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...going to be revealed in this blog post! :-)
When I started this website four months ago, I announced that there would be some opportunities for reader input for the Romantic Comedy novel I'm writing.
Since then, we've had two Reader Input Challenges (or RICs, to close friends) and your responses have been amazing! I've loved reading through them and commenting on each one.
For this latest RIC, I asked you to name the bar where the locals of Lakeside, WA go for a drink and a game of pool.
Apparently, you are all branding experts, because the name suggestions were outstanding. So creative!
Thank you to everyone who took part in the second RIC. I received over fifty entries! Several people submitted more than one idea.
Thank you Ali A, Betsy C, Dan B, Eric R, Gail, Geoff W, Inbar G, JB B, Jenny C, Kathy D, Rachael M, Robert M, Sandy B, and Stacia L for sharing your ideas and your time. Not everyone posted their name or screen name, but I appreciate all of you. I hope I didn't miss anyone!
I had so many favorites, but I narrowed them down to the top five:
Tequila Mockingbird (thanks Inbar!) - I love clever names and Harper Lee's incredible novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. I was trying to come up with a shorter nickname for it though and couldn't quite pull it off.
Pour Decisions (thanks Geoff!) - Love the double meaning and the smooth sound. But I didn't want to encourage the good folk of Lakeside to make bad choices ;-)
Rewind (thanks Kathy!) - Kathy said she pictured people "sitting at bars thinking about their past and listening to music from the past." Love that! But, ultimately, I decided against a name that sounded nostalgic.
Rack and Rye (thanks Eric!) - I love how it incorporates both pool and beverages. I'd probably change it to The Rack and Rye so the locals could call it The Rack. But I associate The Rack with Nordstrom Rack and didn't want to confuse myself. Don't drink and shop!
The winning entry is…
The Corner Pocket. Thank you JB! It sounds cool, cozy and casual. Just like a good RomCom :-) JB said: "to tie into the billiards theme; to me it also connotates a local/smaller hangout." He also pointed out that a street corner location would be even better. I completely agree! POOF! It's now on a street corner right in the middle of downtown Lakeside, WA. Meet me at the Corner!
You rock, JB - and to celebrate that, some whiskey stones and your very own Kim Clarke Books coaster are coming your way. (Ooh! Aah!) And of course, a KCB pen.
I announced the winning submission of our first RIC in my November newsletter and invited our heroine to share her thoughts. In case you missed the newsletter...
Here's what our heroine said about each entry:
Red '65 Mustang Convertible. "Such a fun ride! A little big for me but love the stage presence."
Red LEXUS 2017. "Stunning! Mom drove a LEXUS, so I wanted my own look. But it really is gorgeous."
Saab Convertible Early 90s. "Thanks Meglyons1416 for this one! Another great choice. And you are so right - it appeals to my fabulous sense of style and retro sensibility. Clearly, you get me ;-) But I was looking for something a little more compact."
Orange Mini Cooper. "So cute! Whoever submitted this mentioned I'd need something small for downtown parking and that had back seats that flatten down for extra hauling space. Excellent insights! But orange? I couldn't do it. No one would find me in a construction zone. Too risky! ;-)"
Red Fiat 500. "Thanks for this one Margaret! I love, love, love how adorably round it is! And the color is fantastic. I could easily see myself in this. But ultimately I went with something a little sportier."
And the winner is… RED MINI COOPER!
Red MINI Cooper. "So fun, cute, colorful and sporty! Perfect! Another great contribution from Margaret."
For her winning entry, Margaret received a Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor field pocket set and mini watercolor pad (don't forget the KCB pen!)
Thank you again to ALL of you for making these Reader Input Challenges a success. I appreciate you so much.
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