My 300th Post – Yawn!
This is my 300th post and it should be profound…It’s not!
I knew the 300th post was coming up, but it caught me at a time where I’m feeling a little singed around the edges.
Although my November earnings were higher than my October earnings, my residual income was down by a little over $200; nothing to lose sleep about, but something to take into considering when relying on residual income. My upfront payments with Demand Studios made up the difference.
I find that writing for Demand Studios, is like having a job. I’ve got to admit that this time around, the writing experience is a lot better than what I’ve experienced in the past. It seems like they listened to the writers’ complaints and took steps to make things better. Better writing experience or not, it still feels like a job.
Singe Out (Not Burn Out)
I think the approaching holidays along with the desire to spend most of my time away from the computer has led to a little singe out. It started just before Thanksgiving. It’s not that I’ve got writer’s block and have nothing to write about, I just don’t feel like writing.
So, if my posts here are a little sparse over the next couple of weeks, it’s not because I’ve abandoned my blog or online writing career, it’s just that I’m feeling the need to spend more time doing things that don’t require reading glasses (I’d really like to get the guest bedroom painted before Christmas).
Oh, BTW, if you haven’t signed up for Xomba, give it a shot. I’ve found that posting one or two Xomblurbs in the morning while drinking my coffee tolerable during my singe out. The earnings are also beginning to trickle in at a steadier pace.
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Comment by Eve on 2 December 2009:
Happy 300th post, Felicia! And I’m happy that you’re taking some time off to get stuff done.
I haven’t been able to stomach returning to Demand Studios. Twice in the past couple of months, I’ve gone to DS (when I really needed money) and each time, I just couldn’t go through with it. Just got burnt out over the summer, and the incompetence I experienced from editors just turned me off. Glad to hear that things are a little better over there, but I’m still not up for it.
Haven’t tried Xomba yet – right now the only writing I’m doing is keeping up with my Suite101 contract (I think this is probably the best use of my writing time right now).
Congrats again on 300!
Comment by Crystal on 2 December 2009:
Glad to see the update – I was starting to worry about you! 300th post – that’s BIG! I’m not even to 50 on my blog:(
I think I may be experiencing a little bit of singe out myself – just didn’t know what it was called. Seems I’m distracted by fudge making and other Christmas/holiday thoughts.
Thanks for the Xomba reminder. Haven’t done anything there for a while and sort of forgot about it.
Crystal´s last blog ..Christmas is just Around the Corner! Are You Ready?
Comment by DeAnna on 2 December 2009:
Hi Felicia,
Sorry to hear that your earnings were down this month but I am sure they will pick up again soon. I understand how you feel about not feeling like writing for awhile. I can write for days and am really into it and then suddenly I don’t feel like writing another word. I’m sure once you’ve had some time doing other things you will want to get back to writing with a vengeance!
DeAnna´s last blog ..Best Topics to Write About in December
Comment by Samantha on 2 December 2009:
Congratulations on your blog’s success! 300 is a lot of nurturing and commitment…
Samantha´s last blog ..Holiday Travel with Amtrak on the Pennsylvanian, Kinda Classy Newark to Pittsburgh, Kida Itchy on the Return
Comment by Lissie on 3 December 2009:
300 posts is impressive – I’m nowhere that on any one single blog – but probably if I added all the different blogs together – nope don’t want to go there LOL
I am juggling writing and packing in preparation to moving country just before xmas – oh joy!
Comment by Deborah on 3 December 2009:
Congrats on #300! And your earnings will definitely bounce back in January. It’s just the holidays.
Deborah´s last blog ..What to Look for in a Steady Gig
Comment by Alina Bradford on 3 December 2009:
I feel the same way. I’m singed out to the max. This really bad since I have so much work to do!
Alina Bradford´s last blog ..Take the Fear Out of an Eye Check-Up
Comment by Kidgas on 3 December 2009:
Felicia,
I know about singe out. I took four days away from the computer over Thanksgiving and the weekend. It was great. I didn’t even check email. I am refreshed and feel like I can work the whole month of December.
