Thanks, Destiny, for tagging me! Destiny is the fabulous author of Howling Libraries, and she writes some of the best book reviews!

Here’s the link to Destiny’s post, where I was tagged!

• The “Behind The Blogger” Book Tag

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THE RULES:

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Answer all the questions down below
• Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx
• Nominate 5+ bloggers you’d like to know more about, to do this tag

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1. Why did you start blogging & why have you kept blogging?

I started blogging as part of an assignment in my Computer-Mediated Communication class in 2009 at Longwood University. We had to create our own blog and keep it up throughout the semester. I decided to watch and review movies from the university library that my classmates probably had never heard of. Thus, The Best Entertainment You Haven’t Seen! was born.

I’ve stayed because I wanted to keep blogging, but for me, not for a class or an assignment. I joined WordPress in 2010. I played around with some different blogs, ideas, and themes. I created Hot Shot Headlines in March 2014, and here we are, five years later!

My original vision was to keep up my journalism side – Finding articles that looked interesting to me, and offering my two cents and opinions on them. I worked on Longwood’s student newspaper, The Rotunda, for all eight semesters of college, and I miss it tremendously. Part of me wishes I had been brave enough to pursue a career in mass media, but I had my reasons.

Writing is also very much a form of therapy for me. Pursuing NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo for several years now has been HUGE for me! And to talk about it on the blog has been incredible. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!

One of the best things about blogging is the community. I’ve met so many amazing and wonderful people, and incredibly talented to boot, through WordPress! I have friends all over the U.S. now. And there are many people around the world who follow this little blog of mine, and engage with me regularly, from Canada, the U.K., Australia, and more!

2. What is your favorite type of blog post to write?

I love Writing Prompts. Especially the WIP challenges from Didi!

3. What are your top 3 favorite blog posts?

This is such a tough question!

Here are my favorites:

1. Getting Personal #6: My Love Story
2. Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo
3. Writing Prompt #161: “Tell The Story Challenge”

4. What are some of your favorite things to do to relax?

Reading, free writing, listening to music, listening to podcasts during my daily commute, enjoying my American Girl dolls, pastel painting, and walking around our neighborhood with Al and our dogs.

I’m getting my seventh American Girl doll in about two weeks, once I make the last payment, and I’m really excited. I’ve been much better about not overspending on doll stuff in the last few months, so getting a “new-to-me” doll is like a huge reward / treat.

I’m really motivated to finally get my office, or “Lady Lounge,” in shape this year. I’ve really missed pastel painting – I started as part of my two-year Visual Arts class in my junior and senior years of high school – and I want to get back into it. But, I need a proper space to make it happen. The kitchen table doesn’t cut it.

5. What are 3 of your favorite things?

Not counting my husband and our fur babies, I’ll say books, Glee soundtracks, and flowers.

6. What are your proudest blogging moments?

Getting to write what I love or what I’m passionate about. Every time a post publishes, my heart squeezes with pride!

Also, getting comments and feedback. However, I’m thrilled to know people are reading things on my blog in general!

Seeing the occasional spike in stats makes me happy, too. That happened just yesterday – More than 30 views in one hour. It was awesome!

7. What are your hobbies outside of blogging?

Spending time with my husband, enjoying our dogs, reading, traveling, playing match-3 games on my phone and iPad, Roller Coaster Tycoon, playing board games, trivia nights, watching movies, and true crime anything!

8. Describe your personality in 3 words:

Enthusiastic loud mouth.

9. What are your top 3 pet peeves?

General rudeness / disrespect, poorly written communication (mainly work emails, not directed at blogging or anything!), and people beating around the bush when something is uncomfortable or awkward. Spit it out!

10. What’s something your followers don’t know about you?

I’m very blessed to be alive, and, most importantly, healthy. I was born at 25 weeks, and I’m technically not supposed to be on this Earth. My parents are saints – They took me to every kind of therapy and early intervention to make sure I was developing properly. I was in physical and occupational therapy until roughly third grade, and in speech therapy until I was 10. My mom still talks about how everyone was concerned that I wouldn’t start talking, and then once I did, I wouldn’t stop. All the doctors chuckled and said, “And we were worried?”

I was also “held back” a year by way of this really awesome program called Developmental First at my elementary school. That class was huge for me and the other kids that were in it. We all needed some extra help, and having that “extra year” was crucial for many. I’m sad they discontinued the program years ago, but it was the best decision my parents made. My mom still keeps up with my teacher, Mrs. Mansell, and it’s wonderful.

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Tag – You’re It!

• Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts
• Kristian at Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table
• Laura at lauravent69
• Sara at The Bibliophagist
• Stuart at Something to Stu Over

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