Q&A Answers

I was originally planning to post this last week when she was here...but who actually wants to format a blog post when you have company? ;) Yesterday, we said goodbye. Today, we start the countdown until we get to see each other again.

Thank you to everyone who participated by giving us questions! We enjoyed answering them, and we found out that we actually have a lot more in common than we realized...

My answers will be in this normal font, and Livi's will be in italics.

1. What's your favorite book? (Yes, I'm doing the illegal one!) ;P
You're right. That is an illegal question. Buuuuuut *deep breath* uh.

But like, how do you choose?? 

Yeah idk. Honestly I keep thinking "oh THIS one's my fave" but then I'll feel like I'm doing a disservice to all my other favorites. But...hm...okay. I'm just gonna go with Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury, 'cause that one just always sticks in my mind as a favorite and one I need to reread very soon. *nods*

There are so many books I love, I really don't know if I can choose *one* favorite. I'll go with a classic, 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, because it's one I've come back to many, many times over the years and still enjoy every time (plus, my dog chewed the corner of my copy when she was a puppy so it just makes it a little more authentic, y'know?). But I could list at least five more off the top of my head (and several book series, too).

Okay, I had no idea that 101 Dalmatians is an actual novel. Cool.

Yeeeees.

2. What's your favorite character in each other's books? (i.e. Kaitlyn's favorite character in Livi's book and vice versa) 

Weeeell, I don't have any books published like this awesome person, but I have many stories she's read, so I guess we'll have to settle with her choosing one of those XD

*Sigh* I'm gonna pick Todd Mathis from S&S. Not only is he from the first story I EVER read of hers (ultimately which also started our friendship), but I always fall for the sweet older brothers that are hardly in the book.

Ah yes, my poor lil baby. Also TRUE.
I think I'mma choose… Jayden from Little Boy Blue. He seems like a pretty awesome dude (and would you look at that, he's an older brother, too).

I love how you're just like "he seems like a pretty awesome dude" when you haven't even read the book.

I've seen all I need to know. Honestly, I've probably read enough scenes to piece together the whole thing.

True, true.

3. If you could be the protagonist in any book which would it be and why?

I mean, I feel like I'm already Andrea Carter from the Circle C books - I live on a farm/ranch, our personalities are a lot alike, I have several older brothers whose personalities pretty much match her brothers'...but I don't love horses and don't always get into trouble, soooo...idk. I guess I didn't really answer the question, sorry. That kinda turned into a rabbit trail. *shrugs*

How do you not love horses? *cries in Horse*
Anyway, this is another difficult question. So many books, so many characters, so many options… But I think I would have to choose Andrea Carter as well, just because I love that time period/setting, and her family seems pretty awesome.

4. What was the first movie you two watched together?

I believe the first movie we watched together was Singing in the Rain, which is a favorite of mine. 

Oh, yes. We'd been talking for weeks about which movies we were gonna watch during your visit, and that one was at the top of the list. And we're still quoting it to this day. *cackles*

I mean, it's so funny and memorable. And the songs are pretty good, too. ;) "CAN'T." "cAAAAAAn't."

5. Do you both share a favorite movie/TV show and if so what is it?

Ha. Uhhh, well, yes. See above question *smirks* (if there's one with a good memory tied to it, you can bet that it'll be a fave for us both) but for real, yes.

Also, Flashpoint is a shared favorite when it comes to TV shows (and there's one or two others we both watch and enjoy).

YES BUBBLEEEEE

BUBBLEEEEEE

6. What is a book one of you loves and the other hates?

Okay, I can't think of an answer for this one, but Livi, you said you thought of one right away?

Well, I'm not sure that you loved this series, but The Tox Files. I liked the prequel book, but I disliked the main female character/love interest in the next book so much I quit reading it. I liked the action and the other characters, but I could not stand her. And Kate actually finished the series (and enjoyed it), so I'll go with that as my answer.

Ohhh yeah, I forgot about that. Yeah, I definitely enjoyed the series (even the female lead), but I've found that the romance in Kendig books is way too strong for my taste.

7. Do you share other interests besides books and movies?

Writing! Also crocheting (although I just dabble in it here and there and Kate can crochet, like, anything). 

Ha, you flatter me! But yes, writing and crochet...and we literally have so much stuff in common (aside from hobbies/interests) that it *feels* like we have all the same interests.

Like introverting!

Yes. Like introverting. *cackles* but also ice cream. Braums ice cream, specifically.

