Do you write to make yourself happy?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
February 3, 2011 12:43am CST
After reading the newspaper today about disasters all over the world, I feel a bit depressed.
Today is supposed to be a happy day, since it is the first day of Chinese New Year, yet the newspaper contains so much information about disasters.
I need some encouragement, so I write about some writers with ten million page views.
The top two writers in Associated Content have more than 20 million page views each. Can you imagine that?
Most of us struggle to get the first million page views, and they are racing towards the 30,000,000th page views.
Anyway that article makes me very happy as I research and write it. I love to read success stories. I check out just five writers with ten million page views. I believe if I search harder, I can find a few more writers.
The link is in my profile page, if you want to know who they are.
Do you have similar experience in writing? Do you write to encourage yourself or to make yourself happy?
3 people like this
16 responses
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
4 Feb 11
I want to write articles that will be of some benefit to humanity. Something that will help people in some way to improve their lives. If an article changes the life of even one person for the better then I have accomplished something. If I can make someone else happy then I am happy!
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
7 Feb 11
If we grow from our writing or become happier then we have accomplished something that will benefit others as we have now more to contribute. What is good for me, I also want it to be good for others too.
I haven't written something yet that nobody has read. That's why I like the counters on Triond so we know if somebody else reads it.
I think I will stop writing for money. I will write what I like and hope that others will enjoy it and benefit. I get money by working at any job.
Writing to me is about much more than money.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi 1hopefulman, actually it is less stressful to write articles for ourselves. That means before we think about benefiting others, we can write to benefit ourselves.
When I wrote some articles about positive thinking, and law of attraction, I really find myself more optimistic and cheerful.
I think even if nobody reads those content, the effect on myself is the greatest reward.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
8 Feb 11
You are very wise and right!
What I meant is that I will forget about the money, if it comes it comes. I appreciate you advice as it is good, that I should still keep improving as i do want the most people to read my articles, since I think that they will benefit in some way.
I will no longer be concerned with writing quantity but be more concerned with writing quality. If I have something I think is worth writing then I will write it.
I am keeping an eye on which articles get regular views and which one don't and adapt. I am spending more time on Mylot, as I also enjoy debating and getting different viewpoints on a subject. I share and I learn. I give and I grow.
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
3 Feb 11
You're so right, writing takes my mind off the bad thoughts of the day, and puts me in a better mood. That's why I try to write a little in the evening, before going to sleep - even if it's just a few paragraphs, still helps me settle and sleep better.
The writers you mention seem really dedicated, I think I can reach those numbers too, maybe after I retire... and if I live to be 105, of course
But they are truly inspirational for the rest of us.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
haha NowayRo, I think when you reach 105, you can claim as the honor of being the oldest writer.
By then, you will be famous due to your age, and not due to the page views.
Even if those writers stop writing, I think they would have more than a trillion page views.
Associated content can last forever, since Yahoo is a big listed company with many able employees.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Nowayro, I have taken off most of my articles in Associated Content too.
It is sad to take down some articles with more than four thousand page views.
I think Yahoo can last very long as a company because it is a listed company. The shareholders can elect the Board of Directors, and choose the senior managers. I just hope that Yahoo can open the writing opportunities for us, international writers.
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
4 Feb 11
Nothing is forever, not even Yahoo
Associated Content is out of the question for me anyway, since they don't accept international submissions, so I'll just have to stick to what's available for the rest of the world, and see how it goes. As long as I'm having fun with it, I'll keep writing, even if it's just a few words per day.
1 person likes this
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
3 Feb 11
hi scheng,
once again in mylot,some gap is there for your post in mylot,do not worry ,you are article also may reach one millions viewrs soon,i hope that you have that much capacity in writing,i have seen your blogs there are lot of contents in your blogs,one day i can say proudly that my friend scheng also reached one millions viewers in the net, all the best in future ,have a nice day
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Yugasini, you are doing very well too.
I think you can reach a million page views if you find a writing site in your country, and write in your language. You can definitely write faster.
However, your English is improving due to constantly practice.
