World, Writing, Wealth discussion

How far are we prepared to reveal our real selves?.

As little as possible.

Tara wrote: "As little as possible."

How do you cloak yourself?

Since I wish to be known for my writing - I'm willing to be "out there" and create a public profile.

Lies, deception are some of the strategies for the purpose. Do you agree?

I have a very small circle of family and friends. In writinghowever some of the individual does come through.

Hmm. I can't cloak myself. I gotta be all out there.

I don't know any other way to sell. I don't know any other way to be. Period. LMAO!!

Mehreen wrote: "Lies, deception are some of the strategies for the purpose. Do you agree?"

Disagree.

Writing is a relationship with readers - Authenticity is essential for both relationship longevity and self respect.

Graeme wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Lies, deception are some of the strategies for the purpose. Do you agree?"

Disagree.

Writing is a relationship with readers - Authenticity is essential for both relationship longe..."

Writing is just one aspect of it.

Annie wrote: "Hmm. I can't cloak myself. I gotta be all out there.

I don't know any other way to sell. I don't know any other way to be. Period. LMAO!!"

You are great.

Mehreen wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Lies, deception are some of the strategies for the purpose. Do you agree?"

Disagree.

Writing is a relationship with readers - Authenticity is essential for both rel..."

I will clarify. I would expect authenticity to be present in all aspects of my relationships with readers.

Graeme wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Lies, deception are some of the strategies for the purpose. Do you agree?"

Disagree.

Writing is a relationship with readers - Authenticity is essent..."

You mean transparency.

I mean authenticity - transparency follows.

Mehreen wrote: "Tara wrote: "As little as possible."

How do you cloak yourself?"

The internet tends to do this. I think this is why social media is so popular. To an extent, it has allowed so many people to share every aspect of their lives you wouldn't otherwise want to even know about, but it also allows people the ability to control the story they put out. Like politicians and business people with their PR staffs, you can select the pictures you share or take them in a selective manner to portray the person you want to be. The internet makes it too easy to invent stories about what you're doing or where you are. Trust me, pouring coffee part time at Starbucks is nothing to be proud of, but when you call yourself a "barista" and make it sound like you're pouring artwork into every cup, it sounds almost romantic to people and you become the envy of your hipster friends.

Authors use imagination in their novels. I am reasonably sure that they also use it in their public image :-)

Graeme wrote: "I mean authenticity - transparency follows."

Not necessarily.

Hi Mehreen.

My aim with my readers is to establish and maintain a long lasting relationship.

This is no different from any voluntary, mutually beneficial human relationship.

It must be founded on trust.

The primary methods for establishing an maintaining trust are to be open, honest, & forthright in communication and to maintain integrity (i.e. walk your talk) in action.

Words and Deeds; it's what we have to offer each other, and how we will be known.

If I fail in any of those things then I must apologise quickly and sincerely without offering excuses.

I hope that makes it clear.

Graeme wrote: "Hi Mehreen.

My aim with my readers is to establish and maintain a long lasting relationship.

This is no different from any voluntary, mutually beneficial human relationship.

It must be founded o..."

That's okay. But authenticity is establishing truth and transparency is how much of it you are prepared to share. In your case is it full transparency of authenticity or not?

Tim wrote: "I don't think you have much choice. If your work creates an audience then you will attract journalists from all media because the media knows your audience will want to meet you, thus what they do ..."

Work might create audience but journalists might not follow. There are heaps of instances that this didn't happen unless of course one has decorated with the highest award.

Any aspect of my life that is directly related to my writing is fair game.

What is not would be the details of my personal relationships with others.

Think in terms of professional boundaries vs personal boundaries.

My Author/Reader relationships are voluntary, mutually beneficial, professional relationships.

Say I end up with 10,000 committed readers, that does not mean that I will have 10,000 personally intimate friendships. That would be impossible.

What I'm sharing in the Author/Reader relationship will be open, transparent, forthright, authentic - and limited to being relevant to my writing, to the stories, to the craft of writing, etc.

As I said earlier, "Writing is a relationship with readers" - I stand by that comment.

Tim wrote: "Mehreen wrote: Work might create audience but journalists might not follow. There are heaps of instances that this didn't happen unless of course one has decorated with the highest award.

True to ..."

HAhaha so true lol!

I have no idea....I want myself as a writer to be revealed. but there is a part of me that I tend to mask a lot. And I don't really know who the real me is anymore....