IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The 2024 OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: coming soon

Friday, March 23, 2012

Getting to Know Your Hosts - Alex

ABOUT ME

Name: Alex J. Cavanaugh
Blog: Alex J. Cavanaugh
Other Online Info: Twitter and Goodreads
Publications: CassaStar and CassaFire

10 GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS


1. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Starting a blog! And launching the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Really, I'm not much of a thrill seeker.

2. What is your favorite article of clothing?
T-shirts and lounge pants. Although I do look sharp in a suit!

3. What is your favorite monster?
Godzilla

4. If you had to dress up as your favorite literary character, who would it be?
Agent Pendergast – black suit, black shirt, black tie, and black shoes in a black Rolls Royce!

5. What is your favorite fairy tale, urban legend or nursery rhyme?
Crop circles – so fascinating.

6. What is a cause near and dear to your heart?
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Arachnids (Don’t squish – catch and release!)

7. What's the strangest item you've used as a bookmark?
Do Sticky Notes count?

8. Do you have any nicknames? What are they and how did you earn them?
Ninja Captain Alex – and that was given to me by my blogger buddies!

9. Name one habit you want to change in yourself:
Is perfectionism a habit? Because sometimes I wish I could scale that back a bit.

10. Tell us something interesting or shocking about yourself:
Believe it or not, I never wanted to be an author!

SOME A-to-Z QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite A-to-Z post from 2011?
Probably the first one of the Challenge, the Letter A Last year my theme was to feature blogger buddies and for A it was Chuck’s Apocalypse Now and RaShelle’s A No. 2 Pencil Stat.

2. What brought you to the A-to-Z originally? Tell us about your first A-to-Z:
I found the Challenge a few days before the first one began in 2010. I was struggling as a blogger and decided what the heck, I’d give it a try. I made fifty new blogger buddies that month and my blog was off and running!

3. Are you doing a theme?
Oh yes! Big surprise…

4. Are you writing & scheduling posts in advance?
Of course!

5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet, and why? What letter do you like least?
Well, C is rather easy for me. (I wonder why?) X is probably the biggest challenge.




I hope you've enjoyed these questions and answers. Don't forget, you are welcome, even encouraged, to ask any additional questions you might have in the comments section. Or feel free to answer the questions yourself! We won't tell.

55 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Wonderful answers Alex but can you answer me one question? when are we going to see a photo of you?????
Have a good week-end.

Yvonne.

Juliana said...

Ha! Good one Yvonne!
I want to know that too ;)

Ian Anderson said...

I think the Ninja never reveals his face...

Can't wait for April!

Arlee Bird said...

Yeah, if I'd ever meet up with you I wouldn't recognize you like I did Yvonne.


Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge

Matthew MacNish said...

My S and K will forever do battle with your C.

Tina said...

Hmm...if you didn't want to be an author...why write books? I mean, you'd be a lot safer than say...writing a book, having it go top seller, then writing the sequel. If you didn't want to be an author, I'd stay away from the writing thing. Just sayin'...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
P.S I'd love to see your face one day. I've made one up for you, but I could be wrong...

Tina said...

P.S Wanna know your face? I mean, the one I made up?
Gabriel Macht I first met him inA Love Song for Bobby Long, which I highly, highly recommend. I watch it a lot. John Travolta should have gotten an Oscar, and Scarlett Johansson proves why she's more than a pretty face.

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yvonne and Juliana, you can go look at the one in my About Me page on my blog.

Man O' Clay, Ninjas must be secretive.

Matthew, bring it on!

Tina, can't stay away now. And I'll have to look at that made up face.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Alex I looked on your "About Me" but couldn't see your face. Are you sure you're not Daniel O Donnell writing under an assumed name??????
Yvonne.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Alex, Great answers, but if #6 is true we might have to end our friendship. Except, I used to kill all spiders and now I have rules. You know, if you're outside then you live. Except--if you fall on me all bets are off. I think I might be softening about killing spiders. (Shiver)

I'm glad you became a writer. You're one of my favorites.

T

Dani said...

Great answers.

I would love to see a face with the name too.

And the writer thing confuses me. How did your novels come about anywys - if you didn't want to be one?

Unknown said...

Minnie is so going to make you happy during this challenge, not going to tell you why, but you shall know :)

Suze said...

I do catch and release! :D Lead those little guys out by the leg(s.)

DL Hammons said...

I'll never forget seeing Perry Mason in a Godzilla movie! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yvonne, I didn't say it was a clear photo.

