Started Work

I just started a regular gig (regular if it goes well). It's nice, but it takes a lot of getting used to. I'm so used to piecemeal work (I don't even know what I mean by that), that I have to get better organized with my time. I certainly hope that my daughter doesn't suffer for this. Sigh. It's time for sacrifices anyway. Hopefully, just MY sacrifices and not hers.

Praying I Get That Assignment

I have some big news, which I'm not yet ready to reveal. All I can say for now is that I'm pulling for this project on Odesk and I'm really praying I get it. I need moolah. I guess we all do, but I'm in a position where I need more than I did before. I had to write a sample article and everything. I usually don't make such concessions since there are so many scammers out there who'd dupe you into sending a "sample article" and just run off with it. I usually just send written and published articles for them to evaluate. In any case, if I don't get this, I know God has something better in store. Oh and I'll post my "sample article" here too for good measure.

Looking for a Telecommute Job

I'm thinking of working at home for realz again. I mean, like a regular job, employed by a real company, but, you know, telecommuting. The freelance thing is not working out so great, not because there are no opportunities (it's a given anyway how unstable freelancing is), but mostly because I lack the drive. I should be more industrious (which was my class section in grade 5, a useless bit of information I'll squeeze in here), but I waste too much of my time being a bum. Moving in with my folks had that effect on me. When we lived away, I had a much better command of my time, not just with working, but with homeschooling, etc. If I pause and do some self-evaluation, I'll probably just disgust myself, so I better do something before I do that reflection thing so I won't come out so pathetic.

Update on My WAH Life

Super busy. Still have to do my Christmas shopping. Need to really start making good money from home. Thinking of a good business, something that would bring in as much income for me as working outside the home would. In blogging news, corrected my submitted URL at Sponsored Reviews (surprise! surprise! mere www changes everything Page Rank-wise) and have been getting quite good opps from there... Anyway, sorry for the telegram-style sentences... Off to church! Christmas party tonight!

Promotional Posts

Being approached by marketers to help them in promoting certain websites or products makes me feel important, lol. Now, there have been those who offered me cash to do so (this type is my favorite kind, of course, hee), while others offer something (a freebie, discount or giveaway prize) to me or my readers, which usually indicates the possibility of better traffic. I don't always agree to partner with these marketers. I only pick the ones that interest me. And then there are also those who offer nothing. They just ask you to review their site or product without promising anything in return. It's just like this favor you're doing for them. In this case, I remind myself that I'm really busy writing a novel (unless it's for a cause I believe in - like the Fresh Air Fund - or I personally know them, in which case, I'm always willing to help out a friend). That's not to say that I haven't written some promotional piece in the past without compensation of any sort, because I actually have, in the naive hope of getting some real business from them at a later time. Now, I know better.

Not a Good Time in My WAH Life

Would you believe that I actually tried to fast yesterday? I guess I wanted to be more discerning of what God was telling me. Also, I just really needed (need) to have a spirit-triumphs-over-flesh experience. So anyway, it clearly didn't happen. The thing is, there is this opportunity to work outside the home - something that I mostly don't want to do and the work is not something I'd enjoy doing, but, oh, the money... It pays really, really well and well, I think I just made it sound as though I really shouldn't take the opportunity... There's no point to this post. I just need to let this out...

Page Rank Troubles

Sigh. I had some trouble with one of the paid post programs I subscribe to. They assigned me an opp and then rejected my post on account of my blog's 0 page rank. There was some confusion as to my blog's actual page rank. The change had not registered in their system in time. It had to do with getting my own domain, aargh. Sometimes I really regret doing that. Anyway, I'm working on boosting Spinning Lovely Days' page rank. I want those opps!

Speaking of moneymaking, I'm bidding on this project that involves ghostwriting an ebook. The application process is quite long with the competition quite stiff, I believe. The compensation is quite sizable, so it's all worth the hassle. I hope I get the assignment.

