familyShare.com asked for back to school articles. I thought about what might be written and decided I needed to be quick in my response to prevent coming in at the end of the line. They have 529 authors. I also considered many school subjects and decided to write about homeschooling. I've been homeschooling for 18 years and knew my knowledge would be useful. Here are the four articles I wrote:
5 reasons why homeschooling may be for your family. I wrote this one as an introduction to the idea of homeschooling and to help those considering homeschooling. One thing that is great about this article is it is also on the azcentral.com, Arizona's Home Page website.
Homeschooling: 5 steps to creating a successful program. This article helps those who decided to homeschool through the beginning steps of setting up their family homeschool program.
Which homeschool method is right for your family? A good homeschool program requires choosing the method and curriculum. This article discusses different types of methods to help in the decision making process.
5 steps for choosing your family's homeschooling curriculum. Once you've decided on your method, curriculum choices are easier since many methods use specific curricula.
They listed these beginning July 27th, with the last listed on August 3rd, and have been viewed, as of publication, over 1600 times.
Two more articles have been published in the South Dade News Leader.
Residents Voice Concern over FPL Power Lines. I attended a hearing, with some background, and was impressed with the control I saw compared to some gatherings where the public is permitted to express their opinions. Many were upset and kept their control, some with difficulty. Perhaps it was because of the setting--a judge, court reporters and lawyers.
Locals Become Certified in Emergency Response. This was a fun class. I learned a lot about preparation and prevention. I think all communities should have CERT response teams. Going to work on getting some in the Homestead/Florida City area. A follow-up article will be written.
I have three articles to write for this Friday's paper and a call to do one more. I'll have to wait and see. The three I need to write are pretty involved. Full of great news, emotions and a need to know. But how to get them on paper without putting in my feelings.
We, the paper and the freelance authors, are considering regular columns. We have to hash out how often and what subjects.
Now I'll explain the title. I haven't been writing as often as one should on their blog and, as you can see above, I've been all over the place collecting information. In the middle of this, our son ended up hospitalized with a severe infection. We've gotten through it all and he's recovering well. Now to get through this week.
I have done nothing for assignment 8. I didn't even notify my teacher this time. Don't know when I'll get to either. I've lots of ideas for the blog and all I've done so far is give stats.
Learning to juggle a freelance life with home life. This is the last week of volunteering for the children. Summer camp will be over. We'll spend next week getting ready for the start of school season and cleaning house. We will also be using the preparation techniques given in the CERT class to confirm our home is safe and we are prepared for a disaster. (We have to be. We see hurricanes here and are a short distance from a nuclear plant.)
And I'm still having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the load explained above). Guess I'll worry more when the fun is gone.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Freelancing ups and downs
How about the downs first because many remember the second choices better.
I've written several articles, articles that were requested, and have been told they're good and exactly what was wanted. What is down about this? I don't get paid unless they're printed and many haven't found their way into their periodicals. Many are time sensitive and some were time and mental consuming, and therefore not eligible to go somewhere else or into a later edition.
The good news. My latest and most difficult article did make it into the South Dade News Leader.
The other articles I've written may find their way into stories as I write them and the efforts have definitely helped me learn and grow both in my writing and in knowledge. As one author friend said, "It's all part of freelance writing." (well, I guess I threw in some good stuff here too)
Now for the ups.
Articles published at familyshare.com
6 ways to develop your talents I wrote this from the following quote I received on my FB news feed, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it." LeBron James.
Who is my neighbor? The idea for this article came from a FB post about Blessing Bags. I thought it'd be a great family service project. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17 And I began to think about families and how they should be included in the answer, Who is my neighbor?
Shared joy is double joy I came across the Swedish Proverb "Shared joy is a double joy -shared sorrow is half a sorrow," and thought I'd like to write an uplifting article about the shared joy. In my research I found some pretty convincing stuff for this. Click on the title and see for yourself.
Article published in the South Dade News Leader
County Cuts Funding to Animal Services. This article came about because 65% of Miami-Dade residents voted for funding to Animal Services and the mayor chose to ignore them and cut it out of the budget.
