It’s been a great experiment thus far. There have been relatively few days where I’ve stared at the blank screen for very long without an idea coming to mind, and oddly – people actually READ our blog!! That’s probably the most surprising part of this whole experience, at least for me. Knowing that the band is a few decades out of their heyday (yes the John Taylor pun is intended), and that the Duran Duran theme is probably not a huge marketing niche, I had no idea what to expect as far as readers. The fact is, we’ve had readers from all over the world, and while we might not have thousands of readers per day yet, we do have hundreds – and there is plenty of room for growth. We’ve expanded to having a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and yes, we’re still finishing our first book. I’d desperately like to blame the band for my lack of writing over the summer, but the blame squarely lies on the shoulders of my children and their demands on my time. Silly kids, don’t they know I’m writing?!? I keep telling them that they are keeping me from paying for their college education, but they don’t seem to understand….and of course I’m exaggerating just a bit as the lack of writing is all mine! Another surprise for me has been our commenters. At first, it began slowly, but more and more often people are finding the nerve to comment and disagree with us! *gasp* We welcome the comments, even when I’m shocked to learn that I really am the only one in the world who believes that Andy was the better guitar player, or that the band should play whatever they want at a show and forgo the hits. (Listen people, dreams are FREE…I just happen to post mine publicly, and I don’t mind being told to suck it up and listen to HLTW. I just turn up Secret Oktober, Late Bar or Andy’s version of Ordinary World and block out the reality. You should try it!) In addition to the fellow fan smackdowns that Daily Duranie receives on occasion, we also get a ton of support. We’ve met fellow fans from all over the world, we’ve made forever friends, and we’ve even brought new friends together, all under the guise of fandom. I don’t think Amanda and I are necessarily changing the world, but maybe we’re helping make the Duran Duran fans out there a little less anonymous to one another, and I have to say that this is one hat I wear that I truly enjoy a little more than some of the others. (those others being “housekeeper”, “chauffeur”, “referee” and my personal least favorite, “cook”)
The good news here is that this is only the beginning and I have absolutely no idea what is in store for the next year! We’re still going to keep blogging, going to shows, and yes we’re even going back to the UK in December. Will the band play this time? (They had better.) Will I freeze to death in my quest to see the band in their homeland? (Very possible) Will Amanda and I EVER be in front row at a show? (Ha. Dreams are still free…. but if someone wants to hook us up….) Will the book be finished and a foreword written? (YES, even if if kills us, and I really mean that!) Nobody knows whats gonna happen tomorrow, but Amanda and I are looking forward to finding out, and we hope that you all will stick with us for the ride.
Happy Birthday Daily Duranie!
-R
Congrats on a year of blogging! I thought you had been around a lot longer when I found you, and I'd just been missing out.
Is the book you're writing about your own history as fans, or about the whole Duranie fandom? Are you shopping it around to publishers, or are you going to self-publish?
We are glad that you found us!!
The book is really an examination of fandom with the goal being that a non-fan could read and then understand why and how people participate in fandom. Obviously those in fandom, any fandom, should be able to read it and relate. Thus, we explain fandom through being Duranies. We are planning to shop it to real publishers. 🙂