Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Let's Chat

Come on in, I've saved you a seat. This one here's my favorite; try it out. Cushy, huh? There's a throw in case you grow chilly. But no pillow. I won't have you falling asleep on me.

I'm glad you're here.

I thought we could have a snack, too, while we talk. You won't be surprised I've baked brownies. But then I've got muffins, as well, cinnamon struesel (but from a box, nothing fancy). And banana walnut bread. (Misterwrites asked us to save him a slab.) You're welcome to your choice of drink, too. We have coffee, chai, the requisite milk, juice and water, or, um, kool-aid. The purple stuff.

Are you comfortable? Excellent.

So you may be wondering about my reason for having you here. Really, it's because I want to get to know you better, that's all. That's why I'm having you over.

This is pleasant, right? Just, uh, don't mind the toys I've pushed to the corner. Or the shelves I haven't dusted in... a long while. I did vacuum, but listen to me, that's beside the point.

Why don't you tell me something about yourself? Something I don't already know? I'm very curious, would like to know you better.

Would you care for another brownie, while you think?

***

Please, do. Tell me in the comments section, something I may not know. Or - if you're a follower who's never commented - tell me something, anything. I'm curious about you, too.

And then you're welcome to ask something of me. I can feel them, some of the questions I know you'll ask, so I'll just cut to those answers: Blue. Mexican. Reading. And only when I sleep with my mouth open. *wink*

I'll dedicate Friday's post to answering your questions.

47 comments:

Stef Howerton said...

Well, hey! :) I believe this is my first time commenting on here even though I've been a pretty regular reader of yours for a little while now.

Something about me... Well, I'm a 22 year old who sings opera and hopes to make a career out of it, and I also dabble in writing on the side via my blog and the upcoming whirlwind of NaNoWriMo this November. hah I was born on an air force base near Mesa, AZ...

Wait, you said one thing. hah Oh well! I'm an overachiever.

Now a question for you. If you had the attention of every single person on the entire planet, what would you say?

Rebecca Nazar said...

Hmmm Me: Jan, Sabrina, Hawkeye, Doc

So, as a kid who did you most identify with from these '70's shows: Bray Bunch, Charlie's Angels, MASH, Star Trek.

Gosh, are you even old enough? Well, if not, I highly recommend all these shows.

Jessica Nelson said...

LOL I can totally hear your voice in this post. Along with that northern accent. *grin*
I love your last paragraph. I hope I don't snore, though hubby says I talk in my sleep... :-)

CKHB said...

Gray-blue. Sushi. Dancing. Thanks for asking!

septembermom said...

I could go for a brownie now :)

When I was a kid, I loved to sketch. I always had a drawing pad in hand during my free time. Sometimes I wonder if I should try sketching again to see if it can partner that creativity with my poetry.

Here's a question for you.

If you could sit down with one author or poet (living or dead) for a chat, who would you pick? My list would be long, but I would want to share some brownies and chit chat with Emily Dickinson, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf and Iris Murdoch.

Terri Tiffany said...

You are so homey:)) I want to know how far along you are in your WIP???
About me? I am scared to death to go back to work...

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I'll have the chai with a brownie. And, I'd love a pillow. I won't fall asleep. I just hug them when I'm talking.

When we lived in Germany when I was a young child, I used to go up to people who were speaking German and "impress" them with my gibberish/German. I made my mom proud.

~ Wendy

Barbara said...

I DID just go back to work after writing at home for many years. Scary and exhausting. But the steady $$ is nice... No time to write though. I WILL get back to it.

For you--Besides publishing (which I know) what's at the top of your list of things you want to accomplish?

Tamika: said...

So glad you asked me over Janna!

Make mine a latte with a cinnamon stick, please.

So here it is...I love the Golden Girls. There I said out loud. Don't stare at me like that. I really do.

I have every season on DVD, I watch the Monday marathons on the Oxygen channel, and late night shows on Hallmark.

Do you indulge in a routine that sounds a bit silly to the rest of the world?

Tess said...

You're back to blue over here again. Love it.

