tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386383219968817732011-11-27T16:50:58.517-08:00The Grapevine: For WritersDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-45377321604873444302010-06-13T21:00:00.000-07:002010-06-13T21:00:32.332-07:00Save Money & Energy By Making Home Energy Efficient Changes: http://saving-energy.suite101.com/article.cfm/save-money-and-energy
Food Shopping Using a Coupon Organizer: http://personalbudgeting.suite101.com/article.cfm/food-shopping-using-a-coupon-organizer
Rain Barrels Can Help Conserve Water: http://water-conservation.suite101.com/article.cfm/how-to-use-a-rain-barrel-to-conserve-water
Easy Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-17286791128440291892010-06-05T10:59:00.001-07:002010-06-05T10:59:23.276-07:00Keep Your Writing SamplesYesterday, a local newspaper editor asked me for several writing samples. My heart lifted, as it always does when I get another "chance" to be published. It's happened a lot before, but the happy feeling never changes.
Thankfully, my husband was kind enough to set me up with a scanner some time ago. With a few clicks of the mouse, the scanner starts buzzing, and my screen magically displays a .Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-31549362876621621842010-06-05T09:25:00.001-07:002010-06-05T09:25:28.611-07:00Finding an ExpertOnce you stumble upon a great story idea, you have to follow through. Sure, you'll want to write an outline, do your internet research, and read all background issues of that particular publication. But to really add meat to your story, you'll need experts.
Expert advice is priceless. An article without an expert may be functional, informative, and even fun. But experts add authenticity. They Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-8505137876633206462010-05-15T05:46:00.000-07:002010-05-15T05:46:59.299-07:00Epinions is Still Alive and WellImagine my surprise when I logged onto Epinions and discovered my earnings. I signed up way back in 2001, and frankly forgot about it until I saw it on someone else's blog recently. Back in the day, Epinions was having some issues and it seemed like it was shutting its doors. But I guess these struggles worked themselves out.
So when I logged onto Epinions yesterday, I discovered two things.One,Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-90162500984550206182010-05-11T08:32:00.000-07:002010-05-11T08:32:02.684-07:00What Are You Writing Online?The key to being a good writer is to write every day. The truth is that, now that I write every day, I have become addicted to it. I spend much of my day answering questions online (http://www.webanswers.com/) or writing for one of my article sites.
What do you write? I'd like to hear where you are publishing; for example, are you writing for Hub Pages, WebAnswers, etc.? (Please just list the Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-75619073370240248342010-04-19T14:33:00.000-07:002010-04-22T10:40:57.270-07:00Writing for Hub PagesSince the big change, many eHow writers are looking for a new venue. After all, the biggest benefits of eHow were the (a) great community, (b) friendly web design, and (c) the residual income. Many of them have joined Demand Studios, many have joined Suite 101, and many have joined Hub Pages--everyone is trying to find out how to make money. Of course, many have joined all of them!
I've limited Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-46426402437562016032010-04-16T15:45:00.000-07:002010-04-16T15:50:21.505-07:00My Recent Online ArticlesYes, I've been pretty busy writing articles for different online venues. I did some work for Demand Studios, which by the way is paying quite steadily. I've also written several articles for other online writing sites, and I am very interested to see if I'll be able to make a decent amount of money. It's nice to see that Google AdSense amount increasing daily!
Here are some of my most recent Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-4390737054935425252010-04-15T22:12:00.000-07:002010-04-15T22:13:17.497-07:00Backlinks - Yes, you do care about them!So what the heck is a backlink, and why do you care about them anyway? Because you want to earn money online.
A backlink is created when another site links to your site. This page, which links back to your blog or article, tells search engines that you must be important. After all, why else would someone link to your page anyway? You must be a very talented writer, or have great advice on how toDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-35191393967001905362010-04-10T07:58:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:15:39.416-07:00Promoting Your Articles - An OverviewIf you have been writing online, you have invested considerable time in your blog, web page, or online articles. In most cases, your income depends upon your page views (how many people visit your page). So if you really want to increase your income, you need to work on promoting your website. After all, big companies spend millions of dollars each year on advertising; it must be a good Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-76842829657913208122010-04-07T08:40:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:11:13.571-07:00I'm Making Money on Web AnswersWho knew? You can get paid to answer questions online.
