How to Start a Writing Career when You Are Homeless on Associated Content
Like any disease, homelessness kills. No one dies of old age on the streets. When I am homeless, my mind is always on escape. Six times I have found a way off the streets, only to return sometime later. Perhaps seven is the lucky number, this time it might stick. Since I started blogging about my homeless experiences, in 2002, people have encouraged me to seek out a career in writing. But, I've always considered that a joke. A product of public education, I barely passed my English classes, mostly with a letter grade of D. The teachers gave me passing grades only because they had to. Writing. The rules of English. Verbal communication. They have always been my Kryptonite. Who would have thought Irony to be the antidote?
So, having exhausted most other means of escape from homelessness, I am now attempting a career in writing. And Associated Content seems to be the place to start.
With a short term goal of writing four articles a day, with a minimum of 400 words each, I must now practice organizing my time, disciplining myself to meet those goals and that will be the hardest part of all. I am easily distracted, and I sometimes have a difficult time remembering things. In my case, remembering that I have a goal, what the purpose of that goal is, and how to achieve that goal, is paramount. Perhaps I'll start small with a goal of just 2 articles per day, then increase it to three, and then to four as I gain momentum.
Although I am homeless, I have less time to dedicate to this project than one might think. My personal time lasts approximately eight hours, from 8am to 5pm each day, with an hour for lunch. Sounds like a regular job, doesn't it? But wait. Because I must submit myself to the obligations of a shelter during the evening, the other 16 hours of the day are not my own, as I submit myself to the shelter machinery, of feeding, chastising, and bedding down. Because of this I must take care of all my personal business during my "job" hours. To make the most of what time I have, I have to put myself in mind to just not care about all the other issues that come up during the day, like doing laundry and having clean clothes, or discussing politics with other homeless advocates, or engaging in other activities that would allow one to relieve the stress of being homeless - such as going for walks, or hanging out with friends, watching movies, or playing games on the Internet, etc.
Dedicating four hours for each article seems right, dividing that time between researching, writing, and proof reading. Eventually, I'll break the day down into three segments of two and a half hours per article, and then to just two hours per article, for four articles a day.
If I only make 3 dollars per article, I'll start out making $30 a week, eventually move up to $60 a week. $240 a month. Of course there is a chance Associated Content will pay more per article. Once I'm up to speed I'll consider $240 a month to be the minimum.
Sure, I could get a regular job at a fast food restaurant making as much money per week. But, as I have proven in the past, that kind of work will drive me near crazy. My anxieties will shoot through the roof, I'll become depressed, and inevitably I'll quit the job, so to save myself from jumping off the Woodland St Bridge.
To make a living I need an alternative to the regular 9to5 job. Being a freelance writer just might be it. And Associated Content looks like as good a place as any to start.
It is now 12:43pm, Monday, the 26th of February, and I just completed and submitted this article to Associated Content. I am just a little behind schedule.
Published by Billy Cole
... View profile
- 7 Mystery Writing Projects for Kids Kids like writing when they get to write about things that engage then. Giving kids a chance to write about mysteries, spooky things, and silly monsters can get them writing for fun at home.
- Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan Bundle Alliteration, poetry, commercials, etc. can all be used to help teach writing in any form. Here are several lessons for students work on creative writing.
- Travel Writing: From a Bloggin' Byline to a Payin' Byline These seven tips will help you get started on the road to travel writing for pay.
-
Like Heaven Writing Holidays in Tuscany
The first Like Heaven Writing Holiday this June offers at least 30 workshop hours, authentic Tuscan meals and an opportunity to experience Tuscany not available to the normal 't...
- How to Win Freelance Writing Projects Tips to win big freelance writing projects
- A Novel Writing Club that Serves Every Member
- Six Creative Writing Projects for Kids
- A Guide to Writing Realistic Dialogue in Fiction
- Following Submission Guidelines, Pleasing Editors Key to Writing for, Getting Publ...
- On Writing Well by William Zinsser
- Writing, Grammar and Punctuation Tutorial
- Four Kids Writing Projects About Sports
|
|
- "Chronically Homeless."
- No one dies of old age on the streets.
- They have always been my Kryptonite. Who would have thought Irony to be the antidote?
14 Comments
Post a CommentI understand you'll be writing again soon. I've subscribed. I look forward to reading your new stuff!
hi, i am also homeless and i thought about doing the same thing, but it is so hard when you dont have a computer i come to type at a agency and to look for a job, yes keep doing what your are doing, for the simple fact people believe that being homeless is something that is less then their standard and i have found through everything else you getting treated really bad, so keep the word out, we all will receive what you have achieve,
Your English teachers were wrong. You're a very good writer! Good luck.
Good luck! I agree with Amanda in terms of writing quicker. My first couple of articles took me forever and were pretty "basic." But I got more $$ than I expected, so that perked me up a bit, and I am already faster at putting my thoughts on paper. I have 7 more in the hopper. We'll see what happens.
Kevin, I did lousy in English classes and am a high school drop out. Since then, I somehow became a journalist and for the last 20+ years, I've my writing has supported me to a significant extent. You write well and seem to have the ability to write in a voice that's comfortable to read. You also have a ton of unique experiences to draw on for material. Good luck to you.
I'm not very far away from where you are. You have a lot of creativity and I'm proud to give you a five star rating on this article. I hope you get a lot of high offers.
How are you able to submit articles over the internet? Do you go to libraries?
Best of luck and keep writing.
I applaud your courage and conviction. I too am just now discovering AC, and what seems so far to be a tremendous opportunity. Not so much in terms of compensation, obviously, but also in a much-needed boost to what had become a very low confidence level. My prayers are with you... and also my best wishes for your continued success here, and elsewhere.
You truly have a way with words. I am thoroughly moved and touched by your articles. You have set some great goals. I think you will find in no time that you will start to get paid more-- because you have a gift! You have an outlook on life that I'm sure many writers with AC don't. I look forward to reading your future articles, and am adding you to my favorites list.