Friday, October 05, 2007

Head Gnomes (and a Reader Survey)

Have you ever become obsessed with a person's head?

I'm afraid I have.

He was several seats ahead of me (no pun intended). He was bald, and his skin fell into the most interesting folds. They formed...

...kind of a

...an almost

...well, your basic

Androgynous head gnome.



Yes folks, I sketched it. I pulled out my little leather journal and got busy.

But the funny part is (no, not the look on my train-neighbor's face), when the guy turned his head, the little gnome creature turned to look out the window.

It startled me so badly, I actually jumped.

Oh boy, I need more sleep.

At any rate, it's be a long, long time since I asked for reader input into The Clarity of Night. Would you mind doing a wee little survey? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Scoring each category from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most positive), how much do you enjoy each of the following kinds of Clarity of Night posts:

1. Fiction vignettes
2. Serial fiction
3. Poetry
4. Insights/philosophy
5. Thoughts on writing
6. Humor/personal
7. Cemetery

Is there something you wished I did? Something I should stop? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the feedback!!

27 comments:

Vixen said...

An Androgynous Head Gnome. You kill me!!! I love the sketch!

I enjoy reading all your various posts from the humorous ones like this to the Vignettes and Poetry.

The Clarity of Night is your blog, it should represent what you want to write about. We are just lucky enough to be your readers. :)

SzélsőFa said...

70.

Vesper said...

"Obsessed with a head" - obsessed would be too strong to describe my situation but, yes, there are two that might provoke that type of reaction from me: both balding, both trying to cover that infamous shiny patch with long hair brought from one side of the head to the other; one of them doesn't succeed in doing that very well - the poor guy - and the wind "sculpts" that rebel tuft in the most unflattering ways.

I agree with Vixen on your blog. Keep doing what you're doing, Jason, we're hooked on you! :-)
So:
10+10+10+10+10+10+10

Bernita said...

A Voldemort moment.
Re: list.
All of the above!

Chris Eldin said...

A plus for every category except gnome sketches.
*sips coffee and shudders*

My all-time favorite was the Westinghoused series.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

I am selfish - so I will state that I love your serial fiction best - but would like it all at once. Ha! Ok - I know it is "serial" but I keep telling you how impatient I am! You got to be like Dickens! That man put out some words. So what that you have a demanding day job! You can do it! ;o)

Next I like your poetry and fiction vignettes. Especially your vignettes that get you agitated when we ask you - so what happens next! hee hee.

I always love humor and personal writings and anything insightful or philosophical, although I will click away really quickly if you start qouting Nietzsche or Kierkegaard. (shudder) I'm kidding, I'd read it, and then snark at you in the comments! ;o)

You've got a great blog here. I am really enjoying it. Just keep doing what you're doing. It's working real fine.

Angela said...

Jason,

Hey! You left out photography as a category which is one of my favorite things.

My other favorites are #4, #6 and #7, but I enjoy them all. Those, though, I can't resist.

Angela said...

Oh, and that head gnome thing? Hilarious!

The Anti-Wife said...

I like it all and agree - it's your blog. It should be whatever YOU want it to be.

AngelConradie said...

1. 10
2. 10
3. 5
4. 5
5. 7
6. 10
7. 10
love your work!

Anonymous said...

Vixen, Szelsofa, Vesper, Bernita, Church Lady, Ello, Angela, Anti-Wife, Angel:

Thank you everyone for the feedback! I'm very happy that overall, you like the mix of things I'm doing here. I figured that some folks would prefer the fiction/poetry and others the writing thoughts/insights. That's why I rotate content the way I do, so you don't have to wait too long for what you like to read.

The Clarity of Night has been a wonderful learning tool for me. Nothing takes the place of trying to entertain and inspire a real, live audience. Thanks for helping me!

Hoodie said...

That gnome head is hilarious.

You know you can do no wrong in my eyes, but I particularly like your prose, your personal anecdotes, your writing advice and your poetry with pictures. I still go back to "The North Woods" (I think that's what it's called) in April and look at that photo and read the words. It's my favorite one. I love it.

Do whatever you like. It's all wonderful.

Jaye Wells said...

I like it all, but my favorites are the insights, thoughts on writing, humor/personal and the cemetery stuff.

Unknown said...

That's a funny story! You do need more sleep. I guess I like one and two best and someone above mentioned the photography too. and hen 5, 7, 3, 6. Look Jason, just keep doing what you do!

Admin said...

this is my first time visiting your blog. have you heard The Charity of Night album by Bruce Cockburn?

Joanne said...

Jason, I give them all a 10. There hasn't been a post yet that I didn't appreciate. Your posts, whether vignettes, fiction, poetry, toughts, or pictures, always give one something to ponder. Keep up the great work. You're doing a wonderful job. I always look forward to finding time to read your blog.

Mad Munkey said...

I can't vote since I just landed today, but with comments like these, I guess I'll have to stick around.

rel said...

Jason,
I don't stop by as often as I intend to, but I'm always rewarded when I do with creativity and insight. I like the way you visualize your world and the variety of modes with which you share it.
I know that doesn't answer you query exactly. Perhaps in time I'll choose a favorite.
rel

Shesawriter said...

1. Fiction vignettes (10)
2. Serial fiction (7)
3. Poetry (8)
4. Insights/philosophy (8)
5. Thoughts on writing (10)
6. Humor/personal (8)
7. Cemetery (4)

Anonymous said...

Hoodie, I like hearing what people's favorites are. Thanks for letting me know!

Jaye, humor is my favorite part of your blog too. :)

Verilion, we just can't seem to go to bed early. So bad.

Kristen, welcome! Great to have you here. I haven't heard that album. Should I give it a try?

Joanne, hey there! Great to see you. Thanks for the feedback. I hope things are going well for you over there in western PA. :)

Mad Munkey, welcome! See new visitors is wonderful. Stop by anytime.

Rel, I like stopping by your blog also. Your posts are always strong and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Shesawriter, great detail in your response. You have an interesting mix. Thanks for giving me the guidance!

Bev said...

love them all Jason, you are an ongoing source of inspiration!

Admin said...

yes, i think you should!

Anonymous said...

ditto what's been said. All are insightful and inspiring. I enjoy learning about you and your life -- so personal sprinkled in with wisdom, art, poetry, fiction, etc.

briliantdonkey said...

1=10
2=9-10
3=1
4=7
5=8
6=8
7=8

NOT that your poetry is bad, it just isn't my thing by a long shot. I would say just keep doing what you are doing. I can't tell you how many of the regular blog reads on my list came from here. DOZENS to put it conservatively.

BD

Thérèse said...

Honestly Jason, I very much like the whole package. The variety. The cadence of each. I feel like I'm learning whenever I visit your website, and I really like that.

I also really enjoy your photographs, and the way you so often weave a piece cleverly tied to the tapestry that is that photograph.

Thérèse said...

Oh, as for the gnome thing... I've recently come to the realization that to be a writer, you've got to be a little crazy.

So whenever I hear that another writer is doing something odd, it reassures me in a very comforting way. I dig it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Bev!

Kristen, I'll look around for a sample.

Ybonesy, I'm glad that you enjoy the bits of information and history I weave in! I enjoy sharing those thoughts.

BD, I'm very happy to be a community builder! Even if folks move on to other blogs, it's nice to know they met here. (No worries about the poetry. Not everyone digs that form.)

Therese, I definitely checked out a little with the gnome thing. :) Photography is the overall anchor, I think. A nice balance between images and text makes things very readable. Thanks for the encouragement!