Sher, from @Sher a Hart, has coined a new verb for us, to meme. Well she memed me good n proper and the result lies below, for all to see. The questions took a surprising amount of reflection.
If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?
Pain, a world beyond exhaustion, disbelief, pride, elation….. the first time I crossed a marathon finishing line in the Vienna (Austria) marathon, having run all the way, at age 43, was one of the greatest moments of achievement for me! We really can achieve so much more than we ever, ever imagine possible!
If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
Listening to legalistic doctrine as a young adult, about identity, with repercussions I can still feel today. I do wish I had had the guts to follow my inner convictions at the time. Woah, this sounds heavy. The plus on this is, as I was reading the Plot Whisperer today, and once again trying to pluck up the courage to start a novel-length YA manuscript, a plot started to germinate with some of this conflict at its heart. Nothing is wasted. No experience is ever in vain, if we can grow from it and move beyond it, and maybe even share it !
What movie/TV character do you most resemble in personality?
No idea if you guys have even heard of the New Avengers? But I have been compared to Joanna Lumley on more than one occasion. Though, OMG, I would love to have her legs ! Here’s a quick youtube intro. for the unitiated. I always saw myself as a MI5 type of gal !
If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would you choose?
Pass. Couldn’t live with the guilt !
Name one habit you want to change in yourself.
The clocks went back last night here, signifying winter hibernation for me. With the reduced daylight hours, I really do tend to go into hibernation mode until spring, apart from some weekend snowshoeing, and I want to make a concerted effort to leave the den a little more often this winter.
Why do you blog? (Answer in one sentence)
When people think Miss Marple, I want them to think great children’s books, not tweedy, grey-haired spinster detective !
Name at least 3 people to send this to:
I am going to name three bloggers I have been loving getting to know through the Write Campaign these past two months.
Gail Shepherd @Paradoxy (Gail has been widening my YA repertoire)
Maeve Frazier @Lollipop’s Cottage (another foodie, yes!)
Rachel Harrie @Rach Writes (we all love Rach!)
I do know the New Avengers and yeah, I totally see the resemblance. That’s very funny. Thanks for the meme: I’ll do my best to answer honestly (yesterday, by coincidence, I was sitting at lunch blinking back tears because I was remembering the answer to #2, a reflection spurred by a middle grade book I’m reading. So I was planning to write about that anyway!
You, know, Gail I so nearly changed #2 to something less personal, but, that’s often where our best stories and personal growth come from!
mmm …. interesting no 2. But your right that is probably where our best stories come from. My first attempt at YA stems from pain of past, and an editor wanted me to continue to pursue it…go figure!
Loved your resemblence in the New Avengers, will have to watch that. Joanna Lumley……really!!!!! LOL.
This was lovely to read. Thankyou Joanna.
(had problems posting on here, but persisted)
So sorry posting was a hassle. Thank you for persevering, Diane. So did you continue to pursue that YA? should I be doing some butt kicking?
Think you will appreciate the Britishness of the New Avengers!
Congratulations on # 1! Having friends who have completed marathons, I know what a commitment and what a rush it is.
Your growth and insight regarding # 2 is definitely the way we need to view the painful chapters in our lives. I, too, wish I could have embraced my “self” earlier in life. Fitting into a mold is not what living is about!
I’m of the Diana Rigg/Emma Peel generation, but will check out the New Avengers! 🙂
This is a very interesting and challenging meme — challenging when one stops to think what one’s own answers would be. Thank you for being willing to share.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Beth. Indeed, I now feel free to break that mold and I am so glad you do too. Working with teens, I try my best to encourage them to be true to themselves.
I liked the Old Avengers too! Emma Peel was a classy lady!
This meme did make for some good reflection.
waves to france – bon journo!
okay people tell me I look like zoey deschanel but I dont see it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Bonjour back atcha! Heh, sultry and sexy, run with the compliment! 🙂
Great meme. I loved the questions and your responses, partticularly your response to #2. It gave me additional insight into you. I can attest to your high activity level — Joanna Lumley is a good fit. And, there is a resemblence. You also resemble one of my close spiritual friends, and so the first time I heard your voice, I couldn’t believe it. She is from Argentina and sounds more British, and your mannerisms are similar. Such fun!
Pat
Wasn’t it a good meme? Very different from most questions. I think you are getting to know me quite well now, Pat. One of the joys of this writing community! I like the way our blogs trickle out little pieces of us to the blogosphere.
Hi Joanna, thanks for “meming” me (and for your lovely comment!). LOL, that wasn’t too painful at all 😉 It was lovely learning more about you, best of luck with your new manuscript.
Hugs,
Rach
Hi Rach, thanks for dropping in. Looking forward to campaigning with you again! 🙂
Hi Joanna – Thanks for the “Meme”, I will post about it this week. Wow on the marathon. You are an amazing woman. It was great getting to know these extra facts about you!
Hi Mave, I shall be dropping in to read yours.
I, too, have been memed, in the same memeing in which you were memed. (Took me a little while to find the comment that said so, so I’m a little late to it, but oh well…)
I hope you write something 🙂
I did. It has now been posted. Not as impressive as yours, but one goes with what one’s got.
Off to look now!
This whole pushing someone off a cliff thing … that’s a tough one. I’d pass too, too much guilt and soooo wrong. Love the marathon one. I wanted to run one before I turned 35. Life happened. Now, I’m in a different elevation and haven’t retrained myself. I keep saying there is time, but no time like the present. Love your thoughts on Miss Marple too.
Hi Stacy,
Training at elevation is something else! I’m at sea level here in Nice. I hope you get to do it one day as it really is a once-in-a-lfetime experience!