Olly Olly Oxen Free

I used to write under the pseudo-name, Rain (in a blog aptly named Light Rain Shower). It got to the point where everyone thought my name was Rain. When they found out the truth, I felt like the mystique had almost all but evaporated. From that point on, I decided to stand behind my name (which was not my actual name at the time, but my assumed name...more on that in the future) and see what kind of person I could really be.

I think I was mostly afraid the writing was bad and if they were to know my real self, they would call me out and shake their fingers at me. Whoever they were.

Can't wait for Monday.

Matthew Drydens last blog post..My Meme(me?)

Olly Olly Oxen Free always reminds me of I Love Lucy.

Here's my question -if you had a genie and only one wish, what would it be?

J.D. Meiers last blog post..Use Stress to Be Your Best

Yeah, it's quite inspiring when another blogger reaches out an olive branch and gives you a hand. Full credit for Brian for picking the right person to help. You could be on your way to something big, and when that happens, be sure that other bloggers rooting for you, like myself will increase their odds in getting there too, just because someone like you has already done it.

Ok, I have a question. Why would you hold an open call for questions PRIOR to our interview appearing?

Jerk. :)

Fortunately, people are here aren't likely to ask you the same questions I posed, such as "boxers or briefs?", "what was it like the first time you started a fire?" and "which 80's male bratpacker do you find the sexiest?"

But while the floor is open, I'll ask one I didn't ask in our interview.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Blogger Dads last blog post..Friday Funnies - Sept. 19 - The Albums Edition

Which movie do you wish you'd written/directed and why?

Hi Writer Dad,

I read the article on Copyblogger, not knowing it was you actually. Since there was no real introduction that article being a guest post, I thought it was Brian's. Although the writing style looked familiar :-)

Questions then:

- having written that guest post, do you have any idea what it generated in extra visits or subscriptions?
- and on a more personal note, how old are you?

Cheers,
Max

Max Forlanis last blog post..Music to Junior’s Ears

That's a great article over at Copyblogger, Writer Dad! You continue to rock!

My question for you: In an ideal world, where do you see yourself in five years? Why?

Lances last blog post..Cheerful Wins!

I had heard that you had a guest post over there. That's quite impressive!

I've done a few guest posts so far and, like you said, it's a great experience to be able to have a spot in another bloggers' house.

My question is , "Do you plan to monetize this blog with the goal of being a full time blogger?" I'm sure you wouldn't mind that, but is it a goal at this point? Just curious. Eric.

"Motivate Thyself"s last blog post..Balance: Finding The Perfect Combination Of Simplicity And Success

I forgot to include my question!

"What would have you rewritten in the Lady in the Water that would have made it better?"

Matthew Drydens last blog post..My Meme(me?)

LMAO @ BloggerDad with his mock indignation only slightly masking his actual indignation. Hahahahahaha.

You two make me laugh so hard. You funny fellows, you.

Here's my question: I'm going to put together a dad bloggers swimsuit calendar, would you be Mr January?

No! That's not my real question.

Q: What conflicts do you currently face with regard to blogging/writing vs family commitments?

You'd be wearing speedos and an enigmatic smile in case you're wondering.

Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done

That essay at copyblogger is one worth showing off. Good job.

Kip de Molls last blog post..Pens & Hammers

The article at copyblogger is how I found you. I'm gearing up to start my own writing dedicated blog, so I'm tracking other aspiring authors. The article was really good.

Your guest post on Copyblogger sang to me for two reasons: it was well-written directly from the heart, and your story sounds an awful lot like mine. I'm working on a draft where your post plays a central role. I'll be following your blog in the future to cheer on your progress.

I've got two questions:
1. How do I notify you when I publish a post with a link to your Copyblogger post?
2. Can I adopt you as my older brother who got started in the family business six months before I did?

Dug Muggs last blog post..We’re Going Home

One question, huh?

What day can I do a guest post? :)

Just kidding WD. My real question would be...

How has your life changed since this blog has become your daily voice to the world?

