Hey y’all! So this morning, I got a notification from someone named Emmaline (here’s her blog) saying that I had been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award! It’s a blogging award passed around by bloggers. It was passed around by Lori Scharf at her own blog called Warrior Co, but started by another blogger a few years ago.

Anywho. (You can find info about this here at Emmaline’s blog.) Nominees are supposed to answer 11 questions asked by the previous award holder, find 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions, therefore making them new nominees. (I think I’m getting this right…)

So, to answer Emmaline’s 11 questions for me!

1. What author do you look up to?

Ruta Sepetys! She is a historical fiction author and her books are pure gold. (I have a blog post about a couple of her books if you wanna check ’em out!) Her writing is very descriptive and she makes you feel like you know her characters and are right there with them.

She’s also got incredible plots (something I have a hard time with) and manages to pull it all together perfectly!

2. What is your favorite movie and why?

Ooh, this is a hard one…probably Go West. It’s a comical movie about two sisters traveling the Oregon Trail. I mainly like it because it’s funny in a clean way, something good for watching with my family!

3. What three books should every young writer read?

Ooh. 1. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. Tons of awesome information for any young adults/teens, writers and non-writers alike! 2. the Bible! Full of great wisdom for life! And 3. You: The Story by Ruta Sepetys. An amazing book on basic story construction, along with fantastic tips from the fantastic author.

4. Who encouraged you with writing the most?

Hm…I had a teacher in grades sixth-eighth. Her name was Mrs. Brown and she was my IEW teacher. She taught me a ton about writing, and was so kind and encouraging. She’s the reason I was able to get published a couple times in a magazine!

5. Where is your favorite place to write? (ex. desk, outside)

I’m not picky when it comes to where I write, but I prefer to write somewhere comfortable, like laying down on my couch or my bed. I like to be comfy!

6. If your life was in the Three Act Story Structure, where would you be now?

Ooh, this is a hard question! I think, if I were to look back on this moment, I’d probably say the Setup, but it feels like I’m in the Confrontation because I’m a dramatic teenager.

7. If you could meet anyone (living or deceased), who would it be? What would you discuss?

Ooh. I have so many people I want to meet. I’ll do one for living and deceased! (I’m complicated like that…) For living, I’d probably say Lauren Daigle because (1.) I love her music. (2.) She has such a fun vibe and seems super easy to talk to. I’d probably talk about her music because there is a wide variety of style in it, and also her inspiration for it! Also faith. Because I like hearing about celebrities/singers faith.

For the deceased person…(Honestly this is such a church kid answer…) I would say Jesus. I mean, he was the Son of God, so that’s fascinating, also, I’d love to ask him so many complex questions and get to know him as a human. Like, what was his favorite food? Favorite color? Did he have a best friend? What’s his best childhood memory?

So many questions!

8. What is one of your favorite blogs?

So, I really enjoyed the blog The Rebelution! Buuuut, they closed down which is super disappointing. But that was definitely my favorite.

9. What writing advice would you give to your younger self?

Good question…probably this: Editing is tough, but it’s also necessary.

I hate editing. I also hate it when people edit my work.

Another one is: Write what you want to see on the bookshelf.

10. What is your favorite song to listen to while writing?

Ohhh this is too hard! I love music and I always listen to music when writing, but I don’t have a favorite song. It depends on my mood! (Aaaand also what’s playing on my Spotify…) But at the moment, it’s probably “Golden Hour” by JVKE. Or “this is what autumn feels like” by JVKE. His music is always playing when I write!

Come back to me next week and ask this question again. ;)

11. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’ll have a published book. Hopefully. And (also hopefully) making my own music. That’s all I got!

Here are my nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award! (I don’t know many bloggers, so I’m sorry there’s very few.)

1. Laura at Redeemed by Grace
2. Julie at The Moonlight Wanderer
3. Heather at Serendipity
4. Claudia B. Liedtke at Quillfound
5. Bella Raine at Bella Raine

Here’s how to receive the award:

1. Ask 11 questions for up to 11 bloggers that you want to nominate, and let them know by commenting on their blog.
2. Answer the following 11 questions in a post on your blog.
3. Display the award logo somewhere on your blog.
4. Link back to this blog in your post.

My 11 questions for you are:

1. Where and when do you write best? (ex. morning, desk)
2. Favorite blog post you’ve ever written?
3. What genre do you dislike writing? And do you like reading that genre or not?
4. Why do you write?
5. If you could go anywhere in the world for 24 hours, where would it be and why?
6. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?
7. Favorite book everyone should read?
8. What advice would you give to every young writer?
9. Would you rather write inside or outside?
10. What made you start a blog?
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Thanks for reading!

~Willow