avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 8, 2013 - 9:59am

Wow - so I'm late with this, and no one reminded me.  For shame, guys.  For shame.

This is my monthly thread to lure innocent lurkers out of the woodwork, get people talking, ask you personal questions, add to your permanent record, and otherwise learn something about my fellow LitReactors.

So this is the NEW YEAR EDITION!  Woo hoo!  2013!  Blamo?

So the rules are easy, you answer the following questions.  Read responses, learn, discuss. GO!

  1. Are you alive?
  2. Do you have any new year resolutions or goals?
  3. Any January birthdays?
  4. Overall - how was 2012?
  5. Is 2013 going to be better or worse?
  6. What did you do for New Year's eve?
  7. Tell me a little bit about your socks.
  8. What's your writerly ambition for this year?
  9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer?
  10. When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? 

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 8, 2013 - 10:20am

Are you alive? Very.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? In a weight loss challenge, currently. There's money on the line so I have to win this.
Any January birthdays? Not mine!
Overall - how was 2012?  I'd say good. Got a bunch of stories published, launched my own site, and...got a little bundle of joy coming :). That's what they call babies, right?
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? I hear they're a lot of work, so probably worse. In a good way.
What did you do for New Year's eve? Eat Tamales.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. Which ones? The ones I'm wearing? They're not special, or nothin'.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? Hey, I asked this first, lady. Ok, I asked in a slightly different way. My ambitions are to publish more stories in bigger magazines, and to get Pantheon rockin'.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer?  I like Coffee Bean coffee. Their Chai Winterdream Latte is delicious. Brand I just go with Nescafe with flavored creamer.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Yes.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 8, 2013 - 10:29am

"...got a little bundle of joy coming"

OMG!!  I'm so excited!  When is the baby due?  Do you know the gender yet?  Where are you registered?!  I want to know everything!

 

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 8, 2013 - 10:37am

We don't know anything yet! It's still too early. Like, we just found out last week early. I'm hoping for a boy, though. And clearly I'm excited.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 8, 2013 - 10:40am

Okay.  Well, I expect updates. 

Other people having babies is so awesome!! 

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres January 8, 2013 - 10:45am

Congrats on your baby, Sound!

Are you alive? yes ma'am
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? no resolutions, because then I wouldn't follow through, but i will be continuing not smoking, drinking less, eating better, getting back in shape, moving, writing way more, actually sending stuff out for possible publication, reading more, and being a better person.
Any January birthdays? i hope not
Overall - how was 2012? the very best and very worst year of my life, depending on which half we are talking about.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? i'm looking forward to 2013 being a very different year, definitely better.
What did you do for New Year's eve? i didn't feel so good nor see loved ones, so that was no fun.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. On a whim, I went on tour with a couple of my friends' bands (The Arrivals & Off With Their Heads, for the name droppers in the crowd). I had nothing but the clothes I was wearing, so the plan was to grab necessities the first day. The second date of the tour, we stayed with some awesome guys in Memphis, TN. The drummer's dad worked for Nike, so he gave me this whole pack on brand new Nike socks.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? I've never sent anything out before, so that is my ambition
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? black
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Is this an either/or question? When I didn't see it, I assumed you must have been sick in bed and couldn't post it.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 8, 2013 - 10:47am

Thanks. Weird. I say baby and immediately there are pamper adds appearing everywhere.

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres January 8, 2013 - 10:55am

I say baby and immediately there are pamper adds appearing everywhere.

So you're being watched too?

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland January 8, 2013 - 10:56am

1. Are you alive? I am
2. Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Keep writing, start exercising, get published.
3. Any January birthdays? I just turned 31 on the 5th, my neice turns 4 on the 12th
4. Overall - how was 2012? Pretty dang good. i started writing daily again about halfway through last year and am super excited about that. Plus I had a new niece born in 2012, (Steely Marie) so cute! And, I also met some really cool writers on LitReactor and made alot of new writerly friends.
5. Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Hopefully even better.
6. What did you do for New Year's eve? Not a whole lot. I did some revisions and drank some wine. I didn't go out this year.
7. Tell me a little bit about your socks. In the winter I don't wear ankle socks. I just wear calf length white cotton socks. Or if it's really cold sometimes brown wool socks.
8. What's your writerly ambition for this year? At least 3 publications, including my first. I think that is fairly attainable.
9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Does Redbull count?
10. When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I've been so busy lately I missed the last two. I appologize for that. Honestly, I was super excited once I saw you put this month's up because I enjoy reading and responding to these when time permits. I was not dissapointed before but only because I forgot to be.
 

