Blogging: Dos and Don'ts etc.

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Hi Coco: I agree that blogging is very different & can cause problems especially since you don't know your audience. Teens think they are safe & therefore step out on a limb that is not there. My G-daughter (21-yo) blogs & it really bothers me, but my daughter (Aunt, not mom) keeps up w/her & reads what she writes regularly. She will communicate with the G-daughter that she has read her blogs & tells her when to be careful. At this time she doesn't have any inappropriate pics up. I hope you get some good solid comments here b/c I need to know as well. Thanks for asking about this.

Ok. I have a semipopular blog. I started it as ruminations and reflections about my struggle with diabetes. As I wrote I expanded it. And soon I included every aspect of my life. And I mean every aspect. My blog is completely autobiographical. It's my life unzipped.

Do you want to bleed on the blog? Well, people will read it. And sometimes people are touched by your words. Yet sometimes they identify with you so much they cross the boundaries. So you have to be on guard.

Now - I do not include the names of the women in my relationships. Well for obvious reasons. And when I began my blog, I thought the women might not appreciate the fact I wrote about our struggles and our strides. But I was wrong. They love that I write about them. They feel like they're a part of a reality show. So - be ready for the people in your life to want to be included in your words.

I recommend the blog format. It's casual and you can edit. It's your perspective and your proportion. Bottom line - it's yours.

Oh and here's a few don'ts.

Don't use your complete name. I am very sorry that I did.

Don't be specific in your location. If your write well - people will want to find you.

Don't use your personal email address - set a generic email. You'll be surprised how many folks won't leave comments yet will send copious emails.

Don't hold back your words - you got one shot - why court banality?

Don't be surprised how well you'll be received. You knew you could write - why be surprised by the confirmation?

Blogging is publishing, and it may expose you to claims of libel. Consult an attorney if you don't know the elements of libel. No publisher should be ignorant of libel.

Do not reveal any personal detail that could enable casual readers to identify you. It's bad enough that IT experts know who you are already.

Truck, where'd you go???

Dallas or somebody: Libel is what exactly? In general, it's publishing things about someone that make them look bad, right? I don't want to talk to a lawyer. Hate them.

What might happen when the name is used? Would people go and look up your phone number and call you?

Honestly. I'd like it all spelled out. For example, "obvious reasons" why Mark doesn't use women's names are so they can't call each other, right?