John Baker’s Blog

1. Why do you blog?
I started blogging as a fun way to keep friends and family informed of my activities (the good ones). Then I was told that the url was being forwarded hither and thither I became inspired to broaden my scope. At that point, I decided to blog about literature and other activities surrounding the literary arts.

2. Which author and/or book has most influenced you?
The first book I clung to was The Count of Monte Cristo (in 4th grade). My reading tastes have always been eclectic, much like my taste in other areas. I love Salman Rushdie for his ability to weave environment, storyline, timeframe, social issues and all with a lyrical writing style. I love Charles Baxter’s writing because he is able to not just create a character but become the character (read Feast of Love and you’ll see what I mean). I enjoy Russell Banks for his ability to create worlds that would otherwise seem ordinary and breathe in the extraordinary. I love Amy Bloom for her ability to also take the ordinary and make it sing. When I was a pre-teen I read Dick Francis because I didn’t want to think too much and I liked horses. When I was a teen I read Anne Rice because who wouldn’t want to read about vampires while a teenager? In high school, I enjoyed almost all of the reading assignments (yes, I am an uber dork). Basically all stories that have left me with that “wow” feeling when I turned the final page and read the last sentence have influenced me. If I close the cover and in my mind I’m still in that world and all that it represents, then I’m a marked woman.

3. Which three blogs do you most visit?
I’ve been a bit out of touch lately but I usually visit:
Beatrice at http://beatrice.com/
MataxuCafe at http://metaxucafe.com/
and this one of course.

4. Why do you read fiction?
Because it gives me insight into anothers thoughts and dreams. Because I’m catapulted into other worlds that have been given a unique perception and taste by the author. Because it makes me think about topics I may not have thought about before.

5. What makes you laugh?
The Three Stooges, children’s laughter, a stupid joke, sarcastic comments, Bill the Cat, silliness.

Lisa D. K. Coutant blogs at She’s At It Again, which can be found here: www.lisacoutant.blogspot.com

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