The Writer's Mailbag: Installment 232

First, congratulations on winning two Hubbie awards! I think that's pretty cool! :) Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving and I'm impressed with your self-control. I didn't have seconds, but I did dive in to the Pumpkin Pie... and it was delicious! haha! Anther great mailbag with sound advice. I agree on the traffic to the blog. It's always a two-way street.

Hi Bill - just want to congratulate you on winning the Hubbie awards. You should not be shocked. I remember going to a high school reunion and seeing how well remembered and how popular one of my old friends was. She had never been one of the cool people or with an in crowds. She had been, and still is, simply a very nice person, never one to talk mean about anyone, always pleasant. Big take away lesson - people like you when you are nice!

Mr. Bill, I love how you are never afraid to show your human side. Even when annoyed, you are gracious and giving. You graciously used a pseudonym for the person you called Mimi, and you answered her question anyway, because other readers may want to know. You also expressed your emotion. Plus, the Fogelberg song is so beautiful. I loved the video and how you placed the lyrics at the end. Nothing beats a writer who is inspired by every good thing.

Nell, that sounds fun. I think I am going to try acting out scenes with my characters just to do it. Maybe something good will come out of it even if I am not stuck. I am writing the second edition of my first fiction piece so that I can make it more up-to-date for the 2nd book that will come out later. Acting out the characters leads me to believe I will develop them more. I find all sorts of good stuff on Bill's Mailbags!

Congratulations on the two Hubbie awards, Bill. Well deserved again. I can write anywhere that is quiet, in my study, outside under a tree, in the car or a park bench etc if I am waiting on my wife somewhere. A very good mailbag as always.

Hi Bill, I totally agree with you about keepng in character in a book by re reading the the last few chapters. I always have to do that on the one I am writing at the moment. Another thing I do is a(Diana Gabaldon thing) lol! if I get stuck I act it out! and that shows me whats 'in the room, cave, town' etc. my other half finds it so funny, me wandering around the room shouting at an invisible person! but hey! it works!

Congratulations on bagging the Hubbie awards, Bill. I love the way you ended this mailbag with a sample of Dan Fogelberg's work. Thank you.

Congratulations, Bill, on your Hubbie Awards.

About where to write, I've found over the years and decades that the best place to concentrate and focus is relative to circumstances. When I was living with a house full of people, I wrote a lot at fast food joints where I was unlikely to encounter anyone I knew and where the coffee was cheap. In recent years, I wrote at home but got up and got some writing done before dawn and long before my wife did and before the busy-ness of the day began. Now my sleeping and writing quarters are in a tiny "guesthouse" that is as free of distractions as a hermitage. I agree with you -- experiment to see which available writing location option works best these days.

Congratulations on your Hubble awards, three cheers!

Interesting questions and answers. Writing on my table with a good hot cup of tea works for me.

Hi Rodric, I have been doing voiceovers for about five years now and when I started I didn't like the way my voice sounded either. Eventually, like you said, you get use to it. The radio voice is quite marketable for commercials. Put that radio voice with a natural speaking voice (the way you would talk to a friend over a cup of coffee) and you will have a sound that is quite pleasant to hear.

Thanks, Marlene. I think that is good information. It took a minute for me to get used to hearing my voice. I did not like the way it sounded at first, but know I am used to it and can enjoy it. I was told I have a radio voice, but I don't know.

Oh and in my comment I meant to say, "booming." Rodric, if I may answer your question about a voice and how it is received, let me assure you that there are no bad voices. Every voice has an audience. The application of the voice is where the issue comes in. For example, if you are narrating a book where you are voicing a female child's character and you have a distinguishingly male voice, then that might be difficult to comprehend in the beginning. Still, over time the listener may adjust to it and it will be alright. The best outcome is received when you use your own natural voice, and then adjust the tone and cadence to match the content. I could go on and on, but the gist of it all is to be yourself and your voice will the perfect tool for expressing your content.

