What’s news for horror writer Paul D. Dail?
I’m participating in a big giveaway with all other contributors to the Somewhere in the Shadows anthology (for more on this anthology, click here). The top winner is going to be awarded all of the books from all of the authors featured in the anthology. Whew! As if you didn’t have enough to read, right? But there’s always room for more books (especially now that they’re e-books).
Unfortunately, I can’t host a Rafflecopter-thingy on my blog, so I need to refer you to the blog of my TESSpecFic group mate and fellow contributor to Somewhere in the Shadows, Jonathan D. Allen (click here to link to his giveaway page).
But without further ado…
I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Carl Purdon. I usually fudge on the requirements of these things, but I’m going to actually try to do it by the rules this time. So here are the requirements:
– 11 random facts about me and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated me (obviously notifying said person about this post).
– Nominate 11 other people and come up with 11 new questions. Can’t nominate the person who nominated me.
– Paste the award picture on the blog.
First, 11 facts about me:
1- I occasionally sleep with my eyes open.
2- Combine that with the fact that I often get night terrors, and you have someone who sometimes wakes in the middle of the night convinced there are monsters in his room.
3- I’m mildly claustrophobic.
4- Combine all three of those, and you have some interesting nights I spent sleeping in a mummy bag in a small camper on the back of my truck in the middle of the woods while building a cabin.
5- Besides construction, I’ve done almost every other job under the sun to support my English degree before I started teaching.
6- I briefly sold Kirby vacuums. My first (and last appointment) was with a couple who still had their 20 year-old Kirby. “Well, that’s a good vacuum.”
7- I’ve been everything from a janitor to a part-owner of a store for senior citizens (which means I’ve done everything from cleaning toilet seats to selling them).
8- I also worked for a few years at a staffing agency finding jobs for other people who were often in a very similar boat as me.
9- I worked as a telemarketer switching people’s long distance provider back in the days when people actually had land lines.
10- It wasn’t really on the up-and-up. My friend who also worked there said he was just waiting for the day when we’d show up and find the doors chained shut.
11- The owner of said telemarketing company went to prison for murdering Ted Binion, the owner of the Binion’s Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas.
Now to answer Carl’s 11 questions posed to me (and 10 others)
1) Before now, had you ever heard of the Liebster Award?
Yes, but can’t remember who else I’ve seen get it.
2) Before now, had you ever heard of me?
Certainly. Met Carl on Twitter during #storycraft, one of my favorite things about Twitter, an hour of talking about writing. Haven’t been in awhile, but really enjoyed it.
3) How long have you been blogging?
My first post was in June of 2011
4) What is the primary purpose of your blog?
Honestly, I started it to promote my writing. Not sure how effective that has been. Now it’s mostly for entertainment of others. Oh, and to promote Cormac McCarthy. My post on him is by far the one that gets the most hits. So you’re welcome, Cormac.
5) Where do your blogging ideas come from?
Books, movies, travel, and friends (both writerly and otherwise)
6) Do you blog according to a schedule or is it more random?
Up until very recently, I was religious about every Friday, but life got crazy with the birth of my second child. So it’s been more spotty lately.
7) If you have a day job, what is it? If not, just say something interesting.
I teach Language Arts at a performing arts high school. Good kids. They may not necessarily be there for English, but at least they like being at school.
8) Which search engine is set as default on your browser?
God… I mean, Google.
9) Did you have to check your browser before answering #8?
Nope.
10) What is the title of the last book you read?
Actually, I just finished reading Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies, because I’m featured in it and was curious to see what kind of company I’m in. I was pleased. But because that sounds vain and self-promotional, before that I read Drummer Boy by Scott Nicholson.
11) Have you ever met a famous person?
Back in 2004, I attended the Maui Writer’s Retreat and had the pleasure of John Saul tearing a new a-hole in the 25 word synopsis of my first novel. Talked to him later when he was signing one of his books for me. He was a little nicer then.
My 11 nominees:
I’m trying to branch out from my normal gang here, so I’m nominating some new folks I’ve met through Twitter in an effort to get to know them a little better (and some people I’ve known for awhile but am still curious what makes them tick). Apologies if you’ve already been nominated (or if you now feel irritatingly obligated to do this).
2- Renee Stober
3- Martin Cosby
4- Tara Maya
6- Ash Krafton
10- David J. Pedersen
11- Joseph Pinto
Finally, my 11 questions for them (a mix of serious and silly):
1- What was one of the first books to have a profound effect on you (interpret as you will)?
2- More peanut butter or more jelly on your sandwich?
3- What’s one of the scariest things you’ve done?
4- What’s one of the stupidest things you’ve done?
5- What’s your first choice: beer, wine, hard liquor, soda, other?
6- For #5, your favorite brand/style/cocktail?
7- If you could live anywhere for a year (money and/or reality are no object), where would it be?
8- Who is one person who has been a big inspiration to you?
9- If you were given the choice between losing your sight or your hearing, which would it be?
