July 2009 - Just Hit Send

[ravenlea]

Good morning-ish, all! It's July - or so the time stamp on the computer says and I can't beleive that after taking the month off, I come back to find no one has started this. (And I thought I was the slacker around here!)

I have to say I am refreshed and ready to jump in with both feet. I have already sent off six queries this morning with four more in the works. As for my goals:

- Send out five queries a week
- Send out five short stories for the month (had one accepted over the weekend btw :D)
- Get article out that is due the 10th
- Blog twice a week
- Send out recipe for Cooking Light

That's how my month is shaping up. How 'bout you?

[AmyDoodle]

Raven! You're the perfect person to start this month's thread. I'm glad you're here--and starting off with a bang!

I'm not in the lease bit ready for July, but I do have a blog post up. One wrong move and roadkill (http://www.mindovermullis.blogspot.com) could take on a whole new meaning!

[plaidearthworm]

Goals....I remember those....although I admit, I saw this thread yesterday and was too embarrassed to be the next one behind Raven, LOL. She'll put any loafing writer to shame. Not enough to actually motivate me, but enough to make me think about being motivated. I did send an essay off to Funny Times yesterday, after fighting for half an hour with my printer over envelope settings. It's just not used to snail mail stuff anymore!

[Matt Willard]

Well, I mostly finished a blog post draft today. I also did some stuff on forums to try and "market", but I don't know how effective it really was. I'm not much of a forum hound, I'll admit. That's why I'm so interested in building a writer's platform through other means, like creating quality content and sharing it through various niche sites. Of course I've read that I need to network and such.

Tomorrow I'll write and plan some of my next projects. I'll also look for some gigs again. Right now I'm under the impression that building a presence is important, but I can't help if I want some change while building my platform :V I'll also get back to my joke quota-I've fallen behind as of late.

[Mysti]

Hiya everyone!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just popping in to wish you all well in July. I have 5 weeks until my big day! I'll be busily tying up loose ends for that and coping with everything else in my life.

Hugs all around - - and Juleps! Plenty of Juleps!

[ravenlea]

morning! two queries in the works to send today one to The Writer, so coss your fingers for me please! :D

up for me today is to do some research for my article so I can get it sent before it is due. Now if only my source would call me back. I'm beginning to think she went out of town for the week. Oh well, I'll manage.

[CatMuse33]

Raven,

Fingers crossed... hmmm... that will exlpain any typos in this post. ;) That's an AWESOME market!! YAY for aiming high.

Well, thanks to the inspiration of people on these forums (and in particular SouthernFriedJulie), I've quit my one $5 post blog job! I originally took it for the clips/credits in that field, got to really like the editors and so I didn't want to leave. But I just don't have the time to post there anymore. I thought I'd get that icky feeling when I emailed my resignation but instead, I feel liberated, so I know I made the right choice.

[ravenlea]

good for you cat. And you never know, since you work well with the editors, they may remember you if/when they move on and offer you other jobs as well. :)

I finally got ahold of my source - she's in Colorado, but called me today and gave me her email so I can email the questions and then get in touch with her if I have anything that needs cleared up. I'll make my deadline after all

[Matt Willard]

Let's see...worked on blog posts, started planning a new video script now that the other one got pushed to the backburner...finished recording for my Mystery Science Theater-style video project, so now I get to go in and start writing out jokes. Tomorrow I'll try to clear out the script draft as well as something else. Hope Query-Free Freelancer updates soon-still curious as to how this platform building will be used to find work.

[peggster]

So June was kind of a bust as far as meeting goals, but I'm hoping to do better in July.

1. Post 4 times to blog.
2. Write 5 articles for Associated Content (1 already done).
3. Write and submit 4 personal essays.
4. Take another look at Demand Studios and see if I want to sign up.

That's not a ton, but given that the day job's going to be busy with a big project that's deadlining in mid-August, it will have to do for now.

Happy 4th, everyone!

[AmyDoodle]

Without referencing goals of any kind, except the one where I plan to eat my weight in watermelon tomorrow afternoon, I'd like to mention that I have my O-fficial 4th of July (http://www.mindovermullis.blospot.com)blog post up. You don't even want to know how they put out the fire.

[wyntermoon]

Yippee-kiiii-AHHHHHHHHH! I'm back in the saddle, people!

Now I'll have to go slow or I'll hurt myself, I'm not as limber as the bajaffe but:

- back to blogging on a regular basis at Flibbity Gibbet and Wee Ghosties
- go back and get friendly with my old editors
- send out two queries
- work on a new and fabulous article for Highlights (I'll get you yet, lostgirl!)
- keep at the re-writes for Blackbird
- unload a pantry full of Girl Scout cookies in julep flavor

[AmyDoodle]

- unload a pantry full of Girl Scout cookies in julep flavor


Ummm, as a friend, and to welcome you back into the unfolded, I could probably lend a hoof with those cookies. You know, because I'm helpful. And not at all greedy.

[ravenlea]

welcome back wynter!

Amy, I loved the 4th of July post!

Trying to figureout how to put in 16 words to an article. Yep, I'm 16 words short of the needed word count and don't know what to add. I hate padding things. - and in case you are wondering, yes, it was sent back because it was too short. yikes! ... ok, just hit 524 surely that will be enough won't it???

I am going to be hit and miss this week. My mother in law died early saturday morning, so we are in prep for family and funeral. The sisters want the bunchkin and I to do a duet, so now I am looking for a song a 6-year-old can learn in a week.

And now it is time for some coffee, toast and work on an essay. It is just that kind of morning, I think.

[wyntermoon]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Raven!

