“I do not read the reviews.
No, I am not singing for you.”
- Bright Eyes, Let’s Not Shit Ourselves
On August 27, 2012, Eric Robillard, the author of A Clown of Fire™, decided to make a few changes to his brand. As of that day, the author was not only going to blog as the irreverent and obnoxious character Le Clown™, but also as himself. It was the logical next step toward the brand’s evolution.
A Clown on Fire has been gaining constant momentum since its inception last February:
- Followers will soon be reaching the 500 landmark;
- The blog is a few views away from the 70,000 mark;
- Participation and interaction on posts are at an all-time high. On August 24, My Life After Not Being Freshly Pressed was viewed 174 times (368 pageviews), liked 69 times, with 74 comments from bloggers: 18.7% of bloggers have liked the post, while 20% left a comment.
The continuous growth of A Clown on Fire could be explained by:
- Engaging content (blog posts);
- Generating conversation in the Comments section;
- Reading and commenting on fellow bloggers’ posts.
To insure the evolution of this blog, and to remain interesting for both the readership and the author, Le Clown‘s voice had to be let loose, and allowed to fully develop into a truly outrageous blogger, without being constrained by the author’s values and hesitations. This has been a constant struggle creatively, as Le Clown is a far cry from his author, and there has been a few instances where Eric wondered if he had pushed the envelope a bit too far. It is the first time the author has a brand that is so well defined, and so personal; he is not blogging for a product or another brand, and he isn’t developing a blog strategy for a corporation or a small business… He is writing for himself. Le Clown must be given all the space he needs to fully develop, with no holds barred. This is where Eric Robillard the blogger comes in… Think Andy Kaufman and Tony Clifton: two brands, one man. Le Clown, the outrageous loudmouth; and Eric, the more even, open-minded blogger.
Expect two different blogging and commenting styles, and a new divided blogroll - the controversial abbreviated blogroll being only the first part… Something for everyone.
-
- Le Clown the Blogger
-
- Eric the Blogger
um… does that mean you are going to be fighting with yourself in the blog…
Eric comments (all sappy and nice) and Le Clown takes over and douches the place up?
Posted by the howler and me | August 27, 2012, 09:35THAM,
I’m always fighting with myself… But yeah, something like that.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 09:37I think a vlog of Eric and Le Clown fighting is in order…
Posted by the howler and me | August 27, 2012, 09:55What she ^^ said.
Posted by meizac | August 27, 2012, 14:15Ha! My favourite kind of reply!
Posted by asoulwalker | August 27, 2012, 16:54
Posted by the howler and me | August 27, 2012, 16:55As a serious question, I wonder how different Eric and Le Clown really are. Are there any aspects of one that bleed into the other’s life?
Posted by El Guapo | August 27, 2012, 09:37That’s a great question, Guapa. There’s a great deal of “Eric” in Le Clown. I have often referred to him as a douchebag with a huge heart… not unlike the author. I want to go further with Le Clown, and not have any hesitation when I explore his “darker” and more “outrageous” side. On the same token, I want to write from the heart about my family, my kids, etc… Same for the comments I leave on other bloggers’ posts… I find it hard to comment on a post of someone who just lived through a miscarriage when I’m in Le Clown’s character…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 09:41Yes I can fully understand that train of thought,
however Le Clown is still you underneath the facade
and so the seriousness of the blogs content and
your heartfelt reply will be on the same wavelength
whether you comment as Le Clown or Eric…
It is still you, regardless of your outward image…
Androgoth
Posted by Androgoth | August 29, 2012, 06:13Though one always needs the time and the space to evolve “to become” and it is always in a state of process but this sounds a little bi-polar. Which one do we trust?
Posted by asklotta | August 27, 2012, 09:44Ask Lotta,
Well the answer is simple: trust no one. But back to your comment… There is something closer to the dissociative identity disorder in this creative process. But see it as two different characters writing on the same blog; Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, as opposed to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 09:48Oh, good! I like Eric; he collects frogs. That’s as eccentric as collecting orchids, which I used to do…when I had money…and time…and no children. Now I am raising my children as if they were orchids. Hm….
Posted by jmlindy422 | August 27, 2012, 09:44Janice, frogs are great… We’re down to four vivariums now. And yes, I know “Eric” has its niche readership on this blog. It will also fun for me to write. I’m looking forward to seeing how the different voices will evolve.
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 09:52WHAT. Le Clown is a frog lover?! How the hell did I miss that? They are THE BEST. I somehow found a way to love you even more.