I have articles in various stages of publication--writing, querying, editing, waiting for publication date. I'll keep you updated as always.Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I'm still waiting on the illustrators to get me their pictures. I really like the illustrations I've received from one illustrator, but I want to give all those I asked a chance to audition. Some are busier than others.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the downs as explained above).
I've written several articles, articles that were requested, and have been told they're good and exactly what was wanted. What is down about this? I don't get paid unless they're printed and many haven't found their way into their periodicals. Many are time sensitive and some were time and mental consuming, and therefore not eligible to go somewhere else or into a later edition.
The good news. My latest and most difficult article did make it into the South Dade News Leader.
The other articles I've written may find their way into stories as I write them and the efforts have definitely helped me learn and grow both in my writing and in knowledge. As one author friend said, "It's all part of freelance writing." (well, I guess I threw in some good stuff here too)
Now for the ups.
Articles published at familyshare.com
6 ways to develop your talents I wrote this from the following quote I received on my FB news feed, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it." LeBron James.
Who is my neighbor? The idea for this article came from a FB post about Blessing Bags. I thought it'd be a great family service project. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17 And I began to think about families and how they should be included in the answer, Who is my neighbor?
Shared joy is double joy I came across the Swedish Proverb "Shared joy is a double joy -shared sorrow is half a sorrow," and thought I'd like to write an uplifting article about the shared joy. In my research I found some pretty convincing stuff for this. Click on the title and see for yourself.
Article published in the South Dade News Leader
County Cuts Funding to Animal Services. This article came about because 65% of Miami-Dade residents voted for funding to Animal Services and the mayor chose to ignore them and cut it out of the budget.
I have articles in various stages of publication--writing, querying, editing, waiting for publication date. I'll keep you updated as always.Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I'm still waiting on the illustrators to get me their pictures. I really like the illustrations I've received from one illustrator, but I want to give all those I asked a chance to audition. Some are busier than others.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the downs as explained above).
Friday, July 5, 2013
Great news!
Not only am I freelancing for familyshare.com, I am now freelancing for The South Dade Newsleader, our local newspaper. My first assignment is a 4th of July dedication event. I'll post links when it's published. My second assignment involves a meeting at the nuclear plant and I'll post links when it's published.
Forgiveness is letting go of the feelings associated with an offense or wrongdoing against us. This doesn’t absolve fault, but does free the forgiver from the chains of anger, hatred and vengeance. We all offend and are offended, so why is it sometimes difficult to forgive? Find out when you read my article, Free at last: I forgive you.
Being a parent can be daunting. Before you is a child you are expected to mold into a good citizen. One who will carry your legacy forward and use your examples as guidance to raise their own children. And if that's not enough pressure, you're raising them in a world that has turned good into bad and bad into good. The good news? You are not alone. There are many great examples to follow from within your life, family, circle of friends and community. Want to learn 3 ways to teach by example? Check out my article.
I have two more articles in editing at familyshare.com and more being written. Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I haven't made my appointment with the ranger. The children's summer schedule is a bit difficult to work around. I know I need to get it done so I can get the assignment in on time. Hope to find time next week.
I'm almost down to one bigfoot book. Then it'll be time to take all this information and outline my middle grade book.
I've received some pictures for Ten Little Gator Eggs. I'm hoping to choose the illustrator soon and get the ball rolling. I'm waiting on a few more choices and then I'll let you know who I choose. I'd like this book published by the beginning of next year.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Forgiveness is letting go of the feelings associated with an offense or wrongdoing against us. This doesn’t absolve fault, but does free the forgiver from the chains of anger, hatred and vengeance. We all offend and are offended, so why is it sometimes difficult to forgive? Find out when you read my article, Free at last: I forgive you.
Being a parent can be daunting. Before you is a child you are expected to mold into a good citizen. One who will carry your legacy forward and use your examples as guidance to raise their own children. And if that's not enough pressure, you're raising them in a world that has turned good into bad and bad into good. The good news? You are not alone. There are many great examples to follow from within your life, family, circle of friends and community. Want to learn 3 ways to teach by example? Check out my article.
