I'm going to make a bold, sassy statement: This is my blog. It is not a democracy. I was speaking to Cecil Castellucci, a fellow writer and blogger, about my hesitancy to let my site administrator delete comments, because I don't like to censure. She heartily disagreed and said, "It's your blog, Shannon. Don't let people poop on your doorstep." So in the interest of avoiding doorstep poop, I will in the future allow my administrator to freely delete any comments that strike her as smarmy, condescending, rude, or critical of others. Disagreement is always allowed, but I think we all know the difference between disagreeing and attacking. There is no hierarchy here. All respectful opinions are valid.
A few things to consider: on this site, it is never appropriate to make fun of what others' have said, correct their grammar or spelling unless they ask for that feedback, call names, or assert you're right and everyone else is wrong. This blog world is still new and we're all still trying to find our way, so don't feel bad if you crossed some lines in the past. Let's just be nice going forward, shall we? For further reading, someone sent me this link to a list of blog commenting etiquette.
I hope you'll all stick around and keep commenting. And as this blog isn't a forum and isn't setup for ongoing discussion about a variety of topics, I think the new forum little red set up will be a great tool.
With that out of the way...I'm back from Michigan! I'll give tour details later when I have some photos to show. It was lovely, and I got to meet four of you squeeters out there, which was a real treat. I came home to a poor, sick toddler, so mostly we're snuggling. I fly to Minneapolis on Thursday, so back at it again!
P.S. Just got a sneak peek at the austenland cover and I LOVE it. I'll show you as soon as I can.
All of those rules are quite reasonable and would probably make the blogging world a better place if more people read them.
Yay for the new forum! Considering the great discussions that keep arising in the comments, I'd been thinking that a forum for us shan-fans would be cool, a better place for the conversations.
Someone else brought up in the past the issue of calling authors by the first names, and the other Holly's saying "Shannon fan" has inspired me to create this new term, shan-fan. I'll probably keep thinking and writing it, but anyone with me?
Posted by: holly | October 09, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I got to meet you in Rochester! It was pretty nerve-wracking wondering what I was supposed to say to you, but you were so nice, starting up a conversation so easily... "And as this blog isn't a forum and isn't setup for ongoing discussion about a variety of topics, I think the new forum little red set up will be a great tool." That's exactly what I was thinking as I read comments!
Posted by: lauren b | October 09, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I agree with you completely. It seemed to be getting a tad bit, um, out of control. lol, Maybe someday you'll be able to meet all of us Sqeeters! (also: I apologize if I had done anything in comments past, I can't think of anything, but you never know.) :o) I am sure Max was so happy to have you back to himself. Was he mad at you at all? Sometimes little kids get mad when you leave them in the dust for a period of time...
Posted by: Mads | October 09, 2006 at 12:04 PM
I really enjoyed meeting you!
If you would like to see the picture of you, Anne, and myself you can find it here on my blog. You have to scroll all the way down. :)
http://deadache139.livejournal.com/145771.html?#cutid1
Posted by: Jane | October 09, 2006 at 01:44 PM
Awwww.... I hope Max gets better soon! And again, thank you so much for coming to Michigan on your book tour! Meeting you was such a great experience and privledge.
I, like Mads, would like also to apologize if I ever posted too off topic or said anything bad about anyone! I never meant to and I'm soo gald we can still have this blog to communicate with Shannon (yay!) and all you other
"Shan-fans"!
Posted by: MAYday | October 09, 2006 at 02:23 PM
Very reasonable. I would love to see the Austenland cover. All of your other covers have been somewhat similar in style and I am curious. That is to say - I certainly liked all the other covers - they were excellent.
Posted by: Jenna | October 09, 2006 at 03:32 PM
Thank you for posting the link to the weblog comments guide. Funny thing, I had to go through 3 overrides to be able to finally access it through our screening service. I apologize for making comments that belong in an e-mail since it covered off topic matters that still needed some attention. Looking forward to seeing pictures of trips-take care of your family, especially Max-kids thrive on snuggling no matter the age.
Posted by: Jean | October 09, 2006 at 03:34 PM
Thank you for that. I think everyone needed that. I'm very sorry for anything I might have said that was offensive.
