Alright, I've fallen behind here. Quite a lot going on.. most of it not bad.
I am working on three articles for newspapers: Insurance sneakiness, urban chickens, and warnings/citations trends.
I have a pile of work to do for Reading Horizons. I also have eight articles to write for another client. PGC should be giving me work in a few weeks. I have some grad student work to do on campus for the Spring term. I have an interview on Monday in Sandy for work with a website/resource for college students. I would be helping them write application essays and the like.
And that's where it's at. I'm 35 today, yesterday was my 11th anniversary and I'm going to a movie tonight with two of my favorite people in the world. Festivities=fun.
Am I worried about the swine flu? We're having pork chops for dinner tonight.
Doesn't the CDC estimate deaths from regular-flu related issues at around 36,000 per year?
Huh.
See above for my writing exercise. Gonna be a challenge!
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Work Update
Right-o.
Right-O?
Whatever the case (get it? hehe) may be, it's time to update Quit and Write, so grab your tasty beverage and perhaps an oreo or two; it just might be a long and mildly wild ride.
Ooh, assonance. Love it.
Incidentally, I'm in love with punctuation. The semi-colon particularly. I love that puny piece of punctuation (alliteration!) so much I sometimes fabricate ways to use it.
Anyway, back to the task at hand. At fingertips. On lap.
I've been busy of late. Last week I shared how I had been kept quite busy with some writing of long, multitudinous passages. Well, I got paid for that, so that's freakin' awesome. Love getting paid to write.
I have since spent time reviewing passages and doing some revising, for that same project. All of which I will be getting paid for as well.
Now I have some more work to do for that company. All good, no?
Also, I've been working furiously on getting some more web-based writing revenue coming in. First, I wrote a couple real estate articles for www.helium.com. I can't share them because they are currently being considered for purchase by www.realtor.com. I wrote two, and if they choose both, that's a $400 payday. I pray often for this to work out.
I even did serious research for those pieces. Called real estate agents and stuff.
Now I'm working on a piece about the growing movement to keep chickens in suburban yards. I'm considering making it an expose on cities who have their heads stuck in the sand. Cities like Provo.
So in the last week I've written three financial fitness lessons. Two of them are on http://personalfinancegym.blogspot.com. I also put together some sales e-mails, and...
(how to embed a drumroll soundtrack?)
a piece that should be appearing in LDS Living's April e-mail to subscribers. That would be about 50,000 people. Worldwide.
I'm excited about that. (No pay, but exposure is nice, eh?)
I am pushing hard with trying to get others to link to my blogs on other websites. This is beginning to pick up some with my financial fitness blog. I've got a link shared on the Best Friends Network. Best Friends Animal Society is a large animal shelter in southern Utah.
I'm going to start learning about grant writing soon... just as soon as I finish mastering the art of the white paper. I'm nearly done with that, so shortly any companies who need white paper written up, contact me because I will be crafting meticulous and magnificent white papers.
A white paper is a long brochure, essentially. 3000 words or so about a company's offering.
As for novel writing, I haven't been able to make time, what with trying to pay bills and increase my non-fiction exposure. However, I do have a writing exercise for the next post. That post will arrive tomorrow. I call this the trickle-in method.
So now I must go. I need to get today's http://powersderived.blogspot.com piece finished and posted.
Check out my other sites. Share on networking sites. Digg, reddit, and stuff are all good places to share.
Right-O?
Whatever the case (get it? hehe) may be, it's time to update Quit and Write, so grab your tasty beverage and perhaps an oreo or two; it just might be a long and mildly wild ride.
Ooh, assonance. Love it.
Incidentally, I'm in love with punctuation. The semi-colon particularly. I love that puny piece of punctuation (alliteration!) so much I sometimes fabricate ways to use it.
Anyway, back to the task at hand. At fingertips. On lap.
I've been busy of late. Last week I shared how I had been kept quite busy with some writing of long, multitudinous passages. Well, I got paid for that, so that's freakin' awesome. Love getting paid to write.
I have since spent time reviewing passages and doing some revising, for that same project. All of which I will be getting paid for as well.
Now I have some more work to do for that company. All good, no?
Also, I've been working furiously on getting some more web-based writing revenue coming in. First, I wrote a couple real estate articles for www.helium.com. I can't share them because they are currently being considered for purchase by www.realtor.com. I wrote two, and if they choose both, that's a $400 payday. I pray often for this to work out.
I even did serious research for those pieces. Called real estate agents and stuff.
Now I'm working on a piece about the growing movement to keep chickens in suburban yards. I'm considering making it an expose on cities who have their heads stuck in the sand. Cities like Provo.
So in the last week I've written three financial fitness lessons. Two of them are on http://personalfinancegym.blogspot.com. I also put together some sales e-mails, and...
(how to embed a drumroll soundtrack?)
a piece that should be appearing in LDS Living's April e-mail to subscribers. That would be about 50,000 people. Worldwide.
I'm excited about that. (No pay, but exposure is nice, eh?)
I am pushing hard with trying to get others to link to my blogs on other websites. This is beginning to pick up some with my financial fitness blog. I've got a link shared on the Best Friends Network. Best Friends Animal Society is a large animal shelter in southern Utah.
I'm going to start learning about grant writing soon... just as soon as I finish mastering the art of the white paper. I'm nearly done with that, so shortly any companies who need white paper written up, contact me because I will be crafting meticulous and magnificent white papers.
A white paper is a long brochure, essentially. 3000 words or so about a company's offering.
As for novel writing, I haven't been able to make time, what with trying to pay bills and increase my non-fiction exposure. However, I do have a writing exercise for the next post. That post will arrive tomorrow. I call this the trickle-in method.
So now I must go. I need to get today's http://powersderived.blogspot.com piece finished and posted.
Check out my other sites. Share on networking sites. Digg, reddit, and stuff are all good places to share.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Writing career report, then a character sketch.
Before getting into today's writing exercise, I am supposed to report on my writing of late. As regular reader(s?) know, (thanks Aunt Edna!) I recently re-tooled this blog so that it could function as both a way for me remain accountable and keep readers in the loop, as well as a place for me to do some writing exercises.
So my recent writing has been rather substantial. Back on March 12th, I received an e-mail from an acquaintance/colleague with whom I had worked as an ESL teacher for BYU. She had moved on from the intensive English program we both taught at to become the ESL director for a local company that creates literacy software.
Now this next bit is a testimonial as to why you want to constantly be trying to expand your network when you're a freelancer.
So last year, probably in October or November or something, I had gone to a local ESL association's conference in St. George. It happened that this acquaintance, we'll call her Jane to protect the innocent, was the president of this association and she was there. I knew what she was involved with, so I mentioned to her that I was working as a freelance writer and that my services were always available if she needed them.
Since this is a basically linear story with a set-up that lends itself to a particular pay-off, you can no doubt figure out what this e-mail of the 13th was about. Turns out 'Jane' was in a bind and she needed 30 expository pieces by the end of the month. That's right, in 18 days, 16 if you count me as starting on Monday the 16th.
The pieces needed to be roughly 900 words long. I had topics approved by the 18th. I don't write on Sunday because it's the Sabbath and I don't write on Saturday very much because I usually don't have time.
Oh, and we went to Kanab for three days last week.
Added up, that means I had eight regular work days to write 27,000 words. And do the research for the topics. And do language analysis for each piece.
I got it done with some late nights and the lovely research etc. help of my awesome wife. So that's what my writing career has consisted of for the last two weeks. I also wrote about four or five articles for http://www.helium.com/, one of which I will link to in a new post.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing on writing for the past little while. No real novel writing lately, but that's what the next post is about. This post got too long, so my character sketch is in the next one!
So my recent writing has been rather substantial. Back on March 12th, I received an e-mail from an acquaintance/colleague with whom I had worked as an ESL teacher for BYU. She had moved on from the intensive English program we both taught at to become the ESL director for a local company that creates literacy software.
