On Content Mills and Why I Have Not Been Freelancing.

I know I mention my writing from time to time, but I don't think I've yet blogged on why I have been on hiatus from my freelancing for so long. Some of it, of course, has been what we call "life." I have a day job, I've had health problems and upheavals, and I've been focusing on my visual art this past year.

I have really not put a lot of effort into finding leads and pitching articles for a long time. Part of it, I will admit, is that I got badly burned by an editor for whom I worked as a stringer a few years ago. There was another sad outcome, where a publication for which I'd been a stringer was discontinued. I loved that job, and I really put my all into it, and as far as I know, my editor appreciated my efforts and my work. It was definitely a sad day when he called to say he was ending the project. Where ever he is now, I hope he is doing well.

Another option for a freelancer looking to pick up a few bucks here and there is to write for what some call content mills. I have linked here to a good overview of some of the problems with these outlets. The problems, however, do not start there. The problems start with the fact that these outlets pay very, very little, once you do the math. We are talking in some cases as low as a few cents an article. It depends on how many articles are written and how quickly and how often. Getting back to my link here, though, I will say that the primary reason that I have chosen not to go this route is the quality of these articles. What I write might be fine--I've worked as a stringer, I know how to do my research, etc. Overall, however, I personally find the quality of the articles generated by these outlets to be questionable to low.

For example, I am a cat caretaker. I have multiple cats, and I've had cats all of my life. I was raised with cats, I read about cats, I discuss cats, etc. I have seen articles on some of these sites--cat advice articles--that were wrong and at times outright dangerous for the cats in question. I do recall that in a few cases, I have posted comments to the articles--where I was able--either alerting people that the information was incorrect, or correcting the information if I had that knowledge.

To sum up what I'm trying to say: I can either keep working really hard and just framing out time for writing, doing my blogging, looking for leads, working on my own projects, and submitting work, or I can write articles for a few pennies here and there--OK, in a good month, a few DOLLARS--and give my time and energy away for the benefit of the businesses that run these sites. It's an easy choice for me.

While my name is not "on the map," and I am not "a sought-after writer" or "great journalist," what I am is a writer who has faith in her abilities and who values her integrity. I know that, down the road, I will find the right opportunities, and that perhaps one day I will be successful with my writing. In the meantime, I get to enjoy the process. I get to think about and map out projects. I get to daydream a little. I get to write material that I enjoy writing and that I know will appear in quality publications. At the end of the day, this is a far greater reward for me.

I might never get rich, but it's also very likely I will never be used for someone else's gain.

I will end this by saying that I realize that every person is different. We all have different needs, and some of us depend on writing income for a living. (I am lucky enough to have a day job, but would love to support myself solely on my writing and art!) I get that, and I get that these outlets do work well for some people. To those people, I would say "More power to you!" I would also say, however, "Why don't you try pitching to some publications who will value your work and pay you what you are worth?"

Poetry: "Purple"

"Purple"

It's purple.
Purple is large.
Purple is warm.
Purple is deep.
Purple is intelligent.

Purple embraces
A lonely girl
On a lonely night.
Purple doesn't get angry.
It doesn't pull away.

Purple is confident.
It doesn't check up.
It listens and exudes wisdom.
Purple doesn't turn a deaf ear.

Purple catches the eye
Of a lonely girl
On a lonely night.
Purple is a comfort buy.
Curling up with purple brings relief.

(c) 2000 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.

Poetry: An Appeal to the Muse

As I shut down my old writer's blog at LiveJournal, as you may recall, I'm sharing some of the writings here. This was posted back in April of 2003, right around the time I started that blog. Enjoy!

**

It was a tradition in ancient Greece for the bard or performers to make an appeal to the Muse at the beginning of their show. In this way, they honored the creative source and assured themselves a good performance. I find that, as a writer and artist, it is important for me to appeal to the Muse, too. Here's a very quick prayer that I wrote back in 1999.

[Untitled]

--O trembling Muse,
Let go my flood of words,
I beg of you.
Help me to break apart the dam that chokes my inspiration!

--Like smoke,
Let my words wind through ether and air
And land,
Final,
Upon the page!--

(c) 1999 Jennifer L. Moore. Do not duplicate.

End of the Year Sale: All Items, All Shops 33% off!

As some of you know, I celebrate the Solstices and Equinoxes, along with traditional holidays. This year, the Winter Solstice falls on December 21, which is why my sale is 21 days long: Out with the old, in with the new. Start a new year, and start it fresh.

From now through January 1, 2010, everything I sell is 33% off. I have already marked down my prices in each venue, so you--my dear readers--need to nothing more than shop! Isn't it great not to have to memorize or keep track of any coupon codes? You can access all of my online venues--Artfire, Atomic Mall, and RedBubble--right here on my blog via this post or the right-hand side bar.

Now, get to it! (Just kidding!) I hope that you will browse my shops and that you enjoy what you see there. I have some big plans for next year, chief among them branding. I hope that I can approach the market in 2010 with a more cohesive look and with better-defined product lines.

I hope that you all have a wonderful, wonderful Winter, no matter what holidays you celebrate and where you shop! To my colleagues, I wish you a fruitful holiday season and new year!

Cheers!

Studio Update: All over the place!

First of all, I want to thank and welcome my new followers! Thanks for giving me a read. I hope you find something of value in this blog. :)

The Holiday season has already started, and along with the sales, promotions, games, and other fun stuff come my own preparations for the holidays ahead. We spent Thanksgiving up in MA with my boyfriend's family, and though I kept the shop open and ran a sale, I did not do any sort of work. The week leading up to that involved preparations for the trip, so right there, I lost two weeks of studio time--not that I'm complaining! Down time is always good, and as it turns out, I came home with some new ideas and with some cool, new beads to play with. ;)

On top of that, I'm going to be having surgery in January, so I'm currently working on my house, so that while I'm out of commission, my boyfriend won't be overwhelmed. Recovery will probably keep me out of commission for about a week. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to do some sewing and make some jewelry, but I don't think I'll do much beyond that.

I do have ideas for a few blog posts, and I really should get in the habit of just writing them up and scheduling them, so that my blog doesn't get stagnant. I like that you come here and read my updates, so I want to give you content. :)

I have a LiveJournal I'm trying to shut down, and I know I've mentioned before that I'm going to publish the poems I have there on this blog, so hang in there, and it will happen, eventually. Plus, as I've also mentioned before, I'm starting to explore filmmaking at the urging of and with the help of my boyfriend and another close friend of mine. I expect that, sooner or later, I'll have some cool stories to share.

Today, for instance, my boyfriend and I are off to scout locations for his next video. I'll be doing the filming and the still photography for it, and he's going to have me write the screenplay. Bring it on, say I! :)

Finally, here's a random photo from my garden for your enjoyment. I have not decided yet whether or not I'll put this one up for sale.

Radish