Something about me? hmmm... I compose music but can't hold a tune. It is perfectly pitched in my head and on the piano, but something is seriously wrong with the voice box and it comes out all off tune and squeaky.

And a question -

cat or dog?

Anonymous said...

Besides the fact that I am in a bit of pain, I'm fine thank you very much. I am now a man sans gallbladder (or gallstones). I guess that's one way to lose some weight!

Oh and I'm gearing up for NaNo 09. This year theme-Science Fiction/Space Opera.

Lynnette Labelle said...

You're making me think before I've finished my coffee? LOL Cute post.

When I was a kid, I used to "write" stories/plays and have the neighborhood kids act them out in front of our parents. Somehow, I was always the main character. Not sure how that happened. ;)

When did you know you wanted to be a writer when you grew up?

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Like Jessica, I could totally hear you saying this. Yay for vlogs!

As I read this I was thinking I seem to tell you everything & I don't know what's new, then I remembered something I was going to email you anyway. I live by the mantra of always be nice and your good behavior will come back to you eventually. Well this morning, my boss from TWELVE years ago, who I never really liked but was always nice to, emailed me and said he has contacts in my industry in the three main cities I'm looking to move to in Canada. He sent a glowing letter of introduction to them and now hopefully one of them will write back. Afterwards he even said "aren't you glad you were always nice to me?" Karma baby.


My question for you: mocha frapp or brownies?

Unknown said...

Hmmmm . . . something you don't already know about me . . . let's see if I can come up with a few things . . .
(1) I've never met, nor have I ever seen pictures of my father's parents. I often wonder if they ever wanted to meet my sister and me. I know their names, and where they used to live.
(2) I've needed new glasses since 2006. It's getting really difficult to see around all the scratches!
(3) I worked at The Disney Store in New Mexico in 1997, and often wished I was one of the Princesses that could be rescued.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Why, thanky ma'am for the delish coffee and brownies. Mr.Writes is some kinda lucky!

hmmm, something about me...I've had just about every job on the planet in order to work around my kids' schedules. Once held 4 part time jobs simultaneously, including cooking from home.

?4U = If somebody gave you $10,000 right now, what would you do with it?

Janna Leadbetter said...

Stef - I'm so glad you've been reading, and even gladder (yep, pretend word) you've commented. :) Nice to meet you!

Becca - Oy? Do you really want the answer to that? You'll see it Friday, either way...

Jessica - Me too! When I'm stressed, he says.

CKHB - Love it! Mine's more a purple-blue, but I appreciate your gray-blue. ;)

Kelly - I'd love to see your sketches. I can't draw worth a darn. (Which is okay by me.)

Oh, Terri. I need you to crack that whip I gave you for just such occasions. (LOL! Side note: I just had to edit crack from crap.)

Wendy - Can you still speak the gibberish? ;)

Barbara - Good luck as you reclaim that balance!

Barry said...

What I don't think I mentioned in any post I've written or comment I've left, is that I would love to learn a musical instrument. I am kind of drawn to the Native American Flute and may just pick one up some day.

How about you. Do you play an instrument of any kind?

And thank you for the brownies by the way, they were very tasty.

Natalie said...

Hi Janna! I'm new today (thanks for visiting my blog!), so you probably don't know much about me and I don't know much about you so here goes.

I have three little kids (all 5 and under) and I write MG novels. Right now I am still in my pajamas with my 2- year-old sitting on my lap (he has a stinky diaper that I'm going to take care of just as soon as I finish commenting!)

I'd love to hear about the novel you are writing!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Tamika - Oh, you and my sister-in-law would have so much talk about! Who's your favorite GG character? Great question. I'll have to give that one some thought.

Tess - That's so cool!

Rafael - Well that explains it! All the trouble you've been having. I hope it's a quick recovery.

Lynnette - But I offered coffee for just that reason. ;)

Melanie - That's AWESOME karma! I really hope it pans out. Really? You had to ask? ;)

Jenn - That first tidbit is fascinating! And kinda sad, too.

Angie - You've never had a slow day, have you? Great question! Will answer Friday.

Barry - I'm so glad you've visited! It's nice to have you here.

