Sign of the Green Dragon is HERE today.
Stop by. Say hi. Enter to win a GC to buy more books.
Thank you Yolanda for including me. Here’s the answers to your questions.
1. What WIP are you working on now or tell about another hobby you have.
I’m almost done with my edits on a young adult novel. This one will be a bit of a departure for me with multiple POV characters, but my agent’s interested, so that’s a step in the right direction. Fingers crossed.
2. Do you find subjects for blogging difficult or overflowing
Both. At times I can’t decide which topic to choose, but at other times, I don’t have anything I want to set down. I think I just burn out occasionally.
3. Your favorite fictional character. Why?
Maybe Sherlock Holmes could qualify. I love his brilliant mind, but also his vulnerability with his addiction. He’s complicated and fascinating.
4. Your favorite author. Why?
That’s a hard question, but I’ve always loved Margaret Atwood’s work. It’s her prose that grabs me and holds my attention. Her stories sneak up on me and always surprise me.
5. Your favorite genre. Why?
I don’t have a favorite genre. I read just about everything, but some with more enthusiasm than others. I’m more drawn to literary work than thrillers or romance, but a steady diet of Rushdie would put me into a coma. I love quirky fun stories, so any genre with that involved is a favorite.
6. Blog hops pro or con—productive or a waste of time.
I do some hops because they offer me a chance to meet other bloggers. I think we become rather incestuous otherwise. You know, a close set of bloggers that can anticipate each other’s posts. I don’t think they’re a waste of time, but time-consuming, and if they’re interesting I don’t mind that.
7. Biggest regret or best decision you’ve ever made?
The best decision I ever made was to buy where we live today. We’re in a quiet space, but still within a short distance of our small town and San Francisco. The beach is about twenty minutes away and Lake Tahoe about four hours. It’s a unique place and I’ve always loved being here.
8. What is the meaning of success to you?
Finding happiness in what I’m doing.
9. Do you write reviews for books you read? Why or why not?
Yes. If I can read the entire book, and if I can give it at least three stars, I review it. Because I’m a writer, I understand how important those reviews are. I really want to support others, but I don’t want to hurt them by giving them a one or two-star review. After all it’s only my personal opinion.
10. Biggest social media success or failure?
I didn’t do diddlly with my one attempt at a Facebook ad, but I mishandled it. I’ll try again.
11. Please share a paragraph or two from your current WIP or your favorite quote.
From Retro Girl:
Lula didn’t drive the direct route home. She drove to the lake instead and parked. She let her head rest against the driver’s window and stared at the calm blue water. This was a place she’d seen since she could remember, and it looked the same as always. That confused her because it shouldn’t. Nothing in her life was the same, so this lake should be different, too.
Didn’t the universe know about Blossom? About the totally changed Win and Marty? About Lucia Banes whose shattered foot had healed, but whose heart had been remolded into something unrecognizable?
She touched the lucky rabbit’s foot charm and stroked it’s misshaped edges. Her heart on a chain.
Thanks again, Yolanda. Appreciated your thinking of me.
The Liebster Blog Award rules are:
- Write a blog post about your nomination, displaying an image of the award.
- Thank the person who nominated you that includes a link to their blog.
- Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked you in his/her blog post.
- Nominate 5-11 other starting bloggers who you think deserve this award and come up with 11 questions of your own for them to answer.
- List these rules in your blog post.
My nominations for the Lobster Liebster Award:
So many people have been tagged on this one that I think I’m just going to let any of you who want to join in, do so. Here are my questions:
- If you had only one good deed you could do in this world, what would that be?
- What is one fictional character you’d like to be? How come?
- What’s your fondest memory from childhood?
- Is there any story you wish you’d written? Which one?
- If you’re a writer, what genre do you wish you could write, but just can’t?
- Are you going to participate in the A to Z 2017? Why or why not?
- What makes you happier than anything else in this world?
- What is the meaning of success to you?
- When you were in grade school, what did you want to be when you grew up?
- Is there anything you want to do, but are afraid to try?
- Please share a paragraph or two from your current WIP or your favorite quote.
Quote of the Week: “Life is like a suitcase. You can squeeze a lot into it.” Yoko Ono
So are you going to take on the Liebster this time around? Have you been doing some other hops to extend the blogs you follow? How’s July treating you? Will you stop by my next tour stop and say hi? Hope so.
dkatiepowellart says
Mimi was that for me, and the objects I cherish the most of hers are her crochet hooks, which she used and taught me with, her tatting hooks, and this old aluminum turkey pan… Yours is a lovely teapot and what a wonderful blog I've found! Kate from dkatiepowellart, co-host for CBF16!
