Personal VS Personable Blogs…

Before I even started clara54. I’d been reading and visiting bloggers around the blogosphere. What I learned from every single blogger ,regardless of how they branded themselves/blogs… or, what product/ebook they were pushing, these people had personality ! ( ok, so, a few didn’t & we’re not talking about the exception here) Enjoying a blogger with personality while learning about the business of writing is what kept/keeps me coming back to that person’s site. I’ve written blogs before, one where I used my angst in political outtakes & another where I wrote mundane & minute meanderings/neither faired very well…

Starting clara54 was something I needed to do for myself. Here, I could write randomly about my children/quabbles with friends & family/job woes, and share insights about living life as a writer, a nurse & woman in transition who decides to follow her passion for writing full blast… I suppose some readers might say clara54 is being too personal…I beg to differ. I prefer to think of clara54 as representative of a personable writer’s work reflecting her personality on this journey into freelance writing:)

If I had to choose between reading books steeped in staidness, sameness, and repetitive rhetoric, or the ones with fresh ideas, different viewpoints & travels on a different path, I would by far choose the ones offering up a bit of ‘life’ . Wouldn’t you want the same for your blog? It is the differences in people that make up all flavors in life. I’m no expert in what makes or, breaks a blogger’s efforts. I do know that here at clara54, I’ve been keeping it ‘real’ personable & will continue to do so … seems to be working for me:) I’d love to hear your comments on what’s become a hot topic in some writing circles. Is your blog personal or personable?

The Interview…

Went quite well on Wednesday. I’d rushed home from my “day’ job barely setting foot in the door before the phone rang! It went well though, initially. UNTIL we got down to the business of “doing business”. Let me reiterate, it was a pleasant interview. The 2 questions of most concern:

1.PAY RATE

2. WORD/ARTICLE…

I’ll just say the pay rate wasn’t what I’d hoped for,or given that’s its 2010; Expected! Consider if hired I’d be commissioned to write 60 blog posts/month at 300 words ( a feat I could find doable if I stayed up past my bedtime & punched in late at my day job, perhaps) Anyhoo, the telephone interview went swell until, I sadly had to decline… What’s really going on? I mean, how little is too little when it comes to growing your freelance writing business? BTW, feel free to visit @ Freelance Writing Collaborative Blogging Project, hosted by Rebecca Laffer-Smith of writersround-about.com to read my first collaborative blogging effort-folks over there are so encouraging & positive! Thanks, Rebecca.

Great news on the progress of Reflectionsfromwomen-On life’s turning points. The book willl be available for purchase January 31st… YAY! I’ve read a few of the contributing excerpts & they are nothing short of amazing! For more info on how to get this great book by Terri S. Nelson, featuring yours truly, simply go to http://www.reflectionsfromwomen.com!

Thanks,
clara54.

90 Posts To “2009 in Review”

That’s such a staggering figure! Daniel Scocco invited all bloggers to participate in a Group Writing Project as they took a look back at what the year 2009 meant to them/their writings. The end results were published today on Daniel’s daily blog tips newsletter. So happy to report that my article “How Online Classes Helped Define Writing in 2009” made the cut! A big shoutout to all the bloggers/new & seasoned who responded to Daniel’s call. This exposure have resulted in retweets, blog links & bloggers networking with other bloggers, not to mention some darn good reviews! I’m very pleased. AND

I have a dilemma of sorts: Folks are constantly inviting me to connect with them on facebook. I’ve also received invites to become a member of a local tv program that seeks to mentor teens & young people about their goals, life choices & such. The program “Shaping Young Minds” is a worthwhile & charitable endeavor indeed, but, I’m debating to join because I’m focused so much on building my freelance writing business as well as working my day job. I’m knowing that members have to be involved, present and counted for & committed to be there for the sake of the children…

Then, there’s The Wendy Williams Fan Club! Yep, got an invite to join her “how you doin” ness gossip circle where I’d become privy to all the hot goings on right off the Wendy Williams hotline- what to do? I’m knowing I ‘m not going to facebook. I’m just a twitter type-of girl folks:) Anyho, that’s a glimpse into clara54’s meandering…Just put up my Christmas tree…no presents yet. Oh, my veteran nurse column will make its debut the January 2010 issue of Working Nurse Magazine…

“Writing is a passion–Publishing is a business”

Ok, I recently borrowed this great quote from some astute writer from some place I’ve visited the last two years on this wonderful place of gathering for like minded,creative & collective genius in writings out there in the blogosphere. I thank you (whoever you are) because truer words have never been spoken. I promised a later post of good news & here at clara54 I’m a woman of her word …

On Monday I officially begin my online classes in marketingbudda’s Bootcamp for freelance writers ! I’m soo excited that I finally pushed my fears aside & signed up. I have complete confidence in the ability of Sonya Carmichael Jones as she brings another class into awareness in Marketing…That & the fact that she has an MBA in Marketing doesn’t hurt either…I soo need this class under my belt in order to get the work out there to editors, publishers & such.

I completed & submitted a poem to ShortyInDaHouse blog for Mothers Day…heard back today & my poem will be accepted for publication. I’m happy for the opportunity/have folks read a beautiful poem dedicated in memory of my beautiful/loving  moms…thanks shorty.

Some folks may have learned from following me on Twitter…I reconnected to one of my best friends from High School after 30 years! We’ve been chatting like it was yesterday with news about our loves, lives & disappointments…We didn’t meet again via Twitter, but Classmates.com:) Don’t suppose an old flame will find me & give a shout out?

Kelly, senior editor at Sparkplugging.com have offered me an opportunity to apply for an internship as a blogger where I get to learn the ends & outs of blogging as a business. We’re talking as in money making techniques here, folks…

The last & Best news of my tonight? Drum roll please…I’ve been contacted by Terri S. Nelson, the Editor of the book Reflections From Women, informing me that my submission passed their 2nd round of judging!!!!!!! folks are encouraged to view the official announcement at www.reflectionsfromwomen.com on sunday may, 3rd.2009

OOOH don’t it make my brown eyes blueeee… I’m feeling silly but, YAY for me:)

The Perks of Adding”blog writer” To Your Freelance Writer Profile

I’ve been debating this for a bit as I’ve read other writers views on the subject of blogging and what it adds to the freelance writing life…some folks say that blogging is a great way to garner traffic & increased readership as well as provide an insight into who your professional and personal world as your blog exposes your area of expertise, concerns, your insights, and your take on living/coping in everyday life.

It’s no secret that this is my third attempt at blogging…for whatever reasons, the blogs became a wash and I eventually lost interest in their upkeep. One particular conversation I had with a friend stayed with me as she was innocently questioning at the time about how many people had read my blogs…none, as I could recall because of lack of comment on the sites…My friend’s retort was simply, “what’s the use?”

clara54 has been my most successful blogging effort. After being up & running for a mere 3 months, it has received visits & comments from potential clients, other writers and just everyday folks to let me know they’re liking my blog… I hope to continue my relationship with people by way of clara54 for many seasons to come…blog writer looks good on my updated authors profile as well…

I’m encouraged as I visit my profile and see the numbers to the site that houses many of my articles increase, day by day…  a freelance writer, I’m knowing that I’d be writng for the remainder of my days whether or not anyone came to know of my work…blogging, however, sort of places it all in perspective…