Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Separation of blog and column

So...what has had me struggling in this space for quite some time is that the posts I write here are published as my weekly column, in my local paper. This has crippled me. Literally, I have been unable to write. While I enjoy the column, and being published weekly, I do not enjoy the "notoriety". By this, I am speaking of everything I write about, be it good, or bad, being openly discussed every where I go. This includes the grocery store, Girl Scouts, Library, drug store, doctors office...you get where I am going with this. It is discussed with everyone, and to be honest, as I always try to be, it has left me feeling, dishonest.

Not lying, mind you. Just withholding information. I get that I have a blog, to be read by one and all. I really do. But when people start to read it, local people, in particular, it makes the relief of writing, and getting it out of my head, and throwing it into cyberspace (just aged myself!) not so anonymous anymore. I would like to vent about what is really paining me, or making me filled with joy, but some days, I just don't want one and all to discuss it with me. I just sort of hoped that by allowing you to peek into my diary, it would just sort of remain there, and not be up for a chat in the meat department. Silly, I know, but some days, I don't even want to go out in my own town, as I just don't want to talk about it. You know?

Really, it is the harsh words that hurt the most. When you put out your first world problems, expect to get it back. And I have, tenfold. Mostly wonderful reader comments. But some really nasty people out there make it a habit of talking down to me, and you know, I am made of flesh, and blood. It hurts. Especially when people criticize my parenting. That folks, is off limits, unless I have committed a crime. And I have not, so it borders on a little too close for comfort.

But, I got the go ahead from my editor to begin writing my columns in Word form, for word count purposes. This may seem like not much, but it is HUGE for me. I can separate the two. I can keep my space here, and most likely will have to endure some criticism, but I can take that. I loved this space, and it was beginning to feel like a place that I no longer wanted to deal with, as opposed to what it started out as.

Now, I can write my column. And it won't appear here, unless you click on the link above to specifically view it. I can just spew here, which I really could use to do.  I no longer feel like I have to make a post here, because I have a deadline. I can post just because I want to.

And that makes me feel so free.

 Thanks for sticking with me through this.  

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