Also, Congratulations Matt for your little bundle of joy!!!

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 8, 2013 - 12:26pm

Can anyone top Sean's sock story?  Because I don't think it's possible.

@JR - Rebull does not count...

Frank Chapel's picture
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works January 8, 2013 - 12:28pm

Are you alive?
Clinically. Figuratively, maybe not.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? write more steadily.
Any January birthdays? Im sure there are plenty.
Overall - how was 2012? Filled with dread.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? unlucky 13
What did you do for New Year's eve? i listened to a few drunk friends play violent jazz sounds out of cardboard new years noise-makers. Quite surreal.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. i used to wear black ones. Now its mostly white, and fragile, as my toes keep popping out.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? To submit an entry into the Teleport Us challenge. And finish one other story.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Not a coffe drinker. Unless its in cake form.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I had no prior knowledge of this thread.

OtisTheBulldog's picture
OtisTheBulldog from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz January 8, 2013 - 12:40pm

Are you alive? Alive & well. Never been better.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? The same writer goals we all have - write more. Be more prolific. I plan to be published this year. Maybe I'll get a job. Hopefully a somewhat stupid one that gets me just above scraping by. I'm not going back to corp america anytime soon, unless shit gets real.
Any January birthdays? No
Overall - how was 2012? I had a good time. Sometimes too good of a time. I hit my quota of questionable decisions. I'm trying to lower that quoate in 2013, but I make no promises.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better. Unless I'm an asshole. Which is possible. 
What did you do for New Year's eve? Saw the band DeerTick within walking distance to my apartment.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. White socks, below the ankle, as they should be. Thick wool socks when it's brutally New England cold.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? Finish my first draft of my novel. Pump at least one story out per month. Workshop more. Get published.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Write now I'm drinking Green Mountain Coffee, like a proper yankee.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Crushed. I punched a kitten.

Bekanator's picture
Bekanator from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay Hunter January 8, 2013 - 12:49pm

Are you alive? - Germs are working their way through my system, but I am rouge-ing it out.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? - I plan to literarlly write every day. Or edit. Or submit stories. Get shit done.
Any January birthdays? - Mine is tomorrow, dammit!
Overall - how was 2012? - Pretty decent. I became WAR Queen the First. My grandma and my cat died, though, so you take the good and you take the bad.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? - We'll see. 
What did you do for New Year's eve? - I endured horrible cramps over a game of Settlers of Catan. I did not win.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. - They are not on.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? - To get my short story collection together and perhaps send it out there. 
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? - Java Works makes good stuff. And Grande Kaffe makes some nice flavoured coffees, but you gotta mix the grounds with some regular stuff because it's pretty strong.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? - I didn't even notice.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner January 8, 2013 - 1:13pm

Are you alive? Yes. 
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Several.
Any January birthdays? Yes. 
Overall - how was 2012?
Good. 
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better. 
What did you do for New Year's eve? Stuff.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. Black.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? Write.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Black.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? No. 

 

Grats Matt!

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. January 8, 2013 - 12:55pm

Yay for babies! Congratulations, Matt!!

