Blegos, Tweegos and Reagos

To be a writer, or anything remotely as ridiculous, it's almost necessary to develop an alter ego. Not that you're pretending to be someone else (unless you prefer to dress up as Batman when no one's home), but tapping in to that little person inside of you (I hope s/he bought you dinner first) that demands people pay attention to YOU. Like RIGHT NOW.

I think writers, in general, aren't super confident. We write down words people in our real lives either don't care about or can't hear us say. I'm sort-of quiet in life (unless you pump me full of alcohol), so it's imperative I write things down for anyone to hear me at all. Otherwise, I'm just a walking mime with no way to communicate with real people. Or that gorilla, Cocoa using sign language for *wants*...

There are several types of alter egos that exist, some more annoying than others.

Blego: Your blog ego is what lets people get to know you. Some writers use the opportunity to talk about contests/writing tools/cats/strange rashes. Personally, I'm more attracted to the blogs that show me the writer, as a real person. Honesty and humility go a long way because were all people, dudes. I *get* it when someone opens up about difficult topics...or toilet glasses.

There's no judgement (except in the comments) (and by lurking agents, editors and VIPs) (oh...crap...) and because it's YOUR daily/weekly/monthly account of the way you see things. It's also one of the easiest ways to really connect. Yay for networking and friendmaking! (You mean you already know about Feel me up Fridays and you STILL love me? Wow. That's love)...

Tweegos: Everything Twit/Space/Face/My/Book is an ego of another level. If you're a pro-serious writer (you have an agent, sold a book, etc), these egos are primarily for promo purposes and less actual networking. It's a fine line between annoying as shizz and somewhat useful.

Tweegos can be like viruses. Links, plugs and mememememe all the effing time, is exhausting. If you have nothing to offer but a constant Tweego of marketing verbal vomit, you'll be lucky to keep said "friends" for long (unless they've been brainwashed by zombies) (okay, even then) (if zombies have brainwashed you, blink twice) *silence* (I'll take that as you have no control over your Tweego due to a zombie invasion. You're forgiven and I'm here for you).

If you know someone who's Tweego has gotten out of freakin' control, it's time for an intervention.
Step 1: Link this blog via Tweet with @(insert crazed person's user name).
Step 2: Space/Face/My/Book the same thing.
Step 3: Blog about Tweegos and wait for said person to realize you're talking about them.
Step 4: Repeat process until everyone is sick of hearing about it. Wait.....hmm....

Reagos: In real life, we're uuuhhh real. Via the web, it's unrestrained, and care free. We type these silly, little words that seem not to mean much. Then we hit send, publish, Tweet, comment like it's nothing. Online, we get to choose to be someone else or ourselves. It's the freedom that's sexy. Oooh and the danger of saying something like "I like....Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam." There, I said it. And it's there, forever. With little to no real consequence. (except extreme mocking)

BUT, in real life, if you walk up to someone and say "hey, dude, it's Friday,wanna feel me up?" It might not go over as well (he told me he loved me and I believed him...I'm so stupid). And creepy much? Our reagos are who we are walking down the street or in the bathroom stall next to you, digging our phones from toilets.

Point is, friends, whatever ego you use today, use it with class. It's not always about you, and even when it is, be gracious. So what about you? Which ego do you prefer?
Candyland. OUT.