[Skyraven]

Raven - sorry to hear about your il. You and the family are in my prayers.
Thanks for starting this month's JHS and for getting the ball rolling. looks like you have a very busy month ahead of you.
Mysti - Girl I'm counting down for you too! lol. So happy for you.
Amy - I hear you about the goals. Haven't thought of anything yet. lol Will have to post later on.
Plaid - forgot what goals were too! lol
Peggster - great goals you have there. Can I clone them? lol
Wynter - Its so great to see you here. Missed you.
I'm not focused much on goals this weekend as work was crazy last week with the short week (Friday off). Though I did apply to two different writing jobs and posted the results to my MJ poll. I did so well with that on Examiner and earned more money in those couple of days than I did in the entire time I've been an examiner (8 months!). I need to plan and post my goals for this month as well as plan my posts for the week. Haven't done much writing. I did manage to post a round-up of my June goals. When I write ahead of time, I get more writing done. With that, I'm off to make dinner and write. Later!

[plaidearthworm]

OK, finally finished my review of 'The End of Overeating' (http://plaidearthworm.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-review-end-of-overeating.html)by Dr. Kessler. Let me know what you think, I'm a tough worm. (Sob.) ;)

[Nancy]

I left you a comment, Plaid. I thought it was well-written and made very valid points.

[plaidearthworm]

Nancy, thanks so much! I appreciate your input!

[AmyDoodle]

Thanks, Raven, but so sorry for your loss. You sing, too? Is there anything you can't do?

[ravenlea]

thanks for all the thoughts guys. You're the best!

Thanks, Raven, but so sorry for your loss. You sing, too? Is there anything you can't do?

lol, cute. anything I can't do? Let's see .... break into high paying mags, get organized, sell horses, keep my sanity .... I'm sure I could come up with more, but it's been a day and I'm exhausted. I am working on an essay about the whole thing, any ideas where I could sent it when through?

To keep my mind off things I claimed a few articles at DS, but I can't say I'm really in the mood for them. Hopefully I can find some time to get them done. I finished my article due the 10th, it's just a mattter of revising now and sending it.

ok off to bed for me. later all!

[plaidearthworm]

Good luck with the DS articles; work always gives you something to put your back against, especially with family issues like grief. Take care, and know we're thinking about you!

[moth]

Raven... :Hug2: I'm grieving too, I just lost my niece. (Okay she was the daughter of dear friends, but they're close enough that they feel like family.) She was 5. Her mother found her about a week ago in the bottom of a swimming pool...I still can't think.

I have no goals for July other than to survive the month, lol. I've been doing a few DS articles just to have something else to focus on, but the joy of researching and learning and then writing about it isn't there. It's oddly comforting somehow though. Probably because it's unemotional. It's hard to have any feelings of any kind about craft articles, so I guess it's kind of a relief not to have to feel for an hour or so. [/end half-baked self-analysis]

Anyway. Sorry. Didn't mean to be such a downer, just wanted to check in because I've been so absent. I admit I haven't read most of the thread, but I am cheering you all on! :)

[tjwriter]

Raven & moth

I'm so very sorry for your losses.

[ravenlea]

moth, I'm so sorry! Losing a child is never something that can be prepared for. AT least with my mother in law we had warning. She's been struggling with alzhimers for 3 1/2 years, she was 91 years old and she gave us a 24 hour warning. (seriously, she woke up the day before, said she wanted to die and the next night, she got up, opened a window, laid down on the floor with her pillow and fell fast asleep for the last time.)

thanks plaid and tj :D

Tomorrow I have to spend my day cleaning the house. Relatives begin descending Thursday. Two articles are done and ready to send. I'm having second thoughts on one though. Not really sure that I've got the right answers. Hopefully the editor will like it. Think I'll wait one more day to let it sit and soak before I JHS.

night all!

[moth]

Thanks tj and raven. :Hug2:

Yesterday I found a query I'd drafted to Girls' Life...thinking of sending it this week or next. :)

[tjwriter]

Um, someone who hangs around here (I won't name any names, Dawn!), suggested I stick my nose in here and put up a goal to query or apply for one thing a week.

So that's my goal:

-Query or apply for one gig a week

I'm also considering apply for the national New Moms Examiner. It's a topic I love very much and while I may not make a lot of money off it, I'd enjoy writing it and it would be good practice for my SEO skills. I was thinking about starting a personal blog on a similar topic anyway.

[Nancy]

:welcome:tj:

Hey, any friend of Dawn's...

And she'll tell you - Start that blog!

[jenngreenleaf]

:hi:Popping in with some goals!

Get back on track with blogging and open content sites (last month...was just bad)
Keep up to date with the deadlines for my book.
Keep up with college courses.Short and sweet! (BTW: I'm getting married on the 18th... anyone know how to change usernames on here?? I would love to change it jenngreenleaf, rather than keeping jennhollowell.)

[wyntermoon]

I'll be happy to ask the powers that be to change your username since it's such a great reason! Want it set to change on the 18th or wanna try out the new digs now? :D

[moth]

Congratulations Jenn! :D

[CatMuse33]

Raven and Moth,
My sincerest, albeit belated condolences on your losses. :(

Jenn, Congrats to the future Mrs. Greenleaf! (Have you thought about writing for environmental magazines with your new moniker? No, this isn't grade school where we tease people for their names; I think that is an AWESOME new last name!)

Raven, Did you find your 16 words?

So many developments on this end... it's been a veritable freelance roller coaster. The two coolest things?

I sold a story to Dabbling Mum! :) It will appear online next week and I'll share the link. She requested a rewrite of the lead, so I did it, sent it in, and submitted a two-sentence pitch along with the re-write. She's interested in the second story too!! :) I may re-purpose some of my material from theWAHMmagazine and sell as re-prints, too. (I'm saying re-purpose because the voices for the publications are very different, but I wouldn't change it enough to call it a new story.)

The low-paying gig I quit? Asked me to come back and offered me a raise.

I'm desperately in need of a to-do list today. It's raining out, which means my daily walk/neighborhood social hour won't happen... and it's so hard to stay motivated in this weather. But I have to get this stuff done. :)

- Copyedit two articles
- Write 5 blog posts
- Write 3 queries

I'm pitching Christianity Today, because once again I'm being pulled toward the church writing, but I need to find a good angle.

I'll check back in later.

