Minor Setback Prompts Members Only Section

It has been an interesting few days for me, and not interesting in a good way. I dislocated my right shoulder last Tuesday, so I have been doing minimal everything. I realize that although I am unable to do much in the line of chores and housework, my Kobo Vox will come in handy so I can get some work done. Typing on the computer keyboard is difficult, but my Kobo has a touch screen that works quite nicely. The best part is it is saved on Catch.com so I am able to access it from any computer.

I have spent the last couple of days working on the membership section of my new website. The website is now live, but I do have some tweaking to do in the membership section. I am very excited about it and being able to help fellow authors achieve their goals and dreams.

The membership fee is $29/month, which entitles you to access to information and resources to improve and advance your writing career.

Upon receipt of payment, members will be given access to the Members Only section of the website. There they will find information which will help them pursue their writing career, whether it is in advertising or writing a novel. I will be posting the link to the site as soon as I have the Membership Section tweaked and operational. I will be taking orders by the end of this week, so please check back.

I am looking forward to helping others, just as I have been helped by people such as Yaro Starak and Sandi Krakowski. I have read through their materials and applied their strategies to achieve personal success in writing and life in general. I welcome any challenge, and my temporary physical limitations are just making me work harder.

Join me at http://www.dianeziomek.ca for updates on my progress and a look at things to come!

Have a great day!

Diane

New Website

I would like to inform everyone of my new website featuring my written works and services. Please take a few moments to have a look at it and let me know what you think.

I will be updating it on a regular basis; adding new books and other information products as they are produced. My goal with the site is to showcase all of my work in one spot as well as offer my freelancing services to others.

Be rest assured this blog will continue to provide tips and information to the writing world. I have a wealth of information to share with fellow writers, and wish to see everyone succeed. Whether it be poetry, fiction or nonfiction, all writers deserve a place in the sun.

Today's Tip:

No matter how much you think you know, never stop learning new things. This is especially true for authors and freelancers, as the publishing world is changing.

Note: For those of you who are looking for writing jobs, please click on the "Real Writing Jobs" link on the right side of this page. I have secured writing contracts that have more than paid for the membership fee they charge. It was a small price to pay for some wonderful opportunities.

Have a great day!

Diane

Why Do You Want to be a Writer?

As I advance further in my writing career I find myself coming up with ideas for informational products I never would have dreamed of even 5 years ago. Writing has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for me. I now can put my thoughts on paper and everything I write has the potential to earn money.

For those of you who are just starting out it is important to know why you want to be a writer. Do you want to see your name in print when you visit bookstores across the country? Do you have a story to share with the world? Are you someone who has a lot to say, but want to stay out of the limelight? Everyone has their reasons; what's yours?

There are many different roads a writer can take. Some prefer the route of copywriter and some want to take on bigger challenges, like plunging straight into a novel. That is not to say copywriting isn't challenging; it most certainly is. A copywriter has to write in such a way they could "sell ice to the Eskimos". A successful copywriter can easily make a six-figure income, but there is a lot of hard work that goes into it.

Personally, my goal as a writer is to publish literature that helps others in some way. Sharing my experiences as a writer and a homemaker is helping me fulfill what was once only a dream. Many years ago I told my husband (ex-husband now) I wanted to write a book so I could make a difference in people's lives. He was less than supportive. My partner now is very supportive of my writing as are my children. It is a good feeling to have the support of loved ones.

It is important to have a support team, whether it is immediate family or friends. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have family members on their side, and that is too bad. Even if you do not have the support of immediate family or friends, find it through friends on social media such as Facebook or LinkedIn. As you earn money through your ventures you may begin to see more immediate support. Many people think the writer has an easy job; that is not the case. It takes a lot of diligence and hard work to become a writer; don't give up your dreams just because a few people think you are wasting your time. You will have the last laugh when you are earning a five or six-figure income from your venue.

Stay focused and if you need any additional support, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have a great day!

Diane

Are You Serious About Writing?

Good morning! Are you serious about writing?

