I write pretty much the same way I speak. Not only do my speech patterns show up in my blogging, but so does my attitude towards life. Positivism is my greatest tool for survival. Okay, yes, I’m guilty of being tempted to get on WordPress and bitch and complain about things. But I don’t do it in real life unless someone specifically asks me my opinion on something (the weather may just be the exception to that rule), and I don’t like doing it here.
Thing is, we can all be different people online than we are in real life. Not only can we appear to be who we’re not, we can put forth a persona for ourselves that masks our true feelings. I reserve the ‘who I’m not’ part of my personality for my fiction – in most cases. There’s a certain part of me that thrills in writing horrible villains, which I’m not in real life.
Is it worth asking you all if who you write on your blog is who you are? Would you admit it if you weren’t? What I’d really like to know though, is whether or not you’ve ever analysed the content of your posts to see if it reflects your true self.
What does your writing say about you?
lindaghill.com 
February 19, 2014 at 5:26 pm
I say “but”, “like” and “y’all” way too much. I tend to ramble on without editing. I can be silly one day and deeply depressed the next.
So, just like me in real life 🙂
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February 19, 2014 at 5:29 pm
That’s about as honest as you can get! 😀 Especially the non-editing part.
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February 9, 2014 at 1:25 pm
If I write in prose and when I make a comment I do so exactly as myself, as you do I even punctuate and almost use inflection as I would in speech and as myself! Now if I am truly honest, which is not easy and is painful, when I write poetry I write from within from the real me that I hide from everyone. I have exposed myself more here on word press than I ever had in the real world.That said I am not as miserable or dark as some of my poetry . I get up every day and face the world just as you do! God bless you. xxxxxx
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February 9, 2014 at 7:03 pm
It’s funny that you should say that. Sometimes I feel the same way – kind of like I’m me to the extreme here, especially when I write a poem. Thanks very much for the thoughtful comment, Willow. 😀
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February 8, 2014 at 4:52 pm
Just me!
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February 8, 2014 at 7:28 pm
😀
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February 8, 2014 at 1:16 am
I started traces last March and for once I can truly speak my voice and when I retire from my job, I won’t have to use a pseudonym. This blog is my place to say it like it is, vent, think out loud. Great post, Linda!
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February 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Thanks, Oliana. 🙂 It’s nice to know you’re getting so much, personally, out of your wonderful blog. 😀
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February 8, 2014 at 4:05 pm
I am vacillating between my pen name blog and my older public blog…I think it’s my way of peaking out sometimes and testing the weather:)
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February 8, 2014 at 4:07 pm
That’s an excellent idea. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 9:51 pm
At least I have a bit of a filter on my blog, where I should be able to back up what I write, whereas when I talk, I have to think later if I’m willing to back up those words. The filter is the only difference, the blog is pretty much me.
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February 7, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Haha! Yes, the almighty filter. I think it has to do with the fact the the fingers are farther away from the brain than the mouth is. 😉
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February 7, 2014 at 9:49 pm
One thing I have noticed about writing is that I think I see one thing and often people point out other things, things I have missed. Writing is a great way for people to get to know you.
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February 7, 2014 at 10:17 pm
…and for you to get to know yourself. Me too. 🙂
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February 8, 2014 at 12:57 am
True enough 😉
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February 8, 2014 at 2:55 pm
😉
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February 7, 2014 at 9:47 pm
When I first started to write blogs only 2 of my very close friends knew about it and their first response was , ‘it was like you were talking to me in person’. What I write in my blog , even with pictures is who I am 100%. And I tend to express even who I am not and also the bad things about me in a much better way that I won’t say it in person. And that includes the horrible rants too 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 10:16 pm
I, too, find it easier to put the things about myself that I’m not necessarily proud of in a different light, in writing. Spelling some things out allows me a different perspective. And yes, if you look hard enough you’ll find at least one good rant here in my blog. 😀 Right there with ya, KG.
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February 7, 2014 at 10:25 pm
🙂
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Pingback: I am who I am | T J Therien
February 7, 2014 at 9:00 pm
The blog me is often more of a clown than the analog me, but my interests and fears and joys are pretty much all in there. Excellent question for drawing in comments! Who doesn’t want to talk about themselves?
