Perhaps the worst advice possible given to new writers, “Write What You Know”. It seems innocent enough. All of us know something, so use what you know as a story. While I agree for someone starting out to use this advice, I hate it for any writer moving on from beginner to novice.
I first want to mention the project I had been working on for a client that you can now get on Amazon. The book is called “The Twelve C’s of an Exceptional Leader“. You can get both a Kindle and Createspace version. This book goes into a lot about how to become a leader, or how to improve yourself. The author has given me permission to take some credit for this work as a Content Editor. I firmly believe in this book and encourage everyone to buy it who wishes to become a leader, and I say that as someone who gets no commission for any sales.
Now, onto my post…
I’ve been back home in Arizona for two months now. I wish I could tell you it is fantastic, but that would be a lie. The best I can say is that it is a safe haven for now, and hopefully I can use this time to get myself out of here. Likely will take me two years. In light of that, I will continue to work hard to live that dream of being self-sufficient and work on dealing with my disability.
Freelance Writing has been going well. While I’ve only had one client, he has given me a few jobs. I just completed the second one for him, and he’s given me permission to announce it. My contribution was Content and Line Editing. The book, “The Twelve C’s of Exceptional Leadership” is available on all major eBook Retailers and on Createspace. Since the completion of this project on Monday, he has given me another assignment, with plans to give me another after that.
I’ve got a few logs in the fire, so I do have hope right now. Mostly keeping myself busy and looking towards the future. One thing that will be fun is this weekend I am going to do a live editing. My student, Nicohle Christopherson, is wanting to get her first book published. This is primarily to get her name out there, but also take the pressure of becoming a published author. My first book was a quick story for much the same reasons. She has agreed to let me edit her work live on YouTube (stay tune for this post and a future post on when it will be playing). It is my hope that other beginning writers will see this and be inspired to write or know how to improve their stories, while also giving some positive attention to my student and help her on her writing career.
Beyond that, I have a few other things, but I would like to keep that close to the vest for right now. I just need to keep my head down but my eyes on the prize.
I’m sorry that I am winging this. Right now my life is very busy and in the new year I plan to give more of an article. The last 6 months have been a horror for me, from being on the streets, to being in a shelter, to living in a bad environment… I can confirm now that I am back in Arizona and so far things are OK.
I am busy right now, as the Freelance Writing is doing well. I found a great client, and it has the opportunity to be a great series of jobs.
I will keep this short today. I am very busy right now, which is a good thing, but I still want to say something for those who’ve shown support.
I am no longer on the streets. I am now living with my girlfriend. I am also starting up my career as a freelance writer. You can see my portfolio website at: http://freelance.chrisvotey.com
I am hoping that within a few months, I can come back to this site and start adding to the content. I have a lot of ideas still left to do. I also hope that Freelance takes off, so I can have the money to get further books out.
Thank you to everyone who has shown me support through my trying times. I’m not out of the woods yet, but things are not so dire anymore.
It is time for IWSG. Perhaps the great writing group ever formed. All us writers have our insecurities, and it is great that we care share them with each other. I feel privileged to be a part of this group, and have been so welcomed by other members.
This post should be one of celebration, but unfortunately it is not.
It’s the first Wednesday, and that means I am writing a few short words about what is going on in my life as a writer, and either openly talk about an issue, or share wisdom I’ve uncovered.
I will keep this post short. My AtoZ challenge was a success. Very happy how it turned out. Thanks to that, I finally reached 50,000 views. My blog has been going since March 2014, and since June of that year I’ve received at least one visitor on my blog everyday. Quite an achievement.
What’s my secret? Honestly, is keep at it. I’ve had 5 other blogs before this, and they all did poorly. Primarily, because I was too focused on what I thought my visitors wanted, and not enough on what I wanted. With this blog, I made the decision to maintain what I needed from the site as a resource to writers, and since I was dedicated to that, my blog took off, despite it taking many months to get there.
My passion that helped make this blog successful was Worldbuilding. While I’ve had other things here and there, that is what got me noticed. As it stands now, I have 50,090 views on my blog, with 21,231 visitors (2.36 views per visitor). Of that, I’ve had 35,871 just for my Worldbuilding articles, or 72% of all views.
