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The Writer's Mailbag: Installment Fifty-Eight
And Here We Go Again
The Mailbag is back and the questions are better than ever. I am convinced I have the smartest followers at HubPages, so a round of applause to all of you who keep me on my toes and make me plumb the depths of my experience.
Let’s get started with a question from Suraj.
SUCCESS
From Suraj: “Which brings me to my question: How long did it take you to be this successful as a hubber, and earn a decent income from it?”
Thank you very much, Suraj! That’s two questions and they are both very nebulous. Let me explain.
The first asks how long it took me to be successful at HP. What do you mean by successful? I’m fairly well-known, and that took me about six months of constantly reading and commenting and posting. For me, though, success came after I posted my first hub. That was a huge step for me. I had no confidence in myself as a writer, so taking that first step was a very successful event.
Then you asked me about a decent income and three and a half years after the fact, I can honestly say I still haven’t done that. I earned my first payout in two months if I remember correctly. I had payouts every month after that for almost three years and then Google pulled the rug out from under me. Now my earnings don’t make a payout each month….it takes two months for me to earn over fifty dollars. I didn’t do anything differently. The only things that changed were Google and HP. I’ve written over 1,000 hubs….maybe we should go back to the successful question. LOL
Series Writing
From Ann: “A question for you: Do you think that writing a series becomes tedious after a while (talking about mine, not yours!); tedious to write as well as tedious to read? If we vary it enough, finish it when we run out of content or interest, is that acceptable? How can you tell when others have had enough (people are kind here, they tell you nice things whatever)?
I seem to have asked more than one question there, sorry. I'll leave it to you to sort it out, I'm nice like that!”
Ann, consider it sorted out.
I don’t know that I can answer this question for anyone but me. I love the characters I currently have in my “Shadows” thriller series. I think if the day comes when those characters are tedious I’ll pull the plug on it. I write because I enjoy writing. If my writing detracts from that enjoyment, I better change or quit writing.
I’ve seen this happen to other famous writers. James Lee Burke is still going strong with his Dave Robicheax novels and they still seem fresh and engaging after over twenty novels. I think his enjoyment of that series shows in his writing. On the other hand, the guy who wrote the Spenser novels (what was his name? Robert Parker), I think his books became stale after a decade or so. It seemed to me that he was just going through the motions to make more money. Now that may not be fair but it’s what I felt when reading him. I think he should have stopped after the first twenty. J
I think you are the author. It is acceptable to end your series when you feel it should end. Yes people are nice here at HP. I love their encouragement and kind words, but the final decision will always rest on my shoulders.
Google Rights
Again from Ann: “I have another question regarding Google. I had an email from them regarding EU rules for end-users' rights and cookies. Do you know anything about that? I didn't understand a word of it and now I'm worried I'm not doing things correctly. It makes me wary of publishing anything anymore!”
I had to do some research on this one, Ann, and since I don’t talk computer geek stuff, it was not easy. There have been several rulings of late by the EU in an attempt to protect the privacy of internet users (end users). Since Google is like the internet god of gods, the EU went after them first. Bottom line: there are links and cookies that contain your personal information which you can request be removed to protect your privacy.
DISTRACTIONS
From Paula: “My main "issue" currently is that as much as I want to jump feet first into writing a few new hubs, I have to be rigid with my time. Until I complete a home project or 2 that NEED to be done....I can't justify sitting at the keyboard.
There ya go.....is this a dilemma or what? Work on my project while begrudging I have no time to write.....OR......Try to write while the project is gnawing at the back of my mind??? What do you do in this case Oh Teacher-teacher?”
Sis, I already answered this on the Hub, but for the sake of others I’ll repeat it. In the question you said home projects that NEED to be done. There’s your answer. The writing will be waiting for you when the projects are done and the summer turns to fall and the darkness comes sooner. To borrow from Nike, just do it!
Uninvited Characters
From Dora: “What if midway through the storybook plot, another character besides the original protagonist emerges into the feature role? Is there a law against that? I've seen it in sitcoms, but is it allowed in literary fiction (or non-fiction for that matter)?”
Dora, thanks for an interesting question. The answer I’m going to give you is simply my opinion. You asked if it was allowed in literary fiction. If I’ve learned one thing about fiction it’s that everything is “allowed.” The writing gods smile on creativity and frown on rules.
The second part of my answer is this: I believe in allowing the characters to tell the story. If you have a new protagonist who is asserting his/her will on the story, then allow them to do that. It’s obviously what your muse wants, and I try to never argue with my muse.
