30 October, 2003 11:11 AM
It was interesting to see that most of them talked about establishing boundaries for the content of your blog.
Here is what some of them had to say:
Meg from Megnut - 'Set boundaries. Think about how much of yourself you're comfortable sharing. You don't have to “tell all”. Just decide which parts of your life you're willing to share, and try to find a balance that works for you.'
Fraser from Blogjam - 'Don't write about work, and avoid writing about people you know in general. You'll end up offending someone.....
This post has been moved. Read the rest of it at Pro Blogger - Set Boundaries
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I can give the "Yay" and "Amen" to the whole boundaries thing - especially as elucidated by Fraser from Blogjam. In three years I have nearly gotten Dooced out of a job, have been removed from teaching a college-aged Bible study (an elder at the church didn't like some of my opinions), alienated an ex-girlfriend's family (because they misunderstood every other post and believed I was writing about them - I wasn't), and most recently, had a cross-the-country popular pastor read and respond to some sharp criticism I had posted of his ministry aims.
I don't think major boundaries need to be set before beginning a blog, but I think bloggers need to be aware of the potential audience they could garner and all the potential ways their writings could affect their potential readers.
One of the best ideas I've run across is anonymity. Write about any facet of your life with complete honesty, but fail to name yourself, your friends, your place of employment, or anything that could identify you specifically. The whole Names Have Been Changed to Protect the Innocent/Guilty thing. Nowadays, you won't find my name anywhere on the site. Just a bunch of pseudonyms. Bene Diction follows this mandate because of his role as a journalist. And above all, if you are going to speak on your blog with honesty and fire, do not reveal the blogs url to real life friends and acquaintances. If I could do it all over again, this would be my cardinal rule.
Incidentally, I don't think it's necessary for a blog's boudaries to be drawn along genre-lines. Genre blogs are so dulling that they generally hold a consistent readership for a brief while. If a blogger only wants to write about tech, that's fine and his perogative, but far better he should write about tech and then occasionally mix it up with thoughts on culture or even his own life and circumstance. It's called pacing. Fiction's got it. Most non-fiction don't. What do you read more of?
The Dane » 30 October, 2003 2:09 PM
I agree in setting boundries. There's some stuff that I just won't post about, others I don't mind sharing. I mentioned on my blog yesterday that there are certain folk I don't want reading it - selective filtering I guess. Possibly because there's things I don't talk to them about, but can throw out to strangers. Weird!:) I try not to name names or places if there's something negative I have to say. I try to be balanced in my view - but it is my view after all, so sometimes gets a bit off wack. I know there are weirdo's and other entities out there - gotta be careful in this day and age.
For me blogging is a great way to connect to folk who may think like me, or even broaden my view to places I haven't gone - there are few of those that I know in "real life". And with "comments" enabled, I'm willing and interested to hear what other people have to say about my thoughts, and would probably not delete a comment posted.
Michelle » 30 October, 2003 6:12 PM
I agree with this rule, but I would say it isn't followed very closely by the most popular blogs.
Brian » 31 October, 2003 4:03 AM
Thats really interesting =) I agree defining seems to be key to bringing me back to weblogs. If its content is consistenly what Im after then Im more drawn to come back. Blogs that seem to have many various reasons for existence seem to just be wishy washy =)
Jinky » 31 October, 2003 2:22 PM
Good advice. Earlier this year I deleted my blog completely, which had years of journal entries. Some friends of mine found it quite shocking and offensive even though I didnt feel there was anything in there I wouldn't tell them anyway. But its good to set boundries and that is what I'm doing with my new project.
phoric » 29 October, 2004 3:14 AM
Those are interesting thoughts.. I find blogging is a good way to share my life with my friends and somewhat with my family. I think Ive managed to not offend people. I try not to blog the really negative stuff - thats what friends are for!(that is to bounce off the negative stuff) I tend to blog how I think.. which hasnt gotten me in trouble, but rather sympathy (which sometimes is the point lol depends on the day and sometimes isnt the point.) I go by the motto: live transparently.. but dont blog it all. I try hard to let my faith shine thru my blog :)Somedays I really have to dig.. but others.. it helps me focus. Blessings
Jaki » 30 October, 2003 2:03 PM