Copyright 2008 Writing the Cyber Highway

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu

I thought I’d share some link love to some of my favorite posts I’ve read recently. These are some really good ones. And, don’t just read the following posts and move on. These blogs are really awesome and their authors are way talented! Subscribe to their feed so you can follow them from now on.

An Opinion on Penny a Word Writing Gigs by Dana Prince, at The Writer’s Blog - Dana really shared her opinion on this touchy topic with dignity and grace! It’s wonderful how she gives such awesome reasons for accepting writing gigs that don’t pay as much as you’d like. It’s not for everyone, but Dana makes you feel good about yourself if you are taking those type of gigs - for whatever reason. Another one who deserves a big ole way to go!

Find or Establish a Local Writer’s Group by Rebecca Laffar-Smith, at The Writer’s Round-About - Rebecca asks if you attend or have thought about starting your own local writer’s group. She highlights some great reasons and gives the time and place of the local writer’s group she herself attends. If you’re in Australia (in her area) perhaps you can go!

Freelance Writing: Your Way or Mine? by Amy Derby, at Write from Home - You’ll love the way Amy handles “Mr. X”, who e-mailed and ridiculed her writing abilities. I love how she pretty much vented and got it all out - without even cursing! And, how awesome that she can earn such a great living (making more than she did at a top law firm!) by doing what she loves most. Way to go, Amy! I say Amy’s way is working just fine!

How Honest Are You with Your Readers? by Deb Ng, at Freelance Writing Gigs - Are you honest with your readers? Do you share decisions you’ve made regarding your freelance career - decisions that could bring you negative feedback? How do you handle it? Do you ignore it and move on? What’s your take on being totally honest in your blog posts? Would you rather not? Find out what Deb has to say. I loved reading her thoughts. Check this one out. It was a great read!

How to Write an EBook (series) by Katherine Huether, at KatherineHuether.com - Katherine does a fantastic job of giving her readers step-by-step instructions for writing ebooks. She’s written many for her clients but is planning to write and market one (or several) for herself in the future - hopefully the near future! So, if you’re looking to write an ebook - for clients or for yourself - be sure to absorb this entire series!

If I Ran the Zoo…(Just how important are spelling and grammar, anyway?) by “Other Deb”, at The Dangling Conversation - Deb discusses the importance of spelling and grammar. How important is it to you? Do you care if you read something that is horribly written? Is it ok with you that children in our country are graduating high school without being able to read or write a proper sentence? Deb shares her heart on the topic. Definitely one you should invest a few minutes for!

Is Your Child Learning at School? by Hope Wilbanks, at Coffee with Hope - This is an amazing story about a child Hope had the opportunity to teach as she played the role of substitute teacher recently. The event broke her heart and as you read about it, I’m sure most (if not all) of you will be wiping tears. What an injustice America’s children face each day… Bravo to Hope for making a difference - even if it was just that one day, I’m sure the memory and kindness she showed him will carry throughout his lifetime! (But I have a feeling she’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in multiple lives some day!)

Organizing Your Freelance Writing Career by Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online - Learn how Sharon balances her freelance writing career with family and an actual life AWAY from the computer screen. Her approach is one that’s working, so you may want to see how you could glean from her experience and put her wisdom to use in your own freelance career!

Putting Weekends to Good Use by Jenn Hollowell, at Working Writer - Do you write on the weekends or use them as a time to push away from the keyboard to clear your head and rest your eyes? If you’re wanting to use every spare moment you can scrounge up to build your freelance career, check out Jenn’s advice for making the weekend a tool to enhance your business. Great idea, Jenn!

Time Management: The Internet (Part One) AND Part Two by April Aragam, at Blog of a Writer - Great tips for keeping yourself accountable while using the Internet. April shares simple steps you can take so you don’t end up swallowed up and lost in a sea of chats, blogs, and whatever networking sites you adore and participate in. Very sound advice, April!

Which Comes First: The Source or the Story? by Susan Johnston, at The Urban Muse - So, what’s your answer to this question? Join Susan as she ponders her thoughts - and asks you for yours - on this topic. It’s a lot to consider!

SERIOUS UPDATE: I visited Susan’s blog today and discovered her dad has passed away. She needs your hugs, prayers, and/or any kind words of encouragement and understanding you have for her. My condolences, Susan. I’m praying for you!