Avoiding Obsession
From Eric: “Bill how do you keep from falling into that mindset where you become a bit obsessed and always are thinking about how you could write something about something? It seems like it might prevent one from staying in the here and now.”
Eric, I’ve been there, done that and I ain’t returning. J Seriously, I have known writers like that. I might have been one at one time. How does one keep from falling into that mindset? I obviously have no idea since I lost perspective at one time. Luckily I have some friends and loved ones who pointed it out…so perhaps that’s the answer. Surround yourself with people you trust, people you listen to, and people you value.
Active and Passive Voices
From Faith: “Thank you for sharing your insight here as always. Oh, here's a whacky question for you ...I have been reading about writing in the active and passive voice. From what I have read it is best to write in the active voice so that readers feel more a part of the story. Is it possible to write in the active voice when referring to the past LOL? If that question doesn't fly, how about sharing your thoughts on writing in the active and passive voice. Or a big flat-out NO will do.”
Faith, I would never say no to you.
Writing in the passive voice is one of my biggest problems as a writer. For whatever reason, I slip into passive voice without even thinking about it and then don’t even notice that I’ve done it.
Is it possible to write in active voice when referring to the past? Most definitely. Active voice means that in a sentence, the subject is doing the action. In the sentence “The dog bit the man,” the subject is the dog and he is doing the biting. If I switched that to passive it would read “The man was bitten by the dog.”
There is nothing fundamentally wrong with passive voice. It’s simply not as concise as active voice.
More Next Week
This Mailbag is overflowing so let’s deliver it. The other questions I have will have to wait until next week. Thank you to all who asked. If I didn’t get to your question rest assured I will next Monday.
Have a great week!
2015 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Comments
I actually just researched the EU Cookie Law for a client and friend this past week. I will be sharing what I found soon in an article on my design site and also how to implement on websites both Blogger and Wordpress if this helps. So stay tuned and thanks as always for sharing all your knowledge here with us, too. Happy Monday, Bill! :)
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It wouldn't be Monday without a visit from Janine. Good morning, Janine, and thank you as always. I look forward to your article and the clarity it will bring. Happy Monday my friend.
All good stuff, once again. I appreciate your take on "success" here on HubPages. Individual success is defined by individual purpose. If I was here to make money... well, then I wouldn't be here; I'd be somewhere else, making money. Some authors have been able to build up a phenomenal income through HubPages, and that's impressive because the amount of effort it takes is impressive. For others (like me) who are just here to dabble and share in community, the earnings are a nice side effect, but they're not the point of being here. Thanks for writing. :)
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Thank you Serenity! My feelings exactly. I love the fact that I don't feel any pressure to make money here. This is my safe and relaxing place and I love it here.
More good stuff, Bill. It keeps us going. Thank you sharing your vast knowledge with us.
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Thank you, Bill. It really is my pleasure. Happy Monday to you!
The questions are wonderful and the answers are spot on. I have advice for Paula, just write!
I like the idea of keeping grounded. It's too easy to fall into the same mindset because you are too used to a niche, etc. Thanks for the advice!
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Thanks Pop! I'm sure Paula will receive your advice and I know for a fact i appreciate your visits.
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Thank you Michelle! I always appreciate you being here.
All good question and answer again this week, Bill. In regard to if a series can become tedious and how long it should be kept going. I agree with you that it's up to the author to decide. If they start to become bored with the serie it' probably time to end it. This series is still going strong.
Your love of writing is inspirational. Reading this has motivated me to start another Hub. My sons can't understand why I'm doing this when I make no money. Hopefully, I'm teaching them that writing is its own reward (oh no, I think I just used one of those cliches that the woman in the video said to avoid)! Thanks, Bill!
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Thank you John! You bring up a good point about writing a series, and the day this series becomes boring to me is the day it will end.
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letstalkabouteduc, thank you for stopping by. I do love writing. I think what we do is important. Look at the madness in the world today. Writers counteract that madness by bringing the beauty of words into the world. Yes, I think what we do is very important.
Hello Billy,
How one is measures one's own success is an interesting question. My own motivation to write on this site was two-fold. First I wanted to satisfy a long-held ambition to write and the need to earn a residual income from it. I was so lucky that I discovered that I was able to use a creative art form which I love doing to achieve similar success. Of course, the downside has been the financial outlay and the long hours spent to create the tutorials but none of it has been in vain. I am just so grateful that I did not have to write 1000 hubs to do it. I am still focusing on getting to my first 100:)
As regards the Cookie Policy, my webmaster sent me a link to some free code which I was able to insert into my own site. If it would help, I can email it to you.
