June 22, 2007
TMI?
They erupt now and then, like huge zits on an acne-prone teenager.
Author/publisher/agent scandals, or verbal slip-ups, or plain old flame wars.
Usually it’s just a minor breakout—nothing a good skin abrasion, or a splash of burning astringent won’t cure.
But sometimes it’s a Crater Lake-size zit, one of those enormous bastards that require a tourniquet, transfusion, and possibly follow-up plastic surgery.
And althought it’s a great lesson for anyone trying to avoid such pit-falls (excuse the pun, lol)…you’re sometimes left to wonder how or why people fall in.
Do people really want to know so much about others, even those they admire? How much of yourself do you consider wise to expose to the public, whether through your books, your blogs, or posting on other people’s blogs?
And is it best, after all, as one reader raged at a particular author, to “just shut the f*ck up and write!” ?
i think - I hope - I’m fairly discreet, based partly on my opinion that most of my personal details would be of little interest, ie. bloody boring.
people who know me personally know a LOT about me–I like to talk, I like to share–but there are apsects I keep to myself–i.e. my kids. Only a handful of people I know well have ever even met my kids. When I post pics of them (well with this exception of the ones I am about to post on mt blog) people wouldn’t know them if they ran up and bit them on their kneecaps.
prolly not what you mean, but of course I am so dense, I am wonder WTF you’re talking about specifically . . . LOL!
Bernita, you’re VERY discreet—and I don’t believe for a MOMENT that you’re boring.
Dennie, as with zits—the things that cause them vary over time, lol.
We could be talking about authors who question their readers’ intelligence, or reveal personal info about what their children are doing in the streets, ordetails about their marriages that certain people might find offensive, or gossipy e-mails or group posts, etc.
Stuff like that?
(And it gives me a good excuse to use this poster, which I LOVE, lol!).
I must confess, I don’t know what brought this on, and from the remarks, I am quite happy in my ignorance.
That said, your post here (and on your blog) were quite funny. Have a great weekend. 
Okay, I’m getting paranoid. I share alot on my blog, but I don’t think I overshare - at least not until I read a post like this.
Ok, don’t read my blog… Lately it probably has had
But, I don’t have many people to discuss things with, and no one reads my stuff anyway, so I’m probably good. Unless now everyone decides to go read my past blogs.
Probably not much entertainment value there.
I’m pretty private, even though I give people the impression that I’m telling them a lot. (wg) I do think that recently there have been WAY too many screw ups where authors have crossed into dangerous territory. It’s one thing to be passionate about something controversial, it’s another to actually act upon it in public.
Ann, thank you, lol.
Sasha—put down your keyboard…now move away from the post….
I don’t think there’s any problem with sharing bits of ourselves with people who’re interested enough to come to our blogs and read.
In these cases, we’re talking WAY too much information.
Oh geez, now I’ve gone and made everyone paranoid! LMAO!!
Lynn, I’m sorry!
And I’m sure no one will be so insensitive as to run over and check on all your archived posts.
(Okay, everybody’s comparing notes about Lynn’s blog tomorrow, right? I’ll bring the wine…)
Jordan—EXACTLY!!
Okay, I get it now, you can stop poking me Rain.
So we’re talking about something that might burn bridges professionally. I think I’ve got a handle on that side of things.
It’s when talk to turns to men and dating I worry I say too much. LOL
Ok, bring wine, but you better share, because lately I’ve needed to have a few drinks! BTW is it a good Chardonnay
Sasha, you seem to be doing very well.
I think a lot of women relate to your ’single’ experiences.
Lynn—you got it.
I think there’s a line between sharing enough of yourself to make a real connection with people and giving out WWAAAAAYYYY TMI.
Sela, yes, yes, yes.
Sasha….LOL I hear ya…thogh I might not share as much as you.
Lynn……I don’t think what you’ve posted is TMI, maybe because I’m a single mom too and I can relate.
If we’re talking writing here - I never talk about that other than a progress report or two. I have some issues going on in my life I don’t talk about on the blog - and I NEVER EVER post pics of my kiddo.
Sex, however… I can talk about that.