Karen D asked: How did you learn to "listen" and "follow" your creative voice?

It was more a case of my creative voice shouting in my ear until I started paying attention. Ever since I was a little girl I have felt the urge to be creative. I was always painting and making stuff, and from the age of 11 I was writing a diary, something that become a compulsion in my teenage years. I haven’t always made a living from my creative pursuits but it’s all I’ve ever wanted – to do work that I love and for that to be connected to art, creativity and inspiration. I don’t know why it’s always been in me – it just always has :)
 
Mo asked: what would you most like to do that you haven't already done?

I would really like to get my driver’s license. I failed my first test in 1993-ish, and started learning again in late 2004 but then my life fell apart a few months later. So, this is going to be the year I pass. Dammit!

Meggy asked: Do you listen to any podcasts? If so, which ones do you listen to, or would recommend?

I'm really digging Molly’s Spilled Milk, Jamie’s Creative Living and this talk by Natalie Goldberg that Marianne recently introduced me to.

Kristin asked: what does music mean in your life?

I’d be lost without music. I listen to it every day. It makes me happy, sad, energised and relaxed; it holds so many memories, and helps me make new ones. I’m in awe of anyone who has musical talent, and I don’t mind that I don’t have any because there are so many artists I love who do. ITunes has revolutionised the way I listen to music; I was always making mixtapes as a teen, and used to put together CDs later on; now I make playlists. A LOT of playlists.

Robin asked: boots or heels?

Neither, really. I only wear Uggs boots, Converse and flip-flops. Anything else makes my skin blister. SO annoying.

Emma asked: If you had your own band what would you call it?

The Premenstrals

Ingrid (and Meg) asked: if your life were made into a move (or a play), which actress would play you?

British actress Natascha McElhone. Her husband died in 2008 and I sense she would understand a lot of the grief I have felt, which she could put into her performance. On a purely shallow level, I think she is gorgeous, and would love to have her looks, so this would be the next best thing.

Ab asked: What is your favorite tradition?

I guess this isn’t a traditional tradition, but my family and I always make sure we get together for each other’s birthdays.
 
Chasing the Moon asked: Favorite song to bust out and dance or be wild and silly to?

I have several:

Jade asked: Crunchy peanut butter or smooth?

I have both in my cupboard as you never know which will be right for the snack moment you find yourself in. I like to keep my options open.

More answers coming soon, but if you wanna ask more questions, I'm over here!

From now on, if i ever need a pick-me-up, i shall read your comments on yesterday's post – i don't think i have ever laughed so much! So creative, so versatile, so absolutely and completely filthy. I loved it! Special mention must be given to Jake and his mum. I'm tempted to put a button in my sidebar linking directly to the post, for easy access to the party ;)

Anyway, on with the answers…

Leonie asked: What is one thing that you've done, that you thought was insane at the time, and now you look back on it and realise was one of the smartest, most awesomest, bravest things you've ever done?

Moving to Bath on my own. I was convinced it was the right thing to do, and it turned out to BE the right thing to have done, but there were moments when I thought I’d made a terrible mistake. This year I intend to move back to London in the late summer, and once again i’m having the same feelings – right thing? Wrong thing? We’ll see…

amandajayne asked: what is your favourite day of the week?

Currently Thursday as that is the day I meet my sister for lunch. This will change when my nephew arrives, of course, so we are soaking up every second of sister alone time we can get.

Deb asked: How did you establish your community/tribe?

The regular way, I guess – slowly over time. I first connected with many of the blog friends I’ve met in real life way back in 2006 when I started blogging. Some people I’ve gotten to know through our mutual obsession with Polaroid; some i exchanged emails with and they came to visit… My Brit blogging crew first met for coffee after Leonie sent out an email suggesting we all meet up one day.

Christianne asked: How often do you connect with your tribe of lovelies on the other side of the pond, either by phone, Skype, e-mail, or otherwise?

Not as often as I’d like! I am not a phone person, so email is my preferred choice – and even then, I’m not the best; my in-box overwhelms me every day, and long lovely emails to friends are something I dream of having time to do. I’ve just started using Skype so am booking in Skype chats with pals – the time difference is sometimes a pain to navigate but I will persevere! Twitter is a great way to keep up with the daily goings-on of my mates around the world – I LOVE Twitter.

Rose asked: who inspires you?

Uta Barth, Danielle LaPorte, Seth Godin, Chris Brogan, Sabrina Ward Harrison, Oriah, Keri Smith, Diane Arbus, Miranda July, Jennifer Louden, Natalie Goldberg, Maira Kalman, Jeanette Winterson, Esther & Jerry Hicks, all my contacts on Flickr.

Annika asked: If you met your 23-year-old self, what would you tell her about life?

I’d tell her to chill out. She was so lost and didn’t know herself very well, and she clung to a relationship that ended up lasting much longer than it should have. I’d tell her to believe in herself more, and to take some time to figure what was true in her heart, rather than trying to emulate everyone else. I’d tell her not to give up on her photography dreams and to plug away at them regardless. And I’d reassure her that she could handle being on her own – that a few years of independence could be the most amazing adventure if she was brave enough to just take the leap.

Brittany asked: what is your favorite smell?

There are so many it would be impossible to choose just one. At the moment I am loving the perfumes of Scent by the Sea, in particular Vanilla Sandalwood and Antebellum. I always wear Angel and Jo Malone’s Nutmeg & Ginger. I burn a lot of Nag Champa incense and love when it mingles with the smell of coffee brewing in the morning. I burn tuberose, rose and cinnamon oils. I love vetiver and patchouli. I guess the theme is warm, rich, earthy smells.

Karen asked: What was your favourite book (or books if you can't choose just one) as a child?

My sister and I were obsessed with Enid Blyton’s The Wishing Chair and The Faraway Tree books. I know I’ll be reading them to my nephew when the time comes.

Michelle asked: Cats or dogs and why?

Cats. They are more independent, moody, emo, opinionated, sometimes friendly & affectionate. I just like them :)

Helena asked: what do you enjoy most about blogging?

When I started blogging I was writing more for me, to get stuff out of my head and spin it into sentences that helped me grieve and move forward. There was always an understanding that other people might be reading those words, but I just enjoyed having a place to put thoughts and, later, pictures. These days I am loving the community aspect of blogging – and Twitter & Facebook – more than ever. I read other blogs to find inspiration, imagery and to get a sense that I’m not alone in the things I think and feel, and I try to provide some of that in this space too. I’ve always kept a diary and torn out pictures from magazines, and blogging feels like a jazzy interactive version of that pastime. In the four years I’ve been blogging I’ve never gotten bored of it – occasionally tired or lacking in ideas, but never bored. Blogging changed my life, it really did.

furiousball asked: can we make out?

Maybe. Buy me a coffee first and we can talk about it.