Green Room - Week 35 - Day 5

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

People ask me questions all of the time.

Most of them involve “How can I send you cookies/vast amounts of money?” and “Why are you so awesome?”

Most of these conversations, and people, only exist in my head.

Other times, people outside of my head ask me questions – and I try to answer them, even if they aren’t, IMO, asking the correct ones!

One of these questions involve “what *am I* looking for in an LJ IDOL winner?

To which, my normal answer is that I really don’t have a say over it – given that I vote for everyone!

I just have to make the best out of it.

Fortunately, Idol has never given me a winner that I didn’t like, or that ultimately wasn’t the winner that we “needed”, even if it wasn’t who I *thought* the voters were going to give us.

But, if given my druthers – perhaps from some discount druthers store – what would I want to see out of the Season 8 winner?

- Being an incredible writer, who continues to grow their craft – that the vast majority of people can look at and go “Yeah, I’m glad that they won”.
- Someone who has shown – and will continue to show – loyalty and support to Idol. Being an ambassador of the competition to the outside world.
- Considering how much I rely on my “numbers” to vent to from time to time, someone capable of – next season – reminding me why I’m doing this, and when things get tough why I shouldn’t just ban everyone. ;)
- The ability to keep those above discussions to themselves! ;)

There are more things – but those are the big ones, that I can think of right now, when I am writing this list.
What are things YOU can think of that you want to see out of the person I will be soon referring to as 8?

***

Before we get to that though – the remaining contestants, and their Champions, still have to get through this week: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/588906.html
If they need extra help, they can get it at the Work Room: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/589256.html
and of course, if they are finished with all of that – then the Home Game http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/589522.html always has some nifty treats!

Comments

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

can I have one more first? *hey, yes I can!

I don't know if you've always been a good diplomat, but I'm sure LJI has given you chances to hone that skill. but seriously, you're a classy person, Gary. :)

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

Dang, you beat me!

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

When he's not kicking hippies, you mean? ;)

Honestly I don't think I'd have the patience to run something like this, so I gotta give him huge props for doing it 8 years running, now.

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

You got FIRST!

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I'm always curious about Gary's Picks, but of course... Those have to be kept Top Secret. Don't want to jinx anyone!

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I actually agree with what you said here. I guess I could list out what I'd like to see in a winner too... I hadn't thought about that!

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

I can't believe we're already in the Top 10 .

I can't believe we aren't in season ten.

This has been the longest season ever.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

What would I like to see in a winner?

1) Versatility. I like when a writer experiments and tries new things. I like not knowing what to expect from them, and seeing both fiction and nonfiction throughout the season helps (but not required, just versatility).

2) Pro-Idol all the way. Someone who's likely to come back next season to help out just because they want to, not because they have to. Someone who loves the game.

3) Someone who's been friendly and helpful. Beta reading, leaving good comments when possible, etc. Overall, just being a likable person.

4) Good writing is of course a requirement, but no one left in the Top 10 could be considered bad or else they wouldn't be here. I don't look for the best technical writer, but someone who breathes life through their writing, who can weave a good story well enough to keep me coming back for more.

Those are the basics I think. Not being an asshat is a major one of course. I like nice, sociable people, what can I say :)

ETA: Along with Pro-Idol, I think it's important for the winner to be here for more than just winning. When the primary focus is winning at all costs, I personally think that takes something away from the community as a whole. I will support a contestant to win it if I feel like they've brought more than their personal interests into the game. Someone who's made the season positive all around. There are several people that I think contributed to Idol as a whole and they'd be the most likely to get my support at the end :)

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

This is what I'd like to see, too. And by and large, it is these qualities that have tended to win, at least since Season 5 when I began paying attention.

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I just remembered the other thing that I wanted to say today, as a follow-up to some of the conversations yesterday:

People always try to figure out “what the voters want”, and wonder “where are the voters?” when they don’t come through in any given week… but I think the one thing that never gets the full appreciation is “WHO are the voters?”

From my perspective – as “Guy who knows who votes in any given week” – the main breakdowns are:

- Current contestants. Most current contestants cast votes.
- Previous contestants and general alumni – maybe they got voted out earlier in the season. Maybe they haven’t played in a couple seasons… but they still poke their head in now and again and cast a vote
- Friend of a previous contestant. This probably makes up the bulk of the voting block. Someone, at some point, pimped their entry. It caught the attention of someone that they knew, who went to vote… at some point they thought “hey, I’ll friend the community/read some other stuff as well”… and they got hooked.
- Person who saw some mention of it and wanders in to check out what this “LJ Idol thing” is about. (I guess friend of a friend (of a friend)
Which is why I’m not “anti-pimping”. Because I know where the next generation of Idol writers – and voters – are coming from! They’re not just some mysterious group out there who reads every single week… there *are* people who do… but there is a fairly large percentage of the voters are people who come in and out during a course of a season, who might be reading your work, even at this late stage, for the first time!

