Monday, October 28, 2013

The Name Game: The Bored Zombie



And after a long absence....we're back. Since this is Halloween week, I thought it more than appropriate to feature Susan from The Bored Zombie.

(Susan's daughter's costume this year--so cute. And check out this post--the house on her bag lights up!)
How did you choose the name for your blog?

Some time ago I was learning Flash development to build websites and casual games. I love B-roll horror flicks and I love casual web games (think diner dash). I thought I loved web development too. I had grand plans marrying the three and creating a flash web site www.theboredzombie.com. The site featured a zombie that attempted to entertain himself by visiting old haunts from his human days and terrorizing the living. I had a vision of a cartoony zombie world full of goofy mayhem and competitive high scores. I then wrote lots of design docs, back stories for the characters, and thought hard about what my zombie’s world would be. I really came to love the little guy and his cast of characters even though I never gave him a name! Life happens. I got a job, found myself crazy busy then less and less interested in my bored zombie. 


When I started my blog, it didn’t have a custom URL. I used my nickname Suedre (pronounced sue-DRAY) and called it suedrescreations.blogspot. I didn’t love it right from the start, but I was still feeling out the blogosphere and trying to find my voice. It wasn’t too long and I was hooked. I love creating, I love writing, I love sharing, and I love this community. I decided to go ahead and switch to a custom URL and tinkered with a big long list of them. 
 
 No matter how hard I tried to squash him, my bored zombie kept creeping into my head. After a lot of reflection, I realized he was me. I had spent so much time and creative energy into crafting him and his world that he started to melt into my own world. What he really craved was to be a valuable part of his community and reach out to others like him and learn from those that weren't (and maybe chomp a brain or two).  

 

Were there other names you considered, and can you share any of them with us?
 
I tinkered with a ton of other names. I won’t even list them because I don’t remember most of them and you wouldn't have either! TheBoredZombie just kept calling to me so I jotted down why I shouldn't use it.  Every single reason came back to fear of what people might think. I want to be part of this community and don’t want to turn people off because of a name they don’t understand. 
 
I went back to one of my only two blogging rules – Be myself, even when it doesn’t fit neatly into a polka-dot box. TheBoredZombie.com is part of my personal narrative. It tells a story in itself and it reminds me, at just the right times, that my voice is my own and it is OK to go my own way. I believe I have something to say and even people that don't love the name will value the content of the blog enough they will overlook it. 
 
Now that you are recognized by The Bored Zombie, are you happy with it, or do you wish you could change it to something else?
 

Yes! I’m completely happy with it and absolutely would not change it. I have already received a sweet, well intentioned email suggesting I should change it to something more appropriate. I ask you – what is more appropriate for a total nerd girl that loves independent horror flicks,  art in all mediums, television, video games, 80’s pop culture, sci-fi cons, and technology? Come on by the blog and see from time to time. I promise you'll get a taste of all my passions and I hope, discover some new things along the way!
 
Susan, thanks so much for sharing with the Name Game this week.

Please stop by and say hi to Susan. You won't be bored, I promise.


9 comments:

05 08
Rachaeldaisy said... #

The Bored Zombie is a fun name, it's great because it's different. Thanks for a fun interview.

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said... #

This is so cool!! Thanks so much for sharing it. :)

Katy Cameron said... #

Heh, love the back story :o)

Lisa said... #

She is never boring and the name suits her!

Vicki said... #

FINALLY!!! I have missed these great introductions! Thanks...

OPQuilt said... #

I love this blog--she's fun to read! Thanks for featuring her on The Name Game.

AmandaK@whatthebobbin said... #

Love the fun name and I never knew where it came from. Thanks!

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said... #

Love it! I would have totally played that game:)

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said... #

I enjoyed finding out how Susan chose her blog name. I could have guessed there would be an interesting story behind it. I can't believe someone had the cheek to suggest she should change it - how rude!