A to Z Bookish Survey

 Every week my critique partner, Kendra Merritt, and I meet to catch up, write, edit, critique and share goals. A few weeks ago during one of our meet ups, we decided to do an A to Z book survey. The survey has been floating around on the internet for a while. Google it and you will find lots of author's answers. 

Here are my answers.

Click here to go say hi to Kendra and read her answers.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Diane Chamberlain

Best Sequel Ever:

I don't know...I'm not a big sequel fan. I haven't really found one I love....not yet.

Currently Reading:

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Mango- Lemonade

E-reader or Physical Book?

Mostly E-book, but I still enjoy physical books, too.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I totally  have a character crush on Walking Dead's Darrel Dixon...sadly he is not in the graphic novels. However, not so sure I would have dated him in high school...but I would want him around if there is ever a zombie apocalypse, that's for sure. :)

 Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Walking Dead. I'm not a big graphic novel reader, but I really loved the experience and the Walking Dead is so much more than a zombie tale...even in graphic novel form.

Hidden Gem Book:

Don't have an answer...sorry. I'll post back if I think of one. 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When I started teaching. 

Just Finished:

Beta reading Susan Oloier's Travel memoir and I loved it!

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Bad ones

Longest Book You’ve Read:

There's been a few. But I enjoy the under 400 page books the best. The long ones seem to drag on and on.

Major book hangover because of:

Jodi Picoult's books. Regardless of if I liked the story line or not, her books always seem to provoke loads of emotion- good or bad- and sit with me long after I put them down.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

One huge one and a couple of small ones...but this doesn't include my virtual book shelf-- that one is growing and growing!

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

To Kill a Mocking Bird (There are many other books, too...)

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed under the covers

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

Don't have one...could scour the internet for a fun quote but that would be just as boring...

Reading Regret:

Wasting time on a bad book when there are so many other great books out there to read. I will always put a bad book down. 

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Not a big series fan. I will read the first couple books in a series but never care to finish. Too many other great books out there to read.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Don't really  have favorites....changes depends on mood, time, and place.

That being said, I really, really love all of Susan Oloier's books- if you haven't read them yet- do. She is an amazing story teller and her characters are well developed. Love her writing!

I also really enjoyed 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and have re-read multiple times.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

The Walking Dead

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Nothing right now.

Worst Bookish Habit:

I don't have any crazy habit...lol!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

What bookshelf do you want me count?

Your latest book purchase:

Too many to write here because I just went to the local library used book sale and bought bags and bags of them. Some that made it in the bag are 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, 12 Finally by Wendy Mass, Ender's Game, A few Nancy Drews, Pretty Little Liars....

 ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

I'm up way too late every night- no matter what....

I would love to hear your answers. Leave a comment or link back and let me know!

Have a great day!

Best to all-

Becca

Can Characters Make or Break a Story?

What do I remember most about a story?

Occasionally, it's the plot.

But most of the time I fall in love with a story because of the characters. Many stories are plot-driven, but what makes those stories memorable for me is when the characters grow from their journey. Characters need to be flawed, but I have to like them. I have to relate to them. I have to care whether they live or die.

Has anybody seen the Walking Dead? (I know, silly question. I'm probably the last one to see it.) Well, I decided to see what all the fuss was about and watched the season three premiere back in October. The characters don't talk in the first few minutes of the story. I had no background on who they were. All they did was run into half-dead, rotting, sick people and kill them. Frankly, I couldn't figure out what all the buzz was about. I shrugged my shoulders and went on about my way.

Well, a few months later, I came across a copy of the first season and decided to try it again...this time from the beginning. I popped in the first dvd, but I didn't stop there, I had to go on to the next, and eventually, on to season two. Now, I'm trying hard to catch up on the third season before it starts again this February. I'm not really a zombie fan, not even close. I really don't get into many horror films either. (I scare pretty easily.) But I've gotten into Walking Dead.

Why?

Because of the characters. Robert Kirkman does an amazing job with his characters. I care about them. I even cry when they die, (and they're going to die, otherwise it wouldn't be a zombie show). He gives them compassion, humanity in an inhuman world, and love. And the characters that don't, I tend to dislike- like I should- and be frustrated with them.

The plot is kind of crazy. The gore is over the top. But I keep watching because I care about the characters. I care about what happens to them. The goal is simple...survive. The characters are not. How they survive, how they interact, how they react, that's what keeps me coming back.

When I finally made it to season three and re-watched the first episode, it all made sense. I got it and it was perfect. The characters didn't need to talk. By not talking, you knew they were a cohesive group under Rick's leadership. You could tell they were on the move, trying hard to stay alive. You knew they were starving for more security.

I'm excited, just like everyone else, for the second half of season three to start up. I want to know what happens to those amazing characters. Who will rise? Who will break? How will they continue to survive?

What makes a story good for you? Do you get caught up in the characters or the plot?

 

Written by Robert Kirkman. Illustrated by Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard