Glow in the Woods on community, writing, and public grief

**Edit --oops forgot to link to it -- got this meme from Glow in the Woods

1. How would you describe your presence on the internet? Does your online voice differ from your real life voice? If so, how? And why?

I'm not sure about this, I'm still finding my way.  I do think my voice differs here from what I show my IRL self.  I am more open in talking about how I feel and why I feel the things I do.  I'm not afraid to cry and be angry.  I think i censor my emotions a lot IRL.  I'm afraid of hurting those I love with my grief and/or afraid to show them how much I am really hurting.

2. Why did you begin blogging, or reading blogs? Was this before or after your experience of babyloss?

I started reading blogs right after IVF worked last June when we were expecting twins (as I had no idea what to expect) I quickly became addicted :-), and kept reading and finding others TTC even after the loss of the twin @ 8 wks.  I started my own blog after losing Cadynce @ 20 wks as a way to get the feelings out that I was afraid to show to people in my life.  I never expected to connect with people like i have
3. Do you write anonymously? Does anonymity - or would anonymity - change your expression of grief?

Semi-anonymously.  You all know my first name (a very few know my last name)

It does not change how I express myself, because this is where I feel I can be 100% honest about my grief

4. Do you have a responsibility in how you express yourself on the internet? To whom, and why?

No, I dont think so really.  This space is just for me. 

5. Do authenticity and honesty matter to you, both as a reader and a writer? Or does unconditional support matter more? How do you think readers perceive your truth?

All of the above matter to me.  I want to open and honest about my grief and how I am coping with all things whether related to it or not.  I never expect unconditional support because there are always people who wil disagree with your opinions or words no matter what the subject matter is.

I hope that my readers get something out of my words, even if it is just a feeling of not being alone in their journey.

6. Have you ever been in the crosshairs of a troll? How did you deal with it, and what did you learn from it?

Luckily, I have not been so far ******KNOCKS ON WOOD******

7. How do you feel before going online - either to write on your own blog, or to absorb the writing of others? How do you feel when you shut down the computer and walk away?

It varies from day to day really.  On the bad days I feel like I am on a cliff and when I am done getting my thoughts out I always feel better.  Somedays the grief is too much and not even writing about it helps me.

8. Do family/friends know you write/commune online? If so, have they told you how they feel about it? How do you respond to their opinions?

My hubby knows and he has the link, but I think he's only looked at it once.  My best friend Meeg knows about it but I don't know if she ever looks at it (If you do luv ya meeg).  And my awesome neighbor Natalie knows about it and I think checks it out from time to time -- HI NAT!

9. Have you ever met any other loss bloggers in real-life? How did it feel to share food and air and space, and how did it make you feel about your own storytelling and healing? If you haven't experienced this, would you want to, or not? Why?

No I have not but I would definately be open to meeting any of you in the Houston area.  I think it would help to have someone "who's been there" to talk to IRL

10. How did you/will you know it's time to read fewer grief blogs, and write less of grief? How did you/will you redirect your energy, creativity, and persona online -- did you/will you go offline? Disappear and start again? Or transition in your current space, hoping to find a new voice? If you've done this, how did it feel?

I don't know, I think I may always read some grief blogs, as I get a little bit further out I want to help those new to this journey but it opens up my wounds so I am contemplating how I can do that.
I'm sure that someday this blog will transition to something else but for now it is what it is