Now this next bit is a testimonial as to why you want to constantly be trying to expand your network when you're a freelancer.
So last year, probably in October or November or something, I had gone to a local ESL association's conference in St. George. It happened that this acquaintance, we'll call her Jane to protect the innocent, was the president of this association and she was there. I knew what she was involved with, so I mentioned to her that I was working as a freelance writer and that my services were always available if she needed them.
Since this is a basically linear story with a set-up that lends itself to a particular pay-off, you can no doubt figure out what this e-mail of the 13th was about. Turns out 'Jane' was in a bind and she needed 30 expository pieces by the end of the month. That's right, in 18 days, 16 if you count me as starting on Monday the 16th.
The pieces needed to be roughly 900 words long. I had topics approved by the 18th. I don't write on Sunday because it's the Sabbath and I don't write on Saturday very much because I usually don't have time.
Oh, and we went to Kanab for three days last week.
Added up, that means I had eight regular work days to write 27,000 words. And do the research for the topics. And do language analysis for each piece.
I got it done with some late nights and the lovely research etc. help of my awesome wife. So that's what my writing career has consisted of for the last two weeks. I also wrote about four or five articles for http://www.helium.com/, one of which I will link to in a new post.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing on writing for the past little while. No real novel writing lately, but that's what the next post is about. This post got too long, so my character sketch is in the next one!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Yes I'm still writing
but not as much as I'd like to be. Isn't that how it always is?
Here's an article I wrote not long ago. Or at least, here's the link to it:
http://www.helium.com/items/291096-are-bratz-dolls-appropriate-for-young-girls
Not poetry, but I enjoyed writing it.
Here's an article I wrote not long ago. Or at least, here's the link to it:
http://www.helium.com/items/291096-are-bratz-dolls-appropriate-for-young-girls
Not poetry, but I enjoyed writing it.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The best laid plans...
Well, I woke up and my throat was still really sore and I felt crummy. My plan didn't quite work out. I ended up taking care of some stuff for my trip to Austin, dropping off a resume at a local private school, and then getting to writing.
I got a few articles done on Helium and will post them here:
http://www.helium.com/items/1012732-critics-reason-lambast-night
* This is a review of Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water," which I liked. Read my reasons why!
http://www.helium.com/items/1012658-doesnt-crisp-delicious-cucumber
* I describe, in straightforward terms, how to grow cucumbers. It's easy and doesn't take much work.
http://www.helium.com/items/982817-summers-coming-summers-coming
*This is actually an article I wrote for the Marketplace a couple weeks ago, but it wasn't purchased and is now in my articles list. So here it is! I describe how to grow a salsa garden. It's easy.
And that's pretty much it. I also got working on the ChartedCourse newsletter, but it's nearly my bedtime and so I'll do it tomorrow. I WILL do at least 2000 words in The Cabin tomorrow as well.
I also want to add a post I placed on the Helium forums. I feel like it expresses where my mind and heart have been lately. Something's going on in me and it's a good thing.
Writing is more than work, more than art, more than an expression.
It is a bloodletting.
When you sit down to write, you open your truest self to the eyes of all who will see your words. Even if you are creating a persona that is not you, who you are and what makes you is exposed.
And written words are as permanent as that which they are printed on.
Imagine you are writing in blood, because that's what you are doing.
As your writing moves and manipulates people, you are a predator. As critics deride and praise your work, you are the prey.
No matter what you write, if you expose it to the public eye, you are involved in an emotional violence that is graphic in the truest sense of the word.
Now. Some have said they have lost motivation. Lost motivation to write. This is your work! This is your art! This is you! The only reason you lack motivation is because you haven't delved deeply enough. Get into yourself and discover whether you are truly willing to spill your blood. If you are, get back to writing and quit griping.
Nobody said writing wouldn't be hard. It's not as if the Steinbecks, the de Berniers, the Whitmans, and the Brownings throughout history have not sweated over the smallest of words. Writing is work!
Writing is sweat. Writing is power over yourself and others. Writing is sweet. Writing is the greatest therapy for inner pain. Writing is violence and peace.
Aren't you proud to be a writer?
So that's what I've come to. I am a writer. I have a dream. My dream will take work. I will do that work. I will reach my dream.
I will be a bestselling author.
carpe somnium
I got a few articles done on Helium and will post them here:
http://www.helium.com/items/1012732-critics-reason-lambast-night
* This is a review of Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water," which I liked. Read my reasons why!
http://www.helium.com/items/1012658-doesnt-crisp-delicious-cucumber
* I describe, in straightforward terms, how to grow cucumbers. It's easy and doesn't take much work.
http://www.helium.com/items/982817-summers-coming-summers-coming
*This is actually an article I wrote for the Marketplace a couple weeks ago, but it wasn't purchased and is now in my articles list. So here it is! I describe how to grow a salsa garden. It's easy.
And that's pretty much it. I also got working on the ChartedCourse newsletter, but it's nearly my bedtime and so I'll do it tomorrow. I WILL do at least 2000 words in The Cabin tomorrow as well.
I also want to add a post I placed on the Helium forums. I feel like it expresses where my mind and heart have been lately. Something's going on in me and it's a good thing.
Writing is more than work, more than art, more than an expression.
It is a bloodletting.
When you sit down to write, you open your truest self to the eyes of all who will see your words. Even if you are creating a persona that is not you, who you are and what makes you is exposed.
And written words are as permanent as that which they are printed on.
Imagine you are writing in blood, because that's what you are doing.
As your writing moves and manipulates people, you are a predator. As critics deride and praise your work, you are the prey.
No matter what you write, if you expose it to the public eye, you are involved in an emotional violence that is graphic in the truest sense of the word.
Now. Some have said they have lost motivation. Lost motivation to write. This is your work! This is your art! This is you! The only reason you lack motivation is because you haven't delved deeply enough. Get into yourself and discover whether you are truly willing to spill your blood. If you are, get back to writing and quit griping.
Nobody said writing wouldn't be hard. It's not as if the Steinbecks, the de Berniers, the Whitmans, and the Brownings throughout history have not sweated over the smallest of words. Writing is work!
Writing is sweat. Writing is power over yourself and others. Writing is sweet. Writing is the greatest therapy for inner pain. Writing is violence and peace.
Aren't you proud to be a writer?
So that's what I've come to. I am a writer. I have a dream. My dream will take work. I will do that work. I will reach my dream.
I will be a bestselling author.
carpe somnium
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sheesh, been a while eh?
It's Monday night and it's been a tough day. Heck, a tough couple of days really.
I'll start at the beginning, sort of.
I had that interview on Thursday of last week, and it went more or less well. I fear I came off as inexperienced and unprofessional and unprepared. That's because I was unprepared, kind of. I had looked at the company's website and such, but the info I gleaned completely slipped my mind in the interview. It was laughable.
Anyway, I have no doubt that they will contact me this week, saying, "We've decided to go in another direction" or some such feather rejection.
Ahhh, Green Day just came on my Internet Radio. Nice.
Moving on. I had gotten a job from a client on Wednesday night but got pretty much nothing of it done until Friday. Then I finished it today. Friday was an interesting day. I spent my time on Helium, writing a few articles and then looking at jobs. It was kind of a blah day, unfortunately. I've been wanting to move back to Alaska lately, and it's kind of depressing because it's so expensive to live up there. We saw some lots for sale in Wasilla, one of which we might want to explore buying so we can build later, and that made me even more eager to get up there. Ugh.
So then Saturday was incredibly busy, with gardening work and other stuff, topped off by a last minute request to move somebody. I gathered some guys and we showed up, but it turned out the dude wasn't able to move. I have since been trying to help this fellow get his feet under him.
Sunday was busy as well, with Church meetings and several visits which went really well.
Today I had this client's project to do, but I woke up feeling sick, with a sore throat and running a slight fever. I hadn't slept all that well either, so it took me a while to get going. But get going I did and finally churned out the work.
