Yearly survey

[franceslievens]

Two years of blogging equals 545 entries, 46 memories, a bunch of dear friends, and some occasional readers. They hide themselves behind their computer screens, those readers. I'm curious. Who are these "others" out there, the ones that don't comment? What brings you here and why did you decide to stay? On the second anniversary of my LJ I wish to satisfy that curiosity with a questionnaire for all my readers out there – that includes you, LJ-deprived sneaky viewer, and you, flist resident who doesn't update nor comments. You have a voice, or a keyboard for that matter, use it!

1. Why do you read?
2. Name, describe, talk about one of my writings that you remember.
3. Why do you remember that specific entry?
4. What do you expect from frances_lievens?

Anonymous comments are turned on, like they always are. Nothing stops you from stating your opinion, and maybe I'll even use your answer for a good cause – which one is still under consideration.

Comments

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

1. Why do you read?

Because despite all my complaints about LJ I'm a curious mouse and you're my friend and I like the way you put words on screen.

2. Name, describe, talk about one of my writings that you remember.

Well there was the Christmas fiction you posted, and your pictures taken in Quebec, and the fiction about the scaffolding that was great and horrible at the same time. I'm still shuddering from that one. I remember when you made that icon of yours that looks just like you, well the hair at last. And of course there was the Kinsey discussion, etc...Shall I go on?

3. Why do you remember that specific entry?

Probably because I commented it. Aren't we self-centred? lol

4. What do you expect from frances_lievens?

I expect her to service me to stay true to herself.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

I promise I'll be at your service true to myself at all times.

[syderia]

1. Because I like the way you write. I'm aware that it sound cliché, but I like the way you can describe things on a totally detached tone and yet pull me right in.

2. The one with the man and his cart full of sweets.

3. Probably because I take the subway every day and sometimes try guessing who the other people are.

4. I honestly don't know. Maybe offering me a view of the world that is different from mine.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

P. told me after reading that entry: "Don't tell me your serious. You didn't recognise the man that fills the sweets vendors?" I honestly replies that no, I'd never seen him before. Seems the man actually is someone I'm supposed to recognise in the subway-crowd.

I'll recognise him now! ;-)

[sister-luck.livejournal.com]

1. Because I like your way of looking at the world. I like your unique blend of lj postings - fiction, links, true stories etc.

2. I shouldn't have read the other answers. But right now I'm thinking of the birdwatching post.

3. I'm thinking of it, because I didn't comment.

4. That you keep posting.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Birdwatching? The one with the crow you mean? I liked thinking that post up when I was watching the bird. Ah, what one does when she is waiting for the tram...

And I'll keep posting. :-)

happy anniversary!

[thephilfire.livejournal.com]

haha well i didn't answer this the first time you asked as I figured I didn't quite fit into the category...i.e. I got stuck at question 1. I imagine that this isn't a general "why do you read(books)" sort of question but more of a why do you read what I write. hmm. I didn't realise I was this unobservant(there's a better word for that somewhere) but I didn't realise that you actually wrote until the other day when I read one of your writings. the 197 words about the puppet. so i believe that's 1,2 and 3 answered.

now for 4....what do i expect from frances_lievens? the odd reply to my posts whenever one interests you enough to do so and that's about it, i think. we don't know each other very well. in fact i was talking to _paynomind_ the other day and we were trying to remember how I came to add you to my friend list, but neither of us could remember...can you? anyway, i'm sure it was a good decision.

keep posting and i promise to read you more closely from now :P

Re: happy anniversary!

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

I believe I added you first when I was reading Rachael's flist once and I was intrigued by something you wrote. Or something.

Ah, now I remember: I think the spikedpeaches incarnation of your friend linked to you when you first got your LJ and that's when I added you. You were very friendly and added me back. :-)

anyway, i'm sure it was a good decision.
hahaha, probably. :-p

And I'm a comment whore, so I'll probably keep on harassing you with strange insights into the workings of your ...err... mind.

[comava.livejournal.com]

1. Why do you read?

I'm very nosy, actually. I like reading blogs, and yours is one of those that differs from the most - it's sort of selective and upscale, in away. Quality over quantity. :-)

1. Name, describe, talk about one of my writings that you remember.

Oh dear, I hope I'm not muddling multiple ones up... but wasn't there one about a a jewel, a woman and a suicide attempt on Christmas? And a woman getting annoyed by construction workers and sabotaging them.

