Walkabout Wednesday: Your Last Chance to Win September's Fabulous Prize

It's Wednesday. Let's go walkabout.

(I'm bringing along a few of my mates as I wander through the vast wilderness of the publishing industry, learning the ins and outs, and having a grand adventure.)

Walkabout, Week 57:

<----Remember how I'm giving away something fantastic this month?

Remember how all you have to do to be entered into the drawing is...

-comment on a September post
-mention the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.
-answer the question posed at the end of the post found HERE
-um... that's all the ways

Remember how excited you are to win?

This will be the last post of the month, so get those comments and entries in (pssssttt... you have to tell me if you posted a link/mentioned the giveaway somewhere because I tend to miss even really obvious things) then come back here on Friday for...

*the announcement of September's prize winner
*a fantastic installment of I Need Friends Friday
AND
*the announcement of October's amazing prize (FYI, Oct's prize rhymes with schmocolate!!!)

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I Need Friends Friday: Valerie Ipson

Every Friday I interview a different person and share that interview with you. Perhaps they will be a fellow-author. Perhaps one of my neighbors. Maybe the bagger at the grocery store. A member of my family. A follower of this blog. Maybe it will be you! Hey, it could happen.

Today's INFF is Valerie Ipson. She is a writer and an all-around fabulous lady. She also has a vinyl lettering business you can check out! Let's get to know Valerie!

SME: Welcome to INFF!

Valerie Ipson: Thanks!!

SME: I always seem to begin these interviews by talking about food. Today is going to be no different. *sigh* So I was pondering pie... Do you have a favorite type of pie?

Valerie Ipson: I'm always safe with apple. Never was a pie fan when younger, but I like apple.

SME: I'm so glad you mentioned apple. I was having a very heated debate with someone *ahem... myself* about which was the better pie: apple or pumpkin. I may have to ask my autumn INFF guests to cast their vote and I'll see which pie is the winner by Thanksgiving.

Valerie Ipson: Actually I do like pumpkin now. Forgot about that. My tastes are finally maturing. I'm very particular, though, must have the right amount of whipped cream or I say no to the pie.

SME: So what you're really saying is yes to the whipped cream. I can respect that.
So, do you have a vote? Or, like me, are you locked in eternal debate?

Valerie Ipson: I will have to say apple.

SME: Okay. One vote for apple. I'm excited to see where this poll goes.
So, my Friday Friend, you are a writer. What do you like to write?

Valerie Ipson: Like? I like to write in my journal but don't do it enough. I'm torturing myself by writing a novel.

SME: Uh oh. Are you and your writing not getting along right now?

Valerie Ipson: Revisions are fun!

SME: Please tell me you are being sarcastic about the revisions. See... revisions warrant the word "torture" for me!

Valerie Ipson: Yes, I'm being sarcastic about the fun part. Along that vein it's also "fun" to have your novel ripped to shreds by a critique partner. (But I love her.)

SME: Been there. It's especially "fun" when that critique partner is absolutely correct and you have to do more of those "fun" revisions.

Valerie Ipson: Yes. *sigh*

SME: *double sigh*
So... what's your favorite continent?

Valerie Ipson: Been pondering. would love to give a shout out to Asia since I LOVED living overseas in Israel, but North America has always been good to me, so I'll choose it.

SME: Well I certainly hope North America is appropriately grateful. *gives North America "The Look"*
Valerie Ipson: Actually I'm grateful to North America.

SME: Aaaahhhh... Brownie Points!!!
I have an excessively enjoyable game to play!

Valerie Ipson: Sounds good.

SME: I'm entitling it... actually I don't have a title for it. It's been one of those weeks. But, here's how it works. I'll ask you three questions about Autumn (since that season officially began this week), choose the right answer from amongst the choices I give you and you will be crowned INFF champion!

Valerie Ipson: Excellent.

SME: Question #1: Which of the following have pumpkin seeds NOT been used as a folk remedy for?
A. Freckles
B. Premature gray hair
C. Snake bites

Valerie Ipson: They all sound like possibilities. No D. all of the above?

SME: Nope

Valerie Ipson: I'll choose B, because I don't even know what that is!!! *winks*

SME: Premature gray hair is in fact the right answer!!! I, of course, had to look up what premature gray hair is, because I have no experience with that either. *wink, wink*

Valerie Ipson: YAY!

SME: Alright. Question #2: What is "Indian Summer"?
A. What they call summer in India
B. A folksy name for the ability of really spicy curry to make you sweat
C. A phenomenon in which the weather turns unseasonably warm for a short time in mid-fall

Valerie Ipson: Of course, the answer is C. In AZ that describes our our falls completely. Though it's not considered unseasonal and it's not short.

SME: So "Arizona Fall" might be a phrase meaning "a really long 'Indian Summer'"

Valerie Ipson: Right.

SME: The correct answer was, in fact, C!
Okay, last question: Why do leaves fall off trees in the autumn?
A. Because shorter days mean less sunlight and that causes the leaves to die
B. Because the colder temperatures kill the leaves
C. Because, quite frankly, they've been working hard all summer making food and looking all green and pretty and there's only so much you can ask of a leaf, okay. I mean... what more do you want, huh?

Valerie Ipson: Leaves do work hard. They are highly valued for their shade-providing abilities. I will have to guess B, though. I'm thinking they don't like the colder temperatures.

SME: That is sooooooo what I thought! Then I moved to a place that actually had fall and not "Arizona Fall" and I learned all these crazy new things. The answer is A?!?! What's that about? I guess Arizona gets too much sunlight for the leaves to change colors. Who knew?

Valerie Ipson: Makes sense, I guess.

SME: But, 2 out of 3 is enough to win. You are officially the INFF champion!!!

Valerie Ipson: I squeaked by with a win. I'll take it.

SME: Would you like to mosey on over to the portrait gallery to view your outstanding portrait??

Valerie Ipson: *moseying*
*drawing*

Valerie Ipson: How did you know I love my awesome blue shoes?!! I don't get to wear them much as there's not often a call for blue shoe-wearing, but I got to wear them here. Thanks!

SME: It was a guess. And I'm also clairvoyant. And really cool.
I drew you waving, because you're friendly--an important character trait in an INFF Friend.

Valerie Ipson: Yes. Hi, everybody!

SME: That brings us to the final question of the interview: Top 5 reasons this is the best blog interview you've ever done. Ready. Go.

Valerie Ipson: 1. I'm thinking it's one of the very few I've done, so by default? Just kidding...other interviews will have a high standard to live up to!
2. Was reminded of the goodness that is autumn...pie, cooler weather, falling leaves.
3. Got to show off my blue shoes.
4. I got to finally be here with the infamous SME, a very coveted spot.
5. I got to send a friendly wave out to blogoland.

SME: Thanks for being my Friday Friend, Valerie!

Valerie Ipson: Thank you so much for having me!

SME: *cue exit music* Well, this has been "I Need Friends" Friday. Come back next week when I will make another friend!!

If you'd like to be interviewed for "I Need Friends" Friday, shoot me off an email: friends at sarahmeden dot com!
I am looking for anyone and everyone, whether or not you think you are interesting. You'll get a fantastic stick figure portrait of yourself, a little promotion (if you're looking for that sort of thing) and the opportunity to tell your friends and family that you've been interviewed by SME, er... by ME!



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