This edition of 20 Questions features Deb Bryan, from The Monster In Your Closet. We first connected over our common love of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Angel. She was an extra a few times on the two shows, while I, actually, was originally supposed to play the part of Angel, but then it turned out that I didn’t live in LA, and didn’t audition, and was, logically, therefore never considered for the part.
This photo would look nicely on my Author page, don't you think?
Deb, who asked to be introduced as Deb Bryan, Dragon Slayer, is a dedicated writer, stick-figure artist, and humorist. Really, though, she’s probably best known to her readers for her intense emotional honesty and ability to capture moments of beauty for her readers. Seriously, I think Deb has had more moving moments in the last month than I’ve had in my whole life. I picture the two of us hanging out together going something like this:
Deb: Look at that mother with her toddler! They love each other so much! It’s just all so beautiful, the bond they share and this moment that will exist forever in their hearts.
Me: Who did what now? Sorry, I was thinking about that word, “toddler.” Ha ha! That’s a funny word! Toddle, toddle, toddle. Ha ha ha!
I guess I’m saying she’s just about the best person you’re liable to come across ’round these parts of the Interwebs.
And so, Hey! Deb Bryan! Let’s play 20 Questions!
What quality do you most admire in others? Yellow bow ties, when coupled with honesty. Except the yellow bow ties aren’t really that important outside of Stickfigurelandia, so let’s just go with “honesty.” I love not having to guess what someone is feeling because they’re willing to tell me, even if it’s uncomfortable for them.
What trait do you most dislike in yourself? My compulsiveness. Once I think about something, I have to act on it nownownow or it bugs me to pieces. For example, I only barely managed to type this question without checking Facebook.
If you could come back in your next life as anything, what would it be? A vampire. Despite writing a few books about vampires, I am not a vampire fan, but I would dig having some of their non-sparkly powers, even if I had to suck blood to get them.
Yeah, but how are they supposed to enjoy this without, say, rocket packs? Or "national hula hoop day"? Or rocket hula hoops?
You’re suddenly made the absolute ruler of your country. What is the first change you make? I would love to write something light-hearted here, but I’d make sure people had food and shelter. People can accomplish so much more when they don’t have to worry about just barely managing to make ends meet.
With which Peanuts character do you most identify? The unicorn. (Shhh. I never followed Peanuts!)
What 3 songs do you think you’ve listened to more than any others in your life? “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Brother Israel, “Bitter Honey” by Eric Kufs and “Pachelbel’s Canon”
If you could relive one day – either keeping it the same, or changing something – what would you choose? I would relive the day my son was born, including those last minutes of labor, which made the sweetness of holding him all the more intense.
What is your biggest fear? An eternity alone in an enclosed space.
What would you like the title of your biography to be? Lessons on Kicking Junk from a Junk-Kicking Guru
What movie or book has had the biggest impact on you? I recently read the book A Monster Calls. It was so raw and powerful, goosebumps are rippling up and down my limbs at the mere thought of it. I still haven’t processed the book in full, but it was a cathartic, healing reminder of how holding things close actually makes it easier to let them go when it’s time that we must do so. That all said, I’ll be back in a minute. I got something in my eyes just there.
I'm pretty sure by "you" she meant "me"," personally, and that the rest of that sentence is a typo.
What is your favorite thing about blogging? You. And by “you,” I mean all the fabulous folks whose words have helped me see the world through their eyes. That’s too many gifts to count.
Least favorite thing about blogging? How many awesome blogs there are. This might sound glib, but I mean it. I have enough time to read about 10% of the blogs I’d like to, leaving me feeling perpetually chagrined at the insights I’m losing out on.
Which superpower would you choose if you could: the ability to fly, or to turn invisible at will? I’ve dreamed of flying since I can remember. Seriously, my first memories are of flying in my dreams and then waking up to go, “Wait, why can’t I do that when I’m awake?” Naturally, then, I’d choose the ability to turn invisible at will.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being enveloped in love, preferably including the hugs of my toddler.
Which of the 7 Deadly Sins are you most guilty? I’ll answer this with a hint: I just returned from my hometown with five extra pounds on my frame, like I do every trip home.
She does, it appears, rock.
What public figure (past or present) are you just sure you’d be friends with, if you ever met? I have the feeling I’d hit it off pretty famously with Betty White, if I could get over my thrill at hanging out with Betty White long enough to actually talk.
If you could spend a year in any time and place, when and where would you choose? I thought of a dozen silly answers to this, but only the real answer will do. I’d go back in time to my early childhood and savor the closeness of my mom’s love and light, unobstructed by mental illness.
