Home » A Place Where I Belong (Searchwarp.com)

A Place Where I Belong (Searchwarp.com)

Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

by Susan Thom

I can honestly say that Searchwarp is a place I feel I belong. I found it while searching for online magazine sites, and that was in April, 2007. I have always wanted to be writer, or author, but never had the opportunity until I began on Searchwarp. I could write to my heart's content, then post, and then wait to see if I received any comments. (gotta love them comments!) AND, there is that wondrous rating system that can make you feel like a queen, or let you know you need a little work.

Next, I get to answer those comments which is fun, and build friendships with people I've never met. Three years of e mailing and leaving comments, and reading about each other's lives, is an amazing thing in this day and age. It's interesting to be able to be in touch with people all over the world. I've gotten comments from India! How great is that, right from the privacy of my own dining room.

Some people actually want to hear what I have to say, and after writing my whole life whether in journals or booklets or poems or on napkins, that makes me very happy. I can share my ideas, and even though others might not always agree, the writing is done well, and they can appreciate that. I try not to look at the popularity points, but are you kidding? They're the bomb.

And page views-I get to see how many people at least clicked on my article. If I want to say something personal to an author, I can e mail them if they've provided one, and most have. This way, when they e mail me back, they've agreed for me to see their personal e mail, and I can send pictures and cartoons, and help brighten their day.

To top it off, I get to read other author's articles (although I always like to call them stories) and reap the rewards of their talent. I can then leave a comment for them, and they will answer. It works all the way around. Positive energy is flowing. There is a community in Searchwarp, which I don't think any other site could duplicate.

The comments that are mean spirited and argumentative, need to stop. These are articles we're dealing with, not nuclear war. I think all should keep in mind, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." That doesn't mean one can't disagree with an article, but there are mature and graceful ways of articulating that.

This isn't a bar room brawl, it is a writing site where a great many people receive hope and faith and honesty, and learn about things others have written. It shouldn't be marred with nastiness. I actually have a fan club. Now come on, where else would I have that? People like me. How rewarding.

I also can type up an article whenever I want. When I can't sleep (like now-it's 2:44!) I can write an article, or read some. I have made real friends on Searchwarp. People I trust and care about and like! People I wish I lived near. People that I know care about me. People I share my life with. People I send pictures to, and e mail.

The questions and answers is brilliant. The pictures across the top are wonderful. The article highlight and the pick of the day are smart thinking. Listing people's birthdays, how special. Prayer request-there's a spirit there that reaches out. I may have forgot something, but it's good, whatever it is.

I am grateful God put Searchwarp into my life while I was going through my darkest hour. To be able to write when my mind was doing flip flops, helped a lot. To stay in touch with others that had nothing to do with courts or lawyers or judges or mediations, was a fantastic break. To know that people cared, meant so much.

For humility's sake, I will not mention two people who started this site, and have done wonders keeping it up to date, and ahead of the competition, without losing the family feeling. They've been here for me throughout all my trials and tribulations. They are kind and compassionate and diligent in their mission. They are behind the scenes, but they are well known. Thank you.

And thank you to the editors who read countless articles, good, bad, and indifferent, and have to rate them. Or if it's me, they have to hear the same things over and over. You do a great service. Thank you. This article was generated by a quick glance of the top of the front page. I read it, and I know it to be true.

This is a place where I belong.

Susan Thom is the mother of three children, two sons, 20 and 23, and a daughter 25. Her older son is in the air force in Germany right now, and her daughter is in the army in Tacoma, Washington.

Writing calms her, and gives her a place to go by herself! Clears the head and gets it out. She lives in a rural area, with a lake and mountains, and her partner, and has loved writing since she was a child.

She has been on a journey of self discovery for twenty years, and has learned many things about the human mind, and how to maintain some semblance of calm and peace within.

If someone reads one of her stories, and relates to her feelings, and gets a suggestion on how she dealt with them in a positive way, that would be the ultimate gift of her writing.

This Article has been viewed 910 times. (Not updated in real-time.)

Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)

» left by Ken McCreless
2 years 131 days ago.
85 fans. Follow Ken McCreless on twitter!

Great article, Susan!

SearchWarp really IS something special, isn't it? I found it trying to promote a cheesy dropshipping website, but ended up dropping the website!

But, I'm still here. I'm not too concerned about the ratings, but I do pay close attention to the comments- that's the meat of the matter.

Plus, I enjoy the relationships that were started here, as you do.

I am SO glad you're here too!!

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» left by Susan Thom 2 years 130 days ago.
175 fans.

hi ken,

thank you for reading and commenting...i guess they really are the best thing about an article-the comments.

you keep writing and i'll keep reading,

my best to you,

sue

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» left by Connor Davidson
2 years 131 days ago.
89 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!

Great article. Well done.

I agree with you. I feel SearchWarp is a place I belong. I have done so much and had so many great offers from this site and I hope that long may it continue.

I have talked by phone to a few on SW and that was great too.

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» left by Susan Thom 2 years 131 days ago.
175 fans.

yup, connor, every now and then we get a reward, and i believe searchwarp is a positive reward. i'm glad you're part of it,

my best regards,

sue

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» left by Steve Kovacs
2 years 130 days ago.
91 fans. Follow Steve Kovacs on twitter!

I can't say much more than what a great article! Keep writing Sue, I look forward to what you have to say.

Steve

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» left by Susan Thom 2 years 130 days ago.
175 fans.

hi steve,

don't worry-i think i'll always have something to write about :)

thank you for reading and commenting.

i appreciate your input,

my best regards,

sue

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» left by David Tanguay
2 years 130 days ago.
186 fans.

Yeah Susan, I found search warp in July of 05 while searching for articles too write. There wasn't much to search warp back then. they have improved a great deal in the past few years.

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» left by Dianne Lehmann
from Dewey, AZ 2 years 130 days ago.

Hi Sue.

Your article makes me even more grateful to have stumbled upon SW. For me it was August of 2007. I knew right away I'd found something good and with time it has become even better. The friendships I've made are awesome. I really appreciate your friendship.

Thanks for writing this and thanks for all you have written.

Hugs,

Dianne

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» left by Susan Thom 2 years 130 days ago.
175 fans.

hi dianne,

i feel the same way, and i am also grateful for your friendship.

there is so much turmoil in our world, it's healthy to meet good people and hear their positive articles.

my best to you,

sue

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» left by Anonymous
2 years 127 days ago.

I am SO glad they decided you could post pieces non-exclusive - then after about a month I decide that I can write an exclusive once a week and do that too! Love this website and agree with you Sue! Marijo

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» left by Susan Thom 2 years 126 days ago.
175 fans.

hi marijo,

i'm glad you are a part of searchwarp.

and i'm glad i found them when i did. the timing was perfect!

thanks for reading and commenting,

my best to you,

sue

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