Meet The Writers' Block Crew #3: @bex-dk

OK, guys. We’ve gotten a bit off track with our interview sessions. You know, holidays and all that jazz. But we’re back, baby!

Numbers are still steadily growing at the Writer’s Block, and while every member of the team works hard to keep up with new arrivals, it’s not always easy. Having people in different time zones makes it even harder, and not every member has the chance to get to know the team of mods and editors that is responsible for our warm and welcoming online habitat.

To help our newer members get acquainted with the regular crew, we have started a "Meet The Writers' Block Crew" series.

Next victim on the chopping block is the pillar who carries the nightshift--and the whip. She edits like a machine and we fiction and non-fiction writers love nothing more than to see her scribble on our drafts. She lives in Denmark, and she’s also an amazing photographer with an eye for details most of us would never have noticed. I’m, of course, talking about our own @bex-dk.

Every member had a chance to ask her those burning questions they always wanted to.
Let's see what you guys came up with.

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Do you remember the first book you ever read? What was it and what did you love about it?

Honestly, I have no idea. I don't remember not reading. My mother has always sworn that I taught myself to read when I was three. This is why I don't remember. I only ever remember devouring any book I could get my hands on.

I have a very fuzzy memory of getting my first library card. My mother doesn't remember this, but I remember her fighting with the librarian about what type of book I was supposed to check out. The librarian didn't want to believe I was ready for the level of book I needed. I also remember the limits our cards have didn't match well with my reading volume. This is why I soon learned to pick the biggest books on the shelf so they'd last longer.

What is your favourite genre to read and what do you try to avoid?

sigh My favorite and what I can get my hands on don't necessarily match. I got in the habit of reading cozy mysteries, because my mother and grandmother read them. My mother would collect books at the thrift shop and once both of them were done reading, she'd include what fit in her care packages. I hate reading in translation and it isn't easy to get much selection in books in English in libraries here. I tried reading Danish authors, but I tended towards older stuff, and old fashioned Danish is really hard to read. There was a spelling revolution and everything changed, so I really struggled.

With a book buying budget of zero, I now read a variety of Kindle freebies. My freebie sources feed me mostly mysteries, fantasy, chic lit, and some romances. What I download depends on my desperation level. My reading tablet is getting a bit empty... I only put 330 books into Goodreads in 2017. I also do some beta reading for some indie authors who have liked my reviews or are friends or friends of friends.

What I try to avoid is easier: horror and extremely sexual romances. I want characters and story, not sex scenes, and I don't like to be scared. See the "books I hate" question for more details.

Luckily the folks at The Writers' Block are helping to feed my reading addiction. Otherwise I'd have been closer to 400 books in 2017...

You live in Denmark, but are originally from the US. Why Denmark?

Uhm. Don't have the energy for this long story. To make it short and simple, I was in a very stupid place psychologically in my youth and married the wrong guy. When I came to my senses, my life was here and I didn't want to go back. Luckily I now have a husband worth keeping around. Unluckily, going back to the US isn't a financially viable option anymore.

What’s your favorite thing to make yourself for breakfast?

Favorite... Sticky buns. I'm part Pennsylvania Dutch. But it never happens. Even when I make them they become brunch because my husband finds them too cake-like for breakfast. Or maybe pie or birthday cake. Used to eat pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas. And sometimes when there was leftover birthday cake, it made the breakfast table. Reality is that I usually eat yoghurt with raw oatmeal (and a bit of sugar) or with granola.

When was the last time you hit somebody out of anger?

Okay, see that answer about Denmark? It predates that and in a situation where it felt a lot like self-defense. I'd really rather not go there.

What’s one memory you have involving burning hair?

College. Blowing out candles on birthday cake at my Grandmother's. Set my hair on fire. My aunt thought quickly and patted it out with her bare hands, so no serious injury. She might have had minor burns on her hands--I don't remember. But boy does that stuff stink.

Do you like dark humor? Have any favorite jokes?

None of the above? I don't do well with humor. Never have. I tend to just take everyone literally. It drives people crazy. I usually don't do well with dark humor because it seems too cruel. Of course Danes are experts at it.

Would you rather be able to absorb entire books simply through touching them, or randomly catch pieces of other people’s memories who had read the book, just by touching it?

Can I say none of the above again? Books are my escape from reality. With chronic pain, this is really important. So absorbing books by touching them would ruin all the fun.

As for other people's memories... That sounds too likely to end up in the Horror genre for me.

Do you ever dream about writing?

YES! I've even been known to dream in words flowing on the page out of a fountain pen, although it was years ago I did that. Lately I've had many dreams about stuff I was thinking about writing. Part 1 of Misty Vale came to me in a dream. A few nights ago, I was dreaming a scene for my current WIP, Found and Lost. My dreams are often very word-based, but I do get extremely vivid imagery at time, especially in nightmares.

Are there any books you REALLY don’t like?

Ones that are badly written. I hate a lack of editing. I hate cliffhanger endings. I hate bad guy POV. And never try to make me read something written in second person.

What makes you happy? What makes you sad?

I love my animals. I like to take a good photograph, especially my macro stuff. I try to focus on the small stuff. My dogs helping out eagerly around the house. My husband making my tea in the morning or putting dinner on the table while I write. Hurting less than usual. Too much stuff makes me sad to talk about. Pain. People who are hurtful. People who get lost in mental issues. Animals that get hurt. Life in general, basically.

What gives you inspiration to write?

Life in general, basically. I'm getting repetitive again, aren't I? My hand is getting tired of typing.

Why do you write?

Because it's there? Not really sure. My earliest writing was therapeutic. I think it still helps me cope with things--or hide from things instead of coping with them. I had a long hiatus, but that felt like turning parts of myself off. Now that I'm writing again, I feel like me.

If you could be a character in any book or story (either one you’ve written or someone else’s work), who would you be?

It doesn't work that way for me. It can't. First of all, I live with chronic pain. Wishing things were different just makes me miserable. Better to focus on all the stuff I have in my life that I want and that makes me happy. That's the stuff that matters. Not all the bad stuff I can't change.

Secondly, I put a book down and dive whole-hearted into the next one. I don't intentionally remember what I read. Stuff sticks in my brain far more than I'd like it to, but I move so quickly to the next thing that I'd really have to work to think about who was a character in what and why that would be a neat being to be.

What hobby of yours might surprise us at the Writers' Block, that we didn't know about (current, previous or one that's still on the "one day" list)?

Uhm... I'm pretty open about who I am. I gave up living behind a facade ages ago. So unless you missed the bit that I ride western and am learning to throw a lasso and would love to learn to rope for real or missed the bit that I do leather and rope work on the side, probably nothing. You did comprehend that I like to take pictures of spiders, right?

whew I survived that interview! And no one demanded a picture of my spider tattoo! (Nope, you're not getting one.) But I am going to be in so much trouble with @thinknzombie. I was supposed to be writing, not doing Block stuff.

@bex-dk, the members of The Writers' Block thank you for your cooperation.

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The Writer’s Block is a home to writers from every corner of the world, and from every discipline that involves the written word. It’s an amazing, warm and welcoming community. Not only do writers find help, support and encouragement there, but most of all, they find people who feel the same way they do about writing. They find a second family there. Do you write? Would you love to be a part of a community that can help you learn and improve your writing skill? Our door is always open for kindred spirits. Come and pay us a visit by pointing your pointy thingie right here and clicking.