I'm still basking in the afterglow of unemployment - NOT! Seriously, I'm in to month number five of being at home and I have the extra weight that I've gained to prove it. I have applied for jobs, I have scanned the papers and Craigslist. Nothing.
I've mentioned before that what I really want to be is a writer. I have manuscripts all over the daggone house if only I could find an agent. Apparently, they are extremely hard to find and very fickle. I'm wanting to take a class on how to find one of these elusive people - perhaps I should watch for the latest "Endangered Species" list. Maybe I'll find one there! Anyway, about a week ago I wrote here about how I am doing some freelance writing for Bukisa.com. I'm actually having fun with it but until I really build up my content, I'm not making anything - like less than a penny per page view. I've made a dollar this month so far. WOO-HOO!!
The gal who hooked me up with Bukisa then sent me a link for another writing gig; this one was a little more promising. It was for Examiner.com. You have to actually APPLY for this one (and it was a rather lengthy application process) and they have a team of people on hand to help you as a writer. You get an editor and everything. Examiner.com in nationwide so you can write about things going on in your own city. I am now the homeschool Examiner for the Raleigh, North Carolina edition! Check. Me. Out!! I am a journalist! Who knew? What I love about writing for them - and this is pure vanity talking - is that my picture goes up on every article acknowledging me as the author and Examiner on my topic. How cool is that? I have to admit, I get a little excited every time I click on one of my pages and see me.
By now you're probably thinking "Um, Stace, you can come to your BLOG and see your own damn face, too!" Sure I can, but I started this blog by myself. I didn't have to prove myself and while, yes, some people have complained about the content, for the most part, no one is looking over my shoulder telling me what to do or what to write because they are paying me! Wouldn't THAT be nice? Sure, in a perfect world I'd actually be making money at this! I know I'm going to start hearing about all of the ways that I CAN make money on my blog but if it involves ME laying out any money first, keep it to yourself. The well is dry. I have nothing to invest (re-read the above paragraph on my big ONE dollar earnings).
The problem with the Examiner thing is - like Bukisa - you have to build up a readership. The more people that look at your page, the more money you will make. I get it. I'm not happy about it, but I get it. I've made almost a dollar there, too. Now I can get a burger AND a coke at McDonalds! Yea, me!
The thing is, this is my dream. Writing has been my dream since I was in junior high! I mean, yes the pay sucks, but it has the potential to get better. Plus, all this freelance writing might look good on some sort of resume/query to an agent. Who knows?
So if you happen to BE an agent looking for women's fiction writers, HERE I AM! Or if you know one, send them my way! In the meantime, go and check out some of my stuff over at Examiner.com even if you're not in to homeschooling. My profile picture was taken at a Sarah Palin rally here in North Carolina last year. I was sitting on the floor after waiting for six hours in a massive crowd. Not fun, but I looked good.
Click here for my article on How to get started in homeschooling.
If you are interested in writing for Examiner.com in your area, click HERE. When you fill out your application, it will ask you who referred you. You will need to click on "Search for Your Examiner" or something to that effect. Search for me so that I not only can get credit for you, but also, so I can see what you're writing and support you!
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5 comments:
I just went and read your homeschool article, and it's great! Can't wait to read more.
Great article Stacey! I just sent out a twitter message too.
I also posted it on my personal FB page and my "The Frugal Kennedys" Fan Page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Frugal-Kennedys/146681291658
Hi Stace.My wife is the writer in the family. I am going to pass it on to her.
Have you thought of self-publishing? I'm not talking about the old vanity presses of yesteryear where you give them $25,000 and they fill your garage with a pile of books you need to find some way of getting rid of.
I'm talking about selling via a publish on demand site. My daughter has written two novels, each as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
She published them on Lulu Press. One is Subtle Differences and the other is The Silent Serian. She hasn't sold a lot of them, but she's sold some to friends and relatives and made a little money.
She's also learning more about marketing her writing through this. With that she may try for a book contract after some subsequent novel based on her experiences with self publishing.
I'd encourage you to check out Lulu as well as some of the other self publishing sites.
I'd also encourage you to check out The Writers Collective. It is a nice middle ground between traditional publishing and self publishing.
Great article! And I will admit that as a writer myself I am impressed and a teeny bit jealous. Maybe you have been unemployed for so long for a reason. Who knows.
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