July 2009 - Just Hit Send

ravenlea · Jul 1, 2009

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

)
- 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 · Jul 1, 2009

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 could take on a whole new meaning!

plaidearthworm · Jul 2, 2009

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 · Jul 2, 2009

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 · Jul 2, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

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 blog post up. You don't even want to know how they put out the fire.

wyntermoon · Jul 3, 2009

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 · Jul 3, 2009

wyntermoon said:
- 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 · Jul 5, 2009

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 · Jul 5, 2009

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

Skyraven · Jul 5, 2009

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 · Jul 6, 2009

OK, finally finished my review of 'The End of Overeating' by Dr. Kessler. Let me know what you think, I'm a tough worm. (Sob.)

Nancy · Jul 6, 2009

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

plaidearthworm · Jul 6, 2009

Nancy, thanks so much! I appreciate your input!

AmyDoodle · Jul 6, 2009

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

ravenlea · Jul 6, 2009

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

AmyDoodle said:
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 · Jul 6, 2009

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 · Jul 7, 2009

Raven...

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 · Jul 7, 2009

Raven & moth

I'm so very sorry for your losses.

ravenlea · Jul 7, 2009

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

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!

July 2009 - Just Hit Send

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