You are offered the following bargain: You will record a pop song that will become a huge hit. You will become very famous and wealthy. After a year, though, there will be backlash and you’ll become a pop culture joke. You will never record another hit, and you’ll be called a one-hit wonder, but you will have the experiences, and enough money to live modestly for many years (or extravagantly for a couple). Do you accept? Can I count this as an offer? If so, where do I sign? I still have an enormous amount of law school debt left, so the thought of not being saddled with that for another twenty years or so is pretty freakin’ compelling. Also, my mom’s rigorous embarrassment-squashing program, comprised mostly of embarrassing me and my siblings as hard and often as possible, means I’d happily trade being the brunt of new jokes for being able to live not only debt free but comfortably.
Season 2 is fantastic, too. Season 3 can be avoided.
If you could be any TV detective, who would you choose? I want to say “Magnum PI,” but then I couldn’t date him. (Same goes for McGyver.) I think I’d have to go with Veronica Mars. I only watched the first season in full, but she was 110% made of win. (That’s a full 10% more than Chuck Norris, for the record.)
What would you most like people to say about you after you’re gone? I would love people to say, truthfully, that I helped them understand that they are so much more beautiful and capable than they give themselves credit for.
The Byronic Man 
February 16, 2012 at 6:44 am
You just upped my February “moving moments” count with that intro. I think I’m counting it as three. Thanks for that!
Also? YOUR PHOTO CAPTIONS. Love. Lovelovelove, you ridiculous, awesome blogger, you! “Rockets packs.” *giggle*
February 16, 2012 at 1:04 pm
No, no, thank you for giving such great answers!
February 16, 2012 at 6:50 am
Perfectly awesome post for a perfectly awesome lady!
February 16, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Thanks, Tori! It was a blast to answer someone else’s questions for a post. 😀
February 16, 2012 at 7:09 am
An outstanding interview with a fascinating woman.
February 16, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Just when I think the evening can’t possibly get better . . . !
February 16, 2012 at 7:12 am
Deb, this was one fantastic interview. Your answer about reliving the moment your son was born of course sent chills down my spine. And you don’t like enclosed spaces and your fave person is Betty White? We are soul sisters.
February 16, 2012 at 7:56 pm
That was the perfect example of the beauty of contrast for me. All that pain, all that wondering, “How in hell is this STILL happening?” Totally worth it for the quiet and the sweetness of that first moment knowing true love.
February 17, 2012 at 6:29 am
What if you had to be in an enclosed space with Betty White?
February 17, 2012 at 9:31 am
…while Betty White was giving birth??
February 17, 2012 at 9:44 am
You are a cruel man, B.
And incredibly funny. Cruelly funny. My favorite combination.
February 18, 2012 at 6:33 am
Hahahahaha! That’s all.
February 16, 2012 at 7:39 am
Aw, she made me tear up! Fantastic answers – Great interview. If you need me, I’ll be hugging my mom.
February 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Hee. I hope it was an excellent–unparalleled, even–hug! Thank you so much for reading. 🙂
February 16, 2012 at 8:24 am
Love the interview, Deb!
Hugs,
Kathy
February 16, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Thanks, Kathy! I’m way behind in reading blogs, but with a “staycation” planned for the weekend, I’m looking forward to a little bit of catch-up. Yeah!
February 16, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Excellent interview! As if there was any doubt. Long-time fan of Deb’s, new fan of The Bryonic Man. Subscribed. Oh, and I would totally read Lessons on Kicking Junk from a Junk-Kicking Guru. Someone write that, please.
February 16, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Well thanks for coming by, and for subscribing.
February 16, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I was joking when I wrote that, thinking about how much I’d like to expand on my “Kick You in the Junk” video . . . but now I kinda think it’s gotta happen. 🙂
February 16, 2012 at 9:59 pm
You do know Byronic Man does video stuff… I’m sure he’d … *snicker* … help.
February 17, 2012 at 6:30 am
Only if it coincides with my artistic vision. I am an artiste.
February 17, 2012 at 5:41 am
I am familiar with that particular video, Deb. Also fitting as a biography!
February 17, 2012 at 5:48 am
I know you are. 😉 Just throwing it out there for those who might think the book title was totally random!
February 17, 2012 at 6:11 am
And I knew that you knew that I was. But did you know that I knew that you knew that I was?
February 16, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Another good interview, Mr. Man. You’re getting some quality bloggers to participate in 20 Questions. I’m starting to get suspicious but hey…until I find proof, I’ll keep quiet.
