April Aragam

Break from Blogging

2008-05-14T14:01:00.003-07:00

Hello my friends,

I have decided to take a break from blogging. I don't know for how long, but I'm going to keep this blog up for when I decide to return to it. :)

Don't worry though, I'm still going to be reading your blogs and will probably have even more time to comment on them. ;)

If you look to the side, you'll see where you can e-mail me and connect with me on Facebook.

April

Favourite authors

2008-05-09T21:43:00.005-07:00

It's an interesting thing, I am more fascinated by the life of Sylvia Plath than her actual works (poems more specifically). I do enjoy her books/stories. And I've heard there are clips on YouTube of Sylvia herself doing reading of her work. I really need to check those out.

Another author I enjoy reading has been V.C. Andrews. Her stories are quite twisted and she actually died a while ago and someone else has been writing stories like her, under her name. They keep me interested. I wish there was more about the life of V.C. Andrews out there. A lot of the stories are now in a way repeating themselves, but with different characters. The person writing them needn't stick so close to the original plot lines, I don't think.

Most recently, I have been reading Maureen Lee and Beverly Lewis. Enjoying them very much. Lucky for me they both have many books ;)

So, who are your favourite authors?

Writing quizzes this week

2008-05-08T13:59:00.002-07:00

This week I am busy writing a new batch of quizzes. They are one of my favourite things to write and I am bummed that there aren't more markets for teen quizzes.

I was happy to receive a contract from Blue Mountain this week for one of my poems.

Your Writing Spot

2008-05-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Where do you like to write? Are you strictly a computer/laptop person? Do you have a cozy chair that you write in?

For me, I don’t do much writing at the computer. I type things out here, mainly. Although lately I have been known to outline article ideas on paper, and then writing them out on the computer. It’s just quicker that way. But for the most part, I love to write on the couch. It’s comfy. And I love to write on paper. I have all my books by my side, and a hot cup of tea. Perfect. I also have a view outside, which is nice.

I have been trying my hand at bits and pieces of fiction lately also and though I’m doing that in a notebook currently, I wonder when/if I ever decide to do a novel, if I will find it quicker to write straight on the computer. I’ll cross that bridge when/if I ever come to it. If you write books, where do you write them?

Usually, I don’t even turn on the computer until I am ready to come online (which let’s admit doesn’t take too long). Blog entries are the one thing I do write directly on my computer, always.

So, tell us about your most loved writing spot.

Kids of Polk Street

2008-05-04T20:24:00.002-07:00

This, I think, was the first series of books I read (Kids of Polk Street by Patricia Reilly Giff). I borrowed the books from both the school library and the public library. I hadn't thought about the series in years and when I did I learned the library doesn't have them anymore. Sad!
So, I am thinking of buying the books and starting a collection of these books I used to love so.
The only thing is, I need to make sure (if at all possible) to get the books with the original illustrations. The new ones just don't do it for me. The cover art is part of the thrill for me. Just seeing them takes me back. The new ones just won't do that.

So, what were your favourite books when you were a kid? Do you still read them?

111 Market Links

2008-05-02T12:39:00.002-07:00

While searching online for new markets, I came across this page that has 111 links where you can search for new markets.

Check it out here

When Editors Don’t Respond

2008-04-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

We’ve all dealt with this because I’ve seen the conversations on other blogs and forums. We submit work and don’t hear anything about our submissions. We wait, we write asking about our submission and still hear nothing.

Recently, I e-mailed a lot of editors asking if they buy reprints. I got many answers saying yes. So of course I submitted to them. Now the editors don’t seem to be around. I always use my subject line properly, which might explain why in a matter of minutes I got answers about reprints. But I use my subject line wisely when it comes to submissions also.

Personal replies are nice, but if that’s not possible (who has the time with all the submissions editors must get), why not use a form letter? After all, it is better than nothing.

Here are my questions for you, my fellow writers:

1. If the guidelines don’t state approximately how long it takes to hear from them, how long do you wait before sending your piece elsewhere?

2. Once you realize that an editor doesn’t respond, do you give up submitting to that market? Or do you keep on submitting, just keeping yourself to a strict schedule when it comes to moving on with that piece?

3. When you move on with a piece, do you send an e-mail withdrawing your submission from the first place?

Any other tips or ideas you have for what to do when you submit to markets where editors don’t respond if they’re not interested?

Getting ready for May

2008-04-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

Pardon the few days away from blogging. It’s been busy around here.

April was the month I was going to use for spring cleaning. Of course I started off strong and ended with not getting much done. I’m giving myself 2 more weeks, and then as far as spring cleaning goes, I’m done.

I’m also busy getting ready for May. Things I usually do at the end of the month:

*Organize my computer
*Organize my desk
*Set goals for the new month
*Go through old records and discover which pieces are ready to be submitted again
(sometime this week I need to blog about what happens when you hear back from few editors aside from ones you work with often)
*My new thing, sending invoices

What do you do to get ready for a new month?