Natalie - Thanks for your return visit! Will tell you about my WIP tomorrow. :)

JLC said...

I'm a size 12. :D

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

*Snoozes in Janna's chair even without the pillow*

JOY said...

Tea for me and I can't resist a brownie!

I played violin in a symphony orchestra for a year. I also played piano for church services and many other venues. I do none of these now, don't have a piano and the violin sits in its case. Do you know why?

How many sisters and brothers do you have and do any of them write?

Deb Shucka said...

What a lovely invitation.

About me: Next to writing, the thing I like best in the world is feeding people - the planning, preparation, the sharing, and even the clean-up. Pure bliss.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Susan R. Mills said...

Now, don't tell anyone, but sometimes, I go back to bed after I take my kids to school. I love the dreams I have during those times.

Hmm...a question for you...

What is your favorite thing to do besides reading and writing?

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Happy to be over for a chat, Janna. I'm not so fond of chair but I'd love a muffin!

Something about me...I write more than just books. I write songs too (we just sang one in church last week and it was wonderful to hear those words praising God).

A question for you? What genre would challenge you the most to write and would you ever try it?

Diane Marie Shaw said...

A cinnamon struesel muffin would be wonderful, with a cup of tea please, if you have some, or I can bring my own bag (tea that is).

I spent eleven years serving as an Administrative Assistant to a pastor of a large church. What an honor and privilege.

I am participating in NaNo for the second year and your list of snacks reminded me that I need to get in a supply to keep my brain fed. Now if I can figure out a way to keep my bottom, neck, shoulders and wrists from experiencing pain it will be a blast.

Question for you: What is your favorite room in your house and why?
Diane

Analisa said...

Here is something. I used to work in retail store called Garfinckel's in Washington DC.

There I met several celebrities of show and politics. Like Shirley Temple Black(very gracious) Dixie Carter, still my all time favorite. We talked for quite awhile about Designing Women which was popular at the time and laughed over favorite episodes.

Politicians such as Marion Barry, Casper Wienberg and Jim Brady who was still in a wheel chair after being shot during the attempted assisination on Regan. He was very funny. Not so funny was Babara Bush who was got nasty when she wasn't promptly waited on and her product was out of stock. This was when the Sr. Bush was running for office the first time. She said the line used by folks who think to highly of themselves. "Do you know who I am and who my husband is" She then pointed to a campaign button on her lapel. I replied sweetly. No and we still don't have that product.

My question for you. What is the worst job you every had?

Jill Kemerer said...

Loving the brownie--thanks! Oh, and I'll have another cup of coffee.

Something about me? I currently have four folded stacks of laundry that tower from the floor to the top of my bed. They need to be put away. But I need to check in with my bloggy friends!

Question for you? How would you describe your decorating style?

Have a good one!

Deb said...

This is comfy! I'd love a coffee with a splash of milk.

Not to be picky, but I'm wheat intolerant so I'll have to pass on the baked goods :( I feel super human sometimes and indulge myself but then I have to pay the price...

Any great opportunities from your past that you passed up and now regret missing out on?

Oh, and there's something over at my blog for you.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Hey, Janna!

Um, something you don't know about me... I type really loudly. And yes, I'd love a brownie! Thank you!

Have a great day!

Melissa Amateis said...

Hmm. Something you don't know about me...

Let's see.

I am sometimes in the mood for Metallica. :-)

Janna Leadbetter said...

JLC - You nap all you want, rest that pain away. Your turkettes can play with my girls.

Joy - That's really neat! Is either something you'd pick up again?

Deb - You make it sound so enjoyable!

Susan - Your secret is safe with me... ;)

That is one of the best things I've heard all day, Cindy! Super cool.

Diane - Best to you with the whole thing!

Analisa - Oh my goodness, what great stories! Thanks for sharing!

Jill - Oh, laundry. Yes... *eyes mounds to be folded, piles to be washed* I understand completely.

Deb, gosh. Is that a pretty inconvenient thing to be mindful of?

Kristen - But the question is, do you talk loud? ;)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Metallica? Whoa, Melissa! ;)

Joanne said...

Let me second your "Whoa Melissa" comment! Metallica!! Who would've thought.

