Wednesday

Today I finished the piece for LEG and started gathering together the research I'd done for the one for Pacific Coast Journal and thinking about it. That's pretty much it!

Earnings: $75

Tuesday

Not a big day, but I did some work. I looked for more story ideas for thehorse.com and wrote the one they accepted yesterday. I started on a piece for LEG. Applied for a bunch of jobs on oDesk and Elance.

Earnings: $75

Monday

Today, I wrote my review for The Cassandra Cookbook by Shawn James for Apex Reviews. I also pitched some ideas to thehorse.com, they picked one and I started the research. I finished MM&M, which I already counted the income for, and sent it off. Oh, and last night I sent another query. Not a big money day, but I crossed a couple things off my list, which always makes me happy!

Earnings: $20
Payments: $364

How am I doing?

This was my worst week yet, so I really need to take up the slack next week!

Week of 10/19-10/25 Earnings: $530 Payments: $815

Wednesday through Sunday

Ouch, I have not been getting much done! I'm trying to get through my second pass at MM&M and did a little research. I taught two dance classes and DJed a dance. Oh, and worked on the e-book. Not a lucrative week. I resolve to do better, starting tomorrow! My horseysitting stint is done, which should help my productivity.

Earnings: $200
Payments: $750

Quick Tuesday Update

I made my goal today! I wrote a piece for thehorse.com and taught three dance classes. Working a bit on MM&M for SKB and then to bed.

Earnings: $150
Payments: $85

Sunday and Monday

This week, I'm helping out at the barn where I keep my horses while my friends, the owners/trainers/marketers, are out of town. This cuts into my work time, but it's necessary because they do a lot for me and I need to return the favor. They give me a break on my board and give me lessons on how to train my horses in exchange for turning horses out. Not hard work, but it does take time out of my day! Yesterday, I finished a piece for Horseman's News and started the research for a piece for thehorse.com. Today I finished the latter and worked on the ebook. I'm still working through MM&M for SKB. Oh, I also have The Cassandra Cookbook to review for Apex Reviews.

Earnings: $180

Assignment update:
4 for Horseman's News (10/17): 2 done, research started on 1
2 for LEG (October): 1 done, 1 need info
1 for thehorse.com (Monday): done, but need to do an update tomorrow.
1 for RS: 15 pages done
Copy edit Magic, Mensa and Mayhem for Swimming Kangaroo: working on second pass
Read and review The Cassandra Cookbook: about halfway through.
more queries! 9 this month

How am I doing?

October 12-18 Earnings: $660 Payments: $100

Thursday through Saturday Update

Oy, I need to be better about updating this! What have I been working on? Finding and writing news stories for thehorse.com, researching and writing the piece for Horsemen's News, doing the second pass for Magic, Mensa, and Mayhem for Swimming Kangaroo Books (Hi, Dindy and Karina!). Got some new assignments for HN. Bid on jobs on oDesk and Elance. Finished the one for LEG.

Earnings: $195 (sigh...not much)

Assignment update:
4 for Horseman's News (10/17): 1 done, started on 1
2 for LEG (October): 1 done, 1 need info
1 for thehorse.com (Monday): not started.
1 for RS: 12 pages done
Copy edit book for Swimming Kangaroo: working on second pass
more queries! 9 this month

Wednesday

Quick update and then I'm going to bed! I spent a good part of today sniffing out stories for thehorse.com and managed to get one brief updated accepted. Sent two tonight and will see if they want them in the morning. Wrote 8 pages of RS's ebook. Sent a couple of queries and looked at submission guidelines for a couple other places, and Horsemen's News gave me some new assignments.

Earnings: $230 (updated Thursday morning--both pieces were accepted)
Payments: $100

Tuesday, 10/14

Today was pretty exciting, because thehorse.com is letting me do some coverage of the fires in SoCal. Not that I'm excited about fires, of course--my heart goes out to everyone affected! I spent a good part of the day trying to track down news and stories. I finally got a piece together for them tonight, plus finished one that I'd started for Pacific Coast Journal.

Earnings: $150

Assignment update:
2 for Horseman's News (10/17): 1 done, research started on 1
2 for LEG (October): 1 mostly done, 1 need info
1 for thehorse.com (Monday): looks like the original one is scrapped, may have some ongoing during the fires.
1 for RS: 1 page done
Copy edit book for Swimming Kangaroo: first pass done, need to do one more
more queries! 8 this month

Sunday and Monday

*sigh* I am still having a hard time getting back in the groove of working, and I've been home for two weeks! What's wrong with me? I'm getting distracted by Facebook! The last two days, I've been working on putting together a story for thehorse.com, which may get scrapped, but then they assigned me another one and I did that today. I worked on the LEG piece but I still don't have the info I need to finish it, and I did most of the research for the piece for Pacific Coast Journal and wrote about 2/3 of it. I wrote a page of the ebook for RS. Applied for a bunch of jobs and sent out a couple of article pitches.

Earnings: $85

How am I doing?

Here are my totals for October, through tonight.

Earnings: $638.25
Payments: $961

Friday and Saturday

OK, I didn't accomplish a whole lot, but I did work a bit on the LEG piece and started the research for two Horsemen's News pieces and one thehorse.com piece. I taught dance classes yesterday and today. I took two articles that failed on Demand Studios because they had some language similar to other articles I'd written and fixed that problem, posting one on Suite 101 and the other on Associated Content. I also sent some article ideas to thehorse.com and Horsemen's News.

Earnings: $155
Payments: $155

Not enough for two days!! The first part of this month is going very, very slowly work-wise.

Assignment update:
All for Demand Studios: done
2 for Horseman's News (10/14): research started
2 for LEG (October): 1 mostly done, 1 need info
1 for thehorse.com (Monday): research barely started
1 for RS: not started
Copy edit book for Swimming Kangaroo: first pass done, need to do one more
more queries! 8 this month

September Earnings

I figured out how much I made during September. I didn't meet my goal, but I knew I wouldn't because I went to Arabian Sporthorse Nationals, but I did OK anyway. I lost track of payments but earnings for the month was $2,845. There may have been another small item or two I lost track of, but that's my best guess!

Still trying to catch up

Here is is a week later, and I still haven't started blogging again yet. Part of what's holding me back is trying to figure out how to catch up and account for everything I've been doing. If I wait to get that all straightened out, I may never get going, so I'll start with where I am right now. Today I taught two dance classes and wrote most of one assignment for LEG, but I need to do some interviews tomorrow before I can finish that. I also pitched another story to thehorse.com, so I need to get on that tomorrow. I have some other assignments, so I'll update my list below. I'm going to lay off Demand Studios for a while, and hopefully I can just drop them. I used to be able to carry some of the repetitive material from one to the next to make it worth my while, but I can't do that anymore so it's becoming less profitable. The assignment for RS is a 100-page ebook, so that will take quite a bit of time.

Earnings: $100

Assignment update:
All for Demand Studios: done
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): done
2 for Horseman's News (10/14): not started
2 for LEG (September): done
2 for LEG (October): 1 mostly done, 1 need info
1 for thehorse.com (Monday): not started
1 for RS: not started
Gold Medal article (9/30): done
more queries! 4 this month

Where on God's Green Earth have I been??

I'm so sorry I haven't been keeping up on this blog. I was gone to BFE...I mean, Nampa, Idaho, for 10 days for Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. The week before that, I was cramming trying to get all my assignments done. Since then, I've been cramming trying to catch up, or falling asleep. I have been making some money. I'll try to do a real update soon!

I had something cool happen at the show, so I'll post it on Jennifer Gets Bloggy.

How am I doing?

Despite the fact that I basically blew off three days this week, it was really a pretty good week because I was so productive the other days! This is more than my take-home pay at my old job. I just need it to be MORE!

Week of 9/7 – 9/13
Earnings: $825
Payments: $698.24

Saturday

*sigh* another nearly wasted day. OK, it wasn't wasted, because I spent a good part of it getting to know my new horse and I went to see Get Smart with my husband. However, I didn't get much work done. I did one for Demand Studios and wrote most of the piece for Horseman's News but didn't finish yet.

Today's Earnings: $15

Assignment update:
1 for CH (tomorrow): not started. oops...forgot!!!
2 for Demand Studios (9/15): done
3 for Demand Studios (9/16): not started
1 for Demand Studios (9/17): not started
4 for Demand Studios (9/18): not started
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 4 done, started on 1, might scrap 1
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries! 2 this month

Another one of those days

Today I just didn't get much accomplished. Made some phone calls and started on an article for Horseman's News but didn't get very far. Wrote one for Demand Studios and got about halfway through another. It's a good thing this week started out so good! My total isn't bad for the week though, so I'll try to get a lot done tomorrow and finish strong. In one week from today, I leave town for 10 days and won't be able to work much while I'm gone!

