1. What is your name?
Coyote. Oh, wait, nah, I think it's Steve. Yeah, that's what my current drivers license says.
2. Do you read a lot?
Used to read at least one book per week, and that was slower than when I was a kid. Now I'm lucky if I finish a book within a month. Of course, I'm also reading 3 different books at the same time, at least one of which is heavy research.
3. What's your favorite genre?
Fantasy. High to urban and everything in between.
+++FANTASY AND SCI-FI+++
4. Do you prefer fantasy or science fiction?
Answered that already. Although I still love me my SF.
5. What's your favorite fantasy book/series?
The series put out by Ellen Datlow and Teri Windling. I didn't even know they were a series until last year, but I'm busy collecting and reading them. As a single book I'm going with American Gods.
6. Who's your favorite fantasy author?
Neil Gaiman. Yeah, he's popular, but that doesn't make him any less an excellent writer. If I ever met him in person I'll have to do my best not to squeal like a teen fangirl. Oh wait a sec, if we're talking high-fantasy of some such, I'm going with Steven Brust (with whom I would also probably squeal like a teen fangirl).
7. What's your favorite science fiction book/series?
Old Man's Universe. Love me my Scalzi. First book I read by him was Ghost Brigades. I hit the Douglas Adams joke/allusion in the first chapter and started paying attention. He's tricksy he is.
8. Favorite sci-fi author?
This is a toss up. Here I'd have to say it's a split between Bradbury and Clarke.
+++MYSTERY, HORROR, AND THRILLER+++
9. Which do you prefer: a puzzling mystery, or a terrifying thriller?
I thought horror was a part of this? I'll take horror for $2000, Alex.
10. Do you have a favorite mystery novel?
Hmm, here I'm going to go with anything by Daschel Hammet or Raymond Chandler. Hmm, spicy metaphors.
11. A favorite horror novel?
Currently it's Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. I haven't read much by him I haven't thought, "I want to write that well" (same feeling I get with Gaiman).
+++ROMANCE+++
12. do you read romance novels?
Sometimes.
13. How about gay romance novels?
I'm not sure. There have been short stories and novels with gay sex in them. I don't believe I would like a whole novel with that as it's premise. Sorry.
14. What is your favorite?
One of the writers in my critique group just wrote a book they're classifying as Romance (although I'd say it was more fantasy). I think the published title will be Lilly's Song. Good thing is he's thinking about another novel in that world.
+++CHILDREN'S AND YA+++
15. What's your favorite children's book?
Children's? Probably something by Shel Silverstein. They've all run together in my head. I remember my Mom reading me Misty of Chincoteague so that holds a special place in my heart.
16. Is it the same book that was your favorite when you were a kid?
Nah, I was uptight when I was a kid.
17. What's your favorite YA book?
Peeps by Scott Westefield (I think it's marketed as YA). Smart book, although I had a few plot questions.
18. Did you actually read it as a YA?
Nope. Wanted to see what his writing was like after I met him and his lovely wife.
19. In general, do you prefer children's books over grown-up books?
Depends on the writing and the book.
+++CLASSICS AND GENERAL FICTION+++
20. What's your favorite classic novel?
Hmm, is At the Mountains of Madness a novel. Probably not. Maybe Dracula by Stoker. Especially if you read it as a metaphor for sex. Plus, it has a better ending than any of the films.
21. What about general fiction?
I'm stumped with this one, so I'm going with The Killer Angels just because it affected me so much.
22. What classic novel do you just *not* *get*?
Catcher in the Rye. Really, okay it might be because that's a current model and I've read (and lived) other stories like it. But I just don't get why Caulfield is this icon.
23. Do you have a favorite play or drama?
Music Man. Do musicals count?
24. What do you think of Shakespeare?
"Brush up your Shakespeare, start quoting him now." Also a big fan boy of his.
25. Could you pick a favorite poem?
Probably not.
26. What about a favorite poetry collection?
My advance poetry writing course text book. Excellent selection.
27. Who's your favorite poet?
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
+++COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS+++
28. Do you read comics or graphic novels?
Sometimes. Heck, I remember going to a "newsstand" to buy comics. I love some of what has been done lately, but not where the market has gone.
