A Decision

Well, my company came through and finally made me an offer on that promotion and I can't refuse it. It is exactly what I asked for and I didn't think I was going to get it. I thought I'd have to fight a little bit for it. So, not quitting my job for at least the next two years.

But I'm not giving up writing either. I just need to get a little more organized. I have two regular clients that keep me hopping and I'm working on some PLR content. I have to decide whether or not to go with another site that offers PLR (and already has Google ranking) or to go on my own site.

Writing will never be something I can stop.

Showing Some Love

I feel like showing some love to all the other great writing bloggers out there. This is who I'm haunting lately and what I'm loving at their blog:

First a little bit of humor that has nothing to do with writing what-so-ever but is bound to give you a giggle:
Being Five - this is one of the cutest comics I've seen since Calvin and Hobbes first came out. It's a comic blog of a kid who blogs using voice recognition software. You can't help but laugh.

Chris Blogging - Your Freelance Writing Worth - Chris has obviously been at the freelance writing biz for awhil and has some great advice. Freelancers - especially those of us who are still kind of new - ask themselves often what they should be charging and it is hard to figure out how to determine prices. Sometimes I've doubted myself when I didn't get a gig and have wondered if my price quote was too high. This is a good article to give you some idea of how to set your prices.

Freelance Writing Gigs - Deborah Ng - (confession: my husband laughs at me because I never remember how to say her last name and call her Deborah "EN-GEE") besides the fact that she has one one the best job listings around that saves a lot of time from pouring through other job sites, she has had increasingly better and better content. As of late, she's been running a cover letter workshop. Everyone can use a little help and constructive criticism.

Get Paid to Write Online - Sharon Hurley Hall - Is It Time to Quit the Day Job? - I think everyone should know that I think Sharon is one of the best and most genuine people out there but she's truly got a wealth of information at her blog that beginner's and seasoned writers can learn from. Is It Time to Quit the Day Job is something I'd asked her a couple times and this blog sums it up great. Which is why I haven't quit yet. I know I'm not ready. Someday, but not now. But if you can't find something valuable at Sharon's blog then you shouldn't be writing.

Web Writing Info - Courtney Ramirez - Some Extra PLR Selling Tips - This blog is of special interest to me because I'm thinking of getting into the PLR scene. I've got a zillion articles that can be re-written and it's interesting to think where it might go. Courtney is an experienced ghostwriter and has some great content on marketing as well.

I'm leaving it at that today. Take a browse and enjoy

What Keeps You Writing?

You know, writing is not always an easy life. Sure, there are times when the words are flowing like crazy and you can barely tear yourself away from your laptop/computer/notebook but there are lots of times when writers struggle. Not just for words either. For ideas. For discipline. For faith. For lots of things.

Being self-employed, not matter what the job, is never the easy way out. In fact, I think you have to be at least a little bit of a workaholic to keep on working in whatever your field is. You need to have a bit of a healthy fear of the work not being there tomorrow. If you have too much confidence that you'll always have work, it's pretty easy to get lazy.

"I'll write more tomorrow."
"I've done well - I can skip out early today."
"I can take a couple days off."
"I deserve a break."

These are all things that can be ok to say to yourself - once in awhile. But if you start saying them to yourself too often it can become a habit. Then you're likely going to be in trouble.

So - what keeps you writing?

For me, it's knowing that my family depends on the money I make from writing. But it's also knowing that it's way to easy to take it easy. Knowing that I am the type of person who if given an inch will take a mile. So I give myself half an inch at a time. LOL. I know that if I don't be my own boss, no one else will.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I don't even know if I'm using that cliche properly but that's how I feel. I'm up for a promotion at work. I don't even know for sure that I'll get it yet as it's just been put on the table but if I do get it, it will mean more money, same hours (roughly), less of the type of work I don't like, less working with someone I prefer not to work with and more working with someone(s) I do like working with, my own office space (possibly shared, but I can deal with that), challenges everyday. Overall, it's a much better position within the company and considering I don't have the education for that position I'm lucky to even be considered for it.