Work Your Jaws by Melissa Donovan, at Writing Forward - Melissa talks about how not only has our handwriting suffered since our obsessions with being at the computer typing, but because of our isolation, most of us freelancers aren’t talkative or social anymore. Something to think about for sure!

Writing Style Meme by Becca, at -In fond memory of her school days, Becca assigns “homework” for her readers to complete. You can post your answers on your blog or in her comments section. This looks like fun. She asks some good questions! If you haven’t already visited, be sure to drop by. I’ve given Becca link love before, but it was for her other blog: Becca’s ByLine, which is a wonderful blog as well!

Happy weekend reading!!

Post and Photos

By

Michele L. Tune

Has it really been over 20 years since I was in the first grade? Since that nerve-wracking day my knees knocked and my teeth chattered. It was a new school with so many children standing outside. I didn’t want to get out of the car. I was terrified. Looking back, I’ve always felt like a hermit. I wanted to run home, crawl back under the covers, and hide from all those children! But mom encouraged me, coaxed me out of the car, and before long I was in love with my new teacher, classmates, and reading time.

When you first open Rockets, this is what you see:

Reading time… ah, the memories! The teacher would have us all gather around a table, seated in our chairs. I was so anxious for story time. I wanted to learn to read more than anything in the world. I couldn’t wait ’till she pulled the book out. It was called Rockets. It’s the book I learned to read with.

My favorite story from the entire books was The Monkey and the Banana. See the title on the page there? Oh, how I loved this story! The Rockets reader was awesome and very easy to learn to read from because there was bright, fun pictures and you can see from the title that part of the words were actually drawings you looked at and figured out the words for.

At the end of the school year, the teacher told us the school would be getting new reading books for the new year and we had the opportunity to have the old ones if we wanted them. Did I want one? Was she kidding? Already at the age of six, I was sentimental. I knew I wanted the book I’d learned to read from. I had to have it. I can remember how excited I was when I got my copy. Funniest thing of all is I still have that Rockets reader over 20 years later! (Actually, it’s just a teeny bit longer than 20 years - but don’t tell anyone!)

Looking at the pages open like this brings back so many memories. It’s almost as if I’m that little girl again, so eager to take her turn at reading her favorite story aloud.

I also remember fantasizing about my name being on the cover of a book. How I longed for people to read my words! I knew, even at the age of six, that I wanted to be a writer. Amazing.

I have to say, though, that I’d never have picked reading up so quickly if my parents hadn’t read to me, I don’t think. I remember mom reading to me - a lot. She read me Bible stories, fairy tales, and all sorts of books. So, do you remember the book you learned to read from? What was it? Did it happen to be Rockets? Do you still have it?

Lastly, here’s the full views of the front and back…

Rockets was put together by:

William K. Durr

Jean M. LePere

Mary Lou Ahin

and

Consultant: Paul McKee

Writing the Cyber Highway Copyright 2007-2008 Michele L. Tune All Rights Reserved

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: Me

Pretty photo, isn’t it? I’m far from a professional photographer. Half of the photos I snap are out of focus and not so great, so when I get one that actually makes me happy and proud to be the one who captured it (like the one above), I’m elated.

I have to be honest. I’ve gone back and forth between two other blog posts today. Both are great ideas and they’re going to be pretty good posts, but I’m just not feeling either of them today. I know you’ll thank me (once you read them) for saving them until inspiration takes me over.

Since this is the weekend, I’ve decided on a fun blog post. I recently came across the most hilarious thing I think I’ve seen in a while. I guess it doesn’t take much to occupy me. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, though. I want you to see it for yourself. Anxious to find out? I know you’re dying to know! Ok, I’ll share with you… But be warned, you’re going to flip out!

What? Thought I forgot to tell you? If you’re still reading, you missed it already. Go back and click on the words “flip out.” See ‘em right up there? Yeah, those words. Go click ‘em. You’re gonna love it! And don’t forget to come back here and share your reaction in the comments. I can’t wait to hear (ahem… read) what you have to say about it.

