Did you write before Hubpages?

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   Aiden Robertsposted 14 years ago

   When I joined Hubpages I had written a few articles, half a sitcom, a few short stories and 30,000 words of a novel.
   
   The level of expertise and craft of some hubbers leads me to believe they were accomplished writers before joining Hubpages and I was wondering.
   
   Who was a published writer before joining Hubpages?
   
   Has writing on Hubpages taught you anything; if so what?
   
   Are you a better writer because of Hubpages?
   
   Reading the success stories has made me think that to succeed you mainly need committment; not expertise would you agree?
   
   Your thoughts would be appreciated.
   
   Thank You
   

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      wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      "Reading the success stories has made me think that to succeed you mainly need committment; not expertise would you agree? "
      
      I would have to agree with this; expertise can and will be learned, but commitment cannot.

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         Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks wilderness
         
         I suppose if you are committed then you are forced to learn, this learning moves you in the direction of becoming an expert or at least more knowledgable which should improve your writing ability and your earnings.

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            wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That's my thinking, anyway.  And hope - I have commitment but no expertise.

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I've been a writer for most of my professional career which includes technical communications, internal corporate communications, and managing corporate communications strategies and teams. But HubPages is the first venue I've stepped into to write only what I want to write. HP has been a breath of fresh air for this.
      
      You wrote, "Reading the success stories has made me think that to succeed you mainly need committment; not expertise would you agree?"
      
      You need both. You need to be committed to your goals and you need to develop the expertise you need in order to achieve those goals.
      
      For example, I have expertise in writing, but not in SEO. If my goal is to make significant earnings from HP, then I have to be committed to gaining those SEO skills I don't have.
      
      This was an excellent question!

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      1. 72

         Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you this was an excellent answer

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   3. 71

      getitriteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Three years before joining hubpages, I published my first novel.
      I had also written a short story and began a screenplay.
      
      I like to write articles, but I prefer the challenge of writing a novel.
      
      
      I also believe that commitment is very important, but knowing the mechanics of writing, and marketing are as important.

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         Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Good advice.

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      cpvrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ya, I've been writing for about a couple years ago. I've had my own websites before Hubpages, but i'm here to further my skills a s a writer.

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   melporposted 14 years ago

   I  have never done any serious writing before hubpages. I have written an essay or two back in my college days but no consistent writing since that time. Hubpages have made me a better writer.

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   1. 72

      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Great stuff, me too; I hope!

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3. 61

   paradigmsearchposted 14 years ago

   "Did you write before Hubpages?"
   
   Yes, and ehow robbed me blind.

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      ssaulposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Lol @ ehow robbed me blind!

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   2. 72

      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      Sorry to hear that, I thought they were an "OK" Organisation; glad I never joined now.

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      Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Same here for Helium!  But I managed to sell a couple of creative writing pieces and some travel articles which gave me confidence to keep writing.
      
      Ticks me off to see my mystery short stories being sold on Kindle and Audiobooks and not being paid for them, though.  Ah well, live and learn. 

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      1. 72

         Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Wow Randy that's two big name writing portals ripping writers off, I am suprised because they seem on the surface like decent opportunities.
         
         And sold on Kindle; what a pain!

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            Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            The story on AudioBooks was sold exclusive and I have no problem with that one.  It's cool to hear my story narrated by someone else.  But the story on Kindle was sold out of my content after I had been banned from the site. 
            
            Helium's TOS allows them to do whatever they like with content, so after they ban members they keep all of the revenue instead of having to share it with the writer.  They can also sell the banned writer's content, as was done in my case. #%&@!
            
            I think Helium is going downhill fast now as they have recently caused many members to lose half their monthly income.  They also want exclusive rights now for some articles.  Do I want them to go belly up?  Hay-el Yeah!
            
            There are several hubs written about Helium. Some of these were written by myself and Marisa Wright, among others.

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            1. 72

               Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I always tick the box to say I have read the TOS but never actually read them, a lesson learned for me.
               
               Did you know these rules before you got banned?

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                  Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  It was the first content site on the web I tried and the TOS changes so often you can't keep up.  Besides that, there are some real cretins on the staff.  Unbelievably dishonest people.
                  
                  This is why I really favor HubPages over other sites.  Being able to keep one's work means a lot if you've ever had a hundred or so articles stolen by disreputable people.  Especially those you trusted to be fair and open, as they expected the same from you.
                  
                  TOOUI!  Ever heard a snake spit?

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                     Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     They sound like a right bunch of cowboys, they will get what's coming one day and you will have the last laugh.

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                        Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        It's already happening!    I've managed to get a few lethal blows in here and there already! 

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                           andyozposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           I was one of the writers who lost over half my monthly income on Helium.  Happened about six weeks ago, around the time I signed up here!  How strange?!?!
                           
