The Writer's Mailbag: Installment 208

Bill

I think we've all had the 'spammy elements' thing on our Hubs at some point, I've still got two Hubs that HP says have them on that I wrote recently, one about Einstein and Autism and one about Churchill, I was annoyed when the messages came, but figured that even when they're featured my articles don't get a lot of visits, so I left them.

Some of my 'unfeatured' articles get more visits than the featured ones that they use on the network sites (I'm still trying to work that out!) so I just don't worry about it anymore, I write what feels right for me, and with the aim of finishing the next novel, if people enjoy the series on the way then that is even better.

Interesting what you say about Historical fiction, I'd agree, though I still enjoy Michener's books.

I have had the spammy elements message on one of my articles published some months back and repeated efforts to get it featured have proved futile. I have left it at that and don't worry about it anymore.

Sharing personal experiences is great so long as people involved are okay with it. Changing names is the best thing to do so that no one gets hurt.

Blond Logic, this is a good question. I read an article about it in the New York Times how the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award has been changed to Children’s Literature Legacy Award. I don't know how to feel about that! Then you say that the books are being removed too! Bill, I am so waiting to see what your take is on that. I might have to put my two cents in on that myself.

I have a question for your next mailbag, what are your thoughts on the powers that be removing books by Laura Ingalls Wilder?

Bill I am having just a bit of a problem between creative and technical. Yes my niche on briefs and court motions and such is to bring in "The human" aspect. Lawyers have trouble with that. But still it is very technical obviously.

And then back to my "Sermons".

Schizophrenia or Bi-Polar maybe.

I know you do both. A little advice here.

Hi Bill, yes it was. 'Lazy hazy crazy days of summer'. My parents had that album and played it over and over. I know every song.

Hi Bill, I feel the same about the days getting shorter now, always have. For me June 21 is the first day of autumn! I know that's not the general view, but I'm prepping up (down) for the shorter days, and longer nights. Still enjoying the hazy crazy days of summer though, as the gardens bloom and blossom. Enjoying the heat, and watching the birds raise their families. It is an exciting time of year! Thanks for your ever great mail bag, great questions (and answers) this week, always helpful for us writers.

Hi Bill. Interesting week for the Mailbag. I think I have received a few of those spam messages and to be honest I wasn’t exactly sure what I did wrong or how to fix it. Your explanation of what HP considers spam is helpful. Have a great week.

This ended too soon. Just when I was getting into it good, the 'ANOTHER SHORT ONE' came up!

I suppose I was thirsty with all that is going on with life. I really appreciate your thoughts. I did not want to embarrass anyone. I like what you wrote about your nieces and son. If I want to write about a family member, I can change the name. Unfortunately, anyone who knows the story will know whom the story is about.

The last time I wrote something personal, HP suggested that it was more appropriate for a blog and unfeatured it. Luckily that has only happened one time. This week is the first week I have been able to get back to writing. I look forward to next week's post.

Also, I am waiting for that sequel to When the Corn Died. No pressure. I am going to re-read it. I really love that series. It is so romantic and wholesome to me.

Ann, thanks for staying. It would be a loss to HP if you went.

Bill, What are your thoughts on the recent announcement about Hubbers being able to apply to become Mavens and run a vertical site? To me, it seems like a lot of daily work for uncertain payout and taking you further from the Hub community. They're about as clear as mud in their blog explanation.

P.S. I love you. Keep up the dynamite Hubbing, buddy.

Wonderful mailbag this week! The "spammy" stuff is lost on me as well. I shy away from putting any links in my articles now because the editors seem to delete them anyway.. or they'll delete two and leave one. I don't always understand their logic, so I just avoid it. I love the idea of Cathartic writing and I think there is a real spot for it. I'm sure there are plenty of people (myself included) who could benefit from more of this type. As for historical fiction, I find myself really gravitating toward that genre when I'm looking for a good book. I haven't noticed anyone talking about the days getting shorter.. I'm enjoying more time in the sunshine (when the rain decides to stop that is.) Have a wonderful week, Bill!

Thanks again for some very relevant answers. My HP confusion is more now than it has ever been, but not enough to stop me. I keep learning and your mailbag helps.

I have been writing on this site for nine years. Just recently I received that notification about spam. I have no idea what they are talking about, and I don't care. Don't let HP scare you off. We are a community of writers, and "they" are just annoying.

I too can relate to Ann's question. Sometimes, I can understand why I received the notice. However, if I feel I am justified in adding a link, then I will email them and explain. If I genuinely feel I am helping the customer solve a problem, I stand my ground. In my opinion, there will be common ground found.

I have thought about writing more about personal trauma issues, however, have drawn back. I would be more inclined to put them on my other account here on Hubpages to keep a level of anonymity.

