Yet another day, another article.

I wrote a couple of articles last night.  I’m waiting on my article that I submitted to AC to go through.  I’m hoping it does.  I also found another site called Constant Content.  This site is dedicated to people looking for articles.  They can write requests or search the huge database of authors and articles to pick.  It is basically a marketplace where you can submit articles or buy them.  Its free to join and you do not bid for work.  You either write and submit an article based upon a request you find, then direct the requester to your article, OR you simply submit any article over any topic you want and place a price on it.  Publishers will then buy your work for your asking price if it fits the type that they are looking for.  Generally speaking, the publishers are those with their own blogs, websites, e-zines, newspapers, and columns, and the topics of articles they are looking for are varied and wide.  So more than likely, if you submit a well written article, someone will like it and find want to buy it. 

I find this site to be the most promising.  When you sign up, they do not request samples of your work to see if you’re established enough.  You are able to submit an article over any topic you choose.  You can set your own price, which I believe the this is the reason the site is so successful.  Instead of having well established authors write the article you need for you for a hefty price, you can choose to pay a lower price and still get a good quality of work, because of course everything has to be approved first before being placed up for sale.  Some people may not like this idea because you’ll generally get paid lower, but for those of us who are not established and are not really looking for the money, but more of a name and a portfolio, its wonderful.  And there is always still replying to requests if you prefer that.  There are always a large number of requests by publishers to filled.

I will take one more look at the writing guidelines and submissions for this site before I decide on submitting to them or not.  However, I am definitely leaning towards them.  I have heard from many people that all the articles they submitted were always bought eventually.  If not immediately. 

Hope this helps someone!  I’ll be looking into it much more later on today!

I do have some sad news, for me that is because I do not own a laptop.  I am going in for surgery to deliver my second child by c-section tomorrow, so I will not be able to update my blog for about a week.  When I get back, I’m sure I will have a lot of news and updates, so be prepared for multiple posts a day, or possibly really long ones!

Good News for Me.

This is just an update on my first article that I submitted.  I do plan on adding anymore articles to Helium, because as I’ve mentioned, you have to pick a topic and then conform to it, but I did check the rating of the one article I have submitted and it is 4 out of 11 so far.  I find that promising.  On Triond, another site I’m not sure if I plan on using to much either, I have 6 views, 1 like, and $.02.  I’m not hurt about the 1 like.  There could be many reasons.  People may not agree with my opinion, they may not care too much about clicking like or not, or they just do not find the content up to par.  Either way…  I’m still excited. 

I did submit another article.  This time to AC.  I’m hoping this one will be a little better than the first.  Its more of my style.  We shall see. 

Some info for somewhat established writers.

I just thought I’d write a post catering to those that might already have somewhat of a portfolio.  I don’t, so I have to start from the beginning.  If you do happen to have some published articles under your belt and you’ve decided you want to start freelancing instead of writing querries every second, there are tons of websites perfect for you.  Guru.com, Elance.com, Suite101.com, to name a few.  These are places that are strictly for people looking for freelance work, and those seeking the workers.  I’m pretty sure that most are free to join.  I do know that once you find something that seems good for you, you bid on them.  There is a place to load your resume and portfolio and there are guidelines listed for what each employer is looking for.  Those sites I listed are just a few to begin with.  I have come across many  more. 

I know that once I get a little established, I will be using those sites.  I just realize that without having much experience, an employer will most definitely pass me up for someone who has a portfolio to speak of.  I have heard you can make pretty decent money from these sites, granted you get hired. 

So, I believe that is all for today.  Happy writing!

A little off topic today.

Well not entirely.  I will mention that I did publish my first article at Helium and then at Triond.  The thing with Helium is you have to conform to a specific subject and title, and you are rated based upon that along with the actual content’s quality.  A little harder.  Triond has it published to site, which I have added a link to that if you would like to read it.  Its not something I would normally write about so I’m not sure how great it is.  I tried.  So far four people have read and only two actually liked.  I do not care so much if people like it, but that fact that it is being read makes me happy. 

What I really wanted to say is that I did order this software called BANS (Build A Niche Store) and I’m starting it up.  It has absolutely nothing to do with writing, but it does help bring in funds.  I’m hoping it will generate some money to contribute to my funds for taking writing workshops and classes.  Another thing that does make it somewhat relevant to this blog is the fact that to bring in traffic, a big part is writing articles about your specific niche.  It should be good practice.  I also plan to write an review article with follow-ups on how successful I am, and how well the program works.  I’m hoping they will be positive reviews for my sake.  Either way, its only more practice for me. 

Oh, I guess I can add that I’m looking into doing some volunteer work to build up a portfolio.  I read that there are many non-profit organizations that are looking for volunteers to help out with many things including writing letter, email, content on websites, blogs, and such.  So hopefully I will have some luck with that and help people in the process.  Contests are another good way to build up a portfolio, so I’ve heard.  But that would only happen if you win. 

I’ve heard excellent reviews about Associated Content.  I’ve began my first article that I will submit to them.  I believe this one will be a little better because its about something I know a lot about.  At this site, not only do they publish it for you, but there is a possibility that someone will want to buy it.  I’m trying to keep hope and I’m continuing to write. 

*Crossing my fingers.*

Switching it up a bit.

