Monday, April 02, 2012

The Utah Conspiracy

Friends, we've gathered here in secret to discuss a very serious threat to the writing/blogging community: Utah.

Yes, the state of Utah. Everyone knows you can't throw a trade paperback without hitting one of its writing residents, but why is that?

 Does it emit some kind of supernatural signal?

 
Do people flock there because the state resembles a thumbs-up and they like it?

 
Or maybe it's something in the water...

Sadly, we may never know why 93.47% of blogging writers hail from Utah. Worse, we may never know why I feel the need to make up statistics like the one just mentioned. All I can say is they're there, they're congregating, and...

I'm jealous. ;)

So, seriously, where's everyone from? I know Pegasus did a wonderful post on the subject a couple weeks ago, but I'm still curious. Show your hometown/state/country, etc. some love in the comments! You never know. One of your fellow bloggers could live just down the road...
 
In fact, they probably do, if you're a... a... Utahn. (Is that right?)


Anyhoo, I'll start! I'm from Ohio--you know, the place where you can yell, "O-H!" in any town and people will stop whatever they're doing to scream, "I-O!" *Grins*

What's it like where you live? :)






Have a great week, guys!

P.S. You know I love you, Utahns. ;) 
P.P.S. Margo is having a book drive for Columbia High School. Check it out!
P.P.P.S. Thanks to Yelena for the Kreativ Blogger and Sunshine awards!

99 comments:

JeffO said...

Since I'm in the Federal Witness Protection program, I'm probably not supposed to tell you that I live in upstate New York. Oh, what the heck, I'm not supposed to have my picture online, either. So, I'm from BLAM

Valerie Hartman said...

Rural community north of Baltimore, Maryland. While I have lived in 9 states and visited many others, I have never been to Utah. Yet.

Peggy Eddleman said...

Someday when I go to Ohio, I'm totally going to go to the mall and yell Oh! and test your theory. ;o)

As far as Utah: You know how some places put fluoride in the tap water? In Utah, they put The Need To Write in the water. We all drink it... How can we help ourselves?

You should move here. Or just come to a conference every few months. Or just come! 93.47% of us Utahns will join you and we'll make it a party.

Katie Dunn said...

I'm not too far from you! Right next door in Indiana in fact=) I've always seen it as either Texas or Oregon as the Writer's states! Now that you mention it though, Utah is pretty up there on the number of writer's I've come across in my blogging time. Now I'm convinced I need to move to one of these three states, lol!

Charity Bradford said...

I spent 10 years in Utah, but I didn't start blogging until I moved to North Carolina. Maybe that "need to write" had a delayed reaction?

Or maybe since I'm a southern girl at heart I couldn't really write until I returned to my rolling hills and green tinted airs of humid springs?

Hildred Billings said...

I'm from Oregon, currently living in Japan until the end of the month. I can safely say that not many writers are congregating in Oregon these days, or at least in my experience. Now, every other kind of artist? Pretty sure they've been painting and glazing the entire state in my absence.

Anonymous said...

meanwhile in nyc, if you toss a bagel in the air, it will likely land on the head of an editor or an agent ;)

Unknown said...

Well, I'm Canadian and I live and work in Mexico, so not close to Utah at all. However, I have been to Utah.

Cassie Mae said...

Utahn, yup that's right, lol. And be careful of the water here... yeah, it can turn you into a writer/blogger, but it may also get you pregnant.

Cortney Pearson said...

Idaho is pretty close to Utah, but we must not get the same water here, lol! Either that or I drink a TON of it whenever I go visit and the effects are long-lasting to keep me writing...

Emily R. King said...

I live in Washington State! But I lived in Utah for 5 years...I'm also Canadian. I guess I'm a mixed breed.

Melissa said...

ROFL!!! Thanks, Jeff. I needed that today. = )

Melissa said...

Houston, Texas. Born and raised. (And , no. I don't own a horse.)
= P

Tina Moss said...

NYC, the publishing capital of the world. It does not, however, give me any extra publishing powers - sadly.