1. Are you alive? Think so, but my job is a drain on my soul...or something like that.
2. Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Publish another book; finish two more; get a short published somewhere; be a better wife/mom/friend/person
3. Any January birthdays? Nope.
4. Overall - how was 2012? Um, not too shabby. Had its ups and downs, I guess, but more ups than downs.
5. Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better, I think. Leaving my soul-draining job in April - should be interesting to see what happens after that!
6. What did you do for New Year's eve? Pizza with some friends, fireworks with some other friends, then home to watch The Princess Bride with the little one.
7. Tell me a little bit about your socks. Not wearing any currently. Just some black flats as it was dress/legging/pretend I'm in jammies day at work. Mostly, though, I wear either running socks for running, or stripey/argyle socks for boots.
8. What's your writerly ambition for this year? Yes. Publish all the things.
9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Um...not sure of brands, but I prefer it tasting like coffee ice cream if possible.
10. When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I cried.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig January 8, 2013 - 2:34pm

Are you alive?  I think so, but I might be undead. I feel a little undead.


Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? I'm doing the Three6v thing on Kirk's new website and trying to hammer out a novel this year.


Any January birthdays? My kid is turning THREE!


Overall - how was 2012? Pretty fucking good, actually. Ups and downs, sure... but I got into some good projects and got some of my work out into the world so that's good stuff.


Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better, of course.


What did you do for New Year's eve? Nothing exciting. Just hung out at home with the family. We had a really busy Christmas and just needed relaxation.


Tell me a little bit about your socks. Not wearing any at the moment.


What's your writerly ambition for this year? The novel project finished, mostly. My other writerly ambitions are to get more work out there, but its difficult to set a specific goal for that while the novel is taking the front seat.


What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? I love coffee. I just love it SO MUCH. I change brands and rotate and sample new ones all the time. I don't do Maxwell House or Folgers type stuff, but there is always a couple brands/types of coffees in the house. If I had to choose...probably Kona.

When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I had a lot of violent urges that were difficult to control.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig January 8, 2013 - 2:35pm

Whoooo!! Congratulations, Matt!!!!!

Bekanator's picture
Bekanator from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay Hunter January 8, 2013 - 2:44pm

Congrats, Matt! 

Does this mean we get to plan a LR baby shower? If so I'll have to make a dude version of my baby shower banner...

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 8, 2013 - 2:46pm

Yes!  An LR baby shower.  We don't celebrate together nearly enough. 

Shannon Barber's picture
Shannon Barber from Seattle is reading Paradoxia: A Predators Diary by Lydia Lunch January 8, 2013 - 3:56pm

Are you alive? Yes, fueled by really good coffee.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Yes. More readings, more submissions. Chestpiece tattoo.
Any January birthdays? Nope.
Overall - how was 2012? Up and down.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Dunno yet.
What did you do for New Year's eve? My partner and I stayed in bed naked and drinking cinnamon whiskey and watching movies.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. They are black OTK socks folded down under my knee and over the top of my boots.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? To not leave the state to read.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? I am very into Peets and Ravensbrew coffees.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I might have peed a little.

Courtney's picture
Courtney from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooks January 8, 2013 - 4:13pm

FUCKING CONGRATULATIONS, MATT. I AM EXTREMELY BABY-CRAZY AND THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SHRIEK WITH JOY.

Are you alive? The aching pain in my back says yes.

Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? I don't think these are resolutions, but maybe goals: do well in college this semester, navigate the terrifying reality of living with my father and being a surrogate housewife after my parents' divorce without killing myself until I move to Bloomington in the fall, fucking move to Bloomington in the fall and transfer to IU, figure out my major, enjoy my classes, write a little more, read more, don't kill everyone in my Intro to Creative Writing class for being insufferable stereotypes, don't kill myself for being an insufferable stereotype, figure out how to crochet without damaging my wrist even further (seriously, who knew it was possible to damage your wrist from crocheting?) and crochet more, be nicer to my boyfriend every once in a while, and all that shit.

Any January birthdays? My late grandmother's birthday was on the third, and I found out this year that the third is also the day with the highest divorce rate.

Overall - how was 2012? Much better than 2011.

Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Hopefully better.

What did you do for New Year's eve? Got drunk with my boyfriend and our friend, then felt terrible when our friend got sick and we had to leave not twenty minutes later.

Tell me a little bit about your socks. They don't exist most of the time. Do pantyhose count? If they do, they're sheer and black and gave me terrible blisters today.

What's your writerly ambition for this year? Maybe write some more, but also focus on Parable.