Just a reminder... it looks like Jen Nipps may reinstate the query contest with a new deadline. Pop on up to the top thread on this board and express your interest. :)

[jenngreenleaf]

I'll be happy to ask the powers that be to change your username since it's such a great reason! Want it set to change on the 18th or wanna try out the new digs now? :DYay! :hooray:Now would be good!! :D

[jenngreenleaf]

Congratulations Jenn! :D:Hug2:Thank you!

[jenngreenleaf]

Jenn, Congrats to the future Mrs. Greenleaf! (Have you thought about writing for environmental magazines with your new moniker? No, this isn't grade school where we tease people for their names; I think that is an AWESOME new last name!) Thank you! :D Actually, I have thought about that - I also thought about applying for "green" gigs in the green building industry. :D

[tjwriter]

Sounds busy around here now.

Have a blast at the upcoming wedding, Jenn!

[jenngreenleaf]

Thank you!! :D

[tjwriter]

We had a good time at our wedding, but all the crap beforehand was killing me for like the last month. I was just sick of it.

Of course, right now, I'm debating putting him up for auction on Ebay.

[Nancy]

Congrats, Jenn!

As one of the first peeps to welcome me here, I feel like I've known you forevah and wish you the best. You deserve it!

[peggster]

Congratulations, Jenn!

Welcome, TJ! I might be interested in putting in a bid on your husband. Does he have any home repair skills? And are you offering free shipping? ;)

And Dawn, nice work with Dabbling Mum, getting a possible second assignment. And good for you for standing your ground with the low-paying gig; glad to hear it may work out for the better. Good luck with the Christianity Today pitch, and keep us posted. I'm thinking about submitting to some Christian pubs, so I'll be curious to hear how it goes for you.

I've been distracted this week with other things, including spending an inordinate amount of time trying to register for classes for the fall semester. But I think that's nearly straightened out now, plus I have 2 days off next week, so I'm hoping to knock out some writing over the next week or so.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

[wyntermoon]

Yay! :hooray:Now would be good!! :D

You got it! :)

[jenngreenleaf]

Congrats, Jenn!

As one of the first peeps to welcome me here, I feel like I've known you forevah and wish you the best. You deserve it!Thank you! It does seem that way! LOL! :D

[jenngreenleaf]

Congratulations, Jenn!!Thank you! :D

[plaidearthworm]

Wow, Jenn, you'll have your own song....Greeeeeeeeenleaves, da-da-da-da. Okay, so I'm not up on Renaissance music, LOL.

[Skyraven]

Raven & Moth - both of you are in my prayers! Hugs!
Jenn - Welcome back and congratulations! :)
Tjwriter - welcome to aw and go for it. You'll be great. :)
Cat - congrats on the Dabbling Mum gig! Way to go!
I've finally done something writing related this week. Went on momslikeme to post and looked for writing jobs today. I applied to two earlier this week and received a response from one. I have two more that I've found today so I'll be applying to those as well. Still haven't come up with ideas for the sites so any suggestions would be welcome. :)

[Matt Willard]

Hey, it's been a bit since I posted here. Trying to get back into the writing groove after I've been out for a while. Took all day to polish off this post, but I did. Tomorrow looks to be better.

[jenngreenleaf]

Wow, Jenn, you'll have your own song....Greeeeeeeeenleaves, da-da-da-da. Okay, so I'm not up on Renaissance music, LOL.Jenn - Welcome back and congratulations! :)hehe Thanks, guys!!! :D

I'm glad I returned to AW because I've been having a very difficult time staying on track. I'm taking four college courses (one of these days I'll finish my degree), I'm trying to write a book that has a September deadline, I'm homeschooling my 16 year old nephew through the summer, and my 3 little ones are on two separate visitation schedules. So, I feel all over the place . . . I'm complaining. Sorry! :P

[Matt Willard]

I did more stuff today! Whoooo. Finished a script draft, began another, posted a blog...tomorrow I take care of personal affairs. Considering writing up a YA novel now. Sure, I don't know everything there is to know about writing, but hell, I'd have way more fun than fussing it out with short stories first.

[jenngreenleaf]

I hit today's deadline! :snoopy:I hope I can keep this pace up!!

Ahem. Notice anything...different? :D

[AmyDoodle]

Man, I miss a few days checking in and everybody goes wild. No stopping you guys. Dawn, way to go with the Dabbling Mum. Welcome TJ.

Jenn Greenleaf. I like it. Nancy, you're right. Seems like a sister getting married. Jenn, I wish wonderful things for you and your family.

I've been off practicing recording some essays. A small Internet radio show asked me to fill in for their humorist for a short while with podcasts of some of my blog posts. I'm really excited about it, but is there anything that's harsher on the ear than your own recorded voice? I'm kindof a cross between Scarlett O'Hara and Roseanne Barr. Pleasant, right? Good thing I don't have to sing.

[Mysti]

I just want to swing by and say "HELLO!" to everyone. I'm knee deep in wedding muck plans, but fun things have been going on...

Congratulations to everyone's successes. Raven and Moth - My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I do have a little Video (http://onewomansheart.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/momma/) up on Simon's site... Truly worth watching!

Now, it's back to cost comparison analysis of fresh vs silk and florist vs home made - Navy and Silver? Not so easy to come by.

Toodles!! (waves)

[CatMuse33]

Welcome Mrs. Jenn Greenleaf! ;) And congrats on hitting the deadline!

Nice work, Matt! :)

Amy, that's AWESOME re: the podcasts. :D

I've sent out about 10 queries in the past few days, plus interview requests. If I get acceptances for each one (hahaha, yeah right)... I will be screwed! LOL

Dawn

[Nancy]

Amy:

Love your blog post, but since hubs decided he likes a new browser, I've had trouble with cookies not being enabled on sites like yours. Soooo, can't remember my password. OK, TMI.

Cookies? Enabling? Why does that sound familiar?

Anyway, LOVED the tribute to that man of yours.

