tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post8522143370243878996..comments2023-04-22T01:21:15.002-05:00Comments on The Big Heat: Is It Possible to Have a Real Friend on Social Media?Gae-Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410169062960865279noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-59054898670983466072014-07-17T11:28:05.284-05:002014-07-17T11:28:05.284-05:00Too true, Claude, with online friends we are never...Too true, Claude, with online friends we are never alone. That is comforting! Venture Galleries seems to be growing quickly, but it still has an intimate feel. I like that, and feel like I have some real friends there. And I'm totally with you on the jumping for joy regarding the book sales and reviews...Gae-Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410169062960865279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-29948914654599606302014-07-16T11:17:41.880-05:002014-07-16T11:17:41.880-05:00I completely agree with Louise, it's like a mo...I completely agree with Louise, it's like a modern-day pen pal and you can find real friendship and support - I know, I've gotten it from you and from the guys at Venture Galleries as well as many others. As I'm a self-published author, I tend easily to depression (book marketing is so hard, not at all in my nature!) so it really helps to have online friends who notice when you write a blog post (at least that! Now if someone buys one of my books and writes a review, I jump for joy!)<br /><br />With online friends, you're never alone...Claude Forthommehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871790739257823515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-22614662181661920232014-07-08T19:50:24.299-05:002014-07-08T19:50:24.299-05:00You're right, Louise! I was just talking to a ...You're right, Louise! I was just talking to a friend (who I've met through social media) about how the days of 'real' letters seems to have passed. I've always loved writing letters back and forth, but I enjoy email just as much.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Gae-Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410169062960865279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-83351258026966772082014-07-08T19:49:03.325-05:002014-07-08T19:49:03.325-05:00I agree, Jenny - what a fabulous set of friends yo...I agree, Jenny - what a fabulous set of friends you've found! I'll bet there are many more out there waiting to be discovered.Gae-Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410169062960865279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-83864453530170953982014-07-08T10:40:06.412-05:002014-07-08T10:40:06.412-05:00I think it's like a modern day pen pal!I think it's like a modern day pen pal!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16864573085750253171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-79570249310778269872014-07-07T13:12:10.201-05:002014-07-07T13:12:10.201-05:00My social media friends are totally real. We call,...My social media friends are totally real. We call, we write, we laugh, we stay in each other's houses and I can call on them when I need help. I'd say that's real enough for anyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-45139632482075513242014-07-05T10:51:53.000-05:002014-07-05T10:51:53.000-05:00Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Donnelle. I...Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Donnelle. It's wonderful and amazing that you can care so much about a cyber-friend that you grieve for them after they're gone. But that's how true friendships go, regardless of their origin.<br /><br />I had to laugh when I read your comment. I'd just finished writing an email to a gal I'd met online but not in person. We've become such good friends that I've 'forgotten' that I don't know her in real life! That's happened with several people I've met online, and I treasure those friendships as much as those I share with people I've met in person.<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment - it's nice to meet you!Gae-Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410169062960865279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7783311691038704303.post-57989868938185285512014-07-04T14:52:04.726-05:002014-07-04T14:52:04.726-05:00Yes! I think so. I probably have some of that soci...Yes! I think so. I probably have some of that social naivete you were talking about, but I look for friends everywhere. When I strike up a convo with a girl who served me at Walmart or see a new handle in a chatroom, I always entertain the possibility that here's a new friend. Some of them might not share the sentiment and might even think I'm a weirdo for being friendly, but when those meetings turn into friendship it's worth it.<br /><br />When I was still doing chat roleplay, there were a few people I talked to outside the game and became good friends with. I knew them for years, even after I stopped playing. I lost one of them a couple years ago to a massive seizure, and I miss her terribly. I never got to meet her face-to-face, but losing her certainly felt the same to me as it would've had we met in class or at our favorite bookstore. Her family must've felt the same, because they used words from my commemorative blog post at her funeral. <br /><br />Anyone reluctant to make connections online shouldn't be. You can meet some of your closest friends there, people who have a great impact on your life. You just have to trust your gut, like you said, and be a friend yourself! Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716190503345068698noreply@blogger.com