Suzi said...

North Dakota here. I've noticed that Utah thing too. Funny. I visited it once... years ago... never lived there though.

Kimberlee Turley said...

You know what else is popular in Utah, scrapbooking.

It's got a large LDS population and in Mormon culture, crafty things just seem to be all the rage. Do it yourself canning, sewing quilts, home storage, gardening.

Blogging just seems like the perfect outlet for all that.

But then I get stumped with my logic when you throw in the writing part. No idea why there would be so many writing bloggers from Utah.

i'm erin. said...

Ha ha! I love this post. My sister from WA is visiting and she said the same thing. She is also a starting writer and she's amazed with all the contacts and meetings that are offered in Utah. I live here, so basically I love it!

Elodie said...

I´m with Peggy on this one...the next time I cross your State which might be in May, I will try out your theory :D
I live in Germany, it´s quite cozy around here...Our apartment overlook the Rhine and I love looking at the water in the morning or evening...it has a calming and inspiring effect :D I´m from a small village in France originally though...

Iain said...

I'm in the same hemisphere as you, so we're practically neighbours.
OK, so there's an ocean between Kent in the UK, and Ohio, but that's a mere detail, isn't it? :o)

Donna K. Weaver said...

Um . . . I live in Utah, but I wasn't born here. I've lived (even for short periods) in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Wyoming, and I was born in Maryland.

We are very fortunate in Utah in having a rich publishing community in this state. Seriously, it's amazing. Ally Condie (Matched and Crossed) and Dan Wells (I Am Not a Serial Killer series and Partials) both live in my city. The city next door is where Brandon Sanderson lives (Mistborn series, finishing the Wheel of Time series, Warbreaker, Way of Kings), Elana Johnson (Possession) lives two small cities away, and James Dashner (Maze Runner series) lives across the lake. And these are just the folks in this valley (county). Brodi Ashton (Everneath) and Brandon Mull (Fablehaven, Beyonders) lives in the next valley over.

See what I mean?

Angela Brown said...

I didn't want to say anything about the Utah connection, but you know, you kind of notice things sometimes lol!!

I was born and raised in Arkansas but call Central Texas my home now. Though I don't own a cowboy hat I do have a favorite pair of boots :-)

Alleged Author said...

I actually didn't know that at all! I was born in Michigan but now live in Cali. I think there are a ton of writers here, but there are even MORE screenwriters!

Kelley Lynn said...

Its so true! So many blogging/writers live in Utah.

I'm from Wisconsin. Yippie!

Anonymous said...

O-H, I love random facts like this and had never it before! I was also born in MI *waves to Alleged Author* but now live in sunny Southwest Florida . . . Cape Coral-we've held the record for most foreclosed homes out of all U.S. cities on and off for a couple years now, so I'm surprised more bloggers aren't from here with everyone out of work:( Anyways, thanks for the fun. If you're interested in more fun, I'm doing an Easter Basket Full of books giveaway on my blog until tomorrow:)

Sarah Tokeley said...

I live in the North of England, which is nowhere near Utah :-)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Don't worry, Jeff. Your secret is safe with me. ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Nine states? Wow! Which one was your favorite? :)

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, I sincerely hope I am in that mall. I will dive out from behind a kiosk and yell, "I-O!" ;)

You know, you guys should consider bottling that stuff. I know it's a precious resource, but The Need To Write sounds like something best shared. *grins*

That is now one of my life goals. I can't wait to party with Utahns! :D

Carrie Butler said...

I had no clue. Midwesterners unite! :D

Oh, I know what you mean. It seems like they're having all the fun without us! lol

Carrie Butler said...

That must be it! The "need to write" was dormant until you returned to your place of inspiration. :D

Melodie Wright said...

I live in Alaska. It is gorgeous here. Like, really really really really pretty. Those photos you see - NOT photoshopped.
Also, this state likes to kill clueless people. If this state was a person, it'd be a deadly beautiful assassin (who is abnormally large). ;)

Carrie Butler said...