P.S. Can you believe it's almost May? This year is flying!

Sell Reprints

2008-04-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

This morning I went through my sales from the last couple of years (yes I know, I don’t do this often enough) and gathered all the articles that I am able to sell again as reprints. If you retained the rights and are able to resell articles, do it. Otherwise you’re missing out on making more money from that one article. You could sell it again for years.

I am quite new to selling reprints, I’ve only sold a couple. It’s just something that’s never on my mind. But I am getting on it now. This morning I have also been searching for reprints markets and e-mailing editors to ask if they buy reprints.

If you have the time today, why don’t you see what you’ve got to sell in the reprint area?

Write Tight E-mails

2008-04-18T11:13:00.002-07:00

Are you wasting time with e-mails that drag on, but say nothing? Do you get those kind of e-mails? Instead of writing a novel (even if someone else writes you one), start writing tighter e-mails today.

1. Answers questions posed to you first
This is only polite. Answer them as needed, don’t go into drawn out answers unless asked for more details. Never assume that someone needs a complete explantion.

2. Give your latest news
Don’t bother with the “I did dishes, then I watched tv, then I checked e-mail.” People don’t care about that. Real news. Like what you’re working on. If you sold anything recently.

3. Ask something of the other person
Whether you ask how they are doing (you don’t have to do this up front, you can ask how they are at the end, it makes for a somewhat nice roundup), or something specific that you know they are working on, ask them something.

Needless to say, always be polite. Open and close with a salutation of whatever kind works for you. The best e-mails are the ones that are short, but say so much. And of course, writing tighter e-mails will save you time. And that’s what we’re all looking for.

Preparing blog posts

2008-04-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend, when I got the idea for Monday’s blog post, I opened and labelled a file “MondayBlog.” It then occurred to me that if I had a file for each day of the week it would make for a much easier time in preparing posts. So, when I was done posting on Monday, I erased the post from my file, left it blank, but kept the file for next time. Then I proceeded to make a file for each day of the week. TuesBlog, WedBlog, etc. It’s not often that I have an overflowing amount of blog post ideas, so I’m sure the 7 files will be enough.

Do you prepare blog posts in advance? How many do you normally have?
And how do you organize them for yourself?

Edit your contacts

2008-04-14T10:35:00.001-07:00

Here’s something to do today if you get a free moment:

Open up the address book in your e-mail account(s) and delete all contacts that you no longer have interaction with. After you do that, take at look at the contacts you have marked as favourites. Do they all still apply? Clean up that list too.

I did this yesterday and it took me about an hour. My biggest change was the favourites list. It was cut down by more than half. I also got rid of contacts I no longer talk to. I used to hate doing that (in case I might ever need the address), but these days (especially with networking sites like Facebook), it’s not hard to find an e-mail address of a friend or family member should I need it. Better for my own time and sanity that I keep what I really need and not get overwhelmed.

Blue Mountain

2008-04-11T11:28:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I got a lovely surprise. My cards from Blue Mountain arrived.

This is the second printing of the card, this time done for Mother's Day.

The card is entitled "To a Mother Who Means the World to Me"

How to better a blog

2008-04-09T12:30:00.001-07:00

So, you all know that I love change. We can’t count the number of times that I have changed this blog’s template. It’s fun. But I’ve been thinking of what I can do to make my blog nicer to look at. What will draw people in? I like a simple look, nothing cluttered. I think it makes a lot of people a bit crazy when there is too much to see. I think that small display pictures are a good addition to posts.
I am also seriously thinking of having someone create a blog design for me. I do need to come up with an idea of what I want though. Colour, design etc. I have a few ideas in mind that I will play around with. But for now purple on white is pretty.
I keep ads to a minimum, I refuse to clutter up my blog with those. I would much prefer to share links of other blogs and websites.

What have you found make a blog better to look at? Do you pay attention to what’s going on in the sidebars?

Income

2008-04-07T12:33:00.003-07:00

I have seen numerous discussions about income popping up on blogs this year. It started with people making financial goals and then went to some people sharing what they make. I have no problem with people sharing what they make, but it makes me (and probably many of you) even more curious when they don’t break down how they make that money. Because that’s what we all want to know, right? How they’re doing it, because they are making quite a bit of money. A couple of blogs have broken it down into how they get paid (cheque/pay pal etc), but that doesn’t tell us anything about where the income comes from. As freelance writers it could be a multitude of things. Article writing, freelance editing/proofreading, advertising on websites and/or blogs, book royalties, content sites etc. And every day there seems to be more and more clever ways to make money.

Do you make financial goals for yourself or does it vary too much from month to month to bother? Maybe you make a year goal? How do you plan to achieve your goal if you make one?

