How much of ourselves do we reveal as writers?
I’m honest sometimes. Brutally honest, especially with myself. Maybe cruel is a more accurate portrait of how I treat myself? But ultimately I’m honest even if that honesty hurts.
I didn’t start blogging to have a platform for my writing, I started because I wanted to talk to someone in a safe way. It’s easier to talk to strangers when they aren’t near you, and I’m not good with strangers. I thought it was an easy transition from regular blogger to writer who blogs.
Wrong.
I’ve learned the hard way there’s a certain way to do this writing/blogging thing. Not everyone is supportive, and revealing too much can get you into a lot of trouble if you’re not careful. Been there, done that.
So that leads back to the original question. How much do we reveal? This place isn’t my tell all, write all, say all blog. But people can’t connect with you unless you talk about something other than what story you’re writing. I can’t talk about my job or my struggles though because I’m supposed to remain anonymous.
What the hell do I do then?
I relegate the personal me to a private site (one no one has found yet), and try figuring out how much is too much here. There I can pour out the harder stories that fill my brain, talk about the ugly me that likes the surface, I’m dark and taboo and honest. I’ll still be that here, but with restrictions. I’ll discuss the topics of importance, but temper the honesty when necessary. Some times (like now) that brutal honesty will leak in and bring dark tales with it. I’ll let it in, you’ll read and maybe comment, and we’ll solider on.
Eventually I’ll find my place again.
I’m not popular, I’ll never be famous, but I like to think I’ll be interesting to a few people who get to know me. That’s enough, right?
How much is too much for a writer to reveal?
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