Archive for the ‘Resources for Writers’ Category
Posted on May 17, 2009 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Update on Today.Com
I’m pretty sure I pegged it, when in the previous post I mentioned that as soon as google picked up that post, I’d be removed from today.com.
Well, I checked my email and I did got an email and this is what it said:
Dear VIP Blogger COOKWITHME.TODAY.COM, (please do not direct anymore traffic there…. visit www.dailydishrecipes.com instead – it’s better!)
You have not consistently posted since becoming a VIP member.
We only retain VIP members who consistently post as this benefits
both the VIP member and our program.As a result of this inactivity we have disabled your VIP account.
Thank you for trying out our program.
Best Regards,
The Today.com Team
I will admit it was certainly not what I expected. I was surprised. Only because I got removed for not posting regularly and not because I posted a hateful review of their precious website. Hmm…..
So then, I went to sign into today.com for the heck of it. (actually I wanted to look at which posts were not paid because they were “duplicate dates”, but that’s beside the point). Obviously I couldn’t. I was truly removed, but I got a sweet little (gag) message that said that today.com wanted me back.
So it was done and over and I could move on. haha yeah well, last night I went back and when I first typed in today.com NOTHING came up (as in page not found). I tried it three or four times and I still got not page.
Then, I finally was able to sign in except I am not able to look at any of my posts. I’m able to look at the blog control panel where is shows the last few comments on your blog and where you select whether you want to write a post, edit a post, create a page… etc. etc. but it won’t let me click on anything and when I try to access the forums I get “Your account is inactive. Contact support@today.com for help if you think this is a mistake.” THEN when I access the VIP Stats page, I get “###ALERT###
you’re not a VIP blogger” < —hehe they spelled YOU’RE right this time.
Anyway, weirdness all around. I’m so glad not to be with them anymore. Now, to get all the traffic I was bringing them to refocus on my new site!
Update:
I got THIS in my email this morning and I did NOT sign up for advertising?
Cook With Nicole:
We have noticed that you have signed up the Today.com Advertising
account simplywriting and have not purchased advertising yet.
So, should I advertise my NEW blog over there? Kidding!
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on April 26, 2009 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Brain Crack and Getting The Ideas Out….
The other day I was sitting and almost cringing because I have two absolutely AMAZING story ideas in my head swirling around. They’ve been there for about 3 or 4 years now, and yet they still remain there. In my head. Not on paper. Not on computer screen. Locked away in my mind, knowing full well, I am the only one that can actually tell these stories. So what do I do?
Why have I not written these two particular ideas? Why not incorporate them into a NaNo? I tried. I really did. I failed miserably. I didn’t like the direction my story was going, and while to some degree the characters were definitely leading me, I knew that I was dealing out some of the storyline and by the time I had completed a whole day of writing (some thousand words or more), I was sorely disappointed, so I changed my mind and worked on something else.
*sigh*
So this video, totally inspired me to go back and begin working on it – I seriously love this guy – and his message. Now to find the time.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on October 26, 2008 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Need Help With Your Novel? Great Tips!
Try any of these spots for a little help on writing your novel or getting inspired. I plan to keep this fairly updated and eventually turn it into a link up at the top.
Looking for a first name?
First Names and What They Mean
Looking for a last name?
Looking for a pet name?
Looking for a location?
Most Popular Cities World Wide
Want a Blue Print of your house, castle, store, building?
Looking for a house?
Figure out what city you want it to take place in, then in google type the city name plus real estate or homes for sale to find what would be commonly found in that area.
Looking for a job?
This is one of my favorite sites for finding your MC an occupation – this site not only gives you ideas for occupations but also tells you the training and education needed for that job, how much you will make at that job, what types of places hire that type of occupation and what kind of working conditions each occupation has. It’s awesome!
Popularity: 2% [?]
Posted on October 18, 2008 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
How Fast Are You?
I’m not competitive by nature. In fact, I usually don’t enjoy playing any game with other people because well, I tend to suck at lots of games. LOL I’m actually okay with that.