Ah, the meme…. I didn’t forget, Janna! Janna, over at Something She Wrote, paid me back. I recently tagged her for the Writing from Home meme, so she tagged me for the A to Z meme. I thought it sounded familiar when I read hers. Now I know why. I went through my archives and I’ve already done that one! Sorry for the wait, Janna. And… drum roll, please… Weekend Fun with the Alphabet.

So, how’s your weekend been? Have you been reading or writing? Are you near the water? Enjoying the sandy beaches? Did you go shopping? Let us know… leave a comment now! We’re waiting…. And, by all means, did you “flip out?”

Hope you’ve been having lots of success writing the cyber highway–and fun, too!

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: Me

Erika, at Musings from the Mitten, has tagged me for a meme (er, I’m running a little late - sorry!). The theme: Why I love writing from home…

Ok, here are a few reasons (in no particular order):

1. I don’t have to wear panty hose.
2. I get to see my thinking tree every day.
3. I don’t have to drive.
4. I can write while sitting on the porch.
5. I can bake banana bread and deliver it to people just because. (I don’t treat myself to this moist, delish bread - I don’t want to gain back 100+ pounds, you know! - but I do reap great satisfaction from sharing my love of baking with others.)
6. I get to network with awesome writers (like Erika!).
7. I can blog.
8. I can Squidoo.
9. I’m able to take photos like the one featured at the beginning of this post.
10. I get to Hub.
11. But most importantly, I can release words fighting to escape from my soul, all while making money and being around loved ones at the same time!

Thanks for tagging me, Erika!

A few ladies I know will share wonderful reasons why they love writing from home are:

1. Becca, from Becca’s Byline
2. Renie, from Renie Burghardt’s World
3. Katherine, at KatherineHuether.com
4. Opal, at Addicted to Writing
5. Janna, at Something She Wrote

If you ladies have the extra time and would like to participate, we’d love to read what you love most about writing from home! And, if anyone reading this has never heard of or visited the above blogs (including Musings from the Mitten) do check them out. They’re amazing ladies with awesome blogs!

UPDATE: Amanda, over at From Ink to Ether, took me up on my offer and posted The Beauty of Working from Home. If her blog is one you haven’t visited, please speed the cyber highway right now and get there. Amanda Nicole shares information on freelance writing rates and much more. Thanks for participating, Amanda!

NOTE: Anyone else want to jump in? I’ll update with your link as well!

So, my faithful readers, why do you enjoy writing from home? Are you just starting out or have you been writing from home for years, or even decades? Is making money the main reason you write? Or do you write because, like me, it’s your calling and you can’t escape it? Does the ole muse chase you down in the middle of the night and beat you over the head until you drag yourself to the computer and fill up those empty pages? Jump right in the comments and share your heart! Kick your shoes off and stay awhile. You don’t have to be a lurker here! No siree, Bob - or Sally! Want to participate in this meme? Go right ahead! Leave a link to your post in the comments. I look forward to reading your answers!

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Reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

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By

Michele L. Tune

“A person who is master of patience is master of many things.”

That’s the quote you see on that little piece of paper on the plate below…

Photo Credit: Me

I think the universe is screaming at me. Ludicrous, you think? Don’t jump to conclusions. Seriously. As I can, I’ve been making time to update the links in my old posts. I started at the beginning and am working my way backwards, up to now (because I just moved from Blogger to WordPress, for anyone just tuning in). I came to this post about patience.

Check out what I said at the end of that post:

Patience is a virtue (I believe) all successful writers possess. Dig deep and find patience. It’s in there!

Yes, I wrote those very words!

This is what happened when I got up from editing that post to find something quick to fix for lunch: I was digging in the cabinet and found a box of fortune cookies. I never really take those little fortunes to heart, but I love the taste of those cookies! I broke a cookie and started nibbling. I just laid that little ole piece of paper on the counter while I went searching for something to actually eat.

Imagine my surprise when I decided to pick that fortune up and read it! The quote at the top of this post jumped out at me. I just had to take a picture of those cookies on the plate with my fortune displayed. Coincidence?

I’ll admit, I’ve never been the most patient person. Some people think I’m very patient; others think I have zero patience. But it’s crazy to think the universe is screaming - ok, maybe not screaming - the topic of patience to me.

Weird.

What a strange day I’ve had, writing the cyber highway!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I did not eat all those cookies!