[Skyraven]

Hiya Mysti! Great to see you and I loved the video! Congrats momma.
Jenn - congrats on the name and hitting the deadline.
Cat - yup you will be totally screwed if you get all those gigs. lol
Amy - that sounds so cool that you're reading your blogposts. I can just picture you singing the national anthem. roflmao!
hi Nancy - great to see you here.
Well, people I did it. I wrote a few things today. New blogposts up on The Freshman Writer and my portfolio site. No real writing goals other than to keep myself writing something everyday. I also have been keeping up with Momslikeme so that's good. I did sit down this week and plan out my writing projects for the rest of the month. Whether they actually get written is another thing entirely. lol That's all from me now. Later.

[ravenlea]

just popping in real quick to say thank you to everyone. I have recieved so many nice notes and pm's from the people here. You can't imagine how it has lifted my spirits. I truly am blessed to know you all. Today was the funeral. The bunchkin and I did our song and I am not ashamed to admit I lost it. I made it all the way to the last verse and cracked. Needless to say, my six year little girl finished the song by herself and stole the "show" She is amazing. I thought I was there to support her and she ended up supporting me. Then I log on and find all the great notes and comments and it just made me feel so much better. So again, thank you!

On a JHS note, I am a little behind due to the week, but I did manage to sell one article, I also got my winter piece in on time, and I plan to start tomorrow working on a few more queries. Family all leaves tomorrow so I should have a little free time once they are gone. as for now, it is time for me to get some sleep.

[Skyraven]

hugs Raven - I was thinking about you in church today. :)

[wyntermoon]

Hey y'all!
I had lunch with a writer friend today who is sucking me into NaNo again. YIKES! Isn't two years of humiliation enough? Obviously not. It's time to start plotting, people. Anyone up for a slice o'NaNo this fall with me?

[Skye Jules]

Well, I finally sent my story Dead Poet's Pendulum off to three magazines (cross your fingers!), and I'm still waiting to hear back about Angels and Sparrows. Should be hearing soon.

[AmyDoodle]

I thought I was there to support her and she ended up supporting me.

This is a remarkable lesson we learn as parents. I've seen it happen so very often and experienced it myself. Children are very often wiser than we give them credit for. Raven, your child has an inner strength she's learned from you! *Cough* Essay *Cough

Mothers and Daughters (Chicken Soup (http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books))
Mothers and daughters… they are, at the same time, very similar and also completely unique. Mothers show daughters who they will become. Daughters live out mothers’ dreams. Through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between, this relationship can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2009. (There's also one for Grieving and Recovery with a 2010 deadline.) I'm just sayin.

[plaidearthworm]

Wynter, I'm already sneaking peeks on the Nano website, catching up. Looks like I'm already in for 2009...is there a NanoNymous program yet? ;)

[wyntermoon]

I was there last week and didn't see a way to ax my lame attempt from last year. *crosses fingers they've updated*

Have you checked out the NaNo forum yet? People are already getting itchy. ;)

[ravenlea]

Hey y'all!
I had lunch with a writer friend today who is sucking me into NaNo again. YIKES! Isn't two years of humiliation enough? Obviously not. It's time to start plotting, people. Anyone up for a slice o'NaNo this fall with me?

I'm in. I've got a couple ideas I'm tossing around, but haven't set anything in stone yet. I plan to worry once October rolls around :)

This is a remarkable lesson we learn as parents. I've seen it happen so very often and experienced it myself. Children are very often wiser than we give them credit for. Raven, your child has an inner strength she's learned from you! *Cough* Essay *Cough

Mothers and Daughters (Chicken Soup (http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books))
Mothers and daughters… they are, at the same time, very similar and also completely unique. Mothers show daughters who they will become. Daughters live out mothers’ dreams. Through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between, this relationship can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2009. (There's also one for Grieving and Recovery with a 2010 deadline.) I'm just sayin.

ooo, thanks for the heads up. I'll look into both of those.

Well, so much for being on top of things. Realized this morning, I let all the DS articles I claimed last week lapse. Guess it was silly to think I could get anything done. I did manage to send out two queries yesterday and will work on a few more today before I have to feed the critters.

[Andreya]

got so frustrated with ('slightly') missing the deadline, that I started drafting 2 more articles for the same series.. so I'll have 'em stacked ahead..
& sent off a query to another publication (I had been meaning to for ages) 'just in case'..
need to track down who to send other articles to in other publications..
don't dare to send many more in case I get those gigs :)

Ooh those Chicken soup titles seem intriguing!! :)

Does anyone know if international submissions are accepted & which rights do they normally take? (eg can you publish the same story elsewhere after it's been published in the Chicken soup series?
Please submit only stories or poems that have not been previously published. The only exception to this is if your work has only been published in a small local publication with limited circulation. http://www.chickensoup.com/cs.asp?cid=guidelines
I couldn't find anything about publishing the story elsewhere afterwards-?

[CatMuse33]

Amy,
Thanks for the heads up. Seeing as having and raising Ashley has been the most significant event of my life, to date, I think I should be able to come up with something by December. LOL :)

Spent the day at the beach with a bunch of hubby's coworkers. :) Have to say, I'm LOVING my life. Mojitos and Corona, sun, sand, shrimp and guacamole. Does it get any better? Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend in the city for lunch. Then Wednesday, back to work, I promise! LOL

Dawn

[Andreya]

sent off the article today.. still a bit frazzled.. :)
remembered the thread here to not over-edit (especially with regard to compensation :)) hmm.. :)

off to the garden, to get a bit grounded :) & relax!

[Mysti]

I'm popping in to ask that you guys say a few prayers for Simon. He's had a rough night in the emergency room. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, worse than bronchitis but not quite as bad as pneumonia. We are home. He is stable, but still raging a major fever. Antibiotics sure need to kick in.

[wyntermoon]

Fingers crossed for the wee man!

[jenngreenleaf]

My fingers are crossed for your little person, too!!!!! xoxoxo

[Matt Willard]

Gotta remember to keep coming in-I've been forgetting lately. Still chugging away on my writer's platform...methinks I should consider some more spreadable articles to fill the gap. I just hope the end result will be enough to get me kickstarted on a query-free path.