About two weeks ago, I visited Web Answers on a whim. My brain had started churning, and I realized that writers and visitors are flocking to sites like Ask.com, Yahoo! Answers and AllExperts.com. I figured that someone must be paying big bucks so writers can earn money while answering questions.
The answer was surprising. Most of the sitesDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-74647246315756449402010-04-06T07:25:00.001-07:002010-04-10T09:16:24.897-07:00eHow's New StructureYesterday was an interesting day for eHow's writers. Their lucrative writing venue literally transformed overnight. We awoke to find a new message in a bright box in the middle of our screen. It shouted that all eHow articles would now be written through Demand Studios. (Demand Studios and eHow are owned by the same company.)
As a new eHow writer, I personally am not affected by the change. I Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-3596547805910734542010-04-05T21:29:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:17:26.452-07:00eHow has changed its rulesOh my! It's been an interesting day for writers of eHow, who have been used to the revenue sharing program that has been in place for several years. Luckily, eHow's changes have not affected my writing, as I have only submitted several pieces. However, I do suggest waiting for the fall-out to finish before signing up.
In the meantime, I have written one more title for Suite 101. It's been slow Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-43358108986116121952010-04-02T10:37:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:10:02.899-07:00Publishing OnlineWhile I still prefer to write with pen and paper, I have found that there is a large online writing market. I've been experimenting with Demand Studios over the past few months, and I must say that it has been rather successful.
Demand Studios pays fairly well, and the work in interesting. The pay rates vary per article; when I began the pay rates were $3 for a short answer, $7.50 for a fact Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-62052086431877963742010-04-01T09:52:00.000-07:002010-04-01T09:54:47.566-07:00Writing Old SchoolI've found that I'm an "old school" writer. (Mind you, I am not old though!) I've found that a pen and a pad of paper do wonders for my imagination. When I'm sitting in front of the computer, the temptation is too great. Within moments, I find myself playing Mob Wars or Mafia Wars on Facebook. It's not the pad and paper that bring my ideas to life---it's the temptation that doesn't exist.Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-9036171083458058072010-01-22T04:16:00.000-08:002010-01-22T04:31:23.202-08:00Writing Market Slow Down?Traditionally, a freelance writer's revenue depended primarily on print publications, such as magazines and trade journals. Over the past year, I have noticed that some of these magazines are shutting their doors, shrinking the opportunity to write for print publications. What's a writer to do?I'm currently testing the online writer's marketplace at two new sites, Suite 101 and Demand Studios. Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-30167724369655383952008-01-21T15:13:00.001-08:002008-01-21T15:21:38.814-08:00Eh... Maybe Not...Some time ago, I joined up with both Associated Content and Constant Content in the hopes that it might just be the right thing for a freelancer. Almost immediately, another author contacted me with her concerns. She felt that these two sources were very profitable, and thus, not a good resource for the freelancer.Keeping her advice in mind, I continued on my journey with both sites. The Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-77825725774451364552007-09-06T11:34:00.000-07:002007-09-06T11:44:11.967-07:00Asking for ExpertsOnce you stumble upon a great story idea, you have to follow through. Sure, you'll want to write an outline, do your internet research, and read all background issues of that particular publication. But to really add meat to your story, you'll need experts.Expert advice is priceless. An article without an expert may be functional, informative, and even fun. But experts add authenticity. TheyDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-87268268561097937202007-08-13T19:48:00.000-07:002007-08-13T19:55:02.068-07:00Writing for ExperienceRecently, I enthusiastically accepted a low-paying assignment. Why? Because this assignment offered something beyond a financial benefit: It offered the opportunity to improve my skills.This new market was way outside my comfort zone. Normally, I'd never even think about trying something this new. But I was feeling ambitious---and a little courageous. So I took a deep breath and dived rightDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-26942366216034114232007-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:002007-08-08T11:20:49.543-07:00Snail Mail or E-mail?When sending queries, many writers are perplexed by the snail mail/email debate. Snail mail is old-fashioned and expensive, and email is quick and snazzy. So, do you stick with the days-of-old, or do you cruise down the submission superhighway.I'll 'fess up. I've tried both methods, and found a considerable difference in their response. My vote: go for SNAIL MAIL.Sure, email's fast. But Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-4185736519718544192007-08-06T14:40:00.001-07:002007-08-06T15:09:04.531-07:00Dealing with RejectionWriters have to have a tough skin. Rejection happens all the time, and you just have to brush it off.It's not easy, though. Opening the mailbox to see your own SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) will make your heart skip a beat. Your hand will quiver as you tear open the envelope. You think, Maybe this is the one! And maybe it is. But more often than not, it's another rejection.So how doDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-76785090800308441672007-08-02T05:13:00.001-07:002007-08-02T05:27:03.952-07:00Writing Magazine ArticlesIn the wake of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, writing seems so trivial. