First, I want to say how thrilled I am to have found Contant Content. I looked around for quite a while for someplace where I could write and earn the money that I deserved for my work. I've only written one article so far, but was so happy to see it was accepted with no problems.
I only have one problem. I am virtually terrified to write anything else. I'm very new to freelance writing and I still feel that maybe I'm not good enough. Did anyone else feel this way when they first started? I desperately want to be a writer and I'm afraid this roadblock of paranoia will stop me before I even get started.
Am I Too Nervous?
Moderators: Celeste Stewart, Ed, Constant
-
Celeste Stewart
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:28 pm
- Location: California
- Contact:
You gotta put yourself out there! Being nervous is perfectly normal but the beauty of a place like CC is that you can let your alter ego soar.
If it helps, choose a pen name and separate yourself from your new persona. Celeste Stewart and the real me are two somewhat different people. Celeste isn't afraid to post to the requests she wants or speak her mind on the boards. She sticks up for herself and writes with no apologies.
Having a pen name gives me the freedom to write whatever I want without compromising my other writing dreams. Someday I'll have my YA novels published without fear that my young readers will see my name alongside The Benefits of Viagra or something odd like that.
Go for it!
If it helps, choose a pen name and separate yourself from your new persona. Celeste Stewart and the real me are two somewhat different people. Celeste isn't afraid to post to the requests she wants or speak her mind on the boards. She sticks up for herself and writes with no apologies.
Having a pen name gives me the freedom to write whatever I want without compromising my other writing dreams. Someday I'll have my YA novels published without fear that my young readers will see my name alongside The Benefits of Viagra or something odd like that.
Go for it!
-
Celeste Stewart
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:28 pm
- Location: California
- Contact:
-
fairyfaye22
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:19 am
- Location: England, UK
Nerves and Anxiety
I, too, am suffering with a bad case of nerves and anxiety at the moment.
I was so happy to find Constant Content, after recently being very disappointed in a site that apparently offered the same amazing service only to later inform me that I cannot be paid as I am outside the USA. I was incredibly excited at the prospect of writing regularly, sharing my ideas and thoughts with the writing world. However, while searching for details of timescales from submission to approval (or rejection), I came across many posts about writers being rejected.
Of course, I comprehend and accept that I may very well experience a huge amount of rejections. But I am scared and nervous that I will never get approved... I am seriously doubting my writing abilities.
This is probably more of a rant than anything else. I'm just worried I won't be good enough for CC.
I was so happy to find Constant Content, after recently being very disappointed in a site that apparently offered the same amazing service only to later inform me that I cannot be paid as I am outside the USA. I was incredibly excited at the prospect of writing regularly, sharing my ideas and thoughts with the writing world. However, while searching for details of timescales from submission to approval (or rejection), I came across many posts about writers being rejected.
Of course, I comprehend and accept that I may very well experience a huge amount of rejections. But I am scared and nervous that I will never get approved... I am seriously doubting my writing abilities.
This is probably more of a rant than anything else. I'm just worried I won't be good enough for CC.
-
Mary Shows
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:25 am
I know exactly how each of you feels. I am relatively new here, too. I started writing here about a month ago. I have had a few rejections and was tremendously embarrassed because I thought I was a pretty good proofreader. But, everyone here has been very nice and patient. I guess everyone makes mistakes sometimes. But, I am trying to be very diligent about proofreading and not turning in articles with errors since it takes a while to get articles reviewed in the first place and it can really slow the process of getting your articles up and ready to be sold. I do not write for requests much because I just don't feel I have the speed in my writing yet to produce a good article as quickly as some of the other authors here. But, I will get there with some time and experience. Good luck!!
-
J. A. Young
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:27 pm
- Location: U.S.A.
I was nervous about the whole thing at first. When I signed up I think I wrote 4 or 5 articles that just sat around for about 3 months. For me, it only took one sale to motivate me into action. I just wrote and wrote and wrote and things took off. And I was essentially just struggling to find that balance--writing pieces that I was interested in, but that also had the likelihood of making a sale.
What it has brought me in terms of confidence has had dramatic results. I have an MA in English but have been locked into a job that is not really writing-centered. Although CC has been essentially a moonlighting experience for me, it has given me the springboard and experience to say, wow--I may be qualified for serious writing-focused positions--technical writer or journalism-based careers. When a potential employer now wants a writing sample, I won't freeze up. It's like, where do I begin? I have so many pieces that I feel really great about.
Even the full rights articles--one no longer owns them, but at least I own the fact of their sale. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if down the road the staff begins to get questions about supplying references. I know I could point out the fact that I've sold this many pieces over the past year and it's no joke--and it may not be a simple moonlighting stint afterall. It has a lot of career value whether it is strictly a freelance gig or will form a repertoire of work for more advanced writing/full time gigs.
To make a long story short, I would forgo the nerves as best as possible and just write. I mean, I know a lot of writers have come and gone and some have found niches and others might struggle, but I have found the experience of working with this site to be gratifying on so many levels. So good luck. Hopefully your first sale will boost your confidence too! JA
What it has brought me in terms of confidence has had dramatic results. I have an MA in English but have been locked into a job that is not really writing-centered. Although CC has been essentially a moonlighting experience for me, it has given me the springboard and experience to say, wow--I may be qualified for serious writing-focused positions--technical writer or journalism-based careers. When a potential employer now wants a writing sample, I won't freeze up. It's like, where do I begin? I have so many pieces that I feel really great about.