I'm also planning to write a YA novel. I tentatively use "YA" because my intended characters are teenagers, but the idea is more fantasy than anything. Tomorrow I want to get started on that while I work on my normal writing.

[JenNipps]

Wow. The month is half-over and I'm just now checking in on this. It's been a rough month so far. I'm tempted to say I'll sit this month out, but that won't help me get to my goals and I'm too far behind on them as it is.

- $80/day in queries/submissions
- Blog once a week on all blogs (including the new one - Nylon, Wire, & Yarn, Oh My! (http://nylonwireyarn.wordpress.com)).
- 2 eHow articles
- 2 DS articles
- 3 stories for Devoted to Creating

I'm going to leave it at that.

[ravenlea]

good luck with the novel Matt. I have to admit my secret passion is fiction writing. I've sold a few short stories - I use that term loosely as they've been published, but I didnt get paid for them - and always dabble at fantast writing.

Mysti - fingers crossed and prayers going your way. Simon is a tough little cookie.

Jen - great goals! Setting goals always helps me, even if I dont' get them all done, at least it gives me a starting point.

I have done nothing productive this morning other than do some billing for hubby. I guess technically I'm still doing billing, but needed a break. I really need to get some queries out.

[CatMuse33]

Jen,
Believe me when I say you are truly an inspiration to us all. To post goals and continue in light of what you're dealing with. That attitude -- not sitting out the month because it won't help you achieve your goals -- is the attitude of a winner! :) I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are proud to call you our mod. :)

[Matt Willard]

An attempted day off goes horribly awry and I go ahead and revise some stuff anyway. Anyway, another user at another forum made me think seriously about what I've been doing, and I realize I haven't nearly been creating enough demand for my work. (This probably explains why I haven't sold anything at all :V ) So, besides writing tomorrow, I want to get out there and promote myself, as well as plan out a whole bunch of new articles to spread around to create a wider presence.

...strangely, I'm not very good at this "freelancing" thing :V

[JenNipps]

I don't know many who are "good" at this freelancing thing, some are just better than others. It's a process. We just keep on keeping on as much as we possibly can.

[Nancy]

Matt:

I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged. Not that you're making this assumption, but this is not an easy way to make money.

I'm in my fifth year of freelancing and have had moderate success. Most of that is due to hard work, networking, proving myself dependable to editors and some is just good luck.

Hopefully, you'll sell your first piece soon!

[Nancy]

Jen:

Ditto what Dawn said.

[JenNipps]

I have no real article progress to report, but I have a new post up at Nylon, Wire, & Yarn, Oh My! - Crocheting in the Round (http://nylonwireyarn.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/crocheting-in-the-round/).

And Dawn, Raven, & Nancy...

Thank you all so much. Really. It really means a lot to read that right now. *s*

[Matt Willard]

Ha ha! Yes, you both are right. I guess I'm just being impatient. Eyes on the prize, then-I'll just keep on truckin'.

[ravenlea]

afternoon all, been a busy day. It started at 6am with the bunchkin waking up from a nightmare and at 5pm I have just gotten home from running parts. Now I have about an hour before hubby gets home from baling and we go put the swather back together. All that being said, I haven't done a lick of writing today.

I did go and claim a few DS articles last night and plan to write up a few tonight while he bales and the bunchkin sleeps. Other than that I don't know that I will get as much done as I wanted to today.

[AmyDoodle]

Jen,
I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are proud to call you our mod.

Yep, yep, yep!

[AmyDoodle]

Requisite Harry Potter blog post up--Yeah, I love Harry Potter as much as the next boy wizard-addicted mother of two. But I can't help thinking it wouldn't have taken us quite as long to deal with Mr. Too Big For His Turban here in America. Just let He Who Shall Not Be Sliced and Diced (http://www.mindovermullis.blogspot.com)take a trip through Harlem.

[Mysti]

Just a quick update: Simon's bronchiolitis has progressed into pneumonia. He's stable and at home, but we are taking a very aggressive treatment regiment here. He's doing a bit better this morning over yesterday, but still has a long way to go.

[ravenlea]

sorry to hear that Mysti - more prayers sent your way!

loved the post Amy :D

my day isn't looking any better than yesterday, but at least I got 30 minites of extra sleep this morning. They are rededicating the city (is it technically a city if there are less than 200 people?) cemetary this morning so we're headed out for that. THen off to fix the swather.

I did manage to get a couple articles wrote up last night, so I feel as if I accomplished something. HAve a good weekend all!

[Andreya]

Mysti glad the little man is better, keeping fingers crossed all goes well!!

Matt I never thought this was gonna be easy either.. writing some of the articles has actually been physically painful for me :) I just got in a state of frenzy lol - not sure if that's normal? (maybe because of the subject matter) I'd like to get the facts right & make it appealing enough for people to actually change behavior.

The local mag now wants me to do a rewrite & make it into a 'real' article & sign with initials - I was to be anonymous before & write an 'advice' type of article - not sure what to do? hopefully they'll tell me more of what they had in mind exactly - difficult to just communicate though e-mail..

The horrible thing is this is extremely 'hot news' these days & I just seem in a sort of 'funk' & not really inspired to write the awesome articles I wish I could write!! (the rain doesn't help much either) also, am afraid to send queries to any 'major' appers or magazines.. Don't seem to have enough clips yet (from this millenium)
plus I don't have all the info yet I'd like to get & it's 'vacation' time ugh.. Hope I get some more info on Monday.. (& not sure I'll even have a car to be able to do the interview!! yuck - Dad wants to have a paint job done grr!!)

[CatMuse33]

Andreya,
Courtesy of Jenna Glatzer, (From her book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer) here's a tip for "no clips from this millenium...:

Send clips and don't include the date. What I do, quite often, is send a "text-only" clip in the body of the email and indicate: "Originally appeared in XYZ Magazine." If it's from more than a year ago, I leave off the date. If the clip would also be suitable for publication in the mag I'm querying, I add, "Reprint rights available."

