The Writer's Mailbag: Installment Seventy-Six

Bill

As I was reading this it was almost as if I was reading my own words! I could connect with all the questions and answers that were here! I've got a few hubs here where there was quite an emotional investment, and a couple of them didn't 'mince words' but I'm proud of them!

As for the 'commenting on other folks"s hubs, hey they'll still be there when you get to them! (Why do you think I'm a month behind everyone else! They're too good to miss! Just might take us a while!)

All the best with the new Job, praying for you folks and for wisdom to know how much to do.

Lawrence

We all have to set priorities. Glad to see this mailbag is still strong.

You have verbalized for me the value of writing. I have a website on going global to feature the value of interconnectedness but my effort at this was really mediocre. The enthusiasm when I started was strong, then, I got lost into writing articles that are,way off. It's clear to me now. Like you, I want my life to make a difference.

Re: Finances, priorities. Yes, it's tough to make a living writing. We've all heard the stories of such-and-such whiz bang copywriter making thousands for a couple hundred words on a page. But here's the catch: Those jobs could be few and far between. Writing isn't the only field that suffers from this situation. I hope you continue to strike that balance between following profit and passion. You are a true treasure! Happy Holidays!

I truly hope that things improve for you quickly. It is so hard to try to make ends meet, do what is necessary on a daily basis, and have enough time to simply relax. Godspeed!

Bill - You may be one of the most organized people I know - I'm amazed at how much you accomplish each week with your various writing assignments, jobs and urban farming tasks.

Signed, an Admirer.

You have encouraged me a lot just by saying that you found that fifth gear. I seem to neglect my housework because I cannot get away from my PC and I think I will fall way behind. Now I too will look for my 5th gear. The one thing that I find a bit of a let down is that after I have posted my articles and my poems and received rave comments I feel like OK that was a rush but now what. Then to compensate for that in-between time I start thinking ahead about what I will post next and that sort of gets me over that hump between the comments and the next time.

76 wow now thats important to me.. I hope all goes and ends well with you and your family.. you're right writing is important for me it lets off steam... and it clears the mind ... thanks for sharing your writing and thanks for lighting the flames to the many of us..

Bill you inspire. To borrow from Cheech -- hey man where do you get your haircut?

Bill I got resentments. I try to keep positive about life but I have to admit I get a little pissy about life encroaching on my writing. I know I need that life in order to write but it still gnaws in my craw. Are you able to not be upset with writing interfering with life and life interfering with writing. Damned jealous mistresses.

Well, I hope you make a little more cash soon, Bro. (without too much compromise) never a good thing. But you have a family, and writers like you and I don't make too much. (but you will)

Another great mailbox and your answer to Ann was just brilliant! I like it. Good luck with your part-time job and lots of Higher blessings to you this season.

I can understand your thrill of publishing a novel vs an article, Bill

Writing has become a comfort zone for me and I prefer to pen down my thoughts via that source rather than narrating it...who has the time to listen!!

Read...sure...eventually ;)

Some of this was difficult to read, Bill. I'm so sorry that you're going through a hard time. Thank you for sharing. I hope things look up for you soon.

Greatly written and explained. I like the way you answered the question from Ann. I learned something from you in the writing world.

Love your answer to that last one, Bill - you're so right. But I also think it's true that some folk (non-writers) just don't understand our compulsion. Their loss, I guess.

You've shared some interesting information, as always, Bill. I hope you have a good week and find time for your writing.

These questions and answers really hit the spot this week. I can't choose one over the others and I think they answer the concerns of many writers. I can't think of anything I would prefer to do right now than write. Thanks and hope that rain stops soon.

Some of us want to be writers. You ARE a writer, Bill. Thanks for pulling us along!

Another great mailbag Bill. I particularly like your final paragraph and the fact that you never compromise on your priorities. Ann's question was a great one as was your answer. Have a great week.

