You Had to Be There

~ You love them. You’ve read their books or articles. You follow them on Twitter. But how well do you know them and their wicked sense of humor? Play The Twizzy and find out. ~

Happy Monday and welcome back to another game of The Twizzy! Thank you for all your responses. Now, are you ready for Game 6?

Remember, each of you is allowed 1 guess per day.

I’ll give a recap for those of you who haven’t played yet:

In my quest to keep you all entertained, I thought up a quiz. But not just any quiz. That would be boring. This is a quiz where Twitter Stars answer 30 questions. As you’ll see, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill questions. That, too, would be boring. As far as I’m concerned, this is the first time something of this scope has been done on Twitter. If it isn’t, I’m sure someone will let me know (but I won’t believe them).

Originally it was just to be the published authors I interact with but this plan grew and grew. Everyone I asked said yes! So what you have here is a lovely mix of writers – from New York Times Bestselling authors to newly published ones. From sportswriters to freelance journalists. I didn’t stop there though. I asked literary agents and editors, and then it extended to all aspects of publishing – from business development to public relations. I’ve even been lucky enough to snag one British celebrity.

Below is the list of the participants with their Twitter bio and handles. While you go through, you may consider following them, and buying their books or newspapers. These people are awesome, truly. As busy as they are, they took time out to play “The Twizzy” and they answered the questions with such flair that I was laughing each time a new email came in.

Once you’ve gone through the list, take a look at the question and answer session below. You will laugh. The questions will be the same every Monday. Your job is to figure out who from the list answered the questions that week. Include your guess in the comments section here on my blog. I will not post your comments until the winner has been announced. This is because I want you to guess on your own. If by Thursday there is still no correct answer, I’ll give 1 hint. The first correct answer wins a prize. Yes, a prize. They consist of: An Uncommon History of Common Things co-written and donated by Bethanne Patrick (while supplies last), Seven Souls A Leaping co-written and donated by Kellyann Zuzulo (while supplies last), 1 copy of How to Sew a Button written and donated by Erin Bried, 1 copy of How to Build a Fire written and donated by Erin Bried, $15 Barnes & Noble gift cards (with 1 donated by the wonderful Kellyann Zuzulo), and Starry, Starry Nights or Macaroons that I’ll buy from Gesine Confectionary (www.gesine.com). You will have until Friday to guess. Then I will reveal The Twizzy Star of the Week. If you’re not on Twitter, you can still play because you’ve likely read their books or articles, and, as the weeks go on, the list will narrow.

If you have any questions, Tweet me at www.Twitter.com/SunnySoCal and please use “#TheTwizzy” in your question.

Have fun and good luck!

~ Denise

The Twizzy Stars List for Game 6

Nichole Bernier @NicholeBernier: Writer (Conde Nast Traveler) & mother of 5 trafficking in humor, Twizzlers, occasionally wisdom. Novel THE UNFINISHED WORK OF ELIZABETH D, Crown/RH 2012.

http://www.nicholebernier.com

Erin Bried @NiftyButton: Mod girl looking back. Pie baker, storyteller, collector of old timey wisdom. Author of How to Build a Fire & Sew a Button (Ballantine). Self mag staff writer.

http://erinbried.com/

 

Veronica Brooks-Sigler @getlit_erate: Bookseller/Social Medium for Maple Street Book Shops. Author. I’m only back because I can’t keep my mouth shut for too long.

http://www.brookssigler.com

Gesine Bullock-Prado @closetmastrbakr: Pastry chef, owner Gesine Confectionary & author of Confections of a Closet Master Baker/My Life from Scratch and Sugar Baby.

http://www.gesine.com

 

Pete Caldera @pcaldera: Bergen Record Yankees beat writer/occasional band vocalist with the Stan Rubin Orchestra.

www.northjersey.com And http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/pinstripeposts

Marc Carig @ledger_yankees: Real-time coverage of the New York Yankees by The Star-Ledger and NJ.com

www.nj.com And http://carig.wordpress.com

 

Brenda Copeland @BrendaCopeland: executive editor, teacher, reader, friend, cheese lover

Catherine Delors @CatherineDelors: Writer, historical fiction (For the King, Mistress of the Revolution.) Loves Paris, history and the 18th century.