In my last post I stated how I was becoming a member of Helium.  Well, I did and I wrote my first article and kept researching for other sites that were similar.  I ended up finding two more that I’d have to say I like much better.  They do not necessarily rely on my peers reviews, as it is on Helium.  They rely more on page views of content, popularity of subject, how well it was written, and even has a chance to be purchased and published for a decent amount of money.

I’m adding to my collection of articles daily.  Soon I should have a couple of good articles or reviews on each site and then will be able to add one to each everyday.  I know that the more I write, the better I get, and that gives me so much hope.  I love writing, so I know I will always keep writing.  And by knowing I can only get better, its so inspiring to know that something I love can only get better with time.  I guess writing is like a fine wine. 

I hope that by doing these sites, I will be able to create a good portfolio and resume to start a freelance career in the near future.  That’s my immediate goal, to be able to freelance in my free time.   Then after getting a degree and exposure, to possibly start grant writing or start my own freelancing company.  I guess I’ll just have to keep pushing and see how the cards fall.

Here I go.

I signed up for Helium.com.  I’m not looking to make lots of money, or even a significant amount.  I just know that if you are beginner and you want to get some work out there and published, this is a good place to do it.  I just write some articles, people rate me and review them, I get valuable criticism, and possibly make a few pennies in the process.  I will also be able to take those articles start a portfolio with them to show prospective employers in the future. 

I’ve planned out my education timeline.  I’m going to the Community College for an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.  I should be able to graduate by the end of 2009 or as early as next summer.  I will also be taking some online classes or programs for beginner writers and grant writing.  In the meantime, I’ll be working on building a small portfolio and resume to start a freelance writing career.  After receiving my degree, I will then be able to decide if I’d like to keep going for the B.S. in English. 

I consider myself lucky, because I’m very able to take my time.  I’m not crunched for money.  I can take this whole process as slowly as I need.  As much as I’d love to just dive in and have a career.  I know it takes time.  However, I also know that I do not need proof to call myself a writer.  I am a writer if I believe that I am.  That’s the beauty of it all.

Taking My First Baby Step.

Well, I’ve thought long and hard how I’m going to pursue this endeavor.  I’ve decided it will be to take one of my articles, go through it, rewrite it, perfect it and submit it somewhere online.  If it doesn’t get published, no problem, it just means I have more work to do before I’m ready.  It could also mean it wasn’t the type of article they were looking for, but most likely the former. 

I believe I will redo all the articles into a final-ish draft and post them all on here under a special category, just to keep them organized. 

I’m really excited about recieving my first magazine.  I’m hoping it will answer some of the questions I have.

I’m also going to explore the art of grant writing.  I call it an art, because there are so few people who know how to do it and can do it well.  I was told by my grandfather, who is one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable men I know, that I would be good at that.  He has read a few of my essays I wrote in college.  Amateur work, but still very good.  I wish I still had them all.  If only I knew how important they would be now.

And on a last note, I told my father that I no longer wanted to be a nurse, because I realize the strength and fortitude and determination it takes to do that kind of job everyday, and I honestly believe I do not possess the qualities it takes.  Nurses have to be out-spoken leaders who place themselves under tremendous stress everyday.  They are confident individuals.  They are not the type of people that question every decision they make, because they cannot.  They must know what to do, take the action, and never question it.  That is just not me.  I would love to learn the things about the body that they must know, but I could never put those into actions, only words.  I believe he understands.

My First Thoughts

I love writing articles and short essays, non-fiction, critiques, reviews, that sort of thing. I always have loved English and Literature. I know I want a degree. I believe I’ll start this journey with going back to college. I need to be refreshed in many subjects and the technicalities of writing.  This in itself adds even more questions to ask myself. 

Do I go to an online college and get a B.A. in English and Literature?  Do I got to a local college and start out getting an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and then transfer to a 4 year college and finish getting the B.A.?  Do I just take a writing course somewhere?  Or should I do it all while beginning to write my own articles in my free time?   

I’ve subscribed to Writer’s Magazine.  I’m always reading and I’m always thinking up topics to write about.  I’ve written 2 articles already in the “rough draft” form.  There is so much I’d love to research and write about, but do I honestly have the skills I need to even consider being published?  I know grammar.  I know puncuation.  I may not use it 100% perfectly in blogs, but I do in articles I write.  This is so confusing.  I finally know what I want and now I’ve hit another fork in the road. 

Maybe doing all the above IS the best way to go about it.  I know I want to return to college and get a degree.  I loved learning those subjects.  So maybe I should also take a writing class.  I’m not talking about a workshop.  I’m talking about an actual program that some universities and colleges offer.  Then to top it all off, just keep writing and rewriting, perfecting and adding to my collection of articles. 

Baby steps.  Just remember baby steps.

Its 3:15 a.m.

I just came up with this idea.  I already have a personal blog about my life as a mother.  Its very general and ranges in many topics of interest.  I write there more for myself than anyone.  I believe it to be more of a diary or journal than anything else.  This I am creating for myself also, but maybe for others who might be in my shoes.  This is for all those people out there who have realized that they want to pursue their dream of writing and are just beginning the process.  This is for all of us that are just starting out and are either unsure of what to do or are unsure of how to start.  This is an account of my adventures.