Now, let's see, something about me ... I really don't like to cook. Any meal that someone else cooks is a good meal. Or any meal that ends with "Check, please!" ;)

Karen said...

Brownies are my fav along with a caramel frappacino. (Yes, it's still hot here in FL)

Me: my parents were missionaries

You: what did your parents do?
:)

Tana said...

I know *raises hand* How many novels do you have awaiting publication? I've written close to a dozen.

Linda Hoye said...

What a sweet post, Janna! I love the way you shine through your words! Hmmm...something about myself that you don't already know? Let's see.... I used to be very self-conscious because I have scoliosis and clothes don't fit the way they should.

And I would like to know what you dream of doing five years from now.

**hugs**

Cami said...

You created an excellent atmosphere. Most cozy...
About me:
When it comes to the written word, poetry slays me. I'm startled continually by the strength of my response to it.
How did poetry come to me? Through The Smith's song Cemetry Gates. The lyrics mention three poets. W.B. Yeats is one and my heart hasn't let go yet.

Kathy said...

Something you may not know about me?

When I was growing up I used to entertain my other sisters. I used these little Fisher Price people and created stories with them. I also drew 50 Miss America cut-outs and made my sisters vote for the prettiest one. Lots of stuff like that.

My question for you is: What's your favorite day of the week?

Stephanie Faris said...

Do people really ask what your favorite color is?

Anonymous said...

Red. Mexican. Internet surfing (ugh! addicting!). Only when on my back! LOL

Something unknown about me... I was introduced to Doritos and bean dip and Saturday Night Live all in one night at a friend's house in the third grade. I thought it was heaven, and to this day the three things are connected!

By the way, I'll take a Chai tea and a muffin. Thanks, girl!

Anonymous said...

What could you NOT know about me? Let me think...

I'll have to pass on the banana bread because I started a diet and I've been VERY good this week. I pray it's working and my fat is shrinking.

Anyway, still thinking...

Ok, I'm terrible at remembering dates. Sometimes I forget my own anniversary. Sad, huh?

Now my question...

What super hero would you want to be and whys?
-FringeGirl

Nadine said...

What a fun post!

Let's see, you already know a lot about me. Here's something I don't often say to people - Without mentioning details to the internet (I'm pretty private), an immediate family member has won two academy awards. :)

Let's see, my question would have to be: What, if any, food allergies do you have? I have several so I'm always curious what other people have.

Bex Stonehill said...

Thanks for the brownie, it was good! I've never commented before, but here's a few things about me: I'm living in India (for now) but am from England, I have an obsession with dangly earrings, my eldest daughter Maya is named after the indigenous Mayans as my husband and I met in Guatemala and my favourite food in the world is hummus.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

WOW! 43 comments! Who likes to talk about themselves?

I feel uncomfortable in bright colors and prints, especially on my hindquarters!

What is your favorite idiom?

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow, thanks for the brownie!

I am addicted to dark chocolate, coffee and words. And don't send me to a 12 step program; I'm happy this way.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

Love this, Janna!

Jessica Nelson said...

Okay, well apparently I don't follow directions. LOL So no question, but maybe next time...
:-)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Joanne - Oh, me too! I'd much prefer eating out all the time, if it were feasible.

Karen - It's rare I have hot coffee, even in winter. I'm right there with you and the fraps. :)

T. Anne - Almost a dozen is impressive!

Linda - Goodness. I hope it doesn't cause you much pain.

rubberbandgirl - I understand entirely. I feel the same way about fiction and its world.

Kathy - 50 Miss America cutouts?! Wow! That was some dedication. :)

Stephanie - LOL!

Sharla - I would so love to have a Mexican meal with you someday.

FringeGirl - Somehow I'd bet FringeMan doesn't mind. ;)

Nadine - I'm sorry I missed this one! I went back and added it to my answers, though. And the AA thing? Intriguing!

adventuringmaya - Your whole comment is fascinating! Thanks for commenting.

Capri K - The less conspicuous, the better, right?

Oh gosh, Jen. Your addictions seem right on par with mine.

Jessica - LOL! No worries. :)