29. Do you have a favorite series?
Hmm, don't consume enough of them to say. Although I was a big Green Lantern guy when I was young.
30. A favorite book?
The Dark Knight. Exploded my mind.
+++SHORT STORIES AND NOVELLAS+++
31. Do you prefer short stories (short novels) over full-length novels?
No preference
32. What's your favorite short story?
Oh poggosticks, this is like trying to choose a poem. My current favorite, the one that still stands out in my mind is "Boatman's Holiday" by Jeffery Ford.
33. Favorite short story collection?
"Fragile Things" or "R is for Rocket"
34. Do you have a favorite short story author?
Let me get back to you on that. For the moment I'll say Bradbury.
+++NONFICTION+++
35. What kind of nonfiction do you usually read?
Research on fairy tales. Writing guides. Technical manuals and industry development for the day job.
36. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book?
Hmm, none pop out at me at the moment.
37. Read any interesting biographies?
I used to read a lot, but lately haven't been driven to. Well, except for John Adams.
38. History books?
Oh my yes. Histories by Heroditus. A must read.
39. Politics?
have you been reading my blog?
40. Religious texts?
Actually yes. Many religions, but lately I've been focusing on eschatological studies and end times for a novel I'm writing.
41. How about books on mythology, fairy tales, or other cultural stories?
What would you like? Yes, most of my permanent research library concerns these.
+++ELEMENTS OF FICTION+++
42. What's the most important element of a novel? Plot? Characterization? Style? Themes? Happy ending?
What, "writing" isn't there? WTF?
43. What kind of plot interests you the most?
I like to have a twist I don't see coming, but in hindsight I should have. Like when Shadow dies in American Gods.
44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
The non-bullshit kind.
45. What is your favorite book overall?
American Gods. Damn, I wish I could have written that.
+++PASS IT ON+++
46. What's the last book you read?
Years Best in Fantasy and Horror.
47. What are you reading now?
Goblin Hero by Jim Hines
Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the End Times
48. What are you going to read next?
Which ever one falls on me from the guilt stack.
49. Is there a book you would recommend to everyone on your friend's list?
Have I mentioned American Gods yet?
50. Tag five people to fill out this meme:
Just like Mer said, this is way to long to tag people with. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
8 comments:
I like this, so I'll probably do it on my blog when I get a chance. The toughest part will be picking favorites.
And the quote from "Kiss Me, Kate." Impressive. My favorite lines from that song:
If your blonde won't respond when you flatter 'er
Tell her what Tony told Cleopaterer,
And if still, to be shocked, she pretends well,
Just remind her that "All's Well That Ends Well."
Cole Porter. That man could write songs.
Vince, picking my favorites was also the hardest part. I could probably run through the thing again and come up with different answers.
And yeah, Kiss Me, Kate is a great musical (hey, musical Shakespeare, you gotta watch it). And it was back when the whole "play within a play" thing was newish (although Hamlet also did it, the Kiss Me, Kate/Taming of the Shrew is more fractal).
And everybody should be able to quote at least some Shakespeare.
1. What is your name?
- Littlebird.
2. Do you read a lot?
- Not enough. Never enough.
3. What's your favorite genre?
- Good.
+++FANTASY AND SCI-FI+++
4. Do you prefer fantasy or science fiction?
- That's like asking me my favorite child.
5. What's your favorite fantasy book/series?
- Taking a tip fro Steve, I'm going to go with Anansi Boys. I didn't care for American Gods.
6. Who's your favorite fantasy author?
- I'm going to follow Steve's lead here with Neil Gaiman.
7. What's your favorite science fiction book/series?
- For SF, I'd go with Connie Willis' Doomsday Book, Miller's A Canticle for Liebowitz, or nearly anything by Doris Piserchia.
8. Favorite sci-fi author?
Oooh, good call on Bradbury (one of my favorites), though he insists he's really a fantasy writer, and I understand his argument.
+++MYSTERY, HORROR, AND THRILLER+++
9. Which do you prefer: a puzzling mystery, or a terrifying thriller?
I'm already cared by the real world. I don't need more terror in my fiction.