Posted by The Waiting | August 27, 2012, 12:04Emily,
Yes! I keep a few dart frogs and exotic toads home. They are wonderful animals.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 12:06OHMYGOD I love frogs. C has like 9,000 stuffed animal frogs already.
Posted by The Waiting | August 27, 2012, 12:07Why do I feel slightly afraid of what is to come?
Posted by robincoyle | August 27, 2012, 09:50Robin,
Why be afraid? It’s all fiction. I’d be more afraid of reality tv shows…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 09:53I afraid of reality TV shows too.
Posted by robincoyle | August 27, 2012, 10:04Robin,
As you should…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:19Bravo! Bravo!
I’m here for the grape crush…when do we start?
Posted by jotsfromasmallapt | August 27, 2012, 09:54Jots,
HA! As in the soda pop? Or like fine wine? You’ll have both here…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:07I think this is brills. Although I obviously don’t have the following you have and my blog is really not established, I sometimes struggle with this. People tell me I’m nothing like my blogger self in real life. While this is true to some extent, but those that know me best know I am at least a little bit crazy. Since getting Freshly Pressed I’ve actually felt a bit weird about posting because that post was very comedic and much more like my old blogger personality (from my Nefarious Nahar Nahars blog that I kept a couple of years ago), but most of my posts on Shan’s Shenanigans are really personal, as the blog was begun as a chronicling of my pregnancy. I’m not sure that all the followers I gained after the FP are interested in reading about my pregnancy symptoms! On the other hand, I’m flattered that so many people found me entertaining… what to do? For me, since I don’t really have a brand, no problem, I’ll just keep doing what I do and if I lose followers for being too personal, so be it. For you, I like it. Seems like a wise decision and a good way to go. Bonne chance!
Posted by shanz83 | August 27, 2012, 09:55Thank you. Being Freshly Pressed can bring its fair share of interrogations. I’ve often heard bloggers perplexed after quickly losing traffic once FP’d, as often the post chosen by WordPress differs in tone and content from the rest of the blog, and the flow of readers you gain the day you’re FP’d decreases with each new post… Le Clown is great fun, he will say things I wouldn’t dare say, and I like that about him, so he’s going nowhere, unless it’s on a louder and more obnoxious path, without being hurtful, though.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:01This is my yay face. You can’t see it… but it’s happening right now… I’m just sayn’.
Posted by asoulwalker | August 28, 2012, 02:29Bring it. I ain’t skeered.
Posted by Fish Out of Water | August 27, 2012, 10:00Fish,
Of course you’re not. You grasped Le Clown from day one, and you know what he’s all about…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:04I’m sorry…Am I suppose to see a difference in the pictures?
Posted by speaker7 | August 27, 2012, 10:03Speaker 7,
You’re colour blind aren’t you? Next time I’ll use a “peen” to put the emphasis on the differences.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:05If speaker7 is anything like me, she’ll be able to spot a peen a mile away in the ocean. Wait, or is that blood? Am I a shark? What day is it?
Posted by Jen and Tonic | August 27, 2012, 18:43This is very interesting because it has lots of psychological implications. Your goal to keep two separate personas rather than bringing them together to create one whole person might be difficult. Obviously, I could say a hell of a lot more.
I consider Eric, who has a colorful and irreverent side as well as an open minded and sensitive side, to be my friend — I want only for you to be happy.
Posted by A Gripping Life | August 27, 2012, 10:07Grippy,
I see it as a literary challenge, as an author allowing two different characters to develop on one blog. Interestingly, I did not study marketing, I have a B.A. in Literature. Writing has always been a passion, as developing clear and distinct characters. I enjoyed fusing Eric and Le Clown in previous posts, and this will continue to happen. But merging both characters brought its own dichotomy, as fusing the two voices created a sort of Frankenstein monster between both Eric and Le Clown, which is great, but it is also prevented Le Clown to fully be who he could be if he had no restraints. I have used the Agatha Christie characters analogy in a previous comment, as opposed to the Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde. I stand by it.
This blog is fiction, based on real life. Perhaps a third character will be introduced with time…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:19Le Clown/Eric,
I like both of you – the outrageous and the sensitive. I look forward to learning more about the voice behind Le Clown. It feels like a logical evolution and one in which you have the freedom to choose how you want to post and respond. Cudos!