I think in the end the world is separated into people who “get” Buffy and people who don’t. I’d write more but…bored now. 🙂
February 16, 2012 at 2:55 pm
It’s all part of my “get other people to write my blog for me” strategy.
And I agree about the Buffy split. And if it ever comes to civil war, the Buffy side will have more empowered women fighting, and pithier one-liners.
February 16, 2012 at 8:51 pm
It’s exchanges like this that make blogging almost–almost! as good as a Buffy marathon.
Maybe I need to have a guest blog spot where you guys banter further on this point. It wins in my head, at least. 😉
February 17, 2012 at 6:32 am
Jules and I did that point/counterpoint on Glee – it’d be interesting to do one on Buffy… except you’d have to find some poor sucker who’s brave enough to go on the Internet and dis Buffy
February 16, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Love this interview. On a serious note Deb, I must say that YOU have made me a happier and more adventurous blogger! So, I’m glad I followed you to yet another must-read blog. I got chills and chuckled–thx for the great read!
February 16, 2012 at 8:53 pm
On a serious note Deb, I must say that YOU have made me a happier and more adventurous blogger!
Aw! Thank you so much for saying this, and of course for reading and thus having it to say in the first place!
Something else I’m thankful for? Your comment describing my book as a “popular new addition” to your library. ♥ you for that, for many reasons!
I
February 16, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Um. Yes.
Yes. Yes.
Yesyesyesyessssss.
Deb. B-Man. Buffy. “…my mom’s rigorous embarrassment-squashing program…” Yes. All of this, Yes.
Can I live here?
February 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
That’s how I feel about this post and its comments! It felt like it was missing some tiny piece until about 6:26 p.m., at which point a certain chipmunk lover commented and completed it. This thread has made for the happies today. I hope it has the same impact tomorrow. But then again, I don’t need to hope–yes!
February 17, 2012 at 5:46 am
Too funny, Jules. I kinda hafta agree, even though I’m new to The Byronic Man’s blog. (Why does my spell check underline “hafta” but not “kinda”?) I owe you some slap bracelet pics!
February 17, 2012 at 5:48 am
B-Man is, well, let’s just be blunt: the shiz. He has had me in giggle fits for almost a year, and don’t tell him I said this, but he’s also a really nice guy.
I can’t WAIT to see the pics 🙂
February 17, 2012 at 6:13 am
One of my boys has worn it every day since we received them, and sometimes to bed at night. He’s already worn a hole in the vinyl (?) cover, so we had to toss it. Those things can be deadly unsheathed!
February 17, 2012 at 6:35 am
Byronic Man is not nice. He is a cad. A scoundrel. A rugged, outsider. A rebel. A scruffy-looking Nerf-herder.
Signed,
Anonymous.
February 16, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Well, I already love Deb so why wouldn’t I love this entry? But I must say, new love for the Byronic Man! … although Deb and I are so on the same page with that “least favourite thing about blogging” question: so many words, so little time. If only there was a superhero who would read to me while doing my laundry and my cleaning.
Thanks so much for this!
February 16, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Oooh. If you find this superhero, would you mind pointing him/her my way for a couple of hours a week? I could recompense you with . . . let’s see, what do I have lots of? I know–extra recycling! TMD bookmarks! Shoes I should donate already? So many options, how could I possibly choose?
:p
February 17, 2012 at 6:37 am
It can get surprisingly stressful trying to read all the things you want to read. And I always want to leave comments – in part to join in, in part to affirm, in part because I like comments and “do unto others” – but sometimes all you can think is the equivalent of, “Yeah. Writing good.”
February 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I kind of was under the impression that Chuck Norris’ awesome rating was infinite, not a mere 100%. I’ll opt to not inform The Chuck (Mr. Norris to you) of this transgression, but I’m sure he already knows. Which will probably only get both of us roundhouse kicked into another dimension.
February 17, 2012 at 6:39 am
On one hand, if Chuck Norris had been on Veronica Mars that would have miraculously upped his awesome quotient. On the other hand, him hanging around a high school all the time would be creepy.
February 16, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Not surprisingly awesome! Fun questions and a mix of poignant and funny answers. Toddler hugs to you both:)
February 17, 2012 at 6:40 am
Thanks, I’ll take ’em.
“Toddle.” Ha ha.
February 17, 2012 at 9:39 am
This is rare and special and sweet, but what people are REALLY going to say after you’re gone is “Hey, where’s Deb? She’s my ride home!”