I’ve given talks to local romance writing chapters on blogs and blogging. In them, I have covered everything from ‘where to get started’ to ‘what to write’. There are a lot of different opinions when it comes to ‘how to blog’. My dh believes you should be honest when you write a blog entry, citing Wil Wheaton’s blog as a prime example of what to strive for. It’s a wonderful blend of everyday life mixed with talk of his career.
I have never been that comfortable talking about myself. I’m the first to admit it. I enjoy my blog, but I struggle to maintain informality. I’m naturally stiff when it comes to speaking with strangers, be it in person or online. To break myself of this habit, I have started to talk about the struggles I’ve had as a writer. I did this for two reasons. One, to get the info off my shoulders and two, so that I could let other writers know they are not alone. I’m pleased to say these entries have been pretty successful on my site.
Yet that success was short-lived. Within a few entries, I started hearing rumbles that the public face I’m presenting may be hazardous to my writing health. Apparently, some concerned souls worry that if editors read my blog and see that I’ve struggled on occasion they won’t be interested in working with me in the future. (Someone should probably warn Tess Gerritsen.)
Now, I don’t claim to have an insight on the inner workings of the editorial mind, but I can’t imagine an editor reading one of my blog entries and then striking me permanently off their list of authors to buy. This is especially true given the fact that I’ve completed several books and never missed a deadline.
The whispers did give me pause. I know I’m presenting a public face and because of that I try to avoid talk of hot-button issues such as religion and politics. I don’t name the company I used to work for. I also don’t tend to name family members without asking their permission. I thought by discussing the business of writing I’d landed in a neutral zone like Switzerland, but had I missed the drop site? Was I somehow hurting my career? Would editors avoid me for being honest? If only I had my Wonder Twin powers, I could divine the answers.
This brings me around to the facelift. (I’m sure right about now many of you are thanking a deity that I’m finally getting to the point of this blog entry. 
As a writer, do I need to put on a happy public face? Should my blog entries cover only sunshine and rainbows, while carefully omitting the rain? For a few days, I actually considered changing the type of entries I make and deleting some of my older ‘writer struggle’ entries in case, gasp, an editor wandered by. Luckily, I stopped the insanity before I did anything stupid.
I think editors are very well aware that writers struggle on occasion, that they have bad days/months where nothing seems to go right, and that they all hit the wall of life sometimes. Guess what? So do editors. They may not all blog about it, but it happens. It’s part of being human.
Now that I’ve had a good look in the mirror, I think I’m going to keep my ‘old’ face. It has served me well so far.
No related posts.
Ursula, Thank you.
Sherrilyn is a very astute lady. I have seen the types of blogs you mentioned. They are definitely interesting. 
Gennita, (Love your books.)
It is a tad scary to realize that editors and agents drop by blogs. Gulp is right. 
I think your blog is very successful in walking that line of self-revelation and professionalism while maintaining a conversational personal tone that holds interest. It’s a talent!
Thank you, Monica! That’s very kind of you to say.