Little Freaked Out
Over the past few weeks I've been noticing that a number of people are getting to my blog by Googling my name. I haven't the faintest idea who these people are, or how they know me, or why they're interested. I was totally comfortable with people surfing in from blogrolls, but this makes me hesitate. I do know that at least one of my thesis readers Google-found me. Also a couple family members. Are editors to whom I've submitted poetry lurking? Will MFA readers? Need I worry that someone will check in on a bad day and draw conclusions from a few posts? If it ever became a choice between not blogging and image control, I'd choose the former. I guess the question is: How long can I keep mustering the a) courage** or b) imprudence for this?
**Not courage in the epic or even real world sense, but in the teeny-tiny personal sense.
Comments
Maybe random poetry-readers who've stumbled across your work and are curious about you? I don't know ... I follow the general principle that if I wouldn't be comfortable with my boss or my mother reading it, I don't post it publicly online. Beyond that, I don't much worry. But I suspect that if I were in job-search mode, I'd probably feel like I needed to be ... if not careful, at least aware of what I was posting and how it might come across to someone who didn't know me.
Posted by: Anne | December 14, 2006 07:38 PM
Hi Ginger. I would not worry about it. You are not posting state secrets or anything. I agree with the other poster that don't post anything that you would not like anyone to see. I always Yahoo so it is not me. Someone could easily be putting in "Poetry" and you come up. I know when I am looking for something I can click on 20 sights until I find what I am looking for. Talk to you soon.
Posted by: Aunt Kathy Fierro | December 15, 2006 12:27 AM
And perhaps it is related to your editorial duties? People might be looking for your poems or information about your tastes as an editor. I know I like to read a few poems by an editor before I submit work.
Posted by: Amy | December 15, 2006 10:55 PM