Gingajoy authored by Joy

1) When did you start blogging and why? I started blogging in February 2006.  I was seriously stalking Sweetney and some other big-blogs and had turned into some sort of comment junkie. You know that kid in class who has her hand wagging in the air ” oooooh ooh oooh! I know! I know!—that was me with comments.  And when my commenting started to get, uh, out of hand, I thought “hmm. Maybe I should shut up and get a blog already.” So I did, and at first it was very odd for me.  I like to be a performer and spin a yarn, but I need feedback. I need to know my audience so I can pander to them shamelessly.   When I look at my first posts I realize I had no clue who I was talking to, and it kind of shows.  I think my first commenter was called “Sherriff” and he had a (now defunct) blog which rather startled me. But with commenting comes community, I found. I started to stalk more people, and then they reciprocated. It was a massive lovefest, I tell you.   I discovered a lot about myself as a writer (and continue to do so). 

In real life I am an academic, an English Ph.D. no less (I know. I can’t believe it either).   I can honestly say that even after years of research and writing, it was when I started to blog I found a part of my “writerly” self I did not know existed.   And even though it’s not an academic blog, I’ve found that I’ve actually engaged in more academic/intellectual writing and debate through blogging than in any other medium.   The nice thing is you can post on feminism one day and how you’re constipated the next. Love it.

2) What’s behind the name “GINGA JOY?” Here’s the thing.  The “G’s are hard. As in “Get” or “Genghis Khan” (so it’s not Jinja-Joy).   Why does this matter?  Well, it really doesn’t; say it how you like, but there is a story.  In England, people with red hair (well, orange hair) are known as “Gingahs” (with the two hard Gs).   I know. It’s hilarious.  So that was my nickname when I was a young’un in Engerland. “Gingah’”   That and “Red Pig.”   I did not want to call my blog Red Pig.

3) What do you miss most about England? My family.  Now I have two boys of my own, I hanker to be closer to them all (and, ehem, not just for free babysitting). This was something I could not even fathom when I got off that plane years ago at the age of 21, and I would not change anything. But still, we often entertain fantasies about moving back there.

Less obvious answer: The weather.  I am not kidding.   I live in Michigan. I pine for temperate weather and a winter that does not make my face crack off.  And it’s always green there—even in the middle of winter.   I miss that.   I also miss the food. (Shuddup!)

4) Sexier — American or British accent and why? Ooh. You’re trying to trap me aren’t you?  Well my husband is American, so obviously I would say American. Preferably something from the Gary Indiana region (it’s the hacking iron-lung cough that does it for me)  Actually, a lot of British accents can sound a bit poncey to me. To be honest, if what’s coming out of your mouth is funny and/or intelligent, I’m going to get all hot under the collar regardless of accent.

5) Favorite Posts: In Another Life I was a Pack Mule, A Tale of Two Mommy Sites, & My Highly Subjective Diatribe Against Dr. Sears.