my current blog replaced an old one I abandonded because I wrote for family, in order to share with them all, well, US and the kids and what was going on in our world.

it caused me a lot of grief when after over 2 years I had only 12 comments total and most from my work friend.

I put out a warning…and a month later pulled the plug. Again the only sniffles where my work friend and a new blogger friend II had made. Most of the intended readers still haven’t realized it’s gone. sheez.

I missed blogging, the antics of my kids and just journaling our nutzy life. I loved my blog but it was also limiting becasue I was writing to an audience I couldn’t be free with.

a week later my new blog was born and no one in my family is aware of it and I love having a small but heartfelt audience to share my jouries with.

I do try to keep a little bit of obscurity, but realized all too soon how much I am out there. I like your food for thought, and, highly doubt my ramblings will amount to anything but sharing with friends my life.

I really can’t say what or how Iwould feel if Oprah called me and said let’s sit and chat!

HA

What I share online has two purposes: The first is always to help others. This purpose needs an audience and I welcome any way to broaden that audience because I would like to have the opportunity to help everyone who needs it.

The second is to as a social outlet for myself. I live a rather hermit-like real life. My social-network is 98% online. What I share of myself online is the real me and I work hard to associate with other real people online. They become my friends and I truly appreciate the friendships I’ve made.

But I don’t have any expectations of becoming a blogging someone. I’m not looking to build a cult-like following or use my blog as a jumping off point for greater things. I have aspirations in the publishing world but I see blogging as just my finger to the pulse of my writing life. Sharing the joy of writing with other writers and offering a place for potential clients/publishers to find me but not as a means to an end.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith´s last blog ..Write at WRA: Our Collaborative Blogging Project

I can understand you needing to stay anonymous (or pseudonymous, as you say ) Oh, writing for your local paper would be awesome! I wish you the best on that. Hey, maybe you should just email or call them. Or even just walk right in! Ask them about writing for them. It never, ever hurts to ask. Sheesh, I see what you’re saying there, too. You don’t want to risk your anonymity either. You’re a tough one, you are! LOL

Yes, indeed, you are right. With readership comes problems. Sometimes you never know what to expect! And you also have to think about the tech side of it all–backing up your site, self-hosting, moderating comments… The list really does go on and on. Now, you’ve piqued my curiosity–I’m off to read your blog!!!!

*smiles*
Michele

I’ve actually been thinking about you lately–you’ve been in my prayers!! I’m not thinking I’d jump to do a TV or radio interview either, but you never know. I guess I’d have to see how I felt when the opportunity really presented itself. It would all depend on what type of opportunity it was! I also love to think things through. I’d be nervous on TV! LOL

Well, they’re not beating my door down either, but the few I’m doing are very cool.

You’re most welcome. EagleHawk has been awesome and it’s been an honor to participate! Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

*smiles and hugs*
Michele

Thanks so much! It’s an interesting ride along the cyber highway, that’s for sure!

Yeah, that’s a good way to be. Just for your enjoyment and for friendly conversation via comments.

You never know. You might just generate that interest for your novels already published–if you aren’t already!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

*smiles*
Michele

What? You mean an EIC isn’t a celebrity??!!! What’d you have to come and burst my bubble for? LOL

Thanks for sharing your writerly/bloggerly wisdom and experience with us!

Oh, I do know that you share! You do inspire us, Lori–and you teach us a lot!

*laughing at my joys*
Michele

Yes, a lot of us bloggers have never considered what we’d do if something major happened. You’d be surprised, though. I mean, it doesn’t take a high page rank for “that person” to find you. Strange things happen. LOL

*smiles*
Michele

*smiles*
Michele

I think others do benefit from reading about your experiences. It shows them that no matter what happens in their life–even if it’s something considered scary, tragic, or “bad”, that they can not only persevere, but enjoy those times by finding the silver lining.

Ah, you’re a true pro blogger then, eh?! Awesome! That’s a lot of blogs, girl!

I think the best writing comes from the heart. It’s great that you’re following your heart!I understand what you mean about someone changing the words in any way. I’ve pulled stories because editors changed them too much. I realize I’m not perfect, and yes, editors can–and do–improve our writing; however, sometimes it can be changed too much, so much that it takes away from the story and the meaning until it’s not even our experience anymore.

Thanks for such a great comment, Mysti!!

*smiles*
Michele

I write as openly and honestly as I can on my blog, but I’m a teacher who blogs about my classroom experience, so it’s essential that I remain anonymous (or rather, pseudonymous) so that I don’t compromise the privacy of my students. At the same time, I would love it if my blog brought me other opportunities. I would love to do interviews, but not for TV, as I wouldn’t want my face out there. I would love to write for my local paper, but would be concerned about how the exposure would compromise my anonymity. It’s tricky!

A couple of my posts have gone viral and the mounting stats, after a certain point, stopped delighting me and started making me nervous – would a student recognize me if he/she read this post? If so, what would that mean for the future?

I love blogging and am very happy that my blog has found a readership beyond my circle of friends, but with readership come problems; I’m just learning to deal with them.