It's All Good
This week was an amazing change of pace.
Inhale. Breathe. Enjoy the moment.
It was the first week in... I don't know, months, where we didn't have anything on our calendar. (other than a long, overdue play date). I needed this.
VBS is over. And it went by well. Not without a hitch, but certainly went well. Both parents and volunteer staff had nothing but wonderful things to say about the week (other than the torrential, week-long rain!). I am pleased with my part in it all, pleased with how well everyone worked together. Not a slacker in the bunch, and we had over 400+ kids benefiting from the week.
I don't know, however, if I will do it again next year. At least not this involved of a role. I'll have to see where I am at when it comes 'round again next year. Who knows what season of life I will be in.
Vacation... Vacation was blessed and amazing. It was so wonderful to be with my sister and her family for a whole week. We visit when we go home, but it's always rushed. Can't ever really focus and give my attention to people. The week was fabulous, the girls were awesome, and my nephews... Top notch and loved the girls in all their girlie glory.
This week has allowed me to focus more on writing - on what I am no longer viewing as a hobby or a pasttime, but a career. Whodda thunk it? Certainly not me when this all began nearly two years ago. So under-confident, still holding myself back. And now... Now I am financially contributing a significant amount of money to our family. That feels good to me.
I continue to have much respect for my editor, Maureen. She's fabulous to work with, very chummy but to-the-point at all the same time. I like that. I also value that I am continuing to learn more and more from her guidance, the community of writer's, and my opportunity to have class-like webinars. I still have so much to learn.
As far as my Suite writing, I am so close to the 100 article bonus, my mouth is watering from anticipation. Based on what I am earning now, when I achieve the additional boost in percentage of earnings, I'll be making just shy of $10 a day. Not bad considering I only write four articles a month. Takes about 2-3 hours of my time at most.
The other nice aspect is that the articles I published under them that are a year old, I now have complete publication rights. I'm starting to sell off those pieces, but I am determined not to undersell my writing. In talking to other professional web-writers, I'll be charging 10 cents a word. I won't sell a 500 word piece off for less than $50 unless it is for an organization I deem worthy. In one other instance I also opted for a "will write for goods." Still a good option if I like the wares available.
It would seem I also have established myself a little bit, as I am finally having clients contact ME to write for them, rather than the other way around. Pretty cool.
But stil, I fear complacency. It's ok to be content, but after selling myself short for so long, after allowing situations or others to limit my drive, I don't want to go there again.
I know I need to focus on establishing myself at About. I am thinking that a two-year plan there is a good one. At that point, both girls will be in kindergarten (perhaps another baby by then...), but then I hope to focus more on taking collegiate level classes in journalism with the ultimate goal of pursuing print publications as my main focus (and hopefully main income). Two years is a good range. It will allow me to grow and accomplish what I can at About, and it should move my writing career forward.
One final note... As much as I resisted, I am now twittering, only for business purposes though. I just can't get into narrating my personal life to a cyber audience. That idea sort of weirds me out a bit. I'll stick to the occasional facebook status update instead.
Inhale. Breathe. Enjoy the moment.
It was the first week in... I don't know, months, where we didn't have anything on our calendar. (other than a long, overdue play date). I needed this.
VBS is over. And it went by well. Not without a hitch, but certainly went well. Both parents and volunteer staff had nothing but wonderful things to say about the week (other than the torrential, week-long rain!). I am pleased with my part in it all, pleased with how well everyone worked together. Not a slacker in the bunch, and we had over 400+ kids benefiting from the week.
I don't know, however, if I will do it again next year. At least not this involved of a role. I'll have to see where I am at when it comes 'round again next year. Who knows what season of life I will be in.
Vacation... Vacation was blessed and amazing. It was so wonderful to be with my sister and her family for a whole week. We visit when we go home, but it's always rushed. Can't ever really focus and give my attention to people. The week was fabulous, the girls were awesome, and my nephews... Top notch and loved the girls in all their girlie glory.
This week has allowed me to focus more on writing - on what I am no longer viewing as a hobby or a pasttime, but a career. Whodda thunk it? Certainly not me when this all began nearly two years ago. So under-confident, still holding myself back. And now... Now I am financially contributing a significant amount of money to our family. That feels good to me.
I continue to have much respect for my editor, Maureen. She's fabulous to work with, very chummy but to-the-point at all the same time. I like that. I also value that I am continuing to learn more and more from her guidance, the community of writer's, and my opportunity to have class-like webinars. I still have so much to learn.
As far as my Suite writing, I am so close to the 100 article bonus, my mouth is watering from anticipation. Based on what I am earning now, when I achieve the additional boost in percentage of earnings, I'll be making just shy of $10 a day. Not bad considering I only write four articles a month. Takes about 2-3 hours of my time at most.
The other nice aspect is that the articles I published under them that are a year old, I now have complete publication rights. I'm starting to sell off those pieces, but I am determined not to undersell my writing. In talking to other professional web-writers, I'll be charging 10 cents a word. I won't sell a 500 word piece off for less than $50 unless it is for an organization I deem worthy. In one other instance I also opted for a "will write for goods." Still a good option if I like the wares available.
It would seem I also have established myself a little bit, as I am finally having clients contact ME to write for them, rather than the other way around. Pretty cool.
But stil, I fear complacency. It's ok to be content, but after selling myself short for so long, after allowing situations or others to limit my drive, I don't want to go there again.
I know I need to focus on establishing myself at About. I am thinking that a two-year plan there is a good one. At that point, both girls will be in kindergarten (perhaps another baby by then...), but then I hope to focus more on taking collegiate level classes in journalism with the ultimate goal of pursuing print publications as my main focus (and hopefully main income). Two years is a good range. It will allow me to grow and accomplish what I can at About, and it should move my writing career forward.
One final note... As much as I resisted, I am now twittering, only for business purposes though. I just can't get into narrating my personal life to a cyber audience. That idea sort of weirds me out a bit. I'll stick to the occasional facebook status update instead.