Ahh, true! A best friend who shares my love of books and food, what more could I ask?? *halo*

8. Favorite tropes and least favorite tropes?

Tbh this is another thing we have pretty much completely in common, haha! My favorites are probably found family, siblings (especially brothers. Alllll the brothers.), and...injury? Like, I like watching the good guy get hurt and get loved on by his family and friends, and then have to overcome the illness/injury.

WHUMP. AND FAMILY (especially found family). Sibling relationships. Basically ditto to what she said^^. As for least favorite tropes…I'd say almost anything to do with romance, like enemies to lovers or love triangles. Romance has to be done really well for me to truly enjoy it.

Yeah, I'll agree with you on romance. Though I feel like I'm more apt to pick up a book, knowing it contains romance, than you will, generally. Another trope that I. Can't. Stand. is independent female protagonists that refuse to accept help or actually let other people do things for them. Oh, ignore the fact that it's impractical; they're going to do it because they want to, and nobody is going to keep them out of the action! *shudders*

9. Share some more about becoming friends. Like maybe something particular y'all bonded over.

Weeeeell, we met on the Circle C blog. Through the chat box there, we got to know each other a little better and ended up exchanging emails because Kate wanted to read my current story (and I wanted to read hers). We became writing/critique partners, then started talking more about life and other things. And, well, as they say, the rest is history!

I feel like there's so much more to it, and I suppose there is, but...yeah. You summed it all up really nicely.

It's long story short. ;P And I'd say we first bonded over our love of writing.

Yep. Our love for writing and the Circle C books.

Mhm.

10. What’s a fandom you’re both part of? One that only one of you is part of? 

Circle C? *cackles* I suppose that's a bit more a thing of the past, though.

Haha, yep. Also Flashpoint and SEAL Team.

BUBBLEEEE. (Have y'all noticed the inside joke?) As far as one that only one of us is a part of...hmm.

TV show-wise, I'm a fan of Chicago Fire. There's definitely others, but I'd say that's the main one I watch that she doesn't.

Ohh, yeah, that's true. And I'm pretty much a member of the Amanda Dykes fan club (or, at least, I would be if such a club existed), and you've never read any of her books.

Yup, yup.

11. If you could recommend a childhood favorite book series to each other, what would it be?

I think she's read like, all of the books I would recommend… The Boxcar Children, Circle C Adventures, The Hardy Boys (little fun fact for you, at eight years old, Frank Hardy was my first official fictional character crush). 

Well, here's a fun fact for you: after reading about 27191 Boxcar Children books, I got tired of them but I loved all the ones about food so I picked through the library's collection and read all the ones about food. My favorite one is the one about the pizza parlor.

DUDE YES. That was literally one of my favorites, too. Always made me so hungry.

Wait, for real?? Dude, you have excellent taste (pun intended). But anyway. You've read pretty much all the ones that I would recommend, too (Viking Quest, Sisters in Time…) so I'll go with the Big Red series by Jim Kjelgaard. Not only are they about dogs, but...they're about dogs!

Ooh, doggos!! 
And my final answer is If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and all the other books in that "series." Those were some of my favorites as a kid. 

12. Who is your favorite author?

Amanda Dykes. But also Jesseca Wheaton, Faith Potts, Tricia Mingerink, Jeff Struecker...

Probably Nancy Rue, at least for my tween/teen years. Currently, I don't know that I have a particular favorite author. Hmm. Tricia Mingerink is a good one for sure! 

NANCY RUE!!! OH MY GOODNESS! HER LIFE OF HERITAGE SERIES!!!!! *flails*

YASSSSSS, THE BEST!!!

13. If you could only read one genre for the rest of your life, what would you each pick?

Yikes. Um, probably historical fiction. There's so much within that genre, and it was one of my favorites growing up.

Yeah, I'd probably go with the same. Because sometimes I'm in the mood for something intense, sometimes emotional...but historical is always a steady genre and you can generally find any kind of mood read within it.

14. What book surprised you the most?

My brain is low on battery, and I can't come up with a good answer for this one. So I'll let Kate take it from here. LOL.

Haha, okay. I'm gonna go with Dear Enemy by Jack Cavanaugh. I borrowed it from a friend, who told me that it was pretty intense and I probably wouldn't like it (this was before I'd ever read any thrillers). Not only was I surprised to find that I ADORED it, but it was full of surprising twists. This is the book I will forever remember as the one that hooked me on thrillers/suspense.

