So What'cha Been Doin'?

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!

A New Writing Opportunity!!

I think we have well established that I love to write. Having this blog has been a lifesaver and with the exception of one freak who caused me to doubt my writings, I think I've done okay. And as much as I love this blog, I want more! I still have so much that I want to write about. My dream, my LIFE-LONG dream has been to be a published author. I have several finished manuscripts that I am shopping around to find an agent but nothing's happened there yet.

Then, in the midst of my unemployment job search, I stumbled upon an ad looking for writers on Craigslist. So I responded to it and a lovely lady named Laura responded and got me set up with Bukisa.com. The beautiful thing about writing for them is that I can write about what I want. There is no list of set topics that I have to choose from and so I have freedom. They do have very general, very broad subjects/overviews that you need to go under but basically they are easy to fit under. The pay scale when you are starting out is small, but I am just thrilled to have my work published out there! Who knows, maybe this will lead to being helpful in finding an agent!

So if you are an aspiring writer who has a lot going on in your head that you want to write about, check out Bukisa.com. I am so glad that I checked it out. Today, I submitted three articles and they should be up and running by tomorrow. I have eight other articles that are already up and published. The fun thing is, that because I can write about what I want and what I know about, I have written a LOT of articles on Disney. LOVE IT!!!

Go and check it out and let me know if you do it!!