Mentioning real people by name in your blog

[peekyboo]

I have just discovered my old teacher on Facebook. He was pivotal to me at a very hard time in my school life and offered me really good advice when I didn't know where to turn. I mentioned him in a very deep and personal blog entry, about my struggles at school and with never feeling, until that moment, that I had any choices.
Now, after the blog post being out there for 3 months, I've realised he's been on FB all along. I've just messaged him to let him know that I named him and offering to make it anon if he likes.
I just wondered what other people do about this? The post was written quite early on in my blogging journey and it never occurred to me not to name him as I say positive things about him and he was so important at the time.

Amanda

aspie-girl.blogspot.co.uk/

[JakeBullet]

I have a blog and tbh if I blog about a person I usually just put the initial of their first name. It sounds as though he was fantastic though so hopefully it will be fine .

[peekyboo]

He was and if I was doing it now, I would probably call him by initials. I'll possibly change it anyway, but I'll wait and see what he says as he went on, after the year he gave me the advice, to totally change his whole life - went off to Africa to work with aid agencies and is still living there now - so he's no stranger to life-changing moments!

[Tee2072]

Anyone who I haven't spoken to directly about using their name, I either use initials or descriptions such as 'my best mate' or 'my oldest niece'.

[Thisisaeuphemism]

As its so complimentary I wouldn't worry, although like the others I would suggest using just initials in future. You could always go back and edit it if you feel uncomfortable.

I am struggling with the whole mentioning other people in my blog too. I want it to be true and authentic but I don't want to trample on others feelings :( dbro read a post where basically I slagged him off - and we are still not talking. I've recently pulled another post because I felt so evil about it.

Im modifying everything i write now which does affect the post.

So yes, nightmare!

[peekyboo]

Hmm, I know what you mean. I've been printing mine off for my mother to read but I must admit to 'forgetting' to print the odd one or two! Otherwise, I'm quite confident that most of my family have been kind and polite about the blog but in reality they don't read it, so I'm safe!

[Thisisaeuphemism]

Never assume that it's safe!

[peekyboo]

Ha ha, no! But still, if I can open my heart and soul out to the whole of the world wide web, then I just have to accept I'm opening it to people who know me too. And I've gone past that thought being scary (it is, very scary), to a point where I think, what the heck!