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.

Are you ready for Game 11?

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 11 (If you’re interested in who my past Twizzy Stars were, please scroll to the bottom of this page.)

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/

 

 

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/

Bob Klapisch @BobKlap: Baseball columnist for The Bergen Record and foxsports.com

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/baseball/klapisch/ and http://msn.foxsports.com/writer/Bob_Klapisch

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

Jerome Priesler @YankeesInk: New York Times bestselling novelist and regular contributor to YESNetwork.com.

http://www.yankeesink.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

 

 

 

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 11

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

I feel like I’m still breaking into it! That never seems to change. And yes, I love it…still.

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

Keep at it. Despite the occasional lists that claim otherwise, it’s one of the careers that you can continue to improve at even when you get old like me.

3.            Are you known by any nicknames?

Well, Peppermint Patty calls me “Chuck.”

4.            What song’s your tearjerker?

I don’t really have one…I tend to run away from heartstring-tuggers. “A house is not a home….”

5.            Do you like capers?

Yup…especially with good smoked salmon, cream cheese, and red onion on a sesame bagel.

6.            Any food you must have?

Pizza, I guess. And chocolate. Oh, I really like peaches and blueberries and tart apples. Grilled salmon is awesome. Is coffee a food? Did I mention bagels? A really good croissant. How much time do we have?

7.            Pet?

That’s pretty personal! Oh…I see what you mean. Several, including Mack the Cat and Comet the Golden Doodle.

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

It sounds like a word muttered by Popeye, so it’s okay by me.

9.            Favorite stroll?

There’s a state park near where I live that I just love. I could walk there for hours.

10.       Most embarrassing memory?

So many! Maybe the time I got locked in a bathroom and missed saying goodbye to the girl I loved.

11.       Biggest pet peeve?

Many big ones. I can’t stand when people treat others badly in situations where the victim has to take it. (Like a shopper humiliating someone who works in the store.)

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

I think I’d like to travel back to the Roaring Twenties and meet some of the giant-sized personalities who lived then.

13.       Who bugs the crap out of you?

Um…certain politicians and TV talking heads.

14.       Favorite book?

Can’t begin to name one…but Gerald Durrell’s memoir My Family and Other Animals made me fall in love with nature and exotic travel—a huge influence on my life.

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

My daughter went through a Nickelback phase. I survived.

16.       Favorite movie?

Again, really can’t name just one. How do you compare His Girl Friday and The Terminator and say which one you liked better? I love movies, so I have many favorites.

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

Even the idea of marmite and vegemite makes me want to eat pizza instead.

18.       Favorite quote?

Uh-oh. I’m really bad at quotes. But my friend Nora always used to say, “People ruin everything,” and I think that’s pretty pithy and accurate.

19.       Favorite swear word?

I always say I like “dagnabbit.” Truth is, my favorite is whichever one comes out of my mouth when I’m sitting at the computer, stuck.

20.       How do you feel about capybaras?

I love capybaras! Have seen them several times in the wild. (See question 14.) How can you not love a 250-pound guinea pig?

21.       Guilty pleasure?

I’m not sure I feel guilty about any of my pleasures. I like m&m’s and pulpy mystery stories and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I’m proud!

22.       Favorite character?

From Buffy the Vampire Slayer? I like Anya–she’s like a character out of a 1930s screwball comedy. Oh, you mean overall? Can’t pick, but I always enjoyed following the exploits of Dick Francis’s underestimated heroes.

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

That also sounds like something Popeye would say, so I forgive it.

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?

Dunno, but I’d go see any movie that included all of them. (I think Basil would out-hysteric Dwight and George, though, no problem.)

25.       Phobias?

I don’t love big, hairy spiders.

26.       How do feel about cheese? Be specific.

I like cheese, but I’m not a big fan of stinky cheeses. Sue me.

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

I had to look it up! Liked the movie, though.

28.       Foods you refuse to eat?

ORGAN MEATS. Please pass the marmite.

29.       Where do you stand on Justin Bieber?

This question is phrased to encourage clever replies, isn’t it?

*Bonus*

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

This one I know. But I’m not telling.

 

________________ 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).

***The wonderful Veronica Brooks-Sigler was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 6. You can find and follow her at @getlit_erate http://www.brookssigler.com

Veronica is the author of Five Finger Fiction. She is working on a sequel. Yay!

***The witty Brett Sandusky was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 7. You can find and follow him at @bsandusky and http://brettlikesstuff.tumblr.com/

Brett is a digital publishing professional, innovator, strategist, marketer and writer.

***The funny Elana Roth was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 8. You can find and follow her at @ElanaRoth and http://www.elanaroth.com

Elana is a literary agent at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency. She’s also second-to-none in quoting Ghostbusters.

***The delightful Gesine Bullock-Prado was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 9. You can find and follow her at @closetmastrbakr and http://www.gesine.com

Gesine is a pastry chef, the owner of Gesine Confectionary, and author of Confections of a Closet Master Baker/My Life from Scratch and the recent Sugar Baby. 

 

***The captivating Laura Strachan was The Twizzy Star of the Week for Game 10. You can find and follow her at @StrachanLit and www.strachanlit.com

Laura is my literary agent. She represents literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. She loves books, art, theatre — compelling stories, well told.

They are no longer choices for the remaining games in The Twizzy.

________________