What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Dunkin Donuts makes a delicious french vanilla coffee. I use it to make lattes. Other than that, I buy all my coffee drinks at Caribou Coffee or Speedway. They have a good fake latte there.

When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I think I may have done this once before. I usually only do these when I'm extremely depressed and tired enough to focus, which makes no sense. But no, I was too hungover to notice.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 8, 2013 - 4:28pm

Thanks everyone. I'm wondering what a LR baby shower would look like, and I think I'd like to find out. :)

Of course, this also means I will need to take back any money I paid contributors for Pantheon's first issue...Woohoo! free stories! (kidding)

Stephen_Inf's picture
Stephen_Inf from Illinois is reading Whiskey Tango Foxtrot January 8, 2013 - 4:56pm

1.Are you alive? Yep.
2.Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Restore my house to its pre-children glory (despite the fact that I still have kids). Stop eating out all the time. Write every day.
3.Any January birthdays? My older brother is turning even older.
4.Overall - how was 2012? Not too bad. I got a new baby girl out of the deal so I really can't complain.
5.Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Chances are I will get more sleep this year, that alone makes it better. Aside from that, I guess have a pretty good feeling about it so far.
6.What did you do for New Year's eve? The wife got extremely pissed at me earlier in the day so we spent most of the day not speaking. At night she went to a friend's house down the street and got drunk while I wrestled a two and a half year-old to sleep. The wife came home right at midnight, super drunk, and managed to sleep through a four month old screaming from 12:30 until about 3:00 while I toted the child around the house trying to get her to go back to bed. Then I got about three hours of sleep in the spare bedroom until the two and a half year-old was back up again.
7.Tell me a little bit about your socks. Right now I'd imagine they're on the floor in my bedroom, but I haven't been in to check on them since I got home so perhaps they have embarked on a fantastic voyage. Maybe I'd better check.
8.What's your writerly ambition for this year? Keep on writing, every day (I didn't read ahead so I put this for number 2 also). Publish something. Anything.
9.What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Pepsi.
10.When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? First I was like... and then I was like...

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On January 8, 2013 - 5:43pm

Congrats on the bambino(a), Matt! Will there be a LitReactor thread for naming this little bundle???

1. Are you alive? After this year, very much so.


2. Do you have any new year resolutions or goals?  Start and finish a novel--unlike my first attempt whcih took almost five years.


3. Any January birthdays?  Thankfully, nobody. November nearly broke me in that regard.


4. Overall - how was 2012? A steaming pile, until the final third. The year started with me essentially losing my job because of the economy (I work for an architectural firm), and then moving back in with my parents at 39. Then my new godson projectile vomits on me an hour into visiting him in Seattle in June, and I spent the remaining four days there in an ICU as we determined he had demonstarted his first symptoms of infant diabetes on my shirt. Around that time I found LitReactor though, and through its help I got my writing juju back and managed to publish a couple of stories and even win a contest. Have since visited my godson twice more (both on weekends when WAR prompts happen to drop) and bonded with him in ways I only thought I'd ever do with a son of my own. Moving into 2013 with a lot more hope and optimism.


5. Is 2013 going to be better or worse? See #4.


6. What did you do for New Year's eve? Read and voted on WAR stories, then workshopped some, then wrote one of my own till about 11:55, then toasted with some really good wine at mindnight, was in bed by 12:10, and was totally happy with that.


7. Tell me a little bit about your socks. Very simple target whites, ankle high. Have a couple of pair of black socks for those special occasions, and one pair of grey wools for whenever I leave California between October and March.


8. What's your writerly ambition for this year? See #2. Also publish some more shorts.


9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? I was just in Seattle and though I'd died and gone to caffeinated heaven. Any dark, bold roast is my think, preferably French-pressed. Black. The oilier and grittier the better.


10. When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I just saw it a few minutes ago, so...

Stacy Kear's picture
Stacy Kear from Bucyrus, Ohio lives in New Jersey is reading The Art of War January 8, 2013 - 6:13pm

Are you alive? Finally.


Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? I have resignations not resolutions. I resign myself to eating less food and exercise. 


