How’s your start to the new year going? Still putting off starting your new blog? Story still gathering dust? Tired of such thought-provoking questions yet?

Okay, I’ll quit asking (for now).

And yes, I know. Big talk from someone who hasn’t even posted to her own blog for three months; yup, I own it. This is one of those times I’m talking to myself just as much as I’m putting it out there for others.

I’m easy—I fell out of the habit and am picking it back up before I’m too embarrassed to come back to my own blog. As for you (if you’re still reading), what’s keeping you from your craft?

In my experience, both personal and observed in fellow writers, the most common excuses and reasons boil down to one big fear: What will other people think?

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There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
― Ansel Adams

For the longest time, I’ve avoided putting my picture on the Internet. And is it any wonder, considering my family?

My dad thinks that Pinterest is the government’s way of stealing our ideas and that Facebook is the gateway to Hell. When he finally caved to the demands of the women in his family (Mom and me) to create a Facebook account, he opened and used no fewer than seven dummy email addresses so that his account couldn’t actually be traced back to him. And all that personal information he’s supposed to include? Lies.

According to his Amazon wish list, he’s a 19 year-old woman who lives in Tokyo.

Then there’s my mom. My hero. My idol. Also the woman who’d routinely call me at 3:00 a.m. and tell me to make sure my doors and windows were locked. The woman who bought me a baseball bat, a golf club and canister of pepper spray to keep my bed “just in case.” In her defense, I actually was kidnapped when I was a toddler. I also was returned 3 days later in perfect health by a family member. And although I thought I’d had a grand adventure, Mom was understandably never the same.

It’s a wonder she ever let me move out. If it wasn’t for the fact that my dog barked when the sand moved in the Sahara, I’m pretty sure it would never have happened.

So that’s why I’ve always been a little reticent about posting my picture on my website. But in this day and age (and given that I’m a professional writer who has to network online), it’s time to file “I don’t want to” under Suck It Up, Buttercup.

Because even in online relationships, friendships and business connections, people like to talk to and do business with people.

So, here I am. (Don’t tell Dad.)

Yes, that’s me. Yes, it’s a professional photograph. And yes, I’d just had my hair done that morning. Which means it’s the best I’ll ever look. Which also means that I’ll be using this photograph until I’m 100 years old.

What about you? Ever had concerns about putting your picture online? Any backlash? And benefits?