Online Writing: A Writer’s Purgatory or Heaven?
Most writers use online writing as a form of transitory station or purgatory towards better things to come. Online writing and publishing has liberalized what was in the past the sole preserve of a few members of the elite and therefore opened the doors to every Tom, Dick and Harry to try their hand at writing. Is it purgatory or heaven for you? Join the debate.
To most serious writers, writing articles and posting them online is never an end in itself. We all write for different reasons but whatever reasons guide us, whatever makes us write the way we do, online writing is some kind of purgatory for the writer, it is akin to the mythical cycles that the children of Israel made in the desert while looking for the shortest route to the Promised Land.
- Online writing should help a writer try and establish a niche – While many of us write on different issues everyday and probably have published on more than ten topics under the sun, online writing presents us with a unique opportunity of identifying what works for us and what does not. After writing a hundred or so articles, a smart online writer will be able to judge what he is good at. It may be one major field or a mixture of fields that together make his niche. What is your niche?
- Online writing offers a hitherto unavailable circle of critics – Writing is akin to social criticism. Online writing offers a unique opportunity for writers to subjectively and objectively assess situations affecting the world in which they live. Unlike traditional publishing that hides the written word and exposes it to a limited size of readership and for a fee, online writing presents a wider market that is eager to read and learn something new, be better informed or simply be entertained.
- Online writing offers ready interaction between the writer and his audience – Chances of a writer meeting closely knit group of his or her readers and exchanging ideas the published work are slimmer compared to those arising out of publishing online. You publish an article and gain a thousand views overnight out of which half may do the actual reading with 1% leaving comments which may be useful to the writing process. Isn’t this feedback more than important?
- Online writing helps cure a writer’s block – While the more serious forms of writing demand a lot from the creative side of an author, online writing makes it possible for a writer to stimulate his sense of creativity by at least jotting down a few words once upon a time while waiting for the ever elusive muse to strike again.
- Online writing presents a unique form of exercise for the serious writer – You can not write a page or two of your novel or textbook everyday, you can not religiously write continuously without a break that features proofreading, revision and or reorganization of available material. Online writing offers a form of writing to the more serious writer to remain creative while at the same time pausing from serious writing.
Therefore, is online writing a kind of purgatory for the serious writer or is it heaven in itself? It all depends on how individual writers look at it. Those who have been able to make a living out of online writing will probably lean towards the celestial view while the more serious writers who favor the traditional form of writing and publishing will continue looking at it as some form of purgatory, a transitory station towards the heaven of serious writing. Whether celestial or purgatorial, it holds the key to the future of publishing.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
it’s a kind of purgatory, lol
August 26th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
For me it’s all of the above. I particularly like No 3, the ready interaction between reader and writer I like the way you’ve presented these ideas, helping us consider why we write.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
A very well-written and presented article. You covered all the different reasons why online writing feels like heaven.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Lots of good points. I don’t write for print magazines at all anymore. It’s way too much trouble and too little reward.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I would chose heaven. If there was no online writing, I would never publish anything. Market is too small in my country and most publishers publish only already established authors. Others publish those with thick wallet, rich parents or just their friends or friend’s children (case of most young authors published thanks to money from grants).
August 26th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I actually enjoyed this entry great write good entry
August 26th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Brilliant entry. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
August 26th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
A little of both…. I started writing online to test the waters and find out if I had an audience. Now it gives me something to do when I get frustrated in editing my upcoming (hopefully soon) book.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
great article…..
August 26th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I just like to write.
August 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Excellent article! I wouldn’t expect anything else from you.
August 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Excellent article! I wouldn\’t expect anything else from you.
August 26th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
For me, it’s both.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
absolutely heaven for me
August 26th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Online writing is what you make it and I choose to make it fun. I enjoy it and I guess that all that really matters, to me anyway.
August 26th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
It’s a little of both for me. I want to get an article on almost every day but I also have other things I want to do. I enjoy writing about anything I’m interested in. That’s fun, but when I have to look for something to write about it’s a chore. So it’s both ways.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Great share.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I never thought of it that way. For me I guess its both.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
It is depend on the writer themselves
August 26th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
it is what you make it.. if it becomes too much of a chore.. dont do it –
as far as commenting goes it is exhausting sometimes feeling like you have to comment when sometimes after reading you really dont know what to say except something redundant like “good job, or neat info”.
August 26th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Very inspiring. It’s both for me. Thanks for sharing.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Good Work
August 26th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Great writers also sometimes write ordinary and by the same logic even an ordinary man can sometimes write a page or two of great value.Online writing can fish out these treasures .
August 26th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Great Stuff
August 27th, 2010 at 12:47 am
It is not an end in itself for me, though at first it may seem like a journey in the dessert until you can find the promised land. It has done me more good as the habit becomes more regular.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:14 am
I have to say it’s both, points 1-3 are well taken.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:39 am
It’s what you make of it.
Good points.
Best,
Inna
August 27th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Heaven for me.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:50 am
very well post.
August 27th, 2010 at 9:00 am
it really purgatory
August 27th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Liked your article ya. Thanks much for sharing ! It indeed is a morale booster for the online writers.
