Versatile Blogger Award

I have been a fan of Judith Arnopp’s books (her latest, A Song of Sixpence, was just published – I interviewed her on this blog just last week, it’s a wonderful read) and that makes me all the more thrilled that she nominated me  for a Versatile Blogger Award. To “accept” the award, I must follow several guidelines:

The Rules for accepting the Award(s):

1. Display the Award Certificate
2. Write a post and link back to the blogger who nominated you
3. Post seven interesting things about yourself
4. Nominate up to fifteen other bloggers (and why you’ve nominated them)
   
5. Inform them of their nomination

So, first, thank you Judith for this wonderful compliment and opportunity. I love your blog too, http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot.co.uk/

Next (since the Certificate heads the post!), seven things about me:

1. One of the highlights of my youth was being allowed to visit the Pierpont Morgan Library on a day when it was closed to the public and examine (though not touch!) books from Queen Elizabeth’s personal library and actual letters that the young Princess Elizabeth (technically Lady Elizabeth…) had written.
2. I high-fived Dolores Huerta (co-founder with Cesar Chavez of the National Farmworkers Association).
3. I have read James Clavell’s Shogun more than a hundred times and hope to read it a hundred more. Best book ever written.
4. I have a third-degree black belt in Yoshukai Karate. Technically my title is “Sempai” but I prefer “Sensei” (which is applicable to all levels of black belt).
5. When I was young, my best friend was the daughter  of artist Frank Stella. He used to let us play in his workshop – and draw with grease pens on bare metal that had been molded into sculptures but not yet painted. Somewhere out there, there is a Frank Stella sculpture with a drawing of mine hidden beneath its paint.
6. My first job (other than babysitting) was as a counter waitress at a donut store (I was 15). I hated yelling out the orders and insisted on running to the grill guy so that I could use a normal tone of voice. I got fired pretty quickly…
7. I cannot have house plants, I kill them no matter how hard I try. Even cactuses.

And finally, my list of other bloggers that deserve the same kind of recognition, based on the quality of the writing, the uniqueness of the subjects covered, and the level of love displayed in the words on the virtual page. Although Judith nominated several that I would have added here (Claire Ridgway, Beth Von Staats…) I do have a number of wonderful alternatives:

1. Karina Read – A history major who covers many topics, and for while was an avid Anne Boleyn/Tudor/Medieval/Castle-visiting enthusiast.
2. Danielle Merchant – Offering the real story behind the infamous Lady Rochford and exploring other Tudor issues.
3. Susan Abernethy – Fascinating writer of all things history.
4. Nancy Bilyeau – A writer of Tudor-era historical thrillers.
5. Catherine Curzon – Glorious Georgian dispatches from the long 18th Century.
6. Geri Walton Jane – History of the 18th and 19th centuries.
7. Conor Byrne – A university  student focusing on gender and social issues (he recently published a wonderful new biography of Catherine Howard).
8. Jude Knight – A writer of historical romance set in late Georgian England.
9. Natalie Grueninger – Author of the book On The Tudor Trail, she recreates the magic on the blog!
10. Sharon Bennett Connolly – Her blog name says it all: “History: The Interesting Bits”
11. Aquileana – A wonderful collection of Greek mythology

Finally, I have to mention the English Historical Fiction Authors – an amazing collection of wonderful bloggers that post a new compelling topic every day. I would nominate every one of their bloggers, it is definitely worth a follow.

I hope you enjoy these  as  much as I do!