I appreciate your blog and your posts, not to mention your support. I view you as a mentor and hope to one day be half as successful as you.
I wish you the best during this singe time. I hope you are able to come back energized and refreshed.
I, too, plan on doing something on Xomba each and every day to focus my energies there in order to see what happens.
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
Comment by Felicia on 4 December 2009:
Wow, Kidgas, not even checking email? I’m impressed.
I think I would begin to shake uncontrollably if I didn’t even check my email
.
I’m not so sure if my family is appreciating my time off of the computer. I’ve been baking more and all I hear are complaints about waist sizes and the inability to fit into clothes.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words.
Comment by Marilynne on 7 December 2009:
Congratulations on 300 posts! Thanks also for all the info on how to blog for money.
Marilynne´s last blog ..The Roses of Winter
Comment by prerna on 13 December 2009:
Hi Felicia!!
Congrats on the 300th post.. Gosh, that is amazing.. And yup, I understand the singeing out feeling…I haven’t been writing for half as long as you and I get that singe out feeling every once in a while:-) However, am hoping 2010 will be a productive and proifitable year for all of us!! Blessings.
prerna´s last blog ..Being a Writer: How to Find Ideas for Articles
Comment by Wendy on 14 December 2009:
I love that term — singe out — somehow, the fact that it means “monkey” in French also helps remind me of the restless, sort of mischievous way I’ve been feeling lately.
Good luck painting the guest room : )
Thanks for this great resource
Wendy
Wendy´s last blog ..Nov 27, How To Give A Massage
Comment by Shane on 20 December 2009:
I can definitely understand the feeling of burn out. I freelanced for peanuts for three years before really beginning to understand how to increase my income – and I started my freelance writing career as a full time graduate student. Add in learning about residual income just a year ago, and it’s not hard to see how you could burn out. Glad you have the residual income in place – I’m doing a lot of writing for private clients, a lot for Demand Studios, and trying to keep building the residual income. At least I finally get a vacation next week
Shane´s last blog ..Drop Lid Writing Desks
Comment by Maria (WriterGig) on 22 December 2009:
I know what you mean, Felicia! I have taken a step back from online work when I feel burnout beginning. Right now I’m taking a month off from writing (but I think I have the best excuse).
Maria (WriterGig)´s last blog ..Residual Income & New Baby
Comment by Felicia on 22 December 2009:
Congrats Maria. I see you have a beautiful little WriterGig. He’s a handsome little guy.
Best of luck to you.
Comment by Andrea on 22 December 2009:
I am really enjoying your blog… care to give an update on ehow? I like the residual income but don’t like not getting upfront payment for my work. I know you wrote about it some time back and am curious on if your feelings have changed.
Ps. Xomba is a bit like ehow, but I find that if I don’t write for them regularly, my income goes down.
Comment by Felicia on 23 December 2009:
I forgot all about my eHow updates. I’ll get that done shortly. I’ve found that across the board my residual for the past month or so has taken a hit.
I don’t know if its because of the holidays, Google changes or the fact that I haven’t been writing much lately. I guess I’ll try to figure it out in January and try to get things back on track.
Comment by Kristin on 11 January 2010:
Nice to know the holidays hit other freelance writers like they do me. The great thing is that we can take time off, like everyone else wants to do but can’t. Still, it’s nice to be back to the routine now.
Maybe I’ll give Demand Studios a try. I did work for Heritage Web Design for a while, but they paid very low.
Comment by Sean on 22 January 2010:
Great post. While it’s always important to keep track of your passive income, especially when it starts dipping, I wouldn’t worry about it overly much unless it becomes a pattern. As far as AdSense or eHow based income, Decembers always hit me with about a 30% drop. Amazon on the other hand, nice little bit of make up.
Sean´s last blog ..Rubber Snake Boots | Snake Proof Rubber Boots