It’s All About The People, Online Writing Site Connections
Writing sites such as Triond allow writers to express their thoughts and knowledge and gain world wide readership. However, they have another important role in making the world a smaller place. Read on to find out why I treasure my online writing contacts.
If there is one thing the internet has done, it is make the world a smaller place. By writing here on Triond alone, I have made online friends with many wonderful people, whom I doubt I’ll ever meet in person. It’s not only writing sites that enable you to make online connections, but also the many social media sites. However, it is through online writing sites such as Triond that I have received the most pleasure and met the most interesting people.
From time to time – well, if I’m honest, perhaps often – you come across people on writing sites who moan about the money they are earning for their writing efforts. I agree, the money earned writing content for online sites is appalling. To the people who want to make money through writing, I say submit your work to print publications where they pay real money for published work. Many online writers would fail to make the grade. In many years of writing I had only one piece picked up by a magazine and eventually gave up.
But, a writer is a writer, and loves to write no matter what. I have come to love the writing I do online, which is only part of my writing life. I’ve met some incredibly interesting people from all walks of life, living in many corners of the world. I even met two wonderful Triond writers on a trip to Singapore last year. Because of the interaction I’d had with them on Triond before the trip, I felt I already knew them. You can read all about this meeting in my article, Mothers Day, Wedding Anniversary and Triond Writers in Singapore.
There are many others with whom I have established e-mail contact or regular messaging. If I was to name them, I would be in fear of leaving out someone and hurting their feelings. But I will say, there are people scattered throughout the world whom I would love to meet, if ever I had the funds to travel widely. I feel I know these people, even though we’ve never met.
When I was a child I was a regular writer of letters to penfriends. At one stage my parents had to extend my weekly allowance, so I could afford all the postage stamps for my world wide communications. Writing here on Triond brought back these memories, and can be read about in Writing Letters to Penfriends. My first penfriend lived in Seattle and I often think how wonderful it would be to make contact with her again. Maybe someone reading this will think, yes, I know this person, Trying to Locate Penfriend Nancy Peasley, Seattle 1959. I guess my interest in writing and making contact with others started way back in 1959, when I started writing to penfriends, was the beginning of my interest in writing and reaching out to others.
To those writers who worry about the payment they receive from online writing, I suggest you put those matters to the back of your mind. Think about all the other benefits you receive for writing for sites such as Triond. You get almost instant guaranteed publication, so that others can read your thoughts and make connections if they so desire. You make like minded writing friends and there are certainly many to choose from. And you never stop learning about the lives of ordinary people all around the world.
For me, these are reasons enough to express my thoughts here on Triond and other sites, as they pop into my head. Money is said to make the world go round, but I believe being in touch with international friends is what makes the world a smaller place. After all, money isn’t everything. I have a funny feeling I shall enjoy my online writing life until I can no longer do it. Hopefully you will too.
Other articles by Val Mills:
Handwriting: Past, Present and Future
The Dying Art of Saying Please and Thank You
If you love writing, love meeting other writers, and would like to share your thoughts and make a few extra cents, click here to become part of the Triond writing community.
Liked it
Click the icon to the left to subscribe to Writinghood with your favorite RSS reader.
- Write, Publish and Earn -a Review
- No Likes No Comments No Talks No Existence
- What Appeals to Your Readers? What Content are They Looking for?
- Review of The Book - The Long Walk - by Slavonir Rawicz
- Lack of Inspiration
- I Felt Sad and Didn’t Want My Boyfriend to Leave Me
- Maximizing My Online Profits
- Jamaican Mum in Business: Scam Free Ways to Make Money Online!
- Top Taxing Tips for a Freelancer
- Legend Corpse Runs in Tanah Toraja, Indonesia
August 18th, 2012 at 12:08 am
A lot of truth in that, so thanks, Val.
As someone who does write for a living, it’s still not all about the money. If that were the case, I probably would write at Triond, but I enjoy the site and some of the people too much to leave for good.
August 18th, 2012 at 2:00 am
Very true, it is good to read and be read in Triond. Thanks for a nice post Val!
August 18th, 2012 at 2:09 am
Well said Val, the friendship is great and I really think without it, a lot of people would not bother to write.
I too have many friends around the world although I am not as lucky as you Val as I haven’t met any of them as yet.
August 18th, 2012 at 2:20 am
Being able to get your writings noticed, critiqued and commended amongst the peers and actually do some good is most important to me. Money is the last thing that enters my mind when I write, I love structure and a good pastime and to think that something big can happen, regardless.
August 18th, 2012 at 3:41 am
I totally agree Val. You’re an online writing friend of mine for years now. Its lovely to me to get others opinions of the world around them. The money aspect I have aired my views many times it is appalling as you say. I have three Amazon Kindle books published they do earn money however not in the league of a paper copy via an agent. That fact will never change we all want to be published and rich but Triond and other sites do fill a vacuum. Take care LB
August 18th, 2012 at 6:44 am
Val, I never was in this for money but to share thoughts and to be read. Making world wide friends is my true bonus and blessing. Thanks for the article dear friend.
August 18th, 2012 at 11:47 am
Val, I couldn’t agree with you more, I have made some wonderful friends here on Triond, my friend. I was never in it for the money, for me it has always been about enjoying the writings of others and being read
.
August 18th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
very good share of your thoughts again, Val.
So excited, when you mentioned about your last year Singapore trip again, This special feeling, money can never buy. When recall it, feel so sweet, how nice, we really made it happen, to meet by person, will there be another time in our life time? I really cherished it.
August 18th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Star, it will definitely happen again! There is so much we never had a chance to see and do. And since we spent Mothers Day with you, you’re part of our extended family, remember
August 18th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Thanks Val. Yes, you and Sharif are like family members to me other than Trionder friends, though three of us are of difference races and having different cultures, but fate bring us all together and even meet in person other than communicate via comments online. I’m proud of us.
August 19th, 2012 at 12:09 am
True. A writer is always a writer no matter what. While some online writers do it for the money others do it because its their passion. Money is only a secondary objective.
August 19th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Well said Val. Unlike some, you clearly have your priorities right. A People thing indeed. The Writing Community.
August 19th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
I agree, I have made so many new friends here. I feel as it I know them all and really I have never even met them. Like you this is one of the many reasons I stay here.
August 19th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Val, I agree with you, if you’re writing for money this isn’t the place for you, but to get your writing out and make wonderful friends from all over, this is the perfect place. If I were doing it for money, I certainly wouldn’t be here. I have had a few things published, but I didn’t meet any interesting people or make any friends. I wouldn’t take anything for the friends I have made here, although as you say, I will probably never meet them. I still feel as if I know them.
August 21st, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I understand what you are saying Val but for some who complain about the little pay could be doing so because they have families to support and need some sort of income. It is certain that the economy is in such a bad state and many are losing their jobs, so it maybe hard for a writer not to complain a little. I love writing but wish I earned a little more because I have five children and let’s face it we have to survive. Thanks for your shared article!
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:04 am
A wonderful read and here’s to so many more to share.
I am also interested in the links you have to other posts of yours.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I agree, I have made many wonderful friends here. It’s a wonderful place to get your articles published.
August 24th, 2012 at 6:14 am
I fully agree with you. I have made so many friends on Triond and have carried on the friendships on Facebook. Writing for Triond has also given me so much confidence and it has always surprised me that anyone wanted to read my poetry.
October 3rd, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Nice article and thanks for share