Good morning my friends and Happy Thursday to you! What’s happening this fine, foggy morning? Are you in the mood to write? That’s like saying are you in the mood to breathe? Duh!
So I’m kicking this idea around and I thought I would bounce it off of all of you. I’m going to write an article next week about this idea, but this will be a trial balloon to find out your thoughts.
I have been waiting until I got a new digital camera to try a new series of articles. Well, on my birthday, Bev made me shriek like a little girl when she gave me my present and it was a new Nikon. Now that I don’t have that excuse any longer I guess I need to move forward with my idea.
I want to head out on the road and write about a different town in western Washington each week….well, maybe not every single week, but on a regular basis. My Washington travel articles do quite well on Google, and I enjoy writing about the state that has been my home for so many years, so why not write a regular series of articles and then try to pitch them to magazines?
I would call the series “Backroads of Western Washington Featuring…….” And then the name of the chosen town.
Now that’s all well and good, but that isn’t the main point of my idea. What if many writers from many states did the same thing, with the same first part of the title….Backroads of Western New York, or Backroads of Southern Florida….you know what I mean? Wouldn’t that increase our chances with the Google gods, and wouldn’t that be a great pitch when sending queries to magazines, that your article is part of a nationwide “Backroads” series????? You wouldn’t have to write every week; you could write one each month, or one every few months; it would still be part of the series and be effective.
So, what do you think? Tell me in your comments and thanks for your input.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Mattie Stepanek
See how I tied the quote into my writing idea? Clever, huh? LOL
TIP OF THE DAY
Build your platform doing things like this proposed series of mine. The more you can collaborate with other writers, the more your name is out there to be seen, found and recognized. Show diversity, try new genres, attempt new tasks. It is all part of a master plan.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction contest is underway; submissions will be accepted through December 31st for short stories up to 10,000 words. Only a five dollar entry fee and you can find out about it here.
SITE OF THE DAY
My writing buddy Rolly from up north suggested this site so I thought I’d pass it along to you. It’s a writing program called Scrivener and you can find out about it here. For those of you who write novels, this is a great way to organize your research and writing.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
You know what to do. Give me 200 words using all five senses about this picture. Have fun with it and stretch your limits.
THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!
Give me your thoughts on the travel article idea. I’m going to do it regardless, but I’m curious if anyone else thinks it’s a good idea to piggyback on each other’s articles. We could link to each other and maybe start something fairly big.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I love the Backroads idea!!! I want in! 🙂
Thanks Marissa! I’ll write an article about it next week, and give specifics, and then all you have to do is write an article about your area when you have the time. 🙂
Perfect 🙂
Love this idea and seriously can’t wait to see all the specifics you share here now!! Have a great day my now, Bill!! 🙂
Thank you Janine. You are my tech guru and if you think it could work then that’s good enough for me.
I like the idea, too. And back roads is right up my alley as I go into panic attacks when I drive on the highways. If I can’t get to where I’m going using back roads, I don’t go. It’s a long story. Suffice it to say I had a very scary wreck on I-4 several years ago. My car was totaled but I was fine. Ever since then I go into panic attacks when on the highway. 😦
Sha, that’s a valid reason to stay off the highways. I love traveling the backroads and seeing little towns that few people write about. That’s my goal in this endeavor. I hope it works out for all of us interested.
Unfortunately–here the back roads has been done–and done very well –bay area back roads is a wonderful series and book(s)–on my way to check out Scrivener–I am trying to decide whether to do nano again this November–I have a full first draft of a novel that I did last nano and never edited—I love writing–not so much the editing
A common complaint of most writers, Audrey….thanks for stopping by and good luck with that decision.
I love this idea! I’ve done a few Iowa articles and would be game to do more.
Love it, Deb! I’ll have more on this next week. Thank you!
Are you asking if I want to write a Backroads of Colorado series? I’d love to. Don’t know if I have the traveling time right now. Maybe…
Randee, whenever you have the time that would be great. I’ll have more on this next week. Just keep it in mind and if you have the time then consider it.
Okay, I’ll watch for what you’re doing. Sounds fun!
love the idea, Bill.
But with kid in school and only 5 hour window during weekday to do so…will be tough.
weekends is family time either in parks or home. Will try to contribute here and there cause helping the cause is always my goal.
In the mean time…wishing you the best! I am sure this idea will be a success!
We shall see, Ruchira. This isn’t something everyone has to do on a regular basis…as long as the same title of the series is used, you could contribute once a year and it would still help you and others. Give it some thought and I’ll have more about it later. Thank you!
What a great idea, Bill. I’m thinking about The Back Roads of Long Island. I await your first hub. Think about how we should attribute you as the originator. “Part of the Bill Holland Back Roads collection?”
Thank you Russ! I’ve been reading some mysteries that are set on Long Island and I’m fascinated by some of the towns there…it would be a great addition to the series.
Great idea Bill. Maggie and I have done some of that here in Puerto Rico. Maybe we need to do more.
I know you have, Greg. I really think it will pay off over time if you do more of it. Write them now and they will be ready for those who are traveling this next summer. 🙂
West Virginia has some beautiful back roads that lead to small towns. These have an interesting history, sometimes violent, often fascinating. I would enjoy writing such articles as you mentioned. I have no idea how to contact Google for acceptance of a written article. Would like to hear more about our idea.
Irene
Hi Irene! Are you a member of HubPages? If so, the Google problem is solved. Anyway, I’ll have more about this next week and we’ll figure it all out then. Thanks for the reply and interest.
I think that’s wonderful idea!
Mommy, thank you so much. I am happy with the response. I’ll write more about it next week.
Lol, call me Jennice&I look forward to reading more about it
I will Jennice…pretty name by the way…and thank you again.
Yes, I think that is a great idea. I did have the thought to do that also a couple years ago and did write a couple of Hubs on short trips I took locally with my grandkids. So, I would love to be a part of what you are doing. Just need more info on the specifics. Thanks.
Thank you Leona! I’ll have more information in a hub this Wednesday.