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February 7, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Thanks Steve. 🙂 I’ve noticed that about you – that you share just about everything, and that’s a good thing in your case. 😀
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February 7, 2014 at 8:19 pm
I write how I speak. I say so in my About Me. Most of my loved ones read me, and so I don’t know how effective it would be if I tried to be different. Really, I do not have the energy to pretend to be another character. 😀
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February 7, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Right – that’s what fiction is for, after all. Then it’s time to go nuts! as I often do. 😀
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February 7, 2014 at 7:49 pm
I am overly honest on my blog. Like you I write as I speak.
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February 7, 2014 at 8:18 pm
It’s apparent in your writing that you are just that – honest. Yourself. I think with most people who are, it’s easy to tell. No pretenses.
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February 7, 2014 at 7:09 pm
This is a great question. As for me, my blog portrays more of the ‘true me’, than what the real world sees.
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February 7, 2014 at 8:14 pm
🙂 That’s the line I can’t cross – too many people I know in person read my blog. It’s not that I have secrets, per se, more that there are simply things that are too sensitive to talk about.
It must be freeing to be able to write openly. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 8:35 pm
There are a couple of topics I never write about. I may be more open here, but there are some things that will never get shared. I wish I could though. Now, that would be freeing! 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 9:48 pm
I’ve been known to put the things I can’t really discuss into fiction. It actually helps in a way, to put a different perspective on things. You should try it, even if you never share it with the world. 🙂
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February 8, 2014 at 1:15 am
That’s a great idea and I’ve actually done that before. I’ve written a few posts as fiction, which allowed me to be very open. It’s just that no one seems to grasp on to what the posts are really saying. I find that interesting and somewhat entertaining.
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February 8, 2014 at 2:57 pm
It’s really more about what you get out of it than anyone else, anyway. If they find anything they can relate to, then good for them. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 6:44 pm
I am authentic on my blog, but it is the best part of me. I try not to show my ass so publicly.
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February 7, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Ha! Well yes, we don’t want to get arrested now, do we? 😉
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February 7, 2014 at 6:20 pm
The only word I don’t use while speaking is ‘however’. When I speak, my sentences are more choppy and vague. You know, the less words the better? Which I find funny that I can type so much at times. What I write about is exactly who I am based upon the mood of the moment, sometimes serious, sometimes childish. I have too many people I know who read what I write. I don’t lie very well, so making up something wouldn’t be possible for me.
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February 7, 2014 at 8:10 pm
Those who know you do tend to keep you honest – for some of us however ( 😉 ) it doesn’t make a difference.
It’s actually important I think that our writing reflects our current moods and vise versa. My posts feel … untrue when I try to write something I’m not feeling. They usually end up sitting as drafts until I scrap them.
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February 7, 2014 at 6:05 pm
[ Smiles ] My blog reflects my personality; they can easily see that I am diplomatic, a lot of fun, easy-going and a deep thinker.
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February 7, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Wonderful! 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 5:30 pm
…and – as you say – politeness. Nothing is good without civility. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Right 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 5:15 pm
In real life I tend to speak sometimes before I think – badly in need of a filter at times. Online I try to think before I post.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Haha! Fortunately the fingers move more slowly than the tongue. But hey, if some of that is getting through, at least you’re being true to yourself. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 5:13 pm
A thoughtful post. Since starting a blog, I’ve written 21 or 22 posts and think with each I’m getting a little better – not sounding such a novice or so self-conscious.
The comments above are great and zero in on the importance of honesty, positivity and being oneself (and villainy, of course 🙂 )
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February 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Lee-Anne. It took me a while to really feel comfortable writing in my own voice as well. It’ll come more easily with time. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 4:49 pm
What I write it’s me and my life and exactly who I am! It wouldn’t make much sense otherwise! At least in my opinion! The downside of this is that it seems I’m doing it with my books and carachters! It must be why I see them all the same! I think I need betareaders soon!
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February 7, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Oh Franny, I have the same problem – I often don’t know whether my characters sound like themselves or me. Let me know when you need a beta reader – I might be able t help you out. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 5:43 pm
That would be great! Let me know if you need that too!!!
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February 7, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Thanks, Franny 🙂 I’ll let you know!
