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John,

Using Blogit 'for our own purposes' is the smartest move we can all make. That was not an invitation for you to move along.  Like yourself, I find that Blogit is good as an editing tool. The instant feedback is good and with editing, first drafts become really good articles. 

Seriously though, I've noticed that people who are very focused on advancing their writing do not stay for long. I don't know if it's a conscious decision to cut away all potential time wasting activities or perhaps the result of a financial pinch. Both are good reasons for not staying on.

 

posted by word.smith on July 9, 2005 at 2:39 PM | link to this | reply

Malcolm,

You have that right. Just today I was going through my old blogs that I have taken down. I was amazed at the amount of material I have to be formed into articles.  

 

posted by word.smith on July 9, 2005 at 2:32 PM | link to this | reply

word

I liked Hemlock's comment and your reply, word.  I don't think I would or could try to change Blogit.  It is what it is, and it is up to us to use it for our own purposes.  You made me wince with the 'serious writers don't stay long,' comment.  Perhaps it is time to move on when my membership expires next month.

On the other hand, I use Blogit as an editing tool.

posted by johnmacnab on July 9, 2005 at 7:03 AM | link to this | reply

It helps

that there is a place to express yourself - perhaps in an articulate way but which would still be unsaleable to a wider audience in whatever medium. Anything that helps us to move work is good but I do think Blogit provides a writing platform. I enjoy the addiction and find that sometimes you have to write and write before the good stuff comes out that you can use elsewhere - as the surrealists discovered; in which case Blogit is already part of the process.

posted by malcolm on July 9, 2005 at 6:10 AM | link to this | reply

Sassy,

You couldn't be 'righter' about how time consuming the writing/submission process can be, especially if time has to be taken to surf for gigs and that definitely has to be done.  Those links would be an excellent idea because people who hope to be published are always looking for that break that will get them started.

posted by word.smith on July 8, 2005 at 6:22 PM | link to this | reply

Quirky,

I don't disagree with the fact that seeds for articles/stories are planted by posts that we put up, however, making the rounds is something that does take up a lot of time. When I do that,  I move from one post to another, one interesting name or comment leads to another new read and before I know it, I've been on here for ages.  This is particularly alarming when I told myself I'd only be here for a few minutes. 

The ideas are still brewing.

posted by word.smith on July 8, 2005 at 6:18 PM | link to this | reply

Original, you have struck a good balance it seems.

Being here all the time sure ain't healthy.

posted by word.smith on July 8, 2005 at 6:13 PM | link to this | reply

Many of us are published writers

and we to further that by generating a decent income. I have had many bloggers ask me about various topics. The biggest request has been about breaking into online paying ezines, and where one would go for this. It is all over the web if you take the time to research. Many want the quick answer, and it can't always work that way. Writing in itself is not work, getting it to sell is. Maybe Blogit could offer a few links to free sites that will get beginning writers started. I have had to do everything myself, and it is time consuming, but worth it in the end.

posted by Sherri_G on July 8, 2005 at 7:21 AM | link to this | reply

word.smith,

I can't say I have some "great idea" for a new thing to try, but if something were proposed that interested me, I would participate. However I must respectfully disagree with what you said:

If you presently earn a living solely  from writing, then Blogit's the wrong place to be, it's addictive, time consuming and a lot of time is wasted that could be used to write stories/article for publication.

I have made a living as a full-time writer for several decades, and though I will admit Blogit is addictive and CAN BE a time waster, for me it is a place to express myself outside of the writing I do for money. I play when I feel like it, with humor posts for instance...or I explore soul-evolving issues like I am presently doing. Each of the posts I'm writing about my brother will be used in some fashion in my book about it...so they are all like a first step. But...do tell us more about the ideas that are forming, I'm interested!

posted by Julia. on July 7, 2005 at 9:37 PM | link to this | reply

I am not sure how to answer this....I know that I find myself spending less time here in the nicer weather....

posted by Original_Influence on July 7, 2005 at 7:45 PM | link to this | reply

Okay, will send in a Mo.

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 6:14 PM | link to this | reply

Hi word

Have changed my address to the new one.you can send it now.Looking forward to your mail.

posted by Meringue on July 7, 2005 at 6:13 PM | link to this | reply

Hi MayB,

I can't argue much with that. We make our choices as to what we're about. Good to see you again.

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 6:13 PM | link to this | reply

Meringue, you're welcome.

I'll send when I get the address.

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 6:08 PM | link to this | reply

I think it best to focus less on what Blogit is and isn't and more on writing and reading.

posted by Azur on July 7, 2005 at 6:07 PM | link to this | reply

Word, we seem to be on the same page here.

I am sending you my new e-mail,as the old one does not seem to be working and you can send the material on it.Thanks so much

posted by Meringue on July 7, 2005 at 5:53 PM | link to this | reply

Anna, that is one of the positives about writing at Blogit.

