THE RULES:
1)  Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2)  Answer the eleven questions provided by your nominator.
3)  Nominate up to eleven other bloggers yourself.  Remembering that the point is to promote new bloggers, so aim for those with 200 followers or less.
4)  Let those other bloggers know that you’ve nominated them.
5)  Provide those bloggers with eleven questions of your own for them to answer.
6)  Lastly, it’s considered good form to post an image of the award.

1. What prompted you to start your blog?

There were two reasons, which are both connected. University had kind of sucked my soul dry so after receiving news that I’d passed my degree and was about to graduate, I spent the next few months pretty much doing nothing. Eventually, the dread of not having a job and wasting my life away began to bubble in the pit of my stomach and it made me start thinking of better days when I didn’t have to worry about ~adult~ things. It also reminded me of how much I used to get excited over books and reading. I had only read a handful of books each year during university, as opposed to the near hundreds every year during high school, so I thought it’d be a good idea to start a book blog in order to spark that enthusiasm again. It’s not like I had anything better to do. 😛

2. What inspired you to write your blog on the topics you have chosen?

Books played a huge part in my life as a child and has shaped/continues to shape the person I am today. If you took away all of my book-related experiences, I would become a shell of a person. I moved to a foreign country when I was young and books became both my education and refuge. I genuinely think that if I had stayed in my home country, I would never have discovered the joy of reading, which is a thought that scares me 😐 If there’s something I can write about, it’s books.

3. Do you hold yourself to a schedule as a writer?  How often do you write your blog?

This question hurts me because I wish I was dedicated enough to have a schedule lol. My novel has been in the works for three years and I’m no where near the end. I’m trying though, but I’m starting to suspect I have a fear of the blank page! As for my blog, I do most of my writing on the weekends because of work.

4. What are some issues or causes that are important to you, and why?

I’ve been a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society   for a couple of years and love what they do and stand for, whether it be providing funds and services for the homeless and impoverished of the community, or even just being a companion to lean on. This link will bring you to the Australian Vinnies homepage (Australians love to shorten words like this). I strongly believe that if we want the world to be a better place, we have to start in our own backyards. I’ve met so many amazing people from all walks of life and if anything, it’s a great grounding experience. I think volunteering in your local community is something everyone should try at least once in their life.

5. Name one fictional protagonist that is important to you and why.

Alanna from the Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce.  I read these books when I was 8/9 and Alanna became everything I wanted to be. She made me feel more confident, stronger, and like I could achieve anything I dreamed of, no matter what the rest of the world might think.

6. Who is your favorite fictional antagonist, and why?

I honestly don’t have one. Maybe I just haven’t read enough books yet? No antagonist really stands out to me.

7. Name one story you believe everyone should read, and why.

As if it isn’t obvious enough that I’m in love with this book (see: header) and haven’t been raving about it to everyone and their mum, but I believe everyone should read The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson because HELL YES for a book that moves you on a visceral level.

8. Have you encountered any challenges with your blog since you began writing for an online audience?

Absolutely. No one told me it would take so much work! Ha. Everyone else makes it look so easy. I literally didn’t write a single thing for five months and am only now trying to get back into it with the goal of putting up a post every three days (which I still find challenging. This post is a day late, too.). I don’t know how everyone else manages to do it? It kind of makes me regret not thinking of making a blog when I was in high school. I read so  much that I would’ve had plenty of content to post, especially since I had more time and energy. Work can get so tiring.

9. What has been most rewarding about your blogging experience?

Just the fact that I can make things and share my thoughts with people all over the world is rewarding enough. I feel a sort of personal statisfaction, like: yes. I can do things! And people like what I do! hahaha

10. Is there a principle or philosophy that guides your writing?  If so, what is it?

I write like no one’s ever gonna read it. This makes my writing honest but it also serves to get rid of my perfectionist habits. I’m usually never satisfied with what I write so it’s nice to sometimes approach things with a “screw it” attitude. Better to have complete shit than no shit at all, I say.

11. What has been your favorite blog as a reader, and why?  And can you share?

I honestly love going through Louise’s blog @geniereads because not only does she have plenty of great content, but there’s something about her blog that’s just so aesthetically pleasing haha.