But, you all know what I really want to be doing is writing full time. Unfortunately, money has become a huge issue. We have debts that need to be cleaned up, dental visits that need to happen, a car that keeps breaking down and needing to be fixed, cats that will need to go see the vet soon, and kids that need school supplies.

So, I need regular income and those wonderful benefits to be able to handle it all. Too bad pet insurance and car repairs weren't included in those benefits.

I need to make a choice. And truthfully, the choice is already made because I'll always put the needs of my family first. Does that mean I'll stop writing? Hell, no. I have a good gig right now that I'll carry on until I'm not needed anymore and I'm working on some projects (blogs) that will hopefully get the money coming in on a semi-regular basis at some point in the future.

I haven't given up but I expected to be able to quit by now.

I guess it's better to be moving up and at a day job than stagnating at a day job, right?

Rewards of Writing

You know, a year ago I never would have believed that I could actually be making some income from writing online. I thought it was truly a myth. Now I know different.

I have two regular clients plus blogging plus adult fiction. And yes, I'm actually making money. And it is more rewarding than I ever would have imagined. Yes, there are some really late nights. And yes, the day job is really tough to concentrate on some days. But it is good to know that I can make an income.

I'm getting to the point where I'm going to have to make a choice between the stability and benefits of a full time salaried job or doing a job I love and maybe working a little harder for awhile. I don't know how to go about making the decision. I'm not great at decision making at the best of times.

Other writers, how did you decide to move into writing full time? I'd especially like to know if you're the main income earner in the family.

Tagged!

Weeks ago, Sharon tagged me for a writing meme and I have completely neglected this blog but I'm finally going to get around to doing it.

The Rules:

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here are my seven things:

1. I consume a lot of caffeine - preferably coffee but coke or pepsi will do the trick as well!
2. Someone actually did a search for my name to find this blog! I'm shocked and curious as hell to know who it was. Speak up whoever you are! Likely my ex! Heh, heh.
3. I have to dye my hair regularily otherwise I would be almost completely gray! Pretty sad for only 37.
4. I want to develop a line of t-shirts someday called "white trash" - one of the slogans will say, "I'm the middle class' worst nightmare - educated white trash!"
5. I have four cats - Matt, Minky, Kiwi Kijiji, and Duke Hoobly (don't ask why only the last two have middle names).
6. I am a horrible house keeper. Seriously. Anyone who knows me well knows not to expect a clean house when they come to visit. If I have clean coffee mugs they are doing good!
7. My favorite scent is vanilla

Becoming Self-Sufficient

At Life Reboot Shaun wrote about The Dangers of Working for a Living. He has some excellent points to make. Mainly, that if you work for someone else you are never as "safe" as you think you are. Your position could be eliminated, the company may downsize, or the company may be bought out and they decide to bring in a new team. Whatever the possibilities are, no matter how much seniority you have or how hard of a worker you are, you are expendable and replaceable.

However, I think Shaun often forgets that not everyone - in fact I would have to say most people - is in a position to give up the 9 - 5 at the drop of a hat and start working from home. I can only assume that he either had a nice little savings set aside before he did this or has a very supportive girlfriend. The rest of us have responsibilities, homes, children, and other things in our life that require a certain amount of income to be coming in no matter how happy or "safe" we are.

If you have these things or others to consider it doesn't mean you should give up on the idea of becoming self-sufficient though. If you have a dream, follow it.

Some of the things you should do before you put in your resignation are:

