Online Chatting/Expert Profile

Expertise

As the author of a novel about my life online in chat rooms specifically, and a few adventures into online dating, I can answer almost any question anyone could ask about chatting online. The excitement, the adrenalin rush, the manipulation of the mind, the corruption of morals, the danger of stalking and harrassment online and offline, the lies, the secrets. The reality of this `fantasy` is frightening. My book tells a story that hopefully will make anyone who reads it more wary and chatwise than I was when I stumbled upon chat in late 1999 as a naive woman who didn`t have a clue what a chat room on the internet was. I have spent many hours online counselling men and women with broken hearts, wounded pride, and yes, very real fear. My passion is to try to help eradicate the not so good factors out of chat rooms and make them once again fun places where people feel safe.

Experience in the area

My experience commenced in June 1999 in international chat rooms and then a move in late September 1999 to chat rooms in Australia. I am still online, have my own chat room, and my first novel titled 'Secrets, Lies & Chat' was published by American-Book Publishing in 2005 and is now available from my website www.secretslieschat.net.au for a very competitive price. I have also released on my website an eBook which is a revised version of Secrets, Lies & Chat and only costs $4.95 5o download in either word or pdf format.

Organizations

I belong to many writing organisations online and I belong to the chat room community of BigPond.

Publications

Communique - a monthly newspaper produced by the NSW Government Department of Commerce
SMH ICON liftout 'The Net Effect' April 2004
Numerous articles in PoynterOnline
Numerous letters to the editor, SMH
My profile and short stories and articles are all online at AuthorsDen.com and some are posted on my website.

Education/Credentials

High School Educated
TAFE Secretarial
Numerous OH&S certificates
Numerous Computer related courses

What do you like about this subject?

Online chatting was huge in my life for 4 years. My involvement has been less in the last 2 because of my choices and because 2 men in that period have come into my life and I preferred to spend my online time with them mostly. Not both at once of course; 1 friend died in 2004 and a new friend and I parted company(2007)but keep in touch.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I learnt a lot in chat, both about people and about the human factor and reactions and actions. I hope to achieve what I set out to do with my book; educate about chat and assist in finding the very best way to use the medium to advantage without coming to harm or having self-esteem destroyed. Trust me, it happens.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Chat rooms are like any other society. There are the bullies, the 'wimps', those that use the medium as a way to take out their very sad vengeance on either females or males, those with an agenda of their own for either good or evil, mind manipulation, lies, secrets. The bad press you may have seen regarding chat is true. It's all there and often lurking under the surface.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The very fact that there is anonymity breeds controversy. Lies are told, fake photos are exchanged, very real danger exists for the unwary. Controversy exists in the room amongst those that chat. Many don't believe in the danger factor because they haven't been exposed to it. They believe chat is fantasy. I believe otherwise and know chat is a lot of things, and many not so good.