I've always wanted to visit Japan! How do you like it? I took a couple years of Japanese, but I would never attempt to use it there. I'd probably mess up and cause some kind of international incident. LOL

I guess you'll be Oregon's writing representative, then. ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Oh, Gina. I love this comment. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Whoa. I didn't realize you were so well traveled, Clarissa! Very cool. :)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! I'll have to keep that in mind, when I visit. ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Haha! Oh, yes, they must be long-lasting! :)

Carrie Butler said...

I didn't realize you were Canadian, Empress King! You know what's weird? I had "O Canada" in my head all weekend. I'm not Canadian. I've never been to Canada.

...Yet, somehow, I know all the words. LOL

Carrie Butler said...

You don't have a horse? How am I supposed to picture Texas now?!

I kid, I kid. ;)

I want to visit there, too! Man, maybe I shouldn't have made this post. Now I want to come hang out with everyone! *grins*

Carrie Butler said...

That's okay, Tina. I know you would use them on me, if you did.

...Maybe. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Did you drink the magical writing water while you were there? ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Scrapbooking, hm? Maybe I should ship my sister off to Utah. She's a big scrapper. :)

As for writing, well, I'll default back to the water theory. It's easier that way. *grins*

Carrie Butler said...

I denounce my previous theories. Erin is the epicenter of the Utah writing phenomenon!

...Probably. :D

Emily R. King said...

You're one up on me. I remember the first half of the first verse, and that's it.

I can recite the 50 states of the United States in alphabetical order. It's come in handy...nah, it really hasn't. :)

Leigh Covington said...

Oh.MY.HECK - this post is brilliant! And by the first 3 words, you can probably tell that I'm from Utah too. LOL. And it's true. There are so many freaking writers in this state. I never knew it until I got into blogging, but it's true. I have a theory - I may have to share it on my blog later this month. Hmmm...

Sally said...

ROFL Utah= thumbs up. I will never see this state the same...or any Utahns either XD Freaking awesome post- educational too. Maybe if I drink Utahnian water it'll be like a writing pill...Must test out this theory.

Oh and I'm not a blogger (...yet), but since I do hope this will change in the not-too-far-away future, I'll show my country a little love (since it doesn't get much!) I hereby represent Puerto Rico :') [And I vow to represent it better with an actual blog...eventually xD]

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Nice. You know, the closer you are to the capital city (Columbus), the higher the probability that it will work. ;)

That sounds gorgeous. I wish I could see it! :D

Carrie Butler said...

Of course we're neighbors! Ignore that little pond between us. It's for decoration. *Grins*

Carrie Butler said...

My goodness. That's an impressive list of residents! I might have to start believing the water theory...

By the way, I think it's great you've gotten to experience so many places! Do you have a favorite? :)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Boots work! Besides, you can always work up to the hat. ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Phew! It's a good thing you moved to Cali. I wouldn't want to think of you as one of my mortal enemies (Michigan).

...I'm just kidding, anyway. :)

Oh, I can only imagine!

Carrie Butler said...

Ooo, I hardly ever hear of bloggers from Wisconsin. You are now the representative, Kelly! ;)

Carrie Butler said...

I-O! Foreclosed homes? Ack. :( Unfortunately, that would make sense. I bet it's beautiful, though!

Oh, cool! I'll have to check it out. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Woohoo! You and Iain are representing England today. :)

Carrie Butler said...

A deadly beautiful assassin who is abnormally large...

I almost choked! *grins*

Oh, it sounds gorgeous. I wish I could see it! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Leigh!

Well, now that you mention it... *Grins* Really? Oh, you should! I want to read it. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Haha! Well, I'm always glad to poison your mind with my warped way of thinking, Sally. ;)

Yes, you must blog soon. Puerto Rico is counting on you, Ms. Representative! :D

Carrie Butler said...

In alphabetical order? Crap! I can't do that...

Guess we're even. :D

Hildred Billings said...