• Do some research on the type of job you want to do from home. Is it writing? Affiliate sales? Selling something you make? Interior design? Whatever it is you need to find out how to get your business started, how much money you can make, what tools you might need to purchase, and many other things. Find people online who are successful at what they do and make contact with them. There are literally thousands of people (likely more like hundreds of thousands) who are making a living from home and most of them have an online presence. Contact them through their web page, tell them you are interested in talking with them, and ask them a few questions. Most people are happy to talk with others that are interested in their work and many of them will be flattered you asked.
• Start putting money aside. Yes, this is a must. You can't walk into a work from home job with no money set aside to cover your behind should you have a few stumbling blocks along the way (because you will).
• How much to set aside? That depends on you and your family's needs. Figure out a budget. What do you need to get by? And do take into consideration those things that aren't necessarily "needs" but make your life livable. If you have children and you suddenly tell them that they won't be able to eat at McDonalds for the next year because mommy or daddy wants to pursue their dream they likely won't be understanding. So cut down, but don't eliminate the things that give your family pleasure. Once you have a number that you think is fairly reasonable, multiply that by three or four. You should have at least three to four months expenses set aside.
• Start building a client list. Start with smaller jobs. You may have to work for less than you expected at first but these jobs can be good backup in the future. Although they may not pay as much, if you develop solid working relationships with these clients they will always be there. Don't neglect them once you move on to bigger clients. Keep them happy.
• Start a web site with your information. You can find some very low-cost hosting programs that are easy to use and will give you what you need. I use HostGator and have been using them for over a year and I'm very happy with them. I have two websites hosted on one account for only $9.99 a month.
• Think about how you are going to get your name out there. If you are internet based, learn about promoting yourself, how and where to do it, what sites bring back good hits, etc. Once agian, talking to someone (or many someones) in your field is invaluable.

This is really only the beginning. But these are all things that you should do before quitting your job. Quitting a job isn't as easy as some think it might be because we all have different circumstances. For instance, I have a reasonably good job that pays very well. I grew up poor with very little extra money for fun things and for me to have this job is what I used to think was my dream. I can buy my kids things they want, I can go out, I can enroll the kids in extracurricular activities. My parents couldn't do that. Quitting that job means giving up things like health benefits, insurance, a regular income. If I give that up there better be a fairly sure thing on the other side.

So, while Shaun may be ok with the fact that for now he is only bringing in somewhere from ten cents to ten dollars a day, most of us can't live with that. Not won't but can't. But we can plan for the future and we can work towards a goal of becoming self-sufficient. If that is your goal go for it.

On the other hand, not everyone wants the pressure of working form home. If Shaun thinks it's "safe" - well, I just hope he's not one of the many who finds out that it isn't. As far as money security goes, there's no such thing. Everything you have, every income you have, can all be gone in the blink of an eye. Safety is relative so do what makes you feel best. Work at home or work for an employer. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Late Update

Ya, so I haven't been around much have I? Not much to read? Well, I'm going to try to get on top of that. I've been working on my other blogs and I haven't quite decided what to do with this one yet. I will though.

I've also been doing a lot of writing. That last gig I talked about? Sweet! Still waiting to get paid though. What's the waiting period for payment?

Got a new GIG!

Remember last night I said that I had an offer for a gig that I had to turn down because I was working on a deadline? Well the writing gods must have been smiling at me as I did the honorable thing and told him I couldn't do it this time because I had a prior commitment. I know some writers might have thought, "But this pays more! I'll just get them to postpone this for a day or two..." but that's just not my work ethic. It's the same thing when my fiance was scratching a lottery ticket and asked me if I would stay home from work tomorrow if he scratched the biggest prize. I said I couldn't. Other people were depending on me. I couldn't let them down just because we'd be rich.

So, I think the writing gods were proud of me. I got an email just after I came home from work today saying they'd gotten an extension of 9 more days. I was offered a sizable amount for less work than I've put into projects that paid only a quarter of that. I'm so excited! I want to do them all tonite.

I won't though because I pushed it last night until I couldn't see the screen anymore and then pushed it a little longer; then I went to bed for 3 hours, got up and finished it off. Amazing what a few hours sleep will do!

Anyway, I have another blog to write and maybe a couple hours of work and then I'm going to try to get some sleep tonight.

Be well all!

Do You Have MyKaroo?

Have you heard about MyKaroo? Do you have it? Let me tell you about MyKaroo. MyKaroo follows me all over the internet. When I come across a new site I can check and see what it has to say about it. Sometimes there's nothing because they are so new but sometimes there's a funny blog to read and a hilarious review. If you like to laugh it's a great addition to you internet browsing.