If your goal is to earn some money relatively quickly from your writing, I suggest you choose nonfiction. Sites such as HubPages, Triond, and Helium let you earn money with ad revenue shares. Helium is a bit different than the first two as it pays on number of views. It also occsionally requests articles for certain titles and pays a flat rate in addition to the views. The key point to remember with these sites is the more articles you submit the better chance you have at earning.

Another site that pays a decent rate is iWriter. I have submitted several articles and have been paid quickly for them. Please note they do have higher rates for those who submit quality articles frequently. I have not reached the higher paying milestone yet as I have not submitted enough articles due to my obligations elsewhere. They always seem to have a variety of topics to choose from. It is also important you follow the article instructions,; otherwise your article will be rejected. The higher standards ensure quality content available for those requesting it. Their web page (recently updated) is also easy to navigate whether you are a new writer or a returning writer.

My personal favorite is HubPages as they have a few different ways a writer can earn money. In addition to Google AdSense ad revenue, you can also earn through Amazon, ebay, the HubPages Ad Program and Kontera. For more information on these methods it is best to visit their FAQ page. I currently have 44 articles on the site and just this month am noticing an increase in earnings. I must stress it does take awhile to earn money via their programs, but it will happen with good quality articles. Do not rely on HubPages alone to pay your bills, as it may take awhile to earn a substantial amount.

If you are looking for a good source for online work, I have had good luck with oDesk. They are an agency for finding bookkeepers, copywriters, editors, ghostwriters, blog and article writers, customer service workers, order processors, etc. Please note they do have a series of tests you may take to highlight your qualifications. It is important to take these tests, as they will give you more options. I have recently applied for and been accepted for a couple of promising contracts. The best part is you can work for someone half way around the world and never have to leave your home.

If you are serious about writing, the above sites are only a few of the options available. If you are just starting out, I suggest you visit HubPages. If money is a factor, register with oDesk and browse the thousands of jobs available. There is no reason why a determined freelancer shouldn't be getting a regular paycheque.

Good luck and have a great day!

Diane

p.s. If you are interested in learning about other sites please let me know.

Fiction or Nonfiction?

Fiction or nonfiction? That is the question many wanna-be writers ask.

There is no right or wrong answer, but before we go any further let's define the two (as defined by Webster's dictionary).

Fiction - literature in which the plot and the characters are imaginary. Authors such as Stephen King and J. K. Rowling write fiction.

Nonfiction - literature dealing with real persons and events, as history or biography. Authors such as Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark (Write That Book Already) write nonfiction. Their information deals with real people and real life experiences.

What you choose to do is entirely up to you. If you're not quite sure the first thing to ask yourself is "Do I have a good imagination?" If you do, then fiction may be the way to go. If your imagination is limited but you know a lot of things, then nonfiction would most likely be easier for you.

Personally I prefer to write nonfiction. I am knowledgeable in many areas and I want to share that knowledge with others. My love of homemaking and writing has given me a world of opportunity to teach my skills to others.

Keep in mind that once you choose a genre you do not have to stay there. You may find that as you are writing about your experiences you come up with a great idea for a fictional story. If that is the case, go with it. Real life experiences are often the base for fictional stories. For example Stephen King's novels are often based in Maine, his home state. It is an area he is familiar with so he is able to go into great detail when describing a town or the countryside.

Should you decide nonfiction may be more your style, think about the places you've been, the things you've done and the things you know. Make a list in each of the three categories, then pick the first one and write down some key points about it.

What I like most about nonfiction is I am able to write a short article and still get my point across. With fiction it takes much longer to get to the point. Please keep in mind that is my personal preference; don't let me disuade you from writing a fictional masterpiece.

Whatever your decision may be, keep in mind to do your best work. If writing nonfiction ensure the information you are relaying is correct. You do not want to provide inaccurate information as readers will quickly point out your errors. Plus if you want to get known for your writing, providing the right information will help you get known in a good way.

Have a great day!

Diane

p.s. What have you decided? Fiction or nonfiction? Why?

