Nominated for a Liebster!

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere! I'm happy to announce I was nominated for a Liebster award by the lovely Rebecca Fyfe from the Chapter Book Challenge blog. Today, I answer the questions put forth by her here. Sit back, relax, and read on!

A little about the award:
The Leibster award is giving to wonderful blogs with under 200 followers. The word "Liebster" Means sweetheart in German. In accepting this award I am contractually obligated to answer 10 questions of Becky's choosing and then command 5-10 other people to answer my similarly worded questions.

1. Why were you drawn to writing?

Wow. What a question. Writing is like breathing to me. I've always done it. I think it grew from my love of reading and my crazy imagination. When I was in first grade, I wrote a story called The Caterpillar (my mom still has it) and it got me a gold star. I think that was the first time anyone ever praised me for something I'd written and it went a long way. In seventh grade, I wrote a story that was so good, my teacher asked me what book I copied it out of. Again, bolstering my confidence. Later on, I began to write short stories I only shared with my mother. Being a book-nerd wasn't something my circle of friends would've accepted too readily. Once I hit college, I took English classes for fun; no longer caring what people thought (and I took a lot of crap for it even then). But it was so relaxing for me! I guess the answer to your question is, I'm drawn to writing because words have always been a huge part of my life. My sister worked in the library and my mom is a voracious reader.

2. How many years have you been making or trying to make writing your career?

I started in earnest in the winter of 2011 when I began writing Yassa. I also wrote The Abigale Chronicles - Book One during Yassa's cooling period. That was kind of my test book. Since I wanted the launch of Yassa to go off without a hitch, I tested sales platforms and formatting requirements with my Middle Grade novella. I learned a lot and I'm really happy I had the foresight to do that. I guess I'm coming up on my two year writing anniversary. That's mind-boggling. Without great supporters like The Best Boyfriend in the World, I'd be out of the writing game for sure.

3. Are you published? Where?

Everywhere fine e-books are sold and via Createspace for print copies of all my titles. Here are a couple of links for you:
Amazon Author Page
B&N
Smashwords Author Page

4. What is your favorite part about writing stories?

Making up new friends. Hanging out with them in my head, listening to them talk, and gaining a better understanding of human nature. Am I freaking you out yet? *grin*

5. What is your favorite genre?

To read, I love anything but romance novels. They just don't appeal to me. I'm a Historical Fiction fan for sure, I've gotten into chick-lit some, and I adore Young Adult books. To write, I'd have to say my favorite genre is fantasy or paranormal. I have so many books in the works it's nauseating.

6. Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere. People I see and meet, news casts, conversations with my kids, and nature are probably the top inspiration providers.

7. How active is your muse?

She visits me every single day. I block out time for her to come in and join me. Because of my writing schedule, she knows just when to show up. To give you an idea of how productive scheduling can make you, over the last two years I've written almost 400k words and published over 320k (not counting my blog, which has 400+ posts).

8. If you could have a conversation with your muse, what would you say?

I talk with her every day, too. She's a jolly lady, really. We talk about life, writing, and book covers.

9. What are the latest projects you are working on?

Loaded question! Well, the next book in my Mystic series, Coralie, will be releasing the end of this month. I'm working on the sixth book in that set, Markaza, a YA urban fiction novel titled M, a contemporary fiction novel titled Player, a zombie novel titled I, Zombie, and I have a chapter of an NA paranormal novel about a young woman who's running from a past she can't remember.

10. What plans or dreams do you have for your writing in the next year?

I plan to publish every book I've started, and come up with something totally different for NaNoWriMo this year. I've scrapped the chapter I wrote on I, Zombie and I'm starting it from scratch (did you catch that pun?). I wasn't loving the first person, present tense. I'm thinking first person, past tense will suit it better. I was only about 2k words in so it's not a total loss. Besides, it had to be tossed and re-born since I plan to use it for NaNo. Gotta be from the beginning and all that! I have my chapter outline down and wrote a quick synopsis I'm happy to share:
It's the end of the world as we know it.

Trixie Collins is a normal teen making her way through high school. One night at a party, a boy comes on to her and won't take no for an answer. As she jerks her arm away, his fingernails cut into her skin.
When she finds her dog's mutilated body and realizes she's to blame, she starts to think maybe the zombie apocalypse they've been screaming about on the news isn't a hoax after all. Worse, she begins to think maybe she's one of the infected.
Now it's a fight for life as she joins together with her brethren to stop the humans intent on destroying them. Are zombies all bad, or is it just a huge misunderstanding?

I'll be having a vote on the blog next week sometime for cover choices. I do hope you'll all come back and give a click!

That was fun! I hope you all learned a little about me.

Now for my nominees and ten questions (nominees must have fewer than 200 followers):
Lost in a Sea of Words - Felicia Tatum
N.L. Greene Author
Chanda Hahn Author

1. Do your children read and how do you feel your writing has influenced them?
2. Do you have a routine to get your creative juices flowing?
3. Is there one genre you prefer to write over another?
4. What kind of snacks do you keep on hand while you write?
5. Is there a particular moment in your life where you knew you'd be a writer?
6. Who is your biggest cheerleader and what have they helped you accomplish?
7. What's your favorite book cover (on one of your books)?
8. Have you ever done a public engagement event?
9. Do you write about your surroundings or think up new places?
10. What do you think is the most important thing for a writer to keep in mind?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo