Seven Deadly Sins & Whacky Words

Back in September, the lovely Sittie Cates who blogs at The Musings Of A Hopeful & Pecunious Wordsmith as well as Sittie Cates Loves Stories, tagged me in the delightful Seven Deadly Sins Tag.

It’s the LITERARY SEVEN DEADLY SINS! That got your attention.

Sounds interesting? Read on…

The questions and answers are as follows:

Greed – What is your most inexpensive book?

In the “payment department” that would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I bought it at the new and used bookstore around the corner from my previous house. It cost R25 (twenty five rands) which is equivalent to plus/minus $2.28.

In the “non-payment department” it would be the 3 e-books I won recently: – Snip, Snip Revenge by Medeia Sharif; Effigy by M.J. Fifield; Seven For A Secret by Rumer Haven. Thank you to these authors!

Wrath – Who’s the author with whom you have a love/hate relationship with?

I don’t really know?!

Gluttony – What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

There are too many books waiting to be read, so there’s no time really, to read one book over and over. Having said that, I DO want to read The Book Thief again.

Oh, and I LOVE reading Dr. Seuss’ stories. If somebody employed me to read his stories to kiddies, I’d grab the chance. I’d have NO PROBLEM reading those over and over again!

As a teacher, I’ve read The Pearl and Lord Of The Flies many times, not by choice though…they were prescribed English setworks.

Sloth – Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

Any book by Neil Gaiman or Isaac Asimov. Never read these authors before…

Pride – What books do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

I have no desire to sound like an intellectual reader…(though I think I’m missing the point of this question…?)

Lust – What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?

How do you capture the quirkiness of Johnny Depp; the timelessness of Richard Gere; the dangerous allure of Jason Statham; wrap it up in a single package and transfer it to one character on the page? Is that possible? Let me know…

Or maybe James Bond? He ticks all the boxes, doesn’t he? Cars, cocktails & guns…

The female would possibly be Bathsheba Everdene… she’s a “handfull”, independent and does things her own way…and manages three potential suitors?

Envy – What book would you like to receive most as a gift?

Definitely the entire collection of Dr. Seuss! Please!?

I was told that there is no limit to the people you want to tag for THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS TAG. So, I’ve decided to tag…

Jen Chandler from The Cup & Page Elise Fallson, Tara Robinson from TaraTylerTalks, Trisha Farnan from Word & Stuff, Crystal Collier, and Krystal from  The Narcissistic Rose.
(I know that everybody is super-busy, so if you decide not to play along, then that’s fine)

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It’s time for WHACKY WORDS! Remember, this is supposed to be FUN!

Thank you to everybody who played along for the previous word. The real meaning of the word Gewgaws is – a small thing that has little value. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gewgaw. The definition that captured my imagination was posted by Carol Kilgore  who described it as: knots on a cave wall formed from petrified tree roots. All I could see were “terrified root stumps” complete with little peering eyes! LOL. Congratulations Carol!

Today’s word is

                               HEBESPHALMOLOGY

The in-depth study of fear in all its various forms/states/intensities… as in, you’re giving me the heebie jeebies *shudder*

          

That’s my definition. (The word does have a meaning, but you are invited to play along by providing your own original meaning. No cheating and looking up the word. I’ll post the meaning next week). So do you wanna play along? Leave your definition in the comment section below.

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Alex J. Cavanaugh asked a very interesting question over at his place.

“Are authors and writers putting a damper on blogging? Are the constant book announcements, cover reveals, book releases, blog tours, and reviews drowning out interaction and interest?” What do you think? I love my blogging. It’s my first option, Facebook and Twitter following second and third (if I have time). But it does become difficult to come up with ideas for fresh content.

So now, I’m off to do some writing and then see if I have some time to hop around and visit some bloggers…

60 Comments

  1. L. Diane Wolfe on October 28, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    I think I’m missing the point of the question – LOL!

    Blogging is my first option, also followed by Facebook and Twitter. (The latter I sometimes forget though.) Sometimes I do wonder what to post about, as it feels like I’ve covered just about every area of pub & promo that I can.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      I think that was a ‘party-pooper’ kind of response… 🙂 I was supposed to ‘go with the flow’ and display a sense of ‘literary pride’ by answering the question.

  2. Alex J. Cavanaugh on October 28, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Hebe is a Greek goddess, but I’m afraid I can’t think of anything clever to go with it.
    Thanks for mentioning my post yesterday.

    • Southpaw on October 28, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      smarty-pants

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      I understand. 🙂 Considering the hundreds of blogs you have to visit, I’m sure your brains are ‘fried’…

      • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 3:58 pm

        …a self-professed ‘man of few words’ who has written thousands of words…smarty-pants 🙂

  3. Melissa Maygrove on October 28, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    What a neat idea for a meme!
    Great answers. 🙂

  4. C. Lee McKenzie on October 28, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    After reading this, I know what to get you for your birthday! Dr. Seuss it is. One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four. Who Could Ever Ask For More? Ans: Hebe’s uncle Phal over in Mology PA.

    Gave Alex my considered opinion on his post yesterday. There was another blogger with the same theme and now I can’ t remember who that was. Happy Tuesday.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:02 pm

      Your answer is hilarious!
      Lee, how do you keep that brain razor sharp? Spill the beans! 🙂
      …and if you could get your hands on that collection for me, then I’d be forever indebted to you!

  5. Beth on October 28, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    this makes me want to re-read Dr. Seuss!! best books ever!

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:03 pm

      They are the best! Timeless stories!
      Dr. Seuss was a genius.

  6. Lexa Cain on October 28, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I really enjoyed your answers to the 7 Deadly Sins activity. Those questions made me think! I don’t care about sounding intellectual either. I’m surprised to hear the most you ever paid for a book was a little over $2. You’re a very smart shopper! 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      I’m confused.
      The question asked about the most inexpensive book I purchased, which I thought meant the least amount I ever paid for a book…?
      I have paid a lot of money for certain books – especially when the bookstore has to place an order from overseas… 🙂
      But I do like to think I’m a smart shopper.

  7. Anna Simpson on October 28, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Well, I see you in a new light thanks to the seven deadly sins. hehehe

    Thanks for sharing.

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      *light bulb moment*? Okay.
      Have to confess that I don’t like talking about myself…I’m basically boring. 🙂

  8. Crystal Collier on October 28, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    *gasp* You tagged me! Yay! Of course I’ll play along…it’s just going to take a couple weeks. Such is life, eh?

    That new word is a mouthful. Whew! I’m going to say: A study of deadly plants.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      Looking forward to your answers, Crystal! 🙂
      That word is a mouthful…

  9. Krystal Jane on October 28, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Oh, how fun! ^_^
    I can’t wait! I should be able to get it up next week.

    HEBESPHALMOLOGY: the study of psychological illness such as “cooties” 😛

    I don’t mind the book promotion stuff as long as it’s still fun and interactive or it’s not ALL they’re doing. Crystal Collier actually has a really fun balance of this and I think she’s a good example of how you can do it often without wearing people out.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      Next week? Cool.
      ‘Cooties’? As in kooky or batty? LOL

  10. Patricia Lynne on October 28, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    You find the best words! And somehow I always seem to miss the real definition of them. I should go back and find them so I know what they mean.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:19 pm

      I always post the real definition the following week.
      Maybe I should post all the words and their meanings every 6 weeks or so…

  11. Carol Kilgore on October 28, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    The big chain of grocery stores in Texas is H-E-B. So HEBESPHALMOLOGY (I had to copy and paste this word) must be the study of people who shop at H-E-B.

    Love your answers above.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      The study of people who shop at H-E-B is Hebesphalmology.
      So what would we call the shoppers – Hebesphalmiters or Hebesphalsumers? 🙂

  12. Southpaw on October 28, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    What a cute meme! Love’d your answers, especially to pride.

    HEBESPHALMOLOGY is the blood of the Greek goddess used to cure toe fungus.

    • Southpaw on October 28, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      Alex made me say it.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Cure for toe fungus? Holy Schmoly! That’s a gold mine waiting to be discovered. Imagine the impact on podiatric medicine?

  13. Christine Rains on October 29, 2014 at 12:21 am

    What a fantastic meme! 🙂 As for Hebesphalmology, it is the study of heebie-jeebies.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 29, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      You and I have the same thoughts on this topic… 🙂

  14. Rosie Amber on October 29, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Love your list and the pictures are great, will check out Alex’s post.

  15. Jemi Fraser on October 29, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    Love your lists – apparently as a kid I didn’t like Dr. Seuss at all. Have no clue why since I’ve come to love him since then!! 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on October 30, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      How can anybody resist the charm of Dr. Seuss? Totally adorable! 🙂

  16. Mary Pax on October 29, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    You should try Neverwhere if you read Gaiman, especially since it’s Halloween. 🙂

    Hebewhatever is the knowledge of goblin potion cooking. It’s hard to make a living at it though.

    I think it depends on the blog. If I go to a writers site, I’d like to learn more about them and their work. I know many of us are evolving as to what we do. I enjoy blogging too.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 30, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      Thanks for the Gaiman recommendation, Mary! 🙂
      I like your definition. The word does sound very ghoulish…goblin-ish…

  17. Loni Townsend on October 29, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    That’s a fun hop!

    I was never a big blogger outside of the author community, so I’ve just accepted that promo is part of what’s out there. Sometimes I look at it, sometimes I move on.

  18. Michelle Wallace on October 30, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Yours is the right attitude…promo is definitely here to stay.
    And authors need the blog platform for promo purposes. The trick is to get the balance right… 🙂

  19. Chrys Fey on October 30, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    I love all of the men you picked as examples for the type of male character you find attractive. I would have to agree. 😉

    This looks like a fun questionnaire!

    • Michelle Wallace on October 31, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      Aha! Glad to hear that you also like those guys… 🙂

  20. elizabeth seckman on October 30, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    I read Lord of the Flies in high school (required) and loved it. Bought the book and have been trying to re-read it and it just isn’t grabbing me.

    I like your definition, but since I must come up with my own- I will say it is the study of the spastic dancer.

    • Michelle Wallace on October 31, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      Could be that you’re reading it with certain expectations…? Or maybe some books read during high school are not meant to be re-read as an adult…?

      The spastic dancer? *bursts out laughing* Now all I can picture is a dancer who is stuck in a jerky dance mode…almost robotic…

  21. Sherry Ellis on October 30, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    That’s a tough meme! I’m not sure I’d be able to answer those questions! (Like you, I’ve never read Isaac Asimov.)

    • Michelle Wallace on October 31, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      It IS tough.
      To be honest, I didn’t think I’d get through the answers…but I gave it a bash… 🙂

  22. tara tyler on October 30, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    love this mish! and thanks for tagging me! it’s been too long!

    • Michelle Wallace on October 31, 2014 at 1:22 pm

      Hey Tara! 🙂
      I’m looking forward to your answers! Knowing you, they’ll be full of fun…

  23. Julie Flanders on October 31, 2014 at 1:10 am

    What a fun hop! I loved your answer to the intellectual reader question LOL. My thoughts exactly. 😀

  24. cathrina constantine on October 31, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Wow, that’s quite a wacky word!!! What a new twist to the 7 deadly sins, I loved it!! Now I need to go to confession…

    • Michelle Wallace on October 31, 2014 at 1:25 pm

      It’s a Literary Twist!
      I believe that God has a sense of humor too… 🙂

  25. Celine on November 1, 2014 at 4:10 am

    Oh you must give Neil Gaiman and Asimov a try, they’re wonderful writers. Try Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere to start – honestly it’s a magical book!

    Love the idea of using the seven deadly sins for reader questions by the way 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on November 1, 2014 at 11:11 am

      I actually started reading Neverwhere two days ago (Mary Pax recommended it too), and I’m LOVING it!!! 🙂
      Such GREAT writing…and amazing plot!

  26. Medeia Sharif on November 1, 2014 at 8:06 am

    I could’ve sworn I commented, but now I don’t see my comment.

    I loved reading your sins and I like your definition.

    • Michelle Wallace on November 1, 2014 at 11:12 am

      Thanks Medeia! 🙂
      (Maybe wordpress swallowed your previous comment…?)

  27. Milo James Fowler on November 2, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you for expanding my vocabulary! I think I’ve read THE HOBBIT close to 10 times now with my classes — good thing I enjoy it every time.

    • Michelle Wallace on November 3, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Confession time? I’ve never read The Hobbit or any of the Harry Potter books. I must be the only reader in the universe guilty of this… 🙂

  28. Toi Thomas on November 9, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    I like this seven deadly sins tag. You gave some cool answers. It’s rare, but sometimes I pay full price for a book, but only when it’s the new release of an author I know. It’s my little way of showing support.
    I do think authors are causing problems in the blogosphere, but I don’t think most of them realize what they are doing. Everyone is busy and just doing the best they can. I’m an author and blogger too so I know it’s hard.

    • Michelle Wallace on November 10, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      As you mentioned, everyone is just trying to do the best they can. And I do believe that book announcements, cover reveals, book releases, blog tours are unavoidable. Authors helping one another is also a great way of paying it forward. 🙂
      I don’t mind paying full price for a book. As you say, it’s a show of support for our fellow authors.

  29. SittieCates on November 10, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Oh, Michelle, so sorry I just saw this one when I was surfing. Thanks for playing along. 🙂

    I love Dr. Seuss, too!

    • Michelle Wallace on November 10, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      No problem, Sittie! 🙂 I’m glad you noticed it.

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