Kicking off ArmChair BEA: Introductions!

Ever heard of the Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention? 

 Neither had I until I saw it featured by  a blog team member, The 1st Daughter at "There's A Book"  Danielle's site sponsors a reading challenge I will be participating in this summer.  Since I could not make it to the convention in NYC this week, I was thrilled to discover that I could participate from my cosy chair at home...thus, the ARMCHAIR BEA!

First on the agenda was to introduce myself, so, here goes:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself:  Who are you?  How long have you been blogging?  Why did you get into blogging?

I am a Christ follower, Wife and Mother, who's primary responsibility is to home educate our two teens.  When I have free time, my passion is to make History and Scripture come alive to my readers, so I have been writing for children since 2010.  Of course, loving to travel, we have taken our children on many overseas educational trips, so my blog began in 2005 as a travel log called, "Traveling Through History".  It has since morphed into a writer's blog and retitled, "Making the Write Connections"

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I love the Victorian Era, so the book I am currently reading, written in 1905, is "The Wide, Wide World"   This book, reprinted by Lamplighter Publishing, is the story of a young girl who is torn away from her dying mother, and sent out into the world where she is forced  to depend on God for everything.  The trials that come her way teaches her who He is, and what loving Him is all about.

3. Tell us one non-book related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

My parents were older when they married and gave birth to me.  My Mom lived until three months short of her 100th BD, and my Dad (although he died when I was four), served in both WW1 and WW2.  Had he lived, he would be 114 in August!

4. What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Since I love variety, my blog reflect my personality.  I have Q and A's, travel logs, photography, quotes, memoirs, and historic information.  I always include links...that's the educator in me!  I don't have a published e-book to offer, but I can direct others to interesting sites.

5. Where do you see your blog in five years?

Lord willing, I will have a published book to my name, and will feature posts on my journey into publishing, Writer's tips, and historic info which will complement my non-fiction picture book.  And, it goes to say, I will post our family adventures in real time!

6.  Which is your favorite post you have written that you want everyone to read?

Hmmm...that's a hard one!  I love the posts that feature my photography, and those that hold factual information.  But, I think my childhood memories of my travels with Mom were the best received and the most rewarding to write.  Here is the link for those who are interested:http://4ambassadorsofchrist.blogspot.com/search/label/Memoirs

7. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be, and why?

Another tough question!  Would it be Jane Eyre, for her strength of character?  Or Jane Austen, whose brain I'd like to pick...how did she build her characters?  Who were her models?  What was her source of inspiration?  I think you have my answer...

8. What literary location would you most like to visit and why?

Northern England, where Jane lived and wandered.  It seemed to move from the town to the country to the hills and rocky outcroppings, then back to the country manor.  And, I'd like a tour given by Jane herself!

9. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?  Is there anything that you would like to see changed in the coming years?

I love the support of other bloggers, the creativity I see, the tips and information I glean, and the "scope for imagination" I experience that Anne of Green Gables held so dear.
At this moment, I can't think of anything I would like to see change in the blogosphere...

10. Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging?  How?

Yes, I think I have become more introspective in the last few years, and therefore read more biographies and non-fiction, rather than fantasy and romance.  I don't want to escape...I want to meet life head-on, making a difference in my readers lives.  Realizing I have fewer years left than I did when I was younger, makes me want to make every second count for eternity.  I want every word to encourage, teach and admonish others to live a life pleasing to God.

The Theme this year is "building community through blogging".  It's an extremely busy week for me, but, I will attempt to take in what I can. Interested?  Check out the link here.