Teresa, thank you! My wife kills anything that gets into the house. Bugs that is - I get to live.

Danielle, it was a what the heck kind of thing...

Siv, I can't wait!

Suze, I can see you doing that.

DL, all added footage as well.

Laura S. said...

My dad has the same feelings as you about arachnids! He's a big fan of spiders. I confess I'm a squisher. The legs and swift crawling and hairy bodies and possibility of poison creep me out. I know, so silly. Now I feel bad, like I've squished dozens of Charlottes :(

Great answers, Alex, and I'm looking forward to your A-Z posts!!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

The mysterious Alex...everyone wants to see your face. But that is part of the mystique...

X is a difficult letter. Bugs are creepy, but I do try to save some by depositing them back outside.

Monti

Melodie Wright said...

LOVE Agent Pendergast. I can't wait for the next installment of his current mystery.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I think Alex has a thing for black.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Good answers.

I might recognize you, so long as you had the guitar in your hands, lolol!

I cracked up over the spiders. I don't squish them. Not because of any ethical reasons, but they smell when you do. Smell you say? Okay, I've been told I'm weird, but really, I can't stand the smell.

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Can't wait to start the challenge.

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Alex, I have to say... you are my hero... that's it.

Jeremy [Retro-Z]

Empty Nest Insider said...

Fun answers and I can't wait to see what your theme is in April! Julie

PR said...

I let creatures wonder around freely in my house. I had to sleep on the couch once, ok twice, coz there was a giant spider right above my pillow! :)

Marta Szemik said...

PETA - LOL! You're funny! don't squish - catch and release!
still laughing...

Jaye Robin Brown said...

Yep. X. Tricky X. I'm cheating.

Tara Tyler said...

did you just interview yourself? ha!
great q & a!

go godzilla!

Ella said...

Fascinating! I save spiders unless they are as big as my hand. They are on their own ; )
Ninjas do have to be secretive,except at movie theaters with pizza, lol
Really didn t want to be an author, shocking..now there is a book in this tale, do tell...

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Looked at the letter agenda and on the 27th and 28th I would like to announce that Daniel is coming to my town so that's important also.

Yvonne.

Patsy said...

Ninja Captain - what do you mean you didn't want to be an author? Did you have something else equally awesome in mind as an alternative?

Huntress said...

*still laughing*

Perfection? PETA?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Laura, poor Charlotte!

Monti, I am good to go with X.

Sia, I've never sniffed a spider...

Thanks, Jeremy. I'm just s dude who is addicted to geek though.

Marta, I am here for your amusement.

Tara, everybody sing!

Ella, it's a long story...

Yvonne, that is cool!

Patsy, I enjoy my job and would've been happy just doing that. But then, I wouldn't have made so many awesome friends.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Great answers! The arachnids around here would probably appreciate your cause . . . we just squished one yesterday . . .sorry. He was of the little black jumping variety that hatch out in our backyard and then jump into our house and hide in the crevices. There are thousands of them so that when we walk out there in the spring, you can see the grass move as they run toward or away from you. They run toward us as often as away . . . which leads to squishing.

D.G. Hudson said...

Nice to get to know you better, Alex. But, I'm from the camp that squishes all bugs on my turf. If they're outside, fine, but in the house - off limits. Only exception: ladybugs.

(I thought Ninjas kept their faces covered. Avatars are a type of cover, but the avatar can give a hint of that individual's personality or likes.)

It's like the Lone Ranger and Zorro: they liked the incognito look, too.

Nicole said...

T-shirts are a classic. I've been waiting for your turn to come up as one of the co-hosts doing the questionnaire and it's been nice to read. I used to dress like Agent Pendergast (whoever that is!)...except for the black suit and Rolls Royce. My all black phase had people in grade school thinking that I worshiped the devil.

Yes, perfectionism is a habit and it's a good habit to have, so long as it is balanced with realistic expectations, I suppose :)

Question: If you never wanted to be an author, then what made you publish a book?

It looks like most of the A to Z co-hosts are keeping their themes under wraps...makes me almost wish that I hadn't revealed mine until April! LOL

~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post
@MadlabPost on Twitter

Nicole said...

Oh, I forgot to mention, you had me puzzled with PETA cause. I was thinking about that OTHER organization. I'm not a fan of spiders and I will squish them if I need to but generally, I prefer to just ignore them or let them roam and do their thing because I heard that they eat or catch other insects, and I HATE most insects, so if that is accurate, then I say, leave the spiders alone! They are A-ok in my book! :)


~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post

@MadlabPost on Twitter

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Agent Pendergast. Is it his intelligence or car you like so much?

