Does blogging change when you know that people know it’s you? That would be a daft question for anyone whose real name is the name of their blog, but for people like me who hide behind a pseudonym it’s an interesting thought. After all, it’s sometimes much easier to bare your soul to the anonymous world than to the people who know you best.
I decided early on that I was not going to be on here under my real name. I don’t say where I work, although you can find where I live if you look in certain posts. I felt it would be a better blog if I could say anything I wanted without it reverberating in the real world.
So, off I went in my guise as Pink Sunshine, happily blogging away in complete anonymity. And then, in a moment of hubris, I added the link to my Facebook page. For a few days my hit count went up – but I soon got cold feet and whipped it off again quick-smart.
It’s strange for me not to want everyone to know it’s me – I am a real show-off and hate to be anonymous. One of the things I miss about my journalism days is seeing my byline in the paper and thinking “I did that, and other people know that it was me too”. I realise humility is not one of my strengths!
I knew that at least a couple of my friends were still reading the blog but I had no idea how many! Hello to you all! I’m quite sure you’ve all heard me moaning about missing journalism before and you may well know that I am an out and proud fan of David Essex, but I really hope that you haven’t been too surprised/shocked/freaked out by the church stuff – and did you know about my interest in druidry?!
Anyway, I’m just going to carry on writing as I was. Is this the right thing to do? I suppose it will help people know me better – and hopefully won’t put everyone off! Feel free to make comments on here, guys! And if any of you decide to start your own blog (or indeed already have one!), let me know the address. I’d love to read your thoughts too.
It’s great getting comments from people I don’t know too! Look at me and DarcsFalcon- we have never met but we have bonded across the blogosphere 
How fab! She found me because she saw “Pink Sunshine” somewhere or other and thought it sounded cool. I hope I haven’t disappointed!
I came across this great post You’re Not A Stalker about leaving comments for people you don’t know and I echo her sentiments – please, go ahead! You are very welcome
We are all friends here.
I love coincidences. Just after I posted this I found a blog written by a friend of mine! Isn’t that strange??
No sweetie you haven’t disappointed! I think it’s so cool – you in Britain, me in the U.S – and yet we can talk and share our thoughts and ideas.
And that IS neat that you found a friend’s blog online! Then you see all the posts and want to play “catch-up” and read everything they’ve written! LOL
I changed blogging a bit on the old blog when I realised friends were reading it. In fact, they were sort of like the audience I wrote for.
The current blog is a bit different – it found it’s own niche and purpose after being brought into existence. A bit existentialist, if you will.
And I love the random comments as well, it gives you a really nice feeling for the rest of the day. And you find great blogs and people out of them. Like this one
Aw, you two are too kind! *blush* I agree though, blogging is great. I find myself spending far too long clicking from one to another – it’s very easy to get sucked in! I should remember to comment more. It’s definitely a nice feeling to know that someone has read your posts and felt strongly enough to write something!
Hee, was it my blog you were referring to above?
I got the idea to start my blog from first looking at yours and I’ve since discovered it’s soooo easy to distract yourself in the blogsphere.
Though I do share the niggles you have about revealing identity.
Btw, when leaving comments you should link your name to your blog, that way you get more traffic (and comments) back. I only discovered how to do this the other day x
It was indeed you! I couldn’t believe it
Re: the linking back to my own blog, I assumed it happened automatically because I was logged in as myself? Does it not? How do I do it? Do I sound really dim now?
UPDATED (about two minutes later): I think I’ve worked it out!
Thanks for pointing it out, S4S!
I’ve just added you three to my Blog Roll – my first additions!
And I’ve linked you on mine!
Thanks for adding me to your blogroll! I’ve added you to mine too! Great blog!