I think you can set an immediate goal of 10,000 page views, 100,000 page views and then one million page views.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
3 Feb 11
There are a lot of times where I'll be honest, I really am just writing for my own amusement. And a way to sharpen my writing skills for when ideas are not as high as they used to. Better to write something even if it is absurd and silly, then to write nothing at all and get further burned out and unable to formulate enough sentences to string together a paper.
That is a lot of page views. There has to be some secret tricks out there, or perhaps they are just promoting like crazy. Perhaps a lot of research is going into writing articles that will have keywords that were pop up on search engines. There are any number of variables that can go into something like this, it is really amazing when you think about it. Still if I get some views on some of the things that I write, then so much the better.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Megamatt, all those writers write about many different topics, even things like how to clean the toilet tiles etc.
Some of them write mainly news and opinion pieces, eg saying that Obama administration is one of the worst in the history of US.
I think the only secret is that they are passionate about the topic. They do not write about things like making money online etc.
One thing I can vouch is that they do not promote like crazy. They write like crazy, at a consistent rate of five to ten articles per day.
One of them have more than 22,400 articles, and he started writing only a few years back.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
3 Feb 11
Hi scheng1, it is great that there are super-writers in the world. I suppose that there are also many journalists who write news everyday that if you collate all they have written in their career, they would have also amassed more than 30 million hits at their respective news website.
I suppose those at online article sites are different and you have every right to see them as inspiration to yours...and my quest. For me, without trying to sound noble (which I am not), I guess I would be happy if any of my articles helped even one other fellow human. I would have been happy. The last two poems I wrote for two fellow writers at Triond and/or Wikinut made me very satisfied when they wrote back on their appreciation. I guess simple things can also make us happy.
Then again, you know it too, who wouldn't want to have 20 or 30 million page views. hehe.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Tiffnkeat, actually I do not count the page views of those journalists, since they are employed by the big news network.
They have guaranteed page views, due partly to the brand name of their employers.
I think those writers who write for Associated Content and other websites inspire us more, since they are people like us, without formal training, and learn seo from scratch.
They write about all the common day problem, eg getting rid of pests, cleaning bathroom tiles, football match, recipe, housing loan etc.
@Suave257 (61)
• United States
4 Feb 11
Thats a lot of page views wow lol i wish i had that big of a audience. I write just for the heck of it. When im bored i write or when i see or do something talk worthy i write. Its fun to write something that others actually read. The newspaper, we just flip through until we see a topic that interest us well i want to be the one whos article is getting read.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Suave, actually most of us do not bother to check out the name of the writers when we read newspaper or online.
The only exception is fiction writer.
I think the information can speak for itself. Most of us hope that our content can help others in some ways.
@aprilsong (1884)
• China
4 Feb 11
I like very much to read those articals about life philosophy. And also admire those who don't surrender in the face of hardship.
Yes, there are so many disasters in the world today. In this case, we need to realize the meaning of life. Try to live a meaningful life everyday, try to love your beloved ones.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Aprilsong, I think it is part of life to have hardship and happiness.
The thing that upsets me is that when the newspaper reports all the bad news, it never teaches us what to do.
At least if we can help in certain ways, we do not feel so helpless.
I think it is more important to know how to take positive action, then just knowing that bad things happen everywhere.
@yogeshdhusa (2236)
• India
3 Feb 11
Hi scheng, i would say every coin has two side, If you are happy, somebody is sad for something wrong happened and this is the bitter truth of life. No one can change it but its on us how to take the truth.
And about writing, i feel happy when i write something good which can help others. I like sharing my experience and enjoy reading as well. enjoy mylotting.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Feb 11
Hi Vogeshdhusa, I think it is important to feel positive when we are writing something.
I think writing with the viewpoints of wanting to help others is good.
At least you have the satisfaction that your articles will help others to solve their problems.
In this case, you are unlikely to feel unhappy over low earnings or low page impressions.
@cutex87 (78)
• Indonesia
3 Feb 11
well, I usually write just for fun and improve my writing skill. Besides, I write anything that on my mind. I write my idea about some cases, or my mind of something. I have difficulties in writing anything on my mind by using English, so I need my lot and social network to improve my writing skill.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Feb 11
Hi Cutex87, if you stay in mylot long enough, you can write really fast, and improve on your typing too.
Many of us find it easier to take part in discussion threads than to write articles for posting online.