Today's Earnings: $15
Payments: $183


Assignment update:
1 for CH (tomorrow): not started
2 for Demand Studios (9/15): 1 done
3 for Demand Studios (9/16): not started
1 for Demand Studios (9/17): not started
4 for Demand Studios (9/18): not started
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 4 done, started on 1, might scrap 1
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
4 for Hills & Lagoons: done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries! 2 this month

Thursday update

Today I did not spend as much time working as I could have, but I did pretty well anyway. I wrote a piece for Horseman's News, one for Demand Studios and finished the copy edit. I'm tired...I'm going to bed!

Today's Earnings: $190
Payments: $180


Assignment update:
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): done
2 for Demand Studios (9/15): not started
3 for Demand Studios (9/16): not started
1 for Demand Studios (9/17): not started
4 for Demand Studios (9/18): not started
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 4 done, research started on 1, might scrap 1
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
4 for Hills & Lagoons: 3 done, need to add a little to the fourth
1 for Style (9/10): done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries! 2 this month

One of those days

Today wasn't a bad day, per se, but it wasn't overly productive. I wrapped up some things I needed to wrap up on some articles and finished my research for one of the Horseman's News pieces and started writing it. Made some phone calls, signed up for facebook...that's pretty much it. I didn't make any money, I didn't receive any money, and I didn't cross anything off my list. It's a good thing the first part of this week went so well! I'll go work on the copy edit now.

Having a great week!

I am very pleased with how this week is going! Today I wrote an article for Sierra Style, another for Hills & Lagoons, and three for Demand Studios. I also did one copy/ paste/edit page for Beth.

Today's Earnings: $155
Payments: $75.24


Assignment update:
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): 3 done
2 for Demand Studios (9/15): not started
3 for Demand Studios (9/16): not started
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): done
4 for Hills & Lagoons: 3 done, need to add a little to the fourth
1 for Style (9/10): basically done, need to add a little
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries! sent a letter of intro and resume to online horse magazine

Monday

Yawn...finally wrapping it up for the day. Today I conducted the last interview I needed for Hills & Lagoons and wrote the profile, conducted a couple of other interviews and wrote the piece I owe The Saddle Horse Report--I just need to add a couple of quotes. I also taught a dance lesson.

Today's Earnings: $140
Payments: $260


Assignment update:
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): not started
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): basically done
3 for Hills & Lagoons: done
1 for Style (9/10): research started
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries!

Month two, week two

Despite the fact that I had a migraine today, I had a great day. I wrote my article for Western Shooting Horse (huh, didn't have that on the list), pulled together a directory I was hired to do for GG and forgot to put on my list (another, sheesh), and did the one I owed Sandi (at last).

Today's Earnings: $310


Assignment update:
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 4 done, Greg's doing the other
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): not started
2 for Sandi: done
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): conducted interview
3 for Hills & Lagoons: 2 done, left one message
1 for WSH: done
1 for GG: done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries!

How am I doing?

Well, I didn't have the most productive week, but I didn't have the worst, either. This was a six day week, and I had that day I was sick and didn't get anything done.

Week of 9/1-9/6:

Earnings: $645
Payments: $801.76

Saturday

Well, the only income-earning thing I did today was DJ at The Ballroom. I have some big stuff due in the next week, so next week should be a good one.

Today's Earnings: $100
Payments: $350


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): done
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 4 done, Greg's doing the other
2 for Demand Studios (9/10): done
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (got the go-ahead to do the other)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): conducted interview
3 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done, 1 half done, left one message
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews done
more queries!

Friday update

Today was a pretty good day. I worked pretty slow, because my wrists were bothering me this morning, but I still finished the final 4 articles for CH, 2 for Demand Studios and proofed four pages of material for Hills & Lagoons. Oh, and worked on the copy edit, which I forgot to mention yesterday, and a couple of other loose ends. I also got an offer on an Associated Content article I wrote a week and a half ago. I didn't count it then since I didn't know how much I would get, if any, so I'll count it now. All told, it was actually a very good day!

Today's Earnings: $160
Payments: $361.76


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): 1 done, Greg's doing the other
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 4 done, Greg's doing the other
2 for Demand Studios (9/9): done
2 for Demand Studios (9/10): not started
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (got the go-ahead to do the other)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): 6 done.
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): conducted interview
3 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done, 1 half done, left one message
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries!

I very nearly made my goal today. However, I had a bunch of small articles I needed to do, so that meant writing a lot of them, which means a lot of typing and mousing. If I do just one more, I would make it but my wrists are already killing me and I don't want to overdo it. However, I feel good that I had such a productive day, writing five articles for CH and four for Demand Studios. I also made a bunch of phone calls but had to leave messages for most.

Today's Earnings: $135
Payments: $90


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): 1 done, Greg's doing the other
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 4 done, Greg's doing the other
2 for Demand Studios (9/9): done
2 for Demand Studios (9/10): not started
4 for Demand Studios (9/11): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (got the go-ahead to do the other)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): 6 done.
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): conducted interview
3 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done, 1 half done, left one message
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries!

Sssslllllooooowwwwww Day

Today was one of those days I just couldn't make myself focus to write. I did force myself to do some research, make some phone calls, and work on the copy edit. The only thing I completed was one for Demand Studios. Greg got a new assignment he's going to bring me in on, so that's good. It was really cool, because it's a new magazine and they were referred to him by the other one he writes for. Way to go, Sweetie!

Today's Earnings: $15 (woo)


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): 1 done
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 2 done
2 for Demand Studios (9/9): not started
2 for Demand Studios (9/10): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (got the go-ahead to do the other)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): 1 done. Greg may help.
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): left message for interview
3 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done, 1 half done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries!

Tuesday

Today I don't really have an excuse for not making my goal. I did spend some time on research, but I spent too much time on a Demand Studios article. I picked it from their list thinking it wouldn't be hard, but it was hard enough that it took me practically all day, which is pretty silly. I don't even know if I can use that research to write more articles on the subject, because how many articles does the world need on shrimp reproduction? You laugh, but it's true. *sigh*. I finished my articles for RS and wrote one more for Demand besides the shrimp one and did 10 pages in the book I'm editing. I got one new assignment and a request for an interview on another. I also picked up a dancing gig starting in October that will be six weeks long, perhaps longer if they are happy with me, so that's pretty cool!

Today's Earnings: $110


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): 1 done
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): 1 done
2 for Demand Studios (9/9): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other, but the first was well received)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
10 for RS (9/3): done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): 1 done. Greg may help.
1 for Saddle Horse Report (9/9): left message for interview
2 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries!

Month #2

Well, today was Labor Day AND I was sick, so I would have liked to have taken the day off...but there is no holiday or sick pay when you work for yourself! However, I did take it very easy and rested a lot. I ended up doing two articles for RS and one for CH, 11 pages of the SK book I'm copy editing, edited a piece for Hills & Lagoons and did some research.

Today's Earnings: $125


Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): not started
5 for Demand Studios (9/8): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
10 for RS (9/3): 8 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): 1 done. Greg may help.
2 for Hills & Lagoons: 1 done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries!

End of the first month

Well, 'tis the end of the first month as a freelancer. It was a good one, but I need to do better! I picked up a bit this past week, so I hope this continues. Today I wrote two articles for RS and one for Pacific Coast Journal. I also did a little bit of research for another.

Today's Earnings: $155
This Month's Earnings: $3,012
Payments Received: $2,629
Articles written: 78
Queries sent: 5

Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/6): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): done
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 3 done, research started on 2
10 for RS (9/3): 6 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): not started. Greg may help.
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries! five sent this month

How am I doing?

This week was a good week (particularly for payments!), the best I've had so far; although, I still did not meet my goal.

Week of Aug 24-30:

Earnings: $845
Payments: $1280

Total for the month so far:

Earnings: $2,857
Payments: $2,629

I have one more day in the month. I should be able to make enough tomorrow to bring me over $3k, which will replace the take-home pay from my last job. I just need to make more than that for little things like health insurance, taxes, etc etc etc....

Very good day!

I was very productive today! I wrote two articles for RS, one for Pacific Coast Journal, and three for Demand Studios. I also obtained a new assignment from CH. I even had time to sleep in and visit my horse and take a nice long bath...and I'm going to get off the computer in a minute and read a bit and get to bed before midnight!

Earnings: $200

Assignment update:
2 for Demand Studios (9/4): done
1 for Demand Studios (9/5): done
1 for Demand Studios (9/6): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 4 done, Greg did 2 and started the other
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 2 done, research started on 2
10 for RS (9/3): 4 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
10 for CH (9/6): not started. Greg may help.
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries! five sent this month

Good day

Well, I took the morning off to see The Dark Night. It was scary. Because of that, I skipped my visit to my horse and worked. I spent a lot of time on pulling together results for my horse show articles and made a couple of phone calls for those, and I should be able to write them fairly quickly this weekend. I started a new assignment for RS and started the research and wrote two articles for him and two for Demand Studios.