Cathy
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | August 27, 2012, 10:20Cathy,
Exactly! That is the essence of writing under two different monikers. And who knows where this will go… A third character with time? Thanks, Cathy.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:25Excellent news. While I have always enjoyed the irreverent stylings of Le Clown, it’s nice to know that I can comment here without a safe word now.
Posted by rollergiraffe | August 27, 2012, 10:38Roller Giraffe,
Lucky for you, Le Clown and L’Éric both like you… Which is why you will make the very coveted top 12 blogroll.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:40Yay! Fist pump! Except wait, this isn’t like the Hunger Games is it?
Posted by rollergiraffe | August 27, 2012, 10:48I have a bow in the back yard… if you make it worth my sponsors while…
Posted by asoulwalker | August 28, 2012, 02:31Le Clown/Eric,
This is so creative! I love this idea and wish I’d thought of it. But that is why you are Le Clown. Or is it Eric? Who am I talking to right now??
Your magnificence has again risen. I didn’t know you had a degree in Literature. You should write a book or are you already doing that?
I shudder to think if Le Clown had NO restrictions. I could not keep up and I would be as scared of him as I am of reality shows.
Brigitte
Posted by Brigitte | August 27, 2012, 10:39Brigitte,
Le Clown will probably exceed your comfort zone, I can’t say for sure… As for L’Éric, he will probably be more your cup of tea.
As for writing a book, it was a goal when I was younger, but I lost interest… This is why I like blogging, as I don’t expect anything from it. I just go where my mind flows, and now I can enjoy two very distinct flows…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:45very very interesting …look forward to embracing both sides of you dear sir. Love you either way you show yourself
Posted by unfetteredbs | August 27, 2012, 10:41Audra,
Thanks! It will be great fun as a writer to also explore two voices. A nice challenge.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:02ahhh I see where I fit in (big smile)
Posted by unfetteredbs | August 27, 2012, 11:04Audra,
Touché… Thus the new divided blogroll I will introduce later on this week…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:08Eric–
You should know that I would love you either way– blog roll or not. Read me or not.. I would follow you either way..no guilt trip from me,. Ok?
Posted by unfetteredbs | August 27, 2012, 11:10Audra,
I appreciate you saying this, and I’m not surprised by this – you’re good people.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:15I will take Le Clown in whatever form he comes. Especially when he teases with those sexy statistics. I do loves me some stats.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | August 27, 2012, 10:43And Joe Biden.
Posted by Brigitte | August 27, 2012, 10:44Oh, yes. And even if Joey mangles his stats, I’m still there for him.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | August 27, 2012, 10:52Carrie,
I used to be obsessed with stats… It was the reason I was writing two posts a day for awhile. I hit 958 views a day when I was doing so, but it became tiresome, and the quality of the content suffered a great deal. My stats have diminished, but they are more representative of the style of blogging I want to achieve.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:47Well, I was speaking of statistics in general. You know, like frequency tables, p-values, and confidence intervals–that kind of thing. I only check my blog stats every few days or so. That lost its allure long ago. Especially when the numbers started trekking down this summer…
Posted by Carrie Rubin | August 27, 2012, 10:54Carrie,
Fine, go all mathematics on my sweet ass… At least it’s tanned right now.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:56I don’t even want to know why your ass is tanned, as it implies either a thong or a Clown-Gone-Wild moment.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | August 27, 2012, 11:07Carrie,
Le Clown tans commando, of course.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:09This is exciting.
Posted by Brother Jon | August 27, 2012, 10:45Brother Jon,
Of course it is… This is A Clown on Fire, after all…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:02Wow – you two are going to be very busy. This is like watching a cell divide. Who knows how many personalities will evolve. (My mind hasn’t fully awakened so I’m still partly in dream state, hence, my strange observation) Good luck, and you are setting yourself up for a lot of work. I absolutely LOVED your post about what life was like after NOT being freshly pressed. You’re crazy. Jayne
Posted by jayne ayres | August 27, 2012, 10:47Jayne,
Thanks! “My Life After Not Being Freshly Pressed” was one pf my favourite posts to write, I had so much fun doing so… As for the cell dividing… Almost. The cell is still intact, it will only be starting growing differently, but a second cell has been introduced and will also be evolving in parallel to Le Clown. Ouf, I need me some coffee…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:51Me too – Cheers! and for the record, Eric can push the envelope as far as he wants! Jayne
Posted by jayne ayres | August 27, 2012, 10:57Jayne,
You’re too kind.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:58I like this idea, and I’m sort of jealous of it. Although I am moving in the opposite direction very slowly, away from my good-girl, introspective, Seattle mom, yoga-y self, and accessing more of my inner naughty self but very thoughtfully. I was teaching yoga yesterday and made a bad joke in class about “squishy balls”, so I guess it’s coming out in real life too.
