Reading for Fun, Freelancing, and your Future

Searching the Internet, you can find plenty of information on every subject under the sun-almost. Unfortunately, there are still some topics that are rarely discussed.

For example, I have cerebral palsy. Fortunately, my case is considered moderate, and I have been blessed to live independently. However, the older I get, the greater my disability. In truth, everyone slows down with age. But, when already facing a disability and the associated challenges, it seems more pronounced.

So, to start out the new year, I have established a new blog called Living with Cerebral Palsy. My goal is provide rewarding reading for cerebral palsy information and support, both for the disabled, their loved ones, and caregivers.

I know it is not exactly recommending a good book or talking about why reading is so rewarding and necessary. But, I hope it will provide much needed quick reads for those individuals searching for help and information about cerebral palsy and still getting the most out of life.

When you are looking for an uplifting book to read, what can be better than rewarding reading and a good friend. Today, I got a message about both-all rolled into one.

Over 30 years ago, I met this young kid at College. Of course, we were all young then. Anyway, he and his girlfriend were really fun to hang around. I lost track of both of them; but, I found him on Facebook this year.

I am glad to report that he and his girlfriend married, stayed that way all of these years, and had a son. In addition, he has recently become a published author, in addition to all of his other achievements. The guy that once got upset with me for taking chances now jumps from airplanes! He has a great sense of humor, and he also teaches people how to get the most out of life.

Gary Sheely, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Life & Business Coach explores the reasons we resist the changes we need to make in order to survive and thrive.

Recognize your need to cut away from the fear, denial, and comfort zones that trap you
Your success and survival may depend on it!

So why do we resist taking the action we need to survive and thrive?

Often, the things we rely upon for safety, satisfaction, and peace of mind can be the very things that deprive us of all three – yet we cling to them for one or more reasons.

In Cutting Away, you will discover:

The psychological forces that cause us to resist when radical action is clearly called for
Specific situations that create danger for us
The warning signs when your comfort zones, denial, and fear are threatening your well-being
Ways to assess your own risk
Insight into your own resistance to cut away from the things that are putting you at risk
New courage to take the action you need to survive and thrive!

No, I have not read this book yet. However, I am going to, as soon as I can send Gary the money for an autographed copy. When he is famous, I can say I know that man. You can find the book at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. If you like the book and find it helpful, let me know.

Dear Readers,

As you know, the main site for my business has moved to Writing with Purpose. However, I still have the subscription to this Web host for a couple of months. In that time, I hope to dedicate that site to one of my true passions-Reading. Hopefully, I will be able to move this site, rename it, and continue to use it to write about reading for the purposes of fun, your future, becoming a better writer, and so much more.

Sometimes I will suggest books that I have read. Other post will focus on the importance of reading and related issues. Reading is really one of my true passions. Whether it is for information, education, edification, or fun, I love to read. I hope to share that love with you.

As freelance writers, we are often called upon to write dozens of articles on the same subject, over and over again. The content has to be fresh and new, but it basically talks about the same general topic. After about the 10th article, it can be quite a challenge to come up with something new.

Well, if you are an avid reader from childhood, you are very fortunate. Chances are you have a much larger vocabulary than those individuals that never discovered the true joy of books.

The Weekly Challenge

Nevertheless, even if you have a good vocabulary, the more words you know, the better writer you will become. So, get out that old warn dictionary or invest in a thesaurus. Learn a new, fun word every day. You will grow your word power as a freelance writer.

For more information, tips, and ideas about writing professionally or personally, please visit my new business home at http://www.thewritingwithpurpose.com.

Happy Thanksgiving Freelance Writers.

Do you know how truly blessed you are, especially this year? You have a job! In fact, you have a recession-proof, work-at-home, be-my-own-boss occupation. You are truly blessed!

Sure, like any other jobs, there are things you would like to change. Many of you wish you were paid what you deserve for all of your hard work. But, YOU HAVE A JOB!