Well, if you're gonna be out o fthe cities, you'd better be brushed up and not shy to use your Japanese! =P (Although fun story for today, stumbled into the local PO to mail something and we had a classic case of "HOLY CRAP SHE'S SPEAKING JAPANESE WHAT DO I DO?!" from the workers.)

Japan has seasons. I've discovered I detest seasons. (I am either too damn hot or too damn cold. brb going to Oregon where there are no seasons.)

Oh, there are writers in Oregon! (There's a pretty popular convention in my small county) just not as many as I keep hearing we're ssupposed to have. It's mostly painters, sculptors, wood-workers etc where I'm at. You know, hands-on people.

Anonymous said...

Former Utahn now living the expat life in Oregon. My theory is that there are lots of moms bursting with creativity in between nap times who are more inclined to hang out with the laptop than watch reruns of All My Children. You go, girls! But if there was something in the water...or the snow...that would explain it.

Callie

Margo Kelly said...

Fun. Post.

:)

haha.

I'm from Idaho, and thanks for the shout out for the book drive - the school needs ALL the help we can give them!!

Golden Eagle said...

I know! I read about all these conferences and see pictures with several bloggers I know in them . . . and they're all from Utah.

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Oh, I would have loved to have seen their faces. :D

You would hate Ohio, then. We experience all four seaons...sometimes on the same day. *grins*

Ooo, okay. :)

Carrie Butler said...

That's a good theory, Callie! (And if we mix it with Cassie's theory of the water getting women pregnant, it's perfect!) ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Carrie Butler said...

No problem, Margo! I hope you get lots of support. :)

Carrie Butler said...

Exactly! They're having all the fun without us. *Grins*

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, thanks for the chuckle.
I'm not from Utah! I'm from Sydney, Australia :)

Carrie Butler said...

Yes! I was hoping someone would come represent Australia on the map. :D

Philip Siegel said...

Hello, first time stopping by. Nice to meet you!

I live in Chicago (Midwest what what), and the writing community here can't hold a candle to Utah. I've flown over Utah before...does that count?

One of my favorite movies - Heathers - takes place in Ohio!

Suzi said...

Yes. In fact I did drink the magical water since I was there for probably 5 days. But it didn't work since that was back in the early 90s and I didn't start writing until 15+ years later. Maybe it became magical after I was there.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm ... drumroll please... from Canada! Where hockey is hockey and men aren't afraid to wear red. Yes, folks, I'm just 700 km north of the Vancouver Canucks, the team most likely to win the Stanley Cup this year. Okay, most likely may be stretching things. BUT--they did win their division, so I dare say they are a strong contender. New York Rangers may not think so, but everybody knows Rangers are not real frontier men~!

Oops, the game's starting. Tonight the Canucks are going to whip Anaiheim Ducks' buttS! Yay, Canucks.

Oh, right, I'm from central BC where the elk and moose and black bears roam, and where the folks are slightly off kilter. Everyone, in fact, except for moi! While we're at it, I want to know why I can't capitalize MOOSES???

Carrie Butler said...

Welcome, Phil! It's nice to have another Midwesterner around here. :D

Hmm, I don't know. Did the trip have an effect on your writing ability/motivation? ;)

Heathers, hm? I'll have to check it out!

Carrie Butler said...

Sounds like a fun place! :D

I hope you guys destroy the Ducks tonight. I can't stand that team. (Though their coach, Bruce Boudreau, cracks me up. That guy has a temper! LOL) The Jackets are playing the Coyotes tonight. I can't believe the season is almost over!

Hah! That's right. Everyone except you, Joylene. Butlers are never off kilter! ;)

Melissa Sugar said...

I have never been to Utah. I love in Louisiana (no I don't ride my pirogue to work). We have many writers, but most are in New Orleans and I haven't lived there since I had kids.

cleemckenzie said...

The only thing I really know about Utah is that state's red rock. I had no idea it was populated with writers. See, I learn new stuff every time I check in with you.

I'm on the Pacific coast in CA. Wonder if we have writers here?

Carrie Butler said...