Any January birthdays? My new Boyfriend. That's right fellows and you special lady's, I'm temporarily off the market, until he fucks it up. 


Overall - how was 2012? Shit.


Is 2013 going to be better or worse? If it's shit again I'm going for a colon cleanse. 


What did you do for New Year's eve? Wanted to go do the Ball in NYC but went to a house with 8 kids under the age of 13. Draw your own conclusions. 


Tell me a little bit about your socks. I am a sock freak! I have a billion and one thigh high socks, and just under a billion other cute and quirky socks. Socks and tights are my "thing".


What's your writerly ambition for this year? Submission. 


What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Wawa. 


When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Gutted.

Wonder Woman's picture
Wonder Woman from RI is reading 20th Century Ghosts January 8, 2013 - 6:23pm

WOOHOO!! Congrats, Sound! I love the idea of a LR baby shower! As a birth doula, most things baby & pregnancy related thrill me. When is the bun due?

Are you alive?
I'm still here!

Do you have any new year resolutions or goals?
Exercise and get off my duff more. 

Any January birthdays?
My mother in law's bday is this weekend. 

Overall - how was 2012?
I was pleased as punch with 2012. It certainly had some rough patches, but I started writing again (Scare Us & War2), directed my first children's play & started working on my second (to be performed in February) & met Neil Gaiman. So yeah...super swell overall. 

Is 2013 going to be better or worse?
Hard to say, but I'm an optimist. 

What did you do for New Year's eve?
We do a geeky Yankee Swap every year with friends (I ended up with TARDIS lights!) So drinking, games, food, festivties...good stuff. 

Tell me a little bit about your socks.
Ooh! My husband bought me cool ones for Christmas. One pair has black cats with red balls of yarn and the other pair are TARDIS knee highs! (If you meant the ones I'm wearing now, they're pink, purple & black striped. Nothin' fancy). 

What's your writerly ambition for this year?
Write more. Submit to workshops. War helped me understand that if I just take the time to sit and write, the story WILL come. Far too often I come up with ideas only to wish I had more time to work on them. Now I get it. (I'm sure the same applies for exercise, right?) ;)

What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer?
I love coffee! I'm from RI where our official state drink is coffee milk! Lately I'm drinking Godiva Peppermint Mocha, but I love Green Mountain, Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks.
 
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated?
Like Dino, I only just noticed it, so we're good. 

Stacy Kear's picture
Stacy Kear from Bucyrus, Ohio lives in New Jersey is reading The Art of War January 8, 2013 - 6:36pm

Baby Sound!!!! Should name her Whisper. ;-) Yes you will have a girl because you hope for a boy and the universe likes to shit on you any time it gets the opportunity. 

Congratulations!!!! Can't wait for the shower. I am fake internet shopping as we speak. Litreactor onesie anyone? 

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines January 8, 2013 - 6:38pm

Are you alive?  I am currentluy succumbing to the plague. 


Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Drink one cup of green tea a day. 


Any January birthdays?  Grandpa turned 93 and my ex-Grandma-in-law who I am in love with turns 83. I just mailed her a nice card today. 


Overall - how was 2012? High highs and low lows, man. Writing wise it pretty much kicked ass. Except the two readings I did were eulogies for people I loved very very much who died five months apart. Too much. 


Is 2013 going to be better or worse? It is already far superior. Suck a dick, 2012. 


What did you do for New Year's eve? Watched my favourite Canadian interview Michael J. Fox. Then had a plate of fancy cheeses and some bubbly stuff and counted the year away, kissed my 11 year old son, and went to bed half an hour into the new year. 


Tell me a little bit about your socks.  It's business time. That's why they're called business socks. 


What's your writerly ambition for this year? More submission, rejection, and hope something sticks. Also, return to some of the 150-ish stories sitting around in various states of undone and prioritize that shit.

 
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Black. French press preferred. 


When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Concerned, mostly. 

