Or is it?
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know Kait Carson
doesn’t exist. It’s a pen name chosen because my first book dealt with legal
issues and the law firm I worked for was concerned. I couldn’t blame them, but
the book was my first foray into self-publishing and I don’t think it sold four
copies. It’s undergoing a heavy re-write and if I decide I still like it when
I’m done, I plan to re-release it.
Those who follow me on social media sometimes comment that I
never post about political issues. That’s not a reflection of my personal
beliefs. It’s because, well, Kait ain’t gonna vote and doesn’t have standing to
have opinions. Frankly, I come from a generation that kept some things private.
Politics was one of them. I am often gobsmacked by the things I read online.
That stuff lives on forever and, as a former paralegal, I know those bytes can
come back to bite you.
Over the course of the last few years, I’ve loosened my hard
and fast rule of not posting personal information. I’m not sure why. Sometimes,
it’s because I see a need for the information, other times I feel it’s time. The
same holds true in my blog content. I’ve surprised myself several times. As the
world becomes more frightening, there’s comfort in reaching out and sharing.
I was raised with the archaic axiom that a woman’s name
appears in print three times in her life: when she’s born, when she marries,
and when she dies. This social media thing is a brave new world for me. Readers
and writers, how do you feel about it? Are you all in with all personal, or do
you draw a hard line when it comes to sharing? How much is too much?
I suspect we will find different answers among different
generations.
Kait Carson writes the Hayden Kent Mysteries set in the
Fabulous Florida Keys and is at work on a new mystery set in her adopted state
of Maine. She is a former President of the Guppy Chapter of Sisters in Crime
and a member of Sisters in Crime, Guppies, and Sisters in Crime New England.
Her short fiction has been nationally published in True Romance, True
Confessions, True Story, and True Experience magazines, and the Falchion
Finalist Seventh Guppy Anthology Hook, Line, and Sinker. Visit her
website at www.kaitcarson.com. While
you’re there, sign up for her newsletter.
Coming from a career that meant I kept my personal life and beliefs private, I only became more public when I left that career and followed my passion to write. That said, I still limit what I say about those I cherish out of respect for their privacy. Me,
ReplyDeleteI am now more of an open book - with some pages stuck together.
"with some pages stuck together." Ha! I love that, Debra!
DeleteOh, so true! Love the pages comment :)
DeleteGreat topic, Kait (or whoever the heck you really are). I'm with Debra on the open book (with limitations) thing. If I wasn't a writer, it would be a different case. But I know my readers want to get to know me, so I share a lot of my life. My husband is the exact opposite, though, so I limit sharing about him and only refer to him as "Hubby." If you see photos of him on my page, you can bet I had to get his permission. And I would never share photos of my adorable great grandnephew and niece (twins). But Kensi Kitty is my official spokescat and doesn't complain (much) about being a social media darling.
ReplyDeleteSo much the same here. It took me a while to get comfortable sharing anything personal. Now it's curated. Well except for the cats and dog. Fair game there.
DeleteI struggle with social media, so I don't often post much. I'm even a bit reticent with the bio I provide for short stories. I just reread it & realize it's outdated and I need to rewrite it.
ReplyDeleteWhile many of my characters are based on people I have known (who are well aware of that & approved the manuscripts before publication) I never use details that could identify them.
As far a s politics, most of my characters struggle so much with the basic issues of living that they don't often think much beyond basic things like being patriotic, supporting our country, and honoring those who have served. Different people interpret those values differently.
Well thought out, KM. It is a hard balance
DeleteOn my personal FB page, once a year I post a family photo, not identifying my kids by name. My standard poodles are fair game, and I try to post photos once a month. I don't post about politics, period. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteI share things I think readers might find relevant in my Readers Group newsletter, the WWK blog, and on Facebook. I mostly keep my politics to myself. I will comment when anyone, regardless of political point of view, misstates factual information or draws unfounded conclusions---but only if I know they are someone (again regardless of political point of view) who I believe might be interested in knowing when they may have erred. I don't waste time trying to strike up conversations with zealots of any persuasion. And unlike Kait, my name is the one I was given, so people can know who I am.
ReplyDeleteI was a teacher for most of my life, so I'm used to walking the line about sharing my opinions. On my personal FB page, I'm more likely to post opinions, but on my author page, I keep it pretty light!
ReplyDeleteI just like to know about people because I find them interesting and enjoy interacting with them. I also like to know whether we have common interests or backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of subjects which are not controversial that can be discussed.
If someone does not want to reveal anything personal that’s fine with me, but I do tend to like knowing about authors and how
aspects of their life influence their writing.
If a writer has a certain expertise and it appears in their book I think it enhances my reading when I find the information has been based on personal knowledge.