Writers, Professionalism and...the Internet

There's been a lot of discussion about this topic lately on loops, forums and blogs. It's a topic that each and every writer, aspiring to be published or already published, should take into account when they post anything on the Internet--on any of the social networking forums and media. That stuff says around forever, you know? What people say and how they say it, reflects on them (and that could be a positive or a negative thing). I'm regularly amazed at what some people post and the language they use. We all constantly hear that the first thing an editor or an agent does when they're considering a submission seriously, is to Google the writer. Really? You want an editor or agent to see that? What is out there on the Internet is sometimes the only way an editor or an agent can perform a 'compatibility test' if you will. How easy is this person to work with? How reasonable? How professional?

Me? I try not to post anything I wouldn't have issue with anyone seeing. I try to strike a balance between providing insight into me as a person so that people can get to know me better, but not revealing too much information, if you know what I mean :). I consciously try not to post anything of a religious or political nature. I believe everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and why should I feel the need to push mine onto anyone else? They're not relevant to my books anyway. I do my best not to offend anyone. Sure, I write hot and steamy romance. Some consider it 'erotic', but I think I can still have a professional persona, I don't have to 'live up to' that moniker. I want this to be a long term career, after all.

Now, in the spirit of believing in free speech and everyone being the master of their own destiny, people can post anything they like, of course. I just hope they've thought through clearly all the possible ramifications and that it's a conscious choice. If so, that's fine. If not, oh-ho!

Is it just me or do others see this as well?

The internet should be ... BANNED

At least in my house. When I'm home. While I am trying to write! I'm the first to admit I'm a bit of an IT geek. It was my career (1 of 2) after all. Computers were for work; a tool of productivity, they were not for playing. At least that used to be my perspective. Now I find myself sitting at my desk all day trying to write and the lure of the internet becomes almost impossible to resist. Since finishing my 'day job' last year I've discovered all sorts of things out there on the net. I'm relatively new to social networking and there's so much that is interesting and so many cool site and tools and features to explore. Just check out the freakin avatar of myself I created on my blog!! Did I need that? No! But being from the IT field I can't help exploring something like that to understand how it works. I am seriously considering disconnecting my online access for set periods of time during the day or moving to a part of the house the wireless router won't reach! I can't imagine how time consuming it must be to publicize a book or to really manage an online presence for marketing purposes!

How do others cope with the lure that is the online world?

I'm Addicted to the Internet!

Hi, my name is Kaily and I'm an addict.....

How did anyone ever survive before email, on-line shopping, social networking and syncing your entire life on your many mobile devices? I have just spent a frustrating few days with intermittent and problematic connectivity. I'm not a surfer (Internet that is), but without it I feel naked and vulnerable. I want it to be there when I need it. Once when we had no power or Internet due to a hurricane, my hubby thought I was crazy when I insisted we get the Internet taken care of FIRST. We had generator power after all, right? Well, the nice guy from the DSL provider was here this morning and promises everything is now fixed. Now perhaps I can focus knowing my lifeline to the world has been re-established.