 

Best wishes for a smooth incubation and expulsion of that zygote, Matt! @Bekanator, I trust you will know when to unfurl the banner!

ps - I am more or less officially retiring my ovaries, so you can name your baby girl Djuna since that is the coolest girls name ever. I'll still chip in for the shower gift or whatever, just you're welcome for now. 

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. January 8, 2013 - 6:58pm

LitReactor Onesies! Baby shower! Count me in!! Other People's Babies are awesome!

(I mean, my kid's awesome, too....but she's a hell of a lot more work than Other People's Babies.)

(Also - seems that everybody's sick! Get well, people!!)

Profunda Saint-Sylvain's picture
Profunda Saint-... from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series January 8, 2013 - 7:13pm

'Grats, poppa-to-be!

Are you alive? Seem to be so far...
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Nope. I don't do 'goals'.
Any January birthdays? Probably, but not mine.
Overall - how was 2012? I guess it was alright. Not too much worth noting.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Hopefully better.
What did you do for New Year's eve? Let's not talk about that. I mean, it was better than the last few years in that no one in my house got injured, dumped, robbed or covered in baby vomit.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. I got them for Xmas. They're yellow.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? Write at least one thing other than school papers.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Tea.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I don't recall logging in on the first. But I would have cried for sure.

Nick Wilczynski's picture
Nick Wilczynski from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin January 8, 2013 - 7:38pm

Are you alive?

Apparently.

Do you have any new year resolutions or goals?

I don't want to talk about it, it worked out really well last year.

Any January birthdays?

I already forgot my sister's birthday, so, good job 2013.

Overall - how was 2012?

Pretty goddamn good. I did what I needed to do.

Is 2013 going to be better or worse?

This question causes me no end of anxiety. So I imagine worse.

What did you do for New Year's eve?

Absolutely nothing. Played video games.

Tell me a little bit about your socks.

They could be warmer. Like, they're low cut and really thin.

What's your writerly ambition for this year?

I said I didn't want to talk about my resolutions.

What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer?

I don't.

When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? 

Sorry, wasn't here at the time.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin January 9, 2013 - 2:40am

@Sound ~ Congrats :)

@Jonathan ~ We have the same Birthday!!

1. Are you alive? ~ Still got a heartbeat.
2. Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? ~ Write and write and workshop and polish and submit and submit and submit. Also get out of debt 
3. Any January birthdays? ~ MINE!! I was 34 on the 5th January
4. Overall - how was 2012? ~ Okay, could have been worse
5. Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Un-Lucky number 13, so good of course
6. What did you do for New Year's eve? Thought about going to the cinema, realized we had no money spare, sat and watched the London fireworks on TV and then tried to send "Happy New Year" text messages through jammed up mobile networks.
7. Tell me a little bit about your socks. ~ My socks are black with cupcakes on them, they were an Xmas present from my mum and are super warm and comfy
8. What's your writerly ambition for this year? ~ ahhh, see my other resolutions
9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? ~ Douwe Egberts, Black with no sugar...mmmmmm
10. When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? ~ well obviously I was devastated :)
 

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like January 9, 2013 - 1:20pm

4. Overall - how was 2012?  Not very good.
9. What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer?  Cheap: Chock Full O' Nuts. Not Cheap (but still widely available): Gevalia is pretty good, especially for a ground coffee. Their ground has more flavor and life than many whole-bean brands.

lspieller's picture
lspieller from Los Angeles January 9, 2013 - 2:41pm

okay. nervous. but here we go.

Are you alive? after the huge lunch I just had, I doubt it.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Man, I have so many. One is to stop eating such huge lunches.
Any January birthdays? The birth of my food baby is coming up.
Overall - how was 2012? Stressful as shit, but I started and finished a novel, found litreactor, and met all of you, so that's pretty fantastic.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better. Damn it.
What did you do for New Year's eve? Had ridiculously great Italian food at Mario Batali's restaurant in LA, and then played a drinking game involving copious amounts of wine.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. No socks today (wearing flats), but usually they're striped. 
What's your writerly ambition for this year? revise and query SIGHTLESS, my current YA wip. Write my new MG novel, DIVE.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? i prefer lattes made at overpriced coffeeshops. 
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? i went back to bed and refused to get up until I saw it. And then I waited a few days to punish you.

