Comments on: The Author Photo: Just Show Us What You’re Really Like http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/ More than you ever wanted to hear from Bestselling Author Jenny Crusie. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:49:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Memoirista http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-6858 Memoirista Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:10:15 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-6858 I would probably submit more, were I able to overcome my great fear of the author photo. You see, I know I'll be a success--until they see the options for author photo and run screaming--from the editorial board meeting, or if not from there, from the book store. Thank you for isolating and talking about that which we deny as we write. I would probably submit more, were I able to overcome my great fear of the author photo. You see, I know I’ll be a success–until they see the options for author photo and run screaming–from the editorial board meeting, or if not from there, from the book store.

Thank you for isolating and talking about that which we deny as we write.

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]]> By: micki http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3105 micki Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:49:03 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3105 Can we play "picture Jenny?" I suddenly had a flash of you with a fabulous flowerpot hat and a single blooming gerbera daisy in it. Although, blood-red poinsettias would be more thematically correct for the Zelda book since it's a Christmas mystery. For Fun Book, I see you dressed up in a suit and those cute square reading glasses, with the backdrop of one of those fabulous libraries you see in movies -- multi-layered books interspersed with antiquities, and a ladder to reach the top shelf. We could have a lot of fun with a "dress-up Jenny" day (-:. Can we play “picture Jenny?” I suddenly had a flash of you with a fabulous flowerpot hat and a single blooming gerbera daisy in it. Although, blood-red poinsettias would be more thematically correct for the Zelda book since it’s a Christmas mystery.

For Fun Book, I see you dressed up in a suit and those cute square reading glasses, with the backdrop of one of those fabulous libraries you see in movies — multi-layered books interspersed with antiquities, and a ladder to reach the top shelf.

We could have a lot of fun with a “dress-up Jenny” day (-:.

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]]> By: micki http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3101 micki Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:05:31 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3101 I've loved all the pics on your books. Not only are you a great writer, but you have a very good eye. I think you should just trust yourself and have a little fun with it! As a reader, I like to see who has written the book. It makes me feel relieved if she is the Americana type (loved the link by the way!), but if she is glamourous and having fun, that's great too. The most important thing to me is to see the author looking like s/he is having a great time and is on top of the world. (I like comedies, by the way. I suppose a tragic book would be better off with no pic, or a gloomy one.) Terry Pratchett has some really nice ones with that hat of his. It's not really about honesty, I'm afraid, but about making the reader feel good (-:. The author photo Malcolm Gladwell used on his book "Blink" made me as mad as hell, though. His book is about snap judgements, and then he uses this photo where he isn't exactly happy, and his hair is going six different directions. Total mindf***, if you ask me. "Dare to make a judgement!" he seems to say. But for goodness sakes, if you are going to have long, curly hair, you can at least ask someone like Steven Pinker for his styling secrets. (-: Made me very upset, but I do appreciate the point. Stuff of fantasy, but still important. I’ve loved all the pics on your books. Not only are you a great writer, but you have a very good eye. I think you should just trust yourself and have a little fun with it!

As a reader, I like to see who has written the book. It makes me feel relieved if she is the Americana type (loved the link by the way!), but if she is glamourous and having fun, that’s great too. The most important thing to me is to see the author looking like s/he is having a great time and is on top of the world. (I like comedies, by the way. I suppose a tragic book would be better off with no pic, or a gloomy one.) Terry Pratchett has some really nice ones with that hat of his.

It’s not really about honesty, I’m afraid, but about making the reader feel good (-:.

The author photo Malcolm Gladwell used on his book “Blink” made me as mad as hell, though. His book is about snap judgements, and then he uses this photo where he isn’t exactly happy, and his hair is going six different directions. Total mindf***, if you ask me. “Dare to make a judgement!” he seems to say. But for goodness sakes, if you are going to have long, curly hair, you can at least ask someone like Steven Pinker for his styling secrets. (-: Made me very upset, but I do appreciate the point.

