So, today I've been thinking a lot about boundaries. Most of y'all know I'm a mom. I don't make a secret of that, or that I'm married to a dude named Mike. I'm pretty transparent, and also, it gives me something to talk about (because my babies are awesome!).
If you follow me on Twitter, you'll get random updates about housecleaning and kids mixed in with books and writing and #revisiontips. It's just part of my life.
But what about boundaries? I'm sure a lot of you heard about the attack on agent Pam van Hylckama. I didn't address this then other than a general, 'WTF, dude??' tweet.
But let's face it. There are crazy folk out there. In our industry, as nice and sunshine and roses as we like to think it is. So what do you do to protect yourself and your family while still being real and accessible?
Wait, N, this doesn't apply to us. We're Rejects--no one cares about us right now.
Okay, that's not true--WE CARE!! But I get the point. You aren't an agent, you aren't a publishing professional, you aren't an author with crazy fans (or haters) filling up your inbox. Your just an aspiring writer. Who cares if you tweet about your kids or post pictures from your babies daycare on Facebook?
Fun fact: I so rarely use my childrens names on facebook that my sister-in-law actually addressed a Christmas present to my youngest by her internet name. (Bug). Amusing, yes? But also, it means I'm doing what I want. Because sure, I have lots of family on Facebook. And I post pictures of my kids there.
But I have lots of writers there that I've never met, and probably never will. Some of them--Auzy and Liz, for example--I wouldn't care if they knew my kids names and fun stuff like that, but the fact is, I'm not comfortable sharing that kind of personal details with the general public. It's not need to know information.
Okay, but why can we know Mike's name. Don't you care about him?
Well, duh. But dude, he's an adult. He can take care of his own self.
That's my line--I don't share personal details about my kids, like names and where they go to school. Same goes for my nieces and nephews. Everyone else is fair game.
What boundaries do you have in the realm of social media? What aren't you willing to share?
I'm very careful what I share - my daughters use Facebook etc, and can post what they like, but I don't feel I have a right to post anything remotely personal (and that includes photos of them or my grandchildren). I'm quite happy to let the world know that I'm a rubbish cook, but it's for my daughters to make their own confessions. (And I love them too much anyway!)
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