Associated Content review time

Associated Content has been behind on reviews ever since the $5000 call for content contest. I submitted one on July 1st and one on July 2nd and received offers on them yesterday. Today I received offers on articles submitted on July 4th and 5th, so maybe they're starting to catch up!

Get the basics right!

I don't know if I've talked about this before, but if I did, it bears repeating! Many writers never learn the basics of writing. Their spelling and grammar are bad and they have no idea of how a story/article/book/whatever is supposed to be structured. If you want people to pay you for your writing, you have to give them good quality for their money. Do whatever it takes to get the writing basics: take a class, buy a book and study, whatever works for you. Nail your spelling and grammar, and your writing will automatically improve. Of course, you sometimes need to just write and let it flow...but if you have studied your grammar and spelling, they will be innate and you won't have to think about them while your creative juices flow. Until then, go ahead and write, but be prepared to go back through the work later and correct it.

My grammar is not always perfect, but I have several resources I refer to when I'm unsure of something. Of course, boo-boos will still slip through, but the majority of my work is clean, and that goes a long way.

Thank you for helping me reach my goal!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for some pity clicks on my Associated Content articles so I could meet my goal of earning $5 in page view bonus this month. We did it! With 4 cents to spare at $5.04. This month, I would like to reach $10. Can I do it? I am adding some new articles, all of which are in queue at the moment. They are mini dance lessons, so check them out when they post! You can subscribe to my profile and receive an email every time I post an article by clicking on the "subscribe" button on my Associated Content profile--there is a link on the right-hand side of this blog.

1st Place!

I am excited to announce that my story The Fire was the first place winner in the June Accentuate Writers Forum contest! I will be receiving my $50 in prize money tomorrow. Yippee! Even better than the prize money is the fact that my stories will appear in an anthology of all of the contest winners, produced by Accentuate Services (Michy may need to correct me on which entity is actually producing it, but it's too darn late for me to think about it) and due to come out next February. I will have copies available for sale, or I'm sure you will be able to buy them through outlets Michy will announce. I am becoming increasingly incoherent, so here's the announcement!

These contests are a great way to stretch your skills as a writer and get some feedback while you're at it...with the possibility of winning some money and a publishing contract! I highly recommend them.

OMG...I'm a finalist!

Michy just announced the finalists in the June contest, and I am one of them! Yippee! The winners will be announced next week...how will I sleep until then??

Michy's announcement on her blog

Michy announced the new short story contest!

Michelle L. Devon has done it again...and this time, first prize is $100! What are you waiting for? Get on over to Accentuate Writers Forum and sign up for the short story contest. The theme is "Winds of Change". I'm furiously trying to think of what to write about. We have until August 20th!

ODesk

ODesk is an online bidding site for freelancers. They have jobs in a number of different categories from technical to voice-overs to writing and editing jobs. I have secured and completed one job through them so far and it was quite satisfactory. I have also made contact with a couple of people who may hire me for future projects. It is free to join and use as a freelancer--the buyer of your services pays a fee to oDesk. Like any online bidding site, many of the buyers are pretty cheap and you have to compete with people who will work for $3/hour, but there are some buyers who are more interested in quality and are willing to pay more for a native English speaker with good writing skills.