Wednesday, February 23, 2011

More Questions and More Answers

Next batch of questions. I'm sure you've been dying to hear my answers. ;)

Lydia K asked: What interesting bit of history about yourself would no one ever guess, the first time meeting you?

Okay, I had to beg my husband for help on this one. Just before I got married, I wrote a French screenplay for an introduction to a literacy manual (French), and while it was edited down by the director, it was actually filmed. I own a VHS copy of it. :)


Colene Murphy asked: What is your favorite go-to book?

Though I haven't read it in a while, Robin McKinley's Outlaws of Sherwood is definitely my favorite go-to book (there are, of course, others). I had a big-time crush on Robin Hood when I was a teenager. We won't mention the life-size poster of Kevin Costner as Robin Hood. But in my defense, it was a gift---I couldn't very well turn it down! ;)

Christina Lee asked: Do you believe in Tabula Rasa?

Excellent question! After having kids, I absolutely do NOT believe in Tabula Rasa. BUT I love the idea of it, especially when I'm starting a new book.

Melissa asked: What's your favorite book?

This is perhaps one of the hardest questions I know of. There are too many books I like to play favorites. When I was little, I would have said "Anything by L.M. Montgomery." Then a little older, "Anything by Robin McKinley." Then, "Anything by Jane Austen." Yes, I'm an author reader. If I find an author I like, I devour everything they wrote. But I digress.

Perhaps it's a cop-out, but here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order):
  • Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale
  • Pat of Silver Bush, by L.M. Montgomery
  • Beauty, by Robin McKinley
  • Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine
  • Harry Potter (all of them . . . though I felt book 5 wasn't quite as good as the others), by J.K . . . (Okay, it just feels silly to write the author here . . . it almost goes without saying)
Okay, I'll end here, but I think one more post should do it. :)

17 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

I had to look up Tabula Rasa. Very interesting.

Stina said...

Cool questions.

If Tabula Rasa is true, then I'm shooting myself in the head for turning my second born into, um, well, let's not go into that here.

I love Princess Academy and Ella Enchanted, too. And I agree with you about the book #5. It's the only one that I've only read once.

Angela said...

Excuse my ignorance, but what is Tabula Rosa?

Angela said...

Okay, so looked up Tabula Rasa on google (blank slate). No, I don't believe in it. My kids were born with too much personality.

Joanne said...

I like the French screenplay idea ... what a very cool thing you did!

Anonymous said...

I think you should find a way to post the French screen play as a video here. Just sayin...maybe with subtitles for us non-frenchies. Off to look up Tabula Rosa now.

Raquel Byrnes said...

Ooh, Robin Hood. Have you seen the new movie with Russel Crowe? Its actually more awesome that the Kevin Costner one. Although NO ONE plays Prince John quite like Snape did.

Tere Kirkland said...

Oh man, McKinley's Beauty was one of the first books I remember reading as a girl that made me want to be a writer.

Great post!

Carol Riggs said...

Hi, Janet! Nice to meet you, and visit your blog. I read Beauty by Robin McKinley! Good book. And of course I've read all the HPs. :)

Hey, thanks for posting a contest link on your sidebar for my 200-follower giveaway. Rah!

Raquel Byrnes said...

To answer your question: Nope...I'm terrified of flying. We don't have a rabbit. =)

Melissa said...

I knew my question was hard! You did an excellent job answering it!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm an author reader too. In fact I just finished rereading Anne of Green Gables the other day. I cried ... again :)

Emy Shin said...

I also had to look up Tabula Rasa, and agree that I don't subscribe it. At least not entirely.

Tracy said...

How strange that you mentioned that version of Robin Hood. I just bought it on DVD from Amazon in honor of Alan Rickman's 65th birthday this week.

That was when I was going through my mad "I love Christian Slater" phase. :D

Beth said...

I loved L.M. Montgomery when I was a kid too. I read Blue Castle when I was about 13, and I still think it's the most romantic book ever. And Harry Potter will always be one of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

I think its exciting that you have a copy in film for your screenplay. That is very very cool! Nice to get to know you a little better.

Margo Berendsen said...

I'm split on Tabula Rasa - I believe in nature and nuture. but I loved all your favorite books too - except I've never read Pat by LM Montgomery. Going to have to look that one up. Great questions and great to get to know you better.