Nicola says
I love where we live too, Lee. Home is my favourite place! Far enough away from the big city to live in tranquility but not too far away to become a recluse :)Great answers and congrats on the award.
Shady Del Knight says
Hi, C. Lee!
I admire a blogger like you, one who obviously has a busy life and yet still makes time to reply to comments left on her blog.
Congratulations on being tagged for the Liebster Award. I enjoyed reading your answers and writing sample and learning more about you. I totally agree with your response to question #6. We limit ourselves by huddling with the same safe, comfortable group of friends year after year. For me blogging is about taking risks, stretching and growing. That's why I welcome the chance to meet and build friendships with all types of people, young and old, all over the world, even people who at first blush seem my exact opposite. It is tremendously satisfying and rewarding to learn from those people, teach them about my world, identify and celebrate all that we have in common and build genuine long lasting friendships.
Thank you very much for coming to see me at SDMM. Please stay in touch and let's keep our new friendship going and growing. Have a great week, C. Lee!
Lexa Cain says
Congrats on the award! Love your answers to 7 & 8.
(You have an agent? I didn't know. I and 2 of my fellow CPs had agents, but they wouldn't let us self-pub or sub small presses so we fired them…one CP is still hanging in, but she has a bunch of books written and not one out coz her agent won't let her. I'm glad your agent is more cooperative.)
C. Lee McKenzie says
My agent is really sweet to work with so far. She's not interested in handling MG, so she's fine with my publishing that on my own. In fact, I think she likes that I'm drumming up readers.
Sherry Ellis says
Congratulations on your newest book! It looks good! I've done the Liebster Award a long time ago. I didn't know it was still circulating.
It sounds like you live in a really nice area!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I did the Liebster back when I first started, but his was a nice refresher.
Olivia Rose says
It was awesome reading more about you, thanks for sharing!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great o have you stop by.
Medeia Sharif says
Whenever you share things about your home, it sounds so serene. I hope to have that one day, but it's hard in Miami, where many neighborhoods seem so crowded. I would probably have to move elsewhere. I look forward to reading your book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's quiet where I live and I never cease to be grateful. I'm not a city person, so I'd last in one about a minute. Thanks as always for the the support.
Crystal Collier says
Love it! I'm right there with you on book reviews. I like to try to complete between 60 and 100 a year. I mean, we authors need that, right?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. And my list is quite long at the moment.
emaginette says
Nice getting to know you better. Congrats on the award. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's fun to answer questions like this. Jump and have some fun.
Kathleen Valentine says
This sounds like fun. I'm going to give it a shot!!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'll come by and read all about you.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Congrats on the new book and the WIP!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks
sage says
You do live in a beautiful stop–the Pacific ocean and bay and Tahoe are all beautiful. I cherish the summers I spent in the Bay Area while working on an advanced degree and the Sierras are my favorite mountains. Interesting questions you ask, I'll have to ponder how I might answer them. BTW, the World's Fair in the play I reviewed, "Ken," was in 1933 and Chicago's first fair (of "The Devil in the White City") was in 1893.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh, of course. What was I thinking. That's the year the first Ferris Wheel appeared at the fair. Hope you jump into the Liebster hop. I'd love to read your answers.
Mason Canyon says
Congrats on the award. Enjoyed learning more about you. Sounds like you do live in an awesome spot. Great excerpt.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm always very excited when someone takes the time to give me an award like this. Thanks for stopping in to say hello.
Alexa from Summer Snowflakes says
Oh, Sherlock is awesome! And hey, I like all kinds of genres too!
Can't wait to see your new YA!
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
Waving, Alexa. I'm excited about the new story. It will be interesting to see how others relate to it.
Tyrean Martinson says
Life has definitely been like a suitcase lately. 🙂
Love the excerpt from your WIP!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Packing. Always packing. 🙂 Thanks, Tyrean. Hoping the book sells.
Liz A. says
Lobster… Isn't that a movie? I keep hearing about this movie called Lobster.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Really? I hadn't heard, but that would be quite a title, wouldn't it?
Denise Covey says
Great answers to the Lobster Award! Glad to find another fan of Margaret Atwood. I love her books and from interviews I've seen of hers, I love her. Such a refreshing, no-nonsense person. Her best advice to writers: Just Finish that Book!! Amen to that. Now I want to go eat lobster!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I need to see her in person. However, I might drool on her, so I'll have to be careful. She's the one writer that I often close the book on and cry. "Why can't I write like this woman?" Enjoy that lobster!