Now, that's not the only cool thing about MyKaroo. You can get PAID! You can write for them and they pay $5 if they use it. Seeing as they are so new, I'm guessing that it is hard to be turned down. If you can't spell worth beans and have no sense of humor you're chances of getting a blog entry accepted likely decreases but what can it hurt to try?

I just submitted my first blog. If it gets accepted I'll likely do more. When you need to take a break from a writing assignment you can spend 5 or 10 minutes writing a blog on a site that you like to go to anyway!

I'll let you know what happens! Meanwhile, go check out MyKaroo for yourself!

Reaching Deep

I am reaching deep for the incentive and the desire to write some more. I am currently sitting a between 6,000 - 7,000 words for the day and I somehow need to pull out another 3,000 - 4,000 words before I can go to bed. There is not choice here. I have to do it because someone is depending on me and I made a promise. Writers can't go back on their promise.

So, how to you find that little extra something to go the extra mile? I've tried taking a break. That worked for a time. I've tried taking a blogging break. That's good for about 500 words. My time is not efficient right now and I know it. At this rate I'll be up for another 4 hours when it should really only take 3. Either way it is going to be a late night.

I had a good opportunity to take on another writing gig today but had to turn this one down because I just don't have the time. His deadline was tomorrow at 5. If I didn't have the day job I could have done it. Oh well, in time, in time.

Oh, and I have to get a blog ready for my new blog, Between the Sheets. This is a new blog about sex and relationships and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes. It already has a following from the previous blogger so hopefully they will continue reading. I've never blogged with a company before so it should be interesting and challenging.

Ok. Deep breath. Gulp of coffee. Reach real deep. And off I go...

Must Write, must write something

For the first time in about 2 months I find myself with no looming deadlines, no schedule to keep me moving, and no real need to work. Not that this is the first day that I've taken off from writing but it is the first day that I haven't had something I should be doing. And what do I want to do? Of course, I want to write.

It is strange. I could be doing the housework that I've been neglecting. I could watch Grey's Anatomy or the two episodes of Survivor I have on tape. I could do some of the laundry that is growing to ridiculous heights. But is that what I want to do? No - I want to write!

I never would have believed how addictive getting paid for writing can be. I love it. And the more I do of it the more I know that this is what I want to do full time. My fiance actually suggested that I quit my job after the wedding (I have to give two months notice), but I haven't decided yet. I likely won't put a firm decision here until do give my notice. Just in case someone from my work decides to google me!

So what am I going to do? Maybe I'll get the newsletter for my adult erotica site written. I am actually an entire month late if you consider my previous twice monthly plan. I've put that back to once a month though so I'm only two weeks late. So ya, that would be a good plan!

Ok, off I go to write my newsletter like a good webmistress!

Linkage Fun

Ok - I'm still learning about a lot of stuff that has to do with promoting blogs so I need all the help I can get. A lot of what I learn comes from Sharon Hurley Hall . Today I learned that all the cool kids are jumping on the link train, so of course I have to do it too, otherwise the cool kids won't like me!

You wanna be one of the cool kids, too? Of course you do. So this is how it works:

1. Click here to add me to your Technorati faves.
2. If you leave me a comment here I'll return the link love.

Just a few more rules and you too can be riding the train for linkage loving!

***Start copying here***

Here are the rules:

1) Write a short introduction paragraph about what how you found the list and include a link to the blog that referred you to the list.

2) COPY the Rules and ENTIRE List below and post it to your blog. To avoid duplicate content and increase the amount of keywords your site can accessible for, go ahead and change the titles of the blog. Just don’t change the links of the blog.

3) Take “My New Faves” and move them into the “The Original Faves” list.

4) Add 3 Blogs that you’ve just added to your Technorati Favorites to the “My New Faves” section. Remember to also add the “Fave Me” link next to your new blogs (i.e. http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://www.yourfavesdomain.com)

5) Add Everyone on this list to your Technorati Favorites List by clicking on “Fave the Site.” (Please FAVE EVERYONE on the List prior to posting the list or a Kitten will Die Alone in a Dark Alley Tonight). Those who want good kharma will fave you back. If not, you will for sure get the benefits of faves from the bloggers who continue this list after you.