Earnings: $110

Payments: $760

Assignment update:
4 for Demand Studios (9/3): done
2 for Demand Studios (9/4): not started
1 for Demand Studios (9/5): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 4 done, Greg did 2 and plans to do the other
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): 1 done, research started on 2
5 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): done
10 for RS (9/3): 2 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries! five sent this month

What day is it?? Oh yeah...Thursday

Boy, the days really run together when you work for yourself! Today I took half the day off, even though I shouldn't have, to go letterboxing with my darling husband and puppy and had lunch, and tonight I went to my darling daughter's back to school night. Despite that, I wrote one article for Pacific Coast Journal, did a little research on a couple others, wrote the last restaurant review I owe Hills & Lagoons, and wrote two for Demand Studios. Forgot to mention I pitched an idea to H&L and sent a query to a magazine yesterday...and I pitched an idea to HN today.

Earnings: $105

Payments: $20

Assignment update:
2 press releases for PB (soon): done. may have more to do but removing it for now.
4 for Demand Studios (9/3): 2 done
2 for Demand Studios (9/4): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 4 done, Greg did 2 and plans to do the other
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): research started on 2
5 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): 4 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started, received 3 back
more queries! five sent this month

Wednesday 8/27

Today was a good day. I could have made more money, but I did some research for one article and wrote most of my last restaurant profile and will finish it tomorrow (hopefully) when they return my email (I hope). I finished an article for 1 Magazine, wrote a restaurant profile for Hills & Lagoons and wrote three for Demand Studios.

I received 5 more assignments for Horseman's News, 1 for Western Shooting Horse, and it looks like RS wants me to do 10 more for them but I can't start until Friday. Woot!

I received my business cards today, designed and donated by Beth Sandland of The Sandland Group. Thank you, Beth! They are beautiful!

Earnings: $120

Payments: $500

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
1 for Demand Studios (8/30): done
2 for Demand Studios (9/2): done
4 for Demand Studios (9/3): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 4 done, Greg did 2 and plans to do the other
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
6 for Horseman's News (9/14): research started on 2
5 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): 4 done
1 for LEG (9/5): need info
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started
more queries! four sent this month

Tuesday, 8/26

I had a fairly productive day today, although I didn't earn a lot of money. I finished the book I was copy editing at last, wrote two articles for Demand Studios, my first for Suite 101 and one for Associated Content. I also sent two queries and did some research for articles I need to do this week. Good news! Saddle Horse Report loved the article I did for them and want to hire me! It's not a high paying gig, but it's high enough and steady work.LEG also loved the last piece I did for them, which makes me feel good, and they assigned me another, which also makes me feel good!

Earnings: $130

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
2 for Demand Studios (8/26): done
1 for Demand Studios (8/30): not started
2 for Demand Studios (9/2): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 3 done, research started on 3 others
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
4 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): 3 done
1 for LEG (9/5): not started
Copy edit book for SK: done
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started
more queries! four sent this month

Monday update

Today I spent quite a bit of time sending out interview questions for my USDF Gold Medal article, because one of the big Arabian magazines agreed to take it!!! I'm very excited! This could open a whole new door for me. I also spent a lot of time copy editing the book and only have 46 pages or so left. I will be SO GLAD when that is over. I wrote one restaurant profile for Hills & Lagoons and edited a letter for them, and I wrote one article for Demand Studios that's due tomorrow.

Earnings: $75

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
13 for Demand Studios: 10 done (I don't know how I was counting this before, but it was wrong. I only have three left.)
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 3 done, research started on 3 others
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
4 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): 3 done
Copy edit book for SK: 46 pages left
Gold Medal article (9/30): interviews started
more queries! two sent this month

Last week of my first month

Between now and next Sunday, I need to make $1000. I got a start on it today! I wrote one restaurant profile for Hills & Lagoons, one article for 1 Magazine, two for Demand Studios and rewrote two they asked me to make changes on. I also worked on the book I'm copy editing and will work on it some more before I go to bed tonight. I need to wrap that up this week.

Earnings: $105

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
13 for Demand Studios: 6 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 3 done
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
3 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): 1 done
Copy edit book for SK: about half done
Gold Medal article (whenever): may have a bite from one of the mags. Asked me to call on Monday.
more queries! two sent this month

How am I doing?

Another slow week...I REALLY need to step it up next week! This week's stats:

Earnings: $490
Payments: $195

I've earned just over $2000 for the month so far and I have one more week. If I do $1000 next week, I'll catch up to the after-tax salary at my day job. I can do it, right? YES!!!

End of third week

Well, it has been three weeks and I still love my job. I still need to do more of it, but I'll get there. Today I wrote one article for 1 Magazine, one for Demand Studios, and started a new assignment for Hills & Lagoons. Now I'm working on the book I'm copy editing.

Earnings: $60

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
13 for Demand Studios: 4 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 2 done
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
3 for Hills & Lagoons (really soon): started
Gold Medal article (whenever): may have a bite from one of the mags. Asked me to call on Monday.
more queries! two sent this month

I need to make better use of my time

I spend a lot of time just floating around, not getting to work. I need to get better about that! Today I wrote one article for 1 Magazine, 3 for Demand Studios, and DJ'd at a ballroom dance. Didn't quite make my goal but it wasn't bad.

Earnings: $115 (guessing what I'll get for dj'ing; I won't find out for a couple weeks)
Payments: $105

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
13 for Demand Studios: 3 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): 1 done
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): may have a bite from one of the mags. Asked me to call on Monday.
more queries! two sent this month

A couple slow days...

Sorry, loyal readers, I didn't post last night because I felt like I hadn't accomplished anything, although I did do some research, finished my Apex Reviews book and wrote my short story for the Accentuate Writers Short Story Contest...it's basically a big forum joke so it won't win, but it greatly amused forum members, at least! Michy said she'll feature it on her blog, so that will be nice. Today I went to the State Fair and rode my horse, so I didn't get much done today, either. I wrote my Apex review and did one for Demand Studios.

Earnings (last 2 days): $35

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
11 for Demand Studios (2 8/21, 2 8/22, 5 8/25 2 8/26): 1 8/21 done, had to reclaim the other
2 for Sandi: 1 done (have to wait on her to do the other)
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): done
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): research started (greg will do a couple)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started (need the topics)
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): done
more queries! two sent this month

Yay! A great day!

Although I slept in and wandered through my day, it was very productive! I spent some time on revisions for BCHA, wrote a press release for LEG (I need one more quote but most of it is written so I'm claiming it today) and one for Demand Studios. Then, I got a call at about 4:30 asking if I could teach three classes at The Ballroom, which of course I jumped on.

Earnings: $180
Payments: $90

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
11 for Demand Studios (2 8/20, 2 8/21, 2 8/22, 5 8/25 2 8/26): 2 8/20 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
10 for RS (8/19): done
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): not started (greg will do a couple)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started
1 for Horseman's News (9/14): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

It's Monday

That's the only excuse i have for the fact that today was not as productive as it should have been. *tsk* I just couldn't get going! Oh well, there are still five more days. I wrote three for RS and one for Demand Studios.

Earnings: $135

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
11 for Demand Studios (2 8/20, 2 8/21, 2 8/22, 5 8/25): 1 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
10 for RS (8/19): 6 done
7 for 1 Magazine (9/14): not started (greg will do a couple)
2 for Back Country Horsemen (9/15): not started
1 for Horseman's News (10/14): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

How am I doing?

Earnings for the week of August 10th. Basically a half week, with all the time I took off for the show and not doing anything last Sunday. I need to work hard the next two weeks to make up for it!

Earnings:$560
Payments: $479.44

Back to work

I did not do much of anything during the show. I was just too tired by the time I got home each night to create anything! Today I wrote one article for RS. That's it! Tomorrow I need to hit it really hard.

Earnings: $40

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
4 for Demand Studios (2 8/20, 20 821): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
10 for RS (8/19): 3 done
1 for Horseman's News (10/14): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Part time the next few days

I'll be working part time the next few days because I'll be helping out at a horse show. I did spend some time working today, but only made about half my goal...I'll be luck to do as well the next couple of days. It'll be a light week money-wise, so I'll have to kick it up a notch next week! Today I wrote two articles for RS, a new client, and sold another letterrep letter.

Earnings: $90
Payments: $44.44

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
4 for Demand Studios (2 8/20, 20 821): not started
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
10 for RS (8/19): 2 done
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Another good day!

