Not Going Public: Ten Reasons

I know a lot of people; I have told none of them of this blog. Why?

1.  Self promotion (and working the social networks) tires me. If someone stumbles on this blog, fine. But I'd rather use my brain cells to create/write a graphic novel than build an audience.
2.  I've written and self published at least 30 books (humor, therapy, theology, autobiography, art), all of which have been met with deafening silence. That silence always proves to be highly dispiriting. I can't risk that with this important work of art.
3.  If I were to have followers I'd feel obligated to feed them posts. This would drastically change the leisurely freedom I now enjoy to post whenever the muses nudge me (which is surprisingly often these days).
4.  If I were to get positive comments I'd feel obligated to respond in kind; if I were to get negative comments I'd be tempted to defend myself. Both of these tasks would sap my creative juices.
5. One of the reasons the "talking cure" works in psychotherapy and analysis is because a stream of consciousness narrative (with little analyst interaction) uncorks creativity, self knowledge, and insight. Posting blogs to no one is like talking to a silent analyst.
6.  Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 commends "casting one's bread upon the waters," and "dividing your portion to seven or eight." I am purposely disregarding this otherwise sound advice simply to be rebellious.
7.  Difficult life circumstances (my wife's illness) fuel this literary/artistic endeavor. Even though I don't discuss it much here, I feel the freedom to do so should the urge ever come over me. Were I to have followers I'd be much more reluctant to discuss my battle with negative emotions. I purposely avoid self disclosure with clients.
8.  Once I start putting ink to paper, color to ink, and inked pages to web, I will then announce to friends where to read Ecclesiastes U. I imagine readers will be much more interested in the finished product than these behind the scenes discussions. Musing about creating a graphic novel is like discussing how sausage is made.
9. A part of me thinks this blog would be of interest to philosophers, English teachers, creative writing teachers, Bible teachers, artists, theologians, depressed folks, psychologists, and cartoonists. Were I to snag one of these groups it would influence future posts. Right now I can babble on about any of these themes without worrying about leaving the other readers with special interests bored.
10.  I am connected professionally to clients, relationally to family, socially to Twitterers, Facebookers, and bloggers, and I am connected economically to vendors, agencies, and retailers. These high touch connections make this secret life of solitude, reflection, and creativity an energy giving endeavor.
11. I have one role and one role only with my clients: counselor. Self disclosure is rare, rare, rare. In this blog I have one role and one role only, disclose, disclose, disclose. Ne'er the twain shall meet.
12. I can't count.