Now I'm done. Tomorrow I will write 3-5 articles for Helium, rate for thirty minutes (this will take me two hours), then I will work up a newsletter for ChartedCourse.
I will then have the rest of the week to work on The Cabin, although I expect to get another job from this new client. If I do, I'll bash it out fast. Unless it's some esoteric topic like Medieval Minstrel Songs or something...
I got a call from a company I applied to a little while ago, which is called Pearson. They are an education company and I applied to be a technical writer with their SLC office. Anyway, I imagine that today's call was a preliminary interview. The guy I talked to said he would send my resume off to the hiring director in Salt Lake City.
So I should hear back from Spillman and Pearson this week. I'm also headed to Austin on Friday for an interview thing that lasts six hours. This is what they call an 'Interview Event' for all Texas Teaching Fellows candidates. See, the lame thing is that they just e-mailed me saying that they no longer have openings in my field of preference: ESL. But I already bought my tickets and I am excited to see what Austin's like. And it'll be neat to see Jena again, of course! The plan is to do the interview and get my name on a waiting list, even though teaching is not my first choice.
What this all adds up to is that I am feeling a little stressed (little... ha!). But I get to see mountains out my office window, I get hugs from kids during the day, smooches from Annemarie whenever she's around and I feel the need, so stress is a minor irritant when all is said and done.
Am I aiming too high as I try to get into a job as a technical writer? The truth is that I would prefer to be a copywriter or editor at a journalistic publication, but I'm having trouble finding openings for those anywhere that we want to live.
But in conclusion, on Friday I found a job that I could get as excited about as I am about The Friend. It's at Challenger School, which is a worldwide school for primary and grammar school. They are a great company and they want an educator who is a writer, or a writer who is an educator. I am both, so I really have to fight the hope that always seems to boil up when I find a choice job.
Why fight hope? That's dumb. Okay, I'm not going to fight the hope. If I compare hope and despair, hope comes out looking like a good cup of tea. So I figure I'll take it.
That's why I know I'm going to be a bestselling author, even if at the same time I write that doubt comes knocking.
carpe somnium
If you can't feel the determination, I can. In my bones, the corners of my eyes and the set of my jaw; I feel it.
I'll start at the beginning, sort of.
I had that interview on Thursday of last week, and it went more or less well. I fear I came off as inexperienced and unprofessional and unprepared. That's because I was unprepared, kind of. I had looked at the company's website and such, but the info I gleaned completely slipped my mind in the interview. It was laughable.
Anyway, I have no doubt that they will contact me this week, saying, "We've decided to go in another direction" or some such feather rejection.
Ahhh, Green Day just came on my Internet Radio. Nice.
Moving on. I had gotten a job from a client on Wednesday night but got pretty much nothing of it done until Friday. Then I finished it today. Friday was an interesting day. I spent my time on Helium, writing a few articles and then looking at jobs. It was kind of a blah day, unfortunately. I've been wanting to move back to Alaska lately, and it's kind of depressing because it's so expensive to live up there. We saw some lots for sale in Wasilla, one of which we might want to explore buying so we can build later, and that made me even more eager to get up there. Ugh.
So then Saturday was incredibly busy, with gardening work and other stuff, topped off by a last minute request to move somebody. I gathered some guys and we showed up, but it turned out the dude wasn't able to move. I have since been trying to help this fellow get his feet under him.
Sunday was busy as well, with Church meetings and several visits which went really well.
Today I had this client's project to do, but I woke up feeling sick, with a sore throat and running a slight fever. I hadn't slept all that well either, so it took me a while to get going. But get going I did and finally churned out the work.
Now I'm done. Tomorrow I will write 3-5 articles for Helium, rate for thirty minutes (this will take me two hours), then I will work up a newsletter for ChartedCourse.
I will then have the rest of the week to work on The Cabin, although I expect to get another job from this new client. If I do, I'll bash it out fast. Unless it's some esoteric topic like Medieval Minstrel Songs or something...
I got a call from a company I applied to a little while ago, which is called Pearson. They are an education company and I applied to be a technical writer with their SLC office. Anyway, I imagine that today's call was a preliminary interview. The guy I talked to said he would send my resume off to the hiring director in Salt Lake City.
So I should hear back from Spillman and Pearson this week. I'm also headed to Austin on Friday for an interview thing that lasts six hours. This is what they call an 'Interview Event' for all Texas Teaching Fellows candidates. See, the lame thing is that they just e-mailed me saying that they no longer have openings in my field of preference: ESL. But I already bought my tickets and I am excited to see what Austin's like. And it'll be neat to see Jena again, of course! The plan is to do the interview and get my name on a waiting list, even though teaching is not my first choice.
What this all adds up to is that I am feeling a little stressed (little... ha!). But I get to see mountains out my office window, I get hugs from kids during the day, smooches from Annemarie whenever she's around and I feel the need, so stress is a minor irritant when all is said and done.
Am I aiming too high as I try to get into a job as a technical writer? The truth is that I would prefer to be a copywriter or editor at a journalistic publication, but I'm having trouble finding openings for those anywhere that we want to live.
But in conclusion, on Friday I found a job that I could get as excited about as I am about The Friend. It's at Challenger School, which is a worldwide school for primary and grammar school. They are a great company and they want an educator who is a writer, or a writer who is an educator. I am both, so I really have to fight the hope that always seems to boil up when I find a choice job.
Why fight hope? That's dumb. Okay, I'm not going to fight the hope. If I compare hope and despair, hope comes out looking like a good cup of tea. So I figure I'll take it.
That's why I know I'm going to be a bestselling author, even if at the same time I write that doubt comes knocking.
carpe somnium
If you can't feel the determination, I can. In my bones, the corners of my eyes and the set of my jaw; I feel it.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
It's a late Wednesday night, but I figured I ought to report...
For most of today's work day I was perusing job listings. I actually ended up digging deeply in the Craigslist postings for Anchorage, since that is where my family and I ultimately want to end up. We've seen that there are lots for sale in a town outside of Anchorage and so our thoughts are turning more and more to how we can get back up there for good.
Anyway, I ended up applying to a job in the Salt Lake City area and to one or two in Anchorage as well. I apply to all these jobs and then I hear nothing back, so it's a little discouraging, but I'll keep on plugging along.
I also got another set of jobs from my newest client. This is turning out to be a good set up. I got a tiny start on it today and hope to get a lot of it done tomorrow. But I have an interview in SLC tomorrow, so I will probably finish the work on Friday morning.
I also wrote two articles for Helium today as well. Here they are:
http://www.helium.com/items/1003355-oprah-winfrey-certainly-omniscient
*This is a commentary on Oprah Winfrey's show, which I've never really approved of.
http://www.helium.com/items/1003275-peruse-annals-cinema-quickly
*This is an article about some of the best fantasy film villains of all time. It was a fun one to write.
I also got started on a mystery story for www.helium.com 's Marketplace, but it still needs work.
I need to hit the sack. I will be back tomorrow to report on the interview.
Gonna write a bestseller.
c a r p e s o m n i u m
Anyway, I ended up applying to a job in the Salt Lake City area and to one or two in Anchorage as well. I apply to all these jobs and then I hear nothing back, so it's a little discouraging, but I'll keep on plugging along.
I also got another set of jobs from my newest client. This is turning out to be a good set up. I got a tiny start on it today and hope to get a lot of it done tomorrow. But I have an interview in SLC tomorrow, so I will probably finish the work on Friday morning.
I also wrote two articles for Helium today as well. Here they are:
http://www.helium.com/items/1003355-oprah-winfrey-certainly-omniscient
*This is a commentary on Oprah Winfrey's show, which I've never really approved of.
http://www.helium.com/items/1003275-peruse-annals-cinema-quickly
*This is an article about some of the best fantasy film villains of all time. It was a fun one to write.
I also got started on a mystery story for www.helium.com 's Marketplace, but it still needs work.
I need to hit the sack. I will be back tomorrow to report on the interview.
