New Web site allows people to tell honest stories about their exes

By IRENE RODRIGUEZ

An unusual item found on eBay — an alligator head with fake eyes — inspired the idea for the Web site.

Julie London typed the word “ex-boyfriend” in a search engine, clicked “search” and found the alligator head being auctioned off. Then on Valentine’s Day, www.stupidexbook.com made its debut.

London, creator of stupidexbook.com, decided to create the Web site for those who wanted to share stories about their ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends and give them the opportunity to express their feelings.

“It's wonderful for others to find that they're not alone or that, compared to another story, maybe they didn't have it as bad,” London said. “There are a lot of people out there who want to share their story of heartache and pain.”

The response to the Web site has been very positive from the beginning, London said.

“I was concerned that the title alone might be negative, but this has turned out to be a very positive experience. It seems like the exes that are submitting their stories are so much better off and come out way ahead than if they were still with their ex,” London said.

“What we're looking for is not exceptional writing or even good grammar. We want heartfelt, honest stories that explain what happened and what went wrong.”

But people started to write about more than their ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends.

“The point of the Web site is giving people the opportunity to vent, to let loose on that lousy ex-boss or ex-landlord or ex-anything, place, event or person. Releasing that stuff is the first step in letting go,” London said.

The privacy of those who submit their stories is always respected. No one has access to the Web site except for London and the Webmaster. Participants have the option to remain anonymous, but their e-mail addresses are kept to contact them if their writing is chosen for the Web site, promotion or the book London plans to put out.

The best stories will be published in a series of “ex” books in 2006. London explained that only the best-written and real stories would be used in the series of books.

Now the Web site is searching for stories about college students and college life, such as stupid and ex-drunken fraternity and sorority members, ex-roommates, ex-professors and anything else imaginable.

And from professors, stupidexbook.com is also looking for stupid ex-students.

London sees her Web site as an opportunity for people to vent about their experiences and even have the opportunity to laugh about them.

“Misery loves company, but the common thread I'm seeing among 99 percent of these submissions is that there is a lot of hope and people are heading in the right direction,” London said.