Sarah Tokeley said...

I don't like spiders but I can't bring myself to kill them. If they're big I get my daughter to catch them for me. Yeah, I'm so brave :-)

Hera said...

Just found your blog. Great post!! “Normal” is what I’m striving for…
Thank you so much for this. It is wonderful. I really appreciate all of the input ad details.
Just that part about happiness made this probably the best blog you’ve ever written.

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Rek Sesh said...

Enjoyed the answers...men in black?
Crop circles are intriguing, I was disappointed when they turned out to be almost scams.
Spiders are ok as long as they are smaller than my fingernails and keep busy in their webs. I hate to kill insects/bugs but sometimes its them or us in sick bed.

Kela McClelland said...

PETA- Love it! :)
Spiders and I have an understanding. They stay outside IN my garden and I will not kill them. If they go anywhere other than the garden, anywhere at all I will squish them.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex .. 'fraid I do both .. leave them if I can, but squish them if they're in the flat ...

Glad you made the leap to being an author and you're around the blogosphere - makes life interesting and I might get to read Science Fiction sometime!

Cheers - and see you around in April .. Hilary

Mary Aalgaard said...

This is a fun challenge. It encourages me to be consistent in my writing and brings in new friends and comments. I also enjoyed themes on other blogs. I'm glad I found it through your blog, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tyrean, we get those jumpers as well. I still try to catch.

DG, maybe I need a mask then.

Nicole, I rewrote an old manuscript and then decided what the heck, I'll try to submit it. Really didn't expect someone to say yes! And yes, spiders eat other insects so they are good to go.

Susan, both!

Rek, still amazing that someone goes to that much trouble to create a crop circle.

Hilary, be awesome if you did jump into that genre.

Mary, glad you are on board!

Annalisa Crawford said...

You'll be pleased to hear I don't squash - I run away screaming, and get my 8 year old to save me. I am a wimp!

Unknown said...

Well living in Queensland, Australia we are known even throughout Australia for our bugs and creepy crawlies! We are used to spiders as big as an adult males hand coming into the house! We usually just catch them in containers and put them back out in the garden.
Yesterday my husband crossed the drive and nearly stepped on a snake, I think it would have been the green tree snake which likes to take a swim in the fish pond but he tells me it was a large brown! Of course he left it go about its business!
Looking forward to the challenge!

michelle said...

Great post Alex.
What? You didn't plan on being an author... unbelievable! You seem to wear the writer's hat quite naturally...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Annalisa, as long as you don't squish.

CM, I've heard Australia is home to the world's most deadly critters, so I'd be a little more cautious there.

Michelle, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Alex, I'm sorry but I'm still going to be a squisher of arachnids. I don't like spiders. Does that mean that PETA will be hunting me down? Hope not.

Fun Q & A!

Pearson Report said...

Hey there Agent Pedergast! Great post - actually awesome!

As usual...I'm late to the party, but hey, I get to read all the really cool comments that way!

You rock, Ninja Captain Alex!!

I'm thrilled to be rocking this co-hosting gig with you and the team!

Cheers, Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

Zoanna said...

I have a little question about the A to Z Challenge. Perhaps you've addressed this elsewhere. Here's the thing: if people write most, or all, of their posts ahead of April, or even ahead of each day, is it really a challenge to blog every day? That is,
scheduling a post written in March and sitting down to the computer each day in April are two different things. It doesn't seem like quite the challenge to sit down and write, for example, one's posts for A, D. G, P, and Z ahead of time. Maybe I'm just too much of a stickler for everyone playing by the same rules. Maybe the rules are made to be broken, and not really about writing 26 things in April, but FOR April ,regardless how it gets done.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm a member of your particular brand of PETA, as well! I always catch and release.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

Tracy MacDonald said...

I use sticky notes all the time as bookmarks- they're bright, easy to move, and I have tons of them. You must also be a paper book reader.... I am.
Yes, the letter X- it's a tricky little bugger, and as I entered and scheduled that post for the A to Z today, I'm hoping that the way I worked it in is acceptable. looking forward to expanding my blogger buddy circle!
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between

Anonymous said...

Lounge pants? Are those sweat pants? And people who abuse animals make my blood boil. I'll say something regardless of who the person is if I see them mistreating an animal.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

Very fun answers, Ninja Captain!!!

:) jean