3. Why do you remember that specific entry?

Well, I didn't remember it all that well, did I? Either way, I guess it made an impression.

4. What do you expect from frances_lievens?

Hmmm, good question. I think I need to expect anything exactly, I'd rather you just be yourself and post what feels right... but I would certainly be surprised if you suddenly started posting racial slurs or Paris Hilton picspams! So I suppose I expect more of the same - interesting anecdotes and small fiction gems.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Quality over quantity.

You found me out. Hmm, for this you must be punished with ... err ... ice cream!

wasn't there one about a a jewel, a woman and a suicide attempt on Christmas? And a woman getting annoyed by construction workers and sabotaging them.

Yes those are two ficlets.
The Christmas Story (http://frances-lievens.livejournal.com/115691.html) and Scaffolding (http://frances-lievens.livejournal.com/133735.html)
I'm way too self-oriented to forget what I wrote (and I conveniently save it all in memories).

Paris Hilton picspams

Don't give evil!me ideas. ;-)

[comava.livejournal.com]

Straciatella ice cream?? That is a punishment I will gladly go through. :-)

Memories are very covenient. I find myself saving a lot more stuff than necessary, like my bookmarks.

Please, please no! I see too much of her already for my liking.

[lovablylolly.livejournal.com]

Why do you read?

I read because you are interesting no matter what you are talking about. You can make the most mundane things seem alive, and there are times when I feel nothing but mundane. I also read because it is fun to hear from a person who has a background so completely different than mine. I'm always learning something.

Name, describe, talk about one of my writings that you remember.

I love the entries you do on singing. I find myself thinking about them when I get scared to do things I love, or when I feel inadequate. I also remember the one about friends and them not really knowing when they've been let go.

Why do you remember that specific entry?

Like everyone else I remember the things that apply to me or are truest to me before I remember other things. I find myself in a constant inner battle with myself, telling myself that I am good at this or this but then beleiving otherwise. And I often find myself stuck in relationships that aren't good for anyone involved. I'm just not good at cutting strings. Perhaps I should sharpen my scissors.


What do you expect from frances_lievens?

I expect her to continue being the real, lovely, intelligent, observent, and creative writer and liver of life that she is. Then I expect her to tell me all about it.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

You can make the most mundane things seem alive

Well honey, I remember you doing exact the same thing in a couple of your entries. (I can't be more specific) You are brilliant when you oserve things. Don't fool yourself. Your writing is a joy to read. :-)

[lovablylolly.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I like to write, and a lot of times I think that I may be very good at it. It means a lot to hear you say that. Especially since you are such a wonderful writer.

[sweet-lil-rach.livejournal.com]

before I begin, I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier - I thought you wanted lurkers to write, and/or people who friended you purely for your writing. I'm replying now, though, so I hope I'm forgiven! :o)

Why do you read?

Because I met you elsewhere, heard you had an LJ, and wanted to be your friend! I saw this as the best way to get to know you better! And it worked, because I wouldn't have know how talented a wtiter you were, nor would I have known that you can sing!

Name, describe, talk about one of my writings that you remember.
Why do you remember that specific entry?

There's not one specifically - though I must confess to mostly reading your short stories and looking at your picture posts. Not because I don't like what you write, but because I'm astigmatic, and the optician I saw ages ago gave me glasses that don't do much for me. I have a hard time concentrating on detail (such as letters) for a long while, so I stick to the small stuff. Until I can afford new glasses, that is! but there was one about a girl orgasming ... I think I was shocked to see you write the c-word! haha!

What do you expect from frances_lievens?

Many more good fic-lets! Just keep up what you're doing! It's good!

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

I used the c-word? I don't recall that. (But yeah there was one about a girl orgasming. Did you know she actually dies in that scene?)

About that lurker-thing... It sounded okay in my head, but not everything is understood the way I meant it, so entirely my fault here. I don't have people on my flist that friended me for my writing, but I sometimes leave trails of links to my LJ, so I always wonder if there are lurkers...