Have a wonderful week Billy.
Sally.
Interesting questions; good, honest answers.
Bill, I really enjoyed this hub, but I think the best part is the response you gave to letstalkabouteduc--"writers counteract the madness (in the world) by bringing the beauty of words into the world." Wow, my friend!
Happy Monday Bill! Loved the questions, especially about the passive vs active voice. I will confess I get that confused myself. I also get the first person, second person, third person and all their variations entirely confused! Do you know of any simple way to summarize each style of writing?
Have a wonderful week!
A wonderful new addition to a superlative series. I just paused to consider: “Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
I gather an almost sense of urgency from this. And that is good. In all your writing you exude a sense of personal responsibility and integrity. It seems like it could become burdensome. Do you ever just get all frilly farty and write all silly fiddle faddle nonsense just to cut loose?
Always enlightening.
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Thank you Sally! It's always interesting to hear what the motivation was for other writers. I'm glad you're here and I'm sure glad it didn't take you 1,000 articles like it did me. :) Heck, Sally, I would have been happy with HP after one article.
As for the Cookie Policy, if anyone is interested they can reach you through HP. Thanks for the offer.
Happy Monday to you
bill
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Thank you Brian! I aim to please.
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Awww, thanks, Linda. I believe that. I believe what we do is very important.
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Good morning Melissa and Happy Monday to you. I can definitely do that, in next week's installment. Thanks for the question.
Have a super week!
bill
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LOL....Eric, that's the best laugh I've had today. Thank you for that. I'll have an answer for you next week, but the abridged version of it is yes. Thanks, buddy.
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Thank you Larry! I appreciate you always stopping by.
Thanks Bill Sir for yet another guiding hub. I appreciate your honest approach towards the realities of life. Your success and earning instances are quite inspiring.
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Thank you m abdullah javed....it's always a pleasure having you stop by, my friend.
Great questions once again!
I fall into the passive voice trap myself. I didn't realize I was doing it until I took a fiction writing course. Now I'm more aware and try to catch myself.
Question: (she asks sarcastically) Why do we have those parts of speech if we're not to use them?
We're having a rainy Monday here. But rainy days and Mondays don't get me down as long as I have The Writer's Mailbag to brighten my day! :-)
I have problems with the old passive and active voices too - I think it's just something most of us do naturally. When we're talking to someone, we don't usually worry about that stuff, but writing isn't just putting on paper what people say to each other. Anyway, it's something else I'll have to work at.
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LOL...great one, Sha! Thank God for the Carpenters on days like today. We continue to have more heat than we ever bargained for.
Parts of speech were made to be butchered by you and me. It's as simple as that. LOL
Thanks my friend.
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FatBoyThin, you and me both. This is a mistake that seems to come naturally to me. Evidently the nuns didn't teach me well enough...or I was sleeping during that class. LOL Thank you for stopping by.
Since my medical set back earlier in the year I been trying to play catch up and concentrate on marketing my books. Haven't had much time for playing with hubs or reading them. I do try to read all of your mail bags as I learn something new from them all the times. I wish hubs could produce a good income but alas they just don't right now. I've been advertising on FB and doing my own personal blog and find that brings more traffic in a heartbeat than Hub Pages. Wish I could write simply for pleasure but it doesn't pay the bills. Thank you for all your great advice. It has been a joy to have met you.
Hey Bill, that were a lot of Q&A's again! I'd like to toss in a new question as well, that might make some readers blush. Let's consider a biography of a man written in the third person. How far would it be wise to go in details regarding the fact that sex plays an important role in the forces that are drawing on the man's fate?
Bill, thanks for answering my question. I also learn from your answers to other questions. You're such a kind big brother here.
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Thank you Sandra and the feeling is mutual. I have great empathy for those who need the supplemental income from HP. I've written about it often, how I wish HP would loosen the purse strings a bit and share the profits...but it doesn't appear to be happening. Good luck to you with that blog and thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Buildreps, what an interesting question. Luckily I have a week to consider it. Thank you!
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Awww, thanks Dora. I try, and I enjoy all my little brothers and sisters.
Bill, I appreciate your definition of success here on HP. A good start publishing hubs was a milestone in my life. That is what has made today possible.
Bill,
I appreciate the video you added this week. I struggle with passive sentences and the video helped me a lot.
