One Year Here...Oh Dear, Oh Dear...

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   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   I just received one of those award-thingys-okay, accolades-for being a member of HubPages for one year.  Herein lies my quandry; I've published only 24 hubs.  I know people who've been here 2 weeks with 50 to their name.  What's the deal?
   Jeeze, I guess I think too much-I KNOW I read too much-and the inner editor is a whipping companion at all times.  Relax, guys.
   HOW DO YOU DO IT???

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      kmackey32posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      They prolly dont work... I dont have many myself...

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         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         You mean those ribbons?

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            Dobsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I think kmackey means the people with lots of hubs don't work. Having many hubs means nothing if they are low quality. Better to have few that are solidly crafted.

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               kmackey32posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Yea thats what i mean... Im wrkn an posted that real fast... lol thanks for clarifying Dobson...

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      torimariposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It's ok. I'm sure at a year, which I'm gradually getting too, I'll be in the same boat as you. And, dangit, it's a good one. Though, I wish my writing-bug would bite more often too. x)
      
      'Grats~

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      Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations on your 1 year! My 1 year was this past weekend and 1st published hub anniversary was yesterday.

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   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   Congrats on your year Lorlie
   
   I don't have too many either, and I don't really feel concerned about it

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      lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Misha and Dobson-thanx for the congrats.  I just wonder why that writing bug doesn't bite more often. 

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         Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Up until January this year, I was averaging about one Hub a fortnight.  In my first year especially, I found I had to do a lot of revisiting as I learned more about how to write online, instead of writing new stuff.  And then I got into creating my own websites, which was another big learning curve.  Plus there were irritating things distracting me - like life! 
         
         Quality over quantity, I say.

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            lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Marisa-I think you just pointed out something I need to tend to.  Learning to write online is far, far different than any writing I've done in the past.  I DO need to slow down and thoroughly learn about this toy in front of me.  Well, sometimes I don't call it a toy, exactly...

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      Lily Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If i was making what you're making with your relatively small amount of hubs I wouldn't be concerned, either!!

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   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   Congrats

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Hi lorlie6!
   
   Congrats on your year here; that's a great landmark.  I don't think I've thanked you yet for following me - I really do appreciate it, and I look forward to getting to know you better.  I can see in your profile that you have a very interesting life story and a tremendously valuable perspective to share.
   
   I'm like you in wondering how some people produce so many Hubs ?!?!?!  One thing I try to remember is that some people show up here (HP) after months/years of experience with online publishing on other sites, and they simply bring their articles from another site over to HP.  There are also people who "write" and publish quickly by essentially lifting info from other people's work and revising it enough so that it is not technically plagiarism, but also not totally original.
   
   But, there are also some people who just write fast.  A few of them provide quality content, but some of it is sloppy and poorly done, and would definitely be better with more thought and revision - which you have the insight to provide in advance of publishing, rather than after the fact!  And as kmackey said, some people here don't have other work that they do (a day job); they just spend nearly 100% of their time working on HP.
   
   Go with your own strengths!  Don't worry about someone else's quantity, when you can offer quality.  But also, don't worry with trying to make your Hubs so perfect that you slow yourself down.  One of the greatest things about HubPages is how easy it is to change a Hub after it has been published.  Dare to make some mistakes - they can be corrected later!  And for goodness' sake, there are plenty of mistakes in other people's Hubs. 

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   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   Thanks, everyone!  It's got to be quality stuff to me at least before I publish, and there's an awful lot of jibberish in my head!   You're right, though, aficionada, too much thinking does slow me down at times.  Workin' on it.

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   mega1posted 13 years ago

   Hi Lorlie!  Good for you!  Hang in there - we all have our own pace, don't worry.  But if you really want to increase your output: I have been reading lately writers on writing and they almost all say that the key is to get disciplined and write a certain amount every day at the same time - a routine. 
   
   Most of them say they write early in the morning when the brain is still in almost dream state and relaxed - more creative time for most. Altho some write late at night and love the absence of interruptions when everyone else is asleep.  I like both, but I find it really hard to get to write for several hours in the morning the way I would like to. Late at night I am often too befuddled and weird to write.  Also I don't force it, if my writing time only lasts a half hour or so, at least its something.
   
   In other words, don't wait for the writing bug to bite, just sit down at the computer and write almost anything at all, regularly.  You will be surprised how quickly these thoughts you put down can be turned into hubs.  Also, I reserve a different time for doing the research and getting the illustrations, since the writing part uses a different part of me.
   
   When I'm working on a long project it follows me around like a needy child all day, begging for attention, but then sometimes I sit down in the morning and can't pull up all those good ideas I had the day before.  So, jotting down notes is useful.  Above all, you have to think of yourself as someone who writes (I'm kind of wary of calling myself a "writer", it intimidates me).  Writing is a reward for me, something I "get" to do instead of "have" to do.  Very pleasurable to write fiction, even though it is harder than I thought it would be.

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      Aficionadaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      Oh, mega1, you have some wonderful advice!  I hope you will turn it into a Hub on being a great writer - if you haven't done so already.  (There are also some good tips on routines in the forum "How much time do you spend on HubPages?")

