The weekly links, opinion and inanity post. Extra inane version.
1. Links of Interest
I have been writing posts so furiously lately that I have not had a chance to do much more than skim my Google reader. It looks like the holiday season has hit blogland full force, with most posts entitled “contest”, “contest winner announced”, “author interview and contest”, etc. There really are some great contests out there, but the best was the softness duel between Carolyn Crane’s kitty and her friend’s kitty. Alas, you couldn’t actually win one of the cats.
For those of you reading this in a feed reader, exciting blog layout news!!! (As per usual in blogland, the more exclamation points, the less exciting). I went to a 3 column layout and added a list of blogs to the second sidebar. I also added my feed count (the number of people who subscribe to this blog). I’m kind of hoping to hit 400 by the end of the year, but I also know that I’ve sort of hit my niche size and that’s not likely to change.
There’s this “in My Mailbox” meme going around the YA and general fiction bloggers. You basically talk about what books came in the mail that week. It seems a nice idea, but won’t work so well for those of us who take our books in e-form. Some folks actually do a video of themselves talking about the books, holding them up to the camera. I was a bit astounded by this … not the idea that someone might think others would want to watch them opening their mail, but the idea that people actually DO enjoy watching other people open their mail online.
In general, I have tended to be critical of amateur online video in bookland. I posted once that I didn’t like the Author Talk videos, which played like an in-joke I didn’t get. I also criticized Sue Grimshaw videos and was not exactly fascinated by the “Jane and Sarah Borders True Romance videos” (but I seem to be in no further danger from those as Jane and Sarah are apparently no longer involved with Borders True Romance. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.).
And then it hit me: I think it’s a generational thing. At 40 years old, I did not grow up with You Tube. Home camcorders were expensive and somewhat rare in my youth. Video was special (weddings, birthdays, graduations), and it was private. If you were going to show your video to strangers, well, it had to be good.
The world has clearly changed, and I being the dino that I am, have not changed with it. I am not sure I will ever get to the place where the sight of someone stroking their hands over a book cover excites me, but I think I need to start viewing vlogs differently in order to enjoy them.
2. Advice Needed
A. I am going to be traveling for a couple of weeks in January. My internet access is likely to be spotty, and my free time for blogging minimal. What do you do when you are away from home? Do you write extra posts ahead of time and schedule them? If yes, how do you feel about the idea that you can’t keep an eye on the conversation? Do you try to blog on the road? Or do you let your blog lie fallow for a while?
B. Holiday tipping. This is more out of curiosity than anything: what non-loved ones do you gift this time of year? I am not talking about charity, which is a separate category, but those people who help you or your family in a regular way you want to recognize at the end of the year. I have a list that includes paper boy, kids’ bus drivers, kids’ teachers, hair stylist, administrative assistants, housekeeper. We have an incredibly surly mailcarrier with whom we play power games. I can’t bring myself to do anything for him. Since I am not remotely crafty, I buy cards and put gift certificates to Borders or Starbucks in them. Some just get double payment or extra cash. Just curious about others’ practices. Care to share??
3. On the blog this week
I am not sure I will be able to finish my Tigers and Devils review for tonight, but I hope to. I am also working on two posts: “Who Speaks for the Romance Reader?”, about media coverage of romance since the 1980s, and “Neuroethics for Romance Readers”, about the neuroenhancements that we would demand if we had a say in the research. Also, more m/m reviews.
4. Personal
A. I decided to go to the PCA (Popular Culture Association) conference again in St. Louis in March. The lure of Sarah Frantz, Eric Selinger, An Goris, Crystal Jordan, Angela Toscano and the gang is far too powerful for any mere mortal to resist. In addition to a presentation on ethical criticism of genre fiction for the romance section, I’ll be on a roundtable on vampire romance for the vamp section (assuming it all goes as planned).
This is exam week for me, which is actually one of my favorite times of the year. Lots of grading, but I can do it in front of the wood stove with a kitty on my lap and a pup at my feet. My husband is usually grading within earshot and we can grumble and crow to each other when so moved.
