From Gemma To Gemma

Being the nosey individual that I am, when I spotted a 'getting to know me' tag post on the beautiful wordsmith Gemma's blog The Perfectionist Pen, I settled in with a drink and obligatory sweet treat, to delve deeper into her world.  You can find the post here, and learn more about the literary dearheart or if you're new to the blog, well what a fantastic way to begin your journey!


I found myself nodding along to almost all of Gemma's facts, we are freakishly similar! And her answers to the 11 questions were really insightful. Much to my surprise and delight, I was tagged to complete Gem's provided questions and boy what a creative bunch they are! I was incredibly flattered to be considered for this, but since I have done the 'Liebster Award' bit before, I thought I would let the gorgeous blogs also mentioned in the post enjoy the full tag, and I would just bend the rules slightly and make it more of a general post ; ) So, to the questions!

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1. If you could invite any three writers, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would you choose?

I think I would have to say Anne Rice and Jane Austin, for being down right bad ass biatches in their own ways. However different, I love both of their work and hold them in high ranking as true legends. To shake this dinner party up a little I would give my third golden ticket to the naughty and somewhat disturbing Chuck Palahniuk. My oh my what conversations we would have!


2. If you could be transported into any book, which one would you pick and why?

I feel that I (and probably every sane brain) would go straight for the majestic Hogwarts, but trying to think outside the box a little, I will go for The Princess Bride, as I do love a bit of adventure!


3.What is your favourite book cover?

Now this is a tricky one! To name a couple; I have a beautiful, hard back copy of Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann that is pink with black flocking detail, I think it is the VMC Designer Collection. I'm not going to lie, I purchased the book purely on it's cover... I have no shame. I also love the stunning artwork for The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, with it's moody, paint washed blue and luna phases allowing a glimpse of the painting underneath (I have been trying to find out what the painting beneath, actually is, alas to no avail. If anyone knows then please put me out of my google search based misery). This is also the next book I intend to read!


4. Who, or what, inspires you most?

Pretty much everything inspires me. People mostly. I love hearing peoples stories, or people watching and guessing their story! I find inspiration in the regular creative places like art, film, music, theatre, literature but also from fresh air and moments alone, getting a little lost in my tangled thoughts. So, a little of everything, if you are looking closely enough!


5. Do you mostly read books or ebooks?

Right now I am mostly reading on my kindle, due to a lack of space (I have been kindly given a shelf... that's right, A shelf), so for now I use my trusty ereader and treat myself to a real book if it's a special one. But once we're sorted with a place of our own I will be shipping over my treasures from England!


6. When it comes to film adaptations of books, do you like to read the book first or watch the film?

Book first, every time.


7. Is there a book that everyone seems to love but you dislike?

Well. John Green is incredibly popular right now, and although I really enjoyed The Fault In Our Stars, I couldn't get into Looking For Alaska. This book is often spoken about with high regard and seems to be a big favourite of many a book tuber, but I really didn't get what the hype was all about. Sorry Johno.


8. What is your favourite childhood book?

I love this question because my affinity with reading stems from childhood. Much like now, I just couldn't get enough! My all time loves are; all of the Peter Rabbit stories by Beatrix Potter, oh how I love those beautiful little illustrations that really bring the stories to life. I also adored Judy Blume and of course Roald Dahl! Which I still enjoy reading as an adult : )


9. What is your most treasured possession?

I'll let you in on a secret. I am ridiculously sentimental and overly emotional, meaning I get attached to things oh so easily! I'm the kind of crazy that could make a rock a pet... For this reason I treasure anything with a sentimental connection to family and friends. An old jumper I stole from my brother. Handwritten notes from Rich. Ticket stubs from a day out with my folks. Childhood teddy bears (obvs). I even still have sea shells I collected when I must have been about 5... These are all my treasures.


10. If money were no object, what country/ place would you like to visit and why?

Oh I enjoy travelling! Who doesn't like discovering the beauty in a new place?! If money were no object I'd go everywhere! I'm greedy like that. On my list currently stands Hawaii, Switzerland, Canada and North Europe (Norway, Sweden etc), but first up will be an epic road trip across the States where Rich and I will be eating our way through America, (hopefully next year!) and the glorious hillsides of Austria. Whilst further exploring more of the Netherlands and visiting my family in England.


11. What's your favourite part of blogging?

Since leaving the wardrobe department at Birmingham Royal Ballet, with all it's dramatic and theatrical whimsies, my life was lacking a certain creative element that I seem to be lost without, so having this wonderfully indulgent platform on which to share thoughts and ideas and crafty revelations is the perfect solution! I think I would still do this even if I was shouting into a void of readerless depths. I just enjoy the entire process of thinking up posts, creating content, editing etc. Also it is a fantastic keep sake for someone with the worst memory going! But, the most rewarding part is having a doorway to a whole community of like minded creatives. Through blogging I found not only oodles of fantastic reading material and an endless supply of inspiration but I've made some extraordinarily brilliant acquaintances!


Thank you sincerely for the questions Gemma, I hope my answers suffice! If anyone else would like to do this as a tag then I insist you go for it, use these questions, make up your own, or get in touch and I'll think up a few for you! Make sure to leave a link below so I can read your answers : )