Shaping Up, Shipping Out...

Yeah, I'm not shipping out anywhere...but I do have several conferences coming up and a television interview or two scheduled...so I want to look better than I do right now - and I'm not talking about the fuzzy slippers and oh-so-comfy jammies.

So, the goodies are gone, the pop intake is down and I'm watching ever so closely what goes into my mouth. I even looked into a couple reviews of the best diet supplements,but decided to stick with a multi-vitamin and a nutritional supplement. So, no more excuses - with a walking track right down the road, plenty of side streets in our development to walk and two dogs that need to get out and exercise a bit I've got no excuses after the new year to keep slacking off.

My plan is to cut back on the goodies - which shouldn't be too hard since I won't be cooking goodies! - and trim down the portion sizes. I've been reading a personal trainer's nutrition and diet tips, and she's got some good ones in there. Combining weights and aerobic exercise burns calories faster and who doesn't want that? I'm not the best with balance or strength in the first place, so weight training should help me in both of those categories.

Whistling In The Dark...

I hate being a dog owner. At least sometimes, mostly at night. Don't get me wrong, I love the pooch - I just don't like following her around with a plastic bag over my hand to pick up their "presents". Espeically at night, there is just no good way to follow them all over the back 40 looking for poop. Why?

1) it's dark
2) there are gopher holes out there
3) did I mention it's freakin' dark!

We don't have streetlights out here and I don't have the best balance in the world at noon on a hot summer day, so imagine Clutzy McMuddy-Pants rambling around after the dogs on a rainy, dark spring night. Not a pretty sight. Don't believe me? I'll post a picture of my tennies - with dog poo all over them - from last night. Not a pretty picture believe me. Which is why I'm going to start carrying around flashlights. And upgrade the outdoor lighting off our porch.

No more sprained ankles or doo-covered shoes from my nightly forays with the dogs!

A Few Freelancing Tips - For Writers!

Spring has sprung in Ohio. What does this mean? Great weather for dieting/exercise (morning/afternoon walks, anyone?)...great weather for gardening (who knew plants could be so fun or weeding great anger management?)...and I'm working on two wips, both I've targeted to specific publishers and want to get out before the end of the month...have agent queries and subs to get out...and my freelance editor is keeping me hopping, too.

I talk about freelancing constantly here, but I just realized I haven't really imparted any great insights lately. I know, bad blog editor! So, here are a few tips if you want to break in or those of you who want to do a little bit more.

1) don't write what you know. GASP. Horror of horrors, what does this mean? It means, simply that fiction and nonfiction are two different birds. Probably 70% of the freelance assignments I get are outside my realm of knowledge, but with the internet and a few research skills these articles and assignments are great fun to write. Get to know the internet. Did I mention the need for research? This goes for fiction and nonfiction writing. If you don't know 'it', haven't had experience with 'it' or know someone -- directly, not indirectly -- who has dealt with 'it' and will be interviewed, research it. The internet, local universities and your public library are great places to start.

2) stay active. Both mentally and physically. With spring rolling in a lot of us are working on a new health regime, but before you try diet pills or anything else, check with your doctor. And remember, the best advice for getting into shape is, "Everything in moderation." You can eat that chocolate bar or have that soda -- as long as you keep it to one a day or one every couple of days.

3) subscribe to a few freelance writing ezines -- Troll for markets for your article ideas, look for new freelance jobs each week. There are jobs out there and money to be made, you just have to know where to look.

4) diversify but find your niche. But niches can't be divirsified, you say. No, but you can be. I write nonfiction articles on family and education, I do copywriting for companies all over the globe ranging from designer clothing to construction equipment and I write romantic fiction. If that isn't diversified, I don't know what is. I've always written, romance is my genre because I love happy endings and the rollercoaster ride of falling in love. So far, my CPs are my only fans...but more will come. My articles are my 'niche' -- this is what I began reporting on when I working in television and radio. I've simply explanded my base, if you will. Copywriting is my most recent 'step' and I love it. I work with great companies, business owners with integrity and a genuine love for their business -- just like me!

5) freelancing ain't easy. You'll be rejected and ignored on a regular basis. Don't get down if your article is rejected. Instead, find another market, tweak it a little and get it back out there. You can't sell it if it's languishing on your computer.