Gonna write a bestseller.
c a r p e s o m n i u m
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Exercise+allergies+nap+muscling through=Tuesday
I finally got to bed at a reasonable hour last night, which was Monday, so I was able to get up at 6AM this morning and hit the Rec Center. It felt good, but I ended with a treadmill spring, which just about made me puke and faint.
I got a hold of myself without doing either of the above and made it home. Allergies were having their way with me by this time. A shower, allergy medicine and breakfast later, I felt like passing out. Freaking Benadryl. I actually did take a nap until just after noon. I pulled myself out of my stupor as the kids and Annemarie headed out for a walk down to the duck pond.
Between lunch, breathing deeply and drinking water like crazy, I got myself together and got to work. I did the jobs my client sent me, which took up the rest of the day. That's fine. I also wrote an article for www.helium.com, which I think actually turned out pretty well. It's about the common characteristics of good fantasy movies.
Here it is: http://www.helium.com/items/1001793-about-fantasy-films-moths
And that's pretty much it for the day. Oh, I also searched for job listings on several websites, finally turning one up on Craigslist. It is as an assistant publisher at Greenleaf Publishing Group in Austin. I applied and hope to hear from them soon.
So that's actually it for the day. Now I'm going to bed. I hope to get an earlier start tomorrow by not having to take a nap.
Gonna write a bestseller.
Carpe somnium!
I also hope
I got a hold of myself without doing either of the above and made it home. Allergies were having their way with me by this time. A shower, allergy medicine and breakfast later, I felt like passing out. Freaking Benadryl. I actually did take a nap until just after noon. I pulled myself out of my stupor as the kids and Annemarie headed out for a walk down to the duck pond.
Between lunch, breathing deeply and drinking water like crazy, I got myself together and got to work. I did the jobs my client sent me, which took up the rest of the day. That's fine. I also wrote an article for www.helium.com, which I think actually turned out pretty well. It's about the common characteristics of good fantasy movies.
Here it is: http://www.helium.com/items/1001793-about-fantasy-films-moths
And that's pretty much it for the day. Oh, I also searched for job listings on several websites, finally turning one up on Craigslist. It is as an assistant publisher at Greenleaf Publishing Group in Austin. I applied and hope to hear from them soon.
So that's actually it for the day. Now I'm going to bed. I hope to get an earlier start tomorrow by not having to take a nap.
Gonna write a bestseller.
Carpe somnium!
I also hope
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday night.. getting things switched
Monday's over. I'm headed to the sack.
I started the day out strong, despite allergies. I wrote four articles this morning for www.helium.com . I also wrote a few this afternoon. Essentially I got six done today. I'll post them here:
http://www.helium.com/items/999574-fantasy-films-books-fantasy
*This article is about the use of the theme of self sacrifice in fantasy films and books. It was the last article I did for the Reward-athon on Helium, which ended today. I think I did nearly 100, or maybe even more, for this event. Some cool cash coming my way.
http://www.helium.com/items/999529-underdog-mighty-mouse-about
*I wrote about some of the more memorable fantasy heroes in film and books. This is a list of some that have struck me the most.
http://www.helium.com/items/998613-things-green-brown-should
*Another article about aerating one's lawn. It's a good thing to do. We'll do it this season.
http://www.helium.com/items/998517-death-great-equalizer-lives
*A relatively entertaining article about the fun people can have with their epitaphs and obituaries.
http://www.helium.com/items/998388-spring-barrelling-toward-grandeur
*A discussion of spring allergy treatments. Mostly just informative, but I had fun with the prose.
http://www.helium.com/items/998247-election-roaring-civility-rhino
*Political analysis of Obama and Clinton. Basically I take a position on which would be more historic: President Obama or President Clinton.
And that's what I wrote today. I also got a job from my new client. This is looking good. I got started on it and will finish it tomorrow.
I also spent a good chunk of today getting the new laptop up and running. I did a big file transfer so that I could do all of my work on this machine. I downloaded Skype and loaded up Paint Shop and some other stuff. This is a good computer. I can work a lot faster with it than with the old one. I'll keep the old one around as a back up hard drive.
That's pretty much it! I need to get to bed tonight at a reasonable hour, so I'm going there now.
Gonna write a bestseller. Carpe somnium.
I started the day out strong, despite allergies. I wrote four articles this morning for www.helium.com . I also wrote a few this afternoon. Essentially I got six done today. I'll post them here:
http://www.helium.com/items/999574-fantasy-films-books-fantasy
*This article is about the use of the theme of self sacrifice in fantasy films and books. It was the last article I did for the Reward-athon on Helium, which ended today. I think I did nearly 100, or maybe even more, for this event. Some cool cash coming my way.
http://www.helium.com/items/999529-underdog-mighty-mouse-about
*I wrote about some of the more memorable fantasy heroes in film and books. This is a list of some that have struck me the most.
http://www.helium.com/items/998613-things-green-brown-should
*Another article about aerating one's lawn. It's a good thing to do. We'll do it this season.
http://www.helium.com/items/998517-death-great-equalizer-lives
*A relatively entertaining article about the fun people can have with their epitaphs and obituaries.
http://www.helium.com/items/998388-spring-barrelling-toward-grandeur
*A discussion of spring allergy treatments. Mostly just informative, but I had fun with the prose.
http://www.helium.com/items/998247-election-roaring-civility-rhino
*Political analysis of Obama and Clinton. Basically I take a position on which would be more historic: President Obama or President Clinton.
And that's what I wrote today. I also got a job from my new client. This is looking good. I got started on it and will finish it tomorrow.
I also spent a good chunk of today getting the new laptop up and running. I did a big file transfer so that I could do all of my work on this machine. I downloaded Skype and loaded up Paint Shop and some other stuff. This is a good computer. I can work a lot faster with it than with the old one. I'll keep the old one around as a back up hard drive.
That's pretty much it! I need to get to bed tonight at a reasonable hour, so I'm going there now.
Gonna write a bestseller. Carpe somnium.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Yes, it's Saturday morning, but...
I figured I didn't post last night and there are a few things to mention, but from life in general and the writing career.
First, I bought a new laptop yesterday. I will be picking it up today; they needed to optimize its performance by getting all the advertising and trial junk off of it. While we didn't need the expense, I really needed it for work. More and more I'm needing to be online using several windows, or tabs, of browser for research while at the same time writing up notes. My current laptop was making this nearly impossible.
As for writing, I started working with a new client that I am hoping will keep giving me steady business. They seem like an ideal client, so I am excited. I also wrote four articles on www.helium.com that are more or less pretty good.
http://www.helium.com/items/992409-beowulf-cinematic-ancient-poems
*This one is a critique of the movie Beowulf in general and particularly on Angeline Jolie's work in it.
http://www.helium.com/items/992366-there-doubt-original-trilogy
*This is a listing of the lamest Star Wars characters ever, with explanations attached. Somewhat amusing but mostly spot on!
http://www.helium.com/items/992327-licensed-clinical-psychiatrist-therapist
*This is an amusing commentary on the phenomenon that is Paris Hilton. I usually get pretty angry halfway through these commentaries on politics and celebrity and pop culture, so buckle up!
http://www.helium.com/items/992282-brother-visit-family-summer
*This is a slightly tongue-in-cheek discussion of whether hybrid cars are cool. The short answer? Yes, they are.
http://www.helium.com/items/989922-stonehenge-conjures-feeling-mystery
*This is the article that I wrote as a proposed title. Helium people, in all their wisdom (I say that with mostly sincerity), figured it worked inside an existing title. That's just fine. Anyway, it's about Stonehenge's real purpose. This is further practice with writing up new events, although since it's for www.helium.com, I need to keep it timeless. Thus, it's also speculative and a commentary.
And that's it for now. I have to get to chores and yard work and stuff. I might tear out a tree today-- we'll see.
Gonna write me a bestseller. This is MY somnium to carpar. Okay, I don't know if I did the infinitive correctly there. Anybody want to guide me?
