Did you know that 777 Peppermint Place is almost 10 years old? I started this blog in 2008, not having a clue what to do with it, whether I could keep up with it, or whether anyone would actually read it. At the time, I didn’t know anything about branding, and even if I had known, I wouldn’t have had a brand. My first novels, both mysteries, were destined to dry rot, and it would be a few years before Give the Lady a Ride, a rodeo cowboy romance, would see the light of day. All I knew was that I was supposed to have a blog–and be on Facebook, Twitter, Stumble, and every other time-sucking site because I was a nobody hoping to be published someday and have a few people buy my books.
So I set off to do what I’d been told to do, and became the prime example of how not to do them. Like misnaming my blog.
Want to know how I came up with the moniker “777 Peppermint Place”?
Back in the ’70s, when CBs were hot, “Convoy” was a popular song on the radio, and Burt Reynolds was still making the girls swoon in Smokey and the Bandit, Mom and I used to travel together in her second-hand, lime-green Mercury Marquis. We’d go to Temple to see her aunt, for instance, or off to the country to go fishing. Daddy worried about us, so he got Mom a CB, just in case anything happened to us on the road. She was “Lady-D in the Green Marquis” (“D” for her name, Dusty), and I was Peppermint, since peppermint was (and is) my favorite hard-candy flavor. Besides, since I was a redheaded white girl, the name seemed to fit. Peppermint was my favorite of all my nicknames back then. Some people called me Pepper or Pep–any variation of Peppermint–others called me “Red,” which I’ll still answer to, “Carrot Top,” which never made sense, since carrot tops are green, “Freckle-Faced Strawberry”–well, the list goes on and on.
Anyway, by 2008, I’d been Peppermint for quite some time, though not many used the nickname anymore.
By the time I opened this blog, though, I wasn’t Peppermint for CB purposes. I liked the name because of a sermon I’d heard about the symbolism of the candy cane. I don’t know whether the story about the candy cane is true, but I liked that it symbolized Jesus. I still considered Peppermint to be my nickname, I just had a different reason for liking it.
So, what to name my blog?
In 2008, it didn’t dawn on me to call it “Linda W. Yezak, Author/Editor/Speaker.” In fact, the net was so new to me, that I was scared to call myself by name on it at all. You hear all sorts of horrible things that happen on the net, and it took me a while to realize that you don’t have to be scared of it, just cautious.
No, using my name anywhere in the blog title didn’t occur to me. I chose 777 Peppermint Place. The triple sevens symbolize the holy Trinity and “Peppermint” symbolizes Jesus. I tagged “Place” at the end, and there ya go–I had a blog address.
Fairly useless moniker now, though.
If you know me from Facebook, you probably associate me with coffee, which is why I named my newsletter “Coffee with Linda.” I’ve tried to incorporate “coffee” with everything else associated with my name. My business card says I’m an “author/editor/speaker, hopeless coffeeholic.” That works, but mostly, I’m Linda W. Yezak, author, editor, and speaker.
My brand should be my name. Everything I do on the net should include my name, and by now, almost everything does, with 777 Peppermint Place being the only hold-back. I still like my “blog address.”
So, how do I include Linda W. Yezak as my name, yet not lose 777 Peppermint Place?
Coming soon, I’ll have an actual Website, with a link to my “place” here. I have to hire a professional to do this because I’m clueless, but as soon as it’s done, I’ll let everyone know. I’m looking forward to the great reveal. Well, I’m looking forward to seeing it myself!
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Interesting story of your name. I set up a website originally about 15 years ago, but because it was all HTML, I later created a separate blogspot site and used a “clever name” (From Carol’s Quill). It meant 2 sites to maintain; one of which was NOT my full name.
Ultimately I combined the two into a single user-friendly WordPress site. It was a painful process which involved crying. But it was the right thing to do. Sometimes the best you can do is achieve what you’re able to at the time, until you learn more.
I’ve loved hanging with you at Peppermint Place, Linda. Best wishes with the transition. It can indeed be done!
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I’m encouraged that it can be done! I hated the idea of giving up Peppermint Place. I’ve lived here forever, it seems.
BTW: I remember Carol’s Quills! ❤
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Have always been curious where it came from. Great story – looking forward to seeing your new home 🙂
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I wrote about it years ago, but all my readers have changed since then.
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Ah, yes the painful transition. I did the same a few years back. I unfortunately chose my first blog’s name based on a devotional quote that has very un-biblical connotations now. I fought the tide for several years and finally gave up. Unfortunately, because of the amount of spam the name attracted, I was ignorant enough to go cold turkey without announcing the change. I lost a few readers, but I think I’ve gained them back now.
I too enjoyed the story behind the name of your blog, and the meaning behind the three sevens. Sevens are a special message between God and I (three to be exact). They are a reminder to me of his promises in Psalms 27, 37, and in Luke: 12:27. They seem to pop up in the most unusual ways at the exact moment I need the reminders. 🙂 He’s awfully good that way.
Here’s to your new home. Can’t wait to see!
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God has blessed me with a wonderful designer. It’ll be a while, but I’m stoked!!!
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I’m anxious to see how you make the transition. I need to do this too. But I’ve been putting it off.
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I’m fortunate. One of my friends and I are exchanging talents. Edit for a web design. I tell ya–you can’t beat networking. It’s invaluable!
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Ten years?! *faints* I can’t believe it’s been that long. But I hear you on the misbranding. It’s so sad we have to make all these decisions about our brand before we even know what a brand is. :p
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Yep. I shudder at how much I *still* need to learn. Sigh.
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Too cool! And peppermints are my fave as well (and so is peppermint tea!)! Can’t wait to see your new digs! Yay! 😀
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I love peppermint tea!
I’m anxious to see my “new digs,” too. I didn’t realize how much work goes in to it. It’s overwhelming! So glad I have help!!!
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CB lingo, love it! Come back, good buddy, Peppermint! Ha ha! I love this story on how you named your blog and I love you chicka!!
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I actually kinda miss those days. They were fun–at least that part of them.
Love backatcha! ❤
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