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and the families caught in this tragedy.-----Writing Magazine ArticlesWhen dreaming about writing magazine articles, most of us have visions of a byline in Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, or Reader's Digest. But the truth is that these magazines are already inundated. Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-9832112896945545332007-07-23T05:25:00.000-07:002007-07-23T05:38:53.977-07:00Update on Constant Content and Associated ContentOver the past few days, I've received a few comments and suggestions regarding Constant Content and Associated Content. I've also learned a little about free article writing as well.First, I wanted to share that I did receive a comment against these sites, and I'd like to share it with you. Another popular blogger contacted me and indicated that they recommend writers to avoid these sites. I Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-9942718595740218932007-07-20T14:23:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:10:34.642-07:00Keeping Your Writing SamplesYesterday, a local newspaper editor asked me for several writing samples. My heart lifted, as it always does when I get another "chance" to be published. It's happened a lot before, but the happy feeling never changes.
Thankfully, my husband was kind enough to set me up with a scanner some time ago. With a few clicks of the mouse, the scanner starts buzzing, and my screen magically displays a .Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-33885537532706963102007-07-18T21:00:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:13:55.027-07:00Advice for beginning freelance writersThe age-old advice is true: write what you know. When you speak about familiar topics, an air of expertise shines through. So examine your life, and focus on your interests. Your topics will find you.
It goes without saying (and yet I'll say it anyway), that you need to pick your genre first. Now my genre focuses on non-fiction articles. In particular, I am fond of the how-to article. I find Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-36529203488870285652007-07-18T07:10:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:11:57.550-07:00Constant Content and Associated ContentThere's been a lot of chatter about Constant Content and Associated Content. Are they legitimate companies? Are they worth the effort? Will I get paid?
Eager to learn more, I jumped into the arena and joined each one. What the heck, I figured. I have all these articles just sitting around my computer. Who knows if they're worth anything or not. But I haven't used them in a few years anyway.
So Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-15813479051799134572007-07-15T21:02:00.001-07:002010-04-10T09:09:31.066-07:00Meet the puppiesJust a quick photo to share...
Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-40719564804792017652007-07-15T20:37:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:13:00.451-07:00Making Money Writing FillersWhen I opened my mailbox the other day, I was delighted to see a $100 check from Reader's Digest. They had accepted one of my submissions, and my quote appeared in July's "Quotable Quotes."
Fillers are short written pieces, such as reader tips, poetry, or small anecdotes. They offer a quick and easy way to earn a small check. I've been doing it for 15 years; it's easy to jot an email to a Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-89797955698433914572007-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:14:15.589-07:00Creating the websiteCreating this blog has renewed my energy, and I can feel the ideas flowing freely. At first, I simply typed the first entry into this blog. Then I decided to move onto my site and add as much information as I could provide.
The new site is coming along nicely. I has quite a bit of information, and I'm constantly adding new articles. While I hope to add some of my own soon, I've included articlesDonna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38638321996881773.post-69743000027749897302007-07-14T12:57:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:13:25.557-07:00Working on writingSomeone once said that if "you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life." This is my career goal: To love my work, and enjoy every moment of it. And so far, I've been true to this goal.
My freelance career has lasted over the last 20-odd years, and friends are always asking me about my job. While I am very proud of my writing and painting work, I play it very low key. In fact, one of Donna Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706386967403992767noreply@blogger.com0