Short Story: Eleven Questions

The lovely Annie McMahon tagged me with the Eleven Questions meme! I get to tell you some things you didn't know about me (maybe), some things she wanted to know about me (sort of), and some things I want to know about my writing buddies (definitely). I know you're just dying to see who I tagged, but you'll have to read down to find out!

First up, here are eleven random tidbits about me:

• When I broke things as a child, I lied every single time and said my sister did it.
• I eat Nutella straight out of the jar. With my finger.
• I have designed a breast pump, an eyewash station, and flatware for Martha Stewart.
• In junior year of high school, I lost the race for Art Club President. To someone who wasn't even IN Art Club. Can you tell it still stings?
• When I'm stressed, I clean out a closet or a drawer.
• I've never owned a curling iron.
• My first major in college was Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
• I watch chick-TV and pretend I didn't.
• I eat yogurt with peanut butter cheese sandwich crackers. As in, I dip them in the yogurt . . . and eat them.
• I believe in following your heart and doing the work.
• I could not count to eleven when I made this list.

Next, eleven answers from me:

• How did you get your ideas for your most recent book?  My son asked me to please, please write a book for him. I let my mind run, and wrote a story he and his brother would love.
• What makes your books different from others in your genre?  I'd like to think I have a strong voice--and every writer's voice is their unique signature.
• What is your biggest challenge as a writer?  Patience.
• What other hobbies or occupations do you have besides writing?  I'm a product designer, and have also done some illustration work.
• What's your favorite book in the genre that you write?  Well . . . for historical fiction, I love City of Dreams.  My favorite middle grade books are always and forever anything and everything by Roald Dahl.
• What's your favorite quote or expression?   "Only the heart that knows the mighty grief can know the mighty rapture, sorrows come to stretch out spaces in the heart for joy" -- Charles Edwin Markham
• Are you a listener or a talker?  Talker.
• Name one thing you couldn't live without.  My family.
• What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?  Whole fried prawn heads. 
• If you were an animal, what would it be?  A horse.
• Name three adjectives that best describe you.  Creative, Determined, Dedicated.

I bet you never thought you'd know that much about me. I can't wait to read more about my own writer buddies! Ilana Waters, Tonja Drecker, A.M. Shultz, Jay C. Spencer, you're up! Your instructions: Write eleven random things about yourself. Answer the eleven questions given. Write eleven new questions. Do a happy dance. Tag someone else.

Now, eleven questions for you!

• Have you always wanted to write?
• How old were you when you "started writing?"
• What was the name and subject of your first writing project?
• What time of day do you write the most?
• Name your favorite reading genres.
• What do you do to relax?
• Name a place you've been to that you would visit again.
• Name a place you haven't been to that you want to visit.
• Salty or sweet?
• TV or movies?
• Finally, the most important question of all: Did you read 50 Shades of Gray?