tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post7568834903667979809..comments2023-12-26T08:22:44.107-05:00Comments on The Second Awakening: The Dilemma Of Having a Long TailC. L. Minouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249398357159535411noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-6452790198268445872010-02-15T22:28:15.040-05:002010-02-15T22:28:15.040-05:00*Maybe* it was an assignment, but that doesn't...*Maybe* it was an assignment, but that doesn't make it any less cool that he picked *you* to write to! And I wrote several authors in middle and high school, (not for assignments, but because I loved their work) and I really loved when they wrote me back--I particularly loved my return letters from Paula Danziger and Larry McMurtry.Alicia Maudnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-22592579123354998162010-02-15T12:01:14.054-05:002010-02-15T12:01:14.054-05:00I'm in agreement with the general consensous. ...I'm in agreement with the general consensous. <br /><br />Frankly, if you sent back a letter stating that you have personal history with a long tail, I can just see this making local news, and then becoming a religious right talking point.<br /><br />So, I'd go the pseudonym route to begin with. But, if the young man insists on knowing more, after a second or third letter, then I'd get the parents involved.<br /><br />But seriously, wouldn't it have been cool if in Jr. High, an author you wrote to wrote you back? If nothing but thanking him for his letter and his praise, I'd send off a return letter. It will make his day...maybe even make his whole middle school experience.Autumn Sandeenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12289590807372899212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-89089825000783050672010-02-15T11:11:09.900-05:002010-02-15T11:11:09.900-05:00I'd also suggest the pseudonym route. Lots of ...I'd also suggest the pseudonym route. Lots of women do write under male names and not only is it a good way to be able to answer such a nice letter, but it's also a way to explain how many women <i>do</i> have to write under pseudonyms, even nowadays, especially when writing what the world views as typically 'male' material for a male audience.Emilyhttp://www.transkitten.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-12894008197462961832010-02-12T16:45:25.412-05:002010-02-12T16:45:25.412-05:00Using a psuedonym with your real last name is unde...Using a psuedonym with your real last name is understandable. I think that is fine. especially if it is a gendered thing, writing as a boy since the subject was considered a boy subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-51194362429126246112010-02-10T21:39:30.874-05:002010-02-10T21:39:30.874-05:00thank you for the mental picture and new euphemism...thank you for the mental picture and new euphemism for my menta-graphic self portrait; i, too, "have a long tail".night_owlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00163968037846609012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-66662696179363600822010-02-10T16:05:31.409-05:002010-02-10T16:05:31.409-05:00I agree with K. I also suspect Anonymous was right...I agree with K. I also suspect Anonymous was right.<br /><br />Of course, there's still the question of what name you use to write back to him. The one with the same (I presume) last name as the one you used to write the book?capricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724714559985306062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-59104973072486966842010-02-10T10:17:08.951-05:002010-02-10T10:17:08.951-05:00I agree with dulcinbradbury and K . . . Any more i...I agree with dulcinbradbury and K . . . Any more information would be unfair to the kid, unless he asks for more in subsequent correspondance. He'll be so excited to hear back from you!Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05614377872424121845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-3954500833137072692010-02-10T00:59:03.130-05:002010-02-10T00:59:03.130-05:00He probably wrote you that letter for a school ass...He probably wrote you that letter for a school assignment. just FYI.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-83446152617606547442010-02-10T00:18:30.550-05:002010-02-10T00:18:30.550-05:00I would use the pseudonym route - it's true en...I would use the pseudonym route - it's true enough.<br /><br />If he writes back asking for more, then I would definitely explain more because his persistence shows genuine interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-14007641680189759952010-02-10T00:05:45.161-05:002010-02-10T00:05:45.161-05:00I think saying you wrote under that name is honest...I think saying you wrote under that name is honest enough. I think it's wonderful that you touched and interested this kid with that work. While you could evangelise, that's not entirely fair to him. He's looking to know that you cared that he cared and loved the book. Also, I think that the whole world isn't entitled to your personal transition process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086522799678977282.post-42878548180154480242010-02-09T23:35:09.969-05:002010-02-09T23:35:09.969-05:00I would probably go with the "Oh, I just used...I would probably go with the "Oh, I just used that name to write books." angle, but well, I'm not particularly brave. <br /><br />If you were to teach the Good Word, you could reply back with a link to your blog, and maybe some 101 stuff. And see what happens there, or..well, I don't know. I wish I could offer some good advice, but if I was in your shoes I'd probably put it off long enough that by the time I replied back he would just go "Huh? Who are you?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com