Another day of meeting my goal...this is good, because I'll be at a horse show for several days and won't get as much work done! I wrote an article for Horseman's News, taught a dance lesson, wrote two for Demand Studios, worked on the copy edit and sold two of my letterrep letters. That's a great residual income--I think I'm going to post more letters there.

Earnings: $160
Payments: $35

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
6 for Demand Studios (8/19): done
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): done
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

A good day!

I made my goal today! (today being Tuesday--it's about 12:20AM.) I finished an article for Horseman's News and worked on the interviews for another, wrote five for Demand Studios and one for Sandi. I invested $9.99 in Elance to buy more connections and applied for a few more jobs--will do more tomorrow. I think that's all I have to report.

Earnings: $160

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent, #3 started (waiting for her)
6 for Demand Studios (8/19): 4 done
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 1, 3 done
2 for Sandi: 1 done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews, sent two queries
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

I'm tired.

I'm really tired. For some reason tonight, I'm just exhausted...I thought I'd get more work done after I got home from seeing my horse, but I feel completely drained of energy, so I didn't instead. I wrote one article for Horseman's News and one for Demand Studios. Yesterday I just wrote one for DS. I'll need to do a lot more tomorrow!

Earnings for Sunday and Monday: $105
Payments: $150

Assignment update:
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent (waiting for her)
7 for Demand Studios (8/11): done
2 for Demand Studios (8/15): 1 done
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 1, 2 done, 1 nearly done
2 for Sandi: not started
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

How am I doing?

OK, my first official weekly tally for my first official week as a freelancer. Are you ready? Drumroll, please....

Earnings: $832
Payments: $460

Not bad! I didn't quite meet my goal, but it's really not that far off...and combined with the first two days of August, I'm actually quite close! I'll take it and be happy...and work hard next week!

One week later

Here I am, a week after my first day as a full-time freelancer. I still love it! Today I took it kind of easy, but I wrote my piece for BCHA which was a high paying one, taught a dance lesson,worked on the book I'm copy editing and read in Borrowed Lives, which I'm reading for Apex Reviews.

Earnings: $235
Payments: $155

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): draft done and sent
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent (waiting for her)
7 for Demand Studios (8/11): 6 done
1 for Demand Studios (8/14): done
2 for Demand Studios (8/15): not started
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 2, 1 done, 1 nearly done
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): done
1 for Apex Reviews (due 8/18): reading book
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Day Seven

Well, today completes seven days as a full time freelancer. I didn't accomplish as much or earn as much as I wanted to, but I am going to trust in the universe to provide. I will keep focusing on doing this job I love and doing it well, and the pieces will come together!

Today I wrote one article for Pacific Coast Journal and did some research for one for Horseman's News. I also did one Demand Studios and worked on the book I'm copy editing, took my dog to the vet and went dancing. All in all, a good day! I need Demand Studios to get on the reviews...I'm running out of articles I can write.

Earnings: $90
Payments: $55

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): draft done and sent
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent (waiting for her)
7 for Demand Studios (8/11): 6 done
1 for Demand Studios (8/14): done
2 for Demand Studios (8/15): not started
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 2, 1 done, 1 nearly done
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): Greg started the research for me
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Thursday update

Well, I thought I'd make my goal today because I finished most of an article for Pacific Coast Journal, but I have to wait for someone to call me back so I can interview him before I can finish. I was rather productive today: wrote 4 for Demand Studios and spent a little over 2 hours and finished the thing for EZ and sent it to him. I edited a chapter of the book for SK. I think I may actually make less this week than every week during July! Oh well, I'll get there...

Earnings: $95

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): draft done and sent
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent (waiting for her)
7 for Demand Studios (8/11): 6 done
3 for Demand Studios (8/12): done
4 for Demand Studios (8/13): done
1 for Demand Studios (8/14): not started
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 2, 1 nearly done
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): Greg started the research for me
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Half day off!

Today I took part of the day off and went to the Nevada County Fair in Grass Valley, my old stomping grounds. Despite that, I still got some work done. I conducted two interviews for a Pacific Coast Journal articles and did some other research for them as well. I spent one hour on EZ's project and wrote four articles for Demand Studios. I sent one query.

Earnings: $85
Payments: $250

Assignment update:
1 for AM: pending action on their part
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): 3 hours done (7 pages--over half way)
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
6 for Demand Studios (8/11): done
3 for Demand Studios (8/12): 2 done
4 for Demand Studios (8/13): not started
4 for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal (8/14): Research started on 2
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): Greg started the research for me
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! two sent this month

Plenty to do, just need to work faster

I spent a good deal of time today researching pieces and editing one chapter of the book for Swimming Kangaroo. I finished CH's articles and sent them, wrote two for Demand studios and put in one hour for EZ. I also picked up a new client. I let Greg do two of the pieces, which just needed rewriting, and I did the other. I submitted You can too Scream Through a Snorkel to a traveling anthology that looks really fun.

Earnings: $90

Assignment update:
4 for AM: 3 done, waiting on them for the other
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): 2 hours done
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
6 for Demand Studios (8/11): 4 done
3 for Demand Studios (8/12): not started
7 for CH (8/7): done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): done
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! one sent

*Yawn*

You would think that now that I'm a full-time freelancer, I wouldn't need to stay up until 12:45 writing, but here I am. I have an article due to The Saddle Horse Report tomorrow and I needed to stay up until it was done so I can read it with fresh eyes tomorrow and proof it before I turn it in. Whew! I also put in one hour for EZ and wrote 4 Demand Studios articles. Oh, and I finished You can too Scream Through a Snorkel and have a couple of ideas for where to send it--maybe tomorrow.

Earnings: $160--only $6 short of the daily earnings for a 6-day week. I don't know if I'll make my goal this week, but I'll sure try! I just need to make up for it the rest of the week.

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): 1 hour done
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
2 for Demand Studios (8/8): done
6 for Demand Studios (8/11): 2 done
7 for CH (8/7): 5 done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): done, needs editing
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): done
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries! still none done, but have some ideas.

Day two

Another not-very-productive day! Tomorrow we're setting the alarm. I did finish my research for the Saddle Horse report and wrote a page of it, wrote two for CH and three for Demand Studios. I received my first copy editing assignment for Swimming Kangaroo and took a quick glance through it.

Earnings: $77

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (next installment, due 8/8): not started
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
3 for Demand Studios (8/7): done
2 for Demand Studios (8/8): 1 not started
7 for CH (8/7): 5 done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): about 1/3 done
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): done, needs editing
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

How am I doing?

Earnings for the first week of August, which is only two days.

Earnings: $130
Payments: $215

Just for fun, earnings for the whole week of July 27th:

Earnings: $595
Payments: $330

It's onward and upward from here, with 8-10 hours of writing time every day! WOO!

Day one as a full-time freelancer

Well, today was my first official day as a real, grown up, full-time freelancer! What did I do? Take the day off! I did write a little, but I also went out for breakfast, visited with a friend and went dancing. I wrote one article for CH and one for Demand Studios and taught one dance lesson, so the day wasn't a complete loss!

Earnings: $65
Payments: $80

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (new, due 7/28): first draft sent, waiting for feedback
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
4 for Demand Studios (8/4): done
3 for Demand Studios (8/7): 1 done
2 for Demand Studios (8/8): not started
7 for CH (8/7): 3 done, 1 barely started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): research pretty much done
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg done with research
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

I'm FREE!!!!

Today was my last day at work...I'll write about that on jenniferlwalker.blogspot.com.

Tonight I finished the second press release for PB and one for Demand Studios. I started one for CH but I'm just too tired to concentrate! I also had to add a little to the WSH article.

Earnings: $65
Payments: $135

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (new, due 7/28): first draft sent, waiting for feedback
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 and #2 sent
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): done
4 for Demand Studios (8/4): done
3 for Demand Studios (8/7): not started
2 for Demand Studios (8/8): not started
7 for CH (8/7): 2 done, 1 barely started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): research started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg done with research
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

How am I doing?

Week of July 27-31

Earnings: $465
Payments: $265

July Total:
drumroll, please.....
Earnings: $2328
Payments: $1364

This time tomorrow...

I'll be 100% self employed! Today was my day off, as I mentioned below, and I didn't do much writing. *tsk* This level of productivity won't fly when I'm on my own without a paycheck! I finished the article for Western Shooting Horse and sent it off, did some revisions on CH's article and wrote another, and wrote one for Demand Studios. I also sold one of the four articles I submitted to Helium Marketplace last week, and the other three have transitioned to the site to earn pennies. A bit disappointing, but I'm glad to have sold one of them! I have another pending there that will be decided next week.