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

You mean.... You don't have like a magic flute you play and Idol contestants come from far and wide? :P

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

I can't remember who said it the other day (one of the other Top 10, I know), but "pimping" or "self-promotion" is an invaluable skill to learn for any serious writer. Of course, most writers are primarily introverts who dislike self-promotion: I could barely sell Girl Scout cookies when I was young, and they sell themselves! So I understand why there's a somewhat negative aura around it; the more reticent writers probably wish that no one would self-promote so that they wouldn't have to.

Having competed in Season 6 under a pseudonym (where I didn't even tell my husband who I was), I know that it's possible to get fairly far on writing alone. But given that I was responding to comments with the pseudonym, there's a possibility that some people voted for me down the line because they liked me personally. That year, though, I made most Green Room comments and commented on other people's journals primarily from my main journal, since I didn't want people to be confused about who was really speaking. It did lead to a little trouble during intersection weeks, when I had to seek a partner from people who didn't really know my pseudonym, even if they were friends with the real me!

I made it into the Top 25 that season and like to think I might have gone further if I hadn't been distracted by being at the end of a long, long pregnancy. (I was cut the week that I gave birth and found out the results in the hospital.) Could self-promotion have helped me? Possibly. But I also know that the week I was eliminated I was very dissatisfied with the piece I wrote. "Pimping" might have gotten a few more friends to vote for me, but I really don't think it would have made the difference to the overall results.

As I'm an avid fan of reality TV shows, I've been following "American Idol" since Season 3 and "America's Got Talent" since the beginning, as well as countless others. When it comes to voting, voters always tend to look for the "whole package," so to speak: talent, execution, personality, charisma, sportsmanship, etc. In some cases, loyal voting blocs can keep someone in the game longer, which is why every season there's some teen heartthrob sticking around that everyone else thinks is terrible. But when it comes down to the finals, the winner tends to be whoever registers the highest on all of the factors that are important to voters.

That said, I think it comes down to the same advice I would give to any of my single male friends who comes up to me asking why they can't get a date: do what you enjoy doing, and be yourself, but be the best version of yourself.

Wow. I didn't intend that to be so long. :)

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

I think this break-down is fascinating! Thanks for sharing it with us, because it never would have occurred to me to ask (I'm silly like that). It makes sense to me that most current contestants are voters - if we're putting in the time and effort, it only makes sense to vote too. And it's true that self-promotion helps raise awareness of the community. There are four or five people on my main friend's list who were competing earlier this season and promoting fairly regularly, and I would pop in and vote from time to time. When SCI rolled around, I thought about how much fun it looked like from the sidelines and well... tada! Without 'pimping', I wouldn't be competing, and I'm tickled pink and purple polkadots to be here now! :)

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

:waves:

I apologize for not being around here lately. Lots of RL ick going on makes not for a happy Kizzy, and I'd rather not infect the internets with my current mood.

I'm still reading and loving, though.

♥

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I hope things look up soon.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I hope things get better for you soon!

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I just realized that – in addition to everything else that I didn’t post about (including “Happy Birthday basric) I missed we Sally Ride passed away.

You often hear the word “legend” and “pioneer” thrown around – but “groundbreaking” doesn’t begin to describe what she accomplished.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

No doubt, she is now among the stars.

[m-malcontent.livejournal.com]

The Elliminati wish you all happy writing.

We will read when our own plans allow.

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

Your icon is made of awesome.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Is anybody going to be in the Baltimore area this coming weekend (Thursday through Sunday)? I'm going to be staffing Otakon, and while it can be a little tricky to schedule meet-ups, I plan to be finished at 5 every day so that I can take over KFP parenting duties.

Also, if anyone here is a member of the press (including media related to fandom) and would like to seek at-door press credentials, please message me with your info. I am no longer the head of Press Ops, but I could potentially help you out.

[notodette.livejournal.com]

So...I wrote a book and got it published during the Idol marathon year, and (remember I told you I have to promote all the time?) anyway, a book reviewer blog was kind enough to host a giveaway of it.

Would anyone be interested in trying to win it? Nothing says skill like crappy romantic suspense, amirite?

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/2012/07/ninette-swann-hot-and-stay-guest.html?zx=b5030418b44ac38a

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! I'm signing up for a chance to win. If I do, will you autograph it?

[reutovartem.livejournal.com]

Very good outlook.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Apparently, I didn't get a notification of today's GR in my email box. Grr!

Late to the GR, but hello out there anyway!

I think an LJI Winner should be a strong writer, likable, someone one can respect, honest, helpful, a staunch supporter of the community, and an overall Good Egg.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

The only Good Egg I know of is Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs... Yum.,

Though I agree with your characteristics too, you just made me want Easter candy without even trying...

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

One of my good friends just messaged me that she asked a company to donate boots to Annabelle and they said they will if they have any that fit her available.

How sweet is that? I almost want to cry.

You might ask why boots? Well she may end up with chronic pain from the amputation and I'm supposed to keep her feet protected, which right now means socks and bandages (I've bought my grocery store out of athletic tape. It's like $50 a week for that stuff). The boots might mean she can go hiking and stuff again.

And yes, they are boots specifically made for dogs. And yes, Annabelle has put up with clothes and socks forever now, she lets me do whatever I want to her because she's such a good dog. So she may be getting dog boots if all goes well :)

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

:D Aw! That is really great!