I hope you're having a great week up there.

Great information, as always, about catharsis, history, getting real, and that last bit, "Good Lord willing and the Creek don't rise." I used to want to correct my dad for the grammar in that saying which he used often. Then, recently, I looked up the origin and it may be that the Creek were Indians! More stuff I never knew.

It is a good question from Kay about historical fiction. The mailbag produces many creative and insightful discussions here.

Ann's dilemma is a dilemma for most of the writers here, I hope. I also get frustrated by those unfeatured hubs. My article on Cigarette Smoking is edited scores of times but not got featured during this 6 month period. I left it like that now. And, I am afraid of improving (editing) my other articles now. It happened with 3 articles till now for me out of which I could get two articles featured again after lots of edits.

Eric's question makes me smile. But, I feel that it is better to share one's life's issues and experiences so that others can become aware of those challenging issues in life.

The creek might rise, Bro. Anything is possible these days. Lol.

Anyway another good 'un'. I like the fact that my favourite pic has returned in response to Ann's question.

Yes, I did learn a lot about you quite early and your recent work about your ancestry plus, has been a masterpiece. Have a great day, Bro.

Thanks to Mike and Paula for their supportive (and hilarious) comments re my question. I'm staying for the moment!

Ann

I always find the day after the summer solstice a bit depressing, too. I like the light in the evenings. It's good to read another edition of the Mailbag, Bill.

Okay, Bill, so I've had this hub up most of the day intending to comment. Geesh! Did I ever tell you I'm a terrible procrastinator and late to just about everything? Even when I have intentions to leave early. No surprise I'm late to this party, too!

I'm so ready for the shorter days! Why? Because the kiddos will go to bed sooner instead of bickering for an hour before falling asleep. Ah....the joys of sharing a bedroom with a sibling. I remember it well. But when they go to bed early enough, it usually means I have more time to write.

Plus. . .just between you and me. . .shorter days mean the temps will cool down soon, right? Oh, who am I kidding - we were approaching triple digits in April! It's only getting started 'round here.

Hmm...the mailbag, almost forgot. Just kidding. What stands out to me for this one is the historical fiction question because it is one of my most favorite genres to read. I do agree with your opinion. Although I enjoy reading the history behind a story, while reading the story itself, I want just enough details to appreciate the history without losing the flow of the story.

HP clips a link module off every one of my posts, but I just keep posting. It is a link to my home blog. But, I have also embedded the link, writing out 'at' in my Note from Author... they're happy, I'm happy... silly stuff, as you say. They want 3 videos, I post 3 videos - my 3 Video Book Trailers. Sometimes they clip them, sometimes they don't... always curious to see which they do. I'll just keep telling my stories, family saga, historical fiction, for myself and readers like you. Thank you for being there, and sharing... love the Mailbag especially! ;-)

Happy Monday Bill! I already posted a comment but for some reason, it doesn't seem to be appearing--sorry if I'm double-posting!

Interesting questions and answers in this week's mailbag, especially the "spam" issue.

Hope you have a great and productive week!

Bro......"HP has done a number of things over the years which rankle me." Hmmmm..."rankle" would that word be what we here in New York use as PI$$ ME OFF??! Oops....and caps mean I'm yelling, right?

BTW....I would love to come visit you but~~ between my annoying volume and my potty mouth, I'll have to stay on the Urban Farm doing chores OR you & Bev may want to begin saving bail money for your sweet, demure Sis. HP's habit of "rankling" me....Sore subject!

Ann honey, if a miserable old bag like me can hang in here, it should be a day at the beach for you! I now I G N O R E them. I can't even tell you what they have done to me in the past 7 years! It started within my 1st 3 months of joining. I went back & forth with them so many times, I am certain there's a poster size picture of me in the Office with a black line through the middle of it. I can only hope I have annoyed them as much as they have aggravated & frustrated me! I've always been told I'm quite good at that! Hang in here, girlfriend!

Hello Bill - Ann should stay. I solved Eric's issue by writing 50yrs in the past and 50yrs in the future. That resolves the question of now. I wish Rodric luck. And your answer to Kay is 100% correct. There is story, and there is setting. You are very kind to Michener.

Why does that poo look purple? Haha!!

I have never gotten a "spammy content" comment. I do not promote products though, nor do I use many links either. Good to know about it, in case I do come across it.

About "Disclosing too much", I think my father did not really like that article of mine talking about why I lobby for the First Nations. I went into some detail about growing up, not having enough food and so on and I think my father felt either guilty, or ashamed, or who knows. He just wasn't comfortable talking about it. Yet, that's what I write about mostly: issues and myself. I can;t possibly write about You. I don't know You. So, I write about the person I know best: Me! lol And I am comfortable writing about uncomfortable things but not everyone is.