I'm one of the people who found you on copyblogger and are now coming over here in proverbial droves! As I commented, your guest post was monumentally helpful for me. So thank you again.

Since I'm new here and in the interests of getting to know you - what color are you eyes? :)

Also, you mentioned in one of your posts that you have a tendency to be wordy in your writing. Have you found a cure? Your posts certainly don't seem wordy, so perhaps you have. If so, please share...

Congrats Writer Dad, quite impressive! So now that you have that giant leap under your belt, what other scary situations have you been pondering?

It was a great pleasure to read your article on Copyblogger. It felt like watching someone I know on television; I kept thinking, "I know that guy!"

I'm thrilled that your guest post was published. I hope many people will be able to read it and come away from it with the same perception of you that many of us do: that you are, in fact, a damned good writer.

Matthew: Worry about others, slows us down.

J.D.: Infinite time. I don't mean like living forever, but I'd love to be able to pause time every once in a while. Did you ever see that show, "Out of This World?" The girl could stop time. That would be awesome.

Benjamin: I feel really lucky to have a community. I hope that people know that if it happened to me, it can happen to them.

Blogger Dad: Dude, seriously, I need the questions. I'm a gimp and don't know where they are. Get them to me and I'll make sure I don't repeat your questions. You're the man, and shall come first.

I've asked myself the super power question before... many times. It's hard, and my answer always changes. Today, I think I'd have to say the power of flight. I think kissing the sky with velocity would be like swallowing heaven.

Tara: Great question. A million movies are tumbling through my mind right now. I'll say Memento, just so I don't leave you hanging, but I might come back and add an answer later. I'd say Memento, because the narrative is so different, and when I left the theater, I felt a bit in awe at what I'd seen. It was just so meticulous.

Max: About fifty visitors, straight from Copyblogger on the first day. I haven't checked yesterday. Of those fifty, twenty picked up a subscription. A nice mid week surprise, but definitely far less traffic than I would've expected from a site with such a massive subscriber count. It could have long legs though.

I'm in my very early thirties.

Lance: In an ideal world, I see myself as able to make a living from my laptop, because I'd like to be able to travel as often as I'd like. Primarily because I'd like to forgo middle school for my children and teach them abroad.

Motivate Thyself: I don't plan to have ads. I plan to sell my own products. I'll discuss this at length the week after next. It's a post I'm working on, but I think it's going to have to be spread over a few days. Too many ideas in too little space and all.

Matthew: Sorry if you came back and your name was blank earlier. I wanted to think about the question. I don't know. I think it was fine for what it was, it just wasn't the home run I was hoping for. I had hoped that after the critical drubbing he'd taken after the Village, he would come back with something incredible to follow it up. Lady in Water was serviceable, but far from incredible.

Dave: I'd face more if my family wasn't so supportive. My writing is taken care of after the children are in bed. Daisy understands that it's the way it has to be right now. This is a subject I will go into with depth on Monday.

Kip de Moll: Thanks Kip. That's a really nice compliment.

Maha: Thanks. I'm glad you found me.

Dug: You can just drop me a line here in the comment section, email me at writerdad@writerdad.com, or whenever you link it, I'll get an automatic email anyway. Consider yourself adopted.

Peter: If I could just say one thing: confidence. My wife has been telling me I'm a good writer for a while, but I refused to believe her. But it's difficult to argue with a thousand comments in six weeks. That confidence makes me want to write even better.

Sue: My eyes are hazel. I'm very wordy in my first drafts. There's no secret outside of sharp editing. I say everything I want to say, then I go back and clean up Thanks for reading an older post.

Dereck: Thanks Dereck. You've been nice to me from the very beginning.

Ooo Memento. Great choice Writer Dad. You have redeemed yourself after the 'Star Wars: Episode One wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone said' comment!

Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Extreme parenting. Or is it just me?

Hey, that's great, Writer Dad! I'll be going there next.

My question - are you ever going to post your photo? Cyber-knowledge of someone still feels a little odd when you don't know their name or how they look. One of those has been resolved, now how 'bout the other?