Actually, I kinda thought of one. Hangman's Curse by Frank Peretti. My sister recommended it to me, and promised that it wasn't actually as creepy as it sounded. I wasn't too sure, but I read it and ended up loving it.

Oh, really? I tried a Peretti book once and couldn't get through it. Maybe I'll have to give this one a try. 

Yesss, you should.

15. Dog earing a book is illegal, yes or no? 

Yes. A hundred times, yes. Have you seen what damage is caused over time because of that crease?!

YES YES YES. Please don't. Use a bookmark, a random piece of paper, or memorize the page you're on to yourself (just to totally forget it when you come back...no, I don't speak from personal experience...ha. ha. ha.), I don't care. Just don't dog ear!

16. What’s your most favorite book cover design?

I'm sure you've heard me say this before, but I'll say it again: Fawkes. I just love everything about that cover.

That's a good question. The Circle C Milestones books have really pretty colored designs. Honestly, I kinda like book covers that have real pictures of the main character(s).

Okay, that's funny, 'cause I'm the exact opposite. I hate seeing characters' faces on covers; it throws me off and it's harder for me to actually see the character in my imagination. 

Well, I only don't like it if they're ugly. XD

*dies laughing* fair enough.

17. Long or short chapters? 

I don't particularly have a preference, but I don't like chapters that are *too* short. So probably somewhere in between, where I can get invested in what's happening but not feel like I'll never get to a stopping point.

Yep, same. Just like it's hard to get invested in short chapters, it's hard to stay interested in long chapters.

Preciselyyy.

18. Have you both seen Sue Thomas???

I have not. Looked it up though, and it sounds interesting! May have to check it out.

Nope, I haven't. But with as much as you squeal to me that I need to watch it...you know it's on my list. ;)

19. Best western?

Ooooh. Hm. Soooo many good ones...but I'll probably choose either The Lone Ranger (old and cheesy but sooo nostalgic for me) or The Rebel (B&W but soooo good).

Ahh, The Lone Ranger is so good! I have to say that Laramie is my favorite western TV show! Jess Harper is just fabulous.

*laughs* and see, I like Slim sooo much better. Jess gets on my nerves so often.

This is why we're friends though, because we never have to fight over guys. I always choose the hot-headed, charming (and ruggedly handsome) bad boy. 

*dies laughing* true. And I go for the sweet, quiet ones.

20. What’s your favorite series? Childhood favorite?

Probablyyyyy the Sgt Major Eric Moyer series (does this come as a surprise to anyone?)...I think? *nods*

Not to me, that's for sure! When we first decided to do this Q&A and I thought I might have to choose what I thought your answer would be to the questions, I immediately went, "I hope someone asks for her favorite series, because I know e x a c t l y which one she'll choose." *laughs*
To answer the question, though, my childhood favorite is probably the Christian Heritage series by Nancy Rue. (But then, there's also all of those ones I mentioned earlier, too…) Rue's Real Life series was one of my favorites as a teen, and more recently, I'd have to say The Blades of Acktar.

Yeah, what she said. All the ones I answered before, but...TBoA are ones that I ALMOST wrote down, and the Christian Heritage series is, hands down, my favorite childhood series, now that you've mentioned them. *halo* (isn't it weird how you forget your faves until someone else mentions them?)

And if the question was referring to TV shows…that's a hard one. I'm currently rewatching Timeless and forgot how much I loved that show. But also Chicago Fire and SEAL Team.

Hm. For TV, I'll go with Flashpoint. Seriously adore those characters so much. But I also love love love what I've seen of Murdoch Mysteries.

Yesss, Bubble and friends are awesome.

21. Do you love or only tolerate musicals?

Oh, tolerate, for sure. You don't like them at all, do you, Livi?

GASP. *slowly hyperventilates*

KIDDING! No, I love musicals...I just don't watch them much, as my family doesn't care for them.

I LOVE THEM. My absolute favorites are the Broadway versions of Newsies and Tuck Everlasting; I don't know if I will ever get tired of the songs from those. I like older ones, too, like Singing in the Rain and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. And then there's the silly ones like High School Musical and Starstruck. Music and dance are amazing, so put them together and I'm down! (Also, who has seen the new Netflix musical A Week Away?? If so, thoughts? I loved the songs from that, although the plot left something to be desired.)

Okay...that was fun. ;) Now, your turn: what are your own answers to these questions? What was your favorite of our answers?