Ohh ya, your next topic is basically what I just wrote above: when one writes about personal experiences, others can learn from it. That's how I leanred, from reading other people's thoughts and so I give back when I can. : )

Historical fiction - I don;t know what to say about this. Part of me says: Nooooo!! You're meddling with the truth and soon enough we will not know what is history and what is fiction. On the other hand though, certain themes can be approached more easier through fiction than otherwise. I'll just abstain here and say: to each their own. I can;t write fiction. For me words have to be true when I write them. I do read fantasy though. Dragons, wizards, etc are pretty cool! : )

Alrighty, thank You! I always come to learn things here and I do! Have a marvellous week! I'm off to a Pow-wow this week(end).

Happy Monday Bill! I didn't realize till you pointed it out...that the days would now be getting shorter. Way too soon!

Some very interesting questions, especially in regards to what HP considers "spam". Some articles are clearly written with the intent to sell products, but I wonder how many people might get caught innocently when they run software programs looking for repeated words or bold lettering...

Hope you have a great and productive week! Use those extra minutes!

Really good questions this week, Bill. I know some writers spill their guts, but I just can't do it. I guess the closest I've come is my heartbreaking Mother's Day hub I wrote a couple of years ago that I actually tried to make funny. But that's just me.

I recently ran across an article on the difference between historical fiction and fiction written from a historical perspective. I wish I knew where I saw it, but I believe it said if you tinkered with history in the story, you could not classify it as historical fiction but it would classify as the latter. Sounds like a good subject for a hub to me.

Hotter'n heck here, in the high 90s in between scattered thunderstorms, that is. Enjoy your Pacific atmosphere, my friend.

We can’t let Ann pack up and leave. Someone take her suitcases so she has to stay.

I find that if you can’t figure out what they’re talking about and you’ve reviewed the Learning Center etc. email th m back for a specific explanation.

Happy Monday, Bill

I did get a few tips from an HP editor

They prefer links to be done in-line rather than in a separate links block like we used to do

They also prefer you avoid the use of "I" in anything except personal memoirs or creative writing (though you'll see some of the featured writers use "I" A LOT) (LOL).

I, too, removed all my Amazon capsules and that seemed to appease the Google gods somewhat, and, honestly I never made very much with them anyway. Good luck to you.

Short but substantial. We can only absorb so much anyway. I get the spammy notice once in a while, too. The first time, I got upset and moved my articles. Then, I realize if I remove the Amazon ads, the article gets featured. I suppose the fact that they are still around and doing quite well is testament that they know what they're doing.

Happy Mailbag Monday!

Re: HP Content Issues. I realize that HP is trying to appease the Google and other online gods by tweaking articles. I've even had some notes about overuse of this or that, too many links, etc. So, like you, I don't let it bug me and go with what they suggest. Anything they can do to keep this site relevant is appreciated.

Anyway, client work is slowing down as we approach the holiday, but am ramping up a number of other efforts, primarily audio books. Also have a bunch of posts that I need to get done here on HP. Oh well...

Have a beautiful week!

I like your style Bill. Ann, for me, it was usually a link or something for the matter. Maybe she can share the hub with the forum and ask for feedback. That's what I do too.

I also have often wondered about the spammy content as their mails really give no clue as to what amendment is required in the hub. But I agree with you to keep writing for HP. I now mostly write for my own blogs but occasionally write on HO just to stay in touch.

I thought you pitchers could not hit the ball, yet this one is out of the park. Maybe like Larry Dierker the youngest ever?

Bill it is the pain. You know my kind of writing. It is painful. I understand cathartic, all well and good and true to me.

But Bill I also know you and you write of character's pain. I just assume when your character is in pain -- so are you.

Does 'ya got's a band-aid?

Bill, like you I am happy to have winter in the rear view mirror for a few months at least. The long days are much appreciated. Good advice on spam and we do NOT want Ann to back up her bags. (Also I'm sorry that I messed up on the number of mailbags you've posted).

I'm grateful for Kristen's suggestion. I did that and they referred me to the Learning Centre. Thanks anyway.

Ann

Another great mailbag from you Bill. As for historical fiction, Ken Follett's the Pillars of the Earth and the sequel (both real long) are excellent examples and great reading. As for swammy content, Ann could contact HP via email and ask them what they referred to as such. It has happened to me in the past and in my early days.

Water off a duck's back LOL.. clever.. this series continues in good sportsmanship... you deliver all honesty .. and I hear you on the longest day.. and as always...fantastic mailbag!!!

Aw, Bill I am not looking forward to heading back to winter and darker days. Luckily we are still only in June and going to enjoy every moment while I can though. Just had to stop by to wish you a Happy Monday on this first day of summer vacation for my own girls here. Have a great week ahead now!!