How cool! I don't think we've had anyone from Louisiana yet. :)

P.S. I'm going to pretend I did not just google "pirogue". ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Red rock, hm? I learned something, too! :)

Oh, and according to our handy dandy map, at least three of you hail from CA. :D

Lisa Regan said...

I'm from Philly!!! Represent!!! Ack, sorry, that's just something someone from Philly really would say. Heh heh heh. Looks like I'm the only Pennsylvanian in the comments here. :{

Carrie Butler said...

Then you really do represent! ;)

Lydia Kang said...

Nebrasky! Not Utah here. :)
I never noticed that thumbs up sign before!

Melissa said...

There are horses withing walking distance of my house. Does that count? = D (and I live in the burbs! = 0 )

So, come visit! It's the little flashing blue thingy on your map near the bottom of Texas. = )

Carrie Butler said...

You must've gotten some heavily diluted magic. It took a while to kick in. ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Finally! A Nebraskan! (Check me out. I didn't even have to look that one up. *grins*) The middle of the map needed some love. :)

Carrie Butler said...

Sure!

..Somehow, I doubt my car would make it there. :P

Julie Musil said...

I had no idea so many of our blogger buddies live in Utah! And I also never noticed that the state is shaped like a thumbs up. YOU are a fountain of information!

I live in southern California, in a small horse town called Agua Dulce (sweet water, for those who haven't taken Spanish 1). I love how our library has a parking lot AND a horse hitching station. And just today I drove my son to his friend's house, and I had to wait for a wandering horse to cross the driveway.

Summer Lane said...

I've never been to Utah. I've never been out of California!!! I think that's why I blog. Just saying. :P

Unknown said...

Carrie, you are sooooo funny! Loved this post and, yes, I'm a Utahn. And that's how it is spelled. Maybe it should be a Utahnionian. Now that would rock. Anyway, I've wondered a bit about this state of Utah. A ton of people on So You Think You Can Dance or ever American Idol have come from Utah. Lots of writers too. Maybe there is some creative genious in the water here. Well, if that's the case I will continue to drink it. haha I can ship it to anyone who would like a sip. You'd have to pay for shipping though. :D

Talli Roland said...

Wow, who knew that about Utah? I certainly didn't!

I could definitely say the same about my 'hood. Not only are there, like, a gazillion writers and artists who live here in Notting Hill, but Agatha Christie and James Joyce used to live just down the road.

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Why thank you, Julie. ;)

Oh, I love small towns! Agua Dulce sounds like a great place to live. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Hey, all the more places to visit on your international book tour, right? ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, I would so vote for Utahnionian! :)

Really? Hmm, you just might have a lucrative business on your hands there! *grins*

Carrie Butler said...

That's so cool! I bet those other writers say, "Hey, I live down the road from Talli Roland. Yes, THE Talli Roland!" :D

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Haha, you statistical fibber you! I have the opposite problem! I feel like there's hardly ANYONE in CHicago:( It's such a big city, but none of the writers I chat with online are near here. BOO!

Carrie Butler said...

Sounds like you need to move seven hours southeast, Lindsay. ;)

Brooke R. Busse said...

Yes, I have noticed that about Utah. Highly suspicious...

I myself live in southwest Oklahoma. I'm all by my lonesome. -sigh-

Carrie Butler said...

Suspicious, indeed! ;)

Aww, but Oklahoma is full of published authors. (Gena Showalter, PC & Kristen Cast, etc.) You're lucky!

Mark Koopmans said...

OHHH toooo funny....

I *swear* I wasn't pulling a James Frey on you.... I never saw this post before you linked me... *swear*, but how weird our percentages are only 0.16% apart.... tooo wierd :)

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, I know. :) I'm tellin' you, Mark, great minds!

Morgan said...

Holy crap... laaaaaughing, Carrie... I'm so glad you mentioned this post. I'm DYING!!!! And the thumbs-up thing is killing me!

Hahaha... this made my day!

Go Utes!

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Morgan. :) You know I love me some Utahns!