 

 

Mark Feinsand @BloggingBombers: The Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees

Jenny Gardiner @jennygardiner: Author of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver, Winging It: A Memoir of Caring for a Vengeful Parrot Who’s Determined to Kill Me, & Slim to None. Also a laugh ho.

 

http://www.jennygardiner.net/blog/

Jennifer Gilmore @jenwgilmore: Author of the new novel Something Red, and the NYTimes Notable novel, Golden Country.

http://jennifergilmore.net/

 

Jane Heller @janeheller1: Novelist, Screenwriter, Blogger, Author of Confessions of a She-Fan, Yankees diehard, movies/books fan, pop culture maven

http://www.janeheller.com

Sean Kennedy @slicksean: Writer/journalist/media consultant. Tweets are 20% each: current affairs/culture; writing/media; LGBT topics; food/food systems; personal.

http://www.sean-kennedy.com/

Ann Leary @annleary: Author of OUTTAKES FROM A MARRIAGE and An INNOCENT, A BROAD

http://www.annleary.com/

Holly LeCraw @HollyLeCraw : Writer, reader, southerner far from home. My first novel, The Swimming Pool, is out in paperback from Doubleday this April.

http://hollylecraw.com/

 

 

Georgia McBride @Georgia_McBride: YA author of the PRAEFATIO series. Represented by Mark McVeigh of The McVeigh Agency. Founder of #YAlitchat. Mom to 2 humans + 3 Chihuahuas. Hopeless Romantic.

 

www.georgiamcbride.com

Susan Orlean @susanorlean: Writer, writer, writer. Oh, I also write.

www.susanorlean.com

 

Karen Palmer @karen_palmer: Writer, editor, teacher. If I had to choose between reading and eating I’d be dead in a week.

 

www.karenpalmer.com

David Pomerico @DelReySpectra: Del Rey and Spectra are two of the biggest SF, fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance imprints in–and out of–the world.

http://www.bantamspectra.net

 

Elana Roth @elanaroth: Brooklynite, children’s book agent, Squarespace support-team member, semi-pro Jew, bourbon drinker. I work for lots of people. None of these tweets are theirs.

www.elanaroth.com

Brett Sandusky @bsandusky: digital publishing professional | innovator | strategist | marketer | writer | going to change the world

 

http://brettlikesstuff.tumblr.com/

Drew Sarver @mypinstripes : Database Developer, Blogger, BaseballDigest.com writer, Beagle lover, Husband

Kathleen Schmidt @bookgirl96: A bookish broad, PR superhero, mother of two, lover of sports, and wife of @Rockpappa.

http://kathleenschmidt.tumblr.com

 

Jayne Sharp-Vitty @jaynesharp: Mummy, wife, voice over & telly gal x

 

http://andsowtobed.blogspot.com

Alyssa Smith @booksandcorsets: Editor, reviewer, convention organizer, avid costumer, and owner of several demanding parrots. Non-official feed. Tweets about her interests: cooking, sewing

 

 

 

Laura Strachan @StrachanLit: literary agent representing literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Loves books, art, theatre — compelling stories, well told.

 

www.strachanlit.com

Joe Wallace @joe_wallace: I’m a writer of nonfiction books, noir stories, and a novel, DIAMOND RUBY.

www.josephwallace.com

 

 

Allison Winn-Scotch @aswinn: Novelist, NY Times best seller (yeah, I had to get that in), celeb profiler, diaper changer, dog walker, ass-kicker, pop culture junkie, superwoman.

 

www.allisonwinn.com

Laura Zigman @laurazigman: Writer, branter, complainer, mom, recovering publicist.

http://laurazigman.wordpress.com/

Kellyann Zuzulo @kfzuzulo: Former journalist, author of tales, word laborer, stirrer of soup.

www.kfzuzulo.com

The Twizzy Game 6

1.      How hard was it to break into your line of work? Do you enjoy it?

I’m not sure I have a line of work, it’s more like an octagon of work.

2.      Have you any advice for people who would also like to do your line of work?

Don’t.

3.      Are you known by any nicknames?

I have had many over the years. In high school, my hair draped over an eye, so the softball coach called me “One-eyed Wonder.” I’m pretty sure he wondered why I couldn’t play softball as well as I could play volleyball.