I have two more articles in editing at familyshare.com and more being written. Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I haven't made my appointment with the ranger. The children's summer schedule is a bit difficult to work around. I know I need to get it done so I can get the assignment in on time. Hope to find time next week.
I'm almost down to one bigfoot book. Then it'll be time to take all this information and outline my middle grade book.
I've received some pictures for Ten Little Gator Eggs. I'm hoping to choose the illustrator soon and get the ball rolling. I'm waiting on a few more choices and then I'll let you know who I choose. I'd like this book published by the beginning of next year.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Back from North Carolina
Life was quiet, full of nature, flowers, trees and slow paced. Loved the time I spent in North Carolina. Take a look at what I saw from the back porch early one morning.
Now back to Florida life.
We arrived really late Wednesday night. Bruiser, a Chihuahua we rescued in November was very ill when we returned. We took him to our vet, Aventura Animal Hospital, and they decided he needed hospitalization. Blood work revealed he is heartworm positive. He tested negative in November, but must have had an early infection. So now, we're giving supportive care and helping him regain his strength so he can go through the heartworm treatment.
Here's Bruiser
Now back to Florida life.
We arrived really late Wednesday night. Bruiser, a Chihuahua we rescued in November was very ill when we returned. We took him to our vet, Aventura Animal Hospital, and they decided he needed hospitalization. Blood work revealed he is heartworm positive. He tested negative in November, but must have had an early infection. So now, we're giving supportive care and helping him regain his strength so he can go through the heartworm treatment.
Here's Bruiser
"Passing through or
live in Northeastern North Carolina? Want a place to take the kids they’ll be
talking about for days? Then the Aurora
Fossil Museum, in Aurora, North Carolina,
is a must stop, even if you’re not interested in geology or paleontology. The
museum hosts marine fossils from the Pleistocene, Pliocene and Miocene
periods. Is Fido traveling with you? No problem, this is a pet friendly museum.
Don’t forget to watch the 20 minute video about the local PotashCorp Mine that
is “the most important source of Pliocene and Miocene fossils in the world,”
according to the Aurora Fossil
Museum’s website.
After visiting the museum, stop at the Pit of the Pungo and
try your luck digging fossils for your very own collection. Weather or time not
in your favor? That’s okay. Stop by the Digger’s Gift Shop,
located within the museum and buy prefilled buckets of dirt enhanced to make sure
you find the perfect fossil to add to, or start, your collection. Need gift
ideas? The Digger’s
Gift Shop sells on site or through their website.
Follow the Aurora Fossil Museum on FB
and don’t forget to like the page so you don’t miss their next Fossil Festival
and fossil raffles."
I discovered a submission that I didn't clean out when I was housecleaning. November, last year, I submitted "No Laughing Matter" to WD Short, Short Story Contest. I didn't receive an response. So it's considered--didn't place. Don't forget to get into their Short, Short Story Contest this November.
I have an appointment with South Dade Newsleader to, again, discuss possible employment and what happened to the articles I did write. My first paid article, "Free at last: I forgive you," will be up soon. It's in the final stages of preparation. I'm working on another article for familyshare.com. They now have a new website with our articles translated into Portuguese, familia.com.br. Check it out and share with your Portuguese speaking friends. All that is left to be back on tract is to contact the ranger about my controlled burn article for Assignment 8.
The back of my mind is bugging me. Many novels have been outlined, some started and they're bugging me to dig them out of obscurity. Need more time, but taxi mom, of five, has four children going three different ways in the morning and then picked up in the afternoon. Getting up earlier isn't working to gain any writing time since the characters aren't awake to tell me what to write.
Still reading Bigfoot books and loving the information. Hopefully this will help with my children's story that involves Bigfoot. I'm considering entering the Spoonful of Cheerios contest. Not 100% sure I can. Will have to contact them, but I've never been paid for anything written for children. I think I still qualify for this contest. Anyway...