My New Faves

Neil Gaiman's Journal - Fave the Site

Life Reboot - Fave the Site

Inspired Author - Fave the Site

The Original Faves

Domestik Goddess - Fave The Site

Dana Prince - Fave The Site

Spinayarn - Fave The Site

Stephen Fung - Fave the Site

Ed Lau - Fave the Site

QMusings - Fave the Site

Gary Lee - Fave the Site

*Dosh Dosh - Fave the Site

Nate Whitehill - Fave the Site

Ms. Danielle - Fave the SiteJeff Kee - Fave the Site

Scribble on the Wall - Fave the Site

Jimi Morrisons Head - Fave the Site

Jon Lee - Fave the Site

Samanathon - Fave the Site

Eat Drink & Be Merry - Fave the Site

The Man of Silver - Fave the Site

Hannes Johnson - Fave the Site

My Dandelion Patch - Fave the Site

Nathan Drach - Fave the Site

SiteLogic - Fave the Site

Julies Journal - Fave the Site

Tea & Slippers - Fave the Site

The Thinking Blog - Fave the Site

Pencil Thin - Fave the Site

Garry Conn - Fave the Site

Sharon’s Writing Lab - Fave the Site*

- Train Engineer

***End Copying Here***

A New Venture

Since I am planning on quitting my job at some point (maybe sooner than later) and going completely freelance I've started up a website to draw potential customers. My fiance already works from home but doesn't have a website so, I thought, wouldn't it be great if we could offer a range of services for business and others?

So, I bought a domain and have begun the task of filling it with content. I just got it up yesterday so there isn't a lot there but do check it out and let me know what you think. Go visit McGaw Freelancers now. Considering how very little I actually know about designing and html I think I'm doing ok for now.

So, we have writing services, accounting and bookkeeping, and I'm thinking we might need one more thing to flesh it out. I'm thinking of adding a graphics designer to the team. They'd work on a contract basis. I'm haven't started looking for anyone yet but I'd like to have someone ready for when I start publicizing the site.

I love doing this stuff and I'm learning a lot as I go. But, I'm hoping that someday we'll be as big as - well, as big as we can be.

Plan of Attack!

I've been planning on doing some work at home and on weekends for a long time. First my excuse was that I didn't have anything to do because I didn't have a specific job. So I didn't stick to any specific hours.

You know, as writers we hear that over and over again - treat your writing like any other job - have hours, a place to write, etc. Do we listen? Well, I'm sure that there are some smart people out there that are listening to that from day one, but honey, I'm not one of them!

I've always been a "when I have time" writer. I write in those in betweens. In between cooking dinner and eating; in between sending the kids to bed and when they actually go to bed; in between watching the kids at the pool. You get the idea. But that doesn't really work. Not for me anyway. It's too easy to come up with excuses that way. In fact, it is just a way of setting my self up to have handy excuses to use when I can't meet a deadline.
So, I need a plan of attack. And this is what I have come up with. It may not be the one I stick with but I have to try something.

7:30 am - Check email, answer short ones; before I go to work.
6:30 pm - Do the same. Try to get all important emails answered in the next half hour.
9:00 pm - On Wed, Thurs, Fri I'll do the SEO writing. My goal will be 6 per night.
On Tues and Wed I'll work on the website, reading manuscripts and such. As late as midnite.

On weekends I'm going to work from 10-12 noon on SEO writing, then from 1-3pm, also SEO writing. The goal over the weekend is 15 pieces. On Sat. and Sun. evening I'll do work on the website from 9-11.

I'm thinking that my weekend schedule might be a little wonky, but I'll try this for two weeks and then adjust as necessary. My sister would tell me that that is too much and I'll never keep up to it. Honestly though, it is less than I spend on the computer some weeks.

Time and Organization

So, I've been working a full time job and working freelance seriously for about 4 months now and I've been wondering about a few things.

I'd really like to know how other people who hold a day job and work at home manage their time. Do you have a set schedule or do you just give 'er heck when the inspiration does strike? Do you give yourself a minimum word count goal to hit every day or do you just write until it stops?

