WordVixen.com

Or as my brother used to say “I’m a nidiot”. I run a website where I review celtic/punk/folk/etc bands (BandVox.com), and since I’m still starting out and could use the money, I’ve started writing two reviews. One for the website, and one for Associated Content since they’ll give me money as long as I write somewhat legibly. Great! I can write a really good review for my site, and rehash it into something moderately readable for a couple of bucks to help subsidize the cds and the site fees. Or not.

I made a huge mistake tonight. I decided that I was going to be “smart” and write the two reviews together. I tend to use different styles for the different venues, and so I thought if I opened up two word processing windows I could just switch back and forth as ideas hit me.

The problem is that I got all caught up in my AC version- I think it turned out really well. Too well. I submitted it for consideration and then realized that I’d barely written anything in my site’s review. Too late, I realized that not only am I exhausted, but I used up some of my best material. Technically I can plagerize myself here since I submitted it for non-exclusive, but I don’t feel that it’s a very good idea when I’m trying to build up a brand here. And, I don’t think search engines will pay very much attention to an article/review that’s been posted elsewhere already.

It’s terrible, I’d really wanted to update my website tonight and try to draw some attention there- but all I can handle right about now is a nice fluffy pillow. Hopefully I’ll be fresher tomorrow- if not, I’ll have to make my next review really good.

As much as I would like to exhaust my current projects before attempting to add any new clients/projects to my list, I know that without a little prep work I won’t have any new clients/projects when I’m ready for them.

And so I have started a few self-promotion projects. I don’t really have alot of available time for this, and so anything I post is unfinished. I’ll post again as I finish each one.

My Basic Website: my proto-type site
I’m not very happy with how this is shaping up, but I’m mostly just starting it so that I have a good grasp of what I want when I move to my own domain.

My Very First Squidoo Lense: Where I Write Squidoo Lense
I only started this two days ago and haven’t had a chance to work on it since. While I intend to finish it soon, it’s really just links to all of my writing that can be found on the web. Since I intend to keep writing, this lense will have to keep growing.

In addition to this, I plan to make several more lenses, I already have several other blogs, and I intend to submit a few free articles to places that have good exposure. I’m also writing a series of articles on vacationing at Walt Disney World that I intend to publish at Associated Content (Yes, I know. But the articles I want to write aren’t broad enough for typical publications, and if I write one that would work well at a Disney-focused website, I’ll submit there first.), and I’m beginning to submit at Helium. I’ll have links later.

I’m sure that there was more that I was working on, but I didn’t get much sleep and can barely see what I’m typing. Eventually I should have some links to really great writers’ blogs and lenses as well. Since my goals are not the same as theirs I’m not exactly emulating them- but their blogs/lenses/sites are full of good information that almost anyone who’s aspiring to be a full time writer should find helpful.

I’m about to be very, very cliche: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. There, I said it, go ahead and roll your eyes.

Now, I’ve considered freelance writing as a profession. I like part of it, and hate part of it. I love that it’s a great way to actually make a living writing. However, to make a living at it, most freelancers have to write about subjects they don’t care about according to someone else’s rules, and often have little time or energy for the writing that they want to do. I understand all about “paying your dues”, but to my mind, if you’re not enjoying it, why did you quit your safe, normal job that has benefits?

Mostly I’d like to be a professional novelist- but it can be extremely difficult to make a living at that unless/until you really hit it big. Plus, I have too many other things that I want to write about, both non-fiction and fiction. So, since I can’t find a more specific title- I want to be a writer.

Right now I’m eking out very little money for the writing I’m doing. Mostly it’s reviews for books and Cd’s, but I’m working on a few articles that I actually want to write (they don’t pay as much as articles that I don’t want to write, but most do pay), and blogging. The blogging doesn’t pay at all, aside from AdSense, and the reviews usually don’t pay, but I get free books, Cd’s, and occasionally, chocolate. And right now it’s not such a bad deal. I still have my normal, safe job with benefits, and I’m getting some experience and clips. That’s a good thing. Plus, the blogging and the reviews keep my fingers on the keyboard- and a procrastinator like me really has to have motivation to keep working.

As this is only the first post (and I need to work on some other projects), I’m going to leave it at that. However, I may be writing this for myself, but I’m always open to comments. Particularly those of constructive criticism, advice, friendliness, and offers of chocolate.