Cheers
Binnicap
August 27th, 2010 at 9:22 am
It is purgatory when writing is your hobby.But it is life and death for those who thrive on it.Thanks for sharing.
August 27th, 2010 at 9:48 am
For myself its a bit of a cursed thing, I can come up with ideas but getting them formulated is tough, then sometimes I find myself getting into silly debates particularly when I write something on religion.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Nice post
August 27th, 2010 at 10:35 am
A bit of both.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:52 am
very well said, Jimmy.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Traditional writing does not have such huge exposure like online writing. Due to the fact as you mentioned there is an interaction between the reader and writer online.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
This is a very informative and inspiring article, Jimmy!
I\’m not usually one to criticize others and reacted to just one of your articles, you know which one. But articles of this nature belong on the Hot Content list because it is very good.
A friend of mine turned me onto Triond and I was never so grateful. I consider this a heck of a learning place and one never knows what can happen. All of us know we won\’t get rich at tTriond, but those who love to write usually do so just because they have the love of writing, and like B says, if it\’s a chore, don\’t do it!
Best regards from me!
August 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
great point it can be both for me.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
It would be nice if I could earn a living from writing. I will continue to learn from reading instructive articles like this one.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Thank you for all your warmth and kindness.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Purgatory when I run out of time and Heaven when I have a lot
your article throws light on all sides of online writing
August 28th, 2010 at 1:00 am
A very well presented article. It was gr8 reading your article.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:42 am
A very good article
August 28th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I really enjoyed it.Great post!
August 28th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Top notch Jimmy great piece cheers
August 28th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Online writing is a haven to everyone who wish to write. You may be good at it or you may not be, but somehow, with patience, you’d gain readers who will read what you have to write about. Great article, by the way.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Yup.. its truly is heaven when writing..
August 28th, 2010 at 11:35 am
An articulate article. I have to say without online publishing, even though the pay is not much. I really like that the feedback is usually so positive.
August 28th, 2010 at 11:41 am
I would never get my work published. It helps establish a portfolio too.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Depends on how the concerned writer sees it. If the means doesn’t justify the end then we have higher hopes for a heaven in writing.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
nice article
http://www.picable.com/Nature/Sunsets/Sunset.1577665 i like it(please)
August 28th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
There are time when I just feel like it’s a purgatory because it gives me, as I understood from what you said ” A detour” to the usual “serious” daily matter… And there are also times when I feel happy with it, so it also serves as a temporary heaven to me… great job!
August 29th, 2010 at 3:40 am
Another great write, Shilaho. I liked it.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Well said.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:07 am
nice article but needs speciality
August 29th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
If you get to heaven from Purgatory, then you were there all along.
August 29th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Good Article. Thanks for sharing.
August 29th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Great article. Thanks!
August 29th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
It is a great way to research what people want…or don’t. Thanks for the share!
August 29th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Thank you my friends.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Id say purgatory.. though now in the digital age where books are becoming less and less likely to be picked up and e books are being more likely bought. The winds are changing and for someone like me whos just starting its hard to find a solid foothold in the community especially if its more of a “popularity contest” via person and not quality.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Id say purgatory.. though now in the digital age where books are becoming less and less likely to be picked up and e books are being more likely bought. The winds are changing and for someone like me whos just starting its hard to find a solid foothold in the community especially if its more of a \\\”popularity contest\\\” via person and not quality.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Nice article. Very good points mentioned…Thanks for helping us…
August 30th, 2010 at 11:55 am
‘every day’ is two words. It always has been and probably always will be. If you’re giving writers advice, could you at least learn basic spelling, please?
August 31st, 2010 at 12:43 am
English isn’t my first language R.J Dent, I was taught that Everyday and every day are both acceptable, but again, this article was not meant to be advice of any sort, am glad you passed by even without reading it.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hey Guys I agree with this, to find out how to increase views check out my article with a step-by-step guide =) – http://writinghood.com/online-writing/view-for-view-how-we-as-a-community-in-triond-can-help-each-other/
August 31st, 2010 at 11:51 am
With regard to the every day, everyday argument I feel both versions can be used – in the right context. For example, a man might wear an ordinary, everyday shirt, and he might write
every day of the week.
You say that english isn’t your first language jimmy shilaho and I think you are to be congratulated on your mastery of it, but you don’t take well to any form of criticism do you?
August 31st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Excellent article. I am going to try and write on a variety of topics.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Observer, I like criticism but like anyone else we make simple mistakes. Why should somebody tell me to learn simple spelling because of one error out of a 500 word article?
August 31st, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Very interesting. The interaction between writer and reader is the most important and interesting aspect to me. I cannot improve as a writer without getting feedback and knowing what my reader thinks.
September 1st, 2010 at 2:24 am
Heaven i should say.
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September 1st, 2010 at 10:46 am
Excellent and lucid exposition. Purgatory or heaven? It’s both – gives you pleasure now and promises more in the next world.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:29 am
Nice Article. Good Work.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I whole heartedly agree with you.