Would you mind reading my articles

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   Richard Hamptonposted 4 years ago

   I'm new to writing and would like some feedback on any of my articles.  I'm trying to complete 5 article for HP's "boot camp". These are 2 of 4 completed.
   The more success you've had with HubPages the better, but as a novice, I would appreciate anyone's input.
   https://hubpages.com/sports/The-Year-We-Built-a-Canoe
   https://hubpages.com/living/A-Monster-H … e-Now-What

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      OldRosesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Richard,  you are writing blog posts.  HubPages is not a blogging platform.  HubPages wants authors who write magazine style articles of about 1,000 words that answer the question "How do I . . ."  You need to spend some time reviewing the articles in the Learning Center (Help button, upper right).  They will tell you everything you need to know to write and properly format articles for HubPages. 
      
      If you would rather write a blog, try Blogger or WordPress.  Both are free.

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         Richard Hamptonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for your constructive  comments. I will heed your advise. Perhaps I am on the wrong site

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   theraggededgeposted 4 years ago

   Hi Richard,
   
   Your articles are featured, so there's no need to post links here. In fact, it's not encouraged unless the piece has not passed the Quality Assessment Process. In which case, you will receive a notification and an invitation to ask for help.
   
   The best advice I can give you is to read lots of articles on the network sites you feel would suit your material and aim to be better than them.
   
   I had a quick look at your articles and I would suggest that you don't bunch your photos together, make sure your subtitles are in title case, and perhaps prune the articles to make them shorter. HubPages wants you to write articles that will attract external traffic. They should be informative, useful, and not overly personal.
   
   Good luck with your writing.

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      Richard Hamptonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Much thanks.  I did not realize that articles should not be posted if featured. However, I have not passed the Quality Assessment Process if that means the same as requiring one to write 5 quality articles in what has been described as "Boot Camp".
      Thank you very much for the advice of not bunching photos and shortening the articles.
      I guess I'm a victim of mixed information. One place I read of the importance of making your articles personal in order to endear your readers. Maybe I went a little overboard and need to scale back some.
      Thanks again.
      Additionally, should I go back and try to remove that request, before it makes me look more amateurish than I already am.

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         theraggededgeposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         You don't look amateurish at all. We all have to start somewhere.
         
         You'll know when an article hasn't passed QAP. Yours seem to be fine.
         
         Get yourself into the Learning Center (click Help, top right to navigate there) and spend some time reading the material. Hint... the articles that are posted there are perfect examples of good formatting.
         
         I've also got an article (I can't post the link, as per my own advice above) about how to write a decent article for HubPages. You can find it on the scrolling thingy on my profile. Click on my name.

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            Richard Hamptonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Will do.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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      DrMark1961posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I disagree on your advice on experienced hubbers asking for help. You, Rupert, Alicia C, OldRoses, and many others could do a lot more for this site helping this sort of person instead of the many who have not even bothered to read info from the learning center.
      I did this a few years ago and you helped me with an article that was unfeatured. It is still a slow earner, but the help you gave me with it made a big difference.
      I think we should encourage newbies who have passed to submit their articles for criticism.

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         theraggededgeposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I absolutely agree with this. As long as mods are okay with people posting their links, I'd be very happy to help...and maybe get some help myself

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   DrMark1961posted 4 years ago

   I read your canoe building article. The information is there, but if I found it in the search options I would not even bother to click on it. If it was titled "How to build a canoe and bond with your sons" you might get a lot more interest. Focus on that, rewrite it so that it is helpful to other readers, and leave the moving from Texas info out. (If you really feel you need to add it, you can do so throughout the article. If someone clicks on your article and find out it is just a blog about moving, they are going to bounce out of there even before the ads load.)
   Lots of work to do if you want to be successful here. You have the information and background though so already have what a lot of writers lack. Best of luck.

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      Richard Hamptonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Dr. I will definitely take your advice about leaving out or reducing the personal stuff. I’m very thankful to you for taking the time to read and for the coaching.

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