Earnings: $355
Payments: $75

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (new, due 7/28): first draft sent, waiting for feedback
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 sent, #2 started
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): done
4 for Demand Studios (8/4): 3 done
3 for Demand Studios (8/7): not started
7 for CH (8/7): 2 done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): research started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg done with research
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

Only one day to go...

Tomorrow I am off (flex day that I get off every other week), and then Friday is my last day of work! I am unbelievably excited. I just need to keep up the energy level and get all this work done while lining up more!

Last night I taught two dance classes, wrote two Demand Studios articles and worked on the article for Western Shooting Horse magazine. The latter HAS to be done tomorrow, so it's really pissing me off that the companies whose products I'm writing about are refusing to return my calls and emails!! I'll do what I can in the morning, and then I have to send it off.

Tonight I worked on the second press release I owe PB, worked on the research for the Saddle Horse Report and wrote one article for CH. Not much!

Earnings for the past two days: $100

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (new, due 7/28): first draft sent, waiting for feedback
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 sent, #2 started
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): nearly done
4 for Demand Studios (8/4): 2 done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): research started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg nearly done with research
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

3 Days!

I haven't been very productive the last couple of days. I wrote another horse article for the online horseman at Helium Marketplace and turned it in, finished up the work for Beth and suggested some more Demand Studios topics, which were accepted. That's pretty much it!

Earnings: $10 (hopefully more)
Payments received: $40

How am I doing?

OK, as mentioned below, I will be reporting some of the earnings of the work I did this week next week, so this week is a little low and next week should be high. Despite that, though, I still did pretty well!

Earnings: $427
Payments: $382.50

Catching up

Sorry I haven't been posting the past few days, but I've been so tired by the end of the night I just want to sleep! I have been doing tons of work and I'm not going to list it all out, but let's just say I've been typing my fingers off. Let's see if I can just figure out how much I've made! Some is still pending because I almost completely finished a $250 article, but I'll add that in when it's officially completed--I'm waiting for some companies to call me back. Also, I wrote four articles for a new online horse magazine on Helium Marketplace, and I won't know if they buy it until next week at the earliest, so I'll add that when I know. Therefore, my income will seem a bit low this week but I'll make up for it next week!

Earnings: $267
Payments: $245


Assignment update:
1 for EZ (new, due 7/28): first draft sent, waiting for feedback
1 for Hills & Lagoons (due 7/30): done
4 press releases for PB (soon): second draft of #1 sent
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): nearly done
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): research started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg started the research
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
Gold Medal article (whenever): started lining up interviews
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

6 Days

Last night was not a good night. I was so tired, I just couldn't concentrate enough to write! I did little administrative things that needed to be done, but didn't cross anything off my list or bring in any money. Today I was much more productive: I wrote two articles for Helium Marketplace for a new magazine called The Online Horseman. The pay is great, so of course there will be a lot of competition. I will hope for the best! I also wrote two Demand Studios articles and started on a press release for PB. I'm too tired to do earnings/payments/assignment update tonight. Will add it all up tomorrow.

Oh...I did get some new assignments over the past few days and Beth gave me some work. So, business is going great!

8 Days

I didn't to a whole lot today. I received two new assignments from oDesk and did one of them, did an interview and added a little bit to the piece I did for Horseman's News a couple days ago, and worked on the revisions for EZ's thing. I probably should do more, but I'm really tired, so I'm going to go to bed instead.

ETA: why am I not asleep yet? I just sent a query to Arabian Horse Times for an article about Patience Prine-Carr and what it takes to get a USDF Gold Medal.

Earnings: $37

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (due 7/21): incorporated feedback, waiting for more feedback
1 for RS: done
1 for Hills & Lagoons (due 7/30): not started
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): not started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg started the research
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): done, if she likes it
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
more queries!

It's 10:00 and I'm going to bed

I took it easy today, although I did work. I did the last two Demand Studios articles I had approved and suggested two more. I can't write any more for them until they approve the two I suggested, and then review the other articles I've written. I wish they'd get on it! I spent a good part of the day working on the piece for Western Shooting Horse magazine and will probably finish it tomorrow. I dug up the last funny story I wrote, Always Wear Clean Underwear, and sent it to Modern Arabian Horse. I sent my non-fiction book proposal for The Mommy's Survival Guide to Autism to a publisher that specializes in autism and aspergers books.

Earnings: $30
Payments: $37.50

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (due 7/21): done, waiting for feedback
3 for Demand Studios (due 7/21): done
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): not started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg started the research
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): done, if she likes it
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
queries: 1

How am I doing?

This week was the second week in a row that I made my goal of 50% of my full time goal (does that make sense? I want $500/week until my job is finished!) This is very exciting, but I may have mentioned I'm exhausted! I hope to keep buiding my client base of higher paying work so I don't have to put in 14 hour days every day.

Week of July 13th Earnings: $520
Payments: $397 (quite a few pending)

Saturday, July 19th update

Today was a productive day. I finished the last article I owed Horseman's News, wrote the review of Sassy, wrote the first draft of the piece for EZ, wrote one for Demand Studios and wrote two articles for Sandi. In addition, I slept in, visited my horse, went shopping with my husband, took the puppy to Petsmart to pick out a birthday toy and sat at the cafe for a drink. If every day is like this, I'll survive!

Earnings: $145
Payments: $97

Assignment update:
1 for EZ (due 7/21): done, waiting for feedback
1 for Horseman's News (due this week): done
3 for Demand Studios (due 7/21): 1 done, 2 not started
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): done
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): not started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): not started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg started the research
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
queries: not started

9 days

*sigh* instead of writing my second article for Horseman's News, I had to rewrite the one I sent last night because somehow the old version got saved over the new one and sent to the editor. I did start the second article and do interviews for it. I also wrote the two I owed CH and one for Demand Studios that was due today. I'm tired. I am really looking forward to August. Go Girl is my new best friend.

Earnings: $45

Assignment update:
1 for LEG (due now): Done, waiting for feedback
1 for EZ (due 7/21): not started
1 for Horseman's News (due this week): started
5 articles for CH (due 7/17): done
4 for Demand Studios (1 due 7/18, 3 due 7/21): 1 done, 3 not started
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started (about 12 pages left)
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): not started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): not started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): Greg started the research
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
queries: not started

10 Days

Today I finished the Ventura County article for Horseman's News and wrote one for CH. Ch's articles are going way too slow--I need to figure out how to get past that. Once I got the idea, it pretty well flowed, but it took a long time to get started. I got a new assignment, a trial article for the Saddle Horse Report. Greg and I as a team also got an assignment for Sierra Style--we'd sent them a letter of introduction asking for work, and it worked! He's going to do this one, most likely. EZ also gave me a new assignment.

Earnings: $80
Payments: $15

Assignment update:
1 for LEG (due now): Done, waiting for feedback
1 for EZ (due 7/21): not started
2 for Horseman's News (due this week): one done, have some info for the other
1 for PB: done.
5 articles for CH (due 7/17): 3 done
4 for Demand Studios (1 due 7/18, 3 due 7/21): not started
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started (about 50 pages left)
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): not started
1 for Saddle Horse Report (due 8/5): not started
1 for Sierra Style (due 8/8): not started
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
queries: not started

11 days and I can't sleep...

Tonight I taught two dance lessons (one private, one group), worked on Ventura County, and finished the piece I owed LEG. I am sure it will need revisions, but at least it's written!

Earnings: $115
Payments: $75

Assignment update:
1 for LEG (due now): Done, waiting for feedback
1 for EZ: Done (final draft approved)
2 for Horseman's News (due this week): started on one, have some info for the other
1 for PB: Waiting for feedback, but so far really likes it
5 articles for CH (due 7/17): 2 done
4 for Demand Studios (1 due 7/18, 3 due 7/21): not started
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): not started
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
queries: not started

There's too much going through my head to sleep. Is it August YET???

12 days left at the coal mine!

Boy will I be glad when this month is over and I can cut back my hours a little! Today I mostly did research, pulling together the results for the press release for LEG--conducted one interview and left a message for another. Also conducted one interview for one of the Horseman's News pieces and left messages for a couple more. Finished the CH article that needed finishing. Sent off the articles to 1 Magazine and awaiting their approval. Received two new assignments, both well paying (yay!). AC made offers on two articles.

Tomorrow I'll be teaching dance all night, so this will be rough! Another week with no sleep.

Earnings: $25

Assignment update:
1 for LEG (due now): Need more info--started
1 for EZ: Waiting for feedback on third draft
2 for Horseman's News (due this week): Research well started on one, have some info for the other
1 for PB: Waiting for feedback, but so far really likes it
5 articles for CH (due 7/17): 2 done
4 for Demand Studios (1 due 7/18, 3 due 7/21): not started
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 for Western Shooting Horse (due 8/1): not started
1 for Back Country Horsemen (due 8/15): not started
"winds of change" short story contest on Accentuate Writers (due 8/20): not started
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started
queries: not started

Phew!

