Do you tell you friends and family you have a blog?

[JessicaW]

Well as the above really, my blog is quite new but I am what you would call a 'secret blogger'.

 

Im not sure why, I think I want to get more establised before I tell people IRL and also because I set up the blog to meet like minded people interested in the sort of books I read which is something my friends aren't into. Just interested in other peoples thoughts?

 

http://www.pbbookends.blogspot.com/

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

When I first started blogging as a hobby, about seven years ago, nobody in my family and none of my friends were interested in reading what I had to say! So I just stopped bringing it up, though I wouldn't say I kept it a secret. =)

But in a way, I'm really glad that they didn't read it, because as soon as I stopped worrying about writing for them, I felt more free to write what I wanted, to experiment with different styles, etc.

Today, I have two close "real world" friends who read my blog, and I'm still surprised whenever one of them comments on a post!

[melydia]

My main blog, http://melydia.zoiks.org , isn't personal in any way so I have no problem with my friends and family knowing about it. Most of them don't read it because they don't really care about book reviews (or the odd other thing I write about now and again), but it's there if they're curious. My personal online journal, however, I kept secret for a lot of years. Recently, however, I realized that I wasn't writing anything I didn't mind certain people seeing, so as long as they don't mind a bit of foul language here and there, they're welcome to read it.

[Shan]

My blog is purely about books so I have no problems sharing the fact that I have one with family friends. Because my university and college degrees are in writing intensive areas, and I am a stay at home mom, people say to me all the time "why don't you keep a blog." So I don't mind telling them about it. But a lot of my family and friends aren't into reading as books as much as I am (or don't have the time) so I don't always go out of the way to tell them about it.

I think my feelings would be different if it were a personal blog, but I don't keep one so I don't have to deal with that.

Shan
http://goodbooksandacupoftea.blogspot.com

[Bethany Anderson]

Yes! This! My friends from my current degree and my undergrad degree are the types that would be interested.

A personal journal, as you say, is a completely different ball game. I have one, and have done for 8 years, but there is no one I know in real life on there!

[Bethany Anderson]

Yup! My mum is a huge fan of my blog because she's an avid reader too. I've told my friends all about my blog but only one or two of them have read it and appreciate it, because, as you say, some people just aren't into it!

http://subtlemelodrama.blogspot.com

[Anne Bennett]

I e-mailed my contacts list when I started my blog and occasionally I will add a link on Facebook when I think my blog is of general interest, since my blog is almost exclusively about YA lit I recognize that is not everyone's interest area. What was a big shocker, and hurt my feelings, was when I learned that my one of siblings hadn't even gone to my blog to have a quick look...in fact my blog was blocked on her computer and she hadn't even taken the time to un-do the block. Ouch. (Lick. Lick...the sound of me licking my wounds.) But on the other side I am often surprised and thrilled when one of my friends or acquaintances mentions my blog and I didn't even know they knew about it. I love that!

[Danielle (Book Whore)]

I was like that at first, but then I told a friend of mine and he completely devoted himself to helping me with my blog. I would have eventually told everyone but I wanted to show them first I was doing good.

http://www.bookwhoreblog.com/

[Mary Salvato]

Some of my friends and family know I blog, some don't. Some know my url, some don't. I don't put my url on facebook or anything. Those friends & family that know my url aren't regular readers. I like it this way.

[Pam T]

Since I post about children's and YA lit, I have no problem telling family and friends about our site (I blog with a librarian and a teacher). But I also -- perhaps foolishly-- don't exactly go out of my way to talk about what we're doing, unless there's a likelihood that our site will be of interest.

Like your site, btw.

Pam
www.booksforkids-reviews.com

[Anne Bennett]

Pam, I like your blog. I also review YA lit and I am such a novice blogger it is nice to see some new ideas of how to put a blog together. I wish I could figure out how to subscribe to your blog. Any hints for me?

[Sarah]

Anna--I liked Pam's blog, too. You can subscribe near the top of the page. There is a +GOOGLE button in the right sidebar.

Sarah at SmallWorld Reads

[Kris]

I don't tell anyonw about my blog. I don't know why, I started it because I didn't have anyone to talk to about the books I read so I figure they probably don't care if I write about it or not. Now my hubby and my mom know that it's there and I tell them about it but *eh* I don't really want them to read it anyway. Seriously, I don't know why....I guess I like it being JUST for me.