@ stormy - Thank you so much for the book title. I hadn't heard of it and just glanced at it over at Amazon. Sounds similar to the book I may one day write about my own experiences. And, yes, I've thought about that, but as you suggested, it would most likely reveal enough that people could figure out who wrote it so, will likely postpone it for a while.
As for the blog, I've been away from the religion and the people in it for so many years now that they honestly know practically nothing about me/my life/who I am/what I've been through since. So all my experiences getting through depression (which is what the main focus of my blog will be) they know nothing about. Therefore I think I can get away with blogging (rather carefully in certain spots) about that without revealing too much that my identity is revealed. (My mom doesn't even know a fraction of what I've been through since leaving the religion roughly 25 years ago.)
To get that distance from all those people, once I realized the religion was just plain wrong... I literally had to move to another city, and eventually 1000 miles away. Now I'm at the point in life that I need to go back to look after my mom. I want to do that and I feel it's the right thing to do. The real trick is going to be blogging about all this stuff right there in her house without her reading my blog... lol. I think I can manage it as I'll be writing ebooks on unrelated topics at the same time so can always just tell her I'm writing about fish or something. We'll see.
Given the topic of your blog/site, it would be a perfect match to have an obscure photo and explain the reasons for it on your About page. I'll give you an example photo of myself that I might use in that situation, just to give you an idea:
Sorry it came out fuzzy - I couldn't find the original photo. But you get the idea.
Use a pen name, or a version of your own name. You're still YOU. And if someone does pick up on who you are from your obscure photo and specific circumstances, they were seriously digging... and there isn't much you can do about it. I had a situation like that many years ago (more than 10) where I was posting under a screen name on a divorce forum, and an old friend of mine somehow happened up on that thread, and deduced it was me authoring it - and it ended the friendship. I could have easily denied it given there was no identifying information, but I didn't. Ahh well, ya know?
I totally understand respecting your mother's privacy and feelings. And by all means, take every measure for now.
By the way, would it change your opinion of me any at all to know that I just recently (a few years ago) took back the name "Lynn Terry" legally? I ran my offline businesses in the city under another name. It made no difference. People knew, liked and trusted/respected me as I was.
I'm writing a book under a pen name for some of the very same reasons you've stated here. And that pen name is very much a part of my real persona - and she blogs, tweets, etc even. ;-)
@Chris2 - well video is really important these day but you could always go the route of the unknown comic - remember the guy who always wore a paper bag over his head?
Seriously though, our own Ken Theriot is the voice over guy (my nickname for him not his) but he may be able to help you with any questions you may have about audio or if you need help finding your online 'voice'.
Powerpoint can be a lot of fun when you start to play with all the custom effects etc. I used power point to do this 10 video trailer for my dad's book, but please ignore that website it's the pits and has been completely neglected by me for over a year in favor of my broker business and this latest project of NGBT. But if you want to see just what can be done with a laptop, a desktop, blue-tooth headset and a lot of patience check it out here http://rayevansauthor.com/207/10-min...clearfeatured/
Lynn, that's a "perfect photo", I think. What an awesome idea. Thanks for including that in this thread. (Burgess Falls?)
I really don't think there's much chance "the wrong people" will find my blog or discover it's "me" from my writing unless I use my real name/photo/etc. If they do, like you, I'll deal with it. Even though I'll be living with my mom to look after her, I plan to keep a wide distance from everyone else involved in that religion, including "old friends" and other relatives. I don't intend to share much about myself with anyone except maybe mom, still, some subjects will never come up.
And, no, knowing you just recently took back the name Lynn Terry doesn't change anything in my opinion. Chris isn't my real name, but a name I've used since living in NC (I've always strongly disliked my real name and needed a change.) People know and like me here under that name and most don't know it's not my real name, the ones that do know couldn't care less. Interesting, isn't it? People put so much stock in names, but when you get right down to it, often names mean nothing really, it's the person/persona behind the name that we connect with/relate to.
I like what you said about the pen name being very much a part of your real persona. You know, it's true, there are so many facets to who we are, who says they can't have different names!
Thank you Lynette, that's awesome of you to say that.
I've toyed with the idea for years, ever since reading a book written by someone else who left the religion. It was the first book ever written and published about it. I'd love to have written a book about what I went through, but the prospect of actually writing it is like a double-edged sword. Part of me just wants to forget all that, not re-live it as I am trying to write the book. Another part of me wants to expose it for what it is.. a pack of lies.. a haven for abusers and sex offenders.. a cult that is robbing people of their lives, their families, their futures. A boy I knew committed suicide and, looking back, I'd bet it was because he was gay. Another very sweet boy I knew got his head bashed in by his so-called Christian step-father and was protected by the elders in the church and was never brought up on charges as he should have been. It was all swept under the rug and if not for the school system standing up for the boy, he'd have had to stay with that "father". After he got out of the hospital he went to live with relatives in another state.
So, I'm torn. I also have doubts that I could write it well enough that it would convey what I want to convey about the emotional pain I went through. I can explain things fairly well in my writing, but I've never tackled anything emotional and not sure I can do that well enough to suit me/what I want to accomplish. The other consideration is, most likely people would figure out that I wrote it and then we're back to causing unnecessary pain for my mom. So I think it will have to wait, at least for a while. If you want to pm me with an email address, I'll save it and let you know if/when I write it.
This is so helpful. I really empathize with Chris2 about the religion thing. I have close family still very active in a particular religion and my mother in particular uses it to "spread the word!!" It's great that she's on FB at 77 years old but not so great that she sees all that her naughty rebellious daughter gets up to. It is sort of funny really. I do sometimes think that Google is now like the all seeing Almighty, dispenser of online life and death. I also have a distinctive name, not something like Smith, Marshall, etc.
I just googled myself (scary!) About 6 entries down,on Page 1 of Google, there I am on a "small business owners" website, with photo, local area..and all, from one year ago...off to take down that photo at least!
Long time visitor, first time forum participant and poster. ;-)
This is a great topic for me. I've listened to many internet marketers over the years and I usually hang out at the Warrior Forum a lot - now it's probably going to be this forum too! lol When it comes to article marketing it seems like everyone promotes the same thing - content and volume. ...with various niches (100's?!) I just assumed that most everyone uses some fake pen name. Now...when I go to EzineArticles...I notice (...including you) that big names have VERY few posted articles.
I guess I just don't understand this. I just looked you and a few others up on EzineArticles. You're a platinum author with 6 articles?!? (...hmmm, not believin' that! lol) Can I assume that the 100's of other articles across various niches have been with other fake pen names?
Just curious. Thanks.
Randall
Last edited by rhelling; June 2nd, 2012 at 02:10 PM.
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