I am about to launch my second attempt at a writer's blog. I am a bit paranoid about putting my writing online. I feel like I can't post anything important, like the first chapter of the book I'm working on... But on the other hand, if all I can post is writing I don't feel too strongly about, then what's the point?
I'm sure plenty of you keep blogs or share work online (it's actually the point of this site, come to think of it).
What are the dangers of posting your work online?
What kind of work do you post?
Can you still hope to publish something you have already put online?
Should there be different levels of access for people visiting a blog?
One of the problems with posting your work online is that it counts as publishing it. You may not be able to enter it into a competition, for instance, that says work must not have been previously published - ie put in the public domain. It doesn't mean that you have made any money from it - only that it has been put out there. That goes for work here too. If in doubt, you must ask the comp organisers.
There is nothing to stop anyone from stealing your work; though the chances of that happening are slim, as you're doing it piecemeal. You can make the point, and put a copyright symbol and your name after each entry. People can put this on their artwork, too, like a watermark.
It is however your blog, and the content is entirely up to you. If it is your intention to use the blog to advertise your work, you want it to be available via search engines; if you want to keep it for friends only, you can do that, but it defeats the object, perhaps.
To some extent you have to take the risk, as this is your shop window. It's a judgement call based on what you want in return for blogging.