Even the full rights articles--one no longer owns them, but at least I own the fact of their sale. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if down the road the staff begins to get questions about supplying references. I know I could point out the fact that I've sold this many pieces over the past year and it's no joke--and it may not be a simple moonlighting stint afterall. It has a lot of career value whether it is strictly a freelance gig or will form a repertoire of work for more advanced writing/full time gigs.
To make a long story short, I would forgo the nerves as best as possible and just write. I mean, I know a lot of writers have come and gone and some have found niches and others might struggle, but I have found the experience of working with this site to be gratifying on so many levels. So good luck. Hopefully your first sale will boost your confidence too! JA
Thanks, J.A. and everyone else. I'm happy to hear that I am not alone.
(a little background) I resigned from my real estate job about a year ago because I wasn't feeling personally satisfied. I wrote a bit in college and with my great love of literature hoped I could write full time. Unfortunately, my savings has run out and I've taken a part time position in a local library to help pay the bills.
In the spare time that I have left, I'm hoping I can find my niche and fulfill my aspirations of writing for a living. I guess what I need to do now is "just do it."
Thanks again!
jbielicke
(a little background) I resigned from my real estate job about a year ago because I wasn't feeling personally satisfied. I wrote a bit in college and with my great love of literature hoped I could write full time. Unfortunately, my savings has run out and I've taken a part time position in a local library to help pay the bills.
In the spare time that I have left, I'm hoping I can find my niche and fulfill my aspirations of writing for a living. I guess what I need to do now is "just do it."
Thanks again!
jbielicke
What IS this site that won't pay Canadian writers?
Definitely pull from your real estate experience. Sought-after real estate articles are those with inside information or advice from a sound source.
In addition, if you're working in a library, you've got plenty of source material for research and ideas.
Ed
Definitely pull from your real estate experience. Sought-after real estate articles are those with inside information or advice from a sound source.
In addition, if you're working in a library, you've got plenty of source material for research and ideas.
Ed
-
fairyfaye22
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:19 am
- Location: England, UK
-
Celeste Stewart
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:28 pm
- Location: California
- Contact:
AC's payments are low but they now pay by the click on top of the initial payment so you do have the chance of getting an ongoing royalty. Last month, I got some free money out of the deal so I can't complain. Plus, out of the blue, one of their editors requested an article from me for one of their large clients. It doesn't hurt to have other options.
I generally don't spend much time there because for me it doesn't come close to what I can earn here but I do see that if you can figure out their system, the potential is there. Every now and then I'll post something that hasn't sold here - now that they're paying by the click, I may post more.
I generally don't spend much time there because for me it doesn't come close to what I can earn here but I do see that if you can figure out their system, the potential is there. Every now and then I'll post something that hasn't sold here - now that they're paying by the click, I may post more.
Hi Nervous Nellies
Nervous? You are not alone. Not at all.
I, too, very hesitantly entered into Constant's writer's queue. I have been a writer and editor for most of my life, but things still slip by me.
Old habits and old school English lessons are also hard to shake. But you can count on Constant's editors to catch those little issues. And reject your article.
They do it firmly, but nicely and usually provide a clue as to what went wrong. As long as you follow their tips for improvement, and re-submit your edited article, your piece will usually be accepted.
A hint? I keep a copy of both my promotional blurb and my keywords in my Word program along with my article. Just in case. That way it is very easy to cut and paste when and if my article comes back to me -- rejected!
I am so pleased to see the standards set on this site, because I write for other sites that have next to no standards at all. Some of the "articles" on that site make me cringe.
Don't be afraid any longer; rejection hurts but, like a needle, it will only pinch for a moment.
I promise.
Sheree
Rejection stinks, but almost every writer out there needs the extra pair of eyes on the writing. Otherwise, I'd have done the equivalent of walking outside with TP on my shoe more than once around here 
Or worse.
Here are a few things that I've learned over the years. (I was a newspaper reporter and journalism student before I showed up here.)
Don't take it personally. That makes the rejection so much harder to take. Just repeat, "They had a problem with the piece, not with me" if you must.
Sometimes it's very tough to stay positive and keep a good attitude. I've been known to kick pillows across my bedroom when I wasn't in a good mood. And that's okay. The pillow doesn't mind. But please...please...keep the tantrum private. Please. For your own sake.
That being said: enjoy the site. The editors are fair and friendly. The other writers are pretty cool people IMO. (Except me. I'm cranky. You have been warned.) *grins*
Or worse.Here are a few things that I've learned over the years. (I was a newspaper reporter and journalism student before I showed up here.)
Don't take it personally. That makes the rejection so much harder to take. Just repeat, "They had a problem with the piece, not with me" if you must.
Sometimes it's very tough to stay positive and keep a good attitude. I've been known to kick pillows across my bedroom when I wasn't in a good mood. And that's okay. The pillow doesn't mind. But please...please...keep the tantrum private. Please. For your own sake.
That being said: enjoy the site. The editors are fair and friendly. The other writers are pretty cool people IMO. (Except me. I'm cranky. You have been warned.) *grins*