That is good to know Marlene. I have gotten feedback from Bill and others that moving into voicing books is a good way to stretch the talent. I have listened/watched some of Bill's and it kinda made me think it was a good idea to put a voice with the voice in my stories!

Here is another question for the next mailbag. How do you know if your voice is appealing enough? What if people hear your voice and it turns them off?

Congratulations on your Hubbie awards. But for some reason I had a feeling you would win. If we are having such an award, you deserve to win it.

Being a professional voiceover talent, I want to reach out to Rodric or anyone thinking of doing voiceovers for their writing. I say go for it! There is a wonderful market for audiobooks. And, I know people who won't even read a book anymore. Instead, they go to YouTube to watch and hear the information they want or need. I also like Bill's idea of doing Podcasts. That's a booing trend right now.

I am with you on writing in different locations. I marvel at people like JK Rowling, who can sit in a cafe and write best-selling books. I need peace and quiet without the worry of someone looking over my shoulder. Fair point about blog followers too.

Very interesting questions and answers. I enjoyed going through.

I appreciate your response to Mary’s question. I am also somewhat like this. My writing place is always the same, as I get distracted at other locations.

Congratulations once again for the well deserved Hubbie awards.

Thank You and good day to you.

Congratulations on your Hubbies, Bill. While it may come as a surprise to you, it doesn't to me.

My hat's off to those rare talents who can write poetry. Years ago I made the mistake of attending my writers' group the day they were doing a poetry workshop. I have no talent for poetry as said as much to the lady running the workshop. She very sweetly talked me into it and I went along cause I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I was annoyed at having to do this and it showed in what I wrote. This has become a yearly thing so I don't go to those meetings. It's better that way for all concerned. It wasn't a wasted experience, however. I came away with even more appreciation for those who can do poetry.

Have a great day, Bill, and well done you for your Thanksgiving restraint. lol

I am so sorry, my brother Bill, but there is a lie in my previous comment! So for the sake of the truth let's write it again:

My dear brother Bill, though I enjoy every one of your Mailbags, I have written only one comment on this series before, at the milestone of 200 Mailbags - I have written to your other Hubs though - but now I am so glad and proud for you that I want to say a big BRAVO! I am pleased because in this community there is justice and respect by the Hubers! I am proud to see that people here are appreciating someone who is caring and is always willing to help! Your Golden Heart deserves the best because it must be an example that goodness and kindness are admirable!

Thank you because all these I have read from you have helped me to try more to become a better person, like you are.

"You cannot force yourself to love, and that's where the value of love is." - Sean Dragon

Admiration and Gratitude!

Sean

Sorry I forgot. Congratulations on your hubbie awards. You more than deserve this. Perhaps they should have a couple of categories for poetry also. Shouldn't cost them much. What do you think?

Before I make a comment, I always try to read one or two before me... I just read that Lori wrote: "Really great Mailbag this week. Every question and your answers were relevant to me ... " Quite literally, those were the words I had composed to start my comments before I read hers... WOW! Must be true. I read the mailbag every week, but usually, as interesting as it is, it does not spark a necessary reply...but, today's did. Very interesting...

The blog following question reminds me why I only have number of followers I do... Write something interesting, do it consistently, interact with other bloggers. I used to. I don't much, any more. Answer to the questions!! Thanks, Bill, for reminding us of who we are!! ;-)

Congrats Bill. Billybuc strikes again:) Well deserved, my friend.

Really great Mailbag this week. Every question and your answers were relevant to me or something new to consider. I am struggling a bit with writers voice but I have some distractions so that's probably it.

