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11 Questions: Eric Rice and Amanda Gravel

by Christine Cavalier on 27 February 2008

in Media

11 QUESTIONS FOR MEDIA MAVENS ABOUT READING

Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.

A big thank you from me goes out to the participants from our small social media circle. Still waiting to hear back from iJustine, but here are the participants in this impromptu study: DYKC, CC Chapman, Annie Boccio, Julia Roy, Eric Rice, Amanda Gravel, Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver and Ewan Spence.

I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.

Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”

ERIC RICE: Explorer-Adventurer
AMANDA GRAVEL: firecracker

2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?

ERIC RICE: Not digitally, no. We get stupid hacker movies.
AMANDA GRAVEL: yes (thinking of lisa loeb’s 1997 album entitled ‘firecracker’)

3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?

ERIC RICE: Books, TV, and games. And a pillow.
AMANDA GRAVEL: i listen to music on my ipod or read a book

4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?

ERIC RICE: I don’t read print newspapers, but read the online additions. I do purchase a metric ton of magazines, ranging from architectural, design, cars, gaming, etc. I LOVE magazines.
AMANDA GRAVEL: not really any. no newspapers, and an occasional magazine.

5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?

ERIC RICE: Crooked Little Vein, by Warren Ellis, on the last plane trip.
AMANDA GRAVEL: jeanette winterson’s lighthousing. a few months ago. i started reading another novel since then but didn’t like it so i put it away.

6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?

ERIC RICE: Cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, etc.
AMANDA GRAVEL: fiction- i like books that are written with a poetic ear that are a little dark and have characters who get deep with their issues. non-fiction i like how-to types of books (PR, marketing or girly stuff, usually) or memoirs.

7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?

ERIC RICE: Listen. Although, I can only do this when driving and my mind is not focused on a non-reflexive task.
AMANDA GRAVEL: I’d rather read it I think. I’ve never listened to a novel before.

8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?

ERIC RICE: Sadly, maybe five fiction. but a lot of non-fiction.
AMANDA GRAVEL: I probably buy like, 2-5 books a year for myself or for other people as gifts.

9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?

ERIC RICE: “In” “awoke” Title: Echelon
AMANDA GRAVEL: This, prize Title: Chasing Cool First

10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?

ERIC RICE: Design books, notepads, and maps.
AMANDA GRAVEL: Jeanette Winterson books, magazines, maybe a book about social media, PR and/or marketing

11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?

ERIC RICE: I don’t see many connections between social media and traditional fiction, outside of my own project where the hyper-broadcasted future has its roots in the relentless and perhaps irresponsible display of life’s minutia. Some writers may engage in using social software and sites to create new types of media, however, their numbers seem small.
AMANDA GRAVEL: Traditional fiction is created not reported, and in social media (as well as social life in general) we are all agents creating what’s real. We become characters in this story we’re all creating together.

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11 Questions: Annie Boccio and Julia Roy

by Christine Cavalier on 25 February 2008

in Media

11 QUESTIONS FOR MEDIA MAVENS ABOUT READING

Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.

I am breaking the results up across several posts, in the interest of spacing.

Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am [a(n)] ________.”

ANNIE BOCCIO: Suburban-Geeky-Mom
JULIA ROY: I am a digital-girl

2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Only if you are looking for it, not in popular culture though.
JULIA ROY: Yes, I think being “born digital” is beginning to be represented in different artistic mediums.

3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Listen to radio, audiobooks or podcasts.
JULIA ROY: Listen to podcasts and vidcasts on my iPhone that I subscribe to through iTunes. Work offline — drafting blog posts, client outreach plans and other projects.

4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Daily newspaper, a novel every 2 months or so, at least one non-fiction book per month.
JULIA ROY: None. The only traditional print media I buy and read are books.

5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Last novel I finished was The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta, during November (for a book club.)
JULIA ROY: The Kite Runner, 6 months ago.

6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Character driven stories, genre doesn’t really matter so much to me if the characters are interesting.
JULIA ROY: I like Marketing and Mystery books.

7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Recently I’ve been listening, but I think I focus better when I read.
JULIA ROY: Both, I’d like to read it first and then follow up by listening to an audiobook version.

8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Eight to Ten books. That’s down drastically because I have a giant stack of unread books to get through so I don’t let myself buy more.
JULIA ROY: 30

9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?

ANNIE BOCCIO: Transcendent, future. Title: Transcending CSS: The Fine Art of Web Design (such a geeky book!)
JULIA ROY: Before, commit. Title- Meatball Sundae

10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?

ANNIE BOCCIO: For off the grid I suppose I’d buy biographies, memoirs, histories, and a stack of short-story compilations.
JULIA ROY: All Seth Godin’s books.

