The Writer's Mailbag: Installment 261

Bro...another great mailbag.....always prompt and always interesting. Wish you were MY mail man!

I really like Ann's question...it hit home. Your answer is fascinating to me and gave me something to think about quite seriously. You're such a Hero, bro.

Hope you & Bev all the kiddos and creatures on the farm are having one hell of a summer!! Take care. Love, Sis

Very interesting questions this week, Bill. Your readers keep you on your toes, don't they? LOL

Hi Bill, thanks for the share. You have answered some challenging questions! You don't need to remember your dreams to enhance your creativity. You are creative!

Thanks for the encouragement, bill!

Ann

Hi bill! Late again! Thanks for answering my question and I guess it always has to be a bit of both. I asked it because at the time I was thinking 'I should be writing loads regarding my travels and other things but somehow I don't feel like it'. That's not like me as usually there are ideas telling me to get to keyboard - so then it's the writing that drives me. However, I occasionally feel that I have to get out the cattle prod to give myself a shock and get writing!

It has been unusually hectic lately but I don't like not being able to just sit and get on with it - I sat at the keyboard the other day and nothing happened! I think it's time I just sat and wrote a paragraph or two about something totally random, to kick start the process!

As you say, a bit of both is the happy medium and I'm all for keeping the medium happy..

Have a wail of a Wednesday, bill!

Ann

Is there really a word 'dudette'? Peace anyway.

Liked your deep answer to Dora's deep question. Also, your answer to the whims and changes in earnings for writers here at the HP. Another great read from The Writer's Mailbag. Thanks!

So, I have written for four other content sites over the last ten years and every one of them went under. Hubpages has been able to put in around 13 years. I don't know what they are doing right but I appreciate this venue, despite the imperfections there are. Here's what HP has that they didn't: A community of writers who follow and share regularly. I have made so many friends on HP and the feedback and encouragement we all give to one another is worth its weight in gold. There were a lot more restrictions. There was no way to see if anyone out there even reads your work. Not that numbers are the biggest thing, but let's face it, when we write something it is for the benefit of others and it is a way to share and learn. A journal is meant to be private. But writing online is public. I got frustrated with Examiner.com because they had so many advertising pop-ups you were barely able to read the content. As soon as you got one down, two or three more appeared. I knew without a doubt they would go under and deservedly so. I pray HP will be here for a long time because I would miss the camaraderie and all the friends I've made. I find that it is the number one reason I like HP.

I liked Ann's question. It was very thought provoking. I think your answer pretty well summed up my perspective. Blessings friend.

The mailbag is still going so strong and it’s so good to see that. As always, it was enriching this time as well.

Keep them coming on.

Enjoyed going through the questions and your answers. Thanks for sharing.

I love the intro you have for this week. I did pat myself on the back. I look forward to having that on ebrilliant moment when I can rub elbows with the angels of literature. Enjoyed this mailbag so much.

Bill, thanks for your answer. I understand it and I like it. I appreciate the information you share about the various publishing options. I appreciate the entire mailbag.

I wrote an answer here three times and it kept suddenly disappeared and I couldn't figure a way to bring it back. Darn, it was a long response. I'm heading out into my day but will be back later today. Hugs to all.

Another great Writer’s Mailbag Installment with interesting questions and answers. Poetry contests can be tough when entries are rejected. We should not be discouraged by the rejections and keep trying. I am so glad that you have found peace and happiness in your life.

I always feel pretty good when you share your views about HP and now Maven. I don't know a thing about either, and I don't care. What I do care about is this wonderful community of writers. All of you have enriched my life.

I hit the jackpot when I met you, my friend. You have taught me so much about being a better writer. The way you respond to each "mailbag" questions is a learning experience in and of itself.

