| |
Why Marine Life? (Thoughts on Writing and Writing Sites)
Articles here and there on the topics of Themestream and Writtenbyme often bemoan the state of affairs (or lack thereof) at these and other online writing sites. For the most part I nod my head and say to myself, "Yup. Got a good point there." as I read them.
Articles here and there disparage those who choose to "publish" at the pay-per-click sites. To a large degree, I agree with those as well. I don't consider these click sites to be "publishing"--I reserve that label for real, true, paying, markets, which are generally, but not always, print markets with real editors, and a few self-publishing concerns. There are plenty of legit e-pubbing markets out there, as well, although times are tough at the moment and the real future of e-pubbing is still in the, er, future. My opinion only, of course.
What it comes down to for me when choosing a place to put up my work is, why do I write? I have no problem with that answer. I want to get published, yes (Go on, label me a slut!). But I want to get published in novel length romance writing. Writing romance is my first love; I have no qualms about telling anyone that, despite the erroneous label "bodice ripper" (now that's a whole 'nother topic/rant and you can read my "adults only" thoughts on that at http://members.tripod.com/fictionfix/extra2.html)
Unfortunately circumstances, not to mention plot points, have waylaid me far too often on the path to getting my three manuscripts into a publishable/marketable (please excuse the obscene reference to the business side of writing!) state. For a while there, I feared for my creative energy (Some might call it writer's block. That isn't my problem--mine is more like a "let's-get-started" block).
Mostly, however, I write because I need to; we probably all do, and most writers will say they'd do it for free (which is why we get into trouble with the teeny tiny advances and the mess-with-your-mind contracts and... well, that's a whole 'nother, 'nother topic). And I put my mini-works online because I want to share. Sharing doubles the joy, does it not?
Themestream was a place to scribble out quick, fun, essays and monologues and provided a place to share, thus encouraging the Muse. Although I didn't join TS to make money or to "get published", I belong to a large writers' organization that is strong in author advocacy. I therefore struggled with the issue of feeling as though I was selling out fellow writers by accepting squat-for-pay conditions. Accepting squat-for-pay conditions is rather worse than writing for free, after all. I was simply too lazy (or out of time) to hunt down other avenues of creative outlet/sharing. I read TS's eviction notice with a sense of relief, and for that same reason I've stopped submitting to the Vines and fully intend to move everything to Bob's Marine Life site.
Why?
Because Bob has created a community "of the writers, by the writers, for the writers".
At MarineLifeMag.com exist simply the joy of writing to share, and the peace of mind that comes with control of our works' rights (as much as can be had on the internet). Right brain and left brain stuff all on the same writing website! If more comes of our efforts, that will be because Bob and the other authors here decide to do so.
I feel honored to be here.
|
Help Us Stop Plagiarism -
Nearly all works at PnP are original. However a few people choose to plagiarize.
To check, choose a phrase from the work, then either drag and drop to the search box or copy and paste.
click on search and works at Google will be shown which match. Just to be sure, please do this before
you recommend or rate the work highly...
|
 |
|
|
|
Select a Random Work
from Stories
|
|
Welcome !
