Questions From Charlie

Charlie at Doodlewash nominated us for a Liebster Award.  As I told him, we decided early on not to “do” awards, but I am answering the questions posed by the award in this post.  The painting above, of a boy singing, doesn’t relate to the questions, but it does remind me of a wonderful story Charlie told about singing to his grandmother in the hospital.  Charlie’s stories and art, and his daily showcases of other artists, are definitely worth checking out.

THE QUESTIONS:

1. Which literary genre do you prefer?
   I’ll read just about anything, fiction or nonfiction.  The library is one of my favorite places and I often do “choose a book by its cover”, or title.  For comfort I like a good murder mystery.
2. Which book do you know and love?
   Charlie is right, there is a bit of absurdity in this question…if it means a book I go back to again and again, I’m not really a big re-reader, but I have art and poetry books that I return to from time to time.  Always, Matisse, and a haiku anthology is a favorite right now.  Also I read the Pooh stories over and over to my children, and would do so again gladly.
3. Which book you’re passionate about now?
   I’m going to pick an author here…I love Kate Atkinson.  The Jackson Brodie books are among my favorite murder mysteries (and I wish there were more to read), and her latest, “Life After Life” and “A God in Ruins”, are two of my best reads of the past few years.  They are beautifully written with wonderful and complex characters, and there’s a lot going on underneath the words if you choose to go there.
   
4. Why did you start blogging?
   Nina and I were emailing photos of our work back and forth in an effort to be mutually inspiring to do more work.  We thought of a blog as an easier way to do this.  I remember my surprise when she first told me we had followers…it’s an amazing thing.  The blog has worked in a way we never envisioned.  Thank you everyone!
5. Order or chaos?
   I gave up on planning and organizing my life long ago.  Although I do like to be on time.
6. Where would you like to live?
   I grew up in various suburbs, after my parents moved out of the city of Cleveland when I was 5.  I knew suburban life was not for me, and New York has been a perfect choice.
7. Starry sky or sunset?
   Stars.
8. Better the paper book, rather than the ebook?
   I was given a kindle, but I don’t like reading on screens.  I’m one of those Luddites, hauling around a book all the time.
9. What is the writing for you? Do you see it as a hobby or hoping for a future as a writer?
   Writing helps me to see and think about what I’m doing.
10. What do you think about social networks?
    I don’t use any other social networks.  I barely have the time to keep up with email and blogs (and sometimes I fail at those).  It’s a wonderful way to connect, but the digital life eats away at the real life, and I don’t want to spend all my time interacting with a screen.