Less WAH, More Parenting

I need to spend less time on the computer. First, I need the time to work on Marguerite's birthday details. Second, I need to spend more time being totally present with her. I have two reviews to do for my other blog. No money in exchange, just freebies. That's better than just being approached willy-nilly for a review and being promised nothing in return. Anyway, I told them after Marguerite's birthday.

Also, absolutely no connection, but I'm just going to rant about people who are pressuring me to spank my child. They think they have such a great argument. I happen to still be witnessing (and battling)the less than desirable effects of their discipline philosophy, so no thanks. And this, coming from people who do not even believe that parents should say "sorry", "please" and "thank you" to their children.

How Are Things at Elance?

As you know, I've been doing Odesk for quite some time now. Things are rather slow for me at the moment, so I'm thinking about branching out. I'm also signed up with Elance, but have not taken the tests and whatnots. I just didn't want to go through that again to be eligible. However, if somebody would tell me that Elance has better jobs or something to that effect, I'll definitely consider tapping into it. Or is there another site that offers the same service. In general, however, I'm competing against other freelancers who charge much less than I do, so -- oh well, I'm not about to lower my rate just yet.

Pointless Writing

I'm writing a story. I suppose it's a novella. Scratch that. I'm writing a series of really funny, witty dialogues. My intention was for them to lead to a certain point. As of now, the actual point is still missing, which makes the endeavor... I wouldn't exactly call it pointless, but close. The thing is I've already spent a lot of time on it and I don't want to just give it up. And what I've got so far is really funny (according to me), so since I tend to be attached to funny things, well, this work (if it can be called that) is not to be abandoned. I guess what I'm trying to say is I need to sit my tush down and come up with a writing process that works for me, that has me generating actual publishable drivel and not just a bunch of silly dialogues that may have myself and my sister in stitches, but are essentially POINTLESS. Gah, WAHMIvy, go get some actual work done!

Not Very Productive

Hmmm, some issues:

No work from Odesk - not really diligently applying, but I'm used to being approached for interviews by buyers (er, contractors now, I think)

No paid post opps coming my way... hate this. Just when I'm doing something to boost traffic...

Some nice available tasks on MyLot, but I'm a little leery because the task provider rejected something I had submitted in the past for no good reason... I mean it - NO GOOD REASON. It might just turn out to be a waste of time again.

Submitted something new at Bukisa... I don't know why... the last article I'd sent earned exactly 8 cents in the number of months it has been up.

I'm working on a story and I haven't completely figured out the plot yet. I can't seem to stop coming up with dialogues though. I've written so much pointless dialogue that the thing is the length of an entire story now... except the plot is still absent...

Sometimes, the WAH life really sucks.

To Bid or Not to Bid

Jobs are a little slow at the moment... Okay, the reason they're slow is because I haven't been bidding at all. One of my clients promised work for me and I didn't want to bid on jobs in case that one started and I suddenly found myself with an overfilled plate. Anyway, there's some money coming in from paid blog posts and whatnots. I really should start joining discussions in MyLot again. I have about $3 with them and I won't be able to reach payout until I earn at least $10. The same with dNeero. I have about $14 with them and unless they start with the paid convos again, I won't be able to reach payout with them either. Honestly though? I just want to write stories. Why can't I earn regularly from that?

Another Day in the Life of This WAHM

The sky is dark. Looks like rain. That's why the ants are going berserk again.

Just submitted a writing assignment. New client. Hope it passes muster.

Was able to chat with the publisher of the anthologies my stories were included in. She asked me if I had a fantasy love story. I can make one. First time though. I've never written a fantasy story before. It's not really my genre. It'll probably be fun though.

I'm praying for something. Really fervently. If it's not meant to be, I'm sure God has something better in store. Hope I remember that in case I find myself overwhelmed by the clouds of disappointment. Ah life.

Just for the Sake of Posting

I have too much going on this weekend. No writing assignments, but anthology submission deadlines, plus stuff going on at church, plus some demands coming from certain people... Marguerite has a dentist appointment at 11 and father and daughter are still sleeping. Have to post though so here I am. Also clicking away. Gah. Toxic! Have something to say about a certain writing gig, but it'll have to wait. Why am I still typing? Need to get out of here!