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
I love Sherlock too, Cumberbatch and Downey's versions. I love where I live too though we might move soon because our house is too big.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ours is a bit big for us now, too, but then there are all those kids and their kids to consider when they return home. It's a big decision this moving business.
Patricia Lynne says
I just ate dinner, but you made me crave lobster! LMAO
C. Lee McKenzie says
You can never get enough lobster.
Mark Noce says
Glad you're edits are coming along! And I love the Sherlock pic – my wife and I love watching the Cumberbacth version of it:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
His was my favorite version. Downey Jr. was a little to off the mark and Basil Rathbone doesn't have a speck of sex appeal.
Elephant's Child says
Loved the excerpt from Green Dragon. Snd Retro Girl. And how nice to find someone else who is an omniverous (greedy) reader.
I really need to review books more often. Thanks for the nudge.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's fun to review, but it also takes a lot of time, so for me it's a love/hate relationship. I wish I could just talk to the writer and have a discussion.
Juneta Key says
Great answers. I had fun reading it.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
DEZMOND says
Lula means smoking pipe in my language 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love it! Lula is smokin' hot, so maybe I was on to something with that name. Thanks, DEZ.
Annalisa Crawford says
Great questions, and answers. I love Margaret Atwood too, and that Sherlock illustration is perfect. Happiness would be my answer too – nothing else matters without it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Atwood is remarkable. I've never been disappointed by her stories.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Fun post! I do really love the character of Sherlock. He's just so fascinating.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That would be a character I'd want to create. Too late, I'm afraid. 🙂
Carrie-Anne says
I'd love to live 20 minutes from a beach, though living right on a beach would be even better!
Bloghops can help to get new readers, though not all new readers or subscribers stick around longterm. Some people may like your particular bloghop post, but not be a fan of your blog's usual subject matter (e.g., you blog about art and they blog about paranormal activity).
C. Lee McKenzie says
Right. You have to have something in common to make the visits regular and satisfying.
Birgit says
You have a great spot where you live and I like your answers plus I enjoyed the blurb. I always loved Christmas as a child and Halloween. Being healthy is the main goal for me. When I was a kid, I wanted to work in Travel…that person on the bus who tells people about things or work in an art museum.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think being a tour guide or a docent would be a wonderful job. You get to learn so much and meet people.
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
It looks like you have everything within reach of where you live–that is a good decision.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Of course, I either have to plan a day hike or drive everywhere. There are downsides.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – it does sound as though you've found the ideal location … and I'd definitely love some lobster. Blog hops I can mostly miss … but some are special …
I must regularly start writing reviews and reading more … cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Hilary. Loved your last post about your move. You have chosen a beautiful spot, too.
Jemi Fraser says
Sounds like a great place to live – as long as you get fall colours down that far south! 🙂
Atwood is brilliant. I saw her do a poetry reading a few decades ago and she is entrancing!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You saw her? I'm so envious. I would love to hear her speak.
Chrys Fey says
I would definitely want some lobster. Yum!
Finding happiness in what we're doing really is the definition of success, isn't it? 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes. It is. And eating lobster is one happy moment. I love to eat anything good.
Libby Heily Author says
I also love Margaret Atwood! I love it when I have the same favorite authors as another writer. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
We also like Coleman, if I remember.
Pat Hatt says
Sounds like a great spot indeed. Blog hops can help indeed. I find facebook ads useless, but I could have used it wrong too, who knows haha
C. Lee McKenzie says
Actually, the ads are working for me now that I know how to create them.
Natalie Aguirre says
Loved reading your answers and learning more about you. Awesome that you tried multiple POV for your next book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It took me a while to be brave enough to tackle the multiple pov. Bravery and learning how to do it.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Great questions and super answers. Love the idea of multiple POV characters. I bet you have some interesting ones for us to meet. Will visit your tour.
Have a good week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Beverly. It was an interesting book to write.
Dianne K. Salerni says
Sounds like an almost perfect spot to live in California: small town, big city, beach, and mountains!
C. Lee McKenzie says
We have our downside, like forest fires, but you takes your chances. 🙂
Bish Denham says
I can just about picture where you are in California. I don't have a favorite genre either, though there are a few I'm not fond of… horror, romance, Westerns. But I'll read them if the story and characters are good.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Exactly. It's not the genre for me; it's the story.
nashvillecats2 says
A wonderful read Lee, Congrats on the award….well deserved.
Yvonne.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Yvonne. Thanks. It's a fun award.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
It does sound like you live in a great spot.
Most of the blog hops these days are regular ones rather than one shot deals.
C. Lee McKenzie says
The long-running ones do seem more popular. I can see why.