Welcome back my friends. I hope you find something in today’s post that interests you and maybe even helps you along your writing journey.
I have so many topics I want to write about today. I was going to write about reaching out and helping another writer, mainly because I am still blown away by the number of writers who have blogs and yet do not highlight other writers on those blogs. Hello!!!!! We are each other’s support groups. Anybody listening????
But I don’t want to write about that today. Instead I want to write about censorship.
But first, a quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen.”
Tommy Smothers
How cool is that? I found a quote by Tommy Smothers. LOL
This subject came up yesterday when I was downloading a new article onto HubPages. Immediately a notice was posted telling me that automatic filters determined that the article was in violation of whatever and that advertising would be disabled.
Shucky darn!
I have six articles that have had advertising disabled. Five are on child abuse and then this new one about suicide.
What’s up with that? Is HubPages telling me that nobody in the world wants to read about those two subjects, or are they telling me that the subject matter is too intense for most people and the advertisers don’t want to be associated with anything that causes people to, oh, I don’t know….THINK!
It makes no difference to me, but I do think it is a bit idiotic. If they really want to make money at HubPages, they will publish controversial material. Places like Reddit thrive on controversy. People in general love controversy. If you really want readership wouldn’t you want to give the readers what they obviously want?
Anyway, censorship…..something to keep in mind. If you are a writer and you are discouraged from writing something because someone finds it distasteful, then shame on you. We have this thing called Freedom of Speech in this country, and as long as you do not do harm to others then you are free to speak, or write, your mind.
Remember that!
SITE OF THE DAY
A shout out to a friend of mine….Susan….and she has this thing going about random acts of kindness. A subject that is near and dear to my heart, so check her out here and give her some support.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
The Crime Writers Association has a contest going on right now for unpublished novels in that genre. You can read all about it here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Hopefully this picture will stir something inside of you and be the genesis of a new article.
GRANT OF THE DAY
GrubStreet is offering forty scholarships of $200 each to writers to use for any class they want to take. Find out about it here.
AND THAT’S ALL UNTIL THURSDAY
I’ve got things to do, places to go and people to see, and I’m sure you do as well, so let’s get busy. Until Thursday, have fun writing. It is supposed to be enjoyable you know.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
As my mom always said when books got banned or any form of censorship occurred when we were younger, “Big Brother is Watching!” Just so sad, but true, but I know you will still keep on writing and doing your best to get your word and message indeed across and for that and more I just can’t help, but look up to you. Thank you Bill for being a force to be reckoned with!
Janine, your respect means a great deal to me. I like what your mom said and I agree completely. Thank you!
I just made a comment and they refused to post it.
Ruby, I don’t know what’s up with that….well, thank you for trying.
Hmmmm….it’s like reading some of my ‘parting’ words on the hub, my friend. You’ve got a lot more to lose if you leave, altho – i’m convinced your 3 trillion followers – WILL follow you anywhere..
We all make our own decisions for various reasons, but , personally – i couldn’t support a site that wouldn’t support me – OR the important topics that might – just MIGHT might a positive change in the world..
i love your outrage and your tenacity, Bill!
Is Ruby serious? They wouldn’t post a comment? I’m quite sure she didn’t yell or scream or curse…
wow
Leslie, I don’t know what happened with Ruby. I can’t picture her cussing at them. As for you leaving the Hub, I get it. I’m still pissed about Sannel being banned….makes no sense to me at all, but then HP doesn’t seem to care much how I feel. 🙂 I do love my friends there though. Thanks Sis! Keep on rockin’ the world
All i said was, ” Three hubs were taken down yesterday. ” All three were from opinioned writers. Nothing derogatory. I didn’t mention names. One of the three tried again today and it was taken down again. How do you get the little smiling faces? Cheers..
Ruby, I don’t have a clue what they are doing at HP…they seem to be trying to antagonize people. 🙂 The smiley face comes from hitting the colon and the closed parentheses. 🙂
Bill, HP disallowed advertisements on an article I wrote about rape. You’d think law firms would jump on something like that. Same with your article on suicide. Wouldn’t that open doors for suicide prevention organizations or grief counselors? Lordy Goshen!
To comment on your supporting other writers statement, I have friends’ blog links posted on my resources page. The subject matter of my blog doesn’t really lend itself to touting other writer’s sites because I don’t write about writing. I did, however, want to give them a shout-out which is why I created the resources page.
Sha, I know all the great work you do to support others….this was just a little wake-up call for those who never think about doing so. 🙂
Thanx for saying that, Bill. I was feeling a little guilty. 😦
Sha, you are wonderful in your support of others. 🙂 No reason for you to feel guilty
I also have many hubs with advertisements disabled Bill. It does seem quite outrageous that they would do it. I will leave all those hubs, just because of the fact that I want humans to get good from them. Oh well if I make any money.
Great post my friend. Have a good day.
Thanks Greg. I leave mine as well and they have had a great number of views, telling me that people want to read about socially responsible matters and that HP is missing the boat by not advertising on those hubs. If they want to lose money then so be it, but it seems a stupid way to run a business. 🙂 Thanks buddy and blessings always.
