- Tell us a memorable story of yourself when you were a kid. It can be funny, surprising, warm and fuzzy, whatever. Just make it a good one.
When I was seven, my friend’s parents were dropping me off after a sleepover. I got out of their van and had forgotten my duffel bag. They called out, “Don’t forget your duffel!” (which, by the way, was this ridiculously oversized Tommy Hilfiger bag bigger than me), and I responded, “Throw it to me. I’ll catch it I SWEAR…” Long story short—when they threw it, I caught it but not without it completely knocking me to the ground. My knees didn’t even bend—just knocked me straight over like a tightly wrapped mummy falling into a grave. To this day they still laugh about it—but I did catch it, so at least I kept my end of the deal. - What is a nerdy thing about you?
I love the Harry Potter books. It was the first series I’ve ever read, so it has a special place in my heart. - What are your top two pet peeves?
My first: I can’t stand it when people rush the weather. There is absolutely no reason why I should be seeing sandals or shorts in March—when the temperature hits 65 degrees for one day. THIS IS OHIO!
My second: When people drive in the passing lane on the freeway and don’t actually use it for its purpose and pass other drivers. I don’t consider myself an aggressive driver, but I have a word or two for that kind. - If you had unlimited resources for the next two years, what would you do?
Simple, I would travel. I would go anywhere and everywhere. Nothing planned—just pack a bag and go for it. Stand in front of the destination board and pick somewhere. To me, experience is everything; so I would just want to see as much as possible and be super touristy—fanny pack, oversized map and all. - All-time favorite movie line, go. Why?
I’m not sure if I have an all-time favorite movie line. But one that I quote constantly is from “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which is about selling real estate. Alec Baldwin’s character is only in this movie for one scene, and he just verbally destroys everyone, so it’s awesome. The line is, however I’m also not sure if it’s appropriate, “The leads are weak? The f***ing leads are weak. You’re weak!” It is just so cutthroat and shows this amazing power dynamic. All the lines in that scene are epic though, so if you haven’t seen the movie, I recommend it. Here’s the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kZg_ALxEz0 - What is something you get unreasonably excited about?
Being in a bookstore. Basically, I act like I’ve never set foot in one before. The smell of books new or old is really nostalgic for me. I love flipping the pages, feeling the texture, looking at the covers. It is great inspiration for a writer to pick up a book and start reading and observing what other people are reading. The bookstore is also a great place to people watch—there’s so much stimuli, especially when there’s a coffee shop in the bookstore. Sometimes, I just go to the nearest bookstore and sit for no reason and listen—with pen and pad in hand, of course—and write down things that I see or hear that interest me. - If one word were to appear on your headstone, what would it be?
“Regal.”
My friends and I have this on-going thing where instead of cheering one another up by saying, “You’re great,” or motivating one another by saying, “Believe in yourself,” we take it a step further and say, “You’re regal.” So, I would want them to remember me as “Regal!” - Which super power would you have? Why?
The ability to absorb the power of others and use their power against them—because why limit myself to one power?