Free Writing Courses

As many people know, I am a writer for several online sites. One such site is HubPages; I have been there since Day 1 of my writing career. I also like to read what others have written, and just this morning found something very interesting. I was not aware of this fact, but there are free writing courses available online. The link will take you to the Hub that explains the courses available. Click on the links within the Hub to be taken to sites such as MIT or Alison.com.

I must say, reading articles posted by fellow writers has been very helpful. I learn something new each time I read one; sometimes I incorporate what I have learned and am able to make a few pennies more because of it. The trick is to try different systems to find one that works for you.

Along with the free writing courses, the same writer also has a Hub about other free courses online. I would recommend anyone to see if there is something they could benefit from. (I personally would like to learn a bit more about HTML so I could design my own banners and logo. I think that would be very interesting.) There are also courses available to teach the basics of programs such as Microsoft Office, Windows, Javascript and more.

I know I will be adding a course or two to my agenda. How about you?

Have a great day!

Diane

10 Sites to Submit Your Writing

I have been submitting articles online since January 2010, in addition to writing books and reports. Below is a list of 10 sites you can submit articles to. Some pay for articles directly and others pay via ad revenue shares. Either way, the exposure is beneficial to your writing career.

1. HubPages - the first site I submitted articles to. They pay ad revenue shares for Google AdSense and the HubPages Ad Program. There is also the opportunity to earn money via Amazon, ebay and Kontera (Of the three, I am only using Amazon). The more articles you are able to submit, the better your chances of earning money. I have been with them for two years and am just now seeing the fruits of my labor. I have only submitted 43 articles so far; the trick is to submit articles regularly and aim for higher numbers. It is said that once the 50 article milestone is reached, the rewards increase as well.
2. EzineArticles - I have submitted 6 articles here so far. They do not pay for the articles or views, but you are encouraged to add a resource box which links back to your site or blog. This allows for you to be shown as an expert in your field.
3. Helium - one of the first sites I published on. They pay for number of times articles were viewed as well as special bonuses. The majority of the money I have earned on Helium was for titles they suggested. 
4. Triond - I have had some reservations about submitting a lot of articles here, but am told the site is improving. There has never been an issue with payment (the payment threshold is $.50 if using PayPal) but the quality of writing has been poor. It will take work from the moderators of the site to encourage quality articles; as well as from the authors themselves.
5. GoodBlogs - this is a site you can submit to regularly. Their FAQ page is being updated at the moment, so any information on earnings is not available. If I remember correctly, it is based on the number of times your post is voted up. I have not posted there in awhile, but I encourage you to do so if you are just starting out. 
6. Bukisa - I haven't submitted more than an article or two here. It is a good starting point, and pays on views and ad views shares if I recall correctly.
7. Factoidz - this site pays for article views and offers special bonuses for submissions. They are very particular about content submitted; it has to be original and helpful. Not just any type of article will do.
8. iWriter - this is a site in which you submit articles and get paid. I have earned over $20.00 for a number of articles. The pay for each isn't the greatest, but if you are in need of some quick cash it is definitely a good place to start.
9. Wikinut - this site pays on ad revenue shares only. If you want exposure, it is a good place to start. It gives you points for articles, invitations and participation.
10. RedGage - this site pays for view on your content, which includes articles, photos and blog posts. It also pays special bonuses for photos. I have earned a few dollars, but haven't submitted anything new lately. They pay once $25.00 has been earned via a RedGage Pre-paid Debit Card.

These are all good places to submit articles. One thing I cannot stress enough is to be sure your articles are clearly written and as error-free as possible. That includes proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. I am sure for those of you who follow me on a regular basis I sound like a broken record, but it is vital to your success. If you wish to be hired for any freelancing or copywriting opportunities, a prospective employer is not going to contact you if your articles are full of errors.

That being said, look into the sites I have listed. You never know which one will make you the most money until you try it. Good luck!

Have a great day!

Diane

p.s. Let me know which you have signed up for. I will post your links to them to help you gain some views.

New Writing Tool

As I have used my new Kobo Vox I have deemed it a new writing tool. I installed the AK Notepad app and can now write articles and blog posts away from my laptop. I am very excited as this feature will help me be more productive.