I can't wait for Austenland! I love Jane Austen, so yeah.
Posted by: Jordan | October 09, 2006 at 04:36 PM
hi i like those rules ,cause im 10 and i make a lot of mistakes
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 09, 2006 at 05:36 PM
Way to be sassy, Shannon! Thank you for the firm, but reasonable way that you responded to this matter.
Now, I'm just glad Max is doing fine after reading Dean's blog last Friday. Frightening. :)
And Austenland? Cannot wait!
Posted by: Gretchen | October 09, 2006 at 08:47 PM
I think that we can all be adult (and I mean those under 18 as well as over) enough to be kind and thoughtful in our blogging. In a day and age where it seems that anything and everything is "acceptable," it's nice to be reminded that there are boundaries that should not be crossed in the name of common decency. Having written that, I have to admit that I have never been insulted or put out by anything I've read on this blog. Thanks Shannon and everyone else for creating such a nice place to give and receive opinions.
Posted by: Nancy | October 09, 2006 at 09:15 PM
Shannon- Thanks for laying down the law! You have every right to, so don't feel bad. Really... thanks. I could tell some people were getting uncomfortable, so this is a good thing. I'm glad you're having fun touring for River Secrets. Can't wait to see the Austenland cover too.
Posted by: Lauren A. | October 09, 2006 at 10:01 PM
YAY! Austenland cover! How exciting. Also, random question for Shannon (or anyone else who is able to answer it): has Goose Girl or any of your other books been published in Germany? If so, what are they called in German because I'm writing my oral for my exam, and one of the questions asks about my favourite books. I COULD just say it in english, but I thought it would be cool if I could say it in German :) Thanks!
Posted by: Jas fr Aus | October 10, 2006 at 12:40 AM
thats very reasonable. i dont think i've been offended by anything on this blog, and its nice to know that it wont ever happen!
sorry jas, my linguistic skills dont stretch that far - its something 'Madchen' (maiden/girl) but i dont know goose.
there might be something on squeetus that would help?
Posted by: Cicely | October 10, 2006 at 09:43 AM
The original Grimms brothers' tale was called Die Gänsemagd.
Posted by: Caroline | October 10, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Enna Burning is Anna Faengt Feuer. I haven't come across any of the others in translation. (I just moved to Germany and am impatiently waiting for Amazon.de to send me River Secrets, which should take a couple weeks--arg!)
Posted by: Rose | October 10, 2006 at 10:32 AM
Hmm.. If that is the "best way to post comments", I am not doing very well. Then again, I am like this anywhere. Even offline. I do not often follow linear thought. Other people can be very annoyed with me if they choose. But reflects badly on them.
It is wonderful that you are going to the Twin Cities. That is what St. Paul and Minneapolis are called. One cannot survive without the other. That is the way life is. Be careful to dress warmly, since it gets VERY cold for people who do not reside there. Even now in the fall. I hope you enjoy the Wild Rumpus. Be sure, as I said in the last entry, to look down at the white rats beneath the floor of the horror section, turn off the lights in the bathroom to see the fish tank behind the mirror, and be careful not to trip over the chickens and other beasties that run about the store, including a large tarantula. Good luck with that.
To put in my vote in the name of Squeeterdom, I was never offended. I took anything people said as constructive criticism. Sorry about the corrections. I just like society to be literate. Not Newspeakers like in 1984 by George Orwell. Read the book to find out, since I explained it before.
Posted by: Anon | October 10, 2006 at 10:49 AM
I can't wait to see the Austenland cover!
Hope you have fun snuggling, Shannon.
Posted by: Juliet | October 10, 2006 at 02:40 PM
thankx for the reminder about the comments, and sorry if I have ever done what you mentioned not to do. hopefully max doesn't stay sick when you leave, i would be parinoed to leave my son if he was sick.
I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE AUSTENLAND COVER!!!! hope you have as much fun in michigan as you do visiting Minneapolis!!!
