Writing is Hard Work
I have gotten really spoiled since I began to write so much at Bubblews and here on Persona Paper. MyLot is even easier. That kind of writing for too long a time can make one lazy.
When I first started writing online I worked much harder. I tried to make Squidoo lenses that were little masterpieces. They didn't look half as beautiful when they were converted to hubs on HubPages . Both sites required work, though. They required a lot more than four or five hundred characters. They required not just words, but photos and maps and all the media one could pack in. It's still a lot of work to write a hub. It's also a lot of work to write a decent blog post. My City Daily Photo Blog is more like a Persona Paper post in length and once I have my photo edited it's easy to knock out.
The book reviews are much harder. The review I wrote this afternoon was over 2100 words. I had to revise and revise and revise and I’m still not 100% happy with it. I doubt if any writer is always 100% happy with his or her work. There is always something to improve.
What do you think is the hardest part of writing ?
Image Credit » Created on Share as image, CCO license: https://shareasimage.com/i/63041244
Comments
Paulie wrote on August 15, 2015, 12:43 AM
I am now writing on Hubpages, myLot, and Persona Paper. Hubpages has been the most work because as you said you have to have a longer article which is often researched and includes a lot of media. Researching an article seems to be the hardest part for me.
cheri wrote on August 15, 2015, 1:29 AM
I have 4 writing sites under my belt and its really hard to keep up with them
MegL wrote on August 15, 2015, 2:11 AM
I agree with many of your points, probably all. What I find about PP, though, is that it got me started back into writing after the effort involved in creating HubPages and the annoyance at Squidoo closing down had put me off. Better to write a little than not at all.
AdGoggleKo wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:25 AM
I am only writing on 2 sites -- here and on bitLanders. I like the design of both sites but I earn more on bitLanders. :)
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:32 AM
For me it is condensing the research and deciding what to use and what to throw out.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:33 AM
It' really hard to keep up with several sites, especially when they keep changing their requirements and policies. That's why I prefer my own blogs where, expect for Google's rules, I can make my own rules.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:35 AM
True. I still can't get back into writing hubs.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:36 AM
I have never heard of BitLanders. But I don't want to be paid with Bitcoin. I will leave that site for the next generation.
Paulie wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:36 AM
Yes, condensing research and knowing what to use is also sometimes difficult and time consuming.
bestwriter wrote on August 15, 2015, 5:09 AM
That is my problem too. Now I find it difficult to write for iwriter. I have not gone there for months as there I have to write 400 wods and there is a time limit. I just cannot do it.
CalmGemini wrote on August 15, 2015, 5:37 AM
I think difficulty for many is not in writing long articles but trimming them including what is needed and discarding what is unnecessary.
frankie2015 wrote on August 15, 2015, 9:40 AM
Good morning everybody. After reading your article and its accompanying comments, I will have to agree with everybody. The trimming and weeding of an article is hard to do. But for me there is an additional problem. First off, I do not have that much to say or to express. I lead a very sedentary and boring life. I also rarely give out my opinion. But one of my greatest fault is a total lack of imagination except when it comes to crafting with my fingers and hands and textiles. But on the other hand, I really love and enjoy research. I can research any subject and I can delve deeply into them, whether on historical events, on technological or medical new advances etc. Thus in this vein, I really enjoy Persona Paper. I research the articles, read the comments and then comment on the whole picture. I must say and admit that by doing so, I am also learning and I hope improving my writing craft. Thank you for giving me the opportunity of commenting on your post.
msiduri wrote on August 15, 2015, 9:45 AM
Examiner, no question. The length requirement isn't hard. I tend to blab anyway, but they require media and internal and external link. But when I know I've got a good review up, I feel mighty fine. Just not rich or anything.
cmoneyspinner wrote on August 15, 2015, 12:33 PM
Writing isn't hard unless the instructions are to think of a specific subject and write on it. All of a sudden writer's block kicks in and my hands freeze! But if it's freestyle writing – typing up whatever comes to mind - that's easy! Sites like PersonaPaper, MyLot, etc. help me think and help improve my writing skills. Sites like HUBPages, etc. improve your writing also but finesse your presentation skills for formal articles. All these sites have added value to my freelance writing efforts and I'm glad they exist.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:15 PM
I've never belonged to iwriter, but I can usually crank out 400 words pretty easily.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:16 PM
Exactly. Also finding a more precise way to convey a thought. It's easy to be wordy, and much harder to be precise.
1BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:21 PM
Perhpas you should write crafting tutorials or show pictures of your finished projects with some explanations of materials and techniques you used. You also might browse the photos on Pixabay and look for one that inspires you to write something about it. I appreciate your comment.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:22 PM
I'm not familiar with Examiner.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 3:24 PM
I, too, am glad we have lots of choices and lots of sites with differing requirements.