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Thank you Chris. I think all too often writers measure success by dollars earned, and I think that's an injustice and a sure recipe for disappointment.
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Robert, I'm glad the video helped. I think many of us struggle with active and passive.
Thanks for stopping by.
Another great read... and love the comments you've received, as always. It is fascinating how we do all hang each others words. What a fun community. Thank you, so much, for bringing us together for this session each week. Cathartic... is that the word. Perhaps! ;-)
{{pout}} I did not see an answer to my question. I did not realize I had posed such a poser! HA ;-)
I'll check back next week. But meanwhile, many thanks for all the time you take to help everyone! You are a gentleman and a scholar!
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Bill, it not only is a word, but it is applicable and I thank you for it.
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Shoot, Liz, I hate to admit that, but I missed your question. Fire it at me again and I'll include it next Monday...I promise. Sorry about that.
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Liz, I found out what happened. When I was copying and pasting the different sections in this hub, I skipped right over yours. LOL I'm so sorry. I'll include it next week for sure.
Thanks, bill, for answering my question. I think it's partly a confidence thing when one is writing a series of hubs or books; as long as you believe in it 100% then it'll work.
You had some fascinating questions this week. I especially like the one from Eric. I'm guilty of doing that far too much; I have to tell myself that the computer will still be there in a few hours and that I have to get other things done!
Been a bit of a manic Monday today; hope yours is marvellous as usual, bill!
Ann :)
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Ann, thank you! It's been a good day. Not so hot and for that I'm grateful. I was able to do some work outside without worrying about heat stroke. :) Thanks again for the question. In the end, we have to listen to our own hearts in our writing. If we don't know when enough is enough, I'm not sure we should be writing. :)
Happy Week to you
bill
What is EU? Thank's for helping us spread our wing's..My opinion about a series, if it's really good I never tire of reading...
Hi Bill. Another great week for the Mailbag. Great questions and great answers. Have a wonderful week.
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Ruby, I may be mistaken, but I believe it stands for European Union. :) I hope you never get tired of reading this series. Thank you!
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Thanks a lot, Bill, and I hope your week is a winner as well.
Just a note to let you know that I'm still enjoying this series, Bill. You provide a lot of useful suggestions!
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Thank you Alicia. I really do appreciate you always being here.
Wow, Bill, this week's question are awesome! I always learn something here.
Well, there you go with a great example of writing in the active voice in the past tense ...LOL, see there, I knew I asked the right person to explain it in terms we all get right away! Thank you, dear Bill.
I get it now and it actually makes so much sense, since you've explained it.
Bless you, dear heart
Thought-provoking questions and answers as always, my friend! Avoiding obsession sounds like my last question!
I can't remember if I asked you before, but is there a secret to getting jobs as a freelance writer/editor without coming across like we're just selling something?
I did put up flyers, before the summer, and I'll make sure new ones go up in time for fall so the students in my area 'may' finally come to me for help, and my flyers 'are' aimed towards helping them, but is there a more successful way to go about this that's still subtle?
Thank you!
I will never get tired of reading this series, You help so many with your knowledge.
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Thank you Theresa! It actually gets a bit more complicated, but that's the simple answer and simple is what I was feeling at the moment. :) Have a superb day.
Hugs and blessings coming your way
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Kailey, screw subtle! LOL I'll answer next Monday. I actually wrote a hub on this, but it would take you forever to find it among my others. Thanks for a really good question. I'll try to have a really good answer for you.
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I really appreciate that, Ruby! Thank you so much.
Thanks Bill! More good stuff to think about and chew on.
Good explanation of passive and active voice. There is a place for the passive voice, but, as you and others said, we slip into it more than we realize, and more than is necessary. As you said, the active voice is more concise, and it is stronger, more fluid, more lively. The active voice helps the writer develop rhythm.
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My pleasure, Babby! thank you for stopping by and chewing on it. :)
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It does for sure, Danny. Any good editor will point it out immediately, or we can just learn as we go for however long it takes for us to break the habit. Thanks for sharing those points.
Your success has been amazing and it's inspiring. You are correct that success began from the very first hub. I've been looking back at my own hubs from when I began here in January and noticed huge changes. It's thrilling to see the evolution throughout the articles. Did you witness similar changes in your writing from your very first hub to 1,000+ hubs later.
Your faithful readers, Bill, never seem to fail to come up with interesting questions for you to answer. And you manage to find interesting answers for them every time. I admire your knowledge, your willingness to share what you know and above all ... your honesty. So there!