10- Speaking of hearing, who is one of your favorite bands or musicians?
11- Have you ever done karaoke?
What do I want from you?
Any comments on my random facts or answers to Carl Purdon’s questions?
If I didn’t nominate you, no offense, but I’d love to hear your answer to one of my questions.
If you get a chance, stop by Carl’s or any of the other people I’ve tagged.
Don’t forget to enter the big Somewhere in the Shadows giveaway.
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Paul D. Dail 
You sleep with your eyes opened sometimes…hmmmm. You did not have a creep factor before this, but that is a little creepy dude. Well–it would creep ME out! I had a friend who would occasionally sleep with ONE eye opened–so weird–you could watch it roll around. Eek.
Congrats on the award 🙂
And I will answer #11. Yes I have done karaoke. In fact I sing all the time–mostly to my dogs because they love it for some reason. No one else does… 😛
Hey, Penelope. Yeah, I’ve had a few girlfriends pretty creeped out over the years. And it really doesn’t help with the nightmares I get.
And now that I know you’re a singer, I like you even more. I’m a sucker for karaoke. In fact, it’s been too long since I’ve been out. Have to work on that.
Thanks for your comments. Hope you have a good weekend.
Congrats on your Liebster. I received one once upon a time but I got tired of doing posts like this so I hung up a thank, but no thanks sign. It’s fun to read everyone else’s answers, though.
I so dig your little camper in the little woods. My 13-foot scamp isn’t much bigger. (http://www.scamptrailers.com/Showroom/13Trailers/13Photos.aspx) After fitting myself, my husband, my three kids, and my dog inside, I get a little claustophobic, too. 🙂
Hey, Michelle. Yeah, sometimes it’s a task, but sometimes it gives me something to post if I’m feeling like I should be posting something 🙂
A scamp, eh? Awesome. Some good friends of mine have a scamp. Honestly, my dream is to one day have a Toyota Dolphin. Not super big and obnoxious, but still big enough to live in on the road.
Hope all is going well for you.
The Dolphin is a little roomier. My two oldest flop the seats down in the minivan and camp in there. That helps A LOT when we travel.
My nightmares are so frequent I wake up just about every morning with my eyes closed.
I try to go to sleep every night with my eyes closed. ha ha.
I know we’ve talked about this before, but you should still consider being a horror writer.
Thanks again for nominating me, Carl. Your post was also very entertaining. I hope at least one of my three readers will go check it out 🙂
Congrats on your Leibster…and thanks for mine!
I have a strange respect for Kirby salesmen. When I was younger, my family lived on a rather treacherous turn of a country mountain road. For some odd reason, a salesman thought it would be a good idea to attempt our driveway. My mom was so impressed with the poor guy’s bravery that she bought a vacuum.
Honestly? Best vacuum we ever had.
Twenty-five years later, I live on a dead end country mountain road. Sadly, no Kirby man has found my house. *sad face* I’d totally forsake my Dyson (but don’t tell it. Don’t want to hurt it’s feelings.)
Thanks again. I’m looking forward to writing my blog.
Cheers!
Ash Krafton
http://ash-krafton.blogspot.com
Ash, that’s a great story. And yeah, Kirbys are awesome, even the older machines. Of course, I love our Dyson. Would be a tough competition 🙂
And I’m glad you appreciated the nomination. Sometimes these things are a mixed bag. I was pleased to be nominated by Carl, but it took me quite awhile to get around to finally doing it.
Be sure to let me know when your post is up. I look forward to your answers.
Haha loved your answers. You’re so strange, yet also lovable. And we need to karaoke soon! I catalogued all my karaoke discs, and have several new ones. Miss you and the Dail fam.
Hey Kodi, great to hear from you. Miss you, too. We’ll definitely have to get together soon. Maybe between the two sets of grandparents, we can make something happen, even if it’s just a karaoke party at somebody’s house. It doesn’t have to be New Years, right?
OK, finally got a quiet(ish) moment this week to do my part –
http://traciemcbridewriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/the-liebster-blog-award-id-like-to-thank/
Awesome, Tracie. Looking forward to your responses. Thanks for stopping by to let me (and my readers) know.
Paul! How have you been, brother? It’s been way too long, my friend. Life’s been doing its best to swallow me whole, so I hope that explains where I’ve been “hiding”. I’m glad I decided to check in with you today to find this post. Great stuff. Loved the Kirby shout-out. We’ve got one and I swear by that bad boy! I call yikes on the sleeping with eyes open. Lol. It’s funny for me, but perhaps not for you, huh? We’ll have to remember that John Saul story for the days when we’re bestsellers and we find ourselves sitting on this panels. Right?
I hope life is taking care of you and yours, and that it won’t be so long before our next visit.
-Jimmy
Hey Jimmy, good to hear from you. Obviously I’ve been kind of absent myself these days, both from my own blog and others. Most of my free time has been devoted to my WIP, but great to hear from you. I’ll have to swing over and see what you’re up to.
And we actually own a Dyson, but Kirbys are awesome.