First, I bought a new laptop yesterday. I will be picking it up today; they needed to optimize its performance by getting all the advertising and trial junk off of it. While we didn't need the expense, I really needed it for work. More and more I'm needing to be online using several windows, or tabs, of browser for research while at the same time writing up notes. My current laptop was making this nearly impossible.
As for writing, I started working with a new client that I am hoping will keep giving me steady business. They seem like an ideal client, so I am excited. I also wrote four articles on www.helium.com that are more or less pretty good.
http://www.helium.com/items/992409-beowulf-cinematic-ancient-poems
*This one is a critique of the movie Beowulf in general and particularly on Angeline Jolie's work in it.
http://www.helium.com/items/992366-there-doubt-original-trilogy
*This is a listing of the lamest Star Wars characters ever, with explanations attached. Somewhat amusing but mostly spot on!
http://www.helium.com/items/992327-licensed-clinical-psychiatrist-therapist
*This is an amusing commentary on the phenomenon that is Paris Hilton. I usually get pretty angry halfway through these commentaries on politics and celebrity and pop culture, so buckle up!
http://www.helium.com/items/992282-brother-visit-family-summer
*This is a slightly tongue-in-cheek discussion of whether hybrid cars are cool. The short answer? Yes, they are.
http://www.helium.com/items/989922-stonehenge-conjures-feeling-mystery
*This is the article that I wrote as a proposed title. Helium people, in all their wisdom (I say that with mostly sincerity), figured it worked inside an existing title. That's just fine. Anyway, it's about Stonehenge's real purpose. This is further practice with writing up new events, although since it's for www.helium.com, I need to keep it timeless. Thus, it's also speculative and a commentary.
And that's it for now. I have to get to chores and yard work and stuff. I might tear out a tree today-- we'll see.
Gonna write me a bestseller. This is MY somnium to carpar. Okay, I don't know if I did the infinitive correctly there. Anybody want to guide me?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday night... whew!
Alright, it's late and I want to hit the sack. The guy's coming early tomorrow to get our new door put in, so I need to be up and alert when he shows up.
I wrote thirteen articles for Helium today. One of them is an initiated title, so I can't post it here because it's not active yet. I will now happily post the links to the other dozen. Read 'em and weep! Actually they're all pretty good and some are even informative, so you'll like them.
http://www.helium.com/items/987882-quick-organic-bandwagon-organic
http://www.helium.com/items/987906-american-apotheosis-quality-scripted
(No, I've never watched American Idol)
http://www.helium.com/items/987945-credit-cards-greatest-financial
http://www.helium.com/items/988008-rings-wasnt-movie-cinematic
http://www.helium.com/items/988543-people-there-fantasy-films
http://www.helium.com/items/988674-people-1960s-decade-change
http://www.helium.com/items/988792-those-bumper-stickers-calvin
http://www.helium.com/items/988836-office-supplies-store-please
http://www.helium.com/items/988934-ready-important-veggies-onion
http://www.helium.com/items/989079-would-believe-yellow-tomoato
http://www.helium.com/items/989769-world-going-green-while
http://www.helium.com/items/989858-acting-oldest-professions-worry
the best actors in my opinion!
So there they are: twelve pretty good articles. The one I can't list yet is a commentary on a news event. I'm trying to do more of these because I am trying to hone my news write-up abilities in order to be more employable.
I had hoped to do a tech guide article today as well, but I ended up needing to follow up on some job and publicity stuff. I got referred to a lady who's writing a cool-sounding book about unusual ways to find work so I sent off some info to her to see if she's interested in my approach. I also investigated a couple of other potential clients.
So this is good. I am going to keep trying to build my freelance business while squeezing in time for The Cabin. I continue to have to adjust my time frame for finishing the first draft of this book, but that's really okay. At least I'm not just lazing off. I really need to do the practical writing too so that I can get the bills paid!
Speaking of bills, I am about to stomp on my laptop, or roto-till it into the garden. Man alive, it's just slowing down like crazy. I cleared and organized a huge section of it, but there's no difference in speed or capacity. It's just old I guess. Almost eight years, and for a computer, that's old. I need a new one profoundly, but we really don't feel like we can afford one. So I'll keep hurling tame epithets at it while it takes a full minute to close a browser window.
That's all for now. Gotta hit the sack.
Gonna be a bestselling author because I am doing the following: carpe somnium.
I wrote thirteen articles for Helium today. One of them is an initiated title, so I can't post it here because it's not active yet. I will now happily post the links to the other dozen. Read 'em and weep! Actually they're all pretty good and some are even informative, so you'll like them.
http://www.helium.com/items/987882-quick-organic-bandwagon-organic
http://www.helium.com/items/987906-american-apotheosis-quality-scripted
(No, I've never watched American Idol)
http://www.helium.com/items/987945-credit-cards-greatest-financial
http://www.helium.com/items/988008-rings-wasnt-movie-cinematic
http://www.helium.com/items/988543-people-there-fantasy-films
http://www.helium.com/items/988674-people-1960s-decade-change
http://www.helium.com/items/988792-those-bumper-stickers-calvin
http://www.helium.com/items/988836-office-supplies-store-please
http://www.helium.com/items/988934-ready-important-veggies-onion
http://www.helium.com/items/989079-would-believe-yellow-tomoato
http://www.helium.com/items/989769-world-going-green-while
http://www.helium.com/items/989858-acting-oldest-professions-worry
the best actors in my opinion!
So there they are: twelve pretty good articles. The one I can't list yet is a commentary on a news event. I'm trying to do more of these because I am trying to hone my news write-up abilities in order to be more employable.
I had hoped to do a tech guide article today as well, but I ended up needing to follow up on some job and publicity stuff. I got referred to a lady who's writing a cool-sounding book about unusual ways to find work so I sent off some info to her to see if she's interested in my approach. I also investigated a couple of other potential clients.
So this is good. I am going to keep trying to build my freelance business while squeezing in time for The Cabin. I continue to have to adjust my time frame for finishing the first draft of this book, but that's really okay. At least I'm not just lazing off. I really need to do the practical writing too so that I can get the bills paid!
Speaking of bills, I am about to stomp on my laptop, or roto-till it into the garden. Man alive, it's just slowing down like crazy. I cleared and organized a huge section of it, but there's no difference in speed or capacity. It's just old I guess. Almost eight years, and for a computer, that's old. I need a new one profoundly, but we really don't feel like we can afford one. So I'll keep hurling tame epithets at it while it takes a full minute to close a browser window.
That's all for now. Gotta hit the sack.
Gonna be a bestselling author because I am doing the following: carpe somnium.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Late on a Wednesday e'en...
Gosh I love to sound pretentious.
I have to mention something. I imagine that every industry is filled with good people who are supportive and kind and who reach out to others. The writing profession does the same. Curtis, thank you for your thoughtful words and... I guess for the time you spent typing them. Really, that's a donation of a bit of your life, so thank you for that gift. Bob Younce, I don't know you well but have competed with you on www.helium.com and have seen you in the community forums. Thanks for the note. It means more than you probably intended it to, but as all writers know, we thrive on validation.
So that's my sentimentality for the day. Today I wrote nine articles for Helium. Yep, nine. And guess what? They all qualify for the Reward-athon, so wahoo. You know you want to read them, you know you do! Okay, I'll post the links. They will be in the order that I wrote them today, so you can judge if I get worse or better as the day goes on.
http://www.helium.com/items/983877-drink-merry-tomorrow-things
http://www.helium.com/items/986674-doesnt-night-games-getting
http://www.helium.com/items/986733-social-security-going-fading
http://www.helium.com/items/986772-access-hollywood-entertainment-tonight
http://www.helium.com/items/986817-homely-dictionary-might-picture
http://www.helium.com/items/987094-piranhas-swarms-sharks-media
http://www.helium.com/items/987109-karaoke-culture-beautiful-vibrant
http://www.helium.com/items/987118-fashions-foibles-interesting-gamut
http://www.helium.com/items/987152-united-states-suffering-winters
Okay, I'm not actually certain that the first link is an article I wrote today or yesterday. Oh well, it's a pretty good article.