Stuff of fantasy, but still important.

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]]> By: Billy http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3020 Billy Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:50:44 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-3020 "I liked it, too, but it didn’t look like me, plus I looked at the blog full of pictures of memememememememe and thought, “Self-involved much?” So I took one off." I must respectfully disagree. That was the best of the bunch. If you had your eyes open in that one, I could see "arrogance," but it looked dreamy to me. “I liked it, too, but it didn’t look like me, plus I looked at the blog full of pictures of memememememememe and thought, “Self-involved much?” So I took one off.”

I must respectfully disagree. That was the best of the bunch. If you had your eyes open in that one, I could see “arrogance,” but it looked dreamy to me.

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]]> By: BCB http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2949 BCB Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:35:14 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2949 Whaddaya think, we come over here hoping to find someone else? Sheesh. Give us a little credit. Although, we go over to Bob's blog and find NO ONE IS THERE, so maybe we don't deserve credit for rational thought after all. Maybe you should tell him how to post pictures? But then you'd have to send pictures for him to post. Never mind. And McB and Mary are obviously suffering the ill effects of ingesting too much Easter candy if they're agreeing with something I said. That just hurt my brain. No doubt it's a conspiracy. I'll get over it. Whaddaya think, we come over here hoping to find someone else? Sheesh. Give us a little credit.

Although, we go over to Bob’s blog and find NO ONE IS THERE, so maybe we don’t deserve credit for rational thought after all. Maybe you should tell him how to post pictures? But then you’d have to send pictures for him to post. Never mind.

And McB and Mary are obviously suffering the ill effects of ingesting too much Easter candy if they’re agreeing with something I said. That just hurt my brain. No doubt it’s a conspiracy. I’ll get over it.

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]]> By: McB http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2948 McB Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:02:38 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2948 Well, its your blog - it can be all youyouyouyouyou if you want it to. What are we going to do, throw you out? Well, its your blog – it can be all youyouyouyouyou if you want it to. What are we going to do, throw you out?

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2946 Jenny Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:06:46 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2946 I liked it, too, but it didn't look like me, plus I looked at the blog full of pictures of memememememememe and thought, "Self-involved much?" So I took one off. That's my idea of modesty. Only THREE pictures of me. Sigh. Oh, and I have a Warhol portrait, that's one of the things Photo Booth does. In fact I have three. But as I said, too much memememememememememememe already. I liked it, too, but it didn’t look like me, plus I looked at the blog full of pictures of memememememememe and thought, “Self-involved much?” So I took one off.

That’s my idea of modesty. Only THREE pictures of me. Sigh.

Oh, and I have a Warhol portrait, that’s one of the things Photo Booth does. In fact I have three. But as I said, too much memememememememememememe already.

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]]> By: Mary CB (Go ahead. Abbreviate my name. That'll show Ms. McB ;) http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2944 Mary CB (Go ahead. Abbreviate my name. That'll show Ms. McB ;) Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:01:09 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2944 What would be really scary is if <i>we</i> all had our pictures posted next to our comments. I liked the deleted one too. (Wait a minute. That doesn't sound right either. Could it be that all BCB, McB and I, all three of us, agree on something? Yikes. :) Phyllis mentioned how odd it felt to catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror. The other day I saw my reflection in a window and it was like looking at my grandmother when she was young. Now <i>that</i> was odd. What would be really scary is if we all had our pictures posted next to our comments.

I liked the deleted one too. (Wait a minute. That doesn’t sound right either. Could it be that all BCB, McB and I, all three of us, agree on something? Yikes. :)

Phyllis mentioned how odd it felt to catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror. The other day I saw my reflection in a window and it was like looking at my grandmother when she was young. Now that was odd.

