Sunday, December 28, 2008

...And It Was Good

Jump the Shark: A term to describe a moment when something that was once great has reached a point where it will now decline in quality. Origin of this phrase comes from a Happy Days episode where the Fonz jumped a shark on water-skis. Thus was labeled the lowest point of the show.

About three years ago, we put up our first post, describing this blog as an experiment. We immediately followed that with a Christmas-themed parody called The Twelve Form Rejections, which we’ve made an annual tradition on this site. Each time we come back to that tradition, it feels like we’ve come full-circle. In fact, we’ve come full-circle three times now, making the Disco Mermaids blog an official three-ring circus.

Like many experiments conducted by mad scientists, the results were beyond our anticipation. Here’s a brief list of things we never expected:

- The Newbery Jewels, our spoof on the Newbery Award’s scrotum controversy regarding The Higher Power of Lucky, led to a vague reference of us in Susan Patron’s Newbery acceptance speech…as well as a not-so-vague e-mail from lawyers for the American Library Association.

- The dePaola Code, our Tomie dePaola meets The DaVinci Code spoof, wound up being featured on Mr. dePaola’s own website.

- Jay was named one of the Hot Men of Children’s Literature even before he sold a book. (Hmm… Was that meant as a spoof, as well?)

- Robin was approached by, and acquired, a literary agent because of the writing style of her posts.

- Eve had a post reprinted in a book about writing.

- Some amazing logos were designed for us (scroll down and watch the right-hand column to see them all).

- We spoke at the national SCBWI conference in a workshop for bloggers, hosted by the always gracious Lisa Yee.

- We found ourselves illustrated in a picture book.

- We shared the joy and tears of selling a first book.

For us, this blog has been a wonderful way to document our struggles and successes as writers, and to meet so many wonderful people (both writers and readers). And while its dorsal fin hasn’t appeared yet, we know there’s a shark out there somewhere. So we’ve decided to jump off our water-skis, shake our Mermaid tails, and swim back to shore.

The Disco Mermaid experiment was a definite success.

When we get back to shore, we’re immediately trading our tails in for wings and flying independently into the blogosphere, thus beginning three new experiments. We consider these three new blogs like spin-offs, just like Happy Days spawned Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and…Joanie Loves Chachi?

Robin, Jay, Eve: Not it!

This blog will remain up because we already know we’ll want to come back to it often for nostalgia’s sake. But you can follow us into the future at…

Robin: www.robinmellom.blogspot.com
Jay: www.jayasher.blogspot.com
Eve: www.eveporinchak.blogspot.com

Lots of love,
Your Disco Mermaids

24 comments:

Suzanne Young said...

Wow, this made me a little sad. Good luck, everyone!

Love,
Suz

Christy Raedeke said...

This made me sad until I realized that we'll now all get THREE blogs to read instead of one. Yay!

Best of luck on your new solo ventures!

Emily Marshall said...

Wow, I love reading your blog. This is definitely a little sad. But glad you all are going to keep blogging in other places. I look forward to those posts.

Anonymous said...

"Nothing in Life is Permanent - Do The Possible"

Sorry to see this (maybe) slow down, but good luck on your individual blogs - just means that I have to spend more time surfing the web

Heidi R. Kling said...

Yours was one of the first blogs I kept up with as a new blogger--thanks for the good times and I wish you three mermaids all the best with your lit careers!

Anonymous said...

I only just found you, so I'm glad you're going to continue blogging in other places and that your leaving this blog up.

Good luck

Anonymous said...

Whew! I thought you were going to say goodbye forever.

Good luck you three!

Danette V.

Candace said...

Wow, kind of makes me a teeny bit sad as I enjoyed getting to know y'all through your blogs, but I will def. be following each individuals blog!

Cuppa Jolie said...

Wow! The best to all of you. Will definitely follow your three paths.

The best in 2009!

Lisa Yee said...

It's the end of an era.

Best of luck to you Mermaids in the years to come!

Lee Wind, M.Ed. said...

Now we get to sound all old and wise and stuff, saying to friends, "yeah, you may remember cooking before microwaves, but I knew Jay, Eve, and Robin back when they were "THE DISCO MERMAIDS!"
And I feel special knowing that I did.
See you all on your new bat channels!
whoops- I mean, "blog channels!"
Hugs all round,
Lee

Erik said...

Awww....end of an era. Well it's been fun following the three of you along for the past few years. Best of luck to you all in the New Year!

Natalie said...

Aw, I'm sorry to see you go collectively, but happy to know we can still keep up with you guys individually. Thanks for so many wonderful posts!

Vivian Mahoney said...

I'm sure it was a hard and bittersweet decision for you. I've loved reading this blog and know I'll be following you to your new blogs.

Wishing you exciting new adventures in 2009!

Unknown said...

Congrats on a wonderful and fun three years! Now I'll have three times the fun reading all three of your blogs.
Happy New Year.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

oh no - now i have 3 more great blogs to read - ugh ;) Ill follow you all into 09 and wish you all the best.

Franki said...

Disco Mermaids will definitely be missed! Will definitely follow the others. Good luck and Enjoy!

Little Willow said...

Good thoughts for each of you. May your new blogs have just as much spirit, mermaid magic, and disco daring as this.

Patty Palmer said...

Good luck everyone...I look forward to reading your individual blogs.
All the best for a successful 2009.

alvinaling said...

I'll miss this blog! I hope you guys will link to each other's blogs often, though. Viva the Disco Mermaids! And onward to 2009.

jenn said...

Awww. . . Your blog has provided me with a wealth of information and entertainment. I'm sad to see this group blog go but look forward to following your new ones!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I'll be the one to say it. This is just a freaking bummer.

But didn't Fonzie and the gang have reunions later on (or was that The Brady Bunch)? Hint, hint.

Play list: Baby Come Back by Hall and Oates. (Yes, really. Hall. And Oates.)

Overdrive HELP! said...

We'll miss checking up on the Disco Mermaids at the SLO library. Does this mean you will disco no more?

Anonymous said...

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Love, 200 book marathon