More from the Trenches of WAHdom

Is there something going on at Odesk? I have two clients who haven't acknowledged the articles I submitted. It has been days. It's very uncharacteristic of one  (he has been my client  several times before and he's always been awesome to write for) and the other  (first time client) has an excellent record at Odesk as well. That's why I'm thinking there might be a glitch somewhere. I'll wait another day before really investigating. Gah. I never know the proper way to deal with these situations. :(

Overwhelmed

I'm a little overwhelmed right now although I have already finished one writing assignment. I just took on another one actually. It just won't do to turn down good paying gigs. It's just that issues pour when I have stuff to do. It's a real pain, but that's just how the story usually goes. There's no point complaining. Just work things out and try to be as productive as possible. Sigh. This attitude is all wrong. I need to be more thankful and, you know, freakin CHILL...

Where Do You Go to Learn How to Chill

I just scored another writing assignment. I know it's a blessing and yet I always panic when this happens. I know I can do it and I'm certain that I can do it well. However, I'm a dork, so I fuss and fret. I do not thrive on pressure at all. I always rise to the occasion, but without the necessary jovial spirit or grace. This doesn't reflect in the end product. It does affect my personal life though. For instance, I have yet to clean up and I was not able to prepare a decent breakfast for my family. The thing is, I have 7 days. The other thing is, I was always the person who submitted things days ahead of the deadline. I like getting assignments out of the way (no cramming for me) because while they're there, my stress levels get all whack. So yeah, I do give myself unnecessary stress. Will I ever learn how to chill and just take on things in a calm and collected manner? Which reminds me. I'll be out tomorrow and the entire weekend. Remembering this has me palpitating like some would-be victim in a horror movie. Oh Lord, please give me grace.

WAHM Update

Things have been slow with writing assignments lately, so I took the opportunity to write another review for Reviewstream and I finally submitted an article over at Triond. I would update more, but Marguerite is close to throwing a tantrum, so I have to log off. Btw, I'm hurling an "are you kidding" at some of the rates offered by clients. It's all very discouraging sometimes. Thankfully, I haven't reached the stage yet where I would bite. Hopefully, I'd never get there.

Writing Gig Update

Hi. Scored another writing assignment. This is with a new client. The other client finally came through with the payment. I don't think he was trying to scam me or anything. He just got a little disorganized as I understand he was busy. Anyway, notwithstanding that, I'd still have second thoughts about taking on work from him (not that he offered - I guess his priorities shifted. He did say my articles as usual were excellent *tries to hide smug grin*). The stress of fretting doesn't suit my years (okay, I'm not that old, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't take care of my blood pressure, heart, etc. etc.). Anyway, as usual I'm learning a lot and all that. I'm halfway done. Marguerite is awake so besides being bothered by things I have to do, I'm also bothered by conscience. Motherly guilt is never far from me. Should get off the computer and focus on my daughter. Later.

Process It Already!

At odds with myself the past week, I decided to just get down and write a review for ReviewStream. I wrote about a hotel experience, something that was bordering on nightmarish (but of course, I strove to be objective about it - I didn't want it to turn into a rant, lest the review get rejected). Anyway, it said there that processing period took about 72 hours. I wrote it on the 13th so I expected to know if it had been accepted before the weekend. Excited about it though, I checked the status of my submission daily. At first, it informed me that processing would be done by the 15th, which was fair - I expected something like that. The 15th came and it got moved to the 16th. The 16th came and it got moved to the 17th. The 17th came and it got moved to the 18th... This is GMT, okay? So I checked just now to see if it has already been processed, and what a surprise! It said that the estimated processing date has been moved to the 19th. lol That's just bull! I wonder if it will ever be processed.
Update: It has already been processed. They're paying me $.50 for it. Apparently, that's the bulk rate. I somehow didn't qualify for the $2.50 rate. Anyways, you need $50 in your account to cash out, so, yeah, I'll be writing reviews all throughout the year - or not. We'll see.