Write At Home Moms - September - Page 2

[Round2]

Did it! Applied to Demand. We'll see...

Penny- I like your blog! I need to get on that blogging train...

[MissLotus]

Hi, there, Write-At-Home moms... I'm glad this group is here. I am a mother to one child and I do some freelance article writing (was an editor for a trade magazine before I had my child)... including an article for our very own Mothering that was accepted but still has not been published ...

Anyway, I have a question about blogs. I am finding that when looking at regular writing gigs, they often like it if you have a blog and an area of specialized interest, so my plan is to join the rest of the planet and get a blog going. I did set up an account at WordPress, for starters - just wondered if anyone has a blogging template site they like better.

Also, does anyone have more than one blog? I have a couple of different directions I'd like to go in, and am just thinking of doing two separate blogs. Maybe this is too much. ?

[Round2]

Originally Posted by MissLotus

Anyway, I have a question about blogs. I am finding that when looking at regular writing gigs, they often like it if you have a blog and an area of specialized interest, so my plan is to join the rest of the planet and get a blog going. I did set up an account at WordPress, for starters - just wondered if anyone has a blogging template site they like better.

Also, does anyone have more than one blog? I have a couple of different directions I'd like to go in, and am just thinking of doing two separate blogs. Maybe this is too much. ?

I was accepted to Demand Studios to write for Livestrong.com. Motivationally speaking, that was the easy part. Now I have to get writing!!!

[zebrachick83]

Hi Ladies! Sorry I'm so late finding this thread, but I'm a fellow web content writer and homeschooling mamma to three. I've been accepted at Demand, but I haven't actually written anything there yet. I'm pretty much full time with Mahalo.com as a Senior Guide. The company scaled back to redesign the writing and editing process in June, but is now recruiting and taking applications again. Here's the link if anyone's interested: http://mahaloteams.com/. I'll definitely be checking in with you all when I need a creative kick in the butt!

ETA: Mahalo is not hiring writers or editors at this time. Definitely check with Demand or TextBroker or Break Studios, though.

Edited by zebrachick83 - 3/11/11 at 5:28pm

[Aufilia]

Originally Posted by MissLotus

I did set up an account at WordPress, for starters - just wondered if anyone has a blogging template site they like better.

Also, does anyone have more than one blog? I have a couple of different directions I'd like to go in, and am just thinking of doing two separate blogs. Maybe this is too much. ?

I have 3 blogs... well, 4, kinda... I have a blog on LiveJournal that I've been maintaining for ages and ages, 7 or 8 years now. My blog contains everything. I recently decided that "everything" was maybe too much, because my parent-friends, for example, don't care too much about my writing updates; whereas my writer friends' eyes glazes over when I post too much about my kids. So I set up 3 blogs within 1 login at Blogger/Blogspot so that I can divide my posts topically -- one blog about my writing, one general blog about kids/family, and one blog about parenting gifted kids.

Of course, since then I've barely had time to even THINK about blogging...

I've used Wordpress and it's fine, too. I choose Blogger in case my blog happens to get massively popular, 'cause you can easily add advertising to a Blogger blog.

Originally Posted by zebrachick83

I'm pretty much full time with Mahalo.com as a Senior Guide. The company scaled back to redesign the writing and editing process in June, but is now recruiting and taking applications again. Here's the link if anyone's interested: http://mahaloteams.com/. I'll definitely be checking in with you all when I need a creative kick in the butt!

Hmmm, what do guides do? I'm not entirely sure after reading the description and logging into the actual site. Is the $1400 they mention a reasonable income for 40ish hours of work? Is it flexible?


I've put in a half-dozen or so proposals on Guru this week and got back 2 bites from potential employers today -- one for a web help content gig, one for a user research/application design project. I've gotten hardly anything done for Demand, even though I totally took advantage of our Y membership this week by going Mon & Tues afternoon and checking both kids into childcare for an hour while I sat in the lobby area and wrote.