Thank you for being a role model - not just as a writer - but as a beautiful human being.

love,

audrey

"there are traditional publishers, like Penguin, who most likely won’t touch your book with a ten-foot pole." - Haha!! Well, try Random House then. Just kidding (On a personal note, I'm only gonna ever publish something if Random House publishes my writing LOL)

"Green fields stretch in front of me and I am finally happy." - Want the nickname? I have many. Haha!!

“What about Maven?" - I don;t know what I clicked on but now I got some Maven advertising things popping-up when I'm on Hub-pages. I gotta remove that. I'm not one to look at advertising.

"I have arranged my life so that there is time, daily, for writing." - That's interesting. I have heard this from other writers before. Myself, I have no schedule for anything really. I eat when I'm hungry, I sleep when I am tired, work and play in between lol I guess now I know one way to differentiate betwen amateurs and professionals.

"The Sounds of Silence" - Nice song!! I think I might have heard bits of it before but ya, thank You for sharing that bit - cheers!

This one was a full (heavy) mailbag with so many good questions and your interesting replies to each one of them.

I liked that particular question "who is in charge?". The writer is in charge of the writing process. That's what we believe. But, the writing instinct actually drives you. So, it is in charge of you. Both apply quite right here.

Wish you a great week ahead.

Hi Bill.

I used to watch The Voice here in the UK on the BBC. What I liked about it is that there were no judges, they were coaches. They were there to pick hopefuls for their team that they could mentor and bring out the best in them. Those who auditioned weren't there to be cruelly mocked and exploited. If they weren't up to scratch, they would be given advice on how they could improve and encouraged to try again at a later date if they wished. if was a refreshing change from those other 'Idol' shows.

They have since switched to ITV, the home of that other type of 'talent' show. I don't know if it has fallen victim to that type of format and I don't want to know. I prefer to remember the more uplifting show I couldn't wait to see.

I find it interesting that your writing talent showed itself once you went into rehab. I believe your talent was always there trying to come, but obstacles kept getting in its way. Once you cleared them, it must have been like a dam bursting. Lucky us.

Have a great day, Bill.

Interesting how some shows cross the Pond. We also have The Voice in the U.K.

I read your comments on publishing with interest as I have two relatives who have gone down the different publishing paths.

Thanks for sharing how much finding your truth has helped you and also a little about your inspiration and writer's voice, when you write about who is in charge.

You give good suggestions for writing contests.

With your years of experience I am sure you know far more than me about HP and Maven. I am currently trying to prevent my Google Adsense account from going dormant and each time I write a comment on HP an annoying Maven recommendation pops up on my screen.

I wish you a good writing week.

The sound of silence is good especially when punctuated by the purring of a cat you love. That was a deep question from Dora.

I love the unusual questions that people ask in the Mailbag, as well as your answers. I hope you have a good week, Bill.

Pretty full mailbag this week, Bill. I think I posed that question as a bit of sarcasm and really didn't expect an answer. But thanks for trying anyway. I think those of us left behind don't really give a hoot about Maven. I'm still not sure about the niche sites on HP. I haven't published anything in a long time because last article I published flopped on a niche site. It was going great guns until they moved it, then the bottom fell out. I've written some short stories and another article but I haven't put them on HP...and I may not. Did you write about Maggie and you last week? I didn't see your usual.

Really weird weather. Don't know about Washington, but I saw a report today. Arkansas has had 4 days hotter and 13 days cooler than usual for June. Nothing normal, two weeks ago we were flooding and yesterday I had to water my plants. Have a good 'un!

Another wonderful edition! I also love The Voice, the only singing competition I will ever watch nowadays, although it's been a year or two since I made the time. Thank you for the guidance! I will check out FanStory and if I ever win, I will definitely keep you posted! Have a wonderful week Bill! I hope it's dry and sunny up in Washington.

What a packed mailbag with great questions. I too love The Voice (Aussie version) even though I don’t always agree with who the judges choose from the knockouts. My writing is in charge of me I think most of the time. I’ve no idea about Maven either and their newsletter is meaningless to me.

