Is Bubblews the World's Largest Social Experiment?

I think I’ve figured out what Bubblews is really about.  If I am right, it’s actually a gigantic social experiment.  Where else can you connect with people all around the world as they share big and little stories about their lives and customs, families, and all the large and small details that make them real people?

I have always believed that if ordinary people around the world could talk directly to one another, we would find that we are all actually much alike.  Everyone wants enough food, a safe place to raise his or her family, and the ability to meet basic needs.  The Bubblews platform seems deliberately designed to try to meet the need for understanding among people of all cultures and social positions.  Without leaving the website, I have read stories about people living in Asia, Canada, South America, Europe and the Pacific Islands.  Some of these stories are well written, others struggle to express themselves.  Nearly all contain some little gem of knowledge or insight about the people who wrote them.

The only real downside to the site is that if you happen to violate one of their rules in a single article, you will be denied payment on your entire payout.  Hopefully, Bubblews will find a way to remedy that situation so that a writer is not penalized on their entire output for making a mistake on a single article.

It also doesn’t hurt that the site is one of the best-paying of its kind that I have run across.  It is going through some serious growing pains at the moment, so there are times when it is not possible to log in.  But in my opinion, it’s definitely worth the wait.

Whether this “social experiment” is intentional or not, I believe it is happening at Bubblews.  For this reason, if for no other, I will continue to support the site.

The Renegade Writer

I just stumbled across this website today and I’m impressed.  The Renegade Writer is actually two writers with a lot to say about writing professionally.  Together they’ve created more than a thousand blog posts, many of which contained information I either didn’t know or wish I had known earlier. 

One article in particular could be useful to any budding writer.  Do you think you have to begin your writing day in the morning, just like a “real” job?  You may be wrong.  Just as some of us are night people, or day people, one of the keys to writing successfully is to find out when you can be most productive.  There’s a world of difference in your quality and production when you find the right time to sit down at your computer.  This article goes in depth on finding your ideal time to write, and what might be blocking you.

No matter what you might want to investigate as a writer, I suspect there’s a post here that will give you new insight into the process, and the timing, of writing.  Plan on spending a substantial amount of time here.  Both beginners and experienced writers will find something of interest.

The website is here:

Thinking About Writing a Book?

Here’s a writing website you need to spend some time on.  There’s more here than meets the eye when you first visit, so be prepared to take your time and explore some of the side roads he has built into it. 

Author Scott Berkun pulls no punches in explaining the realities of writing a book to hopeful authors.  And some of his observations, while obvious, are still surprising when you first read them.  But it is all based on his experience and a good dose of common sense. 

Scott’s advice will help you start your first (or next) book, and then goes on to help you with “what’s next?”  

You’ll also find his blog entertaining.  And don’t miss the comments.  Some of them also contain some very useful information.  His website is here:

I Just Found This Great Website

Here’s my new must-see blog by fellow Coloradan Renée Pawlish. I’m recommending it for several reasons. First, her blog is a near-perfect example of what a writer’s website should look like. Second, her content is informative. For example, her latest post (as of June 4, 2013) is a well presented look at what she believes the future of indie publishing will look like in 2014.

In case you can’t quite place her, Renée is a bestselling author (Nephilim Genesis of Evil) and the Reed Ferguson mystery series. She’s a versatile writer who is comfortable with novels, short stories and non-fiction.

If I were you, I’d take a minute to visit her website. Take a look at how she has set it up. It may provide an excellent example for you to follow in setting up your own website. Then take a look at her content. She really delivers.

A New Website Just for Non-Fiction Writers

I’ve been waiting for this. Stephanie Chandler has launched a new website just for non-fiction writers. It’s called "Non-Fiction Writers Association" and I joined it as soon as I found out it had launched on June 7. 2013. As of this writing, at least 56 writers have joined the site.

Stephanie rightly points out that marketing non-fiction books and stories is different than marketing fiction. She has published eight non-fiction pieces herself and knows what those differences are.

Unfortunately, most of the goodies are only available if you upgrade your membership, which costs $19.00 a month or $190.00 for a year. These include the ability to access the forums, downloads, and the other stuff. But you do get access to webinars presented by experts on marketing, branding, and other business-related aspects of publishing. And you get to post your listing in the website’s directory for free.

It’s a little too early to tell whether a paid membership will provide enough benefits to be worth the price. But non-fiction author/publishers should definitely check out this website.

Check Out freelancewriting.com

Whether you specialize in ebooks, magazine articles, or work for content provider sites, this website is a great resource. You can find information on writing contests (including both print and screenwriting contests), writer’s guidelines, print markets, and much more. There’s information here I’ve not seen on other sites. It also features regularly updated market information.

This site also has a load of free ebooks to help you in your writing career. Some of the topics include time management, comedy writing, organizing your home office, and much more, including a short book by H. P. Lovecraft on writing weird fiction. The ebooks are here

It might also pay you to sign up for their newsletter. And be sure to check out their informative articles on writing and the writing business. Go here for their main page

Blogs You Should Check Out (Besides Mine, of Course)

I ran across several great blogs by and for writers over the last week. These two in particular caught my attention.

The first one is called "The Passive Voice." It’s an absolutely gigantic blog packed with information and news about the publishing industry, writers, his own experience and observations, and advice to both newbies and experienced writers. I’ve bookmarked the site so I can go back and visit it. If I hadn’t, I’d still be there and this post would not have been written. Go here to start, and plan on staying around for awhile.

Maureen Fisher’s blog is titled "Sassy Romance." It’s full of fun stuff, including her six-sentence Sundays, which make delightful reading. She also provides lots of practical advice for indie writer/publishers, including a valuable little article on how to tweet effectively. I was first drawn to her website by an entry about writing sex scenes, complete with a great example of a tasteful, well-written scene. Maureen’s blog is entertaining, informative, and downright fun.

And here it is:

One Way to Write an Article or Story

Several years ago I wrote an article about one way to write an article. (That sure sounds redundant.) At any rate, I recently took a look at it, and I think it has some nuggets that may be valuable to some of you. I’m not going to repeat the entire article here since it’s a little long for a blog, but here’s a link.

I don’t always follow my own advice, but when I get stuck on an article or story, the method I outline here usually gets me going again. Hopefully there will be a few tidbits that you can make use of.