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!!

By

Michele L. Tune

Warning: This is pretty much an uninteresting post about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing, so if this type of stuff bores you to tears, remember you’ve been warned…

Photo Credit: Me

Ah, at last I return. So, where have I been? Writing, of course! Where? I’ll share a few of the places with you.

• Squidoo - I’ve wondered what all the rave is about with Squidoo Lenses. Now I know! I’m having a blast at Squidoo.com. So far, I’ve only created one lens: How to Make People Smile. It’s much like blogging, and it’s great fun–wonderful way to express your creativity!

• HubPages - Again, pretty much blogging and is an awesome way to share information you’re interested in, but maybe doesn’t fit within your blog’s theme. I have three “hubs” so far: Tea Tree Oil for Head Lice (no, I don’t have it! hehe), Brussel Sprouts: Sweet and Delish, and Pumpkin Pie… Yogurt.

I’ve shied away from sites like this for a long time, but I finally caved in and decided to just give them a try. I’m so glad I did!

I also wrote a piece for my local newspaper recently and finished a 1,500 word article that I’ll hopefully be able to let you know a link to soon.

So, lots of stuff going on... I’ve also been working on a fresh design and content for my freelance website. Heather, at Goofy Girl Designs, has been working hard on the design part and I’ve been working to write the content to really reflect the creative, inspiring person I am.

In other news… I’m getting a lot better about actually following up with my queries and submissions. I should have done this a long time ago. If you don’t follow up, it’s something you should really consider doing. Sometimes editors honestly are interested in what you submitted or queried about, or at least your writing style, but the e-mail gets lost or forgotten about. If you follow up, you’ll refresh their memory and possibly make that sale–or hopefully many sales!

Did you enjoy this post and my friendly, girl-next-door writing voice? Would you like to read more? Gobble up my feed - Entries RSS OR Comments RSS OR if you prefer updates to your inbox, Via E-mail - so you’ll always know when I have something to say! And get ready, this site will be podcasting soon. Imagine that - you’ll get to hear my southern accent. Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?!

Well, that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing–as far as writing is concerned anyway. What have you been up to? Do you write Squidoo Lenses? Are you a Hubber who loves writing HubPages? Do you write for your local newspaper? Have you thought of giving your freelance website a fresh design and content? Let us know what you’ve been doing lately!

By

Michele L. Tune

I borrowed the word “woo hoo” from Renie (thanks, Renie!). I must say “woo hoo!” is the perfect title for this post and this day. What, you want details? Oh, ok!

First thing this morning, I found an email from my editor informing me that my essay, One Last Good-bye, will be published October 29th. This will be the second story for me on MedHunters. They’ve bought a third but it will be published a little closer to the holidays as it relates to the season. So, that was an exciting thing to discover first thing in the morning, eh?

Then, the mail ran. What else did I receive besides a contract from Fate Magazine! Yes, indeed, they want to publish my story, Smokin’ Ghost! Oddly enough both of these stories I mention are pretty much in the paranormal theme. Considering I write inspirational, that’s hilarious…. But exciting!

Then, I received a phone call from another editor! But, I’m going to save this news for another day and you’ll find out why soon enough!

So, that’s why today was a “woo hoo” day. Lots of good news for me. And, I managed to submit a few things as well!

Remember, it doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen by wishing to be a writer. You have to write and you HAVE to submit! It takes a lot of patience and waiting but it’s sure worth it on the “woo hoo” days!

I hope you have a great week with lots of “woo hoo” days ahead while writing the cyber highway!

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: gundamkira

For the last few months, I’ve been planning a Website. I thought I’d go with one place, then I changed my mind and switched to another. I wasn’t happy with the template options (although the customer service of this particular place was stellar!), so I tried vistaprint.com.

More than business cards are available through this company. They have a variety of Website options, beautiful themed templates that you can make your own, and it’s all pretty simple!

If you’d like to browse around and ponder the possibility of building your own Website through vistaprint.com, you’ll be glad you did.

Now, for those of you who are curious about my feeble attempt to create my Website, here’s the link:

www.michele-tune.com

Have a great weekend writing the cyber highway!

By

Michele L. Tune

My quickie is live on Common Ties! Moses or Man? is story # 2, and is listed in the Touched By the Homeless category.

Be sure to read Christina Muratet’s story as well-it’s phenomenal!

Have a great week writing the cyber highway!