I like to write away from my desk; the combination of my Kobo and the app will eliminate the step of writing on paper then having to type it into a Word document. Using this app allows me to write on my Kobo then access my document online. It is then treated like any other document and I am able to copy and paste it into my blog. The best part is I can write anywhere, without having to carry around a notebook and pen. I am looking forward to the summer when I can spend more time outside.

In addition to writing I can quickly access any resources I need in my library; the note feature saves my document where I left off for easy access when I am ready to resume writing. Being able to save multiple notes is a big asset; if I have a great idea for an article while I'm reading a book I can simply bookmark my page and open up the notepad app. I can write down my idea for future reference then continue reading my book...all on one device.

Another great feature of the Kobo Vox is the built in dictionary. If I am unsure of how to spell a word (I must say this usually isn't a problem for me) I just have to switch screens, look up the word and go back to my notepad. I am beginning to wonder how I managed without it; and I have only had it since Christmas.

I am presuming other eReaders that have Android capabilities are just as functional as my Kobo. I know the iPad also can perform many functions and is most likely someone's writing tool as well. I am forever grateful to my partner who fulfilled my Christmas Wish List.

Have you had the opportunity to try a Kobo or other Android device for your writing? What are your thoughts on it? Please comment below.

Have a great day!

Diane

A New Year Has Begun

A new year has begun!

I have been putting my new Kobo Vox to good use; I have downloaded several books which are helping me stay on track with my blogs and my other writing. Now that the busy time is over and routines are being resumed we can all sit back for a moment and be thankful for what we have. I am thankful for spending time with family as well as the fact our holiday was safe and happy; I pray that was the case for everyone else as well.

As I begin my third year as a freelancer I can look back and see how much I have learned since day one. I was tired of working for someone else and never reaping the benefits of my hard work. I am still a long way away from "The Writer's Life" but am a much happier person because of my decision.

I have learned by doing, and made some mistakes along the way. I am a bit on the stubborn side and like to do things by myself. I have come to realize this is not always the best way to go about it so I have made a point to visit websites, read books and subscribe to fellow author's newsletters. One of the best sites to find answers to questions is the EzineArticles site. I haven't written many articles on that site, but the information available to writers is phenomenal. I would recommend anyone starting out to sign up (it's free) and get started on the right track. There are several videos available as well which I have found to be helpful.

The first site I published on was HubPages and am starting to earn more than just a few pennies a month. The key is to submit articles regularly and utilize the Amazon affiliate option. I have referred readers to products via my articles and have received several dollars to date. Their ad program also pays a bit to me almost every day; as my articles increase so do my earnings. Google Adsense is also a good program to utilize on HubPages; I would recommend this site to new writers as well. One note on the site, however: they do not moderate the articles so please do your best work. Proper sentence structure, spelling and grammar are always important - there is nothing more frustrating to me than to start reading an article riddled with typos and bad grammar. The members of HubPages are generally very helpful and inciteful; if you have questions they are more than happy to answer them.

I belong to several more sites but I must say HubPages is the one that has earned me the most money to date. The only downside is the payment threshold is higher than I would like it to be.

One more site I will mention today is Triond. This is a site which I have mixed feelings about but they do have a low payment threshold if you wish to be paid via PayPal. I have received a few payments from them without any trouble. It is a site that must be taken with a grain of salt, as they do not seem to have any rules regarding content. Google Adsense is also available on the site and does earn me a few pennies a month. I have not contributed any new articles lately but if you are looking for an easy place to submit to then Triond is the answer. As I stated before, keep your articles properly formatted and error free...your reputation as a writer is on the line so don't do anything that might compromise it further down the road.

I will continue to inform you of writing and publishing sites as the weeks go on. Please feel free to comment or share sites you belong to as well.

Good luck and have a great day!

Diane

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! My New Year's Eve was spent with family playing a fun game of Crokinole and watching movies. Good times were had by all and everyone stayed safe.

I will be back to regular posts again soon - we have a New Year's supper to go to yet at my partner's parent's house where we will get to spend some time with his side of the family. More food, fun and good company!

Have a great day!

Diane