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         mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Aficionada, thanks!  I will write about writers who write about writing - catchy title huh?  I've been heading in that direction.  But mainly I said most of it here in this thread.    blew my wad! haha

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            Aficionadaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hahaha for sure.  Don't forget, though, that visitors from outside probably won't see this forum!  You can copy/paste/ revise/whatever.  And I love the writers who write about writers writing concept - catchy and sooooooooo needed.   

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   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   Quality over quantity

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Congratulations Lorlie!
   
   Happy Anniversary!

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   DoorMattnomoreposted 13 years ago

   Lorile, your hubs are really really good, I wouldn't worry about the number so much. Congrats on a year!!!

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    Oh boy, now I'm all full of myself.  Just kidding.  Mega, I've heard of discipline and have never been a fan of it.   But hey, as a writer, I guess I'd better get my arse in gear.  I've read those books like bibles and *sigh* know what you're talking about.
    I've also had those 'needy children' for MONTHS, and still ignore their cries!  Well, it's down to business, I guess.

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    liljen23posted 13 years ago

    Hi Lorlie, congrats on the 1 year accolade, I have been on here for 2 years but I have only been writing for 2 months, lol.. I have been thinking if I would have took advantage of writing on Hubpages 2 years..I do want to write at least 1,000 hubs and then I'll be satisfied, hehe..

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    Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years ago

    Congrats Lorlie.  You have published more hubs than many, including myself, who have been here longer.  Yours are high-quality and your forum posts are a breath of fresh air.
    
    Keep'em coming.

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    saltposted 13 years ago

    Congratulations... it takes effort to make it work and time to learn what you want to achieve.. I didnt really do much work on this until last August and life has been interfering ever since.

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Wasn't it John Lennon who said, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans?"

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    Richieb799posted 13 years ago

    Ive been here 7 months and its taken me until now to write 101 hubs in between my day job, its does get a bit frustrating to see people write 200 in 2 months, i think quality over quantity is key also, I have learned more by going slower.

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    Ultimate Hubberposted 13 years ago

    I can see "12 months ago" beside my avatar but haven't seen the accolade yet, maybe tomorrow!
    Congratulations on your first year here!

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Ultimate Hubber-believe me, it'll show up...hopefully before the day's out!

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    selrachposted 13 years ago

    Congrats Laurel.The main thing is that you are enjoying hubpages and not bogged down in the numbers game.Just keep writing the quality and never mind the quantity.

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    Thanks everybody-since we're talking about quality, the more I read the more I get da blues, ya know?  Not really, I know I'm in the process of finding my voice and all, but when I take in Steinbeck and Hemingway and all the GREATS it just floors me that I don't actually think that way.  Guess I'm setting mighty high standards for myself, eh??
    I do believe this sounds curiously like self-pity.  Hmmm.

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       Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You have written more and better hubs than either Steinbeck or Hemingway, so I'd say you've done OK.

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          lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Damn, Ron, you're RIGHT!
          I'm hotter than hell and thanks to you, KNOW it!!
          

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    Lily Roseposted 13 years ago

    Congrats on your one yearhere, Lorlie!  Mine's quickly approaching...

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It sure is, Lily Rose...ahh, those ole hazy days of summer 09'!

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    Research Analystposted 13 years ago

    Congrats to your 1 year with Hubpages, time sure flies when your having fun.

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    Pcunixposted 13 years ago

    Ok, I'm probably an overachiever.  Four weeks, 70 hubs, of which 65 were written from scratch and five are rewrites of things I had done previously but they fit better here.
    
    I am PMR (pretty much retired).  I can also write almost as fast as I can think - which would be really impressive if I could think quickly, but what I mean is that I don't spend a lot of time second guessing myself.  Proof reading, yes.  Obvious fixes, of course.  But major rewrites? Seldom.  It's not Hemingway, but it is readable.  Good enough for the intended use,
    
    But really it's not so astounding.  That's what, a little less than 4 a day?  And maybe 3,000 words or so total?  So in 6 hours, maybe 500 words an hour?  Not exactly breakneck speed, is it?

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    Money Glitchposted 13 years ago

    lorie!  And cheers to another year!

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    prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

    congrats lorlie, BIG BIG HUGS,

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks so much everyone for reading such a self-pitying rant.
       All in all, I know that without people like you, I'd never have felt comfortable writing at all.
       Love you and YIPEEE!

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    Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

    Happy Anniversary!  Congrats
    
    I guess I've been here 12 months too - didn't realize it had been that long!

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    habeeposted 13 years ago

    Laurel, it's my anniversary, too! Congrats, girlfriend!

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    earnestshubposted 13 years ago

    It's all good Laurel, your hubs are good quality. Congratulations on the accolade.

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    What an amazing group of writers.  I am sincerely proud to be a part of this thing!

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    lxxyposted 13 years ago

    Woohoo lorlie, congrats!

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    AEvansposted 13 years ago

    Time flies, you have been here that long already? No you are a senior, lolololo ! Congratulations Lorlie and I hope you have many more.

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Okay, so if I'm a senior, where's my discount???

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