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching, getting published and missing North Carolina life.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
In North Carolina packing and moving
my parents from their temporary rental to their rebuilt rental. The sun wakes me every morning about 6:30 am. I make my morning smoothie and sit on the porch and listen to the trees and swamp animals wake up to another day. The property has two ponds and I watch them come to life with dragon flies, flying fish, frogs and turtles. A momma duck can be heard behind the brush. She's too shy to bring the little ones to the pond while I'm out. A rabbit carefully wanders to the edge of the forest to eat the tender grass and the flowers show off their brilliant colors in the morning sun. During a noon-time break I observed, I think, a Northern Watersnake. It was swimming out of the pond onto the grass in the backyard.
Another really beautiful site is the night sky. Brilliant stars, and so many, against a very black background demanded observation and I willingly gave in. The only constellation I've identified so far is the big dipper. Will have to check start charts and try to figure out what is here. At home the big dipper faces down and is in the front yard. Orion and his group of stars are in the back. I haven't found them here and am thinking I may not this time of the year since he's a winter star.
Tropical Storm Andrea graced us with a visit, lots of needed rain and high winds. Both ponds are now full. (lack of rain had them low) The frogs sang praises for the rain and, that evening, called out for their mates and a bit of night-time fun. Tadpoles coming soon.
I was unable to get with the ranger about controlled burns, Assignment 8, in the Everglades before we left, so I'll try again when we return. The South Dade Newsleader was supposed to run my articles, but I can't seem to find them. Will have to check on them when I return as well. I finished the article for Rover's North, at least as much as I can until the Florida Land Rover Club answers my questions and supplies me with some pictures I need.
I wrote another article for Familyshare.com. I'll submit it as soon as I am able to print and submit the Independent Contributors paperwork. I am now on their payroll. The internship, only four months, worked out great as they like my work and asked me to come on board.
My chastity article is up and ready to read. Check it out and if you like it, please like it at the article page and share it with your friends and family. More articles coming. As stated I finished one and am working on another. Will keep you updated.
I visited Bath, NC on Tuesday, the 4th, with Inspector Meiko Luv. Hopefully we have some great pictures and can finish a children's book, middle grade, about it's history. I was able to talk to an archeologist that was working on a dig. It was very interesting. I hope the children enjoy that part of the book as much as I enjoyed discussing his project.
We then went to Aurora, NC and visited a the Fossil Museum. We had a great time walking through the dog friendly museum and then digging for fossils. We found some interesting pieces. I didn't take very many pictures, but know Inspector Meiko Luv and I will return so we can write another story. It was too late in the day. This time about Aurora.
Some contests to consider:
Kindergarten story: Exploration! Write up to 150 words. Contest ends July 12th, 2013.
Pockets Annual Fiction Contest Write 750 - 1,000 words. Contest ends August 15th, 2013.
Heading for bed, Inspector Meiko Luv is demanding I join him for tonight's slumber.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Another really beautiful site is the night sky. Brilliant stars, and so many, against a very black background demanded observation and I willingly gave in. The only constellation I've identified so far is the big dipper. Will have to check start charts and try to figure out what is here. At home the big dipper faces down and is in the front yard. Orion and his group of stars are in the back. I haven't found them here and am thinking I may not this time of the year since he's a winter star.
Tropical Storm Andrea graced us with a visit, lots of needed rain and high winds. Both ponds are now full. (lack of rain had them low) The frogs sang praises for the rain and, that evening, called out for their mates and a bit of night-time fun. Tadpoles coming soon.
I was unable to get with the ranger about controlled burns, Assignment 8, in the Everglades before we left, so I'll try again when we return. The South Dade Newsleader was supposed to run my articles, but I can't seem to find them. Will have to check on them when I return as well. I finished the article for Rover's North, at least as much as I can until the Florida Land Rover Club answers my questions and supplies me with some pictures I need.