I have several projects that I'm working on right now. One is writing SEO optimized articles (or as some call it "google bombing"). I also write fiction and manage to come up with about 1000-2000 words a week. Then I have my website where I have to update, build, edit, and promote it. And of course my various blogs. Which always need to be maintained and promoted as well. That's what I do at night.

During the day I work a 9-5 desk job. Not fun, but it pays the bills.
And let's not forget the two pre-teens who need constant attention between the hours of 5:30 to about 9:30. Just because they are getting older doesn't mean they don't need attention, right! In fact, maybe more!

So how do you manage your time?

I hate schedules!

I hate schedules. I always have and I'm wondering if I can ever come to terms with the fact that in order to be successful I'm going to have to develop a schedule!

I've never had a real schedule in my life that I chose to have. Of course, when I was a kid, I had to go to school. Specific hours of course. But at home there wasn't a specific schedule. My parent were almost hippie-ish in that we did things when we felt like doing them. If we didn't get around to eating until 8pm on Saturday it was no big deal - you ate when you were hungry. I had a bed time when I was younger, but as soon as I was old enough to take care of myself, it was up to me.

When I graduated from high school and entered the work force I worked in a lot of hospitality/service jobs, which meant that I had varied shifts. No real schedule was really established. I did things when they suited me and went to work whenever I had a shift.
When I became a parent the same pattern followed. My kids ate when they were hungry, slept whent they were tired, and got up when they woke up. I continued working shift work up until a few years ago so there wasn't any particular need for a schedule.

Now, I do have a 9-5 job and you'd think that would help. But weekends are still chaotic. Now, I've thrown freelancing on top of that and the lack of a schedule is not doing me any good. I get things done but often times it is in the early hours of the morning and pushing my deadlines.
So, is there any other previously unscheduled people out there that have broken this bad habit! I need some advice!

Need a Reboot?

Every once in awhile - or more often for some - most of us stop and think, "What the hell am I doing?" You might finish it off by saying, "...with this man?", "...at this job?", "...in this city?" or a variety of other things but you're likely to have said something similar at some point in your life.

The big question is, what did you do about it or what are you going to do about it?

Shaun is this gutsy young kid who decided he was not going to settle anymore. He wasn't going to settle for less than what he wanted - or less than what he deserved. You need to go read about his decision in his blog LifeReboot. At the least, it will inspire you to do something about your own life. At the most, you'll be inspired to give him a small donation.

People who don't succuumb to this world's desires to only be prosperous in money - forgetting that there are other ways to be prospersous - should be encouraged!

Living

I finished a series of 50 articles about cats. I now know more than I ever possibly imagined I could know about cats!

But the satisfaction of completing those articles is great. I had to push it on the last night because a couple phone calls go out of hand, I had kid issues, and life basically appeared. I had to work until 4 a.m. to get those articles done, but I did it. My eyes could barely focus on the page as I zipped them and sent them to my editor. But, I did push past the pain and it got done.

I'm learning that life does happen and it usually happens when you have a lot of work to do. Kitten are born (in the wee hours on the morning in my closet this morning!), children need to do last minute projects and they need to be disciplined. Family needs attention and plans have to be made (for weddings coming up in 6 weeks!). Life keeps happening and that is wonderful.

Somehow, you have to find a way to balance it all. Write when you can because sometimes you just can't and then you have to work past the pain even if you know you have to be up to get to the day job in 4 hours. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today because tomorrow you might not be able to do as much as you planned or you might not be able to at all.

I'm learning and I love it!

Too Pooped to Pop

I started this blog with good intentions of writing about my new-ish freelance writing career and about how I am going to turn it into a full time job. When? Hopefully before Christmas! But I have been so busy actually writing that I haven't really had time to get this started! That's a good thing though right?

Until this year, I'd been dabbling away at this or that. I'd been getting some work but I had not discipline. The jobs I had had no definate deadlines. It was just a submit when you feel like it type of thing and I'll pay you. Which is what I did. I did ok with it - I made about $700 between July and December of 2006 - but the discipline wasn't there. It was still very random.