6) be passionate. There is nothing better (to me, at least) than writing for a living. I wake up each morning excited whether I have a copywriting job, article or fiction chapter to work on first. Have fun with your life because life is too short to be stuck doing something you don't love.

Freelancing Tip - But Not About Writing!

I love being a freelancer, really I do. But part of the job of a freelancer is remaining healthy. Why? Because when we're healthy we're more productive and when we're more productive we're happier and a happy freelancer is a freelancer who sounds positive on the phone and via email. And all of that pushes more money into our pockets. Nice side benefit!

So, one of my resolutions every year is to do more in the exercise department. Simple when it's nice outside, but when the weather is grey all I want to do is cuddle up with a cup of cocoa and stay warm. So I have to push myself to work out, which is what I had to do today. I like to walk outside when it's warm but on rainy days or winter days, I stay indoors.

I hit the ellipticals at the Y this morning at 8AM and didn't get off for 45 minutes. My average rate was 3.5 miles/hour (not bad!!) and my total calorie burn was just over 1,000.

A Friend In Need...

I've been helping a friend for the past week with her job search. No, I'm not tracking down jobs for her, I'm helping her with her resume so that it's tweaked just right for each potential employer she applies with. Why? I like it and it's a good exercise for my own freelancing. Although I have more than enough work at this point there are always interesting freelance positions opening up, so it pays to stay sharp. One place I've found really intriguing job openings is this New York job search...although most of these are on-site (which is what my friend wants) a few are freelance and a couple are 'specified contract', which usually means they are open to an off-site worker. Always a good thing to keep in mind.

Argh!! Insurance = Time Waste!

We've been fighting with our old insurance provider - who will remain nameless because I'm a firm believer in the "all PR is good PR" theory and I don't want anyone going through what I have - for about three months now. It's a long drawn-out story, but the gist is, I had treatment for a covered illness right after the first of the year. Two months later, we left the provider for a better company - one that would cover the reproductive stuff we'll be starting very soon. The old company has so far refused to pay the claim because we're no longer with them - yeah, but we were when I had treatment. Our lawyer is involved and it's getting sorted out, but I keep getting bills from the doc and I'm sick of it. Another one came this afternoon. ARGH!

So I got to thinking about those who can't afford lawyers to take up the slack - and I found a great site for you guys to get term life insurance quote There is a lot of of good information on the website, so if you're having insurance problems and need advice, definitely check them out.

Oh, The Fun Things A Freelancer Does...

I think I've talked about the research that goes into most of my medical writing. But I didn't tell you about the fun (ha!) stuff that happens. Like when I come up with an article idea about getting better sleep. This happened just last month. I wanted to write about how sleep deprivation really slows your brain function, but I didn't just want 'expert' testimony. I wanted this to be a first-person kind of article.

So I kept myself awake for four days. Seriously. No sleeping, no napping. Awake 24/7..which is a little extreme considering most insomniacs still get a little sleep. You know what I found out? Not only were my actions/reactions slowed but when I finished my 'informal' study I couldn't sleep! I mentioned this to the expert I was interviewing and he gave me some ideas for natural sleep aids and then gave me this sage advice: Next time don't keep yourself awake, even for research. Duh!!

Cancer Screenings

I've been checking out colon cleanse reviews for several months now because my family has a history of colon cancer. When I hit 40 in another decade, I'm going to start getting yearly check-ups and all. So far my doctor insists that I just need to watch my diet and blah, blah, blah.

So, while I wait around for 40 to come, I've been researching colon cleanse regimens because it is amazing to me how...dirty, for lack of a better word, the colon can become. There are "natural" regimens and there are also clinical visits that will take the residue and debris from the colon, helping to keep it healthy and well-functioning. Now, will that keep me from developing a polyp later in life? I have no idea but cleansing the colon in addition to yearly check-ups certainly won't hurt.

Great Research Site.

I recently finished up three months of research for a series of articles for a medical website. Part of that research was into herpes simplex virus - what causes it, treatment options and even how to avoid contracting it. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with the disease and you want to know better how to fight, definitely check out the website above. They have tons of information, good contacts and everything is thoroughly researched.

An Interesting Benefit...

