Introducing “[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers”

Posted on March 1, 2013 by maedez

Read a thousand books, and you will find a thousand selves. Look closer, for they are all incarnations of you. Some of these other selves, these other inhabitants of your brain, body, emotions, are but subtle variations of the well-worn person who stares at you disinterestedly from the mirror. Then there are the radicals, the rebels, the shockingly embarrassing mavericks. They are you, again and again and again. The shy, the bold, the terrifying. Still you, again and again and again. Initially, at least, they exist under the radar, below the surface; inchoate possibilities all. Some will die unknown and unnoticed. The rest will shoot to the surface, furtively or fanatically, one at a time. Once they are freed, they come and go: revolving, changing, ebbing and blooming. Eventually, the important ones settle in your psyche for eternity; others, having served a purpose, slough off like useless skin, spent. They are born because you have the courage, repeatedly, to do one of the most dangerous acts possible: open a book.

Reading is pretty cool shit, make no mistake. Few things ever approach the epic nature of discovering and savoring a good book. At the top of that exclusive list? Sharing your passion with like-minded people. Does that sound like fun or does that sound like fun? Yes? Good, because this is where I officially introduce the newest feature on A Small Press Life.

[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers is an interview series done in classic Q&A format. Each entry will feature one intrepid writer/blogger/artist/creative mastermind and their unique take on the same 40 reading-themed questions. The results are delightful. Don’t believe me? Come back here in an hour, as the series debuts with Jennifer Koe of Quirk’n It in the hot seat.

36 thoughts on “Introducing “[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers””

Cassie on March 1, 2013 at 3:58 pm said:

I can’t wait. : )

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- maedez on March 1, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  You are up next! I will let you know before it posts. Probably in 2 weeks.
  
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  - Cassie on March 1, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
    
    I’m totally excited to read every single one. Those questions got me thinking so much and so I want to know what others said. You’re awesome.
    
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  - maedez on March 1, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
    
    Aw, thank you! My goal is to go as long as possible without answering the questionnaire myself. So, let’s make this thing a success!
    
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theloneshewolf on March 1, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:

BITCHIN’!

HA I can’t believe I just wrote that. Can’t wait for the first installment!

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- maedez on March 1, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  Best. compliment. ever. The Dead Milkmen song Bitchin’ Camaro is now playing in my head!
  
  The first installment posts in less than 40 minutes….
  
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theloneshewolf on March 1, 2013 at 4:17 pm said:

Reblogged this on theloneshewolf and commented:
HELL YES!!! Count me in. Count you in too. AMIRIGHT??!!!

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Lottie Eve on March 1, 2013 at 4:44 pm said:

Best. idea. ever.
I really can’t wait to read these post 🙂

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- maedez on March 1, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much! The first one is excellent. It is up now. 🙂
  
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jannaswhimsies on March 1, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:

wow. marvellous idea! 🙂

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- maedez on March 1, 2013 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
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beausic on March 2, 2013 at 12:59 am said:

What a fascinating idea! I’m very intrigued to see what different unique responses come from each person!

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:15 pm said:
  
  Aw, thank you so much! I am looking forward to each new interview, too.
  
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lucidwritingandvisuals on March 2, 2013 at 8:41 am said:

I really like your style of writing. I look forward to reading the series. I love reading, though I do so very slowly.

Lucy

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:22 pm said:
  
  Thank you for the kind words. I am very intrigued, in a non-judgmental way, by other people’s reading habits. I thought that this would be an interesting dialogue to encourage.
  
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judyrobbinsart on March 2, 2013 at 10:11 am said:

I admire your writing very much and this project you have taken on. What a wonderful thing you are doing. You know I will read them.

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:28 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Judy! I appreciate that extra coming from you. This series stems from my pure curiosity about other people’s reading habits. I think it is a fascinating, illuminating subject that is not discussed enough!
  
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chrishillauthor on March 2, 2013 at 11:50 am said:

This sounds like a really nice idea – I love interviewing other writers on my blog – but interviewing people about what they read and why is something I haven’t tried yet – I might do now though!

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:36 pm said:
  
  I am flat-out fascinated by what drives people’s reading habits. Sinceince there cannot be writers without readers it is a subject that we should spend more time discussing. Let me know if you start something similar!
  
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The Rambling Man (aka The Night Hawk Photographer) on March 2, 2013 at 12:45 pm said:

Beautifully written – can’t wait to read these interview Q&A posts, as an up-and-down avid reader myself (I have my cycles I go through where I can’t be bothered reading and then cycles where you won’t find me, when I have a free moment, without a book/my Kindle).

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your kind words! I am glad that other people seem to be as fascinated by the subject as I am! I think reading is a very cyclical thing, and that we all have our own peculiar yet universal habits. I hope you’ll stick around for future entries in the series. I just posted the first one yesterday, and I am excited about what future entries have in store for us.
  
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t on March 2, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:

What a cool idea! I’m assuming that none of the questions will rely upon understanding physics?

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- maedez on March 2, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:
  
  No! Not that I am aware of , anyway.
  
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godtisx on March 6, 2013 at 10:45 pm said:

Reading is pretty incredible, even if I consume more non-fiction (research) than anything. Still, when I do get to read something fiction I’m interested in, it’s a joy. I have to check out the forum thing mentioned at the end of this post, not sure I got that too well. But, I’ll explore further.

Interesting blog here…

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- maedez on March 6, 2013 at 10:50 pm said:
  
  I read everything I have time for, but always wish I had more time. I love fiction and non-fiction equally.
  
  Thanks for your kind words, and for taking the time to explore the blog!
  
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  - godtisx on March 6, 2013 at 10:57 pm said:
    
    Yes, that’s the key isn’t it? Time.
    
    Oh absolutely, my pleasure.
    
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  - maedez on March 6, 2013 at 11:47 pm said:
    
    It always comes down to time!
    
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  - godtisx on March 6, 2013 at 11:53 pm said:
    
    ALWAYS.
    
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  - maedez on March 8, 2013 at 12:05 pm said:
    
    Here’s the link to the first interview in the series!
    
    [R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers-Featuring Jennifer Koe of Quirk’n It
    
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  - godtisx on March 8, 2013 at 4:04 pm said:
    
    GREAT!!
    
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