Good luck to Eric with publishing his books, and for Alyssa in regard to poetry contests. I have entered a few with mixed luck. A lot get rich from the entry fees but you can also find contests that have free entry, they are the ones I concentrate on. Yes, FanStory has lots of contests and you just have to pay a small yearly fee to be a member there. AllPoetry is a good site and has plenty of contests, and if you subscribe to Freedom With Writing (free) they send you emails on hundreds of contests and publications accepting all types of writing.

Have a great week, Bill.

Molto buona.

I really do want to publish the books about the Boy, and Sundays and really do not want to do it myself. It is fun that I have gotten over the fear of publishing them. But I got no desire in the world to do the work. I am concerned that that techie and marketing stuff may interfere with my required stress free life.

Which reminds me what kind of "Amazon" or whatever ad things do you engage in here. Are you all signed up on all of them? Is that the dough maker here? (not Linda's dough :-)

This such an interesting, diverse mailbag today. first, I also like The Voice. I like the stories too, and I like the fact the judges can't see the singer, so physical characteristics aren't a factor.

I entered two writing tests a few years ago and didn't win a thing. LOL I guess I write factual article quite often as I know I do that well, but I am not confident at all about fiction. I think it is a good idea to enter the contests as if probably will make you a better poet or writer.

I really enjoyed the interesting questions and your responses today. I hope you have a good week.

Hi Bill. Great mailbag. We also love The Voice. Don’t know if you picked up on this but the 2018 winner, Byrnn Cartelli, is from my home town of Longmeadow here in Western Mass. It was very exciting watching her progress from week to week, and by the finale I think every lawn in town had a “Brynn is in it to win it” sign. Probably the most excitement for Longmeadow in a long time. Very talented young lady, hopefully she goes on to bigger and grander things.

Happy Monday Bill! I'm "recovering" from my vacation last week...so much to do! I love hearing how you organize your time so effectively, gives me hope that someday I might do the same. LOL

Have a great and productive week!

Andrew something..... can't remember his last name at the moment.

Sorry I've missed a couple weeks of the mailbag.

While I was away, I read the book, "Write, Publish, Repeat", which I recall you mentioning before.

In that book, the authors discuss their collaboration on books. I found it very interesting. Unlike the James Patterson method, where he gives the co-author the idea and oversees it. The authors, Johnny B Truant, and Sean Platt, each seem to play larger roles in the entire process. My question is, how would a person go about finding a co-author, especially one who has a compatible work ethic?

Wow, Bill, this was a pretty heavy mailbag (figuratively and literally). Some really deep, probing questions. I hope that Eric goes the self-publish route. It's not difficult.

I want to beautify the world (that inner voice you spoke of in your introduction). When I go for a walk I'm tempted to run over and weed a flowerbed (not my own) if it's untidy, I sing with the Muzak in the grocery store, I volunteer for more tasks than I should at church, and I write a ton of stuff for HP (I have articles from here to mid-September 2019 waiting for me to hit the publish button). I got into all of this when I retired, and I can't stop. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Have a wonderful week my friend. Thanks for your mailbag today. It's always a great way to begin the week.

Thank you for this interesting and useful article as well. Many famous artists such as Van Gogh and others have not earned money from their art throughout their lives, but after their death, their artistic lines became taught in many art colleges around the world. This is the real success is to benefit others after years and years of work useful and serious.

Some quite deep and interesting questions this week! I have been learning more about writing & self publishing with each mailbag. Thanks!

Hello Bill - I miss a week to come back to some tough questions. And to find out you have found the truth. That is quite a revelation.

It seems you were toting a pretty heavy mailbag this week, but you unloaded it carefully on us. We thank you very much. And thank you for being our friend, my friend!

Aw, Bill, I am always trying to listen as much as I still can to that inner voice with my writing. So, totally can relate to that and more here. Happy Monday now and wishing you a great week ahead, as always now!! :)