The 25 Tidbit Challenge

On Friday, superfab author Beth Vogt (Wish You Were Here–Howard Books, May 2012) issued this little, ol’ challenge: “I invite you to join the fun and share something about yourself (starting with the letter ‘T’ or not) in a comment below — and then post your own Twenty-five Things About Me blog post!”

I left a comment on Beth’s wonderful blog (forgetting to start with the letter “T”–drat!) and, of course, in the spirit of Christian love, I couldn’t let that challenge go unanswered.

So often, lest we bore our readers or potential readers to tears, we intentionally steer clear of the seemingly irrelevant details of our ordinary lives.

However, I believe Beth’s post hit upon something that we (as both authors and readers) sometimes take for granted: people like to know some of the intimate details of their favorite folks’ lives. It’s what humanizes them to us.

For instance, when we know authors’ likes and dislikes, as well as interesting snippets about what makes them tick, we feel more connected to them. We realize authors are real people, too!

A little over a year ago, I did an “about me” post. In my condensed version of Okay, Here’s the Scoop, I revealed a few tidbits about myself.

Today, I’m expounding upon that further and posting 25 additional tidbits about me.

Here goes (and because my name is “Cynthia,” I’m initially choosing the letter “C” to kick things off:

1. Coffee. I’m a two cuppa girl in the morning with another cup mid-afternoon. I love Starbucks, and I usually order a very bold blend–black, no sweetener. (At home, I keep a freshly ground bag of Sumatra in my fridge.)
2. I love heartfelt, homespun Christian fiction. Of course, that’s why I write it! I’m represented by the lovely Mary Keeley of the Books and Such Literary Agency. My biggest challenge: to go above and beyond what the reader would expect. 
3. Favorite foods are chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy.  They evoke comfort and feel-good memories for me. Little known fact: being from my neck of the woods, we eat gravy like we do soup. It’s great served with just about everything!
4. We live in tornado alley. We were hit by tornadoes that followed the same path, in 2003 and 2005, both times on a Sunday night. We take our meteorologists very seriously.
5. As a teenager, I was a Candy Striper. Or… “Candy Stripper” according to the name badge that was later corrected. I always wondered why the patients were so glad to see me. 🙂 (For those who don’t know, a “Candy Striper” was a hospital volunteer who assisted patients with meals, linen changing, mail delivery, and other helpful tasks. We wore freshly starched pink and white uniforms with little matching caps.)
6. I adore the beach. Not the swimming so much as the way of life. Living on “island time” holds great appeal for me along with the call of the seagull and the sound of the incoming tide. And let’s not forget the fresh seafood. Always the seafood.
7. My husband and I had a short engagement. But we’ve been married 28 years. (We met by way of mutual friends via a blind date.)
8. Besides writing, I like to dust. (Joking!) I do like to cook though. And visit flea markets in search of the perfect treasure.
9. When I was about three, I snipped my daddy’s ear with a pair of scissors. Don’t ask me why. Does anyone ever really know why kids do the things they do? He still bears the little love scar on his ear to this day.
10. My nickname in high school was “Cinderella.” Being a P.K. (preacher’s kid) added to the fantasy.

On Wednesday, I’ll post the remaining 15 things in my 25 Tidbit Challenge. I hope you’ll stay tuned!

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What’s one thing about you that no one else knows?

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Remember, you still have time to enter my August blog giveaway!

Photo Credit: Grant Cochrane/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blessings Always,