Help requested

Tuesday, February 5. 2008

I am planning to set up a new blog to chronicle the development of programs in my new position as Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer. The (initial) aim of this blog will be for it to be a sort of communication hub for people interested in how the project develops, but I am hoping to keep it open enough so that in time other arts/cultural/community development workers can also contribute their own posts—other Western Sydney workers in the first instance, but perhaps it may end up to be a portal for other Australian and perhaps even international programs.

Anyway, the help I need is in coming up with a name for the blog. I am a bit bereft of ideas. My title (highlighted above) doesn't on the face of it lend itself to any pithy, punny or witty name. I'm toying with "Westlog" or "Westblog", but that doesn't account for the literature focus of the project. I can't think of any immediately obvious references to children's/YA writers or books from the region. "West of Centre" just popped into my head, but again, it's pretty generic and may owe too much to my Suzanne Vega fandom—plus I am also very conscious of "westie" stereotypes...

So, any ideas? I'm kind of counting on my Sydney readers here, but suggestions are welcome from all quarters.

Thanks in anticipation!

Posted by Judith Ridge in Misrule at 20:20 | Comments (13) | Trackbacks (0)

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The first children's lit reference with West in it I thought of was Wizard of Oz. But I'm guessing "Wicked Witch of the West" is probably NOT this kind of image you're wanting to promote ...

#1 Harriet (Homepage) on 2008-02-05 21:31 (Reply)

Ooh, Harriet—nicely done, as that lad on the game show says! Editing your suggestion,some variation on "Wicked West" is a distinct possibility, playing as it does on the colloquial meaning of "wicked", the inferred pun on Oz, and the children's lit connection. You're top of the list to date—I'll keep you posted.

Thanks so much! (Birthday chocolates also much appreciated.)

#1.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-05 21:38 (Reply)

The Occidental typist?

#2 Mike on 2008-02-06 09:56 (Reply)

How about "West o' the Moon"
That's a story about a brave lassie who ventured where none had dared before - and found her just reward.
http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/tales/east/text.htm

#3 Marita on 2008-02-06 13:34 (Reply)

That's my favourite fairy tale, Marita. Thanks for the suggestion--it's very sweet of you!

#3.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 21:16 (Reply)

How about something to do with the West (left) side of the brain (west normally to the left on maps and isn't left side of brain the side associated with creativity etc)?

Or perhaps some reference to 270 degrees (which is West on a compass), eg, '270 degrees and reading!'

According to Wikipedia, West also the direction of enlightenment in Buddhism.

Not sure if any of that is helpful.

#4 Catherine on 2008-02-06 13:35 (Reply)

Hi Catherine,

I like the 270 degrees idea. Thanks!

#4.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 21:18 (Reply)

I grew up in the west and always disliked that label. It's a modifier that always refers to the 'centre' (Sydney). But that's just me.
What about going for something cute and short and fairly easy to say so people can start referring to it quickly? Even better if it doesn't say what it means. And a blog with a short, punchy but obscure name quickly becomes a hotspot if it sounds like it's got hidden meaning or has cute cred.
Ideas for names (sorry, these are on the fly):
Chub (communication + hub)
Blink (blog + link)
Lit Rich
If you must use 'west', what about 'westword', no caps?
And not west of the moon but 'westmoon'... That is, you might be able to take two of the odd words out of something and join them to make something punchier (think of Salinger's Bananafish.)
I'll shut my trap.
Regards
Jennie K

#5 Jennie K (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 19:22 (Reply)

Hi Jennie,

No need to shut your trap! There is no reason "West" has to be in blog name, of course, and I am well aware of the connotations associated with "Western Sydney" that are not similarly attached to other geographical signifiers. (I have spent a lot of my life living and working in the west and south west too.)

I like your suggestions a lot. Thanks!

#5.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 21:24 (Reply)

West Wings?

#6 Anonymous on 2008-02-06 19:39 (Reply)

Cute, Anonymous. Thanks!

#6.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 21:28 (Reply)

West Side Story? Tee hee ...
On the subject of things west, and re the discussion re west and centre, as a Western Australian and a bogan born and bred, I think the whole 'west/ie' concept should be owned and celebrated!

#7 Julia Lawrinson (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 21:37 (Reply)

Hey Julia,

Yes, the whole West Side Story thing has crossed my mind. Perhaps we're showing our age!

The blog may be an interim measure, but in case it takes off, as these things are wont to do, I'd like to get the name "right". It's kind of a branding thing.

And--go Westies!

Cheers,

Judith

#7.1 Judith (Homepage) on 2008-02-06 22:20 (Reply)

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