I could never write in a public place except for the library (which I do sometimes) but you have to be strategic where you sit and go at the right time of day. I have also found it depends on what library you go to. The one in Gig Harbor is a good size but pretty quiet, but I still need to find a corner. There are private rooms you can reserve, but I usually find a table or desk way in the back or on the far side. I'm struggling right now to find a new niche because there's an older man who now goes the same day as me and sits near my usual spot and not to be gross or anything, but he has a serious phlegm problem. So I have found another end of the library. The only reason I go there is because on a certain day of the week I have a lot of time to kill between activities in town. As you know my area, you know going home and coming back to GH is a lot of waste in gas. That's the only time I write in public. I love libraries and the smell of books. I have vowed though, never, ever use a library computer without gloves, masks, and a vat of hand sanitizer. I am so grateful for my cheap little laptop. But I would agree, there's no place like home to write.

Those lyrics by fogleberg are absolutely beautiful and I thank you for sharing.

PS Thanks Bill for supporting my new blog.

Congratulations on your Hubbie Awards, Bill! I'm a bit confused, though. The HubPages newsletter said that your second award was for being the most trusted hubber, not the most helpful one.

With regards to finding places to write, I often work in my garden, even on a cold day. I love being surrounded by plants as I write. I go to a coffee shop when I have a particularly difficult problem to solve in relation to my writing. For some reason, I find the visit comforting as well as helpful.

Heidi, I am going to start podcasting soon. I hope to get the hang of using the software I want to make come recordings. I will then see about doing live casts and vlogging.

Thanks for answering my question Bill. I am working on the quality. It irks me, but I have to go back and redo the ones I did before because I am better at it now. I needed to learn how to use audacity. I have the hang of it now. I am reading your blog, ARTISTRY WITH WORDS. I hear the familiar voice of yours in your writing, but starting in the 2013 posts I hear a little something else too! I like it. Je ne sais quoi, but I like it.

I suggest anyone who had the time to read the older blogs. They have great information in them besides the information we get here. I just finished an article I would not normally write because of the challenge you gave during 25th of April 2013 post, Find Your Writing Comfort Level and Then Expand It. It was a change for me, but I think I nailed it.

Wow, a cornucopia of post-Thanksgiving topics today!

Re: Writing Locations. I cannot do anything creative at home, period. Gotta go to a coffee/restaurant haunt of some sort. Libraries smell bad to me (no, seriously, it's a thing... think it's my allergies). This has been going on for years now. However, I can do intense detail-oriented work (like editing) for hours on end at home. Go figure.

Re: The Blog Slog. True, you have to engage and promote to get a following. I'm guessing "Mimi" (whoever that is) has expectations beyond what is possible, too. The blogosphere is now intensely competitive. Add to that the fact that people are less likely these days to sign up for email blog updates due to a variety of trends (GDPR, privacy, info overload, etc.). Sorry, Mimi, this blog thing doesn't sound like it's for you.

Re: Audio Articles. Well, it's good to record yourself reading articles as practice, especially if you see audio books in your future. Uploading to YouTube? Well, it doesn't hurt, I guess. But why not also (or alternatively) consider a podcast to start building a following that would be likely buyers of audio books? It's not that much of a leap for those listeners.

Re: More Than That. I had a similar situation with my promotional products blog years ago. When I eventually closed that portion of my business, I no longer wanted to be just the promo pro. While I've pretty much transitioned away from it, I wish I would have been less tied to the topic. It's taken a long time to rebuild an audience.

Congrats on your Hubbie awards! Well deserved, as always. Have a great week!

Bill, thanks for the follow on my blogs. You're a great hubber friend.

Hello Bill - Manners, manners, manners. Congratulations on the Hubby awards.

Bill, congratulations on those awards. It comes as no surprise to me because this mailbag alone is an award-winning feature. You deserve them!

Years ago during my radio days, one announcer's mother was a reader for Books for the Blind. That organization set her up with her own portable equipment. Whenever she was in town visiting her son, she would come into the station and read with our professional equipment on weekends when we weren't so busy. I thought that was neat!

Hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was nice, but now brrrr, my teeth are chattering. Have a great week, my friend.