Yes, it really is all a blur. Hey, don't give me a hard time; I'm trying to write another thirty articles in the next five days. Make that four days because I don't write on Sunday. Woohoo!
I sent out e-mails to prospective clients today, hoping to begin building my freelance business up more. I realized that I really could be doing more to make actual cash, so I'm going to go for it.
I haven't made time this week yet for The Cabin. I hope to tomorrow, but I am shooting for twelve to fifteen articles on Helium, so we will have to see. If I can keep this up, I will be at 1000 articles by the end of June!
Anyway, that's it really. I've begun reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. It's marvelous. I've read the first bit, Men Without Chests before, and I love it even more now. I'm actually taking notes on it, if you can believe it.
This is all a part of my effort to stop reading crap and start filling my head with good stuff. I am doing this because I've been lazy in my education thus far and I am finally feeling like an idiot for doing so. Plus, I pray my writing will be informed by the good writing and thinking of the geniuses of the craft.
So C.S. Lewis is first. Annemarie is also supposed to be getting us started on our joint reading of the classics soon, about which I'm very excited. Didja see that? I made sure not to end my sentence with a preposition. I just had to put that in.
Sheesh, I'm a git.
Love to mum and dad.. wherever that came from.
Gonna be a bestselling author and carpe THIS somnium, bub.
I have to mention something. I imagine that every industry is filled with good people who are supportive and kind and who reach out to others. The writing profession does the same. Curtis, thank you for your thoughtful words and... I guess for the time you spent typing them. Really, that's a donation of a bit of your life, so thank you for that gift. Bob Younce, I don't know you well but have competed with you on www.helium.com and have seen you in the community forums. Thanks for the note. It means more than you probably intended it to, but as all writers know, we thrive on validation.
So that's my sentimentality for the day. Today I wrote nine articles for Helium. Yep, nine. And guess what? They all qualify for the Reward-athon, so wahoo. You know you want to read them, you know you do! Okay, I'll post the links. They will be in the order that I wrote them today, so you can judge if I get worse or better as the day goes on.
http://www.helium.com/items/983877-drink-merry-tomorrow-things
http://www.helium.com/items/986674-doesnt-night-games-getting
http://www.helium.com/items/986733-social-security-going-fading
http://www.helium.com/items/986772-access-hollywood-entertainment-tonight
http://www.helium.com/items/986817-homely-dictionary-might-picture
http://www.helium.com/items/987094-piranhas-swarms-sharks-media
http://www.helium.com/items/987109-karaoke-culture-beautiful-vibrant
http://www.helium.com/items/987118-fashions-foibles-interesting-gamut
http://www.helium.com/items/987152-united-states-suffering-winters
Okay, I'm not actually certain that the first link is an article I wrote today or yesterday. Oh well, it's a pretty good article.
Yes, it really is all a blur. Hey, don't give me a hard time; I'm trying to write another thirty articles in the next five days. Make that four days because I don't write on Sunday. Woohoo!
I sent out e-mails to prospective clients today, hoping to begin building my freelance business up more. I realized that I really could be doing more to make actual cash, so I'm going to go for it.
I haven't made time this week yet for The Cabin. I hope to tomorrow, but I am shooting for twelve to fifteen articles on Helium, so we will have to see. If I can keep this up, I will be at 1000 articles by the end of June!
Anyway, that's it really. I've begun reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. It's marvelous. I've read the first bit, Men Without Chests before, and I love it even more now. I'm actually taking notes on it, if you can believe it.
This is all a part of my effort to stop reading crap and start filling my head with good stuff. I am doing this because I've been lazy in my education thus far and I am finally feeling like an idiot for doing so. Plus, I pray my writing will be informed by the good writing and thinking of the geniuses of the craft.
So C.S. Lewis is first. Annemarie is also supposed to be getting us started on our joint reading of the classics soon, about which I'm very excited. Didja see that? I made sure not to end my sentence with a preposition. I just had to put that in.
Sheesh, I'm a git.
Love to mum and dad.. wherever that came from.
Gonna be a bestselling author and carpe THIS somnium, bub.
The night of Tuesday the 8th
It's late. We watched The Pianist tonight. I had seen it before, but had forgotten it some and Annemarie had never seen it. Yeah, it's good. Too bad Adrien Brody hasn't done much of worth since. No, The Darjeeling Limited really doesn't count, neither does The Jacket.
Anyway, I've been depressed and on a downer these last couple of days. Doubt, depression, doubt, anger, feelings of inadequacy, questioning... it's all been mixing it up inside me. Ugh. Lameness. Still there, but I'm trying to just muscle/push/work through it. Annemarie's very supportive, of course. But a lot of men can't pretend it's all better after a perfectly wonderful hug.
I wrote some today and yesterday. Yesterday's articles were for a contest on Helium, and today's were for a variety of things. Here are the links. I actually think they're all good, with the first few rather entertaining.
http://www.helium.com/items/983877-drink-merry-tomorrow-things
http://www.helium.com/items/983094-senator-barrack-obama-voted
http://www.helium.com/items/983027-championship-biggest-biters-recent
http://www.helium.com/items/982953-pretty-senator-mccain-going
http://www.helium.com/items/982336-creaking-protestsi-lunge-sleepand
http://www.helium.com/items/980612-human-raisin-ayeat-resounding
http://www.helium.com/items/980496-drink-drive-drink-operate
http://www.helium.com/items/980323-remove-moles-flood-their
These ones are the articles I wrote last Friday, minus the quizzes I am hoping to be picked up by a Marketplace publisher. Some of these are poems... so read them if you dare.
http://www.helium.com/items/973986-scouts-american-really-hijacked
http://www.helium.com/items/973858-morningfresh-airand-lightglow-prisondrawing
http://www.helium.com/items/973853-early-morning-springi-found
http://www.helium.com/items/973825-unsaidwellthere-nothingmore-believe-everything
http://www.helium.com/items/972989-heres-experiment-google-adjusted
Yes, I've been staying busy. I just need something to happen here. Like a job offer, or even a job response that validates my writing at least a little bit. Arg.
That's all for now. Still gonna write a bestseller, I am. I just don't see it yet. Hopefully soonish.
I do love writing. I need to do it better.
Anyway, I've been depressed and on a downer these last couple of days. Doubt, depression, doubt, anger, feelings of inadequacy, questioning... it's all been mixing it up inside me. Ugh. Lameness. Still there, but I'm trying to just muscle/push/work through it. Annemarie's very supportive, of course. But a lot of men can't pretend it's all better after a perfectly wonderful hug.
I wrote some today and yesterday. Yesterday's articles were for a contest on Helium, and today's were for a variety of things. Here are the links. I actually think they're all good, with the first few rather entertaining.
http://www.helium.com/items/983877-drink-merry-tomorrow-things
http://www.helium.com/items/983094-senator-barrack-obama-voted
http://www.helium.com/items/983027-championship-biggest-biters-recent
http://www.helium.com/items/982953-pretty-senator-mccain-going
http://www.helium.com/items/982336-creaking-protestsi-lunge-sleepand
http://www.helium.com/items/980612-human-raisin-ayeat-resounding
http://www.helium.com/items/980496-drink-drive-drink-operate
http://www.helium.com/items/980323-remove-moles-flood-their
These ones are the articles I wrote last Friday, minus the quizzes I am hoping to be picked up by a Marketplace publisher. Some of these are poems... so read them if you dare.
http://www.helium.com/items/973986-scouts-american-really-hijacked
http://www.helium.com/items/973858-morningfresh-airand-lightglow-prisondrawing
http://www.helium.com/items/973853-early-morning-springi-found
http://www.helium.com/items/973825-unsaidwellthere-nothingmore-believe-everything
http://www.helium.com/items/972989-heres-experiment-google-adjusted
Yes, I've been staying busy. I just need something to happen here. Like a job offer, or even a job response that validates my writing at least a little bit. Arg.