Also of course, Hanukkah. We live in rural Christian America, so we find ourselves in a position of educating our non Jewish friends this time of year. We have lots of friends over for latkes and menorah lighting and dreidel play. It’s a way to help the kids feel less like l they are missing out than that they have something special and different going on, and, most importantly, it’s fun.
Happy week!
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#1 by Sarah Frantz on December 14, 2009 - 9:04 am
Traitor! Moving over to the vampire dark side. ::shakes head::
#2 by Victoria Janssen on December 14, 2009 - 9:22 am
When I’m going to be away, I pre-load posts. I might check in on comment alerts through email, or I might not.
Of course, I pre-load most of my posts anyway, to take advantage of time when I have it.
LOVER AWAKENED is the Zsadist one, isn’t it? That was pretty crackalicious. Should be a fun discussion.
#3 by Carolyn Crane on December 14, 2009 - 9:45 am
Oh, look, what a wonderful surprise! Our kitty softness duel, which Oblio totally LOST! Actually, my husband and I were grumbling about that this morning while petting Oblio in bed, like, if it had only been the back, Oblio would’ve won. Which tells you a bit about our priorities.
On the blog, Take a break! Announce that you will be away for two weeks, or even make it three, and schedule something fun at the end, like a photo essay on your trip. I’ve always really benefited from blog hiatuses.
Will we get a rundown of your ethics talk? Will we apply certain principles to BDB? Whatever we do, I’m SO there on your Lover Awakened discussion. I’m actually now putting it on my calendar. I may reread!
#4 by Magdalen on December 14, 2009 - 9:53 am
I never watch the videos. Never. It could be generational (I’m in my 50s) but then again, I was raised by TV (as in, my parents were totally comfortable with the amount of time I spent in front of the TV, and it was a lot of time!) so I’m not sure why I wouldn’t want to watch vlogs. Mostly, I resent the time spent in such a passive manner.
This isn’t exclusive to romance-related blogs, but even my husband’s blog. He includes clips from YouTube to document various clues from the day’s New York Times crossword puzzle, and even as a devoted spouse, I don’t watch the videos.
Tipping: the trash guy, the recycling guy, and my hairdresser (whom I tip generously because her haircuts last way longer than I have a right to expect — and I have nasty tricky hair — so I figure she deserves a bit more). We like our US mail people — two women at the post office (gift certificates to the local arts, crafts & soap emporium) and the rural carrier, who gets homemade cookies & some money. (That combo is what the trash & recycling guys get.)
#5 by Maili on December 14, 2009 - 10:03 am
1.
You lie! That’s unless I had been extremely unlucky with my family. There must be an uncle in your family who threw a party, but only to treat everyone to two hours of darkness to watch ten Super8 reels of him showing off his spanking new car, a white Ford Escort with a furry dice hanging off his rear view mirror?
Or an aunt with her ten photo albums of “Our Camping Holiday in Devon ’89″ that she dragged to every family party? And she updated it with “Our Caravan holiday in the Lake District ’90″? (She even took some annual photos of their loo in the caravan that they owned for some 20 years.)
Please don’t depress me by telling me you don’t have those relatives in your family.
But yeah, I don’t watch book-related reader and author interview videos.
2.
A. With the old blog, I snagged a victim to take over my blog to supervise my prepared posts and the conversations during my absence as well as posting her own posts. I nabbed Soojee (aka Crankyreader; one of most awesome readers around), Angela-V and maybe Sybil?
Otherwise I put up a “On Hiatus. Will be back on [date]!” note. I disappeared without a word at one time and this caused others to respond with concerned notes, which made me feel really crap. Never again.
B. We don’t celebrate Christmas (the first proper Christmas I had was with a flatmate at uni; am still suffering from culture shock), but when we were in England, we usually chucked in a fiver or tenner into a Xmas card. I think we’ll do that again this year.
#6 by Venus Vaughn on December 14, 2009 - 10:28 am
Take a vacation and vacate. I agree with Carolyn. Stick up a Gone Fishin’ sign and enjoy the silence.
