Newb here! I've got some questions.

[bluefox21]

Hello there! I've joined CC a while ago, but I still doubt about submiting articles here, so I'd like some orientation from people with experience in the site usage:

First off, i took a risk and joined the forum with a different user name than the one I use in the CC site (I like this one more, but I don't find it serious for an author).
-Is the forum related in any way to the actual site or is it OK to use different names?

-Is it mandatory to write by the guidelines? (specially, in the sticky up here, it talks about "introductions", do we really need to use them as a mandatory item to complete?)

-Is it mandatory to quote sources? I mean, I wasn't born knowing it all, I can write about something I have read in a site/magazine/book or even saw on TV, probabily years before placing it into an article, do I still have to quote that? or it's just about what I had to look up for during the actual writing of the article?. Specially since I can sometimes write 50 words about something I saw in 7 different resources, if I write 1000 words, I wouldn't quote 140 sources....or should I? (just exaggerating a little, but you get the idea).

-about the 3 rejections: Once you get 3 rejections you are unable to work with CC ever again?

-If so: do the rejections "expire" or are a staind you have to carry forever? Because, let's just say my 1st article is rejected, I become a "good writer (by CC guidelines)" and I just happen to make a mistake and be rejected again after a year and 500 articles, then I keep it normal and after another year and another 500 articles I happen to make a mistake again...that's it? it's over?, I worried about that too.

(continues)

[bluefox21]

And considering that I might have to change my writing style a lot, be careful in every move, get near to perfection:

-Does it worth it?

-Is there life beyond requests?

I really can't see "how much content is sold" generally, I guess that as every business "it has it's days", but will I really monetize my content?, or just focus on requests?. I don't like the idea because of the way I am, but I might give it a try and see if I can do it...but I don't like to limit my creativity (that's why I also wonder about the submission guidelines and emphasize in the fact that I'd need to change the way I write)


I guess that's all, maybe I will come up with new questions, I hope you don't find my post annoying (might be, but for me it's better to be safe than sorry).


Thanks a lot in advance!!!

[EricG]

Hi,
I'm a novice here too, but I think I can can answer a couple of your questions.

I believe that the 3 rejections rule applies to the one article.
If you think about it, the scenario you described just doesn't make sense - either for the writer or for Constant Content - if you consistently submit good work, but are chucked out after submitting 3 articles that don't quite make it.

re Introduction: The FAQ says that it is ESSENTIAL to have an introduction. It's pretty obvious what this means.

Just write your article as best you can in keeping with the guidelines and rules, submit it, and see how it goes.
Don't stress over it too much.

Cheers, Eric G.

[Ed]

"The 3 rejections rule applies to the one article."

This is actually incorrect. Writers must be able to consistently submit error-free, quality content. Failure to meet our requirements upon initial submission or failure to improve after rejections is grounds for suspension. In other words, the writer must prove herself competent in regards to professional writing rules and standards and must be able to proofread her own work. Everyone has bad days, but if articles are rejected more often than they are accepted, or if they contain agregious technical or grammar errors from the outset, we will be unable to work with that author.

Guidelines are not optional. From the guidelines:
"Before submitting your articles to Constant-Content, please read and abide by the following guidelines. Deviation from these guidelines will result in submission rejection. "

Thanks,
Ed

[jak]

Hi - in reponse to one question not yet answered, I don't think you have to use your author name in here unless you want to. There are others I know who don't. But if you want other authors to know what you're writing, you'll need to let us know how to find your articles. Best of luck.

[Celeste Stewart]

As far as citing sources, it depends on what you're talking about. Knowledge gleaned from 10-year-old magazines is probably fairly generic such as, "About ten years ago, gardenias and begonias were the must-have flowers for patios." On the other hand, if the other information is from a credible source the sentence might read, "According to Better Homes and Gardens' 2009 Hot Garden Trends survey, petunias were the most popular flower last year."

There is life beyond requests. Many writers don't do requests at all. However, requests have customers ready to buy whereas articles submitted must be discovered so they take longer to sell. Plus, you'd be surprised at how fun the requests are. You have to be creative in order for your article to be unique. If everyone's writing about how to plant a rose bush for a gardening request and you write about gardening fads, yours will be different.

The guidelines may require changing your writing style, especially if you haven't written for the Web. But they're pretty standard: intro, body, conclusion, well-organized, proper grammar/spelling/punctuation, etc. Those are universal. Dust off your old English Comp books and you'll be fine. Save the creative/literary/stream of consciousness stuff for another venue because if the articles don't conform to the guidelines, they won't be accepted. Again, you can be creative when writing - creativity is important - just don't mess with conventional language usage. Find creative approaches to your topic, use lively turns of phrase, and express yourself in an easy-to-read, informative, and entertaining way.

Is it worth it? Will you make money? That depends. Many of us make a nice monthly income from CC. Others make enough to pay their Internet access bills. Variables (not counting writing ability because that's a given) include: what you write about, how often you submit, how well you follow trends, pricing (not too high/not too low), uniqueness.

Good luck!

[bluefox21]

wow, nice responses, thanks everyone!!!

I guess I'll try and submit today or tomorrow to see what is it all about, I wouldn't mind if the 1st one gets rejected, I guess it's part of getting used to the site.


Oh, by the way, the "3 submissions" issue wasn't very clear. Is just "strike 3, you're out"? or It has changed more to something like "no specific number, but if you get rejections too often, you're out"?

Thanks in advance again!

[Celeste Stewart]

I believe it's up to the discretion of the site's staff.

[bluefox21]

Thought so. Thanks a lot for the quick and nice reply!