4.      What song’s your tearjerker?

I might get a little misty listening to “Boys of Summer.”

5.      Do you like capers?

I like capers in my food and to participate in capers.

6.      Any food you must have?

I love artichokes.

7.      Pet?

Cats near and far.

8.      How do you feel about the word “carbuncle”?

Sounds like a character in an Eddie Murphy movie.

9.     Favorite stroll?

I prefer to roll.

10.  Most embarrassing memory?

I guess when I broke my foot walking home drunk in a pair of platform shoes?

11.  Biggest pet peeve?

People who refuse to take responsibility for their mistakes, which I can enumerate if necessary . . .

12.  Who would you like to meet (in any time period)?

Probably Vonnegut . . .

13.  Who bugs the crap out of you?

G. Beck

14.  Favorite book?

The Great Gatsby

15.  Do songs by Nickelback make you want to stuff hot pokers in your ears?

Maybe just one hot poker in one ear. I actually liked one of their songs, the first one I heard, before I realized they are pretty much all the same.

16.  Favorite movie?

It’s a Wonderful Life followed closely by Field of Dreams

17.  Is marmite the singular form of marmosets? More importantly, does marmite make you want to vomit?

Did my friend Patrick tell you to ask me this.

18.  Favorite quote?

“Reality has a well-known liberal bias.” Stephen Colbert

19.  Favorite swear word?

mother f’er

20.  How do you feel about capybaras?

I like most animals, even the creepy crawly ones. But I don’t like creepy crawly humans.

21.  Guilty pleasure?

Guilty pleasure? I’m not sure I actually have one. Maybe I could borrow someone’s?

22.  Favorite character?

The ampersand is pretty fun.

23.  Do people who say “sammich” make you want to kick them in the crotch?

My grandmother called it a sangwich. I was not allowed to have an opinion about this.

24.  Which character would win this smackdown: Peter Venkman, Jack Donaghy, Stay Puft, Dwight Shrute, George Costanza, Basil Fawlty, Mortimer Brewster, Hyacinth Bucket, Mr. Whipple, or the Maytag Repairman?

Shrute!

25.  Phobias?

I’m claustrophobic.

26.  How do feel about cheese? Be specific.

I’m sad cheese and chocolate don’t come served together more often.

27.  Which 1980’s comedy film is this from: “Where’s the rest of this moose?”

National Lampoon’s Vacation? Dang. It’s like I didn’t live through the 80s at all.

28.  Foods you refuse to eat?

meat (***Note from Denise: Awesome.***)

29.  Where do you stand on Justin Bieber?

I’d like to stand on Justin Bieber.

*Bonus*

Finish this quote from a 1980’s comedy: “Generally you don’t see that kind of behavior in __________.”

a ghost. Once again, I apparently did not preserve my movie memories with Aquanet. (***Note from Denise: Oooh, SO CLOSE with GHOST!***)

 

________________ Past Twizzy Stars ____________________

***The lovely Bethanne Patrick was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 1. You can find and follow her at @thebookmaven.  http://bookmavenmedia.com/

Bethanne is responsible for #fridayreads on Twitter and the Friday Reads Facebook page. By all means, stop by every Friday and share what you’re reading.

***The charming Caroline Leavitt was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 2. You can find and follow her at @leavittnovelist. http://www.carolineleavitt.com/home.htm

Caroline has been on the New York Times Bestseller List for 2 weeks in a row now with her book PICTURES OF YOU. Why not buy it today?

***The hilarious Wallace Matthews was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 3. You can find and follow him at @ESPNNYYankees . http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees

Wallace is the Yankees Beat Writer for ESPN New York.

***The adorable Julie Klam was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 4. You can find and follow her at @julieklam . http://www.julieklam.com/

Julie is the New York Times Bestselling Author of You Had Me At Woof: How Dogs Taught Me The Secrets of Happiness and Please Excuse My Daughter (Riverhead)

***The fabulous Colleen Lindsay was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 5. You can find and follow her at @colleenlindsay http://theswivet.com

Colleen is a former literary agent who is currently part of the Business Development team at Penguin Group (USA).

 

They are no longer choices for the remaining games.

________________