Another interesting question and answers session which I enjoy going through and also learn something in the process.
If I were to answer the question asked by Suraj, I would probably say that 'Bill is extremely consistent besides being a good writer. And he does care to read and respond to other fellow writers, in spite of being a celebrated writer himself.'
Thank you!
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Oh my goodness, Chris, yes! My first two hubs were amateurish to say the least. Really my first fifty or so were below today's standards. So yes, I am sure you have shown great growth. :) Thank you sir!
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So there indeed, drbj. I do not do well with compliments but thank you, my friend.
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Awww, thank you ChitrangadeSharan. I am blessed with online friends such as yourself.
another well carried out mailbag.. Ann's question and answer intrigued me.. not that the other questions and answers didn't, but for me I got more out of that Q&A then the others.. its just me :) bravo
Hi Bill ~ I enjoyed reading this post in your series...and what a fabulous idea! ~:0)
It takes me over 2 years to earn a payout these days. So far in my HP history, I've earned 2 whole payouts in almost 6 years. I'll need to find my own hub "serial" to keep me going. LOL. You are definitely an inspiration.
Recently, my web site with iPage was hacked and taken down, and down went my WP blog, too, which was hosted by them. I've decided to create a new web site with Weebly, and use my old domain as a subdomain, to save money. Just posted its publication on Facebook. I will also publish some of my old WP posts on my (free) SheWrites blog, so they can be seen. Applied to a writer's residency on Whidby Island. If I am offered one, I will be in touch. Won't know until December. In the meantime, I have a garden to rescue from weeds and a novel to write. Have a wonderful week, my friend!
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Glad to hear it, Frank. Thanks for always being here and Happy Wednesday to you.
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Mama, I'm so sorry to hear about the hacking. What a pain that would be. Sounds like you recovered and have a plan, so that's fantastic. Yes, let me know about Whidby. Maybe we can get together for lunch. Thanks as always and have fun in the garden.
I'm very interested in learning more about that EU cookie law.
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Thanks Flourish. I didn't have time to do much research on it. I don't know if similar measures are being taken here in the U.S.
Late to the Mailbag... again! I think this week I'd fall under the "Distractions" topic. I've got a number of new clients and events in the works. So since I always NEED and WANT money, guess that comes first.
Also, regarding series: I think there can come a point where the series loses steam for both sides of the page or screen, so to speak. Perfect example, too many movie sequels. Case closed.
Happy Thursday!
This was an interesting and informative Mailbag - so much to consider in the writing business - I'm seriously fascinated by character driven books and how they evolve. Usually if I'm into a series I can't wait to discover what the characters are up to, how they've coped etc. Damnation, my lot must be shy and introvert.
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True words once again, Heidi. Hopefully, most writers are smart enough to know when that time has come.
Happy Friday to you!
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Maj, you are too funny! I think the majority of books that we remember fondly are character-driven. I can remember very few plots over the years, but I remember many, many main characters. :) Anyway, have a superb weekend and thank you.
Hello Bill. This one is full of interesting questions and enlightened answers. You show so many the way.
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Thanks Mike. I appreciate it. Have a great weekend.
Well, this is good. You cleared up some questions that I never even realized that I had!
Your mailbag is a very useful writing tool for me. By the way, I find myself writing in the passive voice almost all the time, but rather than stress about it, I write the first draft passively (because it is comfortable to just write the thing) and then I go back and re-write it in the active voice.
Hi Bill, Marlene is right this is a useful writing tool. I am glad I have your mail bag as reference, for tips that I need, now what I need is an index in your summary so if I need a specific question answered I can just read the summary.
Stay well
Blessings always
Shyron
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Great minds think alike, Deb. Glad I could help. Thank you as always.
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I do the same thing, Marlene. I'd never get that first draft done if I worried all the time about voice. :) Have a super week and thank you always.
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Shyron, if I ever get that ebook written of this series, I'll include an index just for you. :) Thank you as always, my friend.
bill
Bill
Really enjoyed this hub and all the great advice. I have a sort of question but I'm sure I know what you'll say.
I came up with a plan for a story but some of the gadgets in the story make for Star Trek type stuff (its not a SF story) but the other day checking some info to reply to comments on other hubs I found the gadgets are actually being used and changing the way we understand history!
I reckon you'll say "WRITE THE DAMN STORY"
Lawrence
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Lawrence, you've got me laughing. Yes, my friend, that's what I'll say, but I'll say it again on Monday in the Mailbag. LOL Thank you!
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