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]]> By: McB http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2943 McB Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:44:58 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2943 I love the collage idea. Jenny you could incorporate all the stuff that you are about ... art and literature, romance fiction, teaching, flying keyboards, etc. BCB, I too liked the one she deleted. I love the collage idea. Jenny you could incorporate all the stuff that you are about … art and literature, romance fiction, teaching, flying keyboards, etc.

BCB, I too liked the one she deleted.

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]]> By: roben http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2938 roben Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:32:12 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2938 I agree with Gia, very Andy W. that blue one. How about a series of six all with different funny expressions, one b&w, one yellow, one green, one blue etc? I agree with Gia, very Andy W. that blue one. How about a series of six all with different funny expressions, one b&w, one yellow, one green, one blue etc?

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]]> By: K.L. http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2933 K.L. Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:28:10 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2933 You know you take a bad picture when your own mother comments on how bad you looked. And that was WITH make-up. I got Bells Palsy about 10 years ago. Half my face went limp. It took about 6 months for things to come back, and my nerves did a little "rewiring" in the process. Now, when I smile, my left eye squints. The bigger the smile, the bigger the squint. If I laugh, my eye almost shuts completely. I take a great pirate pic though. Argh. You know you take a bad picture when your own mother comments on how bad you looked. And that was WITH make-up. I got Bells Palsy about 10 years ago. Half my face went limp. It took about 6 months for things to come back, and my nerves did a little “rewiring” in the process. Now, when I smile, my left eye squints. The bigger the smile, the bigger the squint. If I laugh, my eye almost shuts completely. I take a great pirate pic though. Argh.

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]]> By: wendy roberts http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2931 wendy roberts Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:13:19 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2931 Deb, that's an awesome picture of Jenny & Bob! Although, Jenny is leaning toward Bob and he's actually smiling. It's like they're saying through their teeth, "Are you going to get her, or am I?" Deb, that’s an awesome picture of Jenny & Bob! Although, Jenny is leaning toward Bob and he’s actually smiling. It’s like they’re saying through their teeth, “Are you going to get her, or am I?”

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]]> By: mary beth http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2929 mary beth Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:34:17 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2929 Awesome. I made my oldest friend take my author photo. I never feel drunk enough to get my picture taken. I'd rather clean a bathroom. Awesome.

I made my oldest friend take my author photo. I never feel drunk enough to get my picture taken. I’d rather clean a bathroom.

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]]> By: Diane (TT) http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2928 Diane (TT) Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:33:29 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2928 I had a very similar reaction when I got my new computer with Photo Booth. Except I didn't shriek, since I didn't realize it was I. I just thought "Why did they get such a homely woman to Max Headroom this program?". Then I started laughing when I realized it was I. I don't look like that. Really. I have a much more pleasant expression on my face! It's a sad thing when the best photos of me are from my (old) passport and my college ID. I had a very similar reaction when I got my new computer with Photo Booth. Except I didn’t shriek, since I didn’t realize it was I. I just thought “Why did they get such a homely woman to Max Headroom this program?”. Then I started laughing when I realized it was I.

I don’t look like that. Really. I have a much more pleasant expression on my face!

It’s a sad thing when the best photos of me are from my (old) passport and my college ID.

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]]> By: Gia Dawn http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2925 Gia Dawn Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:11:08 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2925 Jenny, love the blue pic. Very Andy Warhol! LOL I am now adding overwhelming courage to your list of other attributes. Gia Jenny, love the blue pic. Very Andy Warhol! LOL
I am now adding overwhelming courage to your list of other attributes. Gia

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]]> By: Bryan http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2924 Bryan Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:03:59 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2924 Jenny, If you ever decide you really want to do that park bench shot with Bob, let me know. Self-portraits aren't as easy as they seem. I <a href="http://supersecretwebpage.bjwcreations.com/" rel="nofollow">tried</a> to do a self-portrait "author photo" several months ago. It didn't work out so well. Having never done self-portraits before, I didn't realize that the camera wouldn't auto-focus after I'd already set the timer. But the clock behind me looked good. Jenny,

If you ever decide you really want to do that park bench shot with Bob, let me know.