Posted by misslisted | August 27, 2012, 10:48Miss Listed,
I think you’ll agree that we are complex beings, not just defined by a single cell of personality traits. Squishy Balls…. I think this would have made it my favourite yoga class of all time… You have a good blog, with a clear voice, I really enjoy reading you.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:54and by the way, I think it’s important to reinvent oneself regularly, I mean, look at Madonna!
Posted by misslisted | August 27, 2012, 10:50Miss Listed
Absolutely! And David Bowie, and Lana Del Rey……….
Le Clown needed this in order to evolve… And a few contributions with other bloggers…. More to follow.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 10:55I haven’t been following you as long as some but I had wondered how you balanced the personality you’ve created versus the reality. I look forward to seeing more of both.
Posted by draconianstylist | August 27, 2012, 10:51DS,
Most of what I write is based on real life… hidden behind clever monikers, said the humble writer… Le Clown is mostly based on a younger me, circa university years: pretentious, and over-confident… But using him as a character makes interesting blog posts… I will however be happy writing less obnoxious posts when I when I will feel like it… It will be a relief.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:06This should be interesting!
Posted by stuff I said | August 27, 2012, 10:53Red,
Some might say… magnificent… But not me.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:19Oh my goodness this is so delicious… can’t wait. For more LeClown. And for Eric.
Posted by workspousestory | August 27, 2012, 10:56India,
Delicious! I like that… the frosted side and the wheat shredded grain side…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:23Heh, the image that painted in my mind… I like both of those sides.
Posted by workspousestory | August 27, 2012, 11:36“Change is good.” Unfortunately, the source of that pearl of wisdom was a Taco Bell TV commercial.
Your friend,
V
Posted by lameadventures | August 27, 2012, 11:10V,
Throwing a Taco Bell TV slogan the way of someone who wrote a post about a poutine only seems appropriate. And while you’re here… Might as well tell you that you’ll be part of the very exclusive top 12 blogroll which will be introduced later on this week.
Your friend,
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:17V,
Better warn you…. They don’t listen… They never do.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:32“They” say that listening skips a generation. I think that They are Taco Bell.
Posted by lameadventures | August 27, 2012, 12:26Oooooh this sounds fun!
Posted by MissFourEyes | August 27, 2012, 11:11Miss Four Eye,
Fun like Facebook or like LinkedIn?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:29Fun like Le Clown!
Posted by MissFourEyes | August 27, 2012, 13:31Eric/Le Clown,
Will you have different branding for your two types of posts? Like black & yellow for Le Clown, and pink for Eric?
Madame Weebles/Madame Weebles
Posted by Madame Weebles | August 27, 2012, 11:50Madame Weebles à la deux,
God, no…. That is too much work. It would be like asking me to change my underwear each day…
Le Clown
PS: Weebs, you’ll also be part of my much coveted Top 12 blogroll. Told you it paid sucking up to me.
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 11:53So, what would be the blogging equivalent to challenging Jerry “The King” Lawler to a wrestling match?
Posted by The Waiting | August 27, 2012, 12:05Emily,
I love when references to Andy Kaufman’s career are made. I should write a whole post on my mentor… I don’t know what would be the equivalent… Challenging Grippy to a dart match, blindfolded and dressed as a princess, in Las Vegas?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 12:10Whenever I need a lift I watch the Mighty Mouse video. Too great. My dad used to sing that to us when we were kids.
As for the darts match, I don’t think you will be able to get Lisa back to Las Vegas unless you drag her kicking and screaming.
Posted by The Waiting | August 27, 2012, 12:14Le Clown:
I find this development “very interesting” as Arte Johnson would say in Laugh-In. At least you’re evolving, not metamorphosing like what happened to Jeff Goldblum in The Fly.
Of course, I have no way of knowing this with certainty. For all I know, you, at this very moment, may be growing needle-like hairs all over your body and regurgitating your food.
C-a-L
Posted by Curmudgeon-at-Large | August 27, 2012, 12:56C-a-L,
I agree about Jeff Goldblum… He was better in Annie Hall than any subsequent movies.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 15:29I’m looking foward to this, but don’t worry about Le Clown’s comments. They are enjoyed as much as the blog!
