Tuesday, February 15, 2011

My First Blogfest Entry!

Blogfests are a curious phenomenon I'd never heard of until I started lurking around a lot of writer's blogs. I've always been intrigued, but intimidated by them. Well, yesterday I stumbled upon an interesting blogfest at the blog One Significant Moment in Time and was just in time to enter. The idea was to answer a series of questions, the same questions that typically are asked by James Lipton on Inside the Actor's Studio (though I admit I've never seen that). I liked the questions and I want to expand my blogging horizons so I decided to join in. Welcome therefore, dear reader, to my very first blogfest entry!

1.
What is your favorite word?

Ancient. I've been a lover of ancient civilizations, particularly Egypt, since childhood. Once upon a time I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist (another good word) but it was not to be (mostly because I'm too lazy for that sort of thing). But the word ancient conjures up all sorts of delightful possibilities every time I hear it. The exotic allure of that which is gone but still leaves it's mark on the world... I can't resist.

2. What is your least favorite word?

Moist. It's one of those very uncouth sounding uncomfortable words. I just dislike the sound of it. I maintain that I am never moist, though sometimes damp.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Music. Music of various kinds stirs my soul like nothing else. Music is capable of eliciting all sorts of emotional responses in me. The right song will put me in just the right mood and the right melody with set off an avalanche of inspiration. One of my favorite pieces of such music is Beethoven's 7th symphony 2nd movement. It reminds me of the Music of the Ainur from Tolkien's The Silmarillion.

4. What turns you off?

A lack of and/or bad logic, often combined with intellectual dishonesty. I'm with the professor from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. "What do they teach in schools these days?" Well, I wasn't taught logic either, I somehow managed to pick it up through reading and luckily had a natural affinity for it. But no one learns it anymore and it's amazing the sort of flawed thinking that goes around as a result.

5. What is your favorite curse word?

I am one of those rare people that can never curse unless I'm REALLY mad and even then I feel bad about it. It was just the way I was brought up. Cursing makes me feel uncomfortable. But I do say the word "curses" instead quite a lot, like some sort of cartoon villain. "Curses! Foiled again!"

6. What sound or noise do you love?

The voices of my children. Two of them are still toddlers and their words are precious. I especially love it when I hear them conversing together in their half English, half toddler gibberish language. And when they are all laughing together in play it's like the chorus of heaven.

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

Whale song. I don't know why, but that sound just freaks the crap out of me.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Well, my current profession is "mother". After I finish writing my novel, I'll be trying my hand at "self published author" and see how that goes.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Most anything else. I'm not a career type woman. I love being home with my kids.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." But I've got a LOOOOONG way to go for that.


Well, now you know more about me than you ever wanted to. Now, in keeping with the spirit of the blogfest, I am off to check out the other entrants.

Edit: Whew! I actually got through all 120-some entries. That was very educational for me, as a new blogger. I saw over 100 different blogs with all kinds of different formats and looks. I got a good idea of what attracts me in a blog and I hope that will help me to gradually make my blog more attractive. I find I mostly prefer blogs that aren't too cluttered and busy and that have a more personal feel to them. I also prefer it when the blogger doesn't try so hard to sound professional and lets plenty of their personality into their blog aesthetics and posts. All in all this has been a fun experience. I found several new blogs I want to follow along with and even picked up a few new followers myself! Thanks, Nicole, for hosting.

16 comments:

  1. Fellow Blogfest participant and new follower here. I know exactly how you feel about the career thing. I used to be a workaholic, but I quit when my first daughter was born. I am now a stay at home mom of two toddlers - both girls - and I can't imagine going back to work now. I enjoyed reading your answers. If you get a chance, check out mine at: http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  2. I thought whale song was supposed to be relaxing :)

    New follower...

    demitrialunetta.blogspot.com

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  3. Ancient is a great word. It’s hefty and deep. I love your answer to #6. I’m spending most of my day checking out all the entries too!

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  4. 'Moist' is a gross word, for sure! And your answer for #6 got me thinking about my own kids, and that time when they were beginning to talk. Magical!

    Thanks so much for playing along!

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  5. I enjoyed your comments. I'm a first time blogfester also. Loved your response to #5. Unfortunately, I don't know how I could get through life without cursing now and then.

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  6. Too funny! I never knew so many people hated the word moist! I think you're the hundredth person who used it for their answer !!

    My husband uses "curses" all the time! It's quite amusing.

    Cheers!
    Jen

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  7. I've just begun trolling through the blogfest list. Isn't this great fun? Thanks for following my blog.

    I love the word Ancient. It can be mysterious and important all at once. Great post!

    Corinne

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  8. Whale song, huh? Interesting. I've never heard one in real life, so I don't know. I think I've only ever heard them on TV.

    I love "curses", though it does make me think of a cartoon villain with a top hat and an oily mustache. :)

    Thanks for the blog-follow. I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head with what makes a blog attractive and interesting to read. I'm glad you thought enough of mine to come back again later :)

    Good luck with the self-publishing. Maybe we'll hear about it on here? :)

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  9. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and for following me! As a new blogger, this is very exciting.

    Yeah, whale song. I've never heard it in real life either, but every time I hear it in a movie or something (I'm thinking Star Trek movie 4) I just am totally creeped out by it.

    It's funny how many people dislike the the word moist. I keep hearing it around the house lately because my son is obsessed with Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. (Dr. Horrible's henchman friend is named Moist.) But my son is only 3 and has most of the movie memorized, which is adorable. So I forgive him for constantly yelling "Moist! My evil moisture buddy!"

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  10. LOVE your words on lack of logic. So, so true!

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  11. oooh, ancient really is a lovely word, for all the reasons you stated!

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  12. Ya know, I've never been able to spell ancient correctly on the first try.

    Moist - I'm wondering why that's so unpopular among writers. All that it implies, I guess.

    Music is a source of inspiration for me too.

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  13. I love your blog title! And your favorite word, Ancient, that's a great one. I love that one too. #10 is the best answer of all. It's biblical. good to meet you.

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  14. Oh, and I'm big Tolkien fan, the music of the Annuir - Beethoven's 7th I'm definitely going to have to check that out.

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  15. Great list. Congratulations on your first Blogfest!

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