This is trickier with links to clips, of course.

Good luck with the article! Summer is always frustrating as far as getting in touch with people!

[Andreya]

CatMuse, thanks!! :)

I actually have Jenna's book next to me as we speak, I did forget some of the more useful tidbits from it, as it seems!! :)

Do you send a pdf file or Word/RTF attachment or..?
(and is the magazine/newspaper name on the pdf or noted separately?) sorry if I'm asking 'dumb' questions.. it may be somewhere in Jenna's book too, no idea where to find it & it's entirely too hot for thinking!!

(my old articles would actually still need to be scanned, & they were under the name of the PR agency I was working for at the time, so not sure if still useful?)
my newer clip is done anonymously, so not sure how valuable that would be too? (almost full-page article though :))

on a happier note, Mum is on my side re: car now, so hopefully I'll be able to get to the interview if the interviewee is available on Moday, sigh!!

[wyntermoon]

I spent the day plotting and planning and doing character sketches - for a book that isn't mine. A friend from NaNo (the ML) and I are a great friends so when she asked for a bit of help with plot holes, how could I refuse? Okay, it's not freelance, maybe I should start charging for character development? ;)

[CatMuse33]

Andreya-

I don't send attachments unless the writer's guidelines/ad says explicitly that it's okay. If it says attachments are okay, I send a PDF. Also, some of my print work is online as PDFs, so sometimes I send a link. Otherwise, I just copy and paste the text into the body of the e-mail, adding the publication name (and which issue if it's recent).

As far as if the name is on the PDF, it depends on the publication. In most cases, it is, but if you have the right program and are technical, you can actually crop that out if you wanted to.

I've used clips written under psuedonyms if they were relevant to a job I was applying for. The same with non-bylined pieces. In fact, I did an article for SuperPages that is not bylined, but I think it turned out really well, so I use that one frequently lately.

I'd like to hear others' opinions on this, but in my mind, if I'm also submitting clips *with* a byline, along with my resume, link to my blog, etc... chances are I'm not "faking" that one clip, even if it doesn't have my byline on it. And, in fact, I got a few jobs through Craig's List using non-bylined clips, so I guess the editors weren't thinking that way, either.

I've also used press releases with the agencies name on them -- those shouldn't be a problem. Nor should the anonymous article; it's still your work.

The only work of mine I won't use as clips are ghostwritten articles with someone else's name on them, out of respect to my ghostwriting clients.

Hope that helps.

[AmyDoodle]

loved the post Amy :D

Thanks Raven! I don't see how you have time to breathe, thanks for checking out my blog posts.

I've got one up at www.stageoflife.com (http://www.stageoflife.com) in the Retirement/Baby Boomer section. Age of Elegance. Yeah, right.

[Andreya]

Thanks, CatMuse!! :)

Big help!! Thank you!!

No real writing done today, just some drafting.. Oh, & I better get the interview questions straight!! :)
as I WILL have the car tomorrow!! :)

I did notice that this week after I did MORNING PAGES consecutively, each day - I felt muuch better after writing the pages!! (it was my fretting, worst-case scenarios & such.. I did 'bust' two fears from the list today, so I'm feeling quite proud! :))

[CatMuse33]

Andreya-
Congrats! I sent you a PM, I know you're relatively new here so thinking you may not have seen it?
Dawn

[Lavinia]

Just stoppin' by to say Hi. Life has gone on and I totally lost inspiration to write. But my fingers are itchin' now. First step? Get up to my writing room and dust the cobwebs away. Next, I'll have to do the same for my brain! Hehehe. Fun to see that y'all are still here. Keep up the fabulous work! ~Lavinia (Karen)

[Matt Willard]

Worked on the novel groundwork and, in a burst of inspiration, polished off the first installment in my humorous video series. I plan to spread this around to gain some more recognition as part of my platform. This was a goal of mine for the week and it got pulled off well, so I'm pretty glad. (By the way, you can check that video out here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV7nqr65VV8).)

[Andreya]

YAY I survived the interview!! :)
Got a ton of info, must transcribe it asap!

Then, I need to figure out what to do with it (!) :)

[CatMuse33]

Well, it's not pretty (yet) but I've launched www.theabundantwriter.blogspot.comwhere I am selling my freelance writing e-course, and also tracking my progress in the Secret Abundance Files course (link in sig).

Eventually, the plan is to move it over to its own domain at www.abundantwriter.com, set up a mailing list and actually SELL the course. LOL For now, I'm happy to have something up there.

Meanwhile, I've been doing a lot of writing for a Christian organization and sending out queries, etc. All in between packing. So not bad I guess.

Matt & Andreya - Congrats on your accomplishments of the weekend! :D

[Mysti]

Just popping by to say welcome, congrats and way to go! You all are such an inspiration!! Truly!

Simon seems to be doing better. We will see the doctor this morning and probably will have another set of chest xrays done. He's been working the crud out of his lungs, fortunately, but the coughs hurt. His fever has completely broken though!!

[ravenlea]

Mysti - glad to hear Simon is doing better!

Matt and Andreya - congrats on your accomplishments

Cat - congrats on the launch :D I'll pop by later and see what you've got

As for me, just another day on the farm. I've decided I'm going to hit some farm and ranch magazines (you'd have thought I'd havedone so before now ... just goes to show how slow my little mind works)

I only have one goal today: Send out my recipes for Taste of Home and Cooking Light. One gets a raspberry crisp and the other an open faced peach cake. I just have to decide which goes to which.

I'm also working on a new idea. A children's book - nonfiction. I need to work out all the kinks before I start blabbing it around. But when I do you'll all be the first to know.

Off to work I go!

[Andreya]

Mysti - YAY for Simon doing better!! :) GO Simon!!

Matt - I looked at your video & had to giggle. 'Sierra created this intro after watching all the stars on Windows screensaver' - lol!! :)
Not really into games, & not familiar with the game, I can see your series has already found an audience!!