Posted by steph50 | August 27, 2012, 13:03Steph50,
Glad to have you as a Le Clown admirer. He’s not going anywhere… But I know what you mean……….
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 15:27I look forward to this Eric/Le Clown — indeed I do.
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | August 27, 2012, 13:38Auntie Sandee,
Your comment is uninspired. Also, you have made it in my very exclusive top 12 blogroll which i have to modify.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 13:40Hey look, I was just trying to subdue the caldron of passion that I feel for this endeavor to keep from spraying confetti out of my ass.
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | August 27, 2012, 14:38That’s better.
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 14:44Well gotdammit now I can sleep at night. (I thought of a really good comeback for you but I lost it in the park.)
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | August 27, 2012, 17:32I have good feelings about this. No reason, why, just do.
Posted by La La | August 27, 2012, 14:03La La,
You have a good feeling about this because you are a brilliant psychic.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 15:27Oooooh right, sometimes I forget.
Posted by La La | August 27, 2012, 15:27This is going to be very interesting.. can’t wait to see the two forces of Montreal converge here @ WP!!!
I just strapped in for a great ride Le Clown/Eric!!
Posted by free penny press | August 27, 2012, 14:19Lynne,
I could almost hear Michael Buffer.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 15:26Le Clown is always fun to read, but I’ve really enjoyed Eric’s writing the most.
Posted by calahan | August 27, 2012, 16:43Mike,
It’s definitely a different voice alright. Funny enough, it’s the Le Clown blogroll you will be on. I hope the two of you will get along.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 16:44I dunno. He’s kind of a dick. He always makes fun of my toupee.
Posted by calahan | August 27, 2012, 16:52Actually, that’s Eric.
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 17:25Blog identity is very important for the integrity of the space. There is plenty of virtual room for virtually everyone… if you try to cater to to many people… you wash yourself away. Don’t ever do that sir. Not ever.
-Your Faithful Reader,
Soul Walker
Posted by asoulwalker | August 27, 2012, 16:55Soul Walker,
Exactly! Thus my Bight Eyes quote. Well said, my friend.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 17:26Well. This is an exciting chapter and I’m psyched to see where Le Clown will go with this and I’m really looking forward to hearing from Eric too…the stories of you and the fam (albeit with that Le Clown edge sometimes) were what hooked me in the first place. Good choice!
Posted by dinnerversions | August 27, 2012, 17:46Lisa,
Thank you. I miss that part of writing, quite honestly. When this blog started, there was no Le Clown, and as soon as he arrived, he took over. He will now share the spotlight with L’Eric. We will see with time how he feels about that…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 18:00I like that idea because I like Eric. I also love the magnificent, yet obnoxious Le Clown. Almost 500 followers? Since this past February? 6 months? Really? Holy shit….maybe I need to become a little more rude and self-involved…
Posted by writerwendyreid | August 27, 2012, 17:48Wendy,
I am doing this as I was getting tired of having only one voice, although “Eric” slipped many times in Le Clown’s discourse. This will be a good change, and it will be refreshing for Le Clown as well. And yes, almost 500 followers… I’ll prepare a nice video for that one…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 17:55I know he slipped at times into Le Clown’s persona and I like him. And wow on the followers. Your great sense of humor has probably had a hand in bringing in so many fans as well. Congrats Eric/Le Clown xo
Posted by writerwendyreid | August 27, 2012, 19:00G’day Eric!
Posted by John the Aussie | August 27, 2012, 19:00John.
I am well overdue for a bit of time on your own blog. Expect me soon.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 27, 2012, 19:33I haven’t posted in over a month, been busy reading. But I look forward to seeing both of you over there.
Posted by John the Aussie | August 27, 2012, 22:44Very exciting. I love change.
Posted by nevercontrary | August 27, 2012, 19:42Can’t wait to read both LeClown and Eric…….The different voices and tones of both are more then welcome in my world!! Bring it on….I’m ready for both.
Posted by A Dog With Fleas | August 27, 2012, 22:41LeClown and Eric – life in the blogosphere. Sounds like a nice sappy soap opera. atothewr approves.
Posted by atothewr | August 28, 2012, 07:03Just keep them coming… I think I will follow both.
You have tell me how you do it because blogging takes a ton of time.
Really you should be proud of how well you’ve done. Congratulations.
x,
Becca
Lady or Not…Here I Come
Posted by rebecca2000 | August 28, 2012, 08:02The internets accept your split personality. Rock on!!
