another lack of dollars.
Feverishly looking for a job. I'm about to start considering the hourly wage stuff that I see all over the place.
The thing is, I don't really want to get trapped into a job, since that's not how to get out of the rat race. But I need to have one of the several time and money investments I've made that are outside the box pay off.
Until then, I'm still after the writing. I will be drumming up freelance work this morning.
Back later.
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sorry, it's been a coupla' days...
Well, here I am. Yesterday and today have been very productive, and also good monetarily. I have been working hard on finalizing ChartedCourse's system manual, and it is one step away from finished. Just waiting on some final material from the CEO fellow.
I also have finalized my first draft of Mars Betrayal for Heinle Graded Readers. Woohoo! I will be sending it off tomorrow morning. I sent an invoice for the first $1000 of my advance this evening.
So it has been good. I haven't done any writing for www.helium.com recently, but I hope to tomorrow.
Therefore, tomorrow I will:
1. Send off Mars Betrayal
2. Finalize the system manual for ChartedCourse
3. Write at least two articles for www.helium.com
4. Work on an outline for another graded reader. I have the idea, I just have to work out the plot and characters.
Anyway, I have been putting in about eight hour days these days, and it has been feeling good. I need to keep it up.
I also have been exercising this week, having stopped last week. I need to get it in gear! I am down a couple pounds from the new year, but I need to work harder at it. I am so used to having a late-night snack at around 9 or 10 PM, and there is no doubt that is making it harder for me to lose this poundage. So I am now, having gone on a sugar fast for the last while, eliminating my late-night snack. I really want to lose this stuff.
The writing career is for real. I never really expected to see this kind of success in five months of this, but it is a good thing it has happened. I feel like I am working the way I want to now. I am a little concerned that I won't have enough steady income by the time our cash runs out to support us. But we will keep at it and hope for the best. I think getting The Cabin done and sent out will help with that. I really feel it will sell.
Here is a link to something really neat having to do with www.helium.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TsCTWc1d0I
Yes, that's me in there.
I had an article featured on the front page of Helium today, that was nice. It is a review of an album that I did a while back. The review, not the album. I don't do albums.
So that's it for now. Exciting eh?
I also have finalized my first draft of Mars Betrayal for Heinle Graded Readers. Woohoo! I will be sending it off tomorrow morning. I sent an invoice for the first $1000 of my advance this evening.
So it has been good. I haven't done any writing for www.helium.com recently, but I hope to tomorrow.
Therefore, tomorrow I will:
1. Send off Mars Betrayal
2. Finalize the system manual for ChartedCourse
3. Write at least two articles for www.helium.com
4. Work on an outline for another graded reader. I have the idea, I just have to work out the plot and characters.
Anyway, I have been putting in about eight hour days these days, and it has been feeling good. I need to keep it up.
I also have been exercising this week, having stopped last week. I need to get it in gear! I am down a couple pounds from the new year, but I need to work harder at it. I am so used to having a late-night snack at around 9 or 10 PM, and there is no doubt that is making it harder for me to lose this poundage. So I am now, having gone on a sugar fast for the last while, eliminating my late-night snack. I really want to lose this stuff.
The writing career is for real. I never really expected to see this kind of success in five months of this, but it is a good thing it has happened. I feel like I am working the way I want to now. I am a little concerned that I won't have enough steady income by the time our cash runs out to support us. But we will keep at it and hope for the best. I think getting The Cabin done and sent out will help with that. I really feel it will sell.
Here is a link to something really neat having to do with www.helium.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TsCTWc1d0I
Yes, that's me in there.
I had an article featured on the front page of Helium today, that was nice. It is a review of an album that I did a while back. The review, not the album. I don't do albums.
So that's it for now. Exciting eh?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I love this job
Today was good, as was yesterday.
Yesterday I wrote several articles for www.helium.com. I wrote two more today. So in the last two days I wrote three articles for the Marketplace. The ones I wrote are for a Names website which, I think, is called www.name.com. Here are the three I wrote:
http://www.helium.com/tm/815570/something-keeps-cadence-originate
http://www.helium.com/tm/815348/modern-trend-taking-names
http://www.helium.com/tm/813905/logan-coolest-planet-because
I enjoyed writing them. The research was fun as well. You might notice some numerology stuff in there. I don't actually give it much credence, but it's fun to fiddle around with. But I did check my names on the numerology website I provided in two of the articles.
I checked the name that is on my birth certificate (which is not the one I have now) and the one that I have now. The two names are polar opposites! It's hilarious. I must be schizo. But what is actually interesting is that I can see quite a lot of both descriptions in me.
