Write Your Passion - My HubPages Story

I have one good, really good, excellent reason to advise you to write your passion here on HubPages.

It feels so good.

Did you hear me? Shall I say it louder? Scream it from the top of the forums and whisper it in the comments on the most quiet, artistic and poetic hubs?

Write your passion. It feels so good.

If you are new to Hubpages, came here primarily to make money or push traffic to your other projects, or if you have been here for awhile and have lost your way in the midst of trying to find the great secrets to making money here, you may not yet be aware of the potential for HubPages to grow you as a writer.

Yes. HubPages can take you from a beginning writer, longing for an audience and peer support to a confident writer. Confident enough to take on paid writing jobs, turn down gigs that are boring or pay pennies, because you know you can do better. Given a little time, your work here can become your springboard to bigger things and a safe haven to return to when you need a little boost.

Hubpages has more to offer than money for your work (although it is an amazing opportunity). It can also be a training ground for writing online, perfecting your work, finding your voice or learning to communicate with authority and honesty.

I'm talking about me, but it could be you. I often write hubs to make money, but I haven't lost sight of the fun of writing about topics simply because I like it, because writing your passion feels good. And it can pay off.

January marks my three year anniversary at HubPages. I thought I would take a look back and share some of what I learned as a hubber, blogger, social media lover and recovering addict of all three.

I started out writing hubs that were practical, informative and evergreen, with a little bit of humor thrown in for good measure. Over time, I began to discover that my honesty as a writer was the most valuable gift I could give to my reader, even if it went along with a topic that was dreadfully boring. I found my sense of humor, and I lost it. I found my snark, and lost it. Then I found them again.

I learned how to write SEO hubs. I learned how to backlink. I built strong accounts on Digg, Mixx and Twitter to promote my work. Then I got bored. And although it all aids the success of a well written hub, it became a distraction from the creative process. I had less of those "I must find a piece of paper and write this now" moments.

And it all comes back down to one thing.

My most popular, most successful,most loved hubs are unique to me. They are infused with my voice, my heart. The are examples of writing my passion.

They are not always my most profitable. They may get the most views, but my readers leave a lovely comment and move on, satisfied perhaps by what they found and not in need of purchasing anything. And that's okay.

Looking back, the process of writing them made me happy. I giggled in my car as I composed the dog sled images and words in my mind for My Cup Runneth Over. I typed away furiously with a big smile as 10 Little Ways to Show Your Wife You Care poured out of me in 10 minutes flat.

Over the past three years, with many thanks to HubPages, I've been offered several writing jobs, asked to audition for a reality TV show and ultimately was able to land steady freelance work that actually pays well. Two of my hubs Finding Your Writing Style, Finding Your Voice and Winnie the Pooh Personality Test are being used in classes at two different universities, which is a huge thrill for me. And I had a blast writing them.

Writing about topics that I care about, writing what comes naturally, writing for the joy of it pays off for me. I doubt that I am alone in this.

Now, as I look forward to the year ahead, I plan on finishing my novel, starting a new blog and building on the ones I already have, but I know I'll be back here at HubPages as often as I can manage.

I'll be back for the friendship, the community, to read your passionate writing and to compose my own.

What about the money, you ask? Well, sure. I want to be a full time hubber someday, so I'll just keep building my collection of hubs until I get there. And I will strive to write with passion as often as possible.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year! :)

What about you? What has your experience here taught you? What are your writing goals for the New Year?