Had to Google up Space Quest lol - sounds like fun!! ;)

CatMuse, WOW for setting up a website!! YAY for the launch!!
& Wishing you good luck with it all!!
This may sound silly, in the past I actually did LoA when working at the PR firm - & when I did, the articles got published! :)
/I almost felt like cheating or something - tried not doing it, got tired of not having stuff published, did it again - kazoom!! :)/

Ravenlea, Ohh you have a farm!! :)
Farm & ranch magazines seem like a great idea! (some good articles in those!!)
YAy for the recipes - sound yummy!! :)
fingers crossed, & for the new book too!!

...transcribing is kinda boring, can you tell? ;)
need to write notes more organized next time :D

[Andreya]

Transcribed! :)

(all 2+ hrs of it..) still very messy though..
Not sure if I ask for some clarifications by e-mail or by phone today?
(it would be great to know asap, don't want to bother people too much though -??)

am afraid to call the other interviewee, & generally feeling sucky today.. (& slightly brain-fogged) /sigh/

oh, where are my Morning Pages? forgot to do those, no wonder!! :D

[AmyDoodle]

Plants? I can't kill 'em fast enough in real life. Now I'm killing virtual plants. I'm addicted to Farm Town (http://www.mindovermullis.blogspot.com)!

Also, with a new link that works (I hope). Stage of Life blog post. Yeah, Age of Elegance (http://www.stageoflife.com/Default.aspx?tabid=144&g=posts&t=217). Story of my life.

[Mysti]

Even pneumonia won't keep Simon down! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZBJ0LRyClE)

[AmyDoodle]

Thinking about both your boys Mysti--and Mom too!

[jenngreenleaf]

The only thing I've managed to do so far this week is rant on my blog. How Do Mom Writers Do it? (http://jenngreenleaf.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-do-mom-writers-do-it.html)

[Andreya]

Oh he's so cute, Mysti!

Jenn, I only managed a blog entry yesterday too.. :) /sigh/

It's too hot for getting a 3-page draft to 1 page (??)
How the heck do I know what to leave in & what to cut? /sigh/

[ravenlea]

It's 98 degrees today and I have zero ambition. I have managed to do a couple articles, but as for "real magazine" stuff, nothing. Piles of rejections seems to be the theme for me this month. I had sent one to Hobby Farms that I really thought had a chance, but they emailed back saying they couldn't fit it in to the 2010 calender and to query them again next spring for 2011.

Think I'm gonna find some ice cream, the hammock and some quiet. I might even write a few queries :D

[Lavinia]

Mysti- When I visited here a few days ago (it had been a LONG time), I thought, "she needs a new photo of Simon here." I come back today and wahlah...there it is. So cute. He's been a fighter all his life.

I'm trying very hard to remotivate myself to get back to writing. Visiting here usually helps. Oh and a big hello to everyone who doesn't "know" me. I was here when it all began. It's a great place to be! ~Karen

[Andreya]

Hi Lavinia! :)

Ravenlea, it's TOO HOT here today/these days too.. a hammock sounds ideal!! :)

to bad about rejections, still I'm almost jealous!! trying to write an article in this weather is... ugh!!

[ravenlea]

morning all! Lavinia - good to see you back!

gonna be another hot one today so I am trying to get an early start on things. Managed two queries this morning and will be doing some reasearch into farm and ranch magazines this afternoon depending on how my day goes.

finally got a new post up.

[jenngreenleaf]

Today is already looking better than yesterday! I blogged, and I'm in the process of working through the first part of my book. Sweet! :D Now, to keep the momentum going (and keep my fingers crossed that the kids are going to continue getting along)!! :D

[Andreya]

Wahoo, managed to whip the three pages into 1.2!! :)

Maybe I'll manage to shorten it even more? Or just ask if I can have it longer due to new info? hm!

YAY for good starts Jenny & Ravenlea!! :)

[CatMuse33]

Andreya-
Can you break the extra into a sidebar? That way the editor can use it if she wants--and you've provided more than expected--but it's easy to cut if there really is no space.

Raven--sigh... at least you're gettin rejections. If it weren't for automated mailing lists I'd think my email was broken! No replies! I even phoned an editor today--no word yet. Keep at it! :)
Dawn

[Andreya]

CatMuse - thanks!
Not sure if I can do it with this particular article, maybe with some others..

Got the okay of the two interviewees :) now just maybe tweak some sentences to make 'em more pretty (& maybe find a tiny info) & then finished - hopefully!! :)

am just not sure how to cite sources/interviewees.. (?) it's such a short article (1 page) that cramming in 3 or 4 people with long titles would make it much longer (especially as some only contributed short tidbits now & then), also some info is from (peer-reviewed) research papers, it's all sort of mixed up to make sense, & citing sources everywhere would make it muuch longer... (also the emphasis is on content)
The previous time the sources were just put at the end into a sort-of box/sidebar, is this okay? or would something else be better? - also posted this in the quote thread, hope it's okay?

Am already plotting new themes & articles.. ideally with other newspapers/magazines that'd pay more! :)

[Matt Willard]

It's been a bit, but I'm still here. The writing didn't go so well today, but I did spend a lot of time focused on delivering value. I've figured out a lot of projects I can do in order to build relationships, and I made some contributions on some forums. I hope to make a lot more connections and really get better at delivering value and getting the word out.

Tomorrow's Saturday, so I want to do some work on my novel and figure out my new weekly goals.

