Associated Content's Crystal Ray of Hope for Aspiring (and Seasoned) Writers

When I first joined Associated Content, I immediately discovered that Crystal Ray was one of the most prolific writers on this site. I also noticed comments by her at the bottom of several articles.

Since July 1, 2005, Crystal Ray has published nearly 2,000 articles for Associated Content and has amassed a whopping 696 fans. While writing approximately 35 articles a month, Crystal Ray averages over 7600 page views per article.

With those numbers in mind, one question surfaces - How does Crystal Ray manage to research and produce such an extraordinary number of articles for Associated Content and still manage to comment on so many others?

My inquisitive mind would not be satiated until I discovered her secret, so I contacted Crystal Ray who agreed to be interviewed by me. Her answers follow.

How do you write so many articles and still manage to comment on so many writers' pages?

In comparison to many other writers, I haven't published nearly as many articles. I can think of several people with more than 2,000 published pieces of work. I set goals for myself, and I usually feel like I haven't written enough by the end of the day.

While taking breaks I read and comment on the work of my favorite contributors as well as content that happens to catch my eye. I don't subscribe to anyone because my inbox would end up full, but I take time each day to randomly read and comment on content I find interesting.

Are you a full-time writer or do you have another job as well (please tell us you are a full-time writer)?

I'm a full-time freelance writer. I wouldn't want to do anything else, and I cannot imagine ever going back into the real world of answering to a boss and keeping a schedule.

Where do you come up with all of your ideas?

Many of my ideas come from everyday life. Everything I see and experience is a potential article. As an artist, I've always had a very vivid imagination, and when combined with writing, the topics and ideas are not difficult to come up with. I've had decades of life experience. I've gained a wealth of information from others and from many years of taking care of family, pets, and multiple homes.

Do you have a set time to write each day?

I never work on a schedule. That's what I love most about freelance writing. I write off and on from the time I get up until I decide it's time to stop for the evening.

How do you organize your time?

My time is completely unorganized, and that's how I like it. I don't work well when forced to do anything. I'm a free spirit, and I write what I feel like writing when I feel like writing it.

I begin an article by coming up with a subject and keyword title, and I create an outline separated by bold headings. I fill in the blanks when I feel motivated. If I don't feel like writing the body of an article, I work on titles, opening paragraphs, and outlines. I go back later and write the body of the each article, and I don't work on them in any particular order. Sometimes I change my mind and delete an entire subject and outline if I don't feel inspired by it.

Do you devote a certain amount of time to writing and researching, then a certain amount of time to commenting?

My time is completely unorganized, and I take as much time as necessary to research, write, read, and comment.

Do you write every day?

I usually write each weekday, but I generally take the weekend off and spend time knitting, taking care of my home, visiting family, running errands, and enjoying life.

Do you request up-front payment on most of your articles?

I request up-front pay 99.7% of the time.

Are you ever at a loss for ideas?

I'm rarely at a loss for ideas or words. I often look around my own home for inspiration, but sometimes I'll see a picture in a magazine or something on TV, and I think about how I would improve on it and add my own special touches. I have a photographic memory, and since I'm an artist and a writer, my brain converts pictures into words while developing new ideas.

Are you a speed-reader?

I've never thought of myself as a speed reader, but I suppose I am. I've often stood side-by-side reading something silently along with someone else, and I'm usually finished first. If I'm not distracted I'm able to absorb all I've read without going back over the material.

How many ideas are sitting on your computer right this minute waiting to be written?

I currently have seven outlines waiting to be completed. I'll work on each one as I feel like writing on that particular topic. Having several choices makes writing easier and more enjoyable. As previously mentioned, I write what I want when I want. I'm a free thinker and a free spirit, and I my best work isn't forced.

Do you market your work, and if you do, which social bookmarking (or other marketing) services do you use?

I take advantage of AC's auto-posting option with Twitter, but I no longer have a Facebook account. I have a MySpace page, but I have not updated or visited the page in months. I must admit that I really did not enjoy it, and it was too time-consuming. I regularly posted on Twitter for about a month, but I do not have the desire or the time to keep up with that either. I let my articles and the search engines do all of the work when it comes to promotion. Articles written using proper SEO are found online, and it is worth the time it takes to choose keyword titles and check and adjust keyword density when necessary. Doing a little more work ahead of time pays off in the long run. When online information is not indexed on the search engines, it will not gain any further attention once friends and fans have read it and left behind their comments.

In writing my own articles, I often forget the importance of search engine terms or keyword density. I can see by the last paragraph how important SEO (Search Engine Optimization) truly is and I want to thank Crystal Ray, not only for taking time out of her busy day to answer my questions, but also for the valuable information she divulged. I know I wasn't the only person who wanted to know the answers to these questions, and I want to thank Crystal for bringing a Ray of hope to all writers and for inspiring me with her words of wisdom through her experiences here at Associated Content.

Find Crystal Ray's articles by clicking on her name.