Stephanie Henkel Interviews Denise Handlon
An ardent author shares how her writing developed on HubPages
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Michigan. My mother was a librarian so I learned to read early. I received the best of both from my parents: my mother’s love for books, reading and writing; and my father’s Irish storytelling.
I have a nursing degree, a B.A. in psychology, and my profile page lists some of my key interests. I always wanted to ‘see the world’ so, after my two daughters were married I moved to Alaska, then California, and now North Carolina. I have four wonderful grandchildren and I am currently raising my teenage nephew.
Aside from writing, my spiritual work and family have my attention. I believe that each experience creates opportunities for us to learn about ourselves and connect with each other. I love humor and sharing a good laugh; and I enjoy using humor in writing when appropriate. I also love synchronicity and how it shows up in our lives.
2. What inspired you to join HubPages?
Actually, that is one of those synchronistic events. While in California, I had joined a women’s writing group, but didn’t know anyone when I moved to North Carolina, so I took a few online writing classes at the local community college. A senior student inquired about my writing and encouraged me to join an online writing site, but I was hesitant-unsure about what I was getting involved with. After nine months of writing for ‘no audience’ I decided to follow his advice and joined Hubpages last May in order to get some feedback for my writing.
Shortly after I joined I won the Hubnugget award for my piece: Soul Work: JOY and wrote to him to thank him for his prodding me to join HP and to share my news. He was baffled and denied ever suggesting that writing site and vehemently claims he had suggested a different site. The synchronicity was being led to the ‘wrong’ site-which was exactly ‘right’ for me.
3. Is there a particular topic that inspires you to write your best Hubs?
No, there doesn’t seem to be a particular topic, but what I am aware of, and probably many of the Hubbers know this feeling, is when it is right on, when the muse is sitting on one’s shoulder whispering in one’s ear, it works-it is ‘the best’ at that time. There are other times when I know that it isn’t inspirational or creative, but more of a task. I still move forward with it, but it is arduous.
When I joined I thought I would focus on one subject, such as my spiritual work or mental health, but that is not what happened and I am fine with how it has unfolded. There is so much to write about that holds my interest, and some of it is my poetry, that it’s hard for me to pinpoint one area.
4. You’ve participated in the 30 Day Hub challenge. Do you have any secrets of success or tips for those who want to write 30 Hubs in 30 days?
Yes, actually I successfully completed the Hubchallenge in January of this year. It was one of the goals I set for myself and my ‘tips’ are mentioned in my hub: The Hubchallenge: 5 Tips for Success. One of the most important suggestions I can offer is: clear your agenda. It is called a challenge for a reason. It may not be difficult coming up with 30 topics or finding 400 plus words to write about in your hub…the challenge is writing despite the everyday distractions, which is real life. Hubbers have jobs, families, emergencies, etc. One may not cause a setback, but multiple obstacles and soon you find yourself behind. This happened to me in April. I joined thinking it was an uneventful month and ended up eight Hubs short.
Second important tip-enjoy it! Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t make it, but realize how many more Hubs you have finished.
5. You’ve been with HubPages for a year now. How has HubPages influenced your writing? Have you seen a change in your writing since joining?
First, most certainly there is a huge difference in writing for oneself, (or family), and writing in a conscientious manner for a wider audience. That’s probably the biggest change I’ve noticed. Second, word count and editing-saying more with less is difficult for me. I don’t want to lose my audience with unnecessary detail, but I love words-I’m still working on this. Lastly, one of the attractions I had to Hubpages was being able to write about anything. That being said, my very first Hub was written and posted on Mother’s Day, so I used that holiday as the topic. I wrote a ‘lovely’ piece about my mother and what she instilled in me as a parent, and it received many positive comments.
As Hubpages evolved this past year, and higher demands were made for quality Hubs; less personal pieces; and adding substance to memoirs, I have had to change some of my writing to keep within the new guidelines.
In fact, Mother’s Day Madness was tapped by the HubPages Team and removed from publication until I made it less personal and more ‘helpful’. I sat on that one for a long time refusing to change it, but wanting to have it taken off the shelf. I finally ‘got it’ and came up with a compromise that did not change the original content, but met the team’s satisfaction by adding some parenting tips at the end of the Hub.
I research areas that I am interested in, but do not have firsthand experience with. I try to be positive with my writing and supportive with my comments. I feel my writing has grown, my technical and computer skills have improved, and my awareness for the audience matured.
6. What advice would you give to a new Hubber?
Find your own style of writing, but don’t let it define you-set goals and push yourself to go beyond your familiar comfort zone. Participate: in reading other people’s works; in leaving comments; in the forums; in the contests. Participation is going to expose your writing to other Hubbers. Become familiar with the SEOs, keywords, tags, etc. which will enhance your material being read. Don’t focus on Hubscores, those will go up and down. Write quality Hubs of at least 400-500 words; use ‘spell-check’ and proper grammar. Enjoy! If writing is your passion, then don’t be intimidated by all of the information that one seems to have to remember here or what someone else may be writing about. We are here for all sorts of reasons and can learn something from everyone.
7. Is there anything you would like to add?
I love to challenge myself. I look for new angles to take on an ordinary or overused topic and try to take a different spin. I also love to encourage and support others-whatever their goal for writing may be. You’ll see me hanging around the sandpit forum or the Hubchallenge forum-especially if you embark on the 30 hubs in 30 days challenge.
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