I learned about the Site that Must Not Be Named while reviewing a talk that Alexander McCall Smith gave at the University of California Berkeley, a couple of years ago, when the Daily Telegraph started publishing his first online novel.
McCall Smith was urging people to join the site’s competition, and at the time it sounded perfect for me. I was working part time at a music store that had a constant supply of eccentric characters staggering through its doors, which were located on one of the strangest streets in the known galaxy—Telegraph Ave. (The street name seemed an odd but satisfying coincidence, and it wasn’t until much later that I figured out what a strange street the site itself was.)
Even better, 1,000 word chapters are what I regularly do for reviews. Perfect. I’m experienced before I begin. And though I doubted that an American writing such clearly American social humor could win any competition on that site, I thought it was an opportunity. Something to get me writing about the characters that inhabited my working world.
So I managed to cobble together 15 chapters and post them on the site, but the latter was much more time consuming and difficult than the former. I had never seriously blogged before. The site was, well, a little rickety.
Nonetheless, I was chosen as one of the finalists, which made me take a longer look at the Creative Writing section. I continued to post on the site, and though the front page seemed dedicated to the cognitively challenged, I thought and still do think many of the writers at the Site that Must Not Be Named are wonderful (happily, most of them have moved to DnMyT), and I continue to visit the site’s Creative Writing section.
At one point I realized I was going to be coming to the UK several times last year, and I had fantasies of getting together some of the writers and having a party and chatting, and putting a real person to the mysterious avatars. Then I realized how far flung everyone was and, more, how perilous that might be.
Nonetheless, here I am in the UK, briefly, and I’ve just spent the greater half of two days with two of the bloggers, Pseu and Isobelandcat. And had a great time. They are both what they appear to be: intelligent, caring, and witty people. It’s been a joy.
So thank you, DnMyT. And thank you, Site that Must Not Be Named.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Well what can I say? A well written, well constructed piece, nice touches of humour ( I especially liked the reference to the cognitively challenged and the serendipitous coincidence of Telegraph Street). You are obviously very perceptive cf comments about Pseu and me, even though my home and Cat were out of bounds due to the all too evident bad housekeeping!
It was great to meet you too, and we can coincide for a book handing over moment before you head back I’d be delighted.
Have a great time tomorrow. Safe home. see you next time.
I enjoyed my day with you too, Jaime. Thank you for coming up to Oxford and visiting my home.
Jaime – hi; nice blog! You’ve brought the fine weather over from the US with you, I see!
I remember your online novel; in particular a fabulously surreal scene where people perceived each other as aliens, tentacles and all. And I remember reading it, thinking; wow! So I wasn’t surprised you were short listed.
Thanks, Claire! Yes, the weather has been great, but if that volcanic cloud doesn’t move soon I’m going to have to get a job.
You remember that well! That was the fun part of writing that novel–well, long short story–writing about the homeless guy who thinks he’s an alien. He’s based on the many homeless, some of them crazy vets, who haunt People’s Park next to Telegraph Ave.
People’s Park was the site of a battle during the Free Speech Movement between the community and the university admin who wanted to turn it into a parking lot. It remains a park.
Wow; it was a great read. A surreal journey into other people’s minds. Have you ever tried getting it published? Maybe you could put a bit up on here. I would love to read it again.
Yes; the volcanic ash! Driving back today, my son started pointing and shrieking about a plane in the back. I didn’t dare take my eyes off the road to see whether it was true or not though!
Maybe I’ll put it up as a separate blog. I don’t have it with me though.
Oh; that would be great. Will look forward to it 😉
Hi Jaime: ah, I well remember the Online Novel Fiasco; not that those who were invited has the slightest idea what was in store, but it did cause a bit of a furore!
I didn’t realise you were short-listed, but I thought it somewhat ironic that the winner was actually one of our own creative writers!
I’m not surprised you enjoyed meeting up with a couple of my favourite bloggers!
Bilby, I know that as a fan of Cat and a founder member of his appreciation society, you will be thrilled ti hear there is a new movie of him on my page
Jaime, seriously, what will you do if you can’t fly back?
Isobel:
Am I on this thread? No, I’m not. 🙂 I did have a sneaky peak at dear Cat (he is looking particularly lovely) and tiptoed away quietly. Sorry, I will make a comment next time.
Oh sorry Bilby. Where did I read you? But you are on it now!
I may have to start calling him Dear Cat. It’s quite an effort not to put a capital letter when I use personal pronouns instead of Cat. He has Presence. You don’t have to peek. Look as long as you want. i hope you noticed the landing net on the top of the boat all ready to scoop him out again!
Hi, Jaime
I turned off from the online novel; a particularly stressful time in the history of MyT, but I’m sorry now that I missed your contribution. My loss! 🙂
Isobel: You were obviously so excited by my two other contributions this evening that you hallucinated my presence here. It pays to be elusive. 😉
Bilby: I expect you’re right. 🙂
Yes, well, Araminta, contests are like that. But it was good to know the DnMyT bloggers were people who were who they were as bloggers. No savage murderers lurking behind their innocent icons. Though I don’t imagine that’s true of every blogger on the Site that Must Not Be Named. “A fragrant thought,” as Isobel put it.
Wait, Isobel. That’s what I’ll do. Fortunately, I’m not being charged for where I’m staying, and the flat’s owner is stuck in NYC, victim of the same cloud of ash. As for food money, I could start reading poetry in the Underground, I suppose. I need to lose a few kilo any way. That’s a new way to diet. Maybe I’ll write a book about it.
Oh dear, I think that should have been a sad face, Jaime! 😦
Good luck with the reading tomorrow. Hope there’s a good crowd. I looked at the window of Swedenborg House today for a poster of the event and sadly there wasn’t one.
Maybe a nice walk Sunday morning if the ash keeps you here?
I have Poetry Group tonight.
Skates on.
Good to hear that you enjoyed meeting the people behind the avatars, then Jaime. Not too perilous after all 😀 Genuine intelligence and warmth and interest tends to shine through.
Thanks, Isobel. Yes, Jan, there’s lots of that genuine intelligence and warmth among the bloggers here. Hah! You may see me in Cheltenham in October. Or sooner. This volcanic ash may force me to go out and find a job. Let me know if you hear of any for an editor/book designer.
Really Jaime? Lit-Festing? Fab! We can arrange something nearer the time mebbe.
Jaime, how did the reading go last night? Who did they find to read with you?
And do you have an answer about flights home?