Three Dimensions

I have a tendency, that I'm sure is shared by many, to view people as uni-dimensional, especially those that I only know superficially. I visit the doctor, and I see him only as a doctor. I see an actor on TV, and I think of him as just an actor. I talk to my colleague, and I think of her as her job. I read things, and I think of the author only as the person who wrote the piece I am reading.

Obviously, all of these people have other dimensions to their lives. My doctor is also a doting father of three kids. That actor has a personal life, just like mine (okay, maybe not JUST like mine). My colleague goes home at night and has a life outside of work all her own. The authors who write the things I read also have full and interesting lives.

I bring this up for two reasons. First, as a writer of fiction, it's important to remember that your characters should also be three-dimensional. They shouldn't have only the traits necessary to fulfill their primary purpose in the plot. That's boring.

Second, as a person, I have interests and a life not related to writing. I've decided to bring one of these interests and aspects of my life to the internet with my newly launched personal blog: www.adamdistefano.com

At www.adamdistefano.com, I'll be writing mainly about internet marketing for small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs. I know a thing or two about the topic because it's what I do for a living. While I'll continue on with 52 Short Stories, as my passion project, you can think of www.adamdistefano.com as my professional blog.

There is still more to me than writing and marketing, but I have opened up another window into my life. As time goes on, who knows how much I'll share online? I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I'm tweeting what I'm having for breakfast. On the other hand, an online diary of a diet and exercise regimen is plausible.

The web is becoming a platform for broadcasting your life to the world (or lifecasting). It's a great thing that audiences get to see more of the writers, artists and creators behind the works they enjoy. It makes for a more intimate experience. But how much is too much? Should a web persona be the full three dimensional representation of who we are, or should it still be a facade?

What do you think? Or would you rather not say?