September 16, 2007Readers abloom with blog namesIn 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. |
About this blog In her signature plainspoken style, Michigan native Shanna Flowers peels away the layers and gets to the heart of the issues. No pretense. Just straightforward perspective. Shanna writes about local people whose circumstances reflect decisions made as near as City Hall or as far away as the halls of Congress. Other times, she weighs in on a topic because it is incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or fascinating. Read Shanna's column three days a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at roanoke.com
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Comments
[September 16, 2007 8:57 AM]
Mrs. Georgia FergusonSearching The Truth
[September 16, 2007 10:22 AM]
Gail GermanaI would like to propose a name for your column.
"FlowerStalk", sort of a play on words, no?
If I win I would like to
respectfully decline lunch
but thank you for the offer.
I am not comfortable in the public eye. Good Luck with picking a name. Sincerely,
Gail Germana
[September 16, 2007 10:58 AM]
mark h : →http://ristocrats.blogspot.com/One thing you did not share was the intended scope of your blog. If you believe that you will be focusing primarily on local issues and personalities, then you might want your blog name to reflect that - something like 'Down in the Valley' or 'Star City Roundup'.
I would imagine, however, that if you decide to make a serious go at it, you'll probably want to take a much wider view, one which can capture a range of your interests and opinions. If that is the case, since you are a practicing journalist, I will give you an incredibly boring suggestion: just use your name (i.e. James Wolcott's Blog), or your name with a tag (i.e. Andrew Sullivan, The Daily Dish).
[September 16, 2007 3:08 PM]
Ed Greer"Showers"
[September 16, 2007 5:09 PM]
Evan ArmourHow about:
Flowers' Arbor
[September 16, 2007 5:10 PM]
CharlotteI enjoy your column very much and I would like to submit a name for your Blog.
Shanna Da Blogger.
Thanks, Char
[September 16, 2007 5:23 PM]
Carol Willoughby"IN THE FLOW"
With Shanna Flowers
Is this not YOU? ...
"Flow" is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity.
[September 16, 2007 8:13 PM]
Lewis Sheckler"Guaranteed Fresh Delivery," with Shanna Flowers
:)
[September 16, 2007 8:57 PM]
Susan AHow about?
'Aster About It'
(of course, play on words. Am assuming your column/blog will be informative)
or
'Bloomin' Blog'
(that your column/blog will be developing and growing)
or
'Forget Me Not'
(that your column/blog will be memorable)
or
'Flowering Forum'
(again, that you column/blog will become a beautiful and full platform)
or
'Fragrant Forum'
(fragrant alternate meanings; rich, spicy, flagrant)
or
'Fresh Flowers'
(assuming your column will be new and different)
etc., etc.
[September 16, 2007 9:46 PM]
Cecil Mc BrideHow about "Fanna Shanna". It simply means fan of Shana.
[September 16, 2007 10:04 PM]
Judy HanerHow about "Floweranna?", for your blog name? Flower "her" with questions;comments;ideas;
suggestions.....etc. :)