ChickyWiki

ChickyWiki^TM – A Reader Interviews ChickyBabe

Let’s start with the obvious question on everybody’s mind. When and how did you come up with the idea to take your blog and turn it into a book?
First, the credit goes to the mystery person to whom I gave a sample of my blog posts to read. I was strongly encouraged to put together a collection for publication. Although I didn’t consider it seriously at the time, the seed was planted. Soon after closing Chicken or the Egg in December 2007, I actively started working on the blog to book project, and The Chicky Years was born.

You have – if memory serves – over 700 posts to choose from. How did you decide what made it into The Chicky Years?
I took my time reviewing every post and giving each one careful consideration. Some were easy to eliminate based on content, tone or mood. I wanted to present an entertaining and eclectic mix, one that gives a well-rounded impression of the blog and of my writing. And one that wouldn’t make the writer in me cringe in years to come!

What went through your mind when you reviewed the posts?
A lot… A mix of emotions, and good memories. I even remembered some comments and reactions to certain posts. I felt like I was reviewing 3 years of my life in the mirror. And admittedly I liked what I saw.

Is there a post that you included that surprised you? Meaning – when you first thought about this project, it was not an “obvious” choice for inclusion, but after rereading it you knew it had to go in.
That’s a difficult one. I can think of a few that were definitely out, only to make the final cut. But the one that surprised me was the one about my dad. At first I didn’t want to include it because I felt it was too personal. But I knew that I owed it to him in silent gratitude for giving me the gift of writing.

Are there themes for this collection, or is this meant more to be a random selection from your archives?
As you know I don’t write in a conventional diary-style format. The anecdotes are grouped into eight themed sections that work well together even for new readers who aren’t familiar with the blog will easily relate to the content. But since you know me to be a tease, I can’t give much away, can I? :)

Did rereading any of your old posts make you blush? Why?
Not blush… but a few got me hot and bothered. Nothing like turning yourself on by your writing, is there…

What is your personal favorite post that you decided to include? And of course, why?
Hmm… It’s difficult not to confuse a favourite with one that was very well-received in comments or became popular with readers and search engines. I don’t have one ‘desert island’ post but a few. Languid Heat is a piece I’ve always been proud of writing, combining many elements that I love. Then there are the more sensual stories like Medley and the outright entertaining ones like the dilemma of Boxer Shorts vs Briefs and How to Tell What a Man is Really Like In Bed.

You also had several alter egos in your posts – Pixie and SuperCB to be specific. Do they have any credits in this project?
Oooh… Pixie and I had big words! She wanted to be in the book. I explained that using the avatars would be difficult. She sulked and pouted and twirled her hair and gave me that ‘Gah’ look. So I made her a deal. I said she’d get a mention and I offered her a place on this website, which she happily accepted. SuperCB is still hovering over some guy’s house and I haven’t heard from her in a long time. *shakes head* Women!!

I believe the book cover is your own design and photography. Apart from your love of the beach, what made you choose that particular style?
I wanted the cover to be symbolic, an extension of the contents of the book and the things that in a way define ChickyBabe. Naturally, a beach theme with a nod to summer was my choice. So I took myself to the same Sydney beach where I originally photographed my silhouette in 2005 and did a series of photo shoots just to get the one I used. I like how the The Chicky Years title on the cover appears as if it was washed up on the sand. Just like me.

It was no secret to your readers that you were working on some more professional projects in addition to your blog. Any updates you can share with us after all of this time off?
I was part way through writing a novel when I closed the blog in December 2007. That is still work in progress and I hope to have the first draft ready within 6 months. Of course, then the editing starts…

You were one of the blogs that I used as a model for my own. Specifically the way that you always responded to every comment that was left, and you ability to disagree with people who you clearly respected/liked when they left something that you took issue with. Was your blog always this way, or was that more of a learning/evolutionary process?
I believe this is more a reflection of the person I am rather than the blog I’d kept. If someone took the time to leave a comment, it was only fair that I made the effort to give a well thought response. I wrote many posts that generated a lot of discussion and heated debates at times. I wanted to offer a place to exchange ideas, and the best way to do that was to encourage different opinions and be civil when we disagree. In the blogosphere, we’re dealing with real people with real sensitivities. Anonymity shouldn’t remove our core values.

One of your claims to fame was educating the blogosphere in the joys of having a good perve, and I mean that in the non-perverted Australian sense. Did you have to explain yourself on the blog?
The Perve Queen label was one I wore with pride. You could say the blog was a kind of homage to perving on hunks and gorgeous men. After I’ve written a few of those posts, I had an American reader ask me if he missed something in the translation, so I wrote a entire lexicon on the Australian meaning of perve for reference, tongue in cheek of course. As for the book, I created Veni. Vidi. Pervi. as the tagline. Sums it up perfectly, don’t you think?

You were also famous for keeping any and all specific personal details off-blog. Did you ever have a reader/commenter who also knew you in real life?
Nice try! ;)

At last count, how many different countries were represented by your readers? I can count at least 8 off the top of my head.
Ah statcounter! *laughs* Honestly? I haven’t kept count. The blog attracted a wide international readership and had a somewhat universal appeal. Readers came from Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Norway, India, Malaysia and more remote countries like the Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Mauritius even Iceland. I think every part of the globe has visited ChickyBabe, and that thought still makes me smile today.

Were there any other blogs before Chicken or the Egg? If so, how many?
Chicken or the Egg came first. Pun intended. A few months later, I created a photoblog, Through ChickyBabe’s Eyes and that had a lifespan of nearly 2 years. Then one day, the blogs got jealous of one another, and I had to make a choice. The written word won over photography.

You mention that your book – The Chicky Years – has excerpts from your lesser known Pause Café blog. How did that idea come about?
I created Pause Café during the late stages of Chicken or the Egg. Mainly to experiment with a different style of self-expression. It’s not often easy to change direction within a blog that has a large readership and maintain the same interest. So a new blog gave me that freedom. I explain about Pause Café in The Chicky Years. As for the content, I’ll leave that as a surprise to readers.

You once wrote a post about the rules of having a blog crush. Obviously it was inspired by someone. Is that still a person who you get to read?
Now now… would I blog crush and tell?! ;)

You have always been a self-professed technology geek. Is there a favorite new toy that you are playing with? And no – I won’t rephrase that question ;)
Of course there is! The big black one I’ve been taking to bed nightly for 3 years. The new, sleek rounded 3 in 1 that fits nicely in my hand. The one who likes to sit on my lap and whir when I stroke his keys. Wait a minute here… Are you blushing??

With the launch of The Chicky Years and the new website, does this mean ChickyBabe is making a return to blogging?
It was a very sad time when Chicken or the Egg closed and farewells were exchanged. But life has a way of moving on and taking different directions. Whilst the intention is not to return, I’m not one to say never or goodbye. Both sound so final.

What does the future hold for ChickyBabe?
Let me have a perve at my crystal ball…

Can we expect a sequel, as in, The Chicky Years Part II?
Anything is a possibility. I’m certainly not short of drive and creative ideas of late.

Are you ever going to reveal the woman behind ChickyBabe?
Sure. I’m just a silhouette in the sand…