                           Anyhow, I only write the odd article over there, I used to volunteer as a channel manager but handed in my resignation last month.  Think they have let a lot of people down in recent times and the site seems to be heading down hill fast. 
                           
                           Glad I found HB when I did!

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                              Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              You're lucky to have gotten away so easily, Andy!  You wouldn't believe what I went through with the powers-that-be on Helium. 
                              
                              And welcome to HubPages too.  You'll love it when you learn the ropes.  Your success here doesn't depend on a crappy rating system but on your ability to write what is searched for online.

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                              Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              I am glad too and am sorry to hear of your plight.

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                           Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   Excellent question.
   There are many hubbers who have not written for publication before and they do really well.
   I have to agree -- the more you write, the better you will get!
   HP has taught me a whole different way of writing.
   HP is absolutely invaluable in terms of sharing the tips and tricks of monetizing your writing.

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   1. 72

      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks
      
      I agree, I think that's what makes it so exciting.
      
      It's like living the dream, anyone can succeed with effort and patience.
      
      Whoop for Hubpages

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   Pcunixposted 14 years ago

   I had published in two or three computer magazines before HubPages and started a website around 1992 or 1993. Some of the articles from that still exist on my main site, which started in 1997.

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      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Pcunix
      
      Would you say writing on Hubpages is different to writing articles for publication elswhere on the www and has the style on here taught you anything or is it about tailoring your writing to the audeience, assuming you know who your audienece is?
      
      Sorry for such a long question but I know your Knowledge is worth listening too.

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         Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It was no different for me, but I was writing for the same audience.
         
         Also, I am incapable of writing any other way

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         1. 72

            Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            The advice I was looking for is right there in your answer.
            
            Know your audience, tailor it to them and write to your strengths as anything else will show in your writing.
            
            Thanks; I knew I could count on you for solid advice.

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               Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Actually, I first wrote to help myself - to clarify concepts in my mind. I find that explaining something brings out the dark things that you thought you had grasped but did not.  Later I wrote because I was answering questions on technical forums and then, as now, many of the questions were repetitive, so I just gave links to the articles I wrote to answer the previous questions.
               
               So really, my writing has always been driven by sloth and selfishness.

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               1. 72

                  Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  
                  
                  Utilizing what you have and know is a gift we can all learn from.

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   camloposted 14 years ago

   I did a lot of translation work before I ever even had Internet access, and still do, and I wrote a good deal of fiction for my own pleasure.
   In 2005 I joined a writer's workshop on the Internet to learn more about fictional writing, then HubPages in 2009 to put what I'd learnt into practice.
   Having published a few short stories here, I decided to try my hand at writing articles, which, I've discovered, I enjoy just as much.

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   1. 72

      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Was that written translation?
      
      I agree writing articles is very enjoyable and a skill that is worth learning.

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         camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, written translation; from German to English. The work includes everything from menus to instruction booklets, lists of complaints for Customer Service departments in English speaking countries, to essays and private and business letters.

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            Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Good for you, It must be very interesting work.

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   Mark Ewbieposted 14 years ago

   I'll join in, although I didn't write before Hubpages.  Not 'proper' writing.  What I did, for years and years, was mess about on forums, a troll I suppose, seeking to subvert and amuse in equal measure.
   
   My aim being to make people laugh and / or confuse them and my favourite moments (not necessarily for the reader) when writing short surreal posts of nonsense.
   
   It was the belief that I could possibly do this in slightly longer pieces, and the suggestion from "earner" that led me to try out HP.
   
   Write stuff, get read, get feedback and make some money.  What a winning idea.  With the exception of the money side it's all going swimmingly. After three months I am still loving it and still hopeful that when the search engines get their act together I might make a few pennies.

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      Aiden Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am absolutely positive you will

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         Mark Ewbieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Aiden...

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            Randy Godwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            It does take time to start making much money here, but it will pick up rather quickly if you learn what does best for you and you continue tweaking your hubs.  At least it did for me.  Hang in there!  Most newcomers take about 6-8 months to see good results and get even more motivated. 

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   jokeapptvposted 14 years ago

   sounds like your very talented.
   sounds like you should publish books online you
   sound very creative.

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9. 74

   Richieb799posted 14 years ago

   I didn't write as much, I was naturally an artist, although I did enjoy writing essays about art history in school and university so I am glad I found Hubpages because it gives me access to a larger audience.

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    Suzanne Dayposted 14 years ago

    I wrote heaps and was published in over 50 places, including internationally. Mostly for poetry, some articles. I liked to entertain people and wrote very funny poetry for an audience. I also worked as a sub-editor, a communications and marketing manager and many other jobs involving writing.
    
    Hubpages is fun because you can do it in your own time and not have to do it as a day job. I like not being edited as I self-edit. Hubpages has taught me how to be more aggressive in sales writing and SEO content. I'm also learning how to keep my writing soul intact while doing the sales writing, which is very very important for writing in the future!

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