10. Do you have a favorite mystery novel?
I'll go with the English country mysteries of Georgette Heyer, like Why Shoot a Butler? or The Envious Casca.
11. A favorite horror novel?
I prefer my horror in short form. Ellen Datlow's a fantastic editor of horror shortfic.
+++ROMANCE+++
12. do you read romance novels?
Sure, if they belong to the ubergenre good.
13. How about gay romance novels?
If Georgette Heyer had written one, sure.
14. What is your favorite?
- Pride & Prejudice.
+++CHILDREN'S AND YA+++
15. What's your favorite children's book?
- I could do Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. Nice one, Steve. I'm also fond of Gorey.
16. Is it the same book that was your favorite when you were a kid?
- My favorite book was Watership Down. I first read it when I was eight.
17. What's your favorite YA book?
- Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation vol. I: The Pox Party by MT Anderson.
18. Did you actually read it as a YA?
- No.
19. In general, do you prefer children's books over grown-up books?
- Again, Steve nailed this one.
+++CLASSICS AND GENERAL FICTION+++
20. What's your favorite classic novel?
- Robinson Crusoe
21. What about general fiction?
- I'm not even sure what that means. I really enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible. Does that count?
22. What classic novel do you just *not* *get*?
-Anything by Dickens. Can't stand Hemmingway. Not into Tolkein.
23. Do you have a favorite play or drama?
- Uhm...
24. What do you think of Shakespeare?
- Sonnets! yay!
25. Could you pick a favorite poem?
- Sonnet# 130, or Lana Turner has collapsed, or that fabulous Neil Gaiman poem about what's underneath women's clothes.
26. What about a favorite poetry collection?
- poetry is like horror -- too intense for me to take in concentrated doses, but fabulous when appled with a light touch.
27. Who's your favorite poet?
- Tom Waits
+++COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS+++
28. Do you read comics or graphic novels?
- Sure.
29. Do you have a favorite series?
- Love & Rockets.
30. A favorite book?
- see above.
+++SHORT STORIES AND NOVELLAS+++
31. Do you prefer short stories (short novels) over full-length novels?
- Like Steve: No preference
32. What's your favorite short story?
- I like too many to choose.
33. Favorite short story collection?
- ooo! I'll just borrow Steve's excellent choices. "Fragile Things" or "R is for Rocket"
34. Do you have a favorite short story author?
- see above.
+++NONFICTION+++
35. What kind of nonfiction do you usually read?
- these days? Not much. Lots of online research articles and new clips.
36. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book?
- Maybe Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Do magazines count? I like home decorating porn; Dwell, Elle Decor, Readymade.
37. Read any interesting biographies?
- I'm currently reading Mark Twain's autobiography. Hilarious.
38. History books?
- Gangs of New York.
39. Politics?
{{shudder}}
40. Religious texts?
- no.
41. How about books on mythology, fairy tales, or other cultural stories?
- How about anything by Roger Renwick [plugs father's book].
+++ELEMENTS OF FICTION+++
42. What's the most important element of a novel? Plot? Characterization? Style? Themes? Happy ending?
- synergy
43. What kind of plot interests you the most?
- One serving the story rather than the ideology of the author.
44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
- characters with whom I can sympathize on some level.
45. What is your favorite book overall?
- changes every day of the week.
+++PASS IT ON+++
46. What's the last book you read?
- Tim Powers' Last Call.
47. What are you reading now?
- A stack of old Ellory Queen Mystery Magazines from the 80s & 90s
48. What are you going to read next?
- The Unincorporated Man by Dani Kolin
49. Is there a book you would recommend to everyone on your friend's list?
- MT Anderson's Octavian Nothing.
50. Tag five people to fill out this meme:
- no. But I really enjoyed playing. Thanks, Steve!
Thank you for playing, Camille. I also like Anansi Boys. I just like how he did the whole kit and kaboodle in American Gods. Including the interspersed short stories the Jackal collected and the sub-plot with the Kobold.
And no complaints on pushing a work on folksongs.
Sorry that came up twice, Steve. Like it wasn't long enough.
Hey Camille, whoops, sorry, thought I fixed that.
Post a Comment