11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?

ANNIE BOCCIO: The only connection I see personally is in the form of recommendations from others about what’s worth reading. The Facebook Bookshelf application is interesting but I haven’t really used it much.
JULIA ROY: Success hinges on the ability to tell a great story that people will talk about.

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11 Questions: DYKC and CC Chapman

by Christine Cavalier on 24 February 2008

in Media

11 QUESTIONS FOR MEDIA MAVENS ABOUT READING

Due to the little tiny bit of controversy in my “riding fences” post, I asked a few media mavens to answer a few quick questions about their reading habits and how they see themselves as readers.

Please leave a comment with your answers/thoughts; I’ve posted the questions below to copy and paste. Thanks, and enjoy!

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am a(n) ________.”
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?

1. In one (can be hyphenated!) word, how would you describe your career, culture or identity. E.g., “I am [a(n)] ________.”
DYKC: Black.
CC_CHAPMAN: Helper
2. Do you think this identity has been represented well in art (including fiction, film, poetry)?
DYKC: Not comprehensively enough.
CC_CHAPMAN: Sure, we see it over and over again in the person that is friendly and helpful to those around them. Sometimes to the point of their own self sacrifice.
3. What do you typically do on long trips (plane, train, auto) for entertainment?
DYKC: Watch the scenery while listening to music.
CC_CHAPMAN: My iPod is always synched up with the latest music and podcasts. I also always pick up a couple of magazines and bring a book with me. Almost always fiction if it is a long ride or else I’ll never get lost in it.
4. What traditional paper & print media, if any, do you read on a regular basis?
DYKC: Good Magazine, Harpers, Black Enterprise, XXL, GQ
CC_CHAPMAN: Sunday Boston Globe, Rolling Stone, Wired, Fast Company, Mens Health
5. What is the last fiction novel or short story you remember reading? When was this?
DYKC: Halting State, by Charlie Stross — last week.
CC_CHAPMAN: I read the last Harry Potter book as soon as it came out.
6. What is your preferred genre for fiction and/or non-fiction?
DYKC: Cyberpunk, or hacker related.
CC_CHAPMAN: If I’m reading non-fiction is is most likely a business book of some sort. On the fiction side I really read anything. Grew up reading tons of fantasy novels and they are still my favorite. I like to try out new genres based on great writers telling interesting and new stories. I’m a big fan of deep character development rather then rapid plot.
7. Would you rather read a novel or listen to it?
DYKC: I’d prefer to read it.
CC_CHAPMAN: ALWAYS read it over listen. I’ve never been audio book guy. I also can’t see me ever getting a Kindle or anything similar. I like the tactile feel of holding a book, flipping the pages. I may be totally digital in a lot of areas of my life but reading it not one of them.
8. Approximately how many page books do you buy in a year for yourself or other adults?
DYKC: Between 15 and 30, not including hardbound/softbounds graphic novels (i.e. Comic compilations).
CC_CHAPMAN: Wow, I have no idea. I buy lots of books. A good 10-20 a year easily and I love to give books as gifts to people because to do it right really shows you know that person.
9. Please pick up the book nearest to you now. What are the first and last words? What is the title?
DYKC: Laugh, Washington. Title, Laugh if You Like, Ain’t a Damn Thing Funny: The Life and Story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Geene
CC_CHAPMAN: The, Chase. Title = Rules of the Red Rubber Ball
10. You’ve just been given $300 gift card to Borders right before a 3-week trip to an ‘off the grid’ island. What do you buy?
DYKC: Every book by William Gibson, Neil Stepenson, Bruce Sterling, and Toure’.
CC_CHAPMAN: I’d certainly get something philisophical and mind provoking to get my brain going. I always love doing that if I’m going on a back country trip of any sort because it gives your mind something to chew on during all the quality idle time. I’d also pick up some other travel adventure books since I find there is nothing better then reading about someone elses trip while I’m on one myself. I’d also probably grab a couple of the latest hot books since I hardly ever read these and it would be the perfect time to catch up on what everyone else is raving about. I also LOVE the bargin tables at any bookstore so I’m sure I’d spend every last time grabbing a couple of these gems.
11. What connections, if any, do you see between social media and traditional fiction?
DYKC: Social media is a lot like fiction, in that you are able to “read” everyones story (as presented) online. The trick, is to discern the real narrative (is it true, is it embellished, pure fiction? etc).
CC_CHAPMAN: Aren’t we all sort of making it up as we go along in both? *laugh* The key to good fiction is characters you can connect with and the telling of a good story. It could be argued that this is the same for social media. A lot of the people we connect with we have never met in the flesh so we only have their words (and photos, voice and video in some cases) to connect with them.