1shaggin83 wrote on August 15, 2015, 4:20 PM
I have been so busy out doing things with the kids that I havent had time to write. When I get home I am to tired and I always tell myself I will write the next day but then we are out and busy again. Today we are home because the kids are having a lemonade stand / yard sale so I am getting caught up on my bill paying and online point earning sites.
BarbRad wrote on August 15, 2015, 4:30 PM
I'm glad you were out making memories with your kids. That's much more important than writing.
msiduri wrote on August 15, 2015, 4:33 PM
It's format it like a newspaper.
CoralLevang wrote on August 15, 2015, 4:59 PM
I do not write quickly, as I constantly check and recheck my work. I regurgitate things on paper, then have to go back and am constantly in edit mode, even days after I have submitted it. That is a struggle for me, because of deadlines.
CoralLevang wrote on August 15, 2015, 5:00 PM
I agree. It allows me to write, a little or a lot. People being here gives me accountability, and because it's about community, I do not feel judgment.
MariaMontgomery wrote on August 15, 2015, 5:09 PM
For articles, the hardest (i.e., the most time-consuming) part is the research. My problems with length vary depending on the topic. Some I have trouble getting enough words. Others, I have trouble because I can go on and on, and on some more. I'm not familiar with MyLot or iwriter. One problem I have with PP is that it often makes words appear as if I did not put a space between them, and that whenever I edit an existing article, the intro photo disappears. I've tried HP, but have been slowly building websites and moving hubs (former lenses) there. I have 2 published sites/blogs, and 3 others that I am building. Glad to know I'm not the only one struggling at times.
MegL wrote on August 15, 2015, 5:26 PM
AdGoggleKo What does bitlanders do? It says it is a gaming site and then it says you donate to charity? Not sure what it's actually about? Is it a writing site? Do you earn or do you just fund charities?
DanieGirl8587 wrote on August 15, 2015, 7:03 PM
I am never completely happy with what I write, but I usually go with my gut in the end.
When I joined Bubblews, I actually did try putting in effort for my articles. When my account got deleted, I got so pissed that all my hard work went to complete waste! So now I do enjoy easier and lazier writing.
When I have inspiration, I do try to work on my stories that I have started.
I have looked at HubPages and am just not sure it's for me. It really does look like a lot of research is done which is really great, but so time consuming. Plus I wasn't too keen on the lay out.
I am happy over here and at MyLot.
bestwriter wrote on August 15, 2015, 9:15 PM
You can earn well at iwriter. Just try it.
Shellyann36 wrote on August 15, 2015, 10:34 PM
I am sticking with PP and myLot. The hardest thing for me is coming up with something to write and then getting my thought process in line and thoughts down correctly,
1BarbRad wrote on August 16, 2015, 2:13 AM
Sounds like we both do a lot of editing. Fortunately, my only deadlines are for my daily blog and my Tuesday contribution for Review This.
BarbRad wrote on August 16, 2015, 2:15 AM
I think many former Squids are moving in the direction of their own sites. It's the only way one can maintain control.
BarbRad wrote on August 16, 2015, 2:16 AM
I'm glad you are happy here. HubPages really is a lot more work for the return on investment, I think.
BarbRad wrote on August 16, 2015, 2:18 AM
i don't have too much problem with ideas for here and for myLot, but I sure had a tough time getting even a few words together for my blog tonight. I need to take more photo walks for fresh material and I just can't do them right now.
CalmGemini wrote on August 16, 2015, 3:15 AM
I agree with BarbRad .Do think about her suggestion and start writing such craft tutorials.
AliCanary wrote on August 17, 2015, 11:17 PM
I think its hard to do consistently, for one. I agree that writing for sites like Persona Paper is much easier, because it's okay to write something short, it can just be personal musings instead of some heavily-researched, SEO-concentrated article, and there are no deadlines!
BarbRad wrote on August 19, 2015, 1:19 AM
Consistency is hard. Some days I just don't want to write. I'd rather be doing real-world chores or reading or having lunch with someone. It's really hard to make myself write something that takes discipline and research.
valmnz wrote on September 8, 2015, 5:24 PM
He hardest part of longer writing, other than getting started, is actually the editing. I do spend quote a bit of time and work through several drafts before I'm satisfied. As you say, quite unlike throwing pieces together here.
BarbRad wrote on September 10, 2015, 3:34 AM
I try to proofread whatever I publish, but sometimes do miss hitting the shift key for the 'i' or some other letter that should be capitalized.