Earlier in the week I read an interesting ”reverse meme” at Savvy Verse and Wit. Serena posted her responses to five questions posed by Monica at Monniblog. It was fun to learn a little more about Serena, and to ponder how I would have answered those questions.
I’m notorious for not forwarding memes; I’m a slacker even when it comes to posting those nice awards that come my way every once in a while. I have good intentions, but poor follow through. This one really appeals to me because I had to ask for it! I stepped right into the spotlight, and asked Serena to hit me with five questions, here they are, along with my responses:
- 1. Where is your favorite bookstore located and what makes it so special?
This is a great question for me, with my quest to Spotlight as many bookstores as possible on my blog! It’s also tough to pinpoint my favorite, but I’ll choose one for sentimental reasons. That would have to be the Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge. It’s an independent bookstore, not part of the University, just sharing the name. They have so many books packed in there – new, used, overstocks … a helpful staff, and incredible events. When J and I were dating we would go into Harvard Square, have an inexpensive meal, and browse the many bookstores in those few blocks. Now that we’re back in the area, we still like to do this on those elusive “date nights.” … but we’ve upgraded our choice of restaurants!
- 2. How would you market your first novel if you had to do all the marketing yourself?
I’d get my book into as many hands as possible by working with bloggers and book groups. I’d also book readings at bookstores and libraries. You wouldn’t be able to avoid me!
- 3. What animal do you think most represents you and why?
Instant answer – a cat! I can nap anytime, and I can be a bit stealth in a group … you never know what I’m thinking!
- 4. If you had $1 million what would you do with it and why?
I’d put it aside for my children’s education, so they knew that funding wouldn’t be an issue and they could study whatever called to them. I’d like to tell you what I’d do with the rest of the money, but with four kids I’m not sure there would be any left over!
- 5. Other than reading, what are some of your obsessions/hobbies?
1. Genealogy research - I love combing old census records, land deeds and other documents, visiting cemeteries and making (or disproving) connections between people, places, and events. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll do something with all the data I’ve gathered (my novel, based on one scrap of true family lore!). 2. I also love to organize; it’s that search for continuous improvement, always asking “how can I do it better?” 3. I’ve dipped in and out of various crafts over the years – card making (stamping), knitting (that’s a joke, look for my update to Dewey’s Knit-a-Long over the weekend!), etc. I’m content to dabble, as I explain here.
So, how’s that for Dawn-based trivia?! I’m interested in interviewing YOU; if you want to play along, here’s what you do:
- Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
- I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
- You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
- You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
- When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
I loved this! What a neat idea! Best answer to if I had a million dollars that I’ve ever heard! What a great mom you are! And I love your animal answer — I too can nap at will (and would sleep as much as a cat if I was allowed). And I love to organize too — I’ve often thought my dream job would be as a professional organizer but I’ve never pursued it. Perhaps I should. I just love sorting through messes and making sense out of them. It gives me such a great sense of accomplishment! One of the best projects at a job ever was when I was the “do it all” assistant at a marketing firm (just me and the owner). My first day, he handed me a giant box overflowing with all kinds of receipts, bills, checks, bank statements and asked me to get the accounting system in order and figure out how much money there was in the company. It was such a fun project…but at the end, I realized the firm was in deep financial doo-doo, so to speak. Talk about a shock! I got done only to find that I didn’t see how he was going to pay me the next week.
I have to say…this was fun so please — INTERVIEW ME! : )
wow, those were enlightening answers…and I had no idea you were writing a novel…Fun!
You are a great mom, and I hope you kids realize it!
My cousin loves Genealogy research as well, and Karen Harrington is big into it as well. I’ve thought a lot about it, but haven’t started looking into the family history yet, but maybe I should…I could uncover some dark secrets! LOL
You love to organize. I always welcome suggestions on how to be organized. You should see my desk at work right now: other than my lunch — I am surrounded by piles of projects…and some of the piles are merging or overlapping. My house is somwhat better; however the closets are a disaster…
I’ve been seeing these interviews as I make the rounds of the blogs I read, and I really enjoyed your answers! It was fun to get to know you a little better through Serena’s questions, and I think I’d like to play too – would you interview me, please? Thank you
!
You’re right – it will take loads of money to educate 4 kids.
Jenners – eeks! How long did you last at that job?!? Your interview questions are “in the mail!”
Serena – I had fun with this, you asked great questions (now the pressure’s on for the questions *I* ask!). No, I’m not writing a novel … but, maybe when I grow up I will
Nicole – my desk is so covered with papers that you can only see half the granite. However, most of those papers belong to the kids! I especially like to organize the areas they can’t get to – my spice cabinet, my shoes (I’ll show you my new Ikea shoe boxes … they make me happy!)
Florida – yay! I’m glad you asked … questions are on their way.
Kathy – yup, too much money, especially after the market tanked in October. I really do want them to be able to study whatever they want, be it rocket science or dog grooming!
So cool about your research! So do you actually go to specialized libraries or do online research? I bet you’ve got a dozen ideas swirling around for a novel
Dawn, those answers are wonderful. I knew you were a mother, but I didn’t know of four kids–AND you have time to read, write a novel, and create an interesting blog. I want to drink what you drink.
One other good reason to be a cat: no guilt. You can toy with a crystal knick-knack, it shatters to pieces, and it’s kind of interesting, you realize while you lick your paw. Dogs, on the other hand, know when they did something wrong and grovel.
I didn’t realize you live in or near Cambridge, which is a city I researched a lot about five years ago when I discovered my grandfather became bald as a side effect of getting sick from the terrible 1918 influenza scourge. He was in Boston then, and 32 years later, my parents met in Cambridge, and so I wrote the story “The Rotary” (in “The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea”) thinking about my connections to your area.
My wife Ann and I also try to create those illusive date nights. We had a wonderful one last night and saw “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Fitzgerald’s story is great, but the film is even better–enveloping, gripping. I dreamed about it all night.
iliana – I’ve been doing the genealogy research for about 14 years. I prefer primary source documents, so I used to do everything the “old fashioned” way – writing letters to courthouses, requesting microfiche thru my library, asking cemetery sextons to transcribe records for me. Now I often use online sources to get close to information, but I never simply import someone else’s research (i.e., a family tree they’ve uploaded to a public source), I still need to prove the connections myself.
Chris – I think I’ve misled everyone, I’m not writing a novel! I would be very happy if I could create a solid short story with the information I’ve unearthed. I have Civil War pension documents that read like something out of a soap operat with he-said she-said testimony
We’re about a 20-minute drive from Cambridge (when there is no traffic; rush-hour can make it an hour’s drive). We love to go back and remember when …. last year we took the family to the Mexican restaurant where we had our first date, and the manager insisted on drinks on the house (can’t argue with that!)
Loved reading your answers Dawn! I agree with the college funds – I’ve only got three kids, but it’s definitely a concern!!
Great post, Dawn! I’m also a genealogy buff although I haven’t had much time to do any since I started blogging. (In other words, I’m completely neglecting my genealogy now that I’ve got a new obsession!)
Shana – scary, isn’t it? We opened 529s for them as soon as we had the ss nbrs!
Avis – Are you interested in challenging each other to write a short story about what we’ve found? One story?
I enjoyed reading your answers! I’ve been to the Harvard Bookstore, and I agree it’s great. Another reason for me to miss Boston.