The bug in Wordpress that sometimes inserts your own blog address in front of the link address has bitten your link to Friar.

@WriterDad: I've seen your weebooks and I think their great. I hope the best in these endeavors as well as your future products you mentioned.

I love to see bloggers have the opportunity to make their blogs their 'work' as well as their passion. Full time blogging is a dream that, I would think, most blogger have, but few get to enjoy.

"Motivate Thyself"s last blog post..Balance: Finding The Perfect Combination Of Simplicity And Success

How could some one else become a writer if they used to be but they're brain seems to have gone dead in the past twenty years?

Denguys last blog post..Hits And Misses

Ugh! Perhaps it's my poor grammar and typos!

Denguys last blog post..Hits And Misses

My question(s):

Why?....

Why?...

WHY?!

Friars last blog post..Things I am Ungrateful For.

I continue to be amazed and slightly envious of the community you've created here so quickly, WD, and I think it's a testament to you and your writing, your ability to engage and of course your kindness to others in response to their comments. Congrats on the Copyblogger post, it's a great one. You're going places. Hope you'll remember us when you're REALLY famous :)

@Writer Dad - I haven't seen "Out of This World" (but I figured I'd seen every possible sitcom, so maybe I just don't recognize the name) Yes, stopping time would be awesome. There's so many moments I'd like to savor just a bit more. Some moments though, I need a rewind, and a do-over.

J.D. Meiers last blog post..Use Stress to Be Your Best

I read your post at Copyblogger the other day, and only realized it was written by you because of the usual "About the Author" line Brian always has at the end of each post. I admit, I only read Copyblogger when the post title interests me, or when I know the author is one I want to read. I read your post and have added you to that short list of authors. (Or, more apropos,list of writers.)

So being relatively new around these parts, I'll ask something that maybe I should already know. What did you spend your time doing before WriterDad.com came into being?

Nicole Brunets last blog post..Gary: 2002

I've read a lot recently about the one thing that is absolutely necessary for someone to become a writer--you have to read... a lot. Your copyblogger post mentions you read a lot before you ever became a writer, and you point out the link there. I know you didn't say it explicitly, but every time I hear people say or imply (and it most often comes from the academic type, although that is clearly not exclusive) that a greater writer is first a great reader, or that you'll never be a good writer if you don't read a ton--every time I hear something like this I just cringe. I cringe because one, I don't read a lot. In fact, I read very little; and two, I like writing... a lot. I cringe because maybe I feel like I should read more, but at the same time I rather be writing than reading, and I also feel like proving to the world that you don't have to be a book worm to be a good or even great writer. In short, I'm sick of hearing that I'll never amount to anything as a writer because I don't read enough.

Is there anyone else out there that loves writing but isn't a big reader? I'm not saying you hate reading, just that you do it very little. Am I alone?

Congrats on the guest post. :)

My question, and please forgive me if someone already asked (no time to read all the comments this morning): when are you going to post a photo?

Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Mona Lisa, Enhanced

Tara: I would love to have been cool enough to have directed Kill Bill. But alas, that would never be possible.

Dot: I'm redoing my about page this weekend. There will be a picture on Monday. Thanks for telling me about Friar's broken link. I'll fix it post haste.

Motivate Thyself: Thanks for the cheerleading. The WeeBooks have failed so far, but I think that's only so that I could learn to reboot and do them the right way.

Denguy: Your brain's not dead, just in hibernation. Gather some quiet, and just start writing. Allow it to be terrible, because that's what will come out first. Just keep going. You can always clean up later. Hemingway said he wrote one page of worth to ninety of shit. He made sure the shit hit the garbage.

Friar: Because I could, no one was watching, and they deserved it.

Emily: I'm super loyal, Emily. Anyone who was with me in the first month will stay in my reader forever.

J.D.: Ooh, that would be an awesome power. Never mind, I change mine. I want to be able to rewind.

Nicole: I run a preschool right now. I ran a flower shop for twelve years before that. I'll be talking about everything more on Monday. I'm really glad you're here.

