Quick Q and A's with Jess from Say What?

Today, I have an interview with Jess from Say What?, a really cool blog that I just recently discovered and I hope you'll like it, too. Though, without a further ado, here's my interview with Jess.

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1) First off, I’m going to give you a couple of categories and I would like you to list your favorite.

Food?

Does chocolate count? I'm also a huge fan of fried green tomatoes.

Drink?

Water, believe it or not.

Book?

Wow, this is a tough one. Can I pick three? Thanks!
1) Stephen King's The Shining.
2) Alice Sebould's The Lovely Bones.
3) Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls.
3.5) Ellen Hopkins' Impulse.

(I could keep going, but I'm already such a big cheater that I'll leave it at that.)

Author?

Ellen Hopkins. What she does with so few words is amazing.

Movie?

Clueless is my all time favorite. Bring it On runs a close second. I love "serious" movies as well, but the ones I'm going to watch over and over again are the ones that make me laugh.

Musical Artist or Group? Jimmy Eat World.

2) You recently started up your blog, Say What?, which leaves me to wonder what inspired you to do so?

I was browsing through Publishers Lunch and saw Becca Fitzpatrick's blurb of Hush, Hush. The book looked interesting, so I Googled (is that a proper noun?) her, and found her blog. I devoured it like cotton candy and decided, "I need one of these!" I'd been writing seriously for about 4 years at the time, and I wanted to be around others who were doing the same. 5 months later, here I am, and loving every second of it.

3) Is there anything that makes you blog unique from the other ones out there? If so, in what ways?

I can be a little random at times, but the core of my blog is reading and writing. I blog about my personal writing experiences, as well as any professional information I gain that may be of benefit to other aspiring writers (e.g., all of my notes from the LA SCBWI conference are posted). I recently began running book giveaways, and I'll continue to do so for as long as everyone keeps entering. I like to think I'm funny on occasion, however rare those moments may be. And to top it off, my tiny little profile picture was taken in a McDonald's playpen. How many others can say that? =)

4) What has your reaction to the blogging community been like so far?

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up! I've "met" so many amazing people through blogging that I never would've known otherwise. I'm a hardcore booknerd at heart, so having the opportunity to interact with published (or soon-to-be-published) authors leaves me giddy. I've had my writing critiqued. I've given feedback to others. I've learned about books I never knew existed. I've even won my very first ARC! I AM that kid in a candy store, and my bag is overflowing with gummy bears and saltwater taffy.

5) If you were only allowed to buy three more books, which ones would you buy? (Could include already released or to be released books)

Only 3 more books ever??? Please tell me this is a nightmare and I'll wake up by the time I finish book number three! I know I'm going to leave out something important, but here goes:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, because the cover is stunning and everyone has such positive things to say about it.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown, because I was already stoked before I saw the awesome book trailer.

And Fallout by Ellen Hopkins, because I couldn't stand to leave Kristina, the MC of Crank and Glass, halfway through her journey. (Okay, okay, so Fallout doesn't come out until late 2010, but I must have it!)

6) What is your idea of the perfect day like?

Waking up late because I just can't stand to pull myself out of my 800-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets in my castle across the street from JK Rowling, reading and/or writing until the hubby drags me out from underneath the covers, spending a few hours goofing around with the hubby, JK, and my little sis, and ending with an outdoor concert on a humidity-free night, where we all get so wet that the water doesn't feel cold anymore, and the band keeps playing encore after encore after encore. A midnight flight around town on the band's private jet wouldn't suck, either.

7) Do you have any hobbies or sports you like to do besides book blogging?

I write YA, although I'm not sure if it's a hobby so much as a lifestyle. I could spend every waking hour reading, if that was an option. I volunteer with the animal shelter to help adopt out homeless cats and dogs, and I love photography. I played basketball in high school, but I'm so uncoordinated now I'd probably kick the ball off my foot and somehow manage to smash myself in the face. :)

8) Where do you hope to see Say What? in the next year?

I hope to see a fancy background and a more user-friendly site, which will require the blog owner to become much more technically savvy. I would love to see posts, from yours truly, about my new agent, my new editor, and my long-awaited book deal. (Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?) And, most important, I hope to still be reaching new bloggers and helping others as much as they've helped me.

9) Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you haven't already, you must watch Glee. It's nerdy in the best possible way, and I haven't laughed that hard from a television show in years. And thank you, Lauren, for the opportunity to dip my toes a little deeper in this book blogging pool we all call home.

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Oh, I just started watching Glee too the other day and I'm totally Glee crazy now! :) So, I have to say that I agree with Jess, you have to go watch Glee! Anyway, thanks Jess and be sure to check out her blog here.