Coming Out Of The Blogging Closet

coming out of the blogging closet, blog anonymously, blogging, anonymous, coming out, The Indie Chicks
November 28, 2012 by 8 Comments

Over the past ten years or so blogging has evolved from online diaries to platforms for writers, experts, and journalists. Anyone with something to say, a book to promote, or an album that is launching, most likely has a blog where they promote themselves. Owning a URL, self-hosting, and managing a website has become commonplace for a lot of people. That doesn’t mean that “blogging” and “bloggers” don’t still fight a negative connotation sometimes. This makes coming out of the blogging closet scary for a lot of bloggers.

My Experience Blogging

When I first started my website I hated the term “blogger” and I was pretty embarrassed about it, to be honest. I mentioned it to a couple of friends but for the most part I kept my site a secret. When I did mention that I was writing a blog people would look at me and ask, “So what do you write about? Its just a journal, right? Do people even care about what you have to say?” I quickly realized that unless you blog the odds of you understanding it fully are slim to none.

People not in the “blogosphere” didn’t understand what blogging was about and to them it was amateur and childish. That’s nowhere CLOSE to how I saw myself though. Suddenly I was a part of a community of writers who were using blogging as a platform to perfect their art form, share their work, and build networks. It was amazing and I was in almost constant awe to be a part of it. I had such blazing pride about my writing, my website, and the friends I was making that I started hiding it.

Growing As A Writer

How does that make sense? Wouldn’t it make sense to be coming out of the blogging closet if I was so proud of my growth as a writer? Well, if I was hiding my writing then I didn’t have to defend it and I didn’t have to feel awkward explaining my “hobby” to people. Slowly the cocoon that I built around my writing made the very thought of telling people I was writing absolutely horrifying. I was like a mama bear protecting her cubs and the thought of having anyone say negative things about it was enough to make my want to rage. This is not my “hobby” this is my passion.

The normal progression of my writing meant that I branched out to short fiction, guest posts, and grabbing any writing opportunity possible. I started writing for The Indie Chicks and excitement built over all the writing I was doing. Eventually the sense of pride about my writing became so great that keeping it a secret felt wrong. So, what do I do when I’ve built a wall between my writing and now I want it gone? Was coming out of the blogging closet right yet?

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About this Badass Author


Jewels is our Senior Editor, in charge of website content, as well as the COO. When not working to ensure The Indie Chicks is the best possible site for our readers, she's probably spending time with family or friends. Her free time is dedicated to her love of music, reading, writing, and anything crafty. Don't hesitate to reach out...she loves chatting with our readers.

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  • http://bluenotebacker.wordpress.com @bluenoteabacker

    I think it’s important to think about WHY we write and WHO we’re writing for and I believe there’s a natural transition, nay, transformation that occurs when one begins blogging and sharing writing with others. I’m not there, but in my observations I see a number of friends go through this kind of thing, where their writing becomes bigger than themselves.

    I don’t mean that anyone’s opinion of themselves is unnecessarily inflated. I’m not talking about big egos or self-importance. I’m saying there’s a point where purpose and intent may no longer be to write for oneself as an outlet but that it’s grown into something bigger, more encompassing of the readers.

    I think it’s fantastic and applaud you for it. Call it success, or whatever, I know that in most cases we’re not looking for accolades (though admit it, they ARE nice, lol) I simply find it to be awesome and feel very lucky that in your case I have access to the sharing!

    • http://www.accordingtojewels.com Jewels

      You always have the most amazing comments. Thank you. You’re right. At one point the writing did become more than just my personal musings, though I do still have those on my personal blog. At some point it became this overwhelming desire to be seen as “a writer”. After all, that’s what I am, right? I won’t say it was pride, but I didn’t want to have to hide something that made me so happy. I couldn’t have stayed in the blogger closet and still been here at Indie Chicks and meeting people like you. Thank you again.

  • http://youngmanbrown.com Youngman Brown

    My blog was completely anonymous when I started it. Not because I was afraid of what people would think, but because I knew in my heart that I wasn’t going to keep it updated regularly. Last year, when I decided to update it more frequently, I also decided to “come out of the blogging closet” and I invited all my Facebook friends to view it. I also sprinkled my real name into posts when necessary.

    You are right about the blogosphere being a great place to share writing, but it sucks that it is hard to share the writing OUTSIDE of the blogosphere and to get real-life people to read.

    Actually, that’s not entirely true. Many “real-life” people read my blog, I just don’t find out that they read it until months or years later when they see me and mention it.

    I guess that is somewhat inspiring too.

    Anyway, glad you are out of the closet… Julie. Weird. I’m sticking with Jewels.

    • http://www.accordingtojewels.com Jewels

      I had no idea what purpose my blog was going to serve when I started so it was natural for me to keep it anonymous. I think a lot of people in my “real life” are hesitant to admit they read my writing because it is so deeply personal that it leaves me kind of vulnerable. … maybe? Who knows. I have a lot of friends and family that I know follow me here and on my site and it’s nice to know they do.
      :D Jewels is just fine…go with it.

  • http://www.hautecurvywoman.com Tovah

    When I was starting my blog a year ago, I really wasn’t sure what my niche was going to be. I mean, I knew I wanted to address the plus sized women’s community, but I didn’t know if I would incorporate my personal ideas and issues into it. Once I started being more open, I realized those personal posts were the ones the got the most comments and hits.

    I’m still pretty shy, though after a year, I have shown my face. lol.

    Baby steps.

    By the way, your writing is one of the few blogs I read every day. I’m so glad that you’re writing as much as you are.I don’t know how you do it though.

    I wrote one story and I was pretty much done for the year. lol.

    • http://www.accordingtojewels.com Jewels

      I love that you read here every day. I know how little free time people have these days and truly value that you spend it reading what I have to say.

      When it comes to blogging and owning your writing there is no right or wrong, only what feels right. For me it took a while before I was comfortable owning it. Now that I have though it feels like there is no stopping me. It really does come from being real, raw, and forthright with my readers and when my vulnerability shows people respond so positively that it fuels me. My readers are what keep me going because I know no matter what topic I take on they’ll support me and my writing. So, thank you. :D

  • Rene

    I’m currently restarting my blog. I had a few over the years and felt like no one cared enough about my writing to even want to view it. When I talked about it with other people they just looked at me like I had dreams that were too big for me. It took me a long time to find the courage to begin again. Hopefully this time will be better!

  • http://brainsnorts.wordpress.com rich