Some of us manage to stay active enough to earn more than a dollar a day here. It is hard to achieve the same thing in writing sites.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
Wow! That's a lot. I have just started writing and maybe I might not even get even a quarter of a thousand page views after a few years. Anyway, I write not because I want to have lots of page views but because it's my own way of self-expression. If some people would read them, then that's just an added bonus for me. Writing makes me happy and whether it's about the best stuff or non-sense stuff, I;m still proud of it.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Penrockerchic, you will be surprised to see that those writers with a few million page views do not actively promote their content.
Some of them use article writing to voice their opinions about life, politics and news.
Some of them write about recipes, and housework, eg washing toilet, cleaning windows etc.
I think they are at a stage whereby everyone knows about them, and will promote the articles for them.
They just have to sit down, write, and enjoy the process of writing.
I think you will get the first thousandth page view after a few months of consistent writing.
Once you get the first thousandth page view, you will find that reaching the ten thousand page views mark is easier.
@AdalieM (1134)
• United States
8 Apr 11
Writing for me is more like breaking free from confinement. When I write I am in control of the outcomes, I get to decide what characters stay, which ones are going to be happy, fell in love-- in real life you can't say nor choose who stays in your life, at least to some extent. So, yes, writing makes me happy. Sometimes I write out of anger, sometimes I just write because I want to make a point-hopefully some people will get.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
9 Apr 11
haha Adalie, I pity your enemies in this case.
You have the power to write them into your stories, and then think of a million ways to make them feel sorry for themselves.
If only we have the same power over the events of the world, or even our own destiny, that will be great!
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
I am not a writer though, but i get happiness when i am able to participate at those discussions here that i can really relate to. I also feel happy when the discussions i started gets more than 3 responses! I am also so happy whenever my response is marked as best response!
@vangie26 (445)
• Philippines
3 Feb 11
I guess we can really find it hard to find in news some more good news than the bad news. But nevertheless, writing is an outlet of our feelings and yes, it made me feels so good to write when i am feeling down or sad. Expressing what we feel through writing is actually letting it out. And with that, we can actually feel good after we write. Good day!
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Feb 11
Hi Vangie, I think those newspapers should write more happy news and miracles rather than focusing on all the bad news.
It is hard to find more good news than bad news.
I feel it is a bad strategy to report all the bad news on the first day of Chinese New Year.
After all, most people are in the mood to celebrate, they do not want their mood spoilt because of all the bad news.
@naija4real (1291)
•
6 Feb 11
I write to make myself happy. My intention of writing is to make money. I just want something that will bring in money into my bank account. However, I still feel happy sometimes when my articles is influencing society positively.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
6 Feb 11
Hi Naija4real, that is my intention of writing articles too.
That is why when I do not feel like writing due to all the depressing news in the newspaper, I write to make myself happy.
After all, if I feel motivated by those writers with 20 million page views, I think other writers will feel equally happy to know that.
For most of us, it is a struggle to get the first million page views. Most people do not even have the first hundred thousand page views.
To think that some writers have already 20 million page views is very encouraging for us.
@maucute (979)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
Well, I agree that there hasn't been any good news with the disasters coming in and around each and every country. It's sad but also it is reality.
But to your main question, yes sometimes I need to do that to be able to relax and feel relieved. I believe for me it is an outlet of all the negative vibes inside of me and I'm not expecting anything in return to it. I share my thoughts and ideas and I just do hope that the person that will be reading it will be entertained. Writing for me also develops my communication skills, which is a must when we have to deal with clients.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Maucute, actually I find that writing as a communication tool with clients is rather stressful.
When a single word is used wrongly, the result is disastrous.
Writing for relaxation is very different. At least we do not have to worry how the others will perceive the articles.
I think it is good to learn the skill of writing a very tactful letter to clients, as well as writing for pleasing ourselves.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Feb 11
I am not a writing person, I don't write good and it doesn't make me feel better.
I used to write diary when I was small but that was just to mark down what I did everyday.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Mermaidivy, some of us have the gift to pour our heart into the blank page. However, most people hate writing, as much as they hate reading.
You definitely have your own ways of coping with feelings, and sharing them with friends and family.
Fortunately the Internet has opened up the way for common people to share articles, photographs, music and arts.