The Writer's Mailbag: Installment #392

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   Pamela99posted 2 years ago

   Read Bill's latest Mailbag with its very interesting questions.
   https://hubpages.com/literature/The-Wri … llment-392

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      ChitrangadaSharanposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Happy first Monday of the new year to Bill and everyone in the thread.
      Interesting questions and equally interesting answers by you.
      I love reading both fiction and non- fiction.
      I agree completely with your thoughts about joining HubPages. It has given us a lot over the years.
      Thank you for your optimism for the year 2022. May this year bring relief and happiness to everyone around the World.
      Thank you for sharing Bill’s mailbag, Pamela, and my best wishes to both of you.

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   2. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you always Chitrangada Sharan.  Your friendship means a great deal to me, and without HP I would never have had the pleasure to meet you and get to know you. Blessings always!

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2. 88

   Pamela99posted 2 years ago

   I am so glad you will at least be around some of the time. I found the questions very interesting, and full agree about the benefits of joining HP. I love fiction as it is an escape.

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   1. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Pamela, for sharing this forum post and for your kind words.  I do enjoy nonfiction, but fiction will always be my first literary love.

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3. 87

   Jodahposted 2 years ago

   Thank you for sharing Bill’s Mailbag, Pamela.
   Great questions this week Bill. I too much prefer to write fiction. It is much more of a challenge than non-fiction ad offers a greater sense of escapism and use of imagination. Non-fiction has its place though of course.
   The funny thing is when it comes to TV shows I often prefer a true crime documentary than a crime movie of fiction, which may seem strange.
   
   I hope you are right and 2022 is a much better year than the last couple. Glad you will still be sticking around HP just less active. I never have hesitation recommending it to new writers. If it wasn’t for HubPages I doubt I’d be writing either. All the best.

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   1. 85

      surovi99posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Pamela, for sharing Bill's post.
      
      Bill, very intriguing questions and wonderful answers. I really enjoyed the mailbag.
      
      I know many self-improvement books fans who do not enjoy fiction. I myself feel inclined to read more self-help books than fictions although I do a lot of storytelling on this site.
      
      I also hope 2022 to be a great year with opportunities and blessings. I really look forward to taking actions on some of my dream goals and making them materialize.
      
      Happy Monday and a great week ahead.

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         billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         Happy Monday, Rosina, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I went through a self-help book phase about fifteen years ago. They were very helpful as I began to reconstruct myself into the person I wanted to be.  Happy reading, my friend.

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   2. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, John, and Happy New Year to you.  HP will always hold a special place in my heart, allowing me to know you and so many other gifted writers and quality human beings.  Happy Monday indeed, my friend.

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4. 81

   Misbah786posted 2 years ago

   Happy Monday, Mr. Bill. Thank you so much for another fantastic mailbag and, of course, for the clarification. We don't want to get rid of you, and you know it, I believe.
   
   I enjoyed reading all of the questions and answers in today's mailbag. I particularly enjoyed reading Ann's questions, and your responses as always were very interesting, helpful, and informative. Thank you so much for sharing.
   
   Thank you for posting this discussion, dear Pamela.
   
   Blessings always!!

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      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Misbah! Yes, I do know I am loved here. I have always felt that love and support from people like you. It is very comforting to know there are people like me out there, writers who take their craft seriously.
      
      I hope you have a brilliantly happy week ahead, my friend.

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   vidsagsterposted 2 years ago

   A very interesting mailbag with brilliant answers Bill. I agree with you, it's the story telling which attracts people. Like John I like to watch real life stories on TV.  For a writer connecting with his reader is important. You have started the first mailbag of the new year on a positive note which is great. I love Hubpages because I get the opportunity to read the amazing work of so many wonderful writers. I value the friendship with my Hubber friends. I have learned so much about writing here.  Have a great day and week ahead friend.

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   1. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Happy Monday Vidya!
      
      Thank you for your comments. I agree with them all, and I am very appreciative that we met on HP. I value your friendship.

