Honest Scrap Award

I received this award from Mireyah when I first started this blog a few months ago.  I didn't know what I was supposed to do with it, other than forwarding it to five people.  I only learned much later I was supposed to post ten truths about myself, but I never did.  Back then, I didn't know any other bloggers who hadn't already received this award so I never forwarded it either.  I just received this same award again last week, from Harley.  I guess it's time I catch up with my blog awards!  Here they are, my dear followers, ten truths about myself most of you probably don't know.

Truth #1:  I always write my new stories longhand before typing them. 
I seem to have more inspiration using a pen and a cheap notebook than using a keyboard, for some reason.  It's also more portable.  I can write from any location: in my car, at the pool between my daughter's swim events, in the comfort of my own bedroom before sleeping, or at a deli during my lunch hour.  I do my first revision when I type my handwritten notes.

Truth #2:  I studied computer programming in college in the 1980s, but I never worked as a programmer.
My life took a different course than what I had planned, somehow.  Computer languages changed since then, but I find it easier to learn HTML, Excel macros, or other current programming languages because of my background.  The essence is the same.

Truth #3:  I prefer to read (and write) children's novels (MG/YA) than adult novels. 
I'm too sensitive to read dark/horror, and I'm not into romance so much.

Truth #4:  I hardly ever watch TV. 
I'd rather read a good book.  I'm not into sports or politics, although I do watch the Olympics and the presidential elections.  So I can say I watch TV every four years, in average.  Haha!

Truth #5:  I followed the same pattern as my parents, as far as kids are concerned: girl, boy, girl, about the same distance apart. 
I'm the baby!  I hope my kids will be as sweet as I was as a teenager. *angelic face*

Truth #6:  I'm left-handed, and proud of it!
My husband is left-handed too.  Our three kids are right-handed.  Conclusion?  Left-handedness is not hereditary.

Truth #7:  I started writing in 2003, without ever taking a class or a seminar about creative writing. 
I wrote because I had a story in mind that needed to be told.  I blush now when I read my first manuscript.  I learned a lot since then, especially during the last five months I've been part of a review forum.

Truth #8:  My husband hardly ever reads anything I write. 
Fine with me!  He would be too harsh of a critic anyway.  I doubt he even reads my blog.  I guess I'll find out if he leaves a comment or not. ;-)

Truth #9:  I've been married with my husband for many many years, and still going strong. 
Seventeen years, to be exact.  We have ups and downs, but we made a lot of progress in our relationship since we've been together.  We know which buttons not to push.

Truth #10:  My reviewers sometimes comment on awkward expressions in my stories as I didn't grow up in America. 
I'm French Canadian.  I learned a lot since I came to New Jersey fourteen years ago with my very basic English I had learned in high school.  I continue to learn with the help of my reviewers and my kids, correcting me when I say something odd or when I mispronounce a word.  I still feel my vocabulary is not where it should be, and I'm terrified of making mistakes when I post a comment on a blog or in a forum.  I re-read myself several times before finally posting.

Okay, now I'm passing this award on to five awesome writers/bloggers:

Mary at The Entrepreneur's Wife
Kurt at Genius Bordering Insanity
Richard at MoW's Musings
Frankie at Ramblings of Frankie
Cheree at Justified Lunacy