Posted by: Ash | October 10, 2006 at 06:01 PM
Enna, Goose Girl, and Princess Academy are all sold in Germany in English; as Rose said, Enna is translated under the title of "Anna faengt Feuer", which means "Enna catches fire." German-lovers unite! Rose, which part of Germany do you live in? I spent the summer living with a host family on Lake Constance. = D So I have a special fondness for the Baden area.
Posted by: holly | October 10, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Holly (that's my sis-in-law's name, too!), I live near Nurnberg. We keep making family plans (or at least, I do!) to go to the Alps, but so far haven't made it. I hear Lake Constance is pretty, though!
Posted by: Rose | October 11, 2006 at 12:29 AM
Gah, 3 Hollies!
Now, won't that be EVEN moe confusing?
Posted by: Anon | October 11, 2006 at 08:09 AM
1 Holly and two hollies 2 be politically correct.
or maybe holly and holly are one and the same...
Posted by: Cicely | October 11, 2006 at 09:10 AM
Okay, I am new to commenting on this blog. First, I really love The Goose Girl and Enna Burning. I am reading River Secrets and have bought Princess Academy. I have recommended and bought The Goose Girl for almost all my friends and everyone hands down loves it!! I actually found out recently, when I was looking on this website that Shannon went to Paraguay on her mission. I love that. I recently got my mission call to Brazil and I am super excited. I know that my comments are completely off topic, sorry. To get on topic, I agree with Shannon's comments on commenting and think that it helps people want to continue commenting.:) As my mom says, "it's nice to be nice." Anyways, because I am new, what is this Austenland? I LOVE Jane Austen, um . . . hello, Pride and Prejudice!
Posted by: CadieA | October 11, 2006 at 10:36 AM
This is Holly from New Hampshire (The one who loves Rent and Finn) posting.
Everytime you see the name Holly displayed as it is now, you know it's me. (Because there are so many Holly-impersomators out there...I wish!)
On blog-iquette. (As in blog etiquette and me feeling bored enough to combine two words.) I think we all just get a little carried away now and then. But everybody gets carried away.
Peace OUT!
Posted by: ~Holly~ | October 11, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Good idea, ~Holly~. I claim the all caps distinction. I, the one who lives in California and says "German lovers unite!" periodically. In hopes that by breaking the "stay on topic" rule I am staying on topic, as the rules are the topic, Rose, the Bodensee area is GORGEOUS and I recommend it most highly, especially Meersburg and Konstanz. Plus it gives you the perfect excuse to detour into Switzerland. = D
Posted by: HOLLY | October 11, 2006 at 08:50 PM
It's funny how many German-lovers are on here. I'm doing German 1 at my school, and I absolutely adore it.
Posted by: ~Holly~ | October 12, 2006 at 05:16 PM
I think it's a great idea to have some guidlines on commenting. This will ensure that no one gets affended(hopefully). And after all, it's our choice to be affended, right? You go Shannon! Be sassy and keep the poop off your porch! Oh, and I absolutely can't wait for Austenland, although I haven't even gotten River Secrets, which is a shame. Poor me...I gotta wait until it's at the Library. Have a sunshiny day fellow blogers! PS: hope Max feels better soon Shannon. :D
Posted by: Rachel | October 13, 2006 at 05:59 PM
That's right Shannon, DON'T let people poop on your doorstep!
(Ha, um, whatever that means...)
Posted by: Mollie | October 15, 2006 at 04:00 PM
great rules, i totally agree, but i don't understand who on this website would attack you, shannon?!
btw, i read rs and i love it, but i'm dying to know who the next bayern book is about!
Posted by: asha | October 20, 2006 at 11:45 PM
Will you guys who keep posting and posting look at this:
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/top/special-lifehackers-guide-to-weblog-comments-126654.php
You've probably already read it, but need a quick refresher. If you think about it, Shannon probably doesn't even read her blog comments anymore, because they are completely meaningless and unhelpful. I feel bad for Shannon, because as her bold and sassy statement said, "This is my blog," it's true. This is her blog. I didn't want to say anything, but you guys are just a little over the top with the commenting. That is what LRRH is for. I hope you take my comment into serious consideration, and not post so much.
Posted by: Con Mints | November 08, 2006 at 03:30 AM