Annie Answers Questions: A Celebratory Q&A

I propose a toast: to you, my readers, my followers, the people who think what I’m saying is worth hearing.  Thank you thank you thank you!  In between the time of asking for questions and completing the Q&A, I reached 300 followers, so double the celebration and double the thanks!

Let’s get right to it: you asked the questions and here are my answers.

@MorganBatley asked: “What are your favorite/least favorite books you’ve ever read?”

My favorite book is probably The Help by Kathryn Stockett for several reasons: it was the first “big girl” book I ever read, I remember reading it in awe of the masterful character development, and it just reminds me of warmth.  I don’t have a logical explanation for that last one, but the book is warm and welcoming.

My least favorite book is honestly harder to pick than my favorite, but I really wasn’t a fan of The Gender Game by Bella Forrest.  I found it so poorly written that I didn’t even get forty pages in before deleting it from my Kindle app.

@KitKatLeClair asked: “How much inspiration do you take from events in your own life when you are writing fiction?”

I take so much from the world around me when I write.  I talked about this in my post on why I write unapologetically because I think that this is so important.  Our goal as writers, or at least my goal as a writer, is to create a story that seems real in some way or another.  My novel-in-progress is a thriller, but that doesn’t mean it can still be based in reality.  Reading is supposed to be an escape and the best thing I can do for my readers is give them a story realistic enough to transport them, to help them escape daily life.

So, long answer short, I take a lot from events in my own life.  My main character is, in her own ways, a version of myself.  My cast of supporting characters all have root in the people around me, whether they be mirrors of my friends, my family, or people who caught my eye as I passed them on the street.  I’m almost directly basing my protagonist’s dad off of the stories I heard as a child about my great grandpa.  The world is rich with inspiration and I love to advantage of it.

Kali Borovic asked: If you were a nail polish which shade and name would it have?

I’ve always been partial to Tiffany blue, but I think I’d add a little more green and darken the shade to make it a really pretty aquamarine-teal.  I’d call it something punny like “Breakfast at Annie’s.”

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I answered this one above, but I’ll give another one of my favorites since I’d hate to waste a perfectly good question.  I read The History of Love  by Nicole Krauss last year and fell in love with it from the start.  The writing is poetic and concise at the same time and Krauss develops these four narrators beautifully and with their own distinctive voice as the book goes on.  The History of Love is one of those books that reminds you why literature is considered art.

What’s the most prized possession in your closet?

Tough question, but I have to say that my most prized possession is a strand of pearls from my family that I received for my high school graduation.  Giving pearls at graduation is a tradition in my family and, in a way, I feel like those pearls connect me back to my family.

Inkgirlandwords asked: On a scale from 1-10, how much do you enjoy blogging?

8.  I love the actual practice of blogging and building my platform, but it often detracts from my time to draft my novel.  I only wish I had more hours in the day to work on both even more.

Bruce Ruadan asked: As a fellow blogger, does your laptop/PC wake up with you and go to sleep when you do?

Pretty much!  I’ve developed a bit of a schedule that goes like this: blog in the morning, read in the afternoon (which means Goodreads and Twitter updates), and write before I go to bed.  Is there a better way to spend my days?

Veronica Marie asked: If you could travel absolutely anywhere, where would you go and who would you go with?

I’ve always had this dream of traveling through Europe, so I would want to start in London with as much money as I could save up and go where I wanted for six months or until my money ran out–whichever happened first.  I think I’d do this by myself, but knowing my family they’d all find a way to tag along 🙂

Elena Hawthorne @ Sweaters and Storms asked: What is your favorite genre to read and your favorite genre to write?

In truth, my favorite genre is good books.  If I have to pick, my preferred genre is pretty much the entire young adult fiction umbrella as well as adult contemporary, but I’m not too picky.  I would rather read a fabulous book that isn’t in my genre than read an okay book that is.

My favorite genre to write is also young adult fiction because it’s my favorite thing to read.  I think there’s so much instability in teenage characters that, as a writer, is pretty fun to mess with.  It makes a great story.

If you aren’t blogging or writing, what can you be found doing?

I’ve taken dance since I was three and have competed regionally since I was in sixth grade so if I’m not blogging or writing, I’m either in the studio, stretching, or self-choreographing.  I’ve been working a lot on that last one because I was invited back to my studio to perform a self-choreographed piece in next year’s recital, so I’m psyched about that.  Oh, and I bake a lot.  I really love chocolate chip cookies, so I’m pretty dedicated.