Besides, as a reader, there’s not much fun in interacting with a blog that isn’t interactive.
#7 by Lusty Reader on December 14, 2009 - 11:10 am
only blog hopping at work means no video watching for me! those posts get an automatic click of the *next* button in my google reader. i have yet to see a vlog of someone opening their mail, for real? yeah, not too exciting for me either!
with things being a little tighter around the lusty household moneywise these past two years im all about the baked goods as gifts. will be posting my favorite gingersnaps with chutney creamcheese recipe this week!
#8 by Janet W on December 14, 2009 - 11:18 am
I like the idea of a gone fishing sign too. I’m going to be away for 2 1/2 weeks later this year and I’m already “trying” to talk myself into how blissful radio silence will be. I’m not sure actually
But my family — immediate and extended — would like to have me “present” mentally as well as physically. We’ll see 
Where I live we get letters warning us not to leave $$$ for the trash/recycle guys because thieves unsportingly make off with it. You either send a cheque or lurk in the morning and give it to them personally.
Except for Sue Grimshaw, and her not always, I never watch vblogs. Probably you’re right, it’s generational. I do watch my dd’s vids on FB but mostly with bemusement.
#9 by Jessica on December 14, 2009 - 11:27 am
I’m liking the idea of a hiatus.
And via email, a kind reader gave me a clue on the Borders True Romance situation (goes to show I don’t read it closely). Although there was no official statement anywhere, Sue Grimshaw was asked by a reader and had this to say:
” Jane & Sarah were really just helping launch the blog (of which I thank them as I could never have done this without them) & although they have resigned from their active positions they are still there to help with my many questions.
Unfortunately, they will not be posting weekly, but hopefully we’ll get them back next year as guests.”
RRR … the blog that can be counted on to be the last to know.
oh, and yes … Lover Awakened for the next discussion. I’m honestly not sure it bears discussion at all, so it will be interesting to see what happens. I want to read it again in prep for the vamp romance panel at the PCA
#10 by Lynn Spencer on December 14, 2009 - 11:42 am
I do most of my blog hopping at work, so I can’t really open up videos there. Sometimes if I see something that sounds interesting, I’ll open it up at home. However, since I have the home computer that is at death’s door, my video time is a little limited now.
I always wonder about the tipping, too. I always leave a little something (gift card to Starbucks or the bookstore) for the mail carrier, paper carrier and garbageman, and I get my admin assistant a gift, but I’ve always wondered how many people one is supposed to give little holiday gifts to.
#11 by SarahT on December 14, 2009 - 1:29 pm
I don’t think regular visitors mind if a blogger takes a break. For a break of more than a few days, I would put up a notice about it in case people get worried.
Like you, I’m not a fan of vlogs, yet I quite enjoy video interviews with authors. It’s interesting to hear what they sound like!
‘Lover Awakened’ is by far my favourite book in the BDB series. I’ll definitely participate in that discussion!
Happy Hanukkah!
#12 by Marianne McA on December 14, 2009 - 2:33 pm
I don’t know if I can do ‘Lover Awakened’ – those are the ones with the mispelled names, aren’t they? I think I’d get unduly irritated reading any book where the hero spelt his name phunny. (Honourable exception = Wodehouse’s Psmith).
So I’ll skip this one, and just enjoy reading everyone’s else’s thoughts on the book.
#13 by SonomaLass on December 14, 2009 - 4:41 pm
Thanks for the info on the Borders blog. I skim it, and comment occasionally when moved; I won free registration to RomCon as a result of one comment, so I can’t knock it! But I had been wondering where Jane and Sarah were. t I put it down to Sarah being ill, so I’m glad to know that it’s more than that.
I don’t usually like book trailer videos or a lot of other vlog content. Youtube links from various sources are hit and miss for me. I had a relative like Maili describes — my grandfather, and I have ALL of his 8 mm footage. I had a couple of short reels transferred to DVD, and will do more in future for archival purposes, but really, who wants to watch all those?
Can’t wait for all the PCA postings, to live vicariously through those of you attending!