My dear brother Bill, though I enjoy every one of your Mailbags, I have never before written a comment on this series - I have written to your other Hubs though - but now I am so glad and proud of you that I want to say a big BRAVO! I am pleased because in this community there is justice and respect by the Hubers! I am proud to see that people here are appreciating someone who is caring and is always willing to help! Your Golden Heart deserves the best because it must be an example that goodness and kindness are admirable!

Thank you because all these I have read from you have helped me to try more to become a better person like you.

"You cannot force yourself to love, and that's where the value of love is." - Sean Dragon

Admiration and Gratitude!

Sean

The Stray Dog my friend. My pro niche is painting outside of the lines. Personal/human interest within technical writing. (law crap) I pull the danged things back because they are a little too much emotion emoting.

I know your peoples want you to write a bit more special than ordinary.

Long way around; How much self editing do you do first. I hate "bidding" against myself.

Hi Bill,

Once again, congratulations on your awards, they are well deserved.

Regarding your blog, "Artistry with Words". I hope in your backend stats you can see that I read it. For some reason when I try to comment on it, my son's Wordpress avatar shows up. Technology, you've got to laugh about it.

Regarding Rodric's reading of his articles. What a great idea. I personally love listening to audio books. When I am designing on the computer or cooking, it gives me a chance to listen to larger segments than I would normally read in an evening. Some readers are better than others and some even mispronounce words!

Go for it Rodric.

Bill, have a wonderful week.

Congratulations Bill. You certainly earned that. You may only write this series but this continues to help me and I am sure many others here. I started following your blog. You sure have a way of bringing the lesson in, be it in writing or in life.

A very helpful article as usual. Thank you Mr.Holland.

Bill, Congratulations on winning those awards. I'm on of those who think that you make a huge positive difference on this site. The mailbags by themselves deserve recognition. Thanks for caring and sharing week after week.

I like your approach to Mimi. Cool! I'm always for anything that awakens conscience.

Glad that you were frugal with food. We have to watch ourselves these 'younger'days. Haha

Happy Monday Bill! And congratulations to your well-deserved hubbie awards! We all really appreciate you and your advice so I'm glad that this is one small way you can be recognized.

I fell off the nanowrimo wagon hard....and haven't recovered. BUT, I did start off well and I'm not gonna beat myself up too much. I think it was still worth it. Glad you had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Moving on to the next calorie-laden holiday....

Have a great and productive week!

Congratulations on your two wins, Bill. Both are well deserved. Did you notice they changed the name of the loudest voice in the forums? Guess a lot of people complained.

I'm glad you brought "Mimi" to our attention. Hopefully she'll read your answer and get the hint.

I didn't know you have a separate urban farming blog. I'll be sure to check it out!

Thanks Bill. I appreciate it and follow yours back. If anyone wants to follow my blogs, please feel free. I'll do the same too. I hope to be more active with my writing blog if I have more news to share. I'm in limbo right now, waiting to hear from agents on 2 mss. http://kristensbookjungle.blogspot.com/ and https://kristenswritingendeavors.wordpress.com/

"Now onward we march to Christmas and 2019." - Thay's cool. I'm kinda glad 2018 is over and I will not mention why lol

"Anyway, for those of you who voted for me, thank you so very much." - Sorry, I did not vote for You. I did not vote for anyone. I generally vote for mayor, premier, prime minister and things of that nature. I never voted for anything on Hub-pages. I don;t even know where to vote, or what there is to vote for.

"Clearly you don't suffer with that but any thoughts on writing in different locations?" - I've been known for renting hotel rooms and going up to cottages in the middle of the forest for long pieces of writing that require research and a lot of quiet time.

"Follow the blogs of other people. Show a genuine interest in the works of other writers. The blogging community is just that, a community, and it is a two-way street. It does not take long to spot those who are only in it for themselves." - People are people (did You ever listen to Depeche Mode: "People are people"?) and so, from some people I read a lot of pieces of writing and they never stop by to even read one article of mine. Do I hold it against them? Never. Do I stop reading their work. No. I am not the tic for tac type of person.