I had tons of stuff due tomorrow, and I was getting worried about getting it all done. Thanks to working on my vacation, I am finished with all except one piece, and I can't do it until my contact gives me info I need. I should get it tomorrow and will hopefully be able to write the piece and turn it in then. I have more due later this week, but I'm going to get a good night's sleep tonight!

Today I wrote two pieces for Demand Studios, one call for content on AC (not paying but will hopefully get me some of the $25 targeted calls) and made sure the pieces for 1 Magazine were ready to go.

Earnings: $30
Payments: $28

Assignment update:
1 for LEG: Need info--not started
1 for EZ: Waiting for feedback on third draft
2 for Horseman's News: Research well started on one, have some info for the other
2 for 1 Magazine: Done
5 for Demand Studios: Done
1 for PB: Waiting for feedback
5 articles for CH: 1.5 done
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 Call for Content for Associated Content: Done.
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started
queries: not started

How am I doing?

Last week was very busy and my hard work is paying off! I need a more sophisticated method of tracking my earnings...will get to that some time!

Week of July 6th Earnings: $625 (whoa! Unless I double counted something)
Payments: $125

The week of July 13th should be very similar. This is going to be a tough month with very little sleep, but I seem to be headed in the right direction for when August gets here!

Vacation work update

I did get some work done this weekend, although not as much while I was gone as I originally planned.

Friday, I finished up some revisions and sent them off, wrote one article for CH and one for Demand Studios. Was up too late at the horse show to write that night. Earnings: $55
Payments: $75

Saturday: Wrote most of a 1 Magazine article, a CH article, and a Demand studios article.
Earnings: $75

Sunday: Finished up the 1 Magazine article and wrote another, wrote one Demand Studios, wrote the thing for PB, and did some revisions.
Earnings: $80
Payments: $182

Assignment update:
1 for LEG: Need info--not started
1 for EZ: I think this is done. Sent third draft.
2 for Horseman's News: Research well started on one, have some info for the other
2 for 1 Magazine: Done
5 for Demand Studios: 3 done
1 for PB (need to clarify something first): Done (may need revisions)
5 articles for CH (assigned today, thanks to one I turned in yesterday): 1.5 done
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 Call for Content for Associated Content: not started.
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): book started
queries: not started

Greg has started his own journey!

My darling husband has started his own march toward independence through writing. He is charting his progress at http://gregwalker-independence.blogspot.com/, so please stop by and give him some encouragement!

Time off? Really?

Yes, that is right. I am going to take some time off! Woo! Mom and I are headed to Reno, Nevada, to watch a regional championship Arabian horse show. We are leaving at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon and will be back some time around noon or so on Sunday. I am going to do a little work in the morning tomorrow before we leave and will have to really hit it when we get back to make up for lost time, but it will be worth it! Actually, I may take the old laptop and write an article or two that I don't need the internet to research. Oh, well!


Assignment Update (all due Tuesday 7/15 unless stated otherwise:

1 for EZ (first draft done, waiting for his notes, due ASAP): He sent his notes and now I need to incorporate them. Spent almost an hour tonight doing this but not done.
3 for Horseman's News (1 well started--pretty much all research done, one some research done, 1 assigned today): Turned in the one. May need to add to it later or tweak it, but at least the majority is done.
2 for 1 Magazine: Not started
5 for Demand Studios: Note started
1 for PB (need to clarify something first): still trying to connect
5 articles for CH (assigned today, thanks to one I turned in yesterday): not started
1 for Modern Arabian Horse (due 8/8): not started
1 Call for Content for Associated Content: not started.
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review (due 7/19): not started
queries: not started

Earnings: $145

Going to bed before midnight, at least...

Something really cool happened to me today. The editor of Modern Arabian Horse hunted me down to write an article about my good friend Patience Prine-Carr and the Arabian stallion she rides in grand prix dressage, OKW Entrigue +++// ("Ricky"). I was very flattered she went through that much trouble to find me! I had published "30-year-olds Don't Bounce" in the April-May issue last year (you can read it on my Associated Content page, way at the bottom), and today she also asked if I had another funny story to publish. This is great exposure in a slick magazine with 40k+ circulation!

I had a productive day. I conducted a ton of interviews for the Paint World show (hopefully don't need to do any more), finished up the piece for EZ and sent it for his feedback and the additional info I need (he also said my revision of the last piece I did was good), wrote an article for Sandi that may lead to more work from a higher paying client than the ones I've been doing lately and wrote the piece about Patience and Ricky.

Assignment Update:

1 for EZ (first draft done, waiting for his notes)
2 for Horseman's News/PCJ (1 well started--pretty much all research done, one some research done),
2 for 1 Magazine,
several for Demand Studios,
1 for PB (need to clarify something first).
1 for Sandi (done)
2 for Modern Arabian Horse (1 done)
Read Sassy by Valerie Howard and write a review
I also need to write a couple of queries.

Earnings: $45 (as far as I know)
Payments received: $50

Busy day

Tonight, I am not posting this late because I can't sleep. It's because I had so much work that I needed to get done! What a wonderful feeling! I actually feel like I can't take on any more this week and am hoping I can push some things off to next week. Tonight I taught two dance lessons and spent a little over an hour working for my latest client (currently paying me by the hour--I'll designate him as EZ). I spent some time on him last night as well, incorporating his feedback on the pieces I'd written for him. I also worked last night on the 2008 Paint World show article for Pacific Coast Journal and the pieces I owe LEG. I received an assignment for another new client, whom I will designate PB, and two for 1 Magazine (Greg also took on 3 for them).

Big news is that I won the Accentuate Writers June short story contest--more on this on www.jenniferlwalker.blogspot.com or www.michysthoughts.blogspot.com (sorry, too tired for links)

Assignments I currently owe (all within the next week, preferably by Friday): 1 for EZ (well started), 2 for Horseman's News/PCJ (1 well started, one some research done), 2 for 1 Magazine, several for Demand Studios, 1 for PB. I also need to write a couple of queries.

Earnings for the past two days: $240 (this is GREAT--quite close to my full time goal)

Can't sleep

Here it is, 12:15 AM on a Sunday night, and I can't sleep. This is partly because I worked right up until bedtime and then tried to go to bed, and partly because I have so much work to do! Work...from people paying me to write! It's wonderful!

1. Working through revisions on the About LEG piece.
2. I applied for a job on oDesk this morning and they sent my first assignment a few hours later. I'm a little nervous that it happened so fast, but what could I do but trust that it will all be OK? I wrote the two pieces as asked and turned them in...hopefully they like them. If they do, there should be lots more work there.
3. Wrote my remaining claimed Demand Studios article. I have three suggested pending approval.
4. Wrote one piece for Helium marketplace. I don't know why, because it'll be useless if they don't take it. If they do, it's worth $56 and it didn't take too long to write. There are currently 84 candidates for that one job and I'm rated in the middle of the pack.
5. Conducted two interviews for a 2000-2400 word article for Pacific Coast Journal and started writing that article.
6. Got some info over the phone for a PR about the Golden Gate Classic and got up about 20 minutes ago to start writing it. I'm still pending some info.

So, started a lot of stuff, but didn't complete much. That's OK, because I have this week to get it all done. However, I also have another piece for Horseman's News due early next week, a book to read and review within the next two weeks, I have two people who are talking about hiring me to write web content, and I have work for Beth to do. Oh, and dance lessons on Tuesday and I'm going to Reno Friday night through Sunday morning. When will I sleep???

Four weeks until I leave my day job....I am optimistic about the future!

Hm, I should find a countdown clock to put on here to count down until 7/31 at 4:00!

Earnings: $65

How am I doing?

Earnings for the week of July 1st (five day week): $287
Payments received: $195

Not huge, but not too bad, either, considering I'm not counting the two days this week from June. Still 1/4 of what I should earn full time. Oh, there was a holiday, too.

Another lazy day

You would think I'd be writing hot and heavy now that I'm going to be unemployed, but I just haven't felt like it the past couple of days. I have been working a little bit on research for big articles, so that's good...and if you didn't read my other blog, the story I spent all day last Sunday writing is a finalist in the short story contest on the Accentuate Writers Forum!

Today I did two Demand Studios articles and converted one to Associated Content, and I wrote two for Sandi. I also saw Prince Caspian (TOTALLY worth $3.50 at the cheap theatre).

Earnings: $46

Happy Independence Day!

Although it is important for freelancers to take time off from time to time to refresh and recharge and avoid burnout, I did a little bit of work today. After all, I am about to declare my independence from working for the man, so I thought I should do something to make sure we don't starve! I did one article for Sandi, one for Demand Studios, and reworked it for AC. Worked a little on my research for the two Horseman's News pieces.

