Indian soap I watch daily, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, but then again, I can get gripped by dramas too! 
  11. Which book has truly influenced you? I don’t think there has been one book that specifically influenced me. It’s more that all books influenced me to want to write. All books influenced me to want to create worlds that others can get lost within…

And there you have it!

Now, I hope you take on the Tag and have a go at answering my 11 questions too! (Borrowed from Sarah!)

  1. Do you judge a book by its cover?
  2. What’s your favorite color? (Specific shade would be awesome…just saying.)
  3. Which animal is smarter: chimpanzees or dolphins? (Except if Geoff Le Pard plays because he will say “mice”.)
  4. What’s your least favorite part about writing: editing, revising, or proofreading?
  5. Are there any mythological creatures you believe are real? (Or wish they were?)
  6. Which ridiculously popular book did you not enjoy?

Do You Prefer / Which Would You Rather questions:

  1. Pen or pencil
  2. Wine or beer
  3. Bean bags or straight-back chairs
  4. A pile of proofreading or a stack of math worksheets
  5. Monty Python or Three Stooges

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