But if you come across as non-human, no one is going to want to read it. Everyone has a different path and blogging lets people share the path they are on.

Transparency is really a myth. Sharing a little more without oversharing is what the goal is. The difference between sharing and oversharing? Well that has to do with your boundaries, not the boundaries of all your readers. I mean, how can you possibly please all of the people all of the time? You *can’t* – so be true to yourself and your comfort levels and everyone else can come along for the ride

I’m also a firm believer that we can’t fairly judge a person ’till we’ve walked at least a mile in their shoes. Most times we don’t do that. Even if we did “walk that mile”, our experiences and reactions would be different than theirs. Never mind the negative feedback, Deb. You’re doing an awesome job… Keep up the great work!

*smiles*
Michele

Truth is of course the only way to go, although I often find that clients much prefer the absense of negative thought. This of course varies with the significance of the project – basic content v. spending a few hundred thousand. Generally I equate the whole concept to dancing to soul music, its not how much energy you let out but rather how much you choose to let out at any given point in time.Although I do still consider myself a freelance, I have found my contracts getting longer; to the point of going back to work for others but not technically. It’s a healthcare thing I suspect.

I promise to always be truthful, even if it doesn’t make this niche look so pretty sometimes.

Every freelance writer that is making a living is in a little different place than the next freelance writer. The great thing about the industry is that we can continue to learn from each other no matter where we are or where we are headed.

Keep up the honesty. After all “honesty IS the best policy.”

That alone guarantees things will work out fine

@ Deb: We’ll get to the 15K in readers a day…you’ll see.

Blogging, by its nature, is more personal than other kinds of writing. You have to be prepared to put yourself out there and share with your readers. It makes blogging a wonderful way to connect with other people, but each blogger needs to decide how much to reveal and when it’s appropriate to do so. But if you are going to share, it has to be real – otherwise, what’s the point?

You can’t please everyone, but I would say YOU please most by taking the honest approach here. More importantly, you please your own sense of ethics.

“This above all else, to thine own self be true.” ~ William Shakespeare

To quote my ex-students, “Do you!”

I read often but rarely post. I have to say that you and Jodee have been dealing with a lot of people wearing their cranky pants lately.

You guys offer an excellent service here – and a large part of that has to do with your honesty. Part of that honesty is your sharing your career choices with us and giving us the opportunity to learn through you.

So both of you, rock on. And thanks for being honest and transparent.

The plus side, you now get to spend more quality and quantity time with your family while still working from home. Best of both worlds.

I appreciate the integrity that you always bring to this site. Thank you.

Keep it real, Deb – this site is truly a gem for freelancers at any stage of their career.

I think there’s another word here that can be used, which is perhaps a lesser degree of transparency, as transparency could be miscontrued to mean ‘revealing everything…’

AUTHENTICITY.