This has been sitting in my drafts for a few days (well part of it has anyway) and I thought it was about time I finished rambling and posted, because a) it's Friday and b) I have a presentation this afternoon.
A few years ago, I had a very close group of friends I met online. We're not so close anymore, but at the time they meant so much to me, and they are all wonderful, wonderful people. I don't think they know how much they meant to me.
But it meant that I had that whole online - real life divide, which kinda merged over time, to become very confused and less clear. Although, of course, this is a little different, it feels a little bit of the same. For some reason, not even known to me, I haven't told any of my real life friends about this blog. I've had blogs before, which have sort of petered out, and I didn't want that to happen to this one. So I didn't tell anyone. And I managed to keep posting, because I knew no one was reading. And then I began to connect, via NaNoWriMo with other writers from my area and I gave out my blog details - finally people who understood were reading and following me, and I could follow them in return and connect with other people. And then came this writer's platform building campaign, and I thought great, another chance to get to know some great writers. And so it is happening again, this strange online vs offline divide - made even stranger by the fact that I have another online life, with tumblr and twitter and all of that, and people I know in real life follow me on there - I'm just about used to that. I don't know if I've made myself particuarly clear, but there we go.
Maybe one day I'll let my real life friends know about this blog.
Have a good Friday everyone; I need to go prepare for this presentation now (the one mentioned before about Ballet Shoes, I Capture the Castle, and Autumn Term. It should be fun. At least I love the books).
I am exaaaaaaaaaactly the same way. I have not told my "real" life people about my new blog, even though they definitely read the Fantasy Casting blog. I just don't want everyone to know that I'm trying to write a book. It's too personal right now, and I don't want every conversation to start with "So, are you done? When is it going to be on shelves?"
ReplyDeleteYeah I know what you mean; everyone knows I write, but not really what, and its easier at the moment to try and keep it seperate. I think it will be easier to build up this blog and then be like hey guys, look at this, if you want... Also the way I talk about my characters sometimes.... they already think I'm mad...
DeleteWe all have different friends for different reasons; those we shop with, those we watch movies with, those we drink with, and those we blog with. Online friends are just as important as real life ones, and each of them have their own value.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy blogging - I'm such a complete addict, and have made some very valuable, helpful and supportive online friends.
This is so very true. They really are; I've definitely learnt that in the past, but its strange to begin to get back into it, although I'm loving beginning to get to know everyone!
DeleteThank you, I will do (I love it already). Yay :)
It really can start feeling really complicated, I think. With me, the two lines have just blurred now and I've gotten pretty used to it, which is nice :) I've met some great friends (who have stayed with me!) through blogging and same with my real life. It can still get a little weird when both cross but it's easier to get over it now :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue to enjoy this blog and hope this time it works out a little better :)
I agree, it certainly can. I thought I'd done all that, but here I am again!! Yeah, it takes time for it all to sort itself out I suppose! :)
DeleteThanks very much.... me too; so far, so good...
Hey it's Cindy Hogan with It's all about the suspense and the campaign. Wondering if you'd like to be a part of a blog hop at the end of March. couldn't find an email.
ReplyDeleteHey! Excuse my ignorance, but what's a blog hop?! haha :) x
DeleteI don't keep my blog a secret by any means, but I don't really go out of the way to direct my real life people to my website either. I guess I just figure if they are interested, they'll get there eventually. I am shy about promoting myself though. I just don't want to push myself on people, assuming they won't be interested.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's fair enough. I suppose I don't deliberately hide it either, just people don't ask! Yeah, I'm exactly the same! :) xx
DeleteIt is rather strange and complicated. Although many of my real-life friends know I keep a blog, not many of them visit or follow it. I'm careful not to mention my blog on facebook, which is where I keep up with my real-life friends. They're like two separate worlds.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. Yeah, I definitely avoid that, for now anyway! They most definitely are two seperate worlds! At the moment I think its best to keep them that way! x
DeleteAhhhhh, this makes so much sense to me :) Do whatever feels right for you! (I'm so happy we're in the same campaign group!) *waves*
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! Will try to! Great to meet you... me too :) *waves back* xx
DeleteI enjoy having my blog so I can connect with other writers. I've told my real-life friends about it, but I don't know that they're following it, because writing isn't a big thing to them. That's okay, though. We have other ways to stay connected.
ReplyDeleteI had to scroll down in your posts to see what you said about I Capture The Castle. One of my all-time favorites! Ahh, Stephen Colley, you make me weep!
Anyway, nice to meet you! Can't wait to get to know you better through the campaign.
Yeah, its definitely a great advantage and something like this is wonderful, get to meet so many new wonderful people! That's cool, that makes sense! Well, exactly!
DeleteAh, I Capture the Castle! I love finding other people who adore it like I do! It's just so brilliant <3
Nice to meet you too; most definitely, you too! :) xx
It's kind of like the Clark Kent/Superman thing, huh? The question is which one is the hero persona? I had a hidden blog and thought for sure no one would ever know it was there. I went to it one day and WHAM! I had a follower. How did that happen? It was supposed to be a secret.
ReplyDeleteI now have several public one and am hoping that my slight of hand tricks (blogs) will keep people from sneaking up on my secret one. :D
I'm your new follower from the campaign and am looking forward to getting to know you.
That is such a good analogy! It really is.... good question though. Ah no.. that's the problem I suppose. But then, its always nice, in a way, to know that other people are reading (only maybe not people you know in real life...) that sounds a good plan!
DeleteNice to meet you, you too! :) x