Ryan: I don't think you have to be an avid reader, necessarily. But I know for me, when I started writing, my reading changed. I started to look at the assembly of words as a student. The best comparison I could make is, you'll never learn another language with fluency if you only take lessons from a book. You have to speak the language to make it roll from your tongue. I've done little pleasure reading since I started blogging, and I know I should return. Don't get hung up on how much you read, just know that when you do, it's a good time to be observant. Listen, if you will, for what works on the page, and what speaks to you. Then allow it to influence your own writing.

Vered: No forgiveness needed. Monday. I'm redoing my about page this weekend. You can see my giant eagle nose and chipmunk cheeks by the time the banks open.

Haha @ "giant eagle nose and chipmunk cheeks"

Can't wait. :)

Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Mona Lisa, Enhanced

Here's another one:

Here's another one:

What the hell is Goofy?

Man, or Dog?

Howcum Mickey hangs out with him (as a equal). Yet he owns Pluto and keeps him on a leash?

Friars last blog post..Things I am Ungrateful For.

Ooo Kill Bill too. Writer Dad you have great taste in movies!

Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Extreme parenting. Or is it just me?

Dave - "my mock indignation barely disguising my real indignation" -LOL, you are too damned funny!

Writer Dad - Okay, I just re-sent the questions. I look forward to your answer on which Jonas Brother song is your favorite. :)

Blogger Dads last blog post..BloggerDad’s solutions for dining with a messy toddler

Hmmm, CommentLuv is showing my last blog post is showing up as an old one. THIS is my current post - Friday Funnies - the worst album covers edition.

I have the same question as a previous comment . . . how do you juggle writing and family commitments?

This is what happens when I stay up until three in the morning and then sleep late - I have to play catch-up!

Questions, questions...

I'll toss you some easy ones:

Why did Einstein feel the need for the cosmological constant? I mean...what was he thinking???

Why isn't John Cusack in more movies? C'mon - did anyone else see Gross Point Blank? Pushing Tin?? Genius, I tell ya!

Why can't my husband manage to put a fresh roll of toilet paper on the spindle when the old one runs out?

These are the mysteries that plague me!

Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who is going to read your guest post, now)

Kyddryns last blog post..About That Rabbit...

Oh, and my super power (not that anyone asked)? Mom's Kiss...because everyone know's that mom's kiss can make everything all better.

Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who really is going to go read that other post, now)

Kyddryns last blog post..About That Rabbit...

OK, sorry...my "e" button is having issues - that should have read "Grosse Pointe Blank", dang it.

Shade and Sweetwater,
Yada, yada, yada

Kyddryns last blog post..About That Rabbit...

Vered: I'm thinking about writing "Writer Dad" on one of my white tee-shirts and waving at the camera, but I only have two that are still white, and kinda don't want to waste one.

Friar: A giant hippo had his way with a poor little doggy. Goofy was born. He has this crazy, mad dog temper, stemming from his violent conception. Mickey is actually terrified of Goofy. His smile and happy go lucky nature are covering up some deep, dark things.

Tara: Kill Bill, one, two, and the whole bloody affair, are SO watchable. Just about any mood will due, as long as the children are sleeping. I can't wait for Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards. It's already my favorite WWII movie ever.

Blogger Dad: I am genuinely excited to sit down and finally answer your interview questions. Sorry about the CommentLuv. Half the time I comment, it points to an old post. Don't really understand the deal there.

Jess: Not very well at the moment. Except for comments, and email, which I try to nestle into stolen moments, all my writing is done after the children are in bed. This is rendering me exhausted. I have a solution, and I promise I'll cover it on Monday.

Kyddryn: Einstein was just flat out wonky; homeboy didn't even see String Theory coming. Have you ever thought about John Cusack playing Einstein in a movie? It could work. I don't know what to say about the toilet rolls. Honestly, I'm the one who changes them in my family. (Daddy's kisses are almost as powerful as Mommy's). Let me know what you think of the guest post. My playground or his; doesn't matter which.

My only question would be, "how the heck did I miss your post in my feed reader?"