That's all for now. Still gonna write a bestseller, I am. I just don't see it yet. Hopefully soonish.
I do love writing. I need to do it better.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Look! It's not the middle of the night!
Here I am! Peek a boo! Inai inai ba!
Okay, sorry there. Hehe.
I got it all done! Woohoo!
I was able to tune out distractions for the most part and did exactly what I set out to do today. Here's the play-by-play (for any March Madness addicts, which I am not one of.. and I won't apologize for it).
Helium.com
I set out to write three articles for www.helium.com and I did so. The first one I did was a journalistic piece about a doomsday cult in Russia. They rejected the first version, saying it wouldn't be timeless, so I rewrote it as a commentary and I have high hopes of seeing it published. I am trying to develop journalism skills so that I can become more attractive to clients and employers.
I also rewrote, completely, an article that had been deleted due to length. The third article I wrote was for a contest, and it is sitting happily at the top of its title group. One of the articles I wrote last week for this contest is the last one in its group, and that's really ticking me off. It's like that group isn't being rated or something. Mine was the first article in the title, which isn't always the best thing, so I have some hope that its position will improve over the rating period for this contest. But I intend to write at least one more contest article tomorrow.
Anyhoo, here are the links to the articles I wrote today which are active on Helium:
http://www.helium.com/items/965542-while-expert-speak-sloppy
http://www.helium.com/items/965490-minimum-nothing-shake-stick
The article about the doomsday cult should be active in a day or two. I'll post the link here when it shows up.
Then I rated on Helium for a solid hour. Whew. It can get very dull, but I listened to music while I did it. I have to keep this up, because I must get all the money from the Reward-a-thon.
The Cabin
So then I emerged from the office and found everybody asleep. It was just after 3PM and it was time to get the older boys from Spanish School. Annemarie woke up as I came out and looked blearily around. She was having Braxton Hicks contractions for much of the day and was wiped out by 9PM. Poor lady.
Anyway, I said I would go get the lads and I did so. I got back about 4 PM and got to work on The Cabin soon after. With a break for dinner, clean up and bedtime routines, I finally got back to it just before 9PM. I stopped a few minutes ago having added about 5200 words to it! Wahoo. Boy howdy, this character is going places I wasn't really expecting. But it's a good time. A really good time.
So that's my day. I got some responses from a couple job apps that I sent out. One wants me to come in for an interview, but that's in Austin, so that's kind of hard. Plus, they call the position Marketing Associate, but I get the feeling that this is a euphemism for sales rep. No thanks.
The other is for a job with a local company that I applied to do some freelance work with. They turned me down for that, but I figured I would see about being their staff writer, as it's a company that looks professional and to be going places. They want sample web copy, so I sent an e-mail back to clarify instructions and hope to hear back tomorrow.
What will be will be. I will keep trying to learn this craft. Gonna read Stephen King's On Writing Well again, this time with an eye to learning from a master. I hope to find a workshop in the coming weeks where I can take my work to.
That's all for now. Gonna be a bestselling author.
carpe somnium
Okay, sorry there. Hehe.
I got it all done! Woohoo!
I was able to tune out distractions for the most part and did exactly what I set out to do today. Here's the play-by-play (for any March Madness addicts, which I am not one of.. and I won't apologize for it).
Helium.com
I set out to write three articles for www.helium.com and I did so. The first one I did was a journalistic piece about a doomsday cult in Russia. They rejected the first version, saying it wouldn't be timeless, so I rewrote it as a commentary and I have high hopes of seeing it published. I am trying to develop journalism skills so that I can become more attractive to clients and employers.
I also rewrote, completely, an article that had been deleted due to length. The third article I wrote was for a contest, and it is sitting happily at the top of its title group. One of the articles I wrote last week for this contest is the last one in its group, and that's really ticking me off. It's like that group isn't being rated or something. Mine was the first article in the title, which isn't always the best thing, so I have some hope that its position will improve over the rating period for this contest. But I intend to write at least one more contest article tomorrow.
Anyhoo, here are the links to the articles I wrote today which are active on Helium:
http://www.helium.com/items/965542-while-expert-speak-sloppy
http://www.helium.com/items/965490-minimum-nothing-shake-stick
The article about the doomsday cult should be active in a day or two. I'll post the link here when it shows up.
Then I rated on Helium for a solid hour. Whew. It can get very dull, but I listened to music while I did it. I have to keep this up, because I must get all the money from the Reward-a-thon.
The Cabin
So then I emerged from the office and found everybody asleep. It was just after 3PM and it was time to get the older boys from Spanish School. Annemarie woke up as I came out and looked blearily around. She was having Braxton Hicks contractions for much of the day and was wiped out by 9PM. Poor lady.
Anyway, I said I would go get the lads and I did so. I got back about 4 PM and got to work on The Cabin soon after. With a break for dinner, clean up and bedtime routines, I finally got back to it just before 9PM. I stopped a few minutes ago having added about 5200 words to it! Wahoo. Boy howdy, this character is going places I wasn't really expecting. But it's a good time. A really good time.
So that's my day. I got some responses from a couple job apps that I sent out. One wants me to come in for an interview, but that's in Austin, so that's kind of hard. Plus, they call the position Marketing Associate, but I get the feeling that this is a euphemism for sales rep. No thanks.
The other is for a job with a local company that I applied to do some freelance work with. They turned me down for that, but I figured I would see about being their staff writer, as it's a company that looks professional and to be going places. They want sample web copy, so I sent an e-mail back to clarify instructions and hope to hear back tomorrow.
What will be will be. I will keep trying to learn this craft. Gonna read Stephen King's On Writing Well again, this time with an eye to learning from a master. I hope to find a workshop in the coming weeks where I can take my work to.
That's all for now. Gonna be a bestselling author.
carpe somnium
Friday, January 11, 2008
January 11, 2008: Friday
I am back! I must apologize for the long absence, and I hope the three of you (maybe two?) that actually visit this site accept my apology. I am going to post some cool writing opportunities now, but will be back later to post an update.
I just wanted to post some links here for those who are interested in earning some money for their writing. There are a lot of opportunities to get paid as a freelancer, and there are fully legitimate. They are not get-rich schemes. They are potential clients for freelancing and a great way to build your writing portfolio. And you get money IF your article is chosen. So write your best! On a side note, I am posting these because I am already making some money from this, and I figured I ought to share the wealth. Thanks to all those who have supported me in my quest to fulfill my dream.
Check these out:
#1. Mystery Stories - $50 - Due: 1/17 - 1,200-1,500 words
The following mysteries need stories: Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day, War of 1812, Baseball, Revolutionary War, SuperbowlMystery should include at least four suspects and four clues weaved into the story. Mystery and solution need to be included at the end; mysteries will be used in school and should be written at a sixth-grade reading level.
Follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=366718
#2. Aquarium Community - $100 - Due: 1/16 - 500-1000 words
Provide an in-depth analysis of the different water parameters that are needed to keep a saltwater reef tank, such as Nitrates, Nitrites, PH, Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Phosphates, Salinity, etc. Give the scientific formulas and the amounts needed in a saltwater aquarium.
To submit an article, follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=370477
#3. Boomer Lifestyle - $40 - Due: 1/16 - 700-800 words
*Connection between sleep deprivation and mentail illness *What goes on in our brain when we fall in love? *New Study: Can the eyes play tricks on the ears? *Is your relationship in danger of an affair? *What are the physical causes of depression?
Follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=342166
#4 ePersonal Finance - $80 - Due: 1/16 - 800-1200 words
How to articles, for a web audience (use subheadings, bullets, short paragraphs), SEO, ghostwritten
How to...