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February 7, 2014 at 4:34 pm
That I am a villain, obviously.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Obviously! Though I have to say I’m surprised to find that villains give such great hugs. 😉
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February 7, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I write who I am, which can be detrimental to my sanity. I tend to vent when annoyed.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Don’t you find it helps to vent though? I think we all need to once in a while, to some extent.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:35 pm
I agree, but I’ve noticed that a lot of people refuse to do so. Venting gets seen as a sign of weakness. Yet keeping things pent up causes a lot if issues.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I don’t vent as much as I might mostly because I don’t think anyone really wants to hear it. That goes for here and in real life. Then again, I do reach a boiling point once in a while. That’s when it’s best to just stay clear. On WP, swear words are the best indicator that I’m probably there.
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February 7, 2014 at 4:09 pm
I am extremely candid online…the good, the bad, the ugly. I am like that in real life also, candid. No pretenses. Even if it means I am not always positive. It is real.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:11 pm
THAT’s what’s important. Being real. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 4:02 pm
I’m pretty consistant in real life and here in my blog. I’m a bundle of indecision and that is definitely obvious in my writing. I let myself be brave writing poetry which is something I don’t share in my ‘real life’ – but that’s the beauty of hiding here behind my nameless faceless blog. I can share the good, bad and ugly – and hopefully funny and happy stuff as well, without judgement from those closest to me.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Being wary of writing too much is a big deal for me as well. But I figure as long as I’m honest about what I do write, I’m not missing out on much. 🙂
Good for you for being brave! I Then, poetry is much like fiction in that it’s not necessary to write what you necessarily would act on.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:14 pm
That’s the most fun part – blurring the lines on what I would do/want to do/am afraid to do. My fictional writing has been a bit safe so far, one eerily close to my real life. I have to start somewhere, and this is my first attempt. My third idea that I’m trying to get to hush up until I finish the other two is kind of creepy though. That’ll be a brand new style and I can’t wait to get to it!!!
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February 7, 2014 at 5:35 pm
I find writing fiction that’s completely out of my own character is very freeing. It’s weird how I keep somehow creeping back into it though, in some form or another. It sounds as though the same is happening to you.
Wonderful, isn’t it? 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 3:57 pm
I echo Pamela’s comment. As in Popeye’s words: “I yam what I yam.”
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February 7, 2014 at 5:04 pm
It shows. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 3:54 pm
I definitely write the way I speak- on the blog, anyway- and everything I put out there is exactly reflective of what I really think. There is the little matter of the pseudonym… but I don’t think that changes my voice at all. It might change how some people perceive what I have to say, but I’m not sure I have any real control over that- even if I was writing under my real name readers’ perceptions remain their own.
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February 7, 2014 at 5:04 pm
I don’t think a pseudonym makes a difference – to me anyway. As long as someone’s voice is true. Know what I mean?
I suspect you’re hiding in order not to get lynched by mobs of Leaf and Tim Horton’s lovers however.
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February 7, 2014 at 11:27 pm
Lol. Yes, Linda. That’s it EXACTLY. I’m terrified of Tim Horton’s fans hunting me down and force-feeding me Boston Cream donuts. You caught me! I can elude the Leafs fans without too many problems- their communal delusion allows me to slip away undetected…
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February 8, 2014 at 7:17 am
The Stanley Cup will be ours!!
…
…
I see what you mean. Wait, where’d you go?!? I have crullers!
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February 8, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Lol again! And now I actually have a hankering for a cruller… And there is a Tim’s across the street… You’re a bad influence.
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February 8, 2014 at 2:45 pm
😀 That’s the best thing anyone’s said to me all year.
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February 7, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Interesting Linda. Yes, I am the same here as in private, but until now, I have mostly expressed myself in my comments at others blog.
Of course I am more, but not before you know me for real. Honesty is the most important for me.
Irene
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February 7, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Honesty IS important. Anything less feels inauthentic. 🙂
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February 7, 2014 at 3:47 pm
What you read is what you get!
I don’t have the energy to pretend to be someone I’m not
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February 7, 2014 at 5:00 pm
I had a strooong feeling that was the case with you. 😉 I’ve thought about starting a character blog, but I wouldn’t pretend to be that character – I’d be completely upfront with the fact that it was just a character.
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