:)

My own oversight out of the way, it's always a pleasure to read what you have here, and I look forward to what you have in store...

-Brett

Brett Legrees last blog post..so you’ve got yourself a gmail account - now what? backup!

A guest post on Copyblogger, that's excellent! I'm going to go check it out. And I love this: "A post is clearing your throat and stepping to the podium. Comments are mingling."

If we can ask anything, I would like to ask you how the "Thesis theme" has been working out for you because I've been thinking of giving my blog a new look and Thesis is one of the options I've been considering.

Marelisas last blog post..40 Tips for Getting Along With Your Significant Other

Wow,

it took a half an hour to read the comments, then had to go to lunch, then read more and NOW finally I can comment and...I forgot what it was I was going to comment on all that long time ago.,

But....your article was great, never made it through all of THOSE compliments/comments, but aggreed with all the ones that said it was wonderful. I'm really glad we are going to be writing together on the *book* It's exciting! I wonder how in the world either of us will find the time, but I guess we will somehow!

Congrats, and its really nice to meet the real you!

Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirationss last blog post..Remembering Pen Pals…

DANG! I only took two days off!

"I’d never left a comment before I started the blog. It never occurred to me that there was genuine activity taking place below the equator."

Ok, now that's just funny. I'm off to check out your post. :)

My question, do you give compliments liberally when you comment on people's blogs?

Brett: I'm guessing my feed is so small, it's almost impossible to see.

Marelisa: I love Thesis. I tinkered with four themes before I laid down the dollars for Thesis. And even though the blog has yet to pay for the theme, it was still worth every penny. For me, it's perfect. The layout is nice and easily customizable. I get to focus on the words. It would actually be a good match for you because you're blog is three columns as it is.

Wendi Kelly: I'm a little nervous about the book, and how much time it's going to occupy. I have none, and it's guaranteed to take some, so I hope I can keep it going. Feel free to kick me in the pants if I need it. I am glad to be working with some fine people. That makes the time crunch easier to swallow.

Hayden: Does your brother spell his name Sean, or the wrong way?

Chris: I give comments liberally in life. I'm a big believer in the power of praise.

I'd followed some of your posts before your "day at bat" on Copyblogger.com, so of course I knew your name. Err, I knew you as Writer Dad, not your other name.

I know what you mean about the kindness of strangers. If you haven't seen it, Wikipedia has a whole page on random kindness, including a reference to a saying I've known for 15 years: Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

Keep up the kind acts, Sean.

Ari Herzogs last blog post..Train with Airmen in Air Force 2.0

@Kyddryn: John Cusack is most definitely the man. High Fidelity, Being John Malkovich, and Pushing Tin are FANTASTIC movies.

Matthew Drydens last blog post..My Meme(me?)

Hi Writer Dad!

I can't really think of any questions that haven't been asked but I just had to say that I nearly spit out my drink at your comment to Hayden "Does your brother spell his name Sean, or the wrong way?"

Keep up the great writing! Your blog is one of the VERY very few I actually visit rather than just read in the reader (Cath's and Barbara's are the other two).

And thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. :-)

~ Annie

Hi Writer Dad,

Congratulations on your guest post. That's my next stop.

My question: When did you know you had a passion for writing and how did it evolve into this blog?

@ Annie - Thank you!

Hi Writer Dad,

It's me again. I just read your beautiful post on Copyblogger and it answered my question. So, my next question is:

When you become famous, will you still blog?

Did you know that the origin of olly olly oxen free is "unknown, but etymologists suspect it is a childish corruption of the German "Alle, alle auch sind frei!", (literally, 'Everyone, everyone also is free!'), which is purported to have been a cruel joke often played upon Holocaust victims by their jailers[?] At any particular time, a prisoner might be released, immediately upon which the phrase would be shouted. Any other prisoners who also left would be killed further down the road by Nazi soldiers."

:o

(I had to look it up. Sorry!) Interesting bit of Wiki trivia, isn't it?

stephs last blog post..Friday Focus

Congrats on making it to Copyblogger! Wow!

