This is a question which only just occured to me, and the answer may well educate me. It's about self-promotion and these wonderful blogs of ours.
I'm curious: why do so few writers seem to (a) use their own full names and (b) include photographs of themselves? Judging by the people I met at Adrian Mead's screenwriting seminar, we're a very presentable, personable bunch. I mean, clearly no-one's about to hire us on the basis of our blogs, and our work ultimately does the talking. But I'm curious nonetheless. Is there a perfectly sensible answer which I'm missing? Hmmm? :-)
I use a photograph of myself
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's just old internet habit. I've always liked pseudonyms, so I carry on. I thought Jackson Pillock was funny.
ReplyDeleteJackson Pollack, but stupid.
I might do like Lianne and start doing comments under my real name.
PD, you know that's just a bit scary don't you?
ReplyDeleteYou know why I don't... I told you at Adrian Mead!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't be fooled. PD is not a doll at all, she's actually an immoral guinea pig.
ReplyDeleteScary!? I think you mean SEXY.
ReplyDeleteI know, Potdoll. I obviously wasn't referring to you. It's those OTHER anonymous types. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not anonymous, but most photos make me look like a pyschopathic killer. I opted for a picture of my beloved winklepickers, instead.
ReplyDeletePD, you are getting scarier than David Bishop.
ReplyDeleteJason: There. You tipped me over the edge.
I don't use a picture of myself because there are very few that I actually can stand to look at! I use one on my MySpace page though, as you know Jason. And as for the name I changed it recently because it just felt a bit strange meeting up with other bloggers and having to introduce myself as Optimistic Reader! The picture I use, for anyone interested, is by my oldest brother, a digital artist and it's called 'Light Up' and it's one of my favourite of his pieces.
ReplyDeleteactually THERE IS an immortal guinea pig lurking deep within my porcelain.
ReplyDeleteThere you go, Andy: hooray!
ReplyDeleteWe're both 'out'.
Hmmmm. Maybe not the expression I should've chosen.
Look at me, actin' like I don't have a delete button.
DELETE! DELETE! (said cyberman stylee)
ReplyDeleteDid you not see I pimped you and your lovely book today? I have a shiny copy myself. I might even read it. Tho I must confess I bought it from a charity shop... ; )
a) we're rapidly becoming extinct
ReplyDeleteb) some of us aren't photogenic (and can't point)
"clearly no-one's about to hire us on the basis of our blogs"
ReplyDeleteTrue, but they might read your blog and think, what has this guy/gal written?
It's certainly no stupider than handing out business cards at Cannes.
The trail of 'anon v named' seemed to lead me here? Nice to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteOK, I might be an unwashed anonymous type, but I only gave up the day job a year ago. Now in plunge toward full time writing (via an MA) and currently doing some research about writers who blog. If you've a moment to spare would value your ideas/thoughts on the topic either over at mine, or email (elfrea at email dot com)
Should put a picture on, but that poses a dilemma between presenting reality or fiction...
I got "found" through my blog, sorry to comment late at the party, but here I am. A producery type contacted me, and it looks like we're going to work on something together. All because of the blog, and Severance obviously, but he wouldn't have known about that if it wasn't for my bloggyblog.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have a picture of the real me. Bit of a scary one, but people should know upfront that they may get axed to death.