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   Peggy Wposted 2 years ago

   Thanks, Pamela, for sharing the latest mailbag entry by our beloved Bill.  It is good to know that he will still occasionally check in with us as he begins his next venture of finishing books and begins his travels.  The questions were good ones.  I enjoy reading all types of books, but tend to read more fiction.  Yes, I too would recommend HP for beginning writers.  I have learned so much from them over the years.  I also enjoy meeting people from around the world who have become virtual friends.

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   1. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      So true, Peggy, about HP. I have my issues with them, but I will always be grateful for this site and all of the people I have met here; that definitely includes you, my friend.

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   Carb Divaposted 2 years ago

   Bill, I agree with you that a work of fiction, book or movie, is a means of escape. When my girls were little I would tell them that with a book they could go anywhere and do anything. Like the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Place's You'll Go." (But that doesn't explain why I enjoy reading cookbooks as much as I do).
   
   Hub Pages certainly isn't a moneymaker. I love it for the friends I've made over the years. But there's really not much "shoulder rubbing" anymore. I'm still hopeful that comments will be restored to something usable, but not sure I'll live long enough to see it happen.

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      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      I commented on Facebook, Linda, but it doesn't hurt to repeat that I greatly appreciate you and value your friendship.  You are one of the few Hubbers I have actually met in person, so that makes you special to me.

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8. 82

   Brenda Arledgeposted 2 years ago

   Bill
   First of all let me say, I'm delighted to hear we can't get rid of you that easy.
   
   I've kinda gotten used to you being here.
   
   As for fiction vs nonfiction I view nonfiction as like self help tools. 
   If I need to know something.
   
   With fiction, I can let my mind explore.  It goes to depths unimaginable in reality.
   I can let my hair down so to speak.
   I used to love Stephen King books, but I haven't read any in awhile.
   
   But he seems to take those simple things we are afraid of and stretch them out revealing our worst fears.
   
   As writers, I have to agree with you...we love to communicate & we meet some interesting characters along the way.
   
   As for Greg's question, I love your answer.
   HP helped give you confidence.
   
   It has done that for me also and the wonderful group of Writers I have met is so worthwhile.
   
   I hope you're right about Covid and 2022, but the numbers around my little piece of heaven are skyrocketing.
   
   We are a strong bunch though.
   
   Great article as always...so glad you will still be here now & then.

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      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Brenda!  You just reminded me that I haven't read anything by King in a long, long time. I need to rectify that.
      
      Happy New Year!  Better times are ahead of us, my friend.

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   bdegiulioposted 2 years ago

   A great mailbag, Bill.  I would also recommend HP if someone asked.  It’s been a wonderful journey for me so far and despite the ups and downs I will continue to be here in some form for the foreseeable future.  Have you had a chance to test out that drone yet?

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   1. 87

      billybucposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      They can't keep a good man down, Bill! Glad you plan to stay with HP for the future. I would miss you.  The drone hasn't been delivered yet, but you can be certain I will write about that first flight.  Take care, buddy, and Happy Tuesday to you.

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    MizBejabbersposted 2 years ago

    Thanks, Pamela, for sharing the link to Bill's latest mailbag.
    Bill, I actually had time to sit down this week and read the mailbag. Now I need to go back and read the last one I think I missed. I particularly enjoyed the question of why people read fiction. Escapism is exactly why I read fiction and historical novels. Of course my favorite is fantasy and science fiction. I've said this many times on HP. I am very easily bored by novels that take place within our own time period. Since I read for escapism, I want tales that take me away! It doesn't matter where -- to the future, to the past, or to another world. I probably read Bruce Catton's Civil War series. As a teenager, I read every Civil War story I could get my hands on because I was fascinated by the antebellum. Now I'm more fascinated by the future but still held spellbound by tales from the past.
    I didn't misinterpret your original explanation of where life is about to take you. I'm glad for you because you will probably be provided with more great material to write your tales. Bon Voyage, my friend.

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