Evelyn Lims last blog post..Attract Our Travel Dreams

Ari Herzog: I haven't seen it, but I'll check it out today. Sounds cool. Thanks. Oh, and I will.

Annie: I'm honored to hear that. Thank you, and it was my pleasure.

Barbara: I'm sure my blogging will evolve, but I can't imagine it will be going anywhere. The exercise is great, as is the audience connection.

Steph: I did not know that, but thanks for taking the fun out of saying it. Geez.

Evelyn: Thanks, it was super unexpected and exciting.

WD-Purely happy for you. Isn't this a fun feeling?

I look forward to checking out Copyblogger.

My question. What is your geneolgical background? I have recently found that part of my heritage is Swedish, along with English, German, and Welsh. How about you?

Jamess last blog post..Easy Rider!

Congrats on the Guest Post! I look forward to seeing where your mega-start in the blog world leads you. You are an inspiration!

I know!! Sorry. I did think about that, but the info was too interesting to pass up!

stephs last blog post..Friday Focus

Janice: Tremendously. This is an exciting time.

James: Spanish, English, French, Irish, misc.

SpaceAgeSage: Thank you so much. You are a constant.

Steph: I found out this morning that the phrase "Have a nice day," originally meant "Go to Hell."

I'm cross-posting the comment, because I'm just like that.
~~~~~
Good onya, sugar, for listening to the call. It’s so easy for “I can’t” or “I’m not” to drown it out.

It will be grand watching you spread your wings and soar.

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

Kyddryns last blog post..Doing the Bump(er)

That's very cool. I read your post there and loved it, and now I know it was yours. :-)

Also very cool to learn you have a name. In my head I call you Ward (Leave it to Beaver's dad). I'm not sure why. I'm freaky like that.

Amy Derbys last blog post..Fiction Friday: Stories & Markets

I used to ask everyone- how did you know you were/are a writer?

And I thought I couldn't say THAT.

Doctor yes. Writer no. My grammar and punctuation is off - I'm sure. I like to start with "And" a lot and end with a preposition.

Then I started reading people who wrote like they spoke and it was fine. Just. Fine. Delightful even. And then I realized that no one says you're a writer until you say it first.

I love your writing, Writer Dad, and I'm working on a book as well. I'm stuck in the beginning phase. Thanks for the push to keep it going.

Kyddryn: My talons are leaving the branch.

Amy: Ward, huh? I like that name. I saw you on the interview post when you asked Mary if she found out my name. I thought that was funny.

Dr. Cason: You're welcome. I'll check in with you and ask you how it's going. Bit by bit. Don't be in a hurry, but treat it like a friendship that needs to stay alive.

One book that you read over and over again. Sometimes for additional insight and others...for comfort and familiarity. Do you have such a book and--if so--what would it be?

apathy lounges last blog post..Reason # 536: Why I hate change.

Did you know who Keyser Soze was before the end of the movie?

malathionmans last blog post..The 100 Million Dollar Question

Apathy Lounge: I don't reread books as often as I should. However, a few books that I've read more than once: Soldier of the Great War, East of Eden (three times), and the Hobbit (the first book big book I ever read). I'm starting Stephen King's, On Writing, for the second time. I read it last year and thought it was outstanding.

Malathionman: Yes! But I only beat the ending by about five minutes. I still did better with the Usual Suspects than I did with the Sixth Sense, though.

Hi Writer Dad!
What an exciting opportunity for you be be guest posting on Copybloggers site-very nice! I look forward to checking out the post!

I am so thrilled to have found your blog and your wonderful community of readers and commenters. One of the biggest frustrations for me as a new blogger ( just had my 1 year Blogversary!) is getting readers to engage with comments. I read and comment on many kinds of blogs,and I have noticed an unfortunate trend in the edu-blogger world. Many teachers are new to blogs, and not sure how to engage. (I am working on that with them!)
Your site is an inspiration!

Angela Maierss last blog post..Invest in Teachers not Programs!

Angela: I'm thrilled to have met you as well. I sent a link to my wife. Both of us look forward to digging in to the site later. It seems right up our alley.