But I sat up and took notice this week when I overheard a church community put out the call to pray for another female author's family member. To this church, this author was a male who had developed an entire online alter ego. Turns out, he/she had been blogging about a very ill family member - so ill that the community was ready to raise funds and pray for the member. But there were no family members at all and in real life, this author is single with no siblings.
To me, it came down to simple honesty. Authors write under various points of view, some male and some female, some old and some young, some with completely different religions, backgrounds, culture, and makeup. But it's clear that these are characters, not the author himself/herself.
To me, crossing the line came when the author began to mislead, knowing full well that the audience believed the stories posted on the Internet to be true and factual.
What do you think? At what point does it cease to be all fun and games? When is that line crossed?
p.m.terrell's 13th book will be released this week! Vicki's Key can now be purchased through all fine book stores, amazon and other online stores. It is also available for the Kindle, Nook, iPad, and other electronic readers. Find out more at www.pmterrell.com.
