I’ve been tagged! this or that Book Tag by da-AL

What fun! Shaymâ, an evocative poet who writes the blog, Shaymâ Deep Thoughts, Spilt Ink.., nominated me for “this or that Book Tag,” created by Ayunda at Tea & Paperbacks. Check out their lovely sites!

Thank you, Shaymâ and Ayunda!

4 Rules

• Mention the creator of the tag.
• Thank the blogger who tagged you!
• Answer 10 questions.
• Tag 10 other people to do this tag to spread the love!

10 Questions

1. Reading on the couch or in the bed? More like anywhere and everywhere! As a writer, if I have time to sit, I feel like I should be writing. At the same time, books are my lifeblood. The answer? I listen to audio books a lot. Driving, and via a boom box that I plug and unplug from one room to another. When I’m brushing my teeth, sweeping the floor, or chopping veggies, my essential little player is either on ‘play’ or ‘pause.’ Even when I’m working out to an exercise CD that I’ve already listened to!
2. Main male character, or main female character? For a great story, who cares? For anything lesser, probably a main female character is more interesting to me. Partly because I can relate, and partly because already the odds seem to be stacked higher against women.
3. Sweet snacks or salty snacks? Bitter or sweet, nutty, fruity or plain, chocolate!
4. Trilogies or quartets? In the style of Isabel Allende’s books, I like when they’re ok as stand-alones, but can fit together too.
5. POV: 1st person or 3rd person? Without consciously selecting them that way, most of what I read is in First Person.
6. Reading at night or morning? With breakfast, driving, lunch, making dinner. Meaning all day, not at night.
7. Libraries or bookstores? Both are among the very best places in the world!!!
8. Books that make you laugh or that make you cry? Both! Somewhere I read a quote that the best stories make one laugh and cry, and have agreed ever since. Wish I knew who coined such a great concept!
9. Book cover: black or white? Colorful is my fave. If black or white are my only choices, then white, so the black lettering of the title stands out.
10. Character-driven or plot-driven? My fave stores are a combination of both. Strong interesting characters amid a story with an arc and tension. Fine writing can make anything come to life. I love anything that’s not formulaic, that leaves me feeling better for having read it, in that I either know more or can empathize better.

My Nominees

1. OfficiallyThyda is an inspiring young woman who describes what its like to be recovering from a coma.
2. LittleDogLaughed takes the best dog photos! My fave, no surprise, given that he looks like my furry loves, is of Steve.
3. ShashaSelfLove keeps me thinking optimistically.
4. BreathMath’s Ashoora Arif helps me in an area that I need a lot of help in.
5. MusikKenya teaches me all about Kenyan music.
6. Marije, De Gans in both English and Dutch, encourages me to, “Live a beautiful life in a beautiful world,” “Leef een mooi leven in een mooie wereld.”
7. Jean-Noel’s photographs of people, architecture, and graffiti are lush.
8. An author from England Suzanne Rogers shares insights into the writing life, along with sharing about her hobbies.
9. Norah Colvin writes fiction and poetry, plus she discusses her teaching experience.