Posted by daddyranman | August 28, 2012, 08:13Cher Messrs. Le Clown & L’Eric, congratulations! Since we’re multi-faceted creatures, it’s good to find ways to express that splendor. Look forward to basking in yours! xoM
Posted by Margarita | August 28, 2012, 13:21I think this change is good, I expect to read and see new wonders and magic on this blog, and to be quite frank, the more voices that echoes in eternity, the better.
Posted by Sophy | August 28, 2012, 14:28An interesting posting this one Le Clown…
Androgoth
Posted by Androgoth | August 29, 2012, 06:15Sitting here trying to comment in a way that doesn’t sound too gushy or like I’m *trying* to be cool. I came up with “dude…you rock”. I hope that will suffice.
Posted by uniqueweirdness | August 29, 2012, 09:33This is very intriguing and engaging Le Clown. I mean Eric. Who should I talk to? This is quite brilliant. I mean it gives you permission in a way to push that envelope. You can always point to the Le Clown fellow. The diagram brings it all home to me. One in the same, but different, separate. I have a whole perspective now. The question is, when will we know it’s Le Clown or Eric, the blogger?
Posted by The Bumble Files | August 30, 2012, 15:30The Bumble Files,
I’m still working on defining the two voices. So far, Le Clown has been a character by himself, but “Eric” often showed signs in his post… The idea at this point is to let Le Clown take his own pace based on what’s been written on ACOF, push his arrogance, and enjoy the everyday calm of an Eric post… So much to mold… Thanks for this well thought of comment!
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | August 30, 2012, 15:33Thank you, Eric, for your most thoughtful reply. I’ve been in a bit of the blog fog after I visited your site and a few of your blogging friends. I’m not sure what ACOF is. Please enlighten me. I look forward to the CoF, Le Clown AND posts by Eric.
Posted by The Bumble Files | August 30, 2012, 16:19The Bumble Files,
ACOF: A Clown on Fire, which is the interminably long official name of my blog……. Why are you on a blog fog? I will visit your blog tonight, once my 2 1/2 yr old daughter sleeps, in her closet, after her supper, a bowl of water…
I’m just kidding… Two bowls of water.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | August 30, 2012, 16:22A ha! Actually, I figured it out the second I hit my Reply button. I thought maybe your blog would just be COF. Ok. ha ha. My blog fog is when I know I have 20 other things to do but I can’t stop reading posts, after posts, the next one to the next one. It happens to me. It’s not a bad necessarily. 2 1/2 years old, oh such a tender (difficult) age. Yes, nothing happens until she is asleep. I’d love for you to stop by my blog. I hope you like it. I’m sure you’ve read so many good ones!
Posted by The Bumble Files | August 30, 2012, 16:33This is quite curious to me… that you’re experimenting with the two personas in one blog. I’d sussed that, though not originally – when I first visited (after you followed my blog, I think – after the forum thingy) I thought… “superficial” and didn’t really dig any deeper. It didn’t occur to me at first that Le Clown was a deliberate character, rather it seemed that he might be someone you were hiding behind, as a lot of people just aren’t willing to put themselves into a blog at any cost. But of course I see what you’re doing and I appreciate both sides.
I’m pretty much doing the opposite in my current blog, I’m leaving a lot of myself out of it, and putting most of the emphasis on other people. That’s a really new thing for me, to put myself into the background. Also, when I started it, I’d wanted it to be very inoffensive so that the readership could be children too… then as time went on (not that it’s been going for long, I only started it a few months ago) that started to feel very unnatural. And of course that sort of thing attracts only one or two types of people so I don’t really know how to break through that. Introducing my more gritty side to it suddenly might break the damn thing!
(The temptation is to stick in a Billy Connolly video complete with his usual language. Oh well, maybe one day…!
As I mentioned in my timeline recently, I’m much more me in Facebook – but even there I seem more reserved than I am in ‘real life’ (I swear like a trooper). Ah well…
Good luck L’Eric/Le Clown.
Posted by Val | November 12, 2012, 15:28Val,
I developed blogging strategies for prominent brands most of my career (this is what I still do). When I started blogging, the only mission I had was to do it the way I wanted, no compromise. And whatever voice I would opt for. So far, it’s been successful beyond my wildest expectations. I am having a blast, and the interactions with my readers make it all worth while… That and all the creative ventures I allow myself to play with!
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | November 12, 2012, 16:20