[Round2]

Originally Posted by Aufilia

I've used Wordpress and it's fine, too. I choose Blogger in case my blog happens to get massively popular, 'cause you can easily add advertising to a Blogger blog.

Good to know Aufilia, thanks!

Originally Posted by Aufilia

I've gotten hardly anything done for Demand, even though I totally took advantage of our Y membership this week by going Mon & Tues afternoon and checking both kids into childcare for an hour while I sat in the lobby area and wrote.

[Aufilia]

Woohoo, I was awarded the user research/application design project I bid on. I'm going to be totally underpaid but I figured I need a good review more than the extra $$ at this point. Once someone's taken a chance on me I'm sure it will be easier to get other jobs. I suppose I'll have to tell the Web Content guy I'll be too busy to do his project, though, which is too bad because I was feeling good about getting that one, too.

ALSO in equally exciting writing news, I totally outlined half a novel plot yesterday. Not that I'll ever have time to write fiction again, at this rate...

[Round2]

Congrats Aufilia!

The bid was through guru, right?

Nice work on the outline, too. One step at a time, right?

[MommyHawk]

I feel like the universe is conspiring against me. And my writing is suffering. I haven't touched it in probably a month and the more time passes, the more I see that yes, it really doesn't make any sense. This book I once loved I now wonder what's the point? Of course I've been hormonally nuts for 3 weeks and now sicker than a dog for another. I told my DH if I kick the bucket before I'm done, by no means show anyone the book! Do not publish it and have it at the wake (of course, I'm not kicking the bucket anytime soon - I just feel like crap right now).

how do you get back into your swing?

I feel like I should just can this book - already written, just needs one last edit - and write a different one. I just feel like such dog doo doo I don't want to wonk it up any more than I already have.

okay, feeling sorry for myself and needed somewhere to bla bla about it.

[Aufilia]

Yes, the project I just got was through Guru. And today I got an email from someone regarding another project I bid on (ghostwriting an autobiographical book), so woohoo.

Mommyhawk -- Don't give up! Perhaps your writing has simply grown since you started your manuscript. That doesn't mean it was bad, but perhaps you've gotten even better. OR maybe you're just having a down phase. I know I've put my novel away for weeks, months at a time (especially during my pregnancy when I was so run-down and sick all the time, it was really hard to work up any energy to be enthused about the novel).


OH--and for anyone interested in writing fiction for pay (if you write fantasy), someone passed this link along to me: http://www.ralan.com/listings/pro/storyportals.htm --The pay isn't bad for fiction -- 5 cents per word.

[1jooj]

MommyHawk, I do that to myself every time I hit 50k words, and then I start over.

I should be happy that work has not called for the past week. Instead of being happy and focusing on myself and my own goals, I have been stalking the office calendar and wondering why they don't call. Dumb, I know. I hit a motherlode of new ideas in August-September and should get going.

My trip is cancelled, but obviously dh still has to go. I am hoping to use the 3 weeks of his absence to jump-start my work. Again. Sigh.

I am also seeing an ophthalmologist today about a major eye infection. I can't see out of my left eye anymore. This is some bad stuff. Next time I post here, it will be with good news about my own writing. Promise.

[Round2]

Originally Posted by 1jooj

Next time I post here, it will be with good news about my own writing. Promise.

I was just going to say I think we all need some positive thinking on our writing! I was driving home from preschool drop off today repeating over and over to myself "I will be efficient. I will be productive. I will appreciate the opportunity to achieve my goals."..."I AM efficient. I AM productive. I appreciate the opportunity to achieve!"

OK. Off to write!

Chin up mammas!

[SundayCrepes]

There is a new publishing house for books about homeschooled kids. They are accepting submissions of children's books and young adult books. Here is the info: http://www.doliferight.com/

[mommariffic]

I am totally sucking

I have done barely any freelance work! We went away to Woodstock and I 100% concentrated on doing the momma thing which was actually a blast. I wasn't concerned with writing, nor feeling motivation to do much besides swim and play in the woods with my daughter.

