When I started writing Dating Dad stories, they were really just for me — a way to keep track of the amazing and harrowing experiences of my new life, and to process my journey. But I gradually became aware of a larger audience; not just family and close friends, but parents (single and otherwise), men and women who were newly divorced and in need of the reassurance that others were experiencing the same challenges, and even singles who had their own set of dating experiences.
With the advent of Facebook, my audience grew beyond close friends, to a larger network of the people in my social circles. The implications and consequences, both positive and negative, grow with every new column.
It's a challenge, sometimes, to know what (and how) to share what's happening in my life. My goal is always to be honest and personal, but also to look at larger themes that go beyond my particular situation. And I always do my best to protect the feelings of the women in my life who find their way into my writing.
But the question of online identities, and how "out there" we can be is something I ponder often (I have a little manifesto germinating, actually). Many bloggers have to walk the same fine line that I do.
So I'm very excited to be part of a related panel discussion at the Modern Media Man Summit in Atlanta, Sept. 9 -11. It's called, "Over-sharing: When it comes to your family, how much is too much?" I'll be sitting at the table with documentarian Doug Block and fellow dad blogger Donny Claxton, and we'll explore the benefits, drawbacks, and best thoughts on how to decide what (and what not) to share.
I'm also thrilled to be hanging with a bunch of other thoughtful guys, and to attend sessions with some very cool gents. For more information about the conference, click here.
Here's a link to fun interview I did with a conference organizer.
...or click here to listen:
...and don't worry...this isn't my August Dating Dad post!
Sounds like a very interesting summit. I'm sure you will do fine and learn a lot in the process. Keep up the good work on the blog.
Posted by: Eric | August 09, 2010 at 12:19 PM