The past, the present and future walk into a bar. It was tense.

Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Rubber Ducky has a face

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
― Ansel Adams

For the longest time, I’ve avoided putting my picture on the Internet. And is it any wonder, considering my family?

My dad thinks that Pinterest is the government’s way of stealing our ideas and that Facebook is the gateway to Hell. When he finally caved to the demands of the women in his family (Mom and me) to create a Facebook account, he opened and used no fewer than seven dummy email addresses so that his account couldn’t actually be traced back to him. And all that personal information he’s supposed to include? Lies.

According to his Amazon wish list, he’s a 19 year-old woman who lives in Tokyo.

Then there’s my mom. My hero. My idol. Also the woman who’d routinely call me at 3:00 a.m. and tell me to make sure my doors and windows were locked. The woman who bought me a baseball bat, a golf club and canister of pepper spray to keep my bed “just in case.” In her defense, I actually was kidnapped when I was a toddler. I also was returned 3 days later in perfect health by a family member. And although I thought I’d had a grand adventure, Mom was understandably never the same.

It’s a wonder she ever let me move out. If it wasn’t for the fact that my dog barked when the sand moved in the Sahara, I’m pretty sure it would never have happened.

So that’s why I’ve always been a little reticent about posting my picture on my website. But in this day and age (and given that I’m a professional writer who has to network online), it’s time to file “I don’t want to” under Suck It Up, Buttercup.

Because even in online relationships, friendships and business connections, people like to talk to and do business with people.

So, here I am. (Don’t tell Dad.)

 Erica Hayes, Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Yes, that’s me. Yes, it’s a professional photograph. And yes, I’d just had my hair done that morning. Which means it’s the best I’ll ever look. Which also means that I’ll be using this photograph until I’m 100 years old.

What about you? Ever had concerns about putting your picture online? Any backlash? And benefits?

14 responses to “Rubber Ducky has a face”

  1. Laurence Avatar
    Laurence

    I bounced here from Carol Tice’s page to see your experiment in changing inner and outer environments. Have enjoyed reading about the scientific experience and have enjoyed this piece even more. Genuine, quality entertainment.

    I had more to say the first time around, but by the time I had settled things with wordpress and had gotten signed in, wordpress forgot all about why I was trying to signin. I hate that.

    Now, I’m going to read “Rubber Ducky gets a Face” again. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Laurence Avatar
      Laurence

      P.S. Can’t neglect to say that you should let the snark out more often.

      Reply
    2. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Hi Laurence, welcome to Rubber Ducky Copywriter!

      Glad to hear you like what you’re reading. I’ve recently decided that if even if I’m not all that helpful in general, I may as well as entertain. 😉 Also (and more importantly), thanks for taking the extra time to make sure your comment posted. Much appreciated. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Peter D. Mallett Avatar
    Peter D. Mallett

    Let me know if you find out. Hey, btw, I just found out last night I’ll be featured on the HeSo Project blog today! I checked a bit ago and it wasn’t posted but it is now, under Mini Memoir Monday. http://thehesoproject.com/

    Reply
  3. Peter D. Mallett Avatar
    Peter D. Mallett

    I think it’s a great photo. It doesn’t mean though that you won’t take another one you’ll like. I want to take a new photo for my pages, but never get around to it.
    I enjoyed your stories. My mom still talks about an email “machine” my grandfather had like twenty years ago, that wasn’t a computer it was just for emailing and she wishes she could get one of those. None of us kids have any idea what it was, pehaps a Blackberry. Reminds me of the episode of Seinfeld when Jerry got his dad a Blackberry and all he used it for was as a tip calculator.

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Thanks, Peter! Glad you liked the stories. Now I have to go look up what an “email machine” might be.

      Reply
  4. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    I feel the same way because I hate taking them. But it’s nice to finally connect a face to the name 🙂
    BTW, your dad is a hoot, I don’t blame him at all!

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      I really do love my parents. They’re my greatest source of love, support and comedic relief. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Shea Ford Avatar
    Shea Ford

    Hee hee. I’m with ya on the using the same photo till I’m 100. 😀 Yours is super cute! 🙂 Mine was taken about 9 years ago by the owner of the tea room I use to play harp for. He was an amateur photographer with a nice camera and he happened to catch me on a good hair day. lol

    My mom is a bit like your dad. I think deep down she still believes the whole internet will one day fail. She’s always liked a good apocolyptic story. 😀

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Awwww…thank you for the compliment! 🙂

      And I love your photo. You look so very nice. (Am trying to be accurately nice without being creepy, but really…you look so nice!) Good hairs days should always be captured, especially when there’s a good-lookin’ harp to go with it.

      Reply
    2. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Forgot to mention…my mom loves a good apocalypse, too. Whenever there’s a natural disaster on TV, she’s glued to it. It’s cute.

      Reply
  6. Willi Avatar
    Willi

    OMG you are so cute! 🙂 ❤

    Reply
    1. Willi Avatar
      Willi

      HAHAH sorry didn’t read your post before I commented on said photo. My husband is like this. Did I mention I had my engagement ring all of two months, and he requested I not wear it walking around Atlanta? YEAH. That bad. And also I totally agree – engagement photos are as good as it gets haha. The one here is actually from a couple years ago, but all the others you’ve seen are from an engagement shoot. Please share those photos with me when you get a chance, since I’m pretty sure I’ve bombarded you with mine.

      Reply
      1. Erica Avatar
        Erica

        I actually Sweetie for a smaller engagement ring so I wouldn’t be robbed. He did great, too. It’s perfect and won’t get me mugged.

        Thank you so much for the compliment! 🙂 And I love your photos. You look fab-u-lous. Will definitely share.

        Reply

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Hello,

I’m Erica Wall.

Erica Wall, Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Award-winning copywriter.
Real-world creative writer.
Multi-cup-a-day coffee drinker.

Answers to a cat.

Present and ready to write.

Resolutions for 2026

  • Block off three hours a week to write
  • Delegate more to reduce overwhelm
  • Clean up and clean out home office
  • Practice finishing what I start
  • Practice good habits and let results be whatever they’ll be

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
> Stephen King

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” 
> Ernest Hemingway

“Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.” 
> F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
> Douglas Adams

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” 
>Albert Einstein