I got lucky, truthfully, I found a niche that people needed but no one realized they did. It was my passion that allowed that niche to be born, and my passion to know that it would be of value, if I just kept at it. Remember that with your blog, whatever your passion may be, let that be the #1 reason you do your blog. And do everything you can to make your blog the best i can be. With a little time, it could be invaluable to others who share your passion.
Welcome to AtoZ Challenge. This year, my theme is from my upcoming book, Character Astrology Profiles, where I use Greek and Chinese Zodiac to map out 144 unique fictional profiles to help you create more complex characters.
Greek Zodiac
Pisces
(Feb 18th – Mar 20th)
Chinese Zodiac
Pig
(1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)
MBTI
ESFP
(Extroverted • Sensing • Feeling • Perceiving)
https://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2014/04/zebra%20facts.jpg.653x0_q80_crop-smart.jpg
Some personalities want to try to help as many as possible, and end up spreading themselves thin. These personalities tend to know everyone. In fact, if you’re needing a specialist of some kind, ask a Zebra, as they likely know someone. Interestingly enough, they are rather quiet and reserve, yet people easily talk to them. Since they tend to be there for so many, they end up having difficulties with having more intimate connections. When they do get time alone, they generally engage in an artistic hobby.
Have you seen a fictional character like this, or perhaps know someone in real life that fits this description? Please post it below.
Sally Jesse Raphael (Talk Show Host) 2/25/1935
Glenn Close (Actress) 3/19/1947
Sean Astin (Actor) 2/25/1971
Alan Tudyk (Actor) 3/16/1971
Carrie Underwood (Singer) 3/10/1983
Are you enjoying these posts?
This is a preview of my upcoming book, which will go into greater detail about each personality for Greek and Chinese Zodiac, totaling 144 personalities you can use to help develop or expand your character to become more complex.
Get it now on Pre-Order for $9.99.
Expected release: June 23th, 2017
Enter to win a copy of the e-book by commenting below. Make sure your post has your website listed, so I can check out your AtoZ (if you’re doing it), and if you win, I can use it to contact you. You get an entry for each day you post, but posting more than once for each article only counts for one entry. Contest ends May 1st. Winners Announced May 15th.
Welcome to AtoZ Challenge. This year, my theme is from my upcoming book, Character Astrology Profiles, where I use Greek and Chinese Zodiac to map out 144 unique fictional profiles to help you create more complex characters.
Greek Zodiac
Taurus
(Apr 19th – May 20th)
Chinese Zodiac
Ox
(1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
MBTI
ISTJ
(Introverted • Sensing • Thinking • Judging)
https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*QZT1cNAUQyPHxvkWbDAAAg.jpeg
Stubborn determination, also known as “not taking no for an answer”. Yaks are “black and white” thinkers, not accepting there is a middle ground. Either you do it right, or you’ve done it wrong. Yaks also hate change of any kind, preferring routine and organization. Likewise, they also have difficulty being social, often avoiding small talk and getting right to the point, never sugar coating anything. Work is where they usually shine, though they don’t need to be in charge. They only care that what they do matters, and they can do think their way.
Have you seen a fictional character like this, or perhaps know someone in real life that fits this description? Please post it below.
Niccolò Machiavelli (Writer) 5/3/1469
Jack Nicholson (Actor) 4/22/1937
George Carlin (Comedian) 5/12/1937
Dennis Rodman (Athlete) 5/13/1961
Tori Spelling (Actress) 5/16/1973
Are you enjoying these posts?
This is a preview of my upcoming book, which will go into greater detail about each personality for Greek and Chinese Zodiac, totaling 144 personalities you can use to help develop or expand your character to become more complex.
Get it now on Pre-Order for $9.99.
Expected release: June 23th, 2017
Enter to win a copy of the e-book by commenting below. Make sure your post has your website listed, so I can check out your AtoZ (if you’re doing it), and if you win, I can use it to contact you. You get an entry for each day you post, but posting more than once for each article only counts for one entry. Contest ends May 1st. Winners Announced May 15th.
