Thank you to author Nick Wilford for nominating my blog for the Liebster Award!
Before I answer his questions, I wanted to share a few interesting links I’ve found lately.
Before I answer his questions, I wanted to share a few interesting links I’ve found lately.
- Not To Worry: 10 Things to Stop Worrying About by Martha Beck
- Entropy: Why Life Always Seems to Get More Complicated by James Clear
- Great Tips for Writers on Using Instagram, by Jennifer Bardsley
And now on to Nick's questions. (You can read his answers on his Speculative Fiction-themed blog here.)
1. If you were to write a historical novel, which time period would you pick and why?
Actually, I did start a (currently unfinished) historical short story set in 1850s Ohio. Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies, and we have family history in Ohio, so I thought it would be fun to explore that setting.
2. Have you ever taken a creative writing class and what did you learn?
I majored in English/Creative Writing in college (along with Computer Science), so I’ve taken quite a few writing classes. One of the main things that I learned was how to take feedback and incorporate critiques into my revisions.
3. Describe one thing from your everyday life that inspires you.
Nature – the overall beauty in even the smallest bits of nature can be inspiring when we take time to notice.
4. What's your social media outlet of choice and why do you enjoy it?
Twitter has been a choice in the past, because I like that you can follow all kinds of interesting people – you don’t need to be “friends.” More recently, I’ve been experimenting with Instagram (follow me @YvonneVentresca) and enjoy the visual nature of it. (See the link about IG tips for writers above.)
5. What's the maddest thing you've done when researching a story?
Besides the many questionable topics I've researched online, I like to research my settings by visiting them at the right time of day (if possible), so I’ve been to some deserted places at night. Here's one of them:
1. If you were to write a historical novel, which time period would you pick and why?
Actually, I did start a (currently unfinished) historical short story set in 1850s Ohio. Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies, and we have family history in Ohio, so I thought it would be fun to explore that setting.
2. Have you ever taken a creative writing class and what did you learn?
I majored in English/Creative Writing in college (along with Computer Science), so I’ve taken quite a few writing classes. One of the main things that I learned was how to take feedback and incorporate critiques into my revisions.
3. Describe one thing from your everyday life that inspires you.
Nature – the overall beauty in even the smallest bits of nature can be inspiring when we take time to notice.
4. What's your social media outlet of choice and why do you enjoy it?
Twitter has been a choice in the past, because I like that you can follow all kinds of interesting people – you don’t need to be “friends.” More recently, I’ve been experimenting with Instagram (follow me @YvonneVentresca) and enjoy the visual nature of it. (See the link about IG tips for writers above.)
5. What's the maddest thing you've done when researching a story?
Besides the many questionable topics I've researched online, I like to research my settings by visiting them at the right time of day (if possible), so I’ve been to some deserted places at night. Here's one of them:
6. Pick a favourite book character and give one question you'd like to ask them.
Hmm. I’m drawing a blank on this one. Feel free to share your own answers in the comments!
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Mostly a writer, but I also considered physical therapist and veterinarian when I was young.
8. Describe one ambition you would still like to achieve.
I’d like to run a half marathon, but an Achilles injury (and some laziness, if I'm being honest) have slowed me down.
9. What was the last book to make a big impression on you?
I loved Kwame Alexander’s Crossover, because it's an emotional story, beautifully told in verse. (It’s geared toward a middle grade audience.)
10. Name one musical artist that inspires you and say why.
Tom Petty (and the Heartbreakers), because after achieving success with the debut album in 1976, he’s sustained amazing longevity, reinventing himself throughout the years.
11. Have you ever been lost and what was the outcome of the situation?
The most memorable time was pre-cell phone, when I got lost in the Ohio woods with my cousin. We tied her pony, Lady, to a tree to mark the path home and went exploring on foot. When the pony untied itself and returned to the barn alone, we were completely disoriented looking for Lady and the right path. It was frightening at the time, but the outcome is a good story we like to retell at family reunions.
Hmm. I’m drawing a blank on this one. Feel free to share your own answers in the comments!
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Mostly a writer, but I also considered physical therapist and veterinarian when I was young.
8. Describe one ambition you would still like to achieve.
I’d like to run a half marathon, but an Achilles injury (and some laziness, if I'm being honest) have slowed me down.
9. What was the last book to make a big impression on you?
I loved Kwame Alexander’s Crossover, because it's an emotional story, beautifully told in verse. (It’s geared toward a middle grade audience.)
10. Name one musical artist that inspires you and say why.
Tom Petty (and the Heartbreakers), because after achieving success with the debut album in 1976, he’s sustained amazing longevity, reinventing himself throughout the years.
11. Have you ever been lost and what was the outcome of the situation?
The most memorable time was pre-cell phone, when I got lost in the Ohio woods with my cousin. We tied her pony, Lady, to a tree to mark the path home and went exploring on foot. When the pony untied itself and returned to the barn alone, we were completely disoriented looking for Lady and the right path. It was frightening at the time, but the outcome is a good story we like to retell at family reunions.
It’s your turn!
Pick any question and share your answer in the comments.
Pick any question and share your answer in the comments.
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