Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or best-selling--all have made an impact on my life.
Thank you for joining me in welcoming… Paul Greci!!
I've been following Paul's wonderful blog for years. I love stepping into another world--one with the occasional stray moose, a peek at exotic travels, or even an interview with another author. Paul also shares amazing nature photographs, many from his home in Alaska. Paul writes young adult and middle grade fiction, and I can't wait until the day I can buy one of his books.
Let's get to it!
1. Beverage of choice?
My beverage of choice is a smoky black tea called Lapsang Souchong. I start almost every day with two extra-strong mugs of it.
2. Any pets?
Currently, no. But, right now I’m taking care of a miniature dachshund for a friend. The dog’s name is Ka’u and he plays a pretty mean tug-o-war.
3. Dream vacation?
Funny you should ask. I mean, I kind of just got back from my dream vacation. Three weeks in Italy. We hiked in the Alps, ate great food—think pizza, gelato, chocolate croissants, cappuccino—swam in beautiful swimming holes in mountain streams, picked plums and figs from trees, and then walked around Venice for a few days before returning to Alaska. I’m still digesting the experience.
4. What are you listening to right now?
No music playing at the moment but a friend just introduced me to “I Love my Dog” by Cat Stevens, and that’s been playing in my car.
5. What's for dinner?
It’s harvest time around here. So, lots of fresh veggies from the garden. Peas, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers…the list goes on, but last night we went out and I had fish and chips.
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Paul, black tea is my favorite but I've never tried (or heard of!) Lapsang Souchong. Next time I head to a specialty market, I'll have to pick up a box. And don't you love those mini-dachshund's? Our mini-doxie is an eight pound bundle of personality named Sophie. Her favorite activities are attacking a stuffed bunny, barking at the mail truck, and cuddling on our laps--under a blanket of course! Naturally, after dog-sitting, you would find a song named "I Love My Dog," right?
Wow, three weeks in Italy is definitely a dream vacation, and it sounds as if you were able to explore the countryside. I sighed just reading your description. I'm also drooling over your dinner. All those fresh veggies--yum! Thanks so much for being my guest today!
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Paul writes young adult and middle grade fiction. When he’s not writing he spends as much time as he can exploring the roadless areas of Alaska on foot and by kayak. Back in the day, he hiked 120 miles through the mountains of central Idaho without crossing a road. Paul also teaches English. In August his middle grade novel, Stranded, was awarded second place in the 2011 Pacific Northwest Writers Association’s Annual Contest.
To learn more about Paul's work, head to his blog, Northwriter, connect with him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter.
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I picked up caramel apple dip this morning. What says "fall" to you?
Have a great Wednesday!
Lapsang Souchong? Italy? How exotic! Paul is perfect to write wilderness stories!
ReplyDeleteOoh, three weeks in Italy! The food alone would have me in heaven, never mind everything else beautiful and unusual there.
ReplyDeleteI've read about Lapsang Souchong, but never had a chance to try it. It sounds delicious.
What says "fall" to me? Apples and turning leaves and the wild grapes ripening along the roadside!
What an amazing trip! And...Lapsang Souchong? I'll have to check it out. :)
ReplyDeleteMan, that sounds like a good tea!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a special place in my heart for Cat (Oh Very Young). Doesn't he go by a new name now--not that I could spell it off the bat?
Great interview, Jill!
~ Wendy
The cooler mornings in Florida say Fall to me. :-)
ReplyDeleteItaly sounds amazing!!!
Jill, thanks for hosting me today! :-):-):-)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'd never heard of Lapsang until about four years ago when I friend of mine offered me some.
Wendy, I listened to Cat Stevens a lot in high school and college, and yeah, he did change his name. I was unaware of his song "I love my dog," until very recently.
I'm heading off soon to teach school but I'll pop back in later!! :-)
Nice to get to know more about you Paul! Your garden sounds AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteLaura: I agree, the tea sounds delicious and Paul is the perfect candidate to write about the wilderness!
E Louise: Oh yes! Wild grapes--we picked a huge bucket of grapes a few years ago when we lived in Virginia. It was a gorgeous fall weekend. Good memories!
Elizabeth: The trip does sound amazing, especially the "three weeks" part!
Wendy: Hmm, I didn't know Cat Stevens has a different name. Interesting...
Jessica: Cooler is better--for Florida at least! I watched part of the Miami Dolphins game the other night, and boy, it looked scorching!
Paul: Thanks for participating, today, Paul! And I love it when I find new favorite things from a friend. :)
Katie: Paul's garden does sound fabulous! Ours was a little rocky this year. We had the best peppers ever, but our tomatoes were pathetic. Win some, lose some I guess!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hiking in the Alps is one of the highlights of my time living in Germany. My hubby and I visited Grindlewald, Switzerland, where we set off on hikes in a picturesque setting so awe-inspiring I could almost forget I was exercising. I doubt this would be your favorite part of an Alpen hike, Paul, but I loved the plethora of wildflowers. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe tea sounds good. I'm an Earl Grey drinker but a real tea lover all around. Nice to meet you, Paul.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Jill.
Nice to meet you, Paul. My mouth is watering at the thought of real Italian pizza and chocolate croissants.
ReplyDeleteHiking has to be one of the best exercises out there. It's so peaceful to get out in nature.
Great interview, Jill!
Yay, Paul!
ReplyDeleteWow! That sounds like an amazing vacation!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go check out that Cat Stevens song right now...
Keli: I'm officially making a future date with you to hear all of the details of your European tours!!
ReplyDeleteLoree: I'm with you on Earl Grey. I love Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe, too!
Brandi: Hiking must be great for the legs! And chocolate croissants... :)
Caroline: Right on!
Kelly: Doesn't it? I must check out the song too... :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I also love Paul's blog ... the pictures from his adventures are such fun. And, Italy? Man, that's the life!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I hope you find the song!!
ReplyDeleteKeli, the flowers in the Alps were amazing!! I took lots of photos.
Thanks, Tess and Caroline :-)
Brandi, I did consume a lot of pizza, and yes chocolate Croissants, too :-)
Nice to meet you, Loree!!
Great post, Jill! Paul is wonderful. I love reading his blog. :D
ReplyDeleteTess: It's a terrific blog!!
ReplyDeleteSharon: Same here! I love being outdoors and seeing (from my couch) various parts of the country. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh I love the sound of your vacation, Paul! Three weeks in Italy - wow! And I must say that your adventures in Alaska sound much like the stuff vacations are made of too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to Paul, Jill! Have a beautiful week!
I'm late here, but just wanted to add my appreciation for including Paul in your Wednesday interviews. I love his blog. Just the shot of Denali in his header is enough to make me visit regularly, but I love sharing the lives of fellow writers and his is always full of rich experiences.
ReplyDelete