Self-portraits aren’t as easy as they seem. I tried to do a self-portrait “author photo” several months ago. It didn’t work out so well. Having never done self-portraits before, I didn’t realize that the camera wouldn’t auto-focus after I’d already set the timer. But the clock behind me looked good.

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]]> By: BCB http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2922 BCB Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:01:00 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2922 Well hell. You deleted my favorite picture. I liked that one, even though it didn't really look like you. Maybe you should have one taken for each of Maslow's levels until you get to self-actualization. "The Author as a Work-in-Progress." Or not. When I "picture" you I remember seeing you in the hotel at Nationals last July and you were walking around looking for someone you were supposed to meet up with and then stopped to chat with some writer friends. When you walked away from their table you were laughing and, knowing they were watching, you flipped a hand through the back of your hair and tossed your head as if to brush them away. They all burst out laughing and it made me laugh, too and I thought, "that is such a typical Jenny thing" -- even though I have no idea if that is typical of you. You need a picture like that. Laughing and teasing. Get Mollie to take it. Bob, on the other hand -- you need to make him stop smiling in pictures. Geez. That's just scary. Well hell. You deleted my favorite picture. I liked that one, even though it didn’t really look like you.

Maybe you should have one taken for each of Maslow’s levels until you get to self-actualization. “The Author as a Work-in-Progress.” Or not.

When I “picture” you I remember seeing you in the hotel at Nationals last July and you were walking around looking for someone you were supposed to meet up with and then stopped to chat with some writer friends. When you walked away from their table you were laughing and, knowing they were watching, you flipped a hand through the back of your hair and tossed your head as if to brush them away. They all burst out laughing and it made me laugh, too and I thought, “that is such a typical Jenny thing” — even though I have no idea if that is typical of you. You need a picture like that. Laughing and teasing. Get Mollie to take it.

Bob, on the other hand — you need to make him stop smiling in pictures. Geez. That’s just scary.

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]]> By: Pam W. http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2921 Pam W. Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:07:52 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2921 I like the blue one (without the blue) and have always loved the pix you took with Bob before the DLD tour. (Especially the one on the crusiemayer.com website) I must admit to loving the PhotoBooth also. I've toyed with the idea of taking a photo every day I'm writing my next manuscript and compile them into their own book. Of course, it may mean a lot more once I get published... I like the blue one (without the blue) and have always loved the pix you took with Bob before the DLD tour. (Especially the one on the crusiemayer.com website)

I must admit to loving the PhotoBooth also. I’ve toyed with the idea of taking a photo every day I’m writing my next manuscript and compile them into their own book. Of course, it may mean a lot more once I get published…

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]]> By: Susan D http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2914 Susan D Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:45:30 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2914 Wow. Thanks for that trip to the 80s. Just pose with your favourite play pals: Moot, the Flamingo (sorry, I've forgotten her name), the Turkey Vultures (Gertrude and Heathcliff?) and you'll look relaxed and Jennyesque. Wow. Thanks for that trip to the 80s.

Just pose with your favourite play pals: Moot, the Flamingo (sorry, I’ve forgotten her name), the Turkey Vultures (Gertrude and Heathcliff?) and you’ll look relaxed and Jennyesque.

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]]> By: Deb http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2911 Deb Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:53:26 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/04/08/the-author-photo-just-show-us-what-youre-really-like/#comment-2911 The last picture of me that I didn't hate was taken the year I was in Grade Eight. I remember it, but I can't find it. I did, however, find a picture of you I like... http://www.flickr.com/photos/43595063@N00/206163541/in/set-72157594223505522/ Bob notwithstanding... The last picture of me that I didn’t hate was taken the year I was in Grade Eight. I remember it, but I can’t find it.

I did, however, find a picture of you I like…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43595063@N00/206163541/in/set-72157594223505522/

Bob notwithstanding…

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