[Lavinia]

Matt- Don't know if it's just me or my wonky computer or what, but I tried to see what you posted on youtube and couldn't. It wants me to get the latest version of Flashplayer. But when I click download, it won't let me. It then gives me a choice of doing it manually but that doesn't work either. What am I doing wrong? I can get on You Tube just fine for other things. Can't figure it out. Anyway---all this to say...I tried. ~Lavinia

[jenngreenleaf]

Okay, people . . . I've got my coffee, my "stack of stuff," and my to do list . . . things ARE going to happen today, and things ARE going to be completed. I have a sick little person camped out in my bed, but the rest of the family is off doing other things today. So, it looks like my goals WILL be accomplished today!! I miss the old "energizer bunny" Jenn, so I'm taking steps to bring that part of my writing-self back. Can you tell?? :D

[Matt Willard]

Matt- Don't know if it's just me or my wonky computer or what, but I tried to see what you posted on youtube and couldn't. It wants me to get the latest version of Flashplayer. But when I click download, it won't let me. It then gives me a choice of doing it manually but that doesn't work either. What am I doing wrong? I can get on You Tube just fine for other things. Can't figure it out. Anyway---all this to say...I tried. ~Lavinia


That's strange. Whenever it brings up an error like that for me, I usually just quit Firefox and go back and it works fine. Maybe a restart can get it to set right, but in cases like that, I'd probably uninstall and reinstall Flash.

Then again, it works fine for everything else, so I'm not too sure what the deal is.

[Mysti]

Okay, shameless plug (http://onewomansheart.wordpress.com/simons-birthday/) swinging through... Seriously though, it's more than worth it!

[ravenlea]

Morning all. Jenn, good to see you getting back on track - then again, I dont' know that you really were not on track :D

Mysti - I can't beleive a year has gone by already! Simon is amazing (and so are you and your family)

I'm not even going to attempt anything today. So far my morning has consisted of feeding the critters, selling two tons of hay, and doing one load of laundry. And I even got up early!

But I have a wedding to attend today. The groom is the son of a friend of ours and the bride happens to be my husbands ex-wife's brother's step-daughter. So all that being said I'll jsut be happy to get things ready and be out of the house by 3pm today. Then tomorrow we're taking my sister in law to lunch to celebrate that she's going to be a grandma.

That's all the news I have for today. I do wish I could get some writing done, but that will wait for SUnday I guess.

Have a good weekend all!

[AmyDoodle]

It's been a year already? Mysti, he's just beautiful! Our miracle baby!

Blog post up. After all those years in the school pickup line, it's my turn. With two boys across town at college, I'm waiting (http://www.mindovermullis.blogspot.com)for somebody to come and get me!

[Matt Willard]

Finished up another video script today as well as worked a bit on the novel. I think my novel-writing exploits are going to need some more structure. But here's a bit of news-a popular web site I go to is dividing up into another site that covers comic books. Since two of my upcoming videos deal with comics, I hope to do well enough on them to land me a spot as a contributor to that website, and thus, gain a bit hit in coverage. Wish me luck!

[Nancy]

Good luck, Matt. That sounds promising.

[Skyraven]

HI all. Glad to see you all writing or attempting to write. lol. I've been on a writing strike for the last two weeks! Not a lick of writing. I've been so tired from my day job staring at the computer, seeing my clients, being sick and having a sick kiddo last Monday that I've no energy, inclination or motivation to write. Help! What do you do when you're like this? I've got so much stuck in me that needs to get out and I'm just stuck. :(

[Nancy]

Sky:

I had a week like that last week - stressed out and tired. Personally, I devoted way too many hours to Hidden Wonders of the Depths II, a PC game I downloaded. Nice distraction and it helped.

[scriptor]

Hey everyone! I just stopped in to see what was up. It’s been over a month but I have been really busy trying to write through some very major writer’s block. I think my brain has had a very, very serious creative blow out. Ya’ll think you can lose the talent? I am beginning to think so. Oh well, sounds like things are going well for ya’ll and that is great.

[scriptor]

Matt, dude... good luck .... sounds like a great deal!!

[AmyDoodle]

Sky:

I had a week like that last week - stressed out and tired. Personally, I devoted way too many hours to Hidden Wonders of the Depths II, a PC game I downloaded. Nice distraction and it helped.


Farm Town on Facebook here. More effective than black market prescription medication.

[AmyDoodle]

Hey everyone! I just stopped in to see what was up. It’s been over a month but I have been really busy trying to write through some very major writer’s block. I think my brain has had a very, very serious creative blow out. Ya’ll think you can lose the talent? I am beginning to think so. Oh well, sounds like things are going well for ya’ll and that is great.

Nope, it's still there. It's under the surface. Build something, grow something, go see a play, go fishing, read a book, make a list of places you'd like to go, play word games. Anything creative that's not your normal rut will nudge that ole word wizard to get moving.

[scriptor]

Nope, it's still there. It's under the surface. Build something, grow something, go see a play, go fishing, read a book, make a list of places you'd like to go, play word games. Anything creative that's not your normal rut will nudge that ole word wizard to get moving.


Thanks AmyDoodle.. you're right of course.. My wife said kinda the same thing this morning... we planned to go fishing tomorrow afternoon just the two of us. Thanks!

:hooray:

[Matt Willard]

Okay, it's been a hectic week, but I'm back. Right now I'm trying to get my to-do list back on schedule. Tomorrow I'll probably figure out my new weekly goals and go from there. Just trust me-the week could not be handled, but now I'm back and ready for action.

[wyntermoon]

Believe it or not, I actually got something accomplished this month!

- new gig at future-tarot.com :D
- plotted ten short stories for NaNo
- five shorts for Tweet the Meat
- new gig at a local historical preservation organization, I'll be writing their newsletter and throwing events plus other duties as assigned ;)

Now, what's next for August??

How about y'all?

[Skyraven]

Nancy - I had to take a break. I left work early on Friday, hung out with my choir director and talked and then had a few shots. lol Then on Saturday I went to Coney Island with kiddo and some friends. Got back home about 1:30am. I had a stay-home day on Sunday (no church) and slept pretty much until 1pm. Kiddo slept until noon. The wipe-out was good for me. Since then I've been journaling and talking to friends. So far so good. Though still no writing. All the distractions did help though. lol
As for my goals, they were totally shot this month. If I posted twice this month on all of the sites, it was alot. I need to get in gear before my vacation from Aug. 24 through Sept. 7. I'll be offline from the 24 - 31 because I'll be having fun in California with the kiddo. So we'll see what happens between now and vacation.