Privacy Policy
Do the subjects of our work have a right to their privacy?
I wrote something recently very personal to me. Describing a moment that I shared with my boyfriend, but I’m torn about posting it because, these moments that I hold near and dear — full of love, that I believe are so universally experienced and shared — are not just mine, they’re ours. Those safe and sacred moments between the two of us…they’re special, and who am I to share them?
SO many pieces of writing online talk about sharing your story, your voice. But our inspiration comes from stories and experiences that are not solely ours.
Do the subjects of our work have a right to their privacy?
I know I might have a different take on this if I was not in a relationship: heartbroken or single by choice [whatever the case may be], but still I think that even those not attached to someone anymore, still shares those memories with them.
Some keep them safe — reminding yourself of a time when you once smiled at the sound of their name.
Others think like Carrie Bradshaw:
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should’ve behaved better.”
But I don’t want to make a spectacle of our love.
I don’t really know if I want to [or if I should] share those moments with everyone else. Give up the sanctity of that trust to further my writing. It kind of feels like betrayal; divulging information — breach of contract.
And this got me thinking…
Do we enter into unwritten contracts when we fall in love? …filed under the term trust? Do you automatically own the rights to their story? Are you entitled to their information because they trusted it with you when engaging in the relationship? Are you able to use these shared experiences for your own personal benefit?
What’s fair game and what information is protected under the privacy policy?
The truest of love exists away from watchful eyes: when the doors are closed, when the phones are away, when hearts and minds are spilled in confidence. When everything else in the world fades away…
Are we sacrificing our trusting relationships for our crafts? And where do we draw the line? Where does our loyalty lie?