I enjoy hearing you list how you prioritize your writing time, each time you share. This time, especially meaningful, with the variations you've used with the additional job time. Do what is best for you and your family... we readers will always understand... family needs come first, always! ;-)

bradmasterOccal:

Setting quotations to color is a great idea. It would reduce all those pesky punctuation marks. This reminds me of modern editions of the Bible. When Jesus is said to speak, his words are highlighted in red. Many monks in the Middle English period would add colors to their copies, as I'm sure you're aware, usually to the first initial of chapters.

-E.G.A.

Thanks so much, bill, for your amazing answer to my question! I'm addicted to words too, I love them and recently have found out about a whole new concept - words connected to landscape connected to people, connected to words...... It's started a whole new dimension for me and for my writing. (The 'Landmarks' book.)

I like the tack of reaching out into that world of isolation. Words can make a huge difference, can't they? I feel privileged to be able to do that, even in a little way. I can't stop writing either, I wouldn't want to, and, like Eric, I feel a little deflated when I've finished an article I've worked on - elated and deflated at the same time, if that makes sense.

Now you've given me a new argument I can argue my cause more expansively. Thank you, bill.

Isn't it funny how you can make more time when you think it's full? The expanding 4th dimension! Kind of gives you a high, doesn't it?

Have a magnificent Monday and thanks again for indulging my question with such a great answer.

Ann :)

I can't imagine life without writing, and the thrill you get when you've written something others like. Thanks for always being there to help us out. Best wishes..

Wow, that was an enjoyable mailbag. I like the approach to life and authorship as you said in your closing section. I hope for you and your family all will be fine. :) Have a great day!

Bill - I appreciate so very much that with all that you have on your plate, you still take the time to teach us each week. What a wonderful gift; please know that this receiver does not take it for granted. I pray that your problems are temporary and that you can soon return to living life to the fullest without this added burden.

Keeping one's priorities is hard enough. Add in a 1 year old, and boy howdy:-)

Another great installment.

Man! I enjoy reading your Hubs Billy.....

Happy Monday Bill! You give us procrastinators and slackers a bad name...lol. I am so impressed by your dedication to the craft. I know whatever other work you do outside of writing, you will still find the time to follow your muse.

Bill

Now, your mailbag has reached the number of Trombones.

The writer ? on how to respond to those that don't understand it.

The first thing that comes to mind is what is the general or popular definition of being a writer.

To describe the vocation, or avocation of being a writer, the people that you are talking to have their own definition of what it is to be a writer.

So, I guess that the writer has to give them the definition of writer, and then go on to describe their writing. There are so many common words that everyone thinks that other people have the same definition or understanding of what they mean, but in reality they are not objective, they are most always subjective. This is because of their life experience, and maybe their schooling or work.

I think of myself as a commentator, as opposed to a writer. In doing so, I can and do break many of the writing rules that I have been taught in schools all the way through college. Because I know many of the rules, doesn't mean that I stick to them like the lanes on a highway.

Occasionally, the word police pull me over and cite me for breaking the rules of the weave.

If I were writing a novel, I would go boldly where no writer has dared to go, into the world of Color. I would first replace quotation marks with the words being in a designated color for quotations.

TV went from Black and White to brilliant and vivid color, so why shouldn't novels make the same transition.

Happy 76th as in Trombones, and 1776.

:-)

Hi Bill,

Thanks for answering my question, I see a system is the only way forward.

Today's mailbag is very moving. I know you have your accolades for being supportive and popular and they are richly deserved. You have touched so many people's lives in ways you may not know. Your encouragement has kept people, like myself, writing when others have laughed at the idea. You are a treasure. Have a great week.

I feel the same way. Writing is too important to give up. I do have to admit that very few people understand that.

Great mailbag this week Bill! Piercing questions on 'the craft'. I think your answer to Ann was bullseye. A writer must make an intimate moment with her or his reader. Otherwise, what is the point? Even in academia there is a new shift to engage emotion on an issue, instead of merely trying to be autonomous, or esoteric. Thinking of J.R.R. Tolkien here.

Hope all is well in your mind of the world and I look forward to next week's installment. From one who wonders about the scope of his sentences and reduction of his rhetoric,

-E.G.A.