Phew, that wasn't so bad.

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson January 9, 2013 - 8:50pm

Are you alive? New year, new question, please.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? write every bloody day, schedule my time more effectively
Any January birthdays? my dog's birthday was 26 January but she's been dead for 13 years; my new boss's birthday is 16 January; my friend Jonathan Riley's birthday was the 5th
Overall - how was 2012? utter rubbish
Is 2013 going to be better or worse?  expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed
What did you do for New Year's eve? I watched Battlestar Galactica 
Tell me a little bit about your socks. knee-high, pink-and-grey striped, American Apparel
What's your writerly ambition for this year? attend Clarion West and have a story accepted by Tor and Granta
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Peace Coffee Espresso blend made on my DeLonghi superauto
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I'd forgotten about it until I saw it just now.

 
 
Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson January 9, 2013 - 9:03pm

Sound: Congratulations on the new little one! You're much more likeable now that Mel's gone.

Jonathan: Your niece's name is the best.

Bek: Catan is the bomb. Sorry about the cramps; perhaps you had too much wood? (maniacal laughter)

Leah: Today was my leggings/boots/dress day at work, too. And your NYE sounds perfect. I may ingratiate myself upon you next year...

Dino: You clearly know too many Scorpios.

Lauren: can I be godmother of your food baby?

 

ALL: You need to start drinking Peace Coffee.

 
Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 9, 2013 - 9:27pm

Thanks, Emma. I kinda got attached to him. 

manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) January 10, 2013 - 4:59pm

so, Sound, did Stephan's new year's eve answer make you sweat a lil about your upcoming bundle of joy?? ;)

 

Are you alive? and well


Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? do better at all the shit i'm already doing


Any January birthdays? .... not sure


Overall - how was 2012? fucking bizarre, but not all bad


Is 2013 going to be better or worse? A LOT BETTER


What did you do for New Year's eve? watched the ball drop at home with the hubby and kiddo


Tell me a little bit about your socks. they're grey with pink toes, wool, and a present from a friend a few years' back. props for asking about socks!


What's your writerly ambition for this year? finish the big project


What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? the caffeinated kind.


When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? i didn't know. i don't do workshop so i'm not a regular, but i jumped back into LR to look for Grig and play in Craig's book club thread :)

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 11, 2013 - 8:01am

@Emma - when you are Defender of the People and you make your own monthly thread for the joy of the community then you can make up whatever dumb questions you want to ask. 

@Lauren - Welcome to the thread!  Congrats on the food baby.

@Manda - Great to see you in here again! 

@January birthdays - you're all older than I thought you were.

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. January 11, 2013 - 8:06am

@Emma - c'mon down!! You're officially invited to NYE at the Rhyne House next year.

@Lauren - 'grats on the food baby!

Cures and Remedies's picture
Cures and Remedies from Canada is reading Transubstantiate - Richard Thomas January 11, 2013 - 11:30am

Are you alive? Yeah, seems like it at least. Breathing and all.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Write more, start actually focusing on school, actually using the workshop/submitting stories for publication... And being happier, that's probably important too.
Any January birthdays? Yeah! My dad's was the 5th, and mine is this Sunday (the 13th). That's when my teenage era will end and I'll hit the big 2-0... Who knew.
Overall - how was 2012? Had some good moments but a lot of bad ones. Switching programs, moving, moving on, other boring stuff like that.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Hopefully better. Fingers crossed.
What did you do for New Year's eve? Sat around a couch with some friends, drinking beer and talking about absolutely nothing at all. Conversation is bound to be a little interesting when everyone is in different programs. There was one journalism student (me), a pre-med student, two athletic therapy students, a social worker, an education major and two drop-outs.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. White and grey and relatively new, which means I still enjoy wearing them, they don't have holes and they haven't been lost at all yet.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? To get actually published somewhere, it would be my first time and that would be pretty cool.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Can't answer this - don't drink coffee. Only had it once or twice and it wasn't for me. I'm more of a... I don't know... water drinker? 
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Didn't even know there were monthly threads like this! I'm still pretty new. 