For a lengthier discussion of this topic, be sure to visit the new home for Writing with Purpose at www.thewritingwithpurpose.com.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, at the new home for my business blog, I wrote about my personal pet peeve when it comes to freelance writing/writers. I know I run the risk of alienating some readers; but, chances are better that I gave them something to think about. After all, the whole point of the blog is to encourage readers to become better writers, and provide some valuable information for those that want to work from home.

I know that I am blessed to be a freelance writer and have the opportunity, as a single parent, to be here when my kids get home from school. But, like any job, it does have its drawbacks. Maybe it is the teacher in me, but sometimes my pet peeve surfaces, and I become really frustrated with the Internet marketplace.

Have I got you curious yet? If so, you can visit Writing with Purpose at its new home and find out my not so secret pet peeve.

For many up and coming blogging enthusiasts, setting up a blog is easy but finding a topic to write about is much more difficult. Many use blogs as a means to share information with friends and family or as a personal diary. Some people use their blogs to share various topics of interest but most blogs are used to target a particular audience or niche. There are some definite things you should ask of yourself when you are having trouble finding a topic or niche. What specifically are you interested in talking or reading about? Is your occupation interesting or are you an expert in a particular subject? Is there a topic you feel is missing from the internet that may be of interest to others? Do have a goal or accomplishment you wish to achieve that may be worth documenting online for others to read and keep track of? You can also look at some of the more popular existing blogs to see which topics have captured the interest of others. If interested in starting your own website but you are unsure how to set up a server and tinker with all sorts of WordPress settings, be sure to check out the blog setup service offered by the Blog Squad folks.

To become a successful freelance copywriter, you will need to concentrate on offering excellent SEO services. A few choice words can spell success or failure. Just like these signs that point to a specific destination, SEO content gives search engines directions on how to pick up your site and the sites of your clients. Think of SEO as the virtual road map to an online business.

Knowing how to write well and professionally is a must. However, unless you become an SEO company, you will not be a real contender in the competitive business world of the Internet.

Remember to check out my new home for my copy writing services and hopefully some informative articles to help you become a better and/or more confident writer. For all your SEO Article Writing services please stop by and visit thewritingwithpurpose.com

When I started freelance writing, I had no idea what I was doing or how to get started. The only thing I had going for me is the fact that I had an education and I knew how to write well. Oh, I also knew how to surf the Internet, whip out a credit card, and wait for the UPS guy to show up a few days later. But, that did not really count for much.

I got caught in more than one scam for work-at-home business opportunities, in my effort to find writing jobs. I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, I did not learn from my mistakes well. But, then I found a legitimate service that helped writers connect with clients. But, I had to pay a subscription fee and relinquish a portion of all my pay. In some ways, it was worth it, because I had some recourse, if a buyer received my work, but did not pay for the services.

Some freelance writers like this arrangement. It works well for them and their clients. But, there is one big drawback. Writers do not get paid what their skills are worth. Today, buyers are posting projects for a dollar per page. In order to do a good job and write well, it takes 30-60 minutes to pump out approximately 500 words. Who can pay their bills for 2 bucks an hour. But, people with limited writing skills or those that speak English as a second language are grabbing up those jobs, in order to get the experience.

Unfortunately, it reduces the price for all writing. In truth, I do not think buyers realize the time and attention it takes to write a good article or Web page data. They have not figured out that freelance writers are worth their skills. So, it means those of us have to work a lot harder and a lot smarter, if we want to stay in business. The quality of our work must go up, even if the prices are falling. Only then will buyers understand that good freelance writers should get paid what they are worth.

Oh and my copyrighting service has moved to a new home. For all your SEO Article Writing services please stop by and visit thewritingwithpurpose.com in the next couple of days and check it out. Thank you

If you are still reading my neglected blog, it is time I make an economical move. As a writer, I am so busy helping clients that I have been not taking care of my website.

I do want to do better and provide helpful information, but I also do not want to invest hundreds of dollars in a paid site, when I can accomplish than same purpose for free.

For future articles, product endorsements, or information that might help you. So, I am going to move all of my articles old and new to http://tinamatsunaga.webs.com/.

This is simply an economical choice. If you need to get in touch with me, you can find the necessary information there.

Thank you so much!

Tina Matsunaga
Administrator