I wrote another article for Familyshare.com. I'll submit it as soon as I am able to print and submit the Independent Contributors paperwork. I am now on their payroll. The internship, only four months, worked out great as they like my work and asked me to come on board.
My chastity article is up and ready to read. Check it out and if you like it, please like it at the article page and share it with your friends and family. More articles coming. As stated I finished one and am working on another. Will keep you updated.
I visited Bath, NC on Tuesday, the 4th, with Inspector Meiko Luv. Hopefully we have some great pictures and can finish a children's book, middle grade, about it's history. I was able to talk to an archeologist that was working on a dig. It was very interesting. I hope the children enjoy that part of the book as much as I enjoyed discussing his project.
We then went to Aurora, NC and visited a the Fossil Museum. We had a great time walking through the dog friendly museum and then digging for fossils. We found some interesting pieces. I didn't take very many pictures, but know Inspector Meiko Luv and I will return so we can write another story. It was too late in the day. This time about Aurora.
Some contests to consider:
Kindergarten story: Exploration! Write up to 150 words. Contest ends July 12th, 2013.
Pockets Annual Fiction Contest Write 750 - 1,000 words. Contest ends August 15th, 2013.
Heading for bed, Inspector Meiko Luv is demanding I join him for tonight's slumber.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Cleaning House
As the title says, I'm tying the loose ends:
Ten Little Gator Eggs
Someday I'll have a secret garden just like these.
Suggestions to help you and your family get through the tough times.
Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.
- Benjamin Franklin
I'm working on an article discussing chastity. I'm also working on Assignment 8. If you remember, it's about the Everglades. I'm writing an article about controlled burns. It's coming together nicely. I'm still reading about Bigfoot. I almost decided I had enough information. I'm glad I didn't stop reading. I've come across some really interesting information.
I'll be on vacation the first week in June helping my parents move back into their home. If you remember, their previous home was destroyed in Hurricane Irene and it's finally been rebuilt and almost ready for them to move back in.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Ten Little Gator Eggs
- No response from President Lauri Hornik of Penguin Group. Considered no interest.
- No response from the Fogelman Agency. Considered no interest.
- No response from the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Considered no interest.
Someday I'll have a secret garden just like these.
Suggestions to help you and your family get through the tough times.
Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.
- Benjamin Franklin
I'm working on an article discussing chastity. I'm also working on Assignment 8. If you remember, it's about the Everglades. I'm writing an article about controlled burns. It's coming together nicely. I'm still reading about Bigfoot. I almost decided I had enough information. I'm glad I didn't stop reading. I've come across some really interesting information.
I'll be on vacation the first week in June helping my parents move back into their home. If you remember, their previous home was destroyed in Hurricane Irene and it's finally been rebuilt and almost ready for them to move back in.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
It's been too long
I seemed to have fallen off the bike and it's been easier to stay off then get back on. Everyday I see this blog and think I need to....then move on. It's time I let you know what's going on. There is so much, I hope I don't miss anything important.
I have been reading Bigfoot books this past month and collecting information for a character in an upcoming children's book. Haven't found a title, but I do have a short outline. I'm thinking this will be a middle grade, short novel.
So many stories going on in my head, my book of titles is getting full. I really need to write instead of coming up with ideas.
Speaking of writing, here are a few articles I've written for familyshare.com since my last update:
This article contains some great safety items to keep in your car. Since Thom, my husband, is a mechanic we've always traveled with our car full of safety items. Many times these have been used and I've been thankful for their presence.
I'm sure this is why our marriage has lasted this long. When one looks past the here and now and takes on an eternal perspective, life becomes less tangled when you remove the stupid stuff.
I love to garden, but I find as I'm getting older it's harder to bend that low. I found raised garden beds to be the answer.
These ideas and many more have saved the day in our household when we couldn't go outside. Some were even great homeschooling projects/aids.
Four more are in the writing-editing process.
I've submitted a couple of articles to our local newspaper and have not had them successfully published. Will continue doing so when I find something locally interesting. If they had time to give me feedback, I might know where I'm going wrong. I do read their articles and try to emulate them, but I must not be doing well enough. They are interested in another 'stringer' so I know it's not because they don't want articles.