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres January 11, 2013 - 11:34am

I'm surprised to see so many writers who don't drink coffee...quit ruining the stereotypes in my head! I suppose next I'll find out barely any of you wear berets or live in France...

DanielJamesCross's picture
DanielJamesCross from Reading, England is reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy January 11, 2013 - 11:47am

Are you alive? Doesn't feel like it. [/emo mode off] Yes, yes I am.
Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Feel more alive. And write more. And stop procrastinating! And find a nice girl.
Any January birthdays? My sister - she'll be 27 on the 20th. Thanks for reminding me, actually.
Overall - how was 2012? Off my head, it was okay. But if I actually analysed it properly, it was incredible. I went to the US for 3 weeks and saw my best friends again, as well as finally seeing a real NFL game in real life with my own eyes. That was an experience. I chilled in the Arizona sunshine while my friends back in England were cold and wet. I worked on an awesome TV show, which may have been boring at the time, but I'm proud of its ratings.
Is 2013 going to be better or worse? So far, I've no idea. I'm hoping it will be better, but right now, I'm unemployed and a little lonely compared to last year.
What did you do for New Year's eve? Went to a friend's house and got drunk.
Tell me a little bit about your socks. They are grey ankle socks with a red line on the side.
What's your writerly ambition for this year? Do some! Stop putting it off. Enter some LitReactor competitions.
What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Nescafe.
When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I'm a noob, so I didn't really understand how affected people could be. I'm glad I've found it though, it's literally changed my entire life.

Jose F. Diaz's picture
Jose F. Diaz from Boston is reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel January 11, 2013 - 12:49pm

Aloha all you faithful. I have returned....for this post and then I have to get back to school work.
    Are you alive? Somedays yes.
    Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? I quit drinking, I write daily, haven''t missed a day of school. So all in all my year is starting out right.
    Any January birthdays? No.
    Overall - how was 2012? It came and went.
    Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Better.
    What did you do for New Year's eve? Drink, drank, drunk.
    Tell me a little bit about your socks. Don't use them. Sandles all the way.
    What's your writerly ambition for this year? Get better acquainted with rhetoric.
    What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? Doesn't matter as long as it's black.
    When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? I skipped both and just got depressed.

 

Cheers all.

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly January 11, 2013 - 1:37pm


Are you alive? My sources say yes. 

Do you have any new year resolutions or goals? Not for the simple sake of the new year. 

Any January birthdays? Not that I was told about. 

Overall - how was 2012? Tied for worst ever. 

Is 2013 going to be better or worse? Who the fuck cares?

What did you do for New Year's eve? Made time and a half. 

Tell me a little bit about your socks. Have to be cotton or my feet disintegrate. It's not pretty. 

What's your writerly ambition for this year? To get more done. 

What brand of coffee do you drink/prefer? No brand preference. 

When you didn't see this thread on January 1st were you sad or devastated? Actually I didn't notice. Don't kill yourself. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 11, 2013 - 1:56pm

"Who the fuck cares? "

I do, obviously!

Emma C's picture
Class Facilitator
Emma C from Los Angeles is reading Black Spire by Delilah Dawson January 11, 2013 - 3:59pm

@AD What colour are your sassy pants?

 
avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters January 11, 2013 - 4:13pm

"What colour..."

When did you defect?

 

lspieller's picture
lspieller from Los Angeles January 11, 2013 - 5:39pm

Thank you all for welcome my food child into the world. Emma, you were always the godmother. You know that.

Courtney's picture
Courtney from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooks January 11, 2013 - 8:17pm

@Sound Any educated guess on what size the lil thing'll be, based on how big you and your wife were? I'd love to crochet some things for it (sue me, I love crocheting baby clothing) but don't want to make them too small!!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt January 11, 2013 - 8:28pm

Haha, I was a small baby, and my wife is petite. I'm guessing small. That's as educated as it's gonna get, unfortunately, until she stars showing. Then I can estimate based on belly size. I think that's the right way to go about it, anyway.