Yey!! I’ve been nominated for my first award! A big thank you to my fellow blogger who nominated me:

Experiments in Fiction

The Liebster Award is by bloggers for bloggers. The award is a great way to “pay it forward” in the blogging community, encouraging us bloggers to keep discovering others in the wide world of the interwebs.

The rules: the nominee thanks (and links to) the bloggers who nominated them, answers their 11 questions, and then nominates other bloggers to answer a new set of questions!

Here are my answers:

Do you believe in God? Why/why not?

I don’t believe in God as a force, but possibly as an ideal. I think if people followed some of the teachings in the Bible, the world would be a better place. But it’s certainly not something I preach about!

Why do you write?

For pure enjoyment. I wrote more when I was younger and never found it laborious. After four years at uni, I fell out of love with reading and writing. Finals nearly killed me! I started writing again after friends persuaded me based on my Facebook posts. I always said I would like to write a book (not necessarily get it published!) so I’m stepping in the right direction.

Do you prefer the mountains or the beach?

This is hard! I live in a coastal town near the Lake District so I like both. I will probably say the beach – not for the actual sand or act of going to the beach. I always like to be near the sea. When I lived in Grenoble, I was surrounded by mountains and began to find it claustrophobic when the weather got warmer.

Do you prefer the countryside or the city?

If the city is Edinburgh, the city! Otherwise, the countryside. I’m not a fan of cities, but the Scottish capital is an exception to my rule and I happily lived there for three years. As an introvert, I probably prefer the countryside. I am happy to go rambling with only my own thoughts and the dog for company and I live in the perfect place to do this.

Is world peace achievable?

No. Human nature will not allow it and history shows it has probably never existed!

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?

Probably to travel at speed because I am always late!

Who is your favourite cartoon character?

Probably Linus from Charlie Brown. I empathise with him because of our thumb sucking and attachement to blankets. I still have a patch of my ‘bobo’ and it continues to have that special feel which can instantly make me put my left thumb in my mouth!

Do you have another job apart from writing?

I’ve been a qualified teacher for over 20 years. I was originally meant it be a French teacher but I didn’t like the idea of teaching children taller than me! I became a primary school teacher instead but have strangely found myself teaching Year 7s in a secondary school.

How do you balance writing with other demands on your time?

I’m lucky in that my children don’t make demands on my time like they used to! If I have ideas, I quickly type them into Notes or scribble them down in my notepad. This means I write in short bursts rather than longer spells which is more manageable.

Do you prefer sweet or savoury food?

Savoury! An easy answer. I’ve never had a sweet tooth. I am a crisp addict and my husband always ends up with two puddings if we’re having a set menu!

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life so far?

Don’t worry what other people think of you. If you’re not good enough to warrant their attention, you don’t need them in your life.

Here are my questions:

1. Do you still have a significant item from your childhood? If yes, what is it?

2. Which word in the English language annoys you?

3. Have you ever switched allegiances?

4. Do you dislike something which is extremely popular with everyone else?

5. Did you learn a new skill during lockdown?

6. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?

7. Have you ever been mistaken for somebody else?

8. Would you consider plastic surgery?

9. What has been your most extravagant purchase to date?

10. Which law would you repeal?

11. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Here are my nominees:

A Silly Place

Middle Age Fanclub

Quirky Workin Moms

Smelly Socks and Garden Peas

Apocalypse Daddy

Rachel Foy

Doubting Thomas

English Lass Gigi

The Grumpy Nerd Dad

Not Just For Dads

Hannah Beth Blogs