BBAW – Interview Swap: Ryan of Wordsmithonia
What has been fun about this particular interview is that Ryan and I had connected through Book Blogs early on and were already chatting back and forth through Twitter and on our blogs. I was excited to do this interview and get to know him even more! ~ Sheila
Ryan, first I want to know about this avatar that you use. Who is he?
When did you develop your love for books?
I was and still am a lone reader of the family. Now that’s not talking cousins and extended family cause I really have no clue as far as that goes. I am teaching my son the love of books and it seems to be one he is taking too.
Why read as opposed to do something else productive like errr…. lets say… sky diving?
Actually, I love sky diving, camping, hiking, horse back riding, snowmobiling, cooking, dancing, and a million other things. I actually want to learn how to fence. With foils and epees not sell stolen merchandise. Reading however is my escape. It’s how I relax, decompress, and feel better about myself. It’s what has saved my sanity a million times and will probably do so a million more.
Favorite genre to read?
Fantasy hands down. It allows me to escape into a world that is totally different from our own that I’m able to forget everything else and allow myself to “be” there in that world for the period of time the book is open. I’m starting to read horror/suspense right now as well. Though I think it has more to do with the approach of Fall then anything else.
When did you start book blogging and why?
Your blog title, Wordsmithonia… where did that come from?
From Barnes & Noble’s bookclub site again. A few months prior they had started a laurel system in which users could give laurels to posts they like for any reason. Along with the laurels we were given different ranks as well bases off a still a not completely understood criteria. One of the higher, new ranks was that of wordsmith. On a lark another user, Kathy, made up the Kingdom of Wordsmithonia and appointed me her son and heir the King of Wordsmithonia. It started as a lark and grew into something that is just now losing steam. I love the idea though of a place were words and the usage of them is celebrated and revered. So that’s the name I chose for my blog. Not sure if I’m living up to it yet or not but I’m striving for it with every post.
Do you only blog on books or do you have other blogs out there on other topics?
What do you find to be the best part of book blogging?
What do you think is the best blog post you have written?
Since it just happened last week I do. I got Dark Time by Dakota Banks from the publicist. I was so excited I did my own version of Snoopy’s happy dance. I had recieved ARCs from the First Look program on B&N’s site before but this was different in a way I’m not sure I can fully put across in words.
What have you learned from blogging that you wish you would have known in the early stages of your book blog?
What do you look for in blogs that you enjoy reading?
The blogger’s personality to come through in how they write is what I connect with first in a blog I haven’t been to before. Great reviews or features are an added bonus as well as an introduction to books I haven’t heard/read before.
Share with us a little known fact about you.
I was a state officer of Health Occupation Students of America when I was in high school. After 5th grade and until I started high school, we traveled with a carnival and I would go to school week by week in whatever town we were in.
Thank you Ryan! Please stop by and see Ryan at the very cool Worsdsmithonia!