• Set up a Roth IRA • Buy life insurance • Refinance mortgage • Set up a budget • Set up an IRA • Avoid a tax audit • Calculate costs of buying home
• Pay for college • Maximize retirement income • Buy life insurance • Avoid probate • Get out of debt • Care for aging parents • Expediate tax refund
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=299635
#5 Auto Craze
Requirements:Compensation – $16 Deadline – 1/22/08Word Count – 400-1,000
Car tips & Tricks
How to choose an auto insurance broker
How to shop for online car insurance
Cheap car rental tips
Guide to kit cars
Guide to shopping for hot rods
Custom Cars & Accessories
Guide to car CD players
Guide to shopping for radar detectors
Guide to subwoofers for car stereos
Choosing the right truck bed liner
Motorcycles & Recreational Vehicles
Motorcycle racing 101
Best motorcycle gloves
Must-have motorcycle apparel
A day in the life of a NASCAR fan
Best recreational vehicles
Parts, Performance & Repair
A beginner’s guide to fuel injection
How your car transmission works
The easiest ways to find auto body parts
How to change your motor oil
How to change your spark plugs
…And many more
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=374028
#6 Friends in Energy – $25 – Due: 1/14/08 – 400-700 words
Gear content towards expatriates in the energy industry between the ages of 25 and 45.
*2008 outlook for the energy industry*Best perks in frequent flyer programs*2008: Predicting extreme and retro sporting trends*Easy to implement environmental resolutions for the new year*Satire: Adventures of a multinational family celebrating the holidays
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=373268
#7 Travel Planning Guide – San Diego, CA - $40 – Due: 1/16/08 – 350-500 words
*Water sports and activities in San Diego, CA*San Diego, CA: Hidden attractions*Visiting San Diego, CA in the summer; spring; winter*Guide to fishing in San Diego, CA*A guide to San Diego beaches
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=315563
#8 Irreverent Downloadable Game Site (Promo 4) -
Requirements:Compensation per selected review – $20
Deadline – 1/15/08
Word count – 400-500
Online video game reviews, 400-500 words, needed for: Farm Frenzy, Rooms, Night of the Zombies, Cryptex of Time, and Fairway Solitaire. Original reviews should be written in active voice and include rating and commentary on game play, graphics, sound, creativity, and innovation. Free trials available!
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=363365
#9 Boomer Lifestyle - $40 - Due: 1/16 - 700-800 words
*Connection between sleep deprivation and mentail illness *What goes on in our brain when we fall in love? *New Study: Can the eyes play tricks on the ears? *Is your relationship in danger of an affair? *What are the physical causes of depression?
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=342166
As a reminder, these opportunities are competitive. To get paid, you have to be selected. To be selected, you have to follow the guidelines and do great work.
Good writing!
I just wanted to post some links here for those who are interested in earning some money for their writing. There are a lot of opportunities to get paid as a freelancer, and there are fully legitimate. They are not get-rich schemes. They are potential clients for freelancing and a great way to build your writing portfolio. And you get money IF your article is chosen. So write your best! On a side note, I am posting these because I am already making some money from this, and I figured I ought to share the wealth. Thanks to all those who have supported me in my quest to fulfill my dream.
Check these out:
#1. Mystery Stories - $50 - Due: 1/17 - 1,200-1,500 words
The following mysteries need stories: Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day, War of 1812, Baseball, Revolutionary War, SuperbowlMystery should include at least four suspects and four clues weaved into the story. Mystery and solution need to be included at the end; mysteries will be used in school and should be written at a sixth-grade reading level.
Follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=366718
#2. Aquarium Community - $100 - Due: 1/16 - 500-1000 words
Provide an in-depth analysis of the different water parameters that are needed to keep a saltwater reef tank, such as Nitrates, Nitrites, PH, Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Phosphates, Salinity, etc. Give the scientific formulas and the amounts needed in a saltwater aquarium.
To submit an article, follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=370477
#3. Boomer Lifestyle - $40 - Due: 1/16 - 700-800 words
*Connection between sleep deprivation and mentail illness *What goes on in our brain when we fall in love? *New Study: Can the eyes play tricks on the ears? *Is your relationship in danger of an affair? *What are the physical causes of depression?
Follow this link: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=342166
#4 ePersonal Finance - $80 - Due: 1/16 - 800-1200 words
How to articles, for a web audience (use subheadings, bullets, short paragraphs), SEO, ghostwritten
How to...
• Set up a Roth IRA • Buy life insurance • Refinance mortgage • Set up a budget • Set up an IRA • Avoid a tax audit • Calculate costs of buying home
• Pay for college • Maximize retirement income • Buy life insurance • Avoid probate • Get out of debt • Care for aging parents • Expediate tax refund
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=299635
#5 Auto Craze
Requirements:Compensation – $16 Deadline – 1/22/08Word Count – 400-1,000
Car tips & Tricks
How to choose an auto insurance broker
How to shop for online car insurance
Cheap car rental tips
Guide to kit cars
Guide to shopping for hot rods
Custom Cars & Accessories
Guide to car CD players
Guide to shopping for radar detectors
Guide to subwoofers for car stereos
Choosing the right truck bed liner
Motorcycles & Recreational Vehicles
Motorcycle racing 101
Best motorcycle gloves
Must-have motorcycle apparel
A day in the life of a NASCAR fan
Best recreational vehicles
Parts, Performance & Repair
A beginner’s guide to fuel injection
How your car transmission works
The easiest ways to find auto body parts
How to change your motor oil
How to change your spark plugs
…And many more
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=374028
#6 Friends in Energy – $25 – Due: 1/14/08 – 400-700 words
Gear content towards expatriates in the energy industry between the ages of 25 and 45.
*2008 outlook for the energy industry*Best perks in frequent flyer programs*2008: Predicting extreme and retro sporting trends*Easy to implement environmental resolutions for the new year*Satire: Adventures of a multinational family celebrating the holidays
Follow: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=373268
#7 Travel Planning Guide – San Diego, CA - $40 – Due: 1/16/08 – 350-500 words
*Water sports and activities in San Diego, CA*San Diego, CA: Hidden attractions*Visiting San Diego, CA in the summer; spring; winter*Guide to fishing in San Diego, CA*A guide to San Diego beaches
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=315563
#8 Irreverent Downloadable Game Site (Promo 4) -
Requirements:Compensation per selected review – $20
Deadline – 1/15/08
Word count – 400-500
Online video game reviews, 400-500 words, needed for: Farm Frenzy, Rooms, Night of the Zombies, Cryptex of Time, and Fairway Solitaire. Original reviews should be written in active voice and include rating and commentary on game play, graphics, sound, creativity, and innovation. Free trials available!
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=363365
#9 Boomer Lifestyle - $40 - Due: 1/16 - 700-800 words
*Connection between sleep deprivation and mentail illness *What goes on in our brain when we fall in love? *New Study: Can the eyes play tricks on the ears? *Is your relationship in danger of an affair? *What are the physical causes of depression?
Go to: http://www.helium.com/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690&redir_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarketplace%2Ehelium%2Ecom%2Fmarketpublisher%3Fpubid=342166
As a reminder, these opportunities are competitive. To get paid, you have to be selected. To be selected, you have to follow the guidelines and do great work.
Good writing!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Saturday, November 10: late
Well we just got back from our journey to Southern Utah. Zion National Park is phenomenal. Wow. It is stupefyingly gorgeous.
I did some writing yesterday, but could not get a reliable Internet connection so could not post here.
Just as well, I don't have much to say.
I have only done 6000 words on The Cabin so far (my NaNoWriMo) project. Gotta get after it next week.
I have entered and am so far placing well in the College Writing Contest on www.helium.com
I now have to go shopping for tomorrow's dinner. I am beat.
I did some writing yesterday, but could not get a reliable Internet connection so could not post here.
Just as well, I don't have much to say.
I have only done 6000 words on The Cabin so far (my NaNoWriMo) project. Gotta get after it next week.
I have entered and am so far placing well in the College Writing Contest on www.helium.com
I now have to go shopping for tomorrow's dinner. I am beat.
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