Anyway, I also wrote an article for the Pultizer Center contest that Helium is involved in. Here's the article: http://www.helium.com/tm/813765/remember-about-edwin-starr
Here's the overview of the contest:
http://www.helium.com/pulitzer-contest-overview/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690
In short, participants in the contest write their best researched and composed articles to the titles the Pulitzer Center has given Helium. The top ten articles (when the contest ends) are passed on to the Pulitzer Center. Then the Pulitzer Center chooses one article from each title. The author of the chosen title is then a Pulitzer Center Citizen Journalist. Isn't that pretty nifty?
Also, today I worked on The Mars Betrayal and have one chapter to go. Probably. I don't see the rests of the action needing to be broken into two chapters. Plus, I think I am getting close to the length limit. It is going well and I am getting used to keeping the language simple.
It is nice to be close to finishing my second legitimate book. I mean, I know I wrote a book for my students in Taiwan, but it's pretty short. But it's not bad. I sent an electronic copy of it to a good friend, who is an ex-student of mine. She worked for a publishing company in Taipei, Taiwan. She suggested that she might be able to see if her company would want to publish the novella I wrote in Taiwan. It is called Neighborhood Thief.
Anyway, I also got a copy of the contract back today. I expected there to be a check with it, since part of the advance should be payable on signing, according to the contract. If it doesn't come this week, I will contact them.
Tomorrow I am going in to Charted Course's new offices to meet with the CEO/Founder. I imagine they will have a lot they need me to do. I should be pretty busy for the next few weeks.
I still hope to get back to The Cabin, though. Still want to have it written by the end of February, and then ready to be sent out by the end of March. Impatient, I know, but eager and ambitious.
I also need to finish the outline for the next graded reader I want to do. This one will be lower level.
And that's pretty much it. I am getting into the right kind of groove now. I just need to get started earlier in the day. I love this job.
Yesterday I wrote several articles for www.helium.com. I wrote two more today. So in the last two days I wrote three articles for the Marketplace. The ones I wrote are for a Names website which, I think, is called www.name.com. Here are the three I wrote:
http://www.helium.com/tm/815570/something-keeps-cadence-originate
http://www.helium.com/tm/815348/modern-trend-taking-names
http://www.helium.com/tm/813905/logan-coolest-planet-because
I enjoyed writing them. The research was fun as well. You might notice some numerology stuff in there. I don't actually give it much credence, but it's fun to fiddle around with. But I did check my names on the numerology website I provided in two of the articles.
I checked the name that is on my birth certificate (which is not the one I have now) and the one that I have now. The two names are polar opposites! It's hilarious. I must be schizo. But what is actually interesting is that I can see quite a lot of both descriptions in me.
Anyway, I also wrote an article for the Pultizer Center contest that Helium is involved in. Here's the article: http://www.helium.com/tm/813765/remember-about-edwin-starr
Here's the overview of the contest:
http://www.helium.com/pulitzer-contest-overview/?ad=613&placement=forums&iw=45690
In short, participants in the contest write their best researched and composed articles to the titles the Pulitzer Center has given Helium. The top ten articles (when the contest ends) are passed on to the Pulitzer Center. Then the Pulitzer Center chooses one article from each title. The author of the chosen title is then a Pulitzer Center Citizen Journalist. Isn't that pretty nifty?
Also, today I worked on The Mars Betrayal and have one chapter to go. Probably. I don't see the rests of the action needing to be broken into two chapters. Plus, I think I am getting close to the length limit. It is going well and I am getting used to keeping the language simple.
It is nice to be close to finishing my second legitimate book. I mean, I know I wrote a book for my students in Taiwan, but it's pretty short. But it's not bad. I sent an electronic copy of it to a good friend, who is an ex-student of mine. She worked for a publishing company in Taipei, Taiwan. She suggested that she might be able to see if her company would want to publish the novella I wrote in Taiwan. It is called Neighborhood Thief.
Anyway, I also got a copy of the contract back today. I expected there to be a check with it, since part of the advance should be payable on signing, according to the contract. If it doesn't come this week, I will contact them.
Tomorrow I am going in to Charted Course's new offices to meet with the CEO/Founder. I imagine they will have a lot they need me to do. I should be pretty busy for the next few weeks.
I still hope to get back to The Cabin, though. Still want to have it written by the end of February, and then ready to be sent out by the end of March. Impatient, I know, but eager and ambitious.
I also need to finish the outline for the next graded reader I want to do. This one will be lower level.
And that's pretty much it. I am getting into the right kind of groove now. I just need to get started earlier in the day. I love this job.
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!
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