Then in January I started working with this writer who has been freelancing for a few years and is finding that she has way too much work to do all on her own. Rather than turn it away, she took on a few contract workers, one of them being me. Some people might not think that is the greatest idea but it is helping me in a lot of ways. It's showing me some of the things that I need to do to be ready for full time freelancing.

There are three things I've decided I need to do before I can quit the day job:

1. Get disciplined; make sure I hit the write word counts/page amounts; hit deadlines come hell or high water. She's good for me on this because the one time I didn't hit deadline she made sure I knew right away that this was not acceptable.
2. Get some money put aside. Payments can come fast or they can take weeks to come so you can't be sure how much money you are going to get in any given period.
3. Get a writing area. I'm working mostly at the kitchen table right now and I'm looking forward to having my own little work space soon. We're doing some reorganization in our home so that both myself and my fiance will have our own work spaces (we'll both be working at home).

My fiance works from home now doing bookkeeping/accounting/ taxes type of stuff and when I start working from home we'll both be here. I think we can handle working in the same room together but we definately need our own space.

I'm thinking that when I quit the day job I might take a bartending or waitressing job on a very part time basis so that there is some definate money coming into the house as well as giving me a reason to get out of the house. I could quite easily become very hermit like if I didn't have an excuse to get dressed, put some make up on, and get out.

Well, it is 2 a.m. and I must go to bed. The weekend is over and the day job starts again.

Be well all!

Random introduction

Welcome to my blog. I'm not sure exactly how much I will update but this will be mostly a place to rant about my writing, what I'm doing, what's getting in my way and so on. It likely won't be terribly exciting.

A little bit of randomness to get you started:

• 
  I turned 36 this past summer and frequently forget that I could possibly be that old.
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  I have a 11 year old daughter who turns 12 in April. She is everything that I wanted to be when I was her age. She's smart and manages to pull of pretty decent grades without too much work. She's cute as hell - much prettier than I ever was. She has a style that is acceptable to me but considered cool by her friends. She is fairly poplular and has more of a social life than I did. Her friends are good kids who get into a little bit of trouble sometimes but mostly just act like they are getting into trouble. She just joined the basketball team for the junior high a year early and is loving it.
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  I have a 9 year old son who is the sweetest, gentlest kid you could possibly imagine. He's caring and sensitive and just a great kid. He has trouble in school though and I haven't quite figured out what the problem is. We're working on it though.
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  I have the best fiance in the world. He's a little older than me but young at heart. He respects me and does so much for me and for my kids. If they need something, he does everything he can to make sure they get it. He makes me coffee every morning and brings it to me as I'm getting out of bed. He sends me flowers for no reason. He makes the kids breakfast every morning and then drives me to work and picks me up at the end of the day.
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  I work full time for a market research company as an adminstrative assistant/feild assistant. I don't hate my job, but I'd rather be writing full time. And that is my goal. I want to write. I do do some writing already and get paid for it. I do a little SEO writing and I have an adult erotica story website. The website has been going for almost a year and is finally getting some attention but not really making any money yet. I don't know when or if that is ever going to happen.
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  Besides my website, I have a huge online presence. LOL - freakily so. I have several articles that are freely distributed throughout the web and they all point back here. I have two blogs for my adult site at MySpace and at Blogger. I'm working on starting a collaborative blog with other erotica writers. And I have my new freewebs site, Letters for Loved Ones, where people can order personalized letters for various occassions.
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  My biggest stumbling block is getting distracted while I'm working. There are so many things to do and to think about that I often forget what I've come online to do!
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  I drink a lot of coffee (easily a pot a day) and smoke too much. Part of me would love to quit smoking but just thinking about it makes me want to cry.
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  I went to university for four years and almost got a degree in Human Ecology. I'm one year short. I quit because after my ex-husband was asked to leave I found that I couldn't do the school thing and the supporting my children thing at the same time. When he showed that he wasn't going to do much to help and when the bills for the multiple debts started coming in, I had no other choice but to quit.