The Black Hole

"What if...? "  [13+]

What if WDC didn't exist? Where would you write?

Twenty-four years ago The StoryMaster and The StoryMistress decided in their infinite wisdom to create and start a family-based business online called Writing.com. It turned out a writer's community where writers from all walks of life could fill up a portfolio, write, review, do contests and challenges, collect trinkets, talk, and mingle, and enjoy each other's company in a friendly, laid-back way.

It became a huge success with tens of thousands of participants who visited the site regularly - almost 1500-3000 people including guests on any given moment 24/7.

I joined in 2016 when an American pen pal pointed me in this direction. I still owe him the world!

If Writing.com, God forbid, ceased to exist I would be devasted. Really, I would lose my home away from home, I would lose my writer's identity as part of a close-nit community, I would lose my work, my joy, my life.

Of course, I still would have my computer and access to the Internet, so I could write in Google Docs and try to publish online. But it never would be the same. Ever!

I am so addicted to the site with all its possibilities, it sometimes scares me. Like now when I write about the loss if the site would be gone. It's probably unhealthy to be so dependent on one online site. But alas, it is so!

I even think I would fall into depression. My thoughts and emotions would be so cluttered and blackish, I would not know what to do with myself.

Probably sleep for fourteen days before I could start to think about what next. Probably let my household sly and forget to cook, clean, or do chores.

Do I exaggerate here? No, I do not.

For me this is a real-life scenario, I am sorry to say.

Writing.com is the best that ever happened to me after I lost almost everything twenty-five years ago as described in "Learning curve of a basket case"  [E].

The same would happen again if the site would disappear.

Is there anything I could do to prevent a doom-scenario?

I could do some research into other sites. Yes, that's a probability.

1. https://allpoetry.com/ I already am a member of the web's largest poetry writing group - from beginners to experts. Improve your poetry, create a fan base, and read the best poetry of our generation. Allpoetry is home base for poets.

2. https://vocal.media/ Share your stories and support creators. Vocal is an all-in-one platform where you can share your stories, build an audience, and earn money. I am a member.

3. https://www.novlr.org/ The workspace for creative writers. Built by writers, for writers, Novlr is the world’s only writer-owned creative writing platform. Join a community with writers and their goals at the heart of everything we do. I never had heard of this platform.

4. https://www.wattpad.com/ A popular platform for writers to share their stories for free. I already have my novel published there.

I already joined three of them and one I am not familiar with but I would definitely look closer to all four.

I would paste and copy this excellent fiction workshop and learn from it. Check out "The Fiction Writer's Toolbox"  [13+].

And then I would probably start writing again.

From within the black hole that now is my home without Writing.com. I will dry my eyes and start over.

Memories.

I spent a lot of time reading on this website: information, emails, newsletters, groups. Wow, what a fantastic writing environment, just what I need!

It is one thing to write but it’s another to find kindred spirits who are doing the same thing as you do, day in day out. It’s almost like having an online family, maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but it sure feels like home.

I got myself an online awardicon for my portfolio.
Thanks. June 10, 2016

My addiction to Writing.com is enormous. I have written 24/7 for a whole year now. That’s a whole lot of hours into writing, reviewing and taking part in various activities. I am totally hooked and I have built my life around this website. In the very early morning (sometimes as early as 5.30 a.m.) I start my computer. It’s been a great year, but this weekend it’s time for my first holiday period in 12 months. I am not sure if it will be WdC free at all, but it will be WdC limited. I am shaking already…will I enjoy myself off the site? Let’s find out, shall we? June 11, 2016


It’s been twelve months now since I discovered Writing.com and I am still in awe! This site has proven to be the best thing I ever did: joining and participating in reading, writing and reviewing in the most incredible writer’s community I have ever been a part of. Thank all of you for making that possible. June 1, 2017

Prompt: What does it mean to go against the odds and to beat them? Write anything you want about this. (BC)

You do it even though there were many problems and it didn't seem possible to do. Against all odds, I managed to overcome my writer’s block and started writing again. Writing for me is such a delicate matter, it can only happen when I am in the flow and there are no, or as little obstacles as possible. Stress is a big no-no for me. I cannot function properly while having major stress. It’s a weakness in my system I have to deal with. Since writing at Writing.Com, in this foreign language, I am able to express myself and try to fulfill my promise as a writer. That brings me great joy and fulfillment on a daily basis. Today I became a preferred author at the site. Handpicked by other writers and staff! Wow, that’s really, really a big deal in my vocabulary. May 17, 2017

That’s why I love this site so much. I can create in knowing that sometimes somewhere another writer is reading what I have created. There is this possibility.

Of course, I am an aspiring writer, I want to be published. But since I participate on this site that’s not my main goal any longer. In a way, I already publish since what I write is directly available to others. Long live the Internet, long live Writing.com. I really love it here.

I think one of the main reasons this writing community is so awesome is because it is a safe environment. It feels warm and comfortable, a nice bubble with peers looking over your shoulder and commenting on what you write. It can only make me a better writer! March 18, 2017

This week it’s all about the Quill awards and voting! I rely on the expertise and know-how and the unbiased voting for all those categories of all the WdC members. I think it’s great we have the Oscars for writing at WdC once a year. It gives us all the opportunity to read and review other people’s work and qualify it as the best writing in 2016. We are a writer’s community and I rely heavily on its consent in these matters. But first I have to vote myself. I have till the end of this week to go through all that excellent work. A lot of work, but I love doing it. Looking forward to the big event!*Bigsmile*While voting I discovered I was nominated THREE times (instead of TWO). March 14, 2017

I am not afraid of readers at Writing.com. We are all writers so we have a lot in common. I don’t write for a particular audience. In fact, I am writing for myself most of the time. I should perhaps consider my (small) audience more. I like to see on a weekly basis what my statistics are. Between 20-25 people read items per day. A steady flow. So I think that’s awesome. January 16, 2017



WC:1315

from SMs