Pure Irony

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:09 am

**This is more than a little tongue-in-cheek. It's just we always complain about articles not selling, here is a complaint about an article selling***

Have you ever had an article sell at an inconvenient time? I have. One of my premium articles just sold, arguably for a very affordable price, and I am thoroughly annoyed about it. I priced it lower when I was trying to convince a public requester to review it for their needs. I just decided last night that today I was going to pull it, since it has been read over 100 times, with no interest, rewrite it, and feature it on my author's website as a portfolio piece.

I suppose I shouldn't complain that I have maintained a 70% purchase rate here, even though I've only published 32 articles to the site. I just wish I had listened to the little voice in my head last night, that was thoroughly confused and cranky from learning about CGI scripts, that said "Pull it off tonight..." Yet, I gave in to my laziness because I was exhausted, and thought what are the chances that article would sell by the morning?

Oh well, I can always hope that the transaction falls through....

I guess I could relish in the motivation each sale gives me to write more, write more. Everytime I start to wonder, am I just "pretending" to be a freelance writer, something sells! I will just have to use a different article for my portfolio, and I better go grab it now, before it's gone.

LOL.

Always Smiling,
Elizabeth

grouchy · Post by **grouchy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:51 am

IMO, you have an interesting perspective - that you hope the transaction falls through. I know you're partly kidding though.

Yesterday ranks high on my list of troubling days: I spent more time than I wanted to spend at the county courthouse dealing with something I never dreamed I would have to deal with. I had to ask for help filling out some forms because I couldn't stop the waterfall from my eyes. My head hurt, my eyes were scratchy, and then I had to deal with the freak show at the big grocery store as long as I was in town, where everyone was sneezing and coughing in each others' faces.

Poor me. When I got home I saw the request for the renewable energy article and decided to tackle it since I was in the energy industry for 16 years. When I went to submit it, I saw that the requester already made a purchase and withdrew the request. Nothing of mine has sold for a while, and although I've learned to be patient, I'm still not jumping for joy.

Then I reviewed the recently sold list and saw that your article was on the list! I immediately smiled, because I remembered that you were discouraged about it, and I said to myself, "Good for you, Elizabeth!" It was a small bright spot in my very sad day. Now this morning my head still throbs, and then I read your message. It has thrown me for a loop, which recently has not been difficult. Now I realize I was happier about it than you were. But it was still a bright spot for me, and renewed my hope. I needed that.

So, very sincerely, thanks for causing that, albeit unwillingly!

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:29 am

Grouchy--

I'm so sorry, I too hate dealing with the courts. No, I AM happy the article sold. I just find it ironic that right when I decide I am going to take it down, and use it for my portfolio, it sells that night!

I am still finding my way in the world of freelance writing. Writing by it's very nature is something we all do, albeit some better than others (otherwise none of us would have a job). It's an odd sort of exercise to get over the clash of ego and humility: to truly feel confident in your skills as a writer. I am still baffled by it, and I've been selling my writing for a few months now...

I was also probably more grouchy myself than I should have been. I've made it through 400 some pages of writing HTML, only to be thwarted because I can't make sense out of CGI/Java/MySQL and which would be best for what I want to do. I swear, once I figure all of this stuff out, I'M WRITING A BOOK on how to make a website that explains it for the rest of us. Not that it would be for Dummies, because I certainly am not one. However, computer and technological writers in general seem to have a knack for using words the reader doesn't understand to define other words the reader is ignorant of.

For example, the HTML book I am using has a section on forms. I made my form and it is very cool I might add, and it completely glossed over the fact I need a CGI script to get it to work. I wasted 2.5 hours trying to get the thing to write to a text file, and finally I got upset tossed (I didn't throw, it is a library book after all) the book and my husband finally raised an eyebrow. I explained the stupid thing doesn't work and he asks in a completely dull voice "Well what are you using for your script?"

I said "No, I don't need a script, I have the form already written out, I did it."

Then he said "No, scripting language, you have to write a program for the computer to know what to do with the information."

At this point, I was not my most gracious, I was MAD. "Well, fine, you can do that then." He declined, mentioning something about the fact that he has already set up my server, my ingoing, and outgoing email.... you know little things like that which I admit caused him a lot of frustration too.

Then to top all of that drama off from yesterday night, when I decided to wait on pulling the article, and then wake up today to see it sold, you can imagine the reminder of frustration I felt last night all come flooding back. Hence why I put that the probelm is a little tongue in cheek and completely ironic.

Oh well, I got my form to work this morning to just default the information into the user's email system, I just really don't want it to be a two stop process.... More Hershey's Kisses with Almonds and Constant Content Tea, and maybe we will get there.....

Thanks grouchy, sorry for the seemingly flippant attitude about selling an article, but I thought if you knew the whole story your could understand a little better where the bad attitude was coming from.

CRDonovan · Post by **CRDonovan** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:37 am

It's all a learning curve, I think. I've been through a dry period recently too, not too prolific and what I did submit fell flat. I could see everyone else selling like mad, and I realized that I'm not choosing projects correctly. There's clearly an art to that. To recognizing the buyers who will, in fact, buy articles. Or the topics that will be so swamped with submissions that the competition will be fierce. Or the topics that are so obscure that if the buyer doesn't pick your article, no one else will either. Or not pricing things correctly and then kicking yourself after it sells. Or when it never sells.

Ah, well, learn as we go.

Congratulations anyway Elizabeth. And hope you feel better grouchy. (Can I say that I always picture you as that Sesame street muppet who lives in the trash can?)

grouchy · Post by **grouchy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:52 am

I like this conversation!

CR, Celeste sees me as a large mean man with a hairy back. I like your perception better! Although, truthfully, I'd probably be the Cookie Monster. I'm laughin.

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:16 am

Cookies! Yum!

RE: [quote]and I said to myself, "Good for you, Elizabeth!"[/quote]

This is so true. I find myself cheering for other writers and occasionally recognize their titles on the sold board. Like just now, looks like Vjlenik just sold a couple and I thought "Yea VJ!"

grouchy · Post by **grouchy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:17 am

It's about time you showed up.

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:41 am

Had to wait for the coffee could kick in.

grouchy · Post by **grouchy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:49 am

Judging from your post, I don't think it's kicked in yet.

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:49 am

Uhh... that should be Constant Comment tea up there, not Constant Content.... might as well be renamed though in my case...

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:56 am

I need another cup!

Lauren · Post by **Lauren** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:49 pm

Elizabeth, I also saw that your article sold. Sorry it went for less than you would have liked and right when you'd decided to use it for your portfolio. Sometimes things just don't go as we plan. I can certainly empathize.

Grouchy, I'm sorry you are going through such a rough time. Even finding that you were happier for the article's sale than Elizabeth was, perhaps you can hold on to that high point by knowing your happiness came from belonging to this great community. I certainly value having you in it. You've given me much helpful advice, even if I was only lurking when I received it. I hope today was better than yesterday.

After re-reading it seems you've already found some renewed hope and a happier mood, but I'll leave what I wrote above as it's rare that kind words are "unnecessary."

grouchy · Post by **grouchy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:54 pm

Lauren - your kind words are very much appreciated. Thank you. Today is better - at least I've stopped blubbering.

Cyndy Hardy · Post by **Cyndy Hardy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:11 pm

Aww, I love this bunch of writers! Someday we'll have to schedule a CC get-together. It'd be a kick to meet all of you.

Lauren · Post by **Lauren** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:28 pm

Cyndy, I'm glad you suggested that. Does that mean it will be in Sedona?