But when I found TypeRacer, everything changed. I found it fun to play with other people, because it challenged me to get better. So – what is TypeRacer? It’s a typing speed game where in a race-like situation, you type a quote they give you while little cars move across the screen and whoever types fastest – wins. After you have raced, they provide you with your stats - how fast you typed, your accuracy, etc.
Here is a screen shot of my first three attempts at playing:
This was my first attempt – I typed 68 wpm and it was the first time I played (and I won – no I swear I am not gloating – I knew I could type faster than 68wpm!)
The second time I was less than thrilled that I lost. I was happy because I definitely typed faster, I took second place with 78wpm. But then Ethel must have lightening fingers because she finished with 107wpm! Holy bionic!
This was the last time I did a screen capture but was not my fastest. (my computer was starting to go nutty with all the cutting and pasting) I took first place here with 85wpm. I have since scored 92wpm but only once. And guess what – I wasn’t in first place. I took second with that one. The other person typed like 98wpm or something!
The game is fun but it also helps to increase you typing speed. You cannot beat that. Let me know if you play it, and if you like it too.
ETA: I finally got 92wpm and won! LOL
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on June 2, 2007 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Freelance Portfolios
I recently stumbled across a cool website, that allows freelancers to create their own online portfolios or resumes, which showcase their services and samples to current or perspective clients. And then potential clients can quickly search for a freelancer who is perfect for their project.
Another cool resource.
I don’t know anything about them, or how likely you’ll be to necessarily get work out of the service, but it appears to be free, and I guess couldn’t hurt. Another nice marketing tool? Your thoughts?
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on February 16, 2007 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Chapter After Chapter
I have been working diligently on one of my novels. The idea is there, several chapters are in place and I feel confident they are in progress in a positive direction.
In the meantime, I am reading an excellent book that you should seriously consider reading!
Chapter After Chapter by Heather Sellers helps you disover the dedication and focus you need to write the book of your dreams.
What is pretty cool, is that like other writing books, she offers excercises at the end of each chapter, designed to help you finish your book. What is unique about them, is that they are a different type of excercise than I am used to finding in books. They are creative and special, and really get you thinking about what is inside your mind and ready to be put on paper.
Heather Sellers also wrote Page After Page, another terrific book, I’m told. I just ordered it from Amazon.com so I will let you know more about it when I read it and then review it.
In the meantime, check out Chapter After Chapter for an excellent book on writing your very own book!
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on July 21, 2006 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
I Need a Writers Resume
When faced with the challenge of creating my own personal writer’s resume, I panicked a little. In fact, I probably panicked a lot.
Sure, I have a regular resume. In fact, I have two. One for any administrative positions I apply for, because I have experience as an Office Manager and one for a teaching position, as I was a preschool teacher for over ten years of my life.
But my current dilemma was as a freelance writer. I’m not looking for a “day job” but I am looking for more writing jobs or possibly a position in the writing or publishing business.
If you’re a freelancer, chances are that you
(a) work from home, and
(b) your employment history (current or former) may have little relationship to your writing skills.
So what do you do about that?
When you know you have the skills to handle a regular writing or editorial position, it becomes a challenge to prove it. So how do you convince an employer?
In a typical freelance writing situation, you will want to consider developing a “skills” resume instead.
A Skills resume is a perfectly acceptable alternative to the chronological resume, enabling you to focus on the skills and experience that are directly relevant to the job for which you’re applying.
Next entry…getting started.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Posted on July 20, 2006 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
A Writers Resume
Hey happy writer’s – I stumbled across a thought today.
I don’t have a writer’s resume – do you?
If you do, what the heck do you put on it? I did extensive research on the whole thing trying to figure out how to list the articles I’ve written.
I’ve also ghost written several things – where someone else bought the full rights. I do however, still have the originals. Can we use those? And if we do, do we just make a separate section for “ghost written” material?
I am going to continue to do research and create a writer’s resume. I will detail my findings here and hopefully you will find it useful.
And hey, if you do have one – tell me you have on in the comments field, so we can chat back and forth. I’d love to see yours.
The start of mine (with absolutely nothing there yet) is here:
http://www.geocities.com/simplywriting/
Popularity: 1% [?]
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