Archive for May, 2009
May 28, 2009 Associated Content, Web Content
I was looking over my list of article ideas, and thought about writing content targeted towards the local crowd. There are stories and events in every town, no matter how large or small the area may be. We live in a college town, but our community has local events that attract crowds from the East coast. Living close to Gettysburg helps too, considering the rich history and Civil War collectibles.
Someone over at Associated Content must have been reading my mind. I forgot to wear a tinfoil hat, so it’s my fault. AC has launched a “Local Content Drive”, with the main prize being a Sony Cybershot Digital Camera! The sweepstake will run today through June 30, and 14 random winners will be chosen on July 14th.
To enter, you have to publish local content using Associated Content’s “Local” template, found in the publishing system under City&Neighborhood. You can cover local news and events, or post business and restaurant reviews. Tourism, travel guides or community member profiles are also welcome.
I am very interested in publishing local content, as I have heard about positive results from other freelance writers. Last month, I got news that I won “runner up” in Associated Content’s “Green Contest”. The first prize was a Dell laptop, but a runner up prize is appreciated by me. I’ll soon receive an AC tote bag and notebook. I was especially excited about the news, as I had no idea that I was even in a “Green Contest”. Associated Content sometimes holds contests and considers all articles published in the contest time frame and in that specific category.
I did not see the contest announced on AC’s Official Blog, but I did receive the notification through a private message. Official contest rules can be found on AC’s sweepstake’s page.
Tags: advice, articles, Associated Content, contest, writing
May 22, 2009 General
I surprised my husband the other day, with a big check deposited into our bank account. Hopefully tonight, I can make that happen again. I take great pride in knowing that my hard work pays off, and things I work so hard for pay off in the end.
My husband is my biggest supporter, in everything I have done. He’s the one that always encouraged me with my old business, and talked me out of selling it several times. When I finally made the decision to sell and be done with it, he supported me. Not because he wanted the money, but because he wanted to see me happy. He also supports my writing, and is always proud of my achievements.
I know he works his butt off, and his job is not easy. We may not have millions, but we work with what we have, and most importantly we do not waste it. We know how to live with money in our account, but we also know how to be penniless. Throughout the times, good and bad, our relationship and marriage have thrived. From the first day we started dating, an agreement was made that money will never be the reason or cause of our fights. Some days it is tougher to stick to that agreement, because a family is greately affected by budget cuts…
Selling my business was a huge decision, but I see that it was for the right reasons. It has been a very long time that I have felt this relaxed happiness. My next big goal is to write enough to save up $1000 by September 4th 2009. I’d like to, and should, make more than that by September. But 1k is what I’d like to save for my husband’s birthday, and buy him a new golf bag and club set. He deserves it. The rest I’ll spend on Kody and I, or maybe for a family trip to the zoo.
Tags: family, writing
May 21, 2009 General
As you can see, my website is having an identity crisis. The other day I was driving around and had a creative moment. I’ve always been terrible with domain names, and had to rely on other people’s suggestions for years. This domain name is something that has a lot of meaning – writer, artist, creative yet feminine. Now I just have to force myself to actually finish it.
All of my web design projects have been completed. As much time as it took, I managed to produce quality work that I’m extremely proud of. Right now, I have several projects in planning stages. I also have the responsibility of advertising a new business. For years, I took an established business for granted, because I never had to spend a dime on advertising. Times have changed, and we must adapt.
My writing has been slacking, I’ve managed to write less than ten articles in a week. I can usually write ten or twenty in a single day. I’ll use my “being so busy” excuse, but my husband would disagree.
Today is so gorgeous out. It’s warm, and sunny… and I do not want to be inside. I’m thinking of something that I could do, other than grocery shopping, that would allow me to spend some time outside. My son is with my mother today. I’m thinking of picking him up early, so we can play. When he’s home I miss him terribly, but when he is home I cannot get a single thing done. My coffee is getting cold…
Tags: tweetmommy, website, writerista
May 12, 2009 General
It really is a shame. I had originally intended to have this blog help me deal with stress, by writing I thought I’d have a few minutes to myself. We see how blogging here is going so far. Am I swamped with work? Yep.
Work should be exciting for me. I keep myself busy with web design projects, and by writing articles. Not having my old small business should help, I should have more time to spend on completing projects. What is wrong with me? Being technically unemployed is messing with my head, I feel like I have to go in a hundred directions just to get a single thing done. Not fun.
So far, I have one web design project that is going well. It will turn out good, once it is completed. The main website for my small business idea is six pages away from being done. It will look awesome… once it is done. My third, client project, is going terribly and I only have myself to blame. Nothing looks good enough, and I have a hard time finalizing a design decision then actually completing it.
How is my writing going? I wrote two articles for DS, and I have two more pending. I could have written 10 a day, at least, but I can’t.
Tags: stress, tweetmommy, website
