I would like to thank Blondewritemore, who was lovely in bestowing this upon me. I was chosen because “I keep it real”. Apparently that isn’t common place. I appreciate the sentiment because being real and being true to myself is very important to me. Thank you Lucy. I’m glad we’re getting to know each other. 🙂

This is the first award for Poison In Lethal Doses and it makes me proud.

Here are the rules for this award:

• Once you are nominated, make a post thanking and linking the person who nominated you.
• Include the Liebster Award banner in the post.
• Nominate 7 (it’s supposed to be 10, but… ) people who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.
• Answer the ten questions asked to you by the person who nominated you.
• Make ten questions of your own for your nominees.
• Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.
• ALL THE NOMINEES ARE FREE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE NOMINATION

My nominated bloggers are:

Moongazer, who is perhaps one of the sweetest people I have come across here.

Megan, who generously made toys for cat that kitten stole. She’s a sweetheart with a little cutie of her own. 🙂

My Small Surrenders, who is fighting way too many battles and needs support on this journey.

High, High, Higher, because she just showed me that’s she’s far from a fair weather friend. Compassion, kindness, and simply caring about another human being is so rare.

Jodi Ambrose Blog, because Jodi is a sweetheart who never ceases to make people roll on the floor laughing.

My Spoken Heart, because I like what she has to say about so much.

Fish Of Gold, because I said so.

• Here are my questions for my nominated bloggers:

1. Where are you originally from?

2. What do you think is the most unique trait you possess?

3. Who is the single most important person in your life?

4. What is the most thrilling or inspirational thing you’ve ever done just for yourself?

5. Your own cooking or take-out?

6. Coffee or Tea?

7. Do you have a special ringtone for anyone that always makes you laugh or smile?

8. What is the one thing you cannot live without? (It can be a material object.)

9. How much music would you say you listen to each day?

10. Is your goal to blog and keep on blogging because you love your audience or to complete a novel for any form of publishing at some point? (You can let this one slide Jodi, because I’ve decided your goal is to get your own podcast, Miss Thing!)

These are the questions I was asked.

1. Where do you get your creative inspiration from?

I don’t know that I actually have creative inspiration. I’m simply being myself. It’s basically “Piss me off, pay the consequences.” most days, and other days I have something very specific that I want to say. It’s important to me to cover a wide array of topics and not box myself into any one thing. You have yet to see an excerpt of any of my works in progress here and there’s a reason for that.    

2. How often do you blog?

There are blogs and there are platforms. I am a writer, therefore this is a platform. It’s drastically different from my beauty blog (which I do for fun) or other things that I do on-line that I’d consider more along the lines of a true blog. I try to do something daily, or at the very least 2-4 times a week. It depends on what else I have going on inside my head. It’s very busy up there since I took the curtains down. 😛  

3. What motivates you?

I come from absolutely nothing. My mother was the guiding force behind my talents, and since her passing, I am motivated by stories she would want me to tell, the kinds of books she loved to read. She believed wholeheartedly in my “no holds barred” approach and would often read books and say “You could do this, but better.” She is the reason I can now write fiction with absolute confidence. 

I’ve had to work my tail off for every single thing I’ve ever achieved. Getting out of an abusive home, staying out of abusive relationships and friendships, surviving and thriving; that motivates me. Being who I am, without apologies, THAT motivates me. Remembering who I am, where I come from, and that those streets are always a part of who I am, THAT motivates me. Whenever I lose sight of myself, the song “Jenny From The Block” by Jennifer Lopez comes on or “Empire State Of Mind: Part II” by Alicia Keys. THAT reminds me who I am, and it’s motivational. It’s like flipping a switch. It reminds me that I can accomplish and achieve anything, without someone else’s approval or permission. And I think of my mother and her words, because no one else believed in me more than her.     

4. Why did you start blogging?

In late 2012, I started a blog, …..And The Moon Sees All. It still runs today, just not daily. I transitioned over to this platform in 2014 because I was tired of feeling like I wasn’t being true to myself on the blog. I also disliked a lot of the blogging negativity that was going down. Way too much juvenile behavior for me. I felt strangled and boxed in, and I hated it. I wanted a place where I could unapologetically say anything and everything I think and feel, and I wanted it to be a highly positive, supportive place. Thus far, I have succeeded.

My reputation is what lead me to writing various things under the Poison In Lethal Doses title for 20 years. I decided it was time to go back to my roots and unleash the beast, so to speak. I have a series of Dark Urban Fantasy novels in the works that are steeped in mythology and minor aspects of historical fiction. I feel like this is the right place for that readership. It’s a wonderful way to connect with readers on every level possible; allowing them to get to know me as a person first, and as a writer and editor second.   

5. What is your favourite quote?

I have a great many, as I am a collector of quotes. The two that are crucial to my life are: 

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” ―Franz Kafka

6. Describe yourself in three words?

Loyal. Direct. Genuine. 

7. If you were a famous brand – what brand would you be and why?

I’d be something I believed in, was not embarrassed to attach myself to, and allowed me to be financially stable and secure.

8. When was the last time you got angry?

Saturday night, but hey, the day is still young… 

9. What is your star sign? Are you like your star sign?

I’m a Scorpio. It comes up eight times in my birth chart.

I am not the quintessential stereotype of the sign. I’m not jealous (I learned very early on to conquer that or it would be my destruction) or insane. Will I destroy you if you fuck with me and/or those I love? Yes. Will I be the most loyal friend you’ve ever had? Yes. I encourage people NOT to get on my bad side because once you are, you might as well shrivel up and die. I might forgive someone or something for myself, but I will NEVER forget someone who has done me wrong or hurt me, and the same is true for my loved ones. I do NOT forget evil-doers and if you say something to me that cannot be unheard, it might take me ten years, but eventually you’ll be sorry it ever came out of your mouth. As a friend once said “If you’re lucky enough to be friends with Lisa, take that very seriously because she is not someone to be screwed with!” That sums it up quite nicely. 😉   

10. If you could go back in time where would you go?

I’d go back to my early teen years. I’d make a lot of changes, though when I look back on it now, I realize I had my shit together, even then. Everything happens for a reason, and a lot of those moments helped strengthen me. Perhaps I wouldn’t go back at all, perhaps I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Please take a moment and visit all of the blogs I have posted here. I promise you, it’s worth it.