I feel You though: " I’ve never been a big fan of one-way streets."

"I did not want to be recognized as “the alcoholism writer,” or that guy who is a recovering alcoholic." - I'll be honest here. We had a little disagreement years ago over alcohol. Or, maybe I had a disagreement. Either way, I was left with the impression then of "that guy who is a recovering alcoholic." I've gotten over it though. It was just my perception that needed a little alteration.

"I am so much more than that. I have depth. I am not one-layered." - I think we all are multi-layered.

I don't do poetry but good luck to those who do! I stand aside and look, as I do when I am at a museum.

Thank You for your writing and all the best! Have a fabulous week ahead!

Congratulations again on your well-earned Hubbie awards!

This was packed with good stuff, Bill. Your message to Mimi was so appropriate. One needs to give to get as time is not unlimited. So many new Hubbers especially assume it’s a one way street. I liked the music poetry. I’ve examined lots of lyrics and some of them are indeed pure poetry.

That is cool, that you can win rewards on here! Being recognized by doing what you love to do is a reward in it self. Will power on Thanksgiving, what is will power again? Mmm all the pie and sweet potato, ya, I think i had 2 helpings as well. I love when they give you food to take home. I'm happy your Thanksgiving was blessed, I got blessed by enjoying it with a borrowed family. All my family is in NY, I am however in UT. I'm excited to read more of your work on here. I'm presently waiting for my 1st piece to pass inspection, so it can be seen. May your day be pleasant.

You deserved those awards and you did get my vote for most helpful. Your Resurrecting Tobias book got delivered yesterday evening and after I finish the current book that I am reading it will be next on my list. As to that person who never comments on your posts but always wants advice from you...you are wise to put your time and effort into those who do reciprocate. Time is precious and we must all be wise as to how we spend it.

I think you deserve the Hubbie awards due to your consistency and this weekly very helpful post, not to mention you have been around for a while. So, congrats!

I loved the different issues you covered today, and I think your advice is excellent. Have a great week!

This is a wonderful mailbag this time. You shared some nice things here. And, I was much glad when I saw the Hubbie Awards list last week. You deserved both those cool awards.

Hi Bill. Congratulations on the Hubble Awards, very well deserved. Some good questions this week for the mailbag. The one about writing in different locations really hit home with me. I can only write in one or two places, my comfort zones I guess. Funny how that works, but I imagine this is the case for most writers? Have a great week.

Oh, come now. You do help hubbers and quite possibly non-hubbers with this series of yours on a weekly basis. Easy to see why you won "most helpful."

Wow, Bill. I don't think I've ever seen you speak your mind quite like that, but you're right. The more we follow others with interest, the more the favor is returned. To me, it's a bit of a double-edged sword, though, because I like to really know people well that I feel connected to (also a two way street). It all just takes so much time. I'm also more of an introvert, which is probably why I prefer in depth conversation, at least in written communication. But I digress. My point is that building a blog or any sort of fan-based "business" to the point of having too many people to keep up with requires commitment and determination. And to a degree, it will always requires some sort if personal interaction and effort beyond just the words.

Brilliant! As always. And I do so love that last piece of verse.

Away with the kids at the moment (or is that the fairies?!).

Have a mighty mellow Monday, bill.

Ann

Bill, the two Hubbie awards are a thank you for the time, patience, and inspiration you provide each week. Your Monday morning articles make this feel like a community of writers when other days it often doesn't feel that way. I love what you have to say about not wanting to be pigeon-holed as an author who writes about alcoholism. We limit ourselves so much (and our interactions with others) when we cling too tightly to labels: liberal, conservative, vegan, Catholic, pro-gun, pro-choice. I never want someone's labels to prevent me from getting to know them. Congratulations, Bill!