What are you reading?

2008-04-04T12:03:00.002-07:00

Anyone reading any good books they want to share?

I am currently reading:

Secrets in the Attic by VC andrews
All American Girl by Meg Cabot
Helen Steiner Rice by Pollitt/Wiltse

Market: The Family Handyman

2008-04-02T11:59:00.003-07:00

If you're interested in writing and selling tips, here's a market for you.

The Family Handyman
Include a digital photo of your tip and get an extra $100
handyhints@readersdigest.com
or
Handy Hints
The Family Handyman
2915 Commers Drive
Suite 700
Eagan, MN 55121

I think the name of the magazine says it all, but tips for around the house is what they look for. How to fix things, clean things, keep things/people safe at home etc.

Thanks for commenting in March

2008-04-01T13:42:00.003-07:00

Thanks to the following people (in no particular order) for commenting last month:

Jessica Burkhart
Lisa Nevin
Sylvia’s Insight
Chelle Cordero
Carol
Steve Davis
Rebecca Laffar-Smith
Lillie Ammann
The Elementary
Becca
Dawn
Lori
Mandy
Plaidearthworm

April Goals

2008-03-31T12:13:00.001-07:00

Here are my goals for April:

1. Write 8 new articles (2 each week)
2. Write 6 new poems for Blue Mountain
3. E-mail 8 new people
* This will likely be writers. If I read an article/book I enjoy, I will e-mail the author. If I come across someone at a writer’s forum that I find interesting, I will e-mail them. This might lead to new friendships, maybe not.
4. Comment on 50 blog posts. Yes, I am going to keep track.

Last week, I blogged every day (Monday to Friday). This week I will attempt to do the same.

What are your goals for April?

Roget of Roget's Thesaurus

2008-03-30T17:23:00.002-07:00

I found this article at the end of last week about Roget. Very interesting.

You can read it here.

Oddest Book Titles

2008-03-28T12:08:00.002-07:00

This years winner: "If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs"

You can read the article here, where they list previous winners also.

The Dollar Stretcher

2008-03-26T12:16:00.002-07:00

I am happy to say that I made my first sale to The Dollar Stretcher yesterday. It will be in their print magazine and online most likely as well.

Editor M.I.A.

2008-03-25T12:37:00.002-07:00

I am just a tad miffed. I am not an impatient person. People who know me know this. I am quite calm and patient, even in this crazy world of freelance writing. So for me to get annoyed, it takes…well, something really annoying.

Here’s the story. At the beginning of January I submitted a quiz. It was accepted. The whole “I love this this. I want to use this. I will pay you xx amount.” I was excited because of course it was a sale but it was also a break-in sale to this particular place. Around the end of January I inquire about when the piece is to be published. February. Cool. February comes and goes. March is almost over, so yesterday I send out an invoice. Today I get the news I should have got long ago. My piece cannot be used. Well, thank you very much for letting me know. This is March 25th.

I don’t think there is much excuse for not letting a writer you want(ed) to use what’s actually going on with their piece. Luckily I don’t run into a problem like this much at all. It annoys me because I could have sold this piece elsewhere (someone else was interested). On a positive note, I am sure I can still sell this quiz elsewhere. It also annoys me because apparently some editors (some, not all, I am not by any means grouping all editors into one pile) don’t consider writers that important. Oh sure, we’re important when they want something we have, but otherwise our time just isn’t as important.

Increasing Income

2008-03-19T12:53:00.001-07:00

This is something I have been thinking about lately. There are different ways of making more money in the writing business. I mainly write articles and greeting card verse. I also do a little freelance proofreading/editing for one client. I could probably take on more.

As for the articles, though I make a pleasant amount of sales, the money could be better. One of my biggest things is selling to places that pay on publication. Now in general this does not bother me, but in terms of weekly/monthly income it makes that a tad difficult.

When I am really focussed, I can pull off many pieces in a week. I said when. =) Focus is hard to achieve. It comes and it goes. When it’s gone I do what I can. I don’t use it as an excuse to be lazy. That won’t bring in sales. But when that focus is gone, I do other things such as organizing and brainstorming, which really gets me excited about writing brand new stuff.

I thought about paid-blogging as an income maker, but from what I’ve seen it’s not something I’d want to stick with very long. I don’t think I could write about products, as I’ve seen many are about.

I don’t mind writing for lower paying markets that I have already broken into, which I know I can make sales with. But what I need to do, in addition, is to break into higher paying markets. I would like to begin increasing my income in a way I can notice between now and the start of Summer. That’s sort of my goal for Spring.

I also quite like the little ways one can make money, such as the little ads on the side of blogs. I would never go so far as to clutter my blog with those though. And I haven’t seen any progress through the Ad Sense or Amazon ads I have, but that could change any time. You just never know. I’m always willing to try something.

How have you increased your income as a freelance writer?