Time Flies

Monday, October 3 marked an anniversary of sorts. Two years ago I became non-anonymous, and man, have those two years flown by.

I was minding my own business running the MMM blog when Facebook arbitrarily decided that I could no longer maintain my anonymity. So, that, along with continuous spousal encouragement, pushed me into the light. (Here is the link to the original post.)

For what it’s worth, I LIKED being anonymous. There were some advantages, and a bit of freedom to address some things more directly. There were also some downsides – covering one’s tracks in the digital age is not easy. Also, the cracks in the dam were getting bigger as I more online friends became friends in-real-life. It became inevitable – Facebook merely provided the push. One curiosity: I know for a fact that the curiosity in an anonymous blogger contributed to my initial success. It worried me what would happen when the time came to reveal. With the novelty of anonymity gone, traffic dropped off for a brief period, then came back stronger. The core was (and amazingly, still is) solid.

There have been some good things that have come from being “nonymous.”  (Jeff’s word) Here are a few:

• Published a book and promoted it. (link)

• I have been able to attend and participate in writer’s conferences like ANWA and LDS Storymakers. It is fun to make new friends and to learn from people who are much wiser and more skilled that I am. I even got to present at ANWA this year.

• I joined my first writer’s group, hoping skills will rub off.

• My EC doesn’t have to tell me that I shouldn’t be anonymous anymore anymore.

• More people in my ward read my blog now.

• I have made and met a whole bunch of new friends.

• I tend to curb my more caustic tendencies. It is sad – but true – that being anonymous lessens the use of filters. My filters are still wildly imperfect, but I am a tad more careful.

• My friends who already knew my identity don’t have to worry about spilling the beans anymore. (Because some of them were terrible at it.)

• I can write about a broader range of things because I don’t have to worry about giving myself away.

• It is easier to exploit my family for blog fodder. (They love me anyway.)

• People have brought treats (and dinner) to my house. Had I know sooner…

So, two years into “nonymity” and things are just fine. If you had told me back in December of 2009 that I would still be doing this today, I would have said you were nuts. Well, I am still doing it, and I have learned that most of you are nuts anyway.

Thanks for your continued support, even in the face of disappointment that I don;t look like George Clooney.