I also went to the Carmichael parade, had breakfast out, had a BBQ and went for ice cream with my family, walked around my neighborhood to look at fireworks, and watched 1776 (a must see for all Americans, IMO). It was nice to spend some quality time with my loving husband where I wasn't attached to a computer at the same time!

Earnings: $23

Thursday update

Today I finished the Fire Evacuation Preparedness article I started last night and sent it in to see if the editor takes it. I also made the final touches on the press release for LEG and sent it to Marnye for her feedback. I spent quite a bit of time sorting through results for the 2008 Paint World show for Pacific Coast Journal. I did two articles for Demand Studios.

Earnings: $30 (possibly more if the fire article sells)
Payments received: $80

Quick update

Today I was given another assignment for LEG and two for Horseman's News. I talked to the person I needed to talk to to finish the LEG article and did some of it. I worked on Fire Evacuation Preparedness. I submitted one article to AC. I taught one private dance lesson. I got an interview for an oDesk job and she's calling me tomorrow.

Earnings: $50
Payments received: $50

Great Day!

Today I received a response from a major horse magazine I had sent a query to. They agreed to review my article on spec--that means I need to write it and send it to them, and they will decide whether they like it. The cool part about this is, half the battle is won--they've decided the subject matter is a good fit for the magazine. I told them I'd have it to them by the end of the week. yay! I did a bunch of research tonight and got a good start in writing it.

I got a call last night from The Ballroom--someone who was in a class I taught a couple weeks ago wants private lessons! Plus, my brother and his girlfriend want them. I start my new couple tomorrow night, so that will be some regular income for a while.

I wrote almost all of the article I owe LEG today. I need to get some more info from them, but once I get it, it will take very little time to incorporate. That is, unless they decide they want a lot more than I planned!

I wrote two Demand Studios articles and submitted them, and then reworded one and submitted it to AC. I suggested four topics to DS and they were accepted.

I wrote one article for Sandi.

Beth showed me what she needs me to do for her--a very simple job, but will pay well and will be steady work for the rest of the year. Phew!

I downloaded some transcription software so we can do some transcriptions to make money.

ETA: I received payment from dj'ing last week. It was $65, so I earned $115 that night for 3.5 hours of work.

Earnings: $138

Payments: $65

June income

During the month of June, working a full time job, I earned $1,139 freelancing! Considering how little time I had to devote to it, that's really not bad. Greg helped a little, too. Now, I just need to quadruple that when I go to full time...and so does Greg. That sounds like a big task, but I'll also have more time!

How am I doing?

I didn't do much work today...one for Sandi and started one for LEG but didn't get very far. Here's my results for the whole week:

Earnings: $239
Payments received: $591

If I could bring in this much every week, I'd be ready to quit my job! However, most of the payments took a couple weeks to earn.

Dance all night

I didn't do any writing today except to fix two Demand Studios articles...one their site lost half of it and the other they asked me to clarify a couple of things. I taught a dance lesson and dj'd the dance, and now I'm ready to fall asleep!

Earnings: $50 plus whatever I get for dj'ing...I never know until I get it at the next dance.

Payments received: $50

Slow day

I had to put together my play list for the dance I'm teaching and dj'ing for tomorrow night, so I didn't do any writing. I did apply for oDesk jobs this morning and Greg wrote two articles for Sandi (I helped clean them up). He also got going on oDesk and applied for a job.

Earnings (Greg's, really, but I'm going to collect them): $16

The Walkers are working together!

Greg is getting pretty serious! Tonight he helped me do a couple of articles for Sandi, on a subject he's not familiar with...always intimidating! Meanwhile, I did two Demand Studios articles and a third for Sandi. I also sent an email to someone on the equine writers' list who is looking for someone to write press releases, and of course applied for oDesk jobs. I also followed up on a lead Michy gave me for Book Rags (sent a resume and samples). Hopefully I'll get some good news soon!

Earnings (including Greg's): $54

Payments received: $20

Tuesday update

I was pretty productive today--I wrote three articles for Sandi and two for Demand Studios.I also came up with a strong idea for one of the big horsey mags and queried EQUUS with it. I received two assignments from Langer Equestrian Group, my new gig. One needs to be done in the next week or so and the other between July 12th and the 15th.

Earnings: $54

Forgot to mention last night that I worked on Jenny's book, which I haven't done in a long time (the one I'm editing in exchange for services for my horse). I feel pretty bad about being so far behind on it.

How am I doing?

So, Michy and I agreed that I should be earning about 50% of my goal while working full time in order to be assured that I will fully replace my income when I quit my job. That means I need to earn about $2000 per month, $500 per week, or $100 in 5 days, $84 in 6 days, or $72 in 7 days. Since my income varies so much from day to day, I'm going to start doing a weekly and monthly tally to see how it's evening out. I'm going to start with the past two weeks, which were really good ones thanks to my 1 Magazine assignment from oDesk.

Week of June 15th:
Total earnings: $290 Payments received: $298

Week of June 8th:
Total earnings: $300 Payments received: $250

Not bad, about halfway there. I think the week before that was about $150 earned, but it's hard to tell because I wasn't posting regularly for a while there. Hopefully I'll start getting some better paying assignments soon.

More great news!

Last night I reported that I turned in my first review to Apex Reviews. This morning they emailed me back, and they were so happy with it, they're making me a "signature reviewer"! This means higher compensation and first choice over the available titles. Tres cool! Then, I got a call from The Ultimate Horse Lover anthology, to which I'd submitted "We're Just Going to Look." They've been trying to email me for weeks at my yahoo address and they kept going to spam...I made the final round of submissions! No guarantee, of course, but how cool is that? I didnt' accomplish much today...wrote two articles for Sandi and reposted one of my Helium articles on AC.

Earnings:
$16

Paments received:
$56

Big day!

OK, I didn't get a lot of work done today (wrote two articles for Sandi and one for Demand Studios, plus my first Apex review--which included finishing the book) because of working around the house and what-not, but a lot happened!

1. I heard back from a woman on the equine writers' email list who was looking for someone to write press releases for shows. Not only did she hire me, but she said she was familiar with my excellent work (in Horseman's News)! Wow! This the second job I've gotten through that list...networking does work!

2. I heard back from the publisher who is looking for copyeditors. She sent me the test they require for hiring, I took it and sent it back. I haven't heard back from her yet, but I *think* I did a good job on it. The pay isn't great, but it's a good foot in the door, and who knows...maybe the publisher will grow and the pay will, too! If they hire me, I think I'll really enjoy working for them.

Ok, just two things I guess, but that's huge! It just goes to show, it really helps to get out there, even on the internet, and talk to people! I don't mind telling you, we've been hurting for money ever since we bought our house last year. This extra income from writing is really helping. We feel like we can keep our heads above water again!

Today's earnings:
$41

Payments received:
$465 (WOO HOO!!! yeah baby)

Grinding away

Yesterday I applied for Demand Studios and was accepted. I also suggested seven topics, which they accepted and I have one week to finish them. They pay $15 per article, with no royalties or page view bonus. I am on the fence about them--in the long run, Associated Content probably pays more on a well-keyworded article, but I have yet to make that kind of money there and the $15 up front is pretty tempting. I'll do it for a while and see how I like it...at least it's something to do when I have gaps in other assignments.

Michy gave me a couple of leads I'm following up on. One is for a copy editor for a newish publisher, which is really exciting, so I sent them a query letter. The other is writing lesson plans for books. I need a resume, which I only have at work, so I'll have to follow up on that on Monday.

Over the past two days, I have written eight articles for Sandi and two for Demand Studios. I could have done more but did stuff on the house instead.

Earnings (two days):
$94

Payments received:
$130 (yeah, baby!)

I'm starting to make enough writing to get caught up on bills and buy stuff we need...it feels really, really good!

*yawn*

Well, I thought I would have a few days off to get my affairs in order, but Sandi needs more help...yay! I wrote two articles for her tonight (low paying) and will have more to do tomorrow but I'm falling asleep.

I heard back from one of the magazines I sent a letter of introduction to last night...they no longer produce the magazine! Oops...ouch. Karen from 1 Magazine said she was happy with the articles but decided to take the "about us" piece in a totally different direction and I had to rewrite it...no biggee, it was actually easier this time. She asked me to invoice her and I did, so I should be getting that money soon. She also indicated we may be doing some more work together, which would be great.

Forgot to mention yesterday that someone on my equine freelancers list was looking for someone to do press releases about shows. I sent her an email and samples, so we'll see if anything comes of it.

I applied for Demand Studios today. Not high paying at all, but would be a good backup, I think. Better low income than no income, right?

Earnings:
$16

Payments:
$168 (WOO! If I got this 6 days per week, every week, I'd be there!)

