Sunday, September 16, 2007
Readers abloom with blog names
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Shanna Flowers is The Roanoke Times' metro columnist.
Shanna Flowers
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In column writing, you never really know what you're going to get when you ask readers for some help. Such was the case as I struggled with a name for my blog, then put out the plea to you last Sunday.
But readers, you have responded. And how.
By Friday afternoon, 315 people had visited my blog. By then, 50 readers had posted suggestions for its name. Seven sent them as e-mails, and five obliged when I asked them to post it on the site.
The deadline isn't until midnight tonight, so you can still post your entry at blogs.roanoke.com/shannaflowers/
This week, though, some themes have emerged.
Of course, with a handle like "Flowers," garden names were immediately popular -- "Flower Patch," "Diversity Garden," "Pickin' Bloomin' Flowers," "Shanna in Bloom," "Petals and Pollen," "Potted Flowers," "Flowers and Weeds" and several others.
Then there are the flower children who suggested names with a '60s bent -- "Flower Power" and "Flowers Power."
Some came up with names that reflect my writing style: "Straight Talk with Shanna," "Did you hear about ..." "Civil Discourse," and "Nothing Flowery Here."
I have to break style and give props to one entrant by name. Thanks to 12-year-old Catherine for teaching me a new word with "Confabulation."
Finally, some entries are, well, curious. The one that sticks out is "Flowers for Algernon." I know it's a book, but I confess, I don't get it as a blog title.
My favorite is "Say it with Flowers." However, because of trademark issues, I have to pass on that one. (But you still have time to submit another entry.)
That said, thanks to each of you for taking time to help me name my blog. It has been delightful reading your posts. I'll announce a blog name -- and lunch guest -- later this week.
Now there's one more minor housekeeping item. Remember, I'm new to blogging. And I was real new last Sunday when some of you submitted your entries. I deleted the e-mail addresses of the early posters -- trying to protect your privacy.
I finally figured out after church that your e-mail addresses don't show up when you post. So I stopped deleting them.
But I need the following readers to e-mail me at shanna.flowers@roanoke.com, in case I need to contact you: Katrina Landon; Debbie Becampis; Jane Okrim; Lawrence; Amy Hanek; Mary C. Williams; Kristine; Carla Curtis; Roger Elkin; Kathy and Jeri Collins.
I promise these folks don't have any advantage. The deletions of their e-mail addresses is merely further validation that I really am a newbie blogger -- and a technically challenged, dinosaur of a journalist.