” Go tell it on the mountains…” ( don’t say it, it’s controversial ) – you’re in violation of other people’s beliefs, ( we know that you wanted to continue …” that Jesus Christ is born …”
Hello my friend this article explains it all. Last night I didn’t know why, now you’ve helped me to understand. As I started reading your latest Hub article a struggle overwhelmed me I started feeling empty and flat ( I saved these words for myself ), didn’t understand why?to this type of spiritual oppression explanation comes later . ( Oppression comes in many forms, a spirit of control is perhaps most powerful, but is was ” there’ and ‘ then’ under communism…) ( After briefly closing my eyes I shook my head, opening again , looking around and , well daydreaming ?)…
Today is 40th anniversary as my family’s arrival to this ‘freedom ‘ utopia , leaving the airport each of us was holding a’ green card’ we came on ‘ special visa’ … The air wasn’t polluted … You could fly high , even higher as far as your lungs giving your support to say,to write, to express to worship and to acknowledge the glory of unspeakable Source of Eternal… inspiration to publish it as is given to you, because you’re chosen to tell the Truth…
Miraculously I came across this site, still too far behind , thank you for leaving me here to try to learn more..
Hello Michael my friend!
You have an incredible story to tell. I hope one day you share it with all of us. You have hinted of things from your past but I really know nothing about it. I really don’t even know if you live in the U.S. or some foreign land….anyway, I want you to know that you are appreciated and I’m proud to call you my friend.
Oh, Bill dear friend Good morning. You inquiry to know more about this Michael deserves to be satisfied. Let me put this way : while in college, our middle son as a co-op student has traveled occasionally and when he didn’t call home as usually, we had to ask him ‘ where are you?’ he just said ‘ I know where I am ‘, either in the US or Canada. So is with me as of present. As one could notice none of my profile is completed. If that would be obligatory ,-well I still would have made choice. My life or personal history never mattered much to me, coming from nowhere, as a first in the family tree having ” degree”- didn’t change my outlook on life… For that great historical ceremonial day of ‘ inauguration ‘ a motto on invitation to everyone was ” But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus-the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness .” ( Book of Acts). To live by that and stay committed to it , took me through the roughest live’s journey. Now looking back, my understanding to what I have committed my live to, is complete. It’s not about me, it’s about my message. My motto became my goal not only because of my choice to believe , but because it has proof of eternal value a life changing “mission” to all who accept the truth behind the message.
My slow and cautious participation among the “elite” of writers is surrounded by mystery , least to say, struggling with a ” what am I doing here” – awaits an answer.
Grateful to you always, Michael
Michael my friend, good morning. Thank you for the return visit and for filling in some blank spaces. I love your motto; it is fitting to live it. I want you to know that I appreciate your friendship. We have never met but I feel that I know you, and what I know I greatly enjoy.
blessings always
bill
your pix gave me the shivers, Bill.
I hope it warms up in your city while I pray the same this side…
With regards to censorship…I feel people listen to what words that tickle their heart…so a writer should just use what he likes for who knows where all he/she can ring a chord.
I agree with you Ruchira. That’s what I try to do and I know it is for you as well. Thank you.
Hi Billy,
I totally agree with what you said about censorship and have had ads automatically shut off on articles that were about suicide or domestic violence. Because I felt the articles contained important information on these topics I chose to publish them anyway, as a public service.
I did question why the ads were being banned and was told that hubs with those topics in them might draw inappropriate ads (i.e. an ad for weapons might appear on an article about someone who commited suicide with a gun.)
In regards to your prompt of the day picture, it hasn’t inspired me to write a story, yet, but it was beautiful to look at.
Hugs,
Gail
Gail, thank you for that information. I honestly had never thought of the possibility that HP had no control over which ads are featured. Very interesting my friend.
I hope all is well with you. Hugs and blessings always.
bill
Hi Bill, the photo prompt reminded me of what it looks like outside my front door right now. I love snow as long as I don’t have to go out in it.
Good evening cygnet….I think you speak for many people. LOL It is pretty for sure but man alive it can be a problem. Thanks for the visit.
That photo of that snowy road is beautiful! It looks like somewhere around my neck of the woods. 🙂
Censorship: not sure what I think about HP censoring…I have always tended to view them as utterly favoring “how-to” and not the other stuff…poetry, stories and anything controversial. In fact, I have a few I’ve been thinking about unpublishing because I know they’re articles that HP will never feature or ever like. Eh…I can stick ’em in a book, me thinks.
As for writing my mind: I don’t generally have a problem with it, but…as someone who’s always averse to confrontation, I always have to take a deep breath before publishing, sharing, etc, something that could be controversial. I still do. It’s just that it can be a bitter pill to swallow. But without controversy, writing is flat. So I definitely want it. In the end, I know that my very existence will offend someone. That is something I’ve learned in this life: you can censor your own actions to please others, but you’re only screwing yourself over. The way you walk, talk, think, and feel will always be counter to someone else near or far – many eastern cultures can’t stand the west. I have religious friends who can’t stand that I’m more spiritual. Blah. Blah. Blah. Best to go for broke, take a deep breath and…brace for controversy. 🙂
Cyndi, you make some wonderful points. At one time in my life I was concerned with offending anyone; the older I got the more I realized that was an impossible task…to please everyone….and it became more important that I learn to listen to my heart. I never intentionally hurt anyone; that is a credo I live by….but….it will happen because I refuse now to back away from tough topics.
As for HP….they are what they are. I am happy there because of the community….if I need one of my hubs for something else then I pull it from HP. 🙂
Thanks for a great comment.
Bill, the photo reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken. I can write about so much viewing a photo such as this. Great tip on the grant information. Thanks for sharing so much with readers.
Ahh, thank you Dianna, and that was my first thought as well when I first took this picture.