Introducing Greg Walker!

Greg has been destined to be a writer since he was a child, but like me, drifted away from it by the time he was out of college. I have been trying to encourage him to write for years, but he insisted he was too out of practice and couldn't do it anymore. Well, I got him doing some fiction during nanowrimo and then some Associated Content articles. This week, I talked him into helping me write my car articles for 1 Magazine, because that's something that's so hard to do when you don't know anything about cars! I have to say, he has done an amazing job, and the editors love it! He'll be on his way with these published clips under his belt, and I'm very, very proud of him! He'll be following in my footsteps (nay, passing them!) and building a freelancing career in his own right. Please check out his blog at gregwalker-writer.blogspot.com!

Tonight we wrapped up all of our assignments for 1 Magazine. Now we have some room to breathe! I sent out three letters of introduction for us, saying we work as a team and separately, to Sacramento area magazines.

Our combined earnings yesterday and today: $90

A quick update for last night...

I completed two articles for 1 Magazine last night...just two more to go!

Earnings:
$90

Almost done

I completed three articles for 1 Magazine today. They are getting easier to do, especially since I already came up with the titles to give myself some direction (at their request). These were all 400-word articles, which fill up surprisingly fast. I actually completed each one within an hour (OK, Greg helped with research), which means I'm making a decent hourly rate on some of these...if only I had enough of this type of work to fill a day! I could have sat all day and gotten more done, but I chose to help Greg clean the garage...I only have four left, which shouldn't be a problem before Tuesday.

Earnings:
$105

Churning out the articles

Between yesterday and today, I wrote three articles for 1 Magazine and two for Horseman's News/Pacific Coast Journal. I am hoping to get a little more info to add to each of these (except for one of the 1 Magazine articles, which is definitely done), but they could be turned in as they are now. To be fair, I had started on a couple of these a couple of days ago and I've been working on the PCJ one for a couple of weeks, so it's not like I actually wrote all of these in that time! I did not spend all day writing either day, though. Last night, I ended up teaching a dance class, which was unplanned but a nice surprise income.

All of these articles are due Tuesday...I think I'm going to make it! Only seven to go...

Income over the past two days:
$275 (getting close to what I need my daily rate to be)

Payments received:
$50

Research, research, research

Well, I didn't do any actual interviews today. I didn't have time earlier today to get some names, so tonight I rounded some up and sent off some emails in hopes they actually answer. That was the majority of my evening! I also sent off the first four articles to 1 Magazine. I have another done, but I figure I'll send four at a time. I started another one.

Earnings:
not really any!

Payments received:
$175 (just need to do this every day...)

Answer your phone!!

This article I'm working on for Pacific Coast Journal is killing me. The show secretary only gave me part of the results, and I'm only supposed to write about the winners from California. Of course, she gave me winners from other states as well, which shortens the list as to who I can talk to...of the ones that are left, I can't find contact info for all of them, or I find a number and it's disconnected or they won't answer! My hourly rate on these pieces is not impressive. It's a 1000 word article and I'm to 600 and something. Oy. So, I worked on that for the past couple of days. I also worked on an article for 1 Magazine and finished it tonight. Submitted an article for Display Only to AC, read it at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/816287/lose_weight_fast_with_the_ultimate.html?cat=5--it's pretty funny.

Earnings:
$35

Payments received:
$25

I'm running out of time on these 1 Magazine articles. I was hoping to talk to some people who live in Denver, but I haven't found any yet! I need to interview some experts in plastic surgery and was hoping for a personal referral. The pieces are due on Tuesday so I'd better get on those interviews. I also need to get photos of some cars we can use in the mag. How on earth do I do that?? One is a Mclaren SLR. There's no phone number on their website. Hm, someone said something about looking for a press kit, so I guess I'll do that tomorrow.

Things are chugging right along

Over the past couple of days, I have completed four articles for 1 Magazine (part of a contract flat rate), and Greg helped me write a call for content for Associated Content ($3.50...woo). I have sold three letters on letterrep.com this month ($30), with no effort on my part. I apply for two or three oDesk jobs every day, although I haven't had any more luck there yet. I wrote an article for Beth this weekend for the Arabian Horse Association Region Four show program and she's putting an ad in for me as payment ($30). At the same time, she designed my business cards and is going to get them printed for me! She's the BEST. Oh, I also worked at a booth at Horse Expo this weekend and got free passes, free parking, and $25. I guess that's about it.

All kinds of news

I've been remiss in updating this blog, because I've been very busy! Went to another horse show last weekend and various things since then.

1. New game plan: instead of taking a leave of absence in August, I'm going to hold off just a little bit. My good friend and dressage coach, Patience Prine-Carr, wants me to go to Arabian Sporthorse Nationals with her in September, so I'm going to take all the vacation time I have available during that month. I'll write as much as possible and go to Nationals (in Nampa, ID). This will give me a short trial period of working from home, while getting paid. Then, I will go back to work and evaluate the lessons I learned and change the game plan as needed or start gearing up to take my leave of absence in December. I get my year-end bonus in November, and that will come in very handy for paying off a couple of bills so I won't be quite as hard up when I no longer have a guaranteed paycheck. If all goes well in December, I'll quit.

2. I landed my first oDesk job! I have 14 articles to write for a new magazine, 1 Magazine Denver. They're due on June 17th and I have two done so far. I have a number of other bids out there as well as on elance.

3. Apex Reviews hired me to write book reviews. Not a lot of money, but a little bit and free books to read.

4. I have two articles to write for Horseman's News this month (actually, one is for Pacific Coast Journal, a sister mag). I have one well started, because it was supposed to go last month but I got the results very late and had a hard time reaching people for interviews.

5. Today I wrote an article for Beth, for the Arabian Horse Region Four Championship show program.

6. Today I worked at Horse Expo for a small fee but free tickets and parking pass. I spent more than I made!

7. Tuesday I taught three classes at the ballroom ($80). Linda will keep me in mind if she has private lessons other teachers can't do.

Earnings: $25 (plus whatever Beth is giving me)
Payments received: $165

Quick weekend update

I'm at another horse show (my last for a while), so I won't be getting much done. However I wrote two articles for Helium Marketplace yesterday. I don't know yet if they'll be purchased. I had to post one under Greg's login because you're only allowed to do one. One of the jobs I applied for on odesk had invited me for an interview the other day and asked for samples, so I sent some. Today she emailed back and said she'd like to talk to me further. Will do so next week.

Tuesday, May 27th

Didn't do much writing today, although I did apply for an odesk job and got an interview, and did the copywriting test and came in the 91st percentile of people who took the test. I also taught two classes at The Ballroom. I finally invoiced Horseman's News for the three articles I did this month--the other one will have to go next month.

Earings:
$60

Payments received:
$60

Monday, May 26th

Today is Memorial Day, which means I got a day of "work" so I could write! Here are today's activities:

1. Sent two queries, one to Los Angeles Times to reprint my article about Los Angeles County and one to Hemispheres Magazine (in-flight for United Airlines) suggesting an article about traveling with a dog to Scottsdale. Greg did the research for the latter last night.

2. Worked on "You can too scream through a snorkel"

3. Worked on proposal for "Mommy's Survival Guide..." and sent it to Beth for her thoughts

4. Tried to do research on Sun & Surf article for Pacific Coast Journal but no one is home! Did manage to speak to one person. It's due tomorrow, so I hope I can finish it!

Beth talked to me about querying 10-12 markets per week. whew! I don't know if I can pull off quite that many, but I'll sure try. If I can sell some decently paying articles each month, that will really help. My goal for June is to sell one article for more than $100.

Sunday, May 25th

OK, I'm falling asleep so I'll make this quick. Today's activities:

1. Wrote my third book review and posted it to AC. Sent all three to Michy to post on her book reviews blog as a guest blogger. Sent to Apex book reviews in hopes of landing a paying gig reviewing books.

2. Came up with some ideas and put Greg to work on research.

3. Started writing "You Can too Scream Through A Snorkel."

4. Started working on non-fic book proposal for "The Mommy's Survival Guide to Autism."

5. Submitted "He Speaks in Colors" to Complete Woman Magazine.

6. Applied for a job on odesk.

7. Started research for an article for Pacific Coast Journal (sister magazine to Horseman's News) but I don't know if I'll be able to finish it in time because I need to interview people and no one was home yesterday.

Saturday, May 24th

Exciting day today--Beth got my website up and running! Check it out--www.authorjennwalker.com!

Today's activities:
Mostly stuff for the website. Working on assembling a portfolio.
Went back and forth a little on a job for odesk.
Wrote two book reviews and posted them on AC. I want to apply to review books with a website that does them.
Last night I set up a dancing blog, partly for adsense and partly for promotion and partly for fun. Posted on it today although I still need to customize it.