I received back Assignment 7. It still needs a lot of work. Will have to do that later in the year. Working on Assignment 8. I'm writing about the Everglades. My instructor felt there is so much out there that I need to find a unique story. I think I found it. Will let you know as it progresses.
We were on vacation last week. We went to Inverness, Florida with the Florida Land Rover Club. We took lots of pictures. Can't wait to see them on the computer. I bought a Canon Rebel for my husband at Christmas from a pawn shop and it didn't come with the disk. I tried to download the drivers at the Canon site, but it didn't work. Ours is an older one and uses CF for its storage. We seem to go through readers as the pins bend so easily. I'm waiting for another reader to get here. I bought one that states "no-bend pins." Hopefully this is true. I know there's an eBook in the pictures we took. Or, at least I hope there is.
I found another site, GrammarBase, to help me with my articles. The only thing I don't like is its constant request to dumb down my articles. I understand people want to read at the 4th - 7th grade level, but I feel they should be raising the bar, not dropping it, by reading at a higher level. Anyway, I'll do as recommended as I want my articles to sell. However, I may not be so lenient with my books. Not sure yet as I know I'm nichy already.
Don't forget these sites when writing articles and even novels if you want to prevent plagarism, check grammar and readability:
I have been reading Bigfoot books this past month and collecting information for a character in an upcoming children's book. Haven't found a title, but I do have a short outline. I'm thinking this will be a middle grade, short novel.
So many stories going on in my head, my book of titles is getting full. I really need to write instead of coming up with ideas.
Speaking of writing, here are a few articles I've written for familyshare.com since my last update:
This article contains some great safety items to keep in your car. Since Thom, my husband, is a mechanic we've always traveled with our car full of safety items. Many times these have been used and I've been thankful for their presence.
I'm sure this is why our marriage has lasted this long. When one looks past the here and now and takes on an eternal perspective, life becomes less tangled when you remove the stupid stuff.
I love to garden, but I find as I'm getting older it's harder to bend that low. I found raised garden beds to be the answer.
These ideas and many more have saved the day in our household when we couldn't go outside. Some were even great homeschooling projects/aids.
Four more are in the writing-editing process.
I've submitted a couple of articles to our local newspaper and have not had them successfully published. Will continue doing so when I find something locally interesting. If they had time to give me feedback, I might know where I'm going wrong. I do read their articles and try to emulate them, but I must not be doing well enough. They are interested in another 'stringer' so I know it's not because they don't want articles.
I received back Assignment 7. It still needs a lot of work. Will have to do that later in the year. Working on Assignment 8. I'm writing about the Everglades. My instructor felt there is so much out there that I need to find a unique story. I think I found it. Will let you know as it progresses.
We were on vacation last week. We went to Inverness, Florida with the Florida Land Rover Club. We took lots of pictures. Can't wait to see them on the computer. I bought a Canon Rebel for my husband at Christmas from a pawn shop and it didn't come with the disk. I tried to download the drivers at the Canon site, but it didn't work. Ours is an older one and uses CF for its storage. We seem to go through readers as the pins bend so easily. I'm waiting for another reader to get here. I bought one that states "no-bend pins." Hopefully this is true. I know there's an eBook in the pictures we took. Or, at least I hope there is.
I found another site, GrammarBase, to help me with my articles. The only thing I don't like is its constant request to dumb down my articles. I understand people want to read at the 4th - 7th grade level, but I feel they should be raising the bar, not dropping it, by reading at a higher level. Anyway, I'll do as recommended as I want my articles to sell. However, I may not be so lenient with my books. Not sure yet as I know I'm nichy already.
Don't forget these sites when writing articles and even novels if you want to prevent plagarism, check grammar and readability:
- Plagiarism Detect
- Grammarly for Grammar and plagiarism checking
- Plagtracker
- Readability test tool. I really like this site when I'm writing children's books as it keeps me at their level.
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