#14 by heidenkind on December 14, 2009 - 5:15 pm
End-of-the-semester grading was one of my favorite times of year, too. I think I just got really excited that the class was almost over. =/
I don’t tip anyone for the holidays. But then I’m really poor. Also, I don’t own a house.
When I was traveling this summer, I didn’t write any posts ahead of time. I’m not that professional of a blogger. I can understand why people do it–you don’t want people to get out of the habit of visiting your blog–but I think I deserve a vacation from blogging every now and then.
#15 by AQ on December 14, 2009 - 5:18 pm
I liked Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Does that count as a vlog? I think that people just need to work harder: write a script with clever dialog, break into song and have fun little trivia items like Firefly model space crafts, Harry Potter books, Klingon empire seals, etc. Having Nathan Fillion and Neil Patrick Harris as a guest blogger would only be an added bonus.
Vacation: Put a gone fishing sign on the blog, give us homework for while you’re gone, Or maybe you could put up an ideas post for brainstorming topics to discuss.
I vote for the Gone Fishing sign. Everyone should have a complete vacation from real and virtual life. Although I’ll miss your posts terribly, I’ll just be that much appreciative once you return to your regularly scheduled posting.
ETA: Another option is to re-post some of your “classic” topics. Re-runs for those who missed them the first time.
#16 by Jessica on December 14, 2009 - 6:08 pm
@AQ:
I thought about doing this. But… Mrs. Giggles did that a while back and for some reason I could never be arsed to read any post knowing it was “old”. Why is that? I don;t know.
#17 by Wendy on December 14, 2009 - 6:19 pm
I’ve done both – blogged from the road and put out a Gone Fishin’ sign. It all boils down to where I’m going and what my Internet access will be like.
Don’t feel like you were the last to know about Jane and Sarah leaving the Borders blog. Unless I missed it – other than Sue’s statement (which was buried in the comment section of a post!) I haven’t seen any kind of “official” statement from any of the parties involved.
#18 by AQ on December 14, 2009 - 6:38 pm
@Jessica:
In Mrs. Giggles defense, she used to have some outstanding “posts” (I say posts although they weren’t on her blog they were actually on her website pre-blogging days) that were outstandingly funny. I wish she’d put the permanent posts back up on her website. Then again maybe she has and I haven’t noticed it.
Anyway, it’s not for you, just something to keep your audience occupied with while you’re gone because we they can’t stand a minute without you. sniff sniff How we will live?!?!?!
Depending on the dates you’ll be leaving us, you could tailor it for our next book discussion or a paper you’ll be giving or just hang out the Gone Fishin’ sign already! LOL
#19 by Niveau on December 14, 2009 - 7:45 pm
Re: vlogs – I don’t know if it’s a generational thing or not, because I don’t like them either and I grew up with YouTube. I think a lot of them are just… well, bad, and I’d rather not waste my time watching them. But maybe I’m the exception.
#20 by ccGrey on December 16, 2009 - 3:59 pm
I’m supposed to be tipping the mail carrier? And the garbageman? How did I not know this? (And how does it work? Do you tape an envelope to the top of your garbage can?)
The things I learn from reading romance blogs…
#21 by willaful on December 16, 2009 - 5:56 pm
I don’t know if it’s a generational thing (though we are reasonably close in age.) I enjoy a lot of Internet videos, but I find that when people on romance blogs post them going “omgwtfbbq, this is so awesome” it rarely is. Honestly, I think I’m just too big a fan of actual production value for most of that stuff.
We give gift cards to my son’s teacher, aide and respite care workers. (Oy!) And This year I got one for our mail carrier, too.
#22 by Heloise on December 16, 2009 - 6:41 pm
@ccGrey:
Oh thank goodness I’m not the only lame-o.
I sat in my mom’s house today waiting for St. Vincent De Paul guys to show up and take away stuff she didn’t want any longer (she’s moving). They come to the house, carry it all out, come back in and ask if it all looks good, I say “Gosh, yeah, thanks a million!” Two hours later it finally occurs to me I should have tipped him. Really, who gave me my license to be an adult!?