The potential for posts to grow into articles.  There is nothing wrong with what you do. Some of the stuff I write eventually become articles, so too the questions I ask here. It is very easy to become sidetracked into the all fun and games side of Blogit. I'[m hoping that something can come of an idea that has so far been proposed by two members. I'm waiting for feedback from one of them and then I'll do a post.

 

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 11:39 AM | link to this | reply

((articles))

posted by SincerityAnna on July 7, 2005 at 11:29 AM | link to this | reply

Word,

I am finding that my Blogit posts can easily grow into articals...gives me that spark I need to get them started...

posted by SincerityAnna on July 7, 2005 at 11:27 AM | link to this | reply

Word / Hemlocker...

Hemlocker is right on to a point...but hey, I write about parenting / marriage self-help stuff as a genere...it's just what I do, and what I sell...so, there are many different ways to look at it... I'd like to see...well, I don't know what I'd like to see happen to Blogit...a change for the better would be nice though...can't wait to see what you have in mind, Word...

posted by SincerityAnna on July 7, 2005 at 11:26 AM | link to this | reply

Hemlocker,

Disenchantment sets in early for those who come thinking that Blogit is solely a 'marketplace for writers'. It is marketed as such, you can't really know for sure that it isn't until you pay to come inside. Efforts to get folks motivated to write get little attention and are eventually discontinued. We tried that with the Blogit Review and that was shortlived. The commitment seems to be a killer. A few of us are starting with it again and we'll see where that goes.

If you presently earn a living solely  from writing, then Blogit's the wrong place to be, it's addictive, time consuming and a lot of time is wasted that could be used to write stories/article for publication.  

The competition for clicks is another story. It encourages sensationalism, rather than a display of writing skills. I don't think it's impossible to have focused writing activity here, it's just that most folks are plain uninterested in that.  I'm still here because I use it as an avenue for critiques - and I know some people here are very good at that and it's also a fun place to be.  Writers who are very serious and totally focused on getting ahead and improving their writing, generally do not stay for long.

 

 

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 11:23 AM | link to this | reply

What is Blogit?

I don't think Blogit really knows what it is, word.smith. I came here to write, to have my writing juices stimulated. That is happening, but perhaps not in the way I had hoped. For many years I did write in my journal, and have untold volumes of that, but I pretty much gave up hope when it came to writing anything else. I introduced myself to Blogit with two thoughtfully descriptive but sort of impersonal pieces which few people read and no-one commented upon. Meanwhile, I noticed that Blogit encourages competition for "clicks" and many people use various devices to troll for them. After a while it seems that how high your numbers are and how many people are stroking you becomes the main objective rather than how am I improving as a writer. Many--not all--of the more popular blogs seem to deal in everyday sorts of problems and experiences like too much sex, not enough sex, problems and joys of raising children, what's going on between you and your spouse, how do your relationships affect your life, what kind of fun trips have you taken? How often do you have sex and so forth and so forth. Most of these blogs really become chat rooms occupied by people of like mind doing cyber-socializing--hardly a "marketplace for writers." Other bloggers argue with each other over political and religious issues, again, mostly of the chat room genre, sometimes bolstered by "on message" "talking points" of whatever position the blogger wants to advance. Some people seem to thrive on argumentation and debate, and are always trying to push other people's buttons. Many people write poetry, most of it in the novice or apprentice stage. Some of it is pretty good, some promising, some dreadful, yet true and honest feedback and criticism is rarely seen. Oh hell, I don't want to offer a dissertation here. I am confused, don't really know what my future on Blogit can or will be. Hemlocker

posted by Hemlocker on July 7, 2005 at 11:05 AM | link to this | reply

David,

Blogit seems to be where we all play.  A couple of people here have come up with what I think is a great idea. More on that later, but I'm looking for ways to keep myself motivated to write, because truthfully half the time I don't write anything until I start feeling really guilty about having not written anything at all for ages.   Stay tuned.

 

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 10:53 AM | link to this | reply

Passion, yeah I do,

however, we are safe where we live. We live on the southern end of the island and Dennis is coming in from the North and will travel along the North Coast.  Thanks for your concern, Passion. Seems you will have more work to do within the next few weeks. 

posted by word.smith on July 7, 2005 at 10:48 AM | link to this | reply

I make no bones about it; I come here on Blogit to play!

But if there was a way for us to get together and work out something so that we can all contribute to become a better "writing" community, I'd be all for it. I'd really like to see some viable ways. I remember Kay-Ren tried something like a "circle-story" when I first arrived on Blogit, but it has obviously been long since forgotten.

I have said before that while I like having my fun here, it does really put a damper on my creative spirit; which really isn't helping me grow very much as a writer.

posted by David1Spirit on July 7, 2005 at 10:38 AM | link to this | reply

Wordsmith...don't you live in Jamaica?

Have you been evacuated? Jamaica is directly in the path of Hur Dennis.

posted by Passionflower on July 7, 2005 at 10:37 AM | link to this | reply