I've Been Tagged!

So! I’ve been tagged.
Which means I have to answer these questions-exactly as they are asked, to the best of my knowledge. And then I’m supposed to tag others to answer these same questions. Does anyone really—as an adult—like playing tag? I suppose this is an exercise in outreach, getting to know others through the power of the ALMIGHTY BLOG, which is a good thing. Earlier today I was browsing through a few of the Blogs listed in the upcoming April A-Z challenge and was struck by the sheer number of people out there with a published book—whether self or traditionally—all trying to market and solicit their work, all vying for the attention of the reader. It overwhelms this obscure, non college-degreed, wish I was writing another chapter of my book instead of doing this, writer. Don’t get me wrong. I like posting on my blog, but is this really the answer to success?

Food for thought. I recently saw John Carter in 3-D at the theatre. This is adapted from the novel A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. For those not familiar with books, you might recognize the name as the creator of Tarzan. He died in 1950. The book was written in 1917. Amazing! Some stories are timeless. And the movie was AMAZING!

Here are My Tag Answers

1) What is the one book you couldn’t live without? Couldn’t live without is rather strong. Of course, the Bible falls in that category. Most impacted fiction, though, has to be The Drawing of the Three, part of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. The concept in this book has always stuck with me.
2) What can you see out your window at the moment? We have a large oak tree in our back yard, and beyond that, a wooden fence. The New York City skyline would be better.
3) What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Bananas, Peanut Butter and Miracle whip. YUM! My wife and I agree on most foods—but NOT that!
4) What fictional character would you most like to marry? I married my best friend and can’t think of one fictional character that could top her.
5) If ever a fictional villain was going to win, who would you want it to be? Roland, in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series spends his life on a quest and then finds out he has to start back at the beginning. This guy struck me as Clint Eastwood, Joe Pike (Robert Crais detective stories) and Vin Deisel all rolled into one. He is a many flawed character-which is what makes me like him a lot. But I understand King’s thoughts here. Life is seldom a happy ending.
6) How many types of cheese can you name off the top of your head? Cheddar, Stinky, Smelly—that’s about it.
7) If you didn’t want to be a writer, what would you want to be? A writer. No wait, maybe a Writer, or possibly a writer. Of course there’s always being a WRITER!
8) Can you play a musical instrument? I played trumpet in High School Band but probably couldn’t play a note now. Music is a talent. I’m fascinated by those who have it.
9) Do you own a Kindle or a Nook or any sort of e-reader? I have a Kindle fire, which recently replaced by old Kindle. I still like the feel of a print book, but you can’t deny the technology these days. It’s changing the way we do things.
10) If you do, how many books do you have on it? About twenty. I’m not one of those hoarder types. I delete them when I’m finished. Very few books impress me enough to want to read them again.
11) You just got published. In a glowing review, someone calls you “the next [insert famous author name here]”. Which famous author has to watch their back now you’re on the scene? Stephen King would be my obvious answer here, but I’m going to throw James Patterson under the bus. Ever since he started publishing with other people on the cover, his stories aren’t the same. They don’t have his voice. So I’ll take his place in the mystery market. Thanks Mr. Patterson.