Now, I want to get back into action. Have my mothers helper coming 3x per week for a few hours so I can write, and I need it. I'm going nuts! Going to take on some Demand stuff just so I can earn a few bucks and get back into the grove, while I apply to a few jobs I've had my eye on.

Good luck to everyone! And thanks for the links ladies

[FeelingBlessed]

Thrilled to stumble across this thread today; sublime timing! I am in the process of leaving my current position (Exec. Dir. of a smallish nonprofit) to spend more time w/ our homeschooled monkeys (my husband works FT + is in school FT). Remaining at the current gig until about December, at which point I morph into writing mode. Will likely keep 10 hrs/wk of communications work for the nonprofit, but our budget needs a bit more help. Have dabbled in freelance writing over the years, from a weekly newspaper column to articles in local women's/parenting magazines. I adore writing (well, more accurately, love having written), and truly want to make this work financially for our clan.

Going to start right out of the gate with a query:

If I was to select just one of the following to strike up a relationship with, which would you recommend (or is there a better option not listed): Associated Content, Suite 101, or Mahalo?

Many, many thanks in advance for your guidance. Hope to be able to share some wisdom down the road with others.

Kim

[Round2]

Originally Posted by FeelingBlessed

If I was to select just one of the following to strike up a relationship with, which would you recommend (or is there a better option not listed): Associated Content, Suite 101, or Mahalo?

Hi FeelingBlessed! I have only a little bit of experience with Suite101 and just signed up for Demand Studios to write for their Livestrong.com website. I chose Suite101 over Associated Content because the writers here felt that you get more editorial guidance at Suite and that Suite101 demands a higher quality of content. I have very few articles at Suite so I only count pennies. I understand that once you hit 20, 50, 100 articles that you start to see some consistent monthly income.

Demand Studios is more of a fast cash option. They pay per article.

Hope this helps!

[FeelingBlessed]

Originally Posted by Round2

Hi FeelingBlessed! I have only a little bit of experience with Suite101 and just signed up for Demand Studios to write for their Livestrong.com website. I chose Suite101 over Associated Content because the writers here felt that you get more editorial guidance at Suite and that Suite101 demands a higher quality of content. I have very few articles at Suite so I only count pennies. I understand that once you hit 20, 50, 100 articles that you start to see some consistent monthly income.

Demand Studios is more of a fast cash option. They pay per article.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the feedback; this is exactly the sort of guidance I was seeking. Enjoy the day!

Kim

[Round2]

I need some motivation! Who's up for a challenge?

[thismamadances]

Advice for getting on the path to getting paid?

Hi ladies,

I'm thrilled to have stumbled across this thread, and I'm fired up and full of questions. I need to find more ways to supplement my income and this freelance writing gig seems like it could do the trick. I've written off and on, just as a hobby, for years. A friend suggested last year that I give this a go, but I'm just now in a place where I think I could put the time in.

I've read through the thread and am looking hard at Demand Studios, Suite 101 and Mahalo. All three want a writing sample, which certainly seems like a reasonable request. I was just wondering the thoughts of you rock-star mommas, who are already in the mix, on submitting a fiction sample, or if I should only submit non-fiction samples since that seems to be the bulk of the work available. (And any other tips and tricks for getting off to a good start are greatly appreciated!)

A whole big heaping pile of thanks (and oodles of encouragement) to all you writing moms!

[JoyMC]

i don't use the content sites, so i can't really give an opinion on the recent questions, but welcome to the mamas who have just joined us!

i'm feeling jazzed and super productive - just went over 100 pages on my middle grades novel (it's a first draft, and i think i'm about 2/3 of the way through), and just completed a 26,000 word novel for a client and started contracts on another one for the same client, to be written by the end of November.

what kind of challenge did you have in mind, Round2? i don't know if i'm up for anything more than i'm already doing, but who knows?