I've been working on a health column since the beginning of the year and so far it's going well. It's one of my newest assignments/clients. Basically I write about health and wellness, but my pet project has been vitamins. I was doing some research for a pregnant friend and found lots of information about which are the best prenatal vitamins. You know what I found? Most pre-natal vitamins are equal. But I found out something else: pre-natals help grow stronger fingernails, something I've always wanted. I tried them for three weeks rather than my usual one a day vitamin. Result: 1/2 inch longer and much, much stronger. So I wrote up my research, included a few quotes from a researcher and turned in the article. Who knew helping a friend would lead to an article *and* lead to better fingernails for moi?

Resume: A Freelance Must

One of the first things I did when I went freelance back in 2005 was write a killer resumes. And then I promptly shredded it and hired a professional resume writer. Why? Because a good CV is so much more than a listing of past jobs or qualifications and these writers know how to make them shine. I was blown away by what came back to me and I've been using that version as a template ever since.

As a freelancer, resumes aren't just listings. You have to know what contracts should be prioritized and which can be lumped together. You have to know how to personalize each CV for the best effect and you have to constantly update. I go through my resumes once every month to add in new, high-profile contracts and delete older, not as impressive contracts. It's working for me so far: this year I've already increased my freelancing income by about 3%.

Here's A Tip.

Know your audience. I write a lot about my life as a freelancer. Part of that life is writing advertisements - everything from advertorials for sleep aids to info-blurbs for zencore or other supplements for content sites. One thing I don't write is email copy.

Why? Because it's hard to tell which email offers, as far as freelance gigs go, are legitimate and which ones are spammers. I have a trusty file that I update, but still new spammers arrive every day and I don't want to be part of that problem. I hate spam. I get, on average, 300 emails everyday from friends, family, business contacts, PR people...you name it. I also get spam and I hate it. I especially hate spam for...we'll call it male enhancement products because I'm NOT a male. Yeesh! I have no use for these products so why would anyone spend time emailing me? Get a clue, spammers!!

You would think the spammers would have smartened up by now but they still don't care who they send messages to - even when the people receiving the messages aren't their target demographic. Bleh. Okay, rant over.

Going For It

So I've talked a little bit about the joys of freelancing. With both the hubster and I self-employed now we've been talking about major changes we want to make. Or at least try. One of them is living on the road. We've always liked camping and we've heard a lot of stories from his parents, aka The Full-Timers.

And I think we may just do it. Become fulltime RVers. Live and work in our motorhome as we travel North and South America in search of...well, whatever. For me, the change is going to be huge - where will I put all of my shoes now?!? But as we talk more and more about it, I'm more and more excited. I've already thought about ways to increase my freelancing income as we travel. One of the best ways is by travel writing or blogging...so I'm looking into those options.

We're still in the talking-it-out phase but both of us are really excited about the possibilities. So, who knows?

What are your thoughts? Would you live in an RV for a year if you could?

I Read An Article...

the other day about a woman who was caught buying e-cigarettes. What are e-cigarettes? From the article I read, they're cigarettes but people are buying them online to avoid the sin taxes associated with the purchases in certain states. This lady was in quite a load of trouble when she was 'caught'.

My question? Why does it matter? Okay, the state isn't going to get the revenue for what she purchased and that is a big deal. But doesn't the owner of the store selling the goods have any liability? I'm not saying the woman was innocent, but what if she didn't know what she was doing was illegal? Should she really face a huge punishment for a mistake?

Sleep Happens

have you ever noticed that the first few nights on a new mattress aren't the greatest? Or is that just me? Seems like no matter what kind of mattress we buy - pillow top, memory foam, traditional - the first few nights are not great for me. A couple of years ago, our chiropractor recommended an adjustable bed for us and I hated it at first. It just felt weird, but I can safely say that two adjustables later, I wouldn't go back to a traditional, flat mattress. My sleep is much better and when I have a cold, I don't have to struggle breathing from flat on my back. We just returned from a vacation back home and the hotel beds were flat...and I'm so glad we're home now!

A Year For Review...

It is just me that hit 30 and started wondering, "What have I done with the past 8 years"? I mean on minute I'm in college, mooching off my parents and the next I'm married, holding down a real job - and still broke! How did that happen?

So, for the last year or so I've been trying to change some bad habits - like way overspending leading to huge credit card debt - and I think I've been doing pretty well. One thing I started doing regularly are insurance checks. Now, I don't do this every month but usually every six or eight months I'll sit down with the laptop and search for an updated quote. One place to do that is infinity auto insurance review. They can help you figure out if you're over or under paying for car insurance.