Considering a Private Webpage

1. 71

   Marie Flintposted 4 years ago

   I appreciate edits, I really do. First, it shows someone has shown an interest in my article. Second, it aids in literary or journalistic growth.
   
   When you have put your heart into something, however, and have taken several days to write an article, there should be a little more care by our HubPages team before making drastic changes to place the article on one of their niche sites.
   
   Writing is not just about making money. There is a psychological-emotional element in the creation of any art form. To have a good relationship with writers, the editors need to remember this very important part of the writing process.
   
   I myself have tried to help a number of writers here on HubPages by voluntarily giving my unsolicited notations of edits and ideas. These are done by email, and the original article is never touched by me. (Of course, I have no access to the original.)
   
   Our dear editors here, however, plow through articles and make changes without any consultation with the writer, who is only given notice of changes after these are made. This is wrong.
   
   I'm not sure what would help make this a more writer-friendly website. Perhaps, there should be some sort of basic, relatively short English test to qualify us before we even write our first article. Perhaps we need a few sample articles written by HP staff to serve as models exhibiting style and content preferences (the tutorial option available for creation of an article doesn't really do it).
   
   What I would really, really like would be for an editor to email me and say something like, "I really like this article and would like to place it on (name of website); however, before I do, there is a change(s) I'd like to make. (List of change or changes.)
   
   The writer, then, should make the desired changes and notify the editor that the article is ready for another review. This not only provides the writer with a learning experience, but allow for diplomacy between editor and writer. Who knows, the two working together might create an entirely different, improved version neither would have realized singly.
   
   Sigh.
   
   Have a nice day, everyone!

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   1. 94

      OldRosesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I'm on your side, but you (and all of us) have to remember that the writers outnumber the editors by a huge factor.  There simply isn't enough time for the editors to send individualized emails.
      
      Having said that, you can always revert their changes.  I usually send them an email explaining why.  In my case, what usually happens is that the editor means well but knows nothing about horticulture so their edits are either nonsensical or just plain wrong.  So always bear in mind that the editors do not have your expertise.
      
      Before you run off and create a website, take it from a person who has one:  it's a ton of work and very expensive.  You will need to pay hosting fees and a whole other host of fees depending on the level of service you sign up for.  I had to hire a designer for my website because I knew nothing about designing websites.  That was over 3 years ago and by now my website is out of date and needs a makeover so I will have to find and hire another designer (the one I worked with originally no longer designs websites).  And that's just the big stuff.  The details like keeping my affiliate ads current, monitoring comments, keeping up with the associated socila media accounts and checking Google for stolen content and photos keeps me busy Every.Single.Day.
      
      So I continue to write on HubPages rather than create a second website.  I put up with little inconveniences like editors run amok because the alternative is so much more work.

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2. 96

   theraggededgeposted 4 years ago

   That service is already in existence - it's called HubPro editing. Editor contacts writer, explains they will be editing, what they intend to do, and asks if the writer has any suggestions and/or questions. Most are willing to work cooperatively, though I've had one who wasn't.
   
   I had one or two, who put in a huge amount of work, improving the article (and traffic/earnings) substantially. I couldn't be more grateful that they were willing to do the technical research that I wasn't.
   
   Unfortunately it doesn't happen with routine editing prior to the move to a network site, but those changes are usually very minimal and just involve grammar/capitalisation corrections.
   
   With reference to you offering unsolicited advice to fellow writers via email... is that really a good idea? Maybe I'm alone in thinking it isn't, and other people might actually appreciate it.
   
   [checks to make sure Contact button is off ]

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   1. 71

      Marie Flintposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      @Ragged Edge - Thank you for your input. I really do appreciate edits, as I have said. The automated ones haven't worked for me on several occasions. In this instance, the changes were not minimal. A favorite passage was eliminated.
      
      My unsolicited editorial suggestions are only on articles in which I'm interested and reading or the writer has specifically asked for help in the community help forum.
      
      Is it a good idea? I think I'm an unusual helpmate here on HubPages. Once, however, a writer did tell me I was wasting my time and shouldn't be critiquing others. Everyone else, as I recall, has been grateful. One or two never responded. Some are writers whose English is not their native language.
      
      So, I only do it when I feel so inclined. There have to be several errors and they have to be obvious. If HubPages is interested in maintaining some sort of standard, I would think such feedback to fellow writers would be welcome. The email submission under Contact Author even automatically pops up a thank you message for emailing.
      
      All-in-all, it's not so much an "idea" as it is compassion for my fellow writer.
      
      Blessings!
      
      P.S. No HubPro Editor has ever contacted me about potential changes before  placing any of my articles on a sister niche site or asked if it would be alright. Typos and small errors are not the issue.

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3. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 4 years ago

   "Considering a Private Webpage"
   
   Do both. What works here, stays here. What doesn't, doesn't.

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   1. 71

      Marie Flintposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Paradigm. Your response feels the most validating to me.

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4. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 4 years ago

   Marie, I am sorry about what happened to your article. I am sure there is a recourse. I know it is a hassle, too. But, you can fix it the way you want it. It might stay in the niche site, also.
   I am a freelance writer and have worked with many different kinds of editors. In general, they are not my favorite work associates. I have had a handful of beautiful editors that were helpful, concise, showed their appreciation, actually talked to me, and encouraged me to keep writing.  And, I have had editors the opposite, who don't want to do their job in a nutshell. They want the writer to do all the work, and rubber stamp the piece.  Then, a few extreme ones, that I don't want to share those because they were downright, evil.
   My experience at HubPages, the edits are minor, moving images or capsules around, fixing simple typos that I didn't catch. I appreciate their work.
   Though, I believe, one time, I had to correct and edit because it didn't make sense how it turned out after the edit. I fixed it and then sent an email to the team, letting HP know.  I never heard back, but they left my changes in the article.
   Again, I am sorry for the stress and lack of coordination.  I enjoy your articles, and I have yet to see anything wrong with them. You are a talented writer; keep writing.

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   1. 96

      Eurofileposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Usually and especially with my early hubs, I was grateful for the input from editors. I had a recent edit that I wasn't happy with at all, so I just reversed it and there has been no problem. Edits can be a mixed blessing, which I have learnt to live with on HubPages. The edits certainly don't put me off or drive me towards a private web page.

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      1. 94

         OldRosesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Most hubbers have positive experiences with the editors.  There are a few of us who have had very bad experiences and if it keeps happening, could drive authors away.  I always advise unhappy hubbers to communicate with the editors rather than getting mad. Communication helps both the authors and the editors.

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         1. 71

            Marie Flintposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            A very sensible answer, Old Roses. I wish I could focus on a niche like you. (ADD?) My expression of "Sigh" indicated I realized things probably would not change here on HubPages for me. Maybe I'm just too sensitive, but I wish the editors were a little more so.

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