Much Nothing About Ados · 27 August 2007
It’s not that I’ve got nothing to write about. It’s that once again school has started and limited my time, so I thought I’d write a brief synopsis of the things that have caught my attention in the last week.
Tis deeds must win the prize
I found out that Gather.com is having an American Idol style elimination contest for prospective romance novel authors. It started August 21, 2007 and the submission deadline is September 18, 2007. The writing selections with the most votes advance, so interested people should get their creative juices flowing and post as soon as possible.
Now, romance isn’t normally my genre, but I thought about entering (until I found out about the contest which was announced as “coming soon” had actually already started) and that spawned all sorts of inspirational gems, one of which has already birthed 1600 words. I’ll be keeping an eye on this contest and hoping the next round is science-fiction/fantasy based.
Then, I was given the go-ahead at work to redo the company website ASAP. This has led to a few low-sleep nights as I’ve been trying to put together a design and get it up and running without much content.
Of course, there’s the normal spattering of homework assignments. The picture below is one in progress as I test the limits of my graphical skills in order to set up the foundation for my project website.
A Rose by Any Other Name?
I did manage to make the rounds of the blogosphere mid-week last week and tried to be a conscientious commenter on the blogs that I read. One thing that I’ve noticed is that those of us blog participants with common names (raises hand) have a conundrum. How do we identify ourselves in comments?
To some extent, I want my comments to be an extension of this blog, of the online footprint that I leave in the virtual world. I want people to be able to look at my comments and realize who I am in other words. I’ve been considering changing the name I use to post comments in response.
I notice that other authors with common names use the name of their blog as part of their name. I’ve done this once of twice, but I’m loathe to do it on a blog where the blog owner doesn’t know me because I don’t want it to appear that I’m only commenting for self-promotion.
Other commenters choose to use a pseudonym that’s their blogging author name. I’ve got 2 pseudonyms that I’m quite fond of (Fortrix Enigma and Chanalix) but they’re more part of my gaming and personal lives than of my online lives and they usually don’t tie back into the content and discussions that I’m commenting on.
Still other commenters use their last initial to distinguish their name. I think this works out well for people with unique enough name/initial combinations, but mine would be Kim S., which to my ear sounds incredibly generic and not nearly eye catching enough.
In conclusion, I haven’t come to a conclusion, and will probably be signing comments the more mundane “Kim” until I’ve made my decision.
To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
I’ve already made an update to my R.I.P. Challenge list. Since my ankle is still healing, my date-night walks have been temporarily transformed into date-night Barnes and Noble visits. On the most recent, I found a copy of Vampires: The Greatest Stories. It caught my eye because of Jane Yolen’s name, so I turned it over to find there are also stories written by Philp K. Dick and Dan Simmons who are both authors I’ve been meaning to read as well as Roger Zelazny who is one of the first science-fiction authors I’ve ever read.
Time is a very bankrupt, and owes more than he's worth, to season.
I know, I owe you the content I was teasing you about last week. I’ll still be posting reviews of Tipperary. I’ve taken so long, I may even be able to use carrots from my garden in the carrot soup I’ll be making to go along with the feature!
Add and View Comments
Chris · 28 August 2007, 00:58
I definitely think you should enter the writing contest. I think you’d have a great upper hand in that one from what I’ve read of yours!
On the subject of generic names, I feel your pain. It doesn’t get much more common than “Chris” lol…I’ve been thinking the same thing, as I’ve discovered many other “Chris.’” With Blogger blogs, there is at least the little avatar to identify the commenter, but that doesn’t work with Wordpress or some of the other sites. I noticed that I had 3 different people with the name “Stephanie” comment the other day!...though I think you’re the only “Kim” who comments on my blog. I’ve come to no conclusion either…I’m still just Chris :/
And yes, I’m still waiting on your review of Tipperary to decide if I’m going to read it ;) Carrot soup may just ensure the deal!
Tia · 28 August 2007, 02:28
Miss Snark had some commentary in December (or so) about the last Gather contest. I don’t recall the specifics but you might want to look at her archives.
In most places, I just go ahead and use my last name. I notice that I didn’t do so the last time I commented here. But even if I didn’t, I’m probably the only “Tia” in the blogosphere. It’s not my real name, but a nickname that feels more like my real name than my legal name. I avoid using my legal name online because I want as little as possible to pop up the next time I look for a job. (Recruiters Google prospective employees.)
Kim really isn’t that common, you know. I only have known a handful in my life and you are the only Kim who comments on my blog.
Nymeth · 28 August 2007, 03:38
I also encourage you to enter the contest, even if it’s outside your normal genre. I think that writing outside your comfort zone strengthens you as a writer, and plus, it’ll be good for your career as a writer if you win.
That anthology of Vampire stories sounds like it could be very good. I look forward to your review of it.
Heather (errantdreams) · 28 August 2007, 09:25
Good luck with the writing!!
I started using my site name in parentheses after my real first name when posting comments after I noticed several other Heathers posting on blogs I sometimes read. I didn’t want people to get confused. It seems to work pretty well.
Kim · 28 August 2007, 18:21
Chris – Sadly I checked out all the fine print on the contest today, and the submission deadline was 8/22 and required submission of a full length manuscript.
Perhaps next round.
Tia – Thanks for the tip on commentary. I’ve been sifting through the Snark archives and am sure to find some good info there.
I grew up in a time where I had at least 1 other Kim in all my classes until college. Perhaps (I hope!) the name has lost a bit of its faddishness and the Kim’s are getting less concentrated :)
Nymeth – That’s a very good point. I think I’ll be finishing the budding romance story just for the sake of getting in some practice outside my comfort zone.
Heather – After thinking it over a bit more, I think that’s the route I’ll be taking once I notice more than 1 Kim cropping up on blogs I post on.
All – As always, thanks for the encouragement. I come here and post my busy schedule, and you guys egg me on to success. It’s exactly the sort of response that makes me appreciate the blogging community.
Jackson · 28 August 2007, 21:52
I demand content or my money back! :-p
Dark Orpheus · 29 August 2007, 08:32
Oh, sorry about the contest. Though – that don’t necessary mean you can’t write a romance novel just for fun.
Vampire the Greatest Stories? Damn. I think it’s out of print.
jean pierre · 30 August 2007, 07:29
you may be happy to know that you’re the only kim in my blogging network, and if another were to come along they’d always be kim2. you’re the original! :)
Kim · 1 September 2007, 08:21
Dark Orpheus – I don’t know if it will blossom into novel length, but I’m saving the romance story I started and will continue to work on it.
The Vampire Stories book was on the clearance rack, so it may well be out of print by now. It looked like the second printing though, so maybe there’s hope for a third run.
jean pierre – Thanks! It’s good to be the original ;)
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