Xhoana @ The Obsessed Girl asked: What do you think of Kpop?

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it, so I’m not in a place of authority to say whether or not I like it.  I typically prefer something more in the alternative genre, but I’d be willing to give it a shot.  If you have any recommendations, let me know 🙂

Clara Bennet @ The Book Goddess asked: Do you prefer writing the adventurous/intense scenes or the emotional scenes?

I prefer writing emotional scenes because there’s so much depth to them, which is odd considering I’m writing a thriller but nonetheless it’s true!  I think my strengths are in description and portrayal of emotions with which the reader can empathize, so I definitely prefer writing emotion to action.

Pamela @ Starring Pamela asked: Do you normally sit down in one place to blog or do you blog from all sorts of different places?

I typically write my blog posts sitting at my desk in my room.  I like to think of it as my little command center: I have my planner, my books, my laptop, all in one place.  It’s not terribly organized at the moment *frantically shuffles to straighten all the piles* but it works.

What’s your favorite song lyric?

“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons is one of my favorite songs and I love the line “I’ll be bold/as well as strong/I’ll use my head/alongside my heart.”  I also love the songs “Pluto” by Sleeping At Last and “Incomplete” by James Bay.

Is there a group/affiliation within a book that you really identify with (Don’t know if I’m phrasing this right but for example mine would be Ravenclaw from Harry Potter!)

I took the Pottermore quiz just so I could answer this question and was sorted into Hufflepuff, which makes total sense because I’m a marshmallowy ball of emotions.  I’m now obsessed with this site and want to reread all of the books, so if you need me for the next few days I’ll be curled up under a bunch of blankets reading Harry Potter.

Penelope Crumb asked: Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog initially as part of a school assignment, but it quickly became something more.  Blogging as an aspiring writer was all about working on my craft while building a network among fellow writers and readers and creating a platform to serve as a basis for marketing in the future.  I wanted to get my writing onto as many screens as possible before my book is published, but I also thought it would just be fun.

Who was your first follower?

My friend Lauren.  I’m not sure if she’s going to read this but Hi Lauren!! *waves frantically*

Rachel @ pace, amore, libri asked: Do you have any pets?

I do–a dog named Daisy.  We rescued her seven(ish) years ago so I’m not entirely sure of her breed, but we’ve decided she’s a black labrador-beagle-hound concoction of some sorts.  She’s not the smartest dog in the world, but we love her nonetheless.

What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year?

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood or Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (my entire reviews are here and here).

Where’s your favorite place to write?

I’m weird when it comes to writing locations.  I like to sit on my floor, on my bed, at my desk, in a Panera, the floor in my parents’ bathroom, wherever.  As long as it has an outlet, I’m game.

Do you prefer to write in notebooks or on your laptop?

I prefer to write longhand in notebooks, but I think faster than I write so laptop is typically the way to go for me.  I always keep a notebook and pen close by because writing longhand is one of my favorite ways to keep writing when I’m in a rut.  I actually wrote an entire essay my senior year on why writing longhand is important so I’ve got plenty to say on this topic.

Rayne @ Rayne at the Bus Stop asked: Does music distract you while you’re reading or do you prefer it?

I prefer it on certain occasions: if I’m reading for school or need to finish a book fast, then I skip the tunes.  I’ll normally have some easygoing music (I love “Chill Vibes” and “Mellow Morning” on Spotify) on low volume in the background if I’m reading for enjoyment though.

Maggie @ Dreaming of Guatemala asked: What is your favorite social media?

Pinterest is probably my favorite social media because I can pin everything from book reviews to clothes to Halloween costume ideas.  You can check out my profile and follow my pins here.

What is your favorite song at the moment?

“Perfect Places” from Lorde’s new album Melodrama.

Jasmine @ How Useful It Is asked: Which book do you wish you could trade places with the main character?

I haven’t read the books yet, but I’d love to switch places with Scarlet O’Hara from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell or Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot.  I think I’d be a fabulous daughter of old southern money or the princess of Genovia.

That’s all!  Don’t hesitate to keep the Q&A going in the comments–I loved answering these questions 🙂  Also, show some social media love and check out my Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, Wattpad, and Spotify <3