Associated Content Writer Extraordinaire Charlotte Kuchinsky Answers Her Own Questions and Some of Mine

Charlotte Kuchinsky is the AC Millionaire on almost everybody's favorites list. She is in the AC Top 100 for the second year, has hundreds of fans, and has written almost 2000 articles. All of her writing is extremely honest; she is transparent and never afraid to let us see who she really is. Her poetry especially is personal, and very moving. She also writes truly addictive fiction, and reviews and articles full of information as well. In addition to her remarkable talent, Charlie's kindness, warmth and character come through everything she writes. No wonder she has such a devoted following. And, if you've been following her recent "Most Intriguing Writers" series, you know how much she enjoys helping other Associated Content writers by interviewing and promoting them. (Like me.) The time and effort she spends doing that is awesome. Ever wonder how she would answer her own questions? I did. And I had some questions of my own, too.

How long have you been writing for Associated Content and what brought you here? I have been with AC since November 2006. I had been recruited by another site that never paid me. Another writer mentioned Associated Content and I have been here ever since.

You mean AC actually pays you? You could say that! Obviously the pay was better in the beginning. However, I can't complain about the page view bonus. It has saved our budget more than once or twice.

What do you like most about AC and what do you like least? I love the diversity and quality of AC's writers, but I also love their spirits. The writers here band together to help and support one another. I hate that I don't get the publication notices on every one I read. That means I fall behind sometimes and make them wonder if I've stopped supporting them. I haven't. I just have to play catch-up. Also, sometimes I don't particularly like the way AC treats some writers (not just me). Each article, poem, story I write is a piece of me. I don't like thinking my father is on the other end of the computer still criticizing me and putting me down. But then I have my fans who always lift me back up.

Charlotte's areas of expertise: Business writing; she did that for 15 years, although rarely does it now. Beauty; because she is the principal beauty writer for a British beauty site and one locally. Poetry; because it was her first love in writing and still is. She has experienced a lot of success with short stories as well, which surprises her.

I'm hooked on The Georgie Chronicles, so I have to ask: Who is Georgie? And when did she first float out of your keyboard? "The Georgie Chronicles" are based on my own tumultuous and difficult life. I hated my parents for that for many years. Then, one day I realized that I wouldn't be who I am had it been any different. Writing about Georgie (me) is allowing me to turn loose of those things that haunted me for far too long.

So far, my character has come off a little too goody two shoes I guess. I've been called that all my life but the truth is it is just who I am. I didn't have a lot of time to be anything else. I went from to child to surrogate parent to wife and mother. I didn't have a total childhood or time to sew "wild oats."

Are you going to let Georgie sow any wild oats? Let's just say Georgie will make some mistakes in upcoming stories, unfortunately. But then, that is life, isn't it?

What's your favorite piece you've written on AC? I don't know that I have one. I'm never satisfied with anything I write. If I have to choose, I would say "The Georgie Chronicles" because they are releasing me from long carried baggage.

Charlotte reads nearly 140 different writers at AC because she loves their work, and she is always finding new ones. She comments that she can't possibly list all favorites, but did name a few:

Carol Bengle Gilbert because she educates, provokes and stimulates. We often disagree politically but she never lets that get in the way of our friendship. You've got to love that capability in a person. Tony Jingo - he's my hero. I love his spirit. It radiates through everything he writes. I like that he stands up for us little guys even when he knows he is going to take hits for it. He is very brave in so many different ways. Kristie Leong is amazing. Anyone who can make medical stuff interesting is all right in my book. Plus, she is just one of the most nurturing, sweetest individuals you'll ever meet. It's a great combination. Kim Linton dares to say what many of us are thinking but are afraid to write down. Plus, she is a fellow Christian who continues to teach me something new. Lyn Lomasi is one of AC's very best writers, period. Don Pennington makes me laugh, cry, think and get angry. He is so versatile he can write anything. Carol Roach -- for many of the same reasons as the other Carol. She is always teaching me something. Will Stape: We are kindred souls in our love for all things sci-fi. Plus he has become a close friend of mine. He won't ever let me give up on myself. The man is incredible in every way possible. Sheryl Young. She is uber-amazing! Enough said.

And everyone else I have ever featured in my "Most Intriguing" series.I picked those writers because they are excellent at what they do. They are also good souls and outstanding role models. I love them all!

If you could give new writers to AC one tip to help them be successful, what would it be?Believe in yourself and your talent. That is half the battle. I'm not very good at that. Because of the way I was raised, I have a built-in low self-esteem. I'm my own worst critic. I rarely "love" anything I write. I'm always thinking to myself, "it could have been better." I tell other writers not to do that! You can and will improve without having to rip yourself to shreds.

What other personal information are you willing to share with your AC fans?I turn 60 in July and I'm proud of it. I married the man I fell in love with at first sight at the age of 14. We've been together nearly 46 years; five dating, and almost 41 married. We are true soul mates. He is the other half of me. When he had his heart attack on Christmas Eve in '06, I knew if he died I would follow him shortly. Half of my heart would have been gone.

What would you love to write that you haven't?I would love to write a children's book. I've toyed with basing it on Native American myths and legends. However, there aren't many publishers biting right now so I doubt I'll ever get it off the ground. (LLJ: I for one, want to read it when you do. And everything else you write!)

Who has been your biggest inspiration on AC? She doesn't write here anymore and we are the worse for it. Donna Porter became a close friend and colleague almost instantly. We even did some business writing together outside of AC. Like Will Stape, she simply would not let me get down on myself. She would kick my derriere if that was needed or lovingly coax me back to where I belonged. She always seemed to know what I needed and offered it. I really do want to be her when I grow up. I miss her so much!

One more question, Charlie: Do you look like your avatar?I think the avatar is my husband's rose-colored-glasses version of the younger me. There have been a few changes since then. But I'm still a strawberry red-blond, still have a Native American nose, but I now have a straight hair chin bob. Note: Charlie provided some wonderful pictures for this article, and then changed her avatar, too!