If Rodney Southern Can't Make You Read, Then You Can't Read

You've been so good visiting my articles and you've been so supportive that the only way I can properly thank you is by maybe bringing this authors influence into your lives. Enjoy:

DP: Who are you (by that tell me a little about
yourself including personal stats like age,
place of birth, etc...)

My name is Rodney Southern and I am a 39 year old white male from Greensboro, NC. I have a wonderful wife named Julie, and two beautiful twin daughters, Brooke and Valerie. (5 yrs old) I was recently voted as one of the top 1000 contributers to AC via the AC content awards.

DP: What initially drew you to AC? Or, How
did you hear of AC?

I came across AC when I happened across an article by Pam Gaulin on Google. As you know, Pam won AC Content Producer of the Year for this year. She has been a mentor of sorts on AC for me and many others. If you have not checked out her stuff, by all means do so if you want to improve your writing. She is a gold mine of information.

DP: What genre are you wanting to publish the most?

I publish a lot of personal interest stories as well as religion articles. I am also a sports writer and novelist. My novels tend to be family dramas and comedies.

DP: What are your favorite titles so far?
(Don't be modest.)

Wow. Put me on the spot why don't ya? LOL. I like several of them for different reasons. Here are my top five: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/618479/daddys_tears_are_we_to_strong_for_our.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/601119/the_ultrasound_and_the_viking_a_tale.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/576693/atheism_and_christianity_why_atheists.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/539703/men_dummy_proof_your_valentines_day.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/483963/so_you_want_to_date_my_daughter_a_guidebook.html

DP: How has AC Treated you so far?
(Support, that is)

AC has been a breath of fresh air for me. I find that you get out of it what you put into it. AC has some issues with communication at times, but with the large number of producers, I give them high marks for support. The site is generally problem free considering this.

DP: Where else have you been published?

I have been published all over the place. Some places are Helium, constant content, demand studios, ehow, about.com, birding.com, multiple blogs, several poetry journals, and one novel self published. I am currently working on a novel to be published later in the summer.

DP: Please tell us about your favorite pet.

My favorite pet is easy. I have a wonderful cat named Simon that is named after the American Idol Judge. He is just like him! King of the castle all the way until he needs me. Then he is more like Pepe Le Pew.

DP: What would you do with a million dollars?

My wife and I have discussed this on nights when we have played the lottery and I am certain of what I would do. I would start my own publishing company. Also, we would find one hundred needy families and give them each one thousand dollars anonymously. I think that would be very satisfying.

DP: In 100 words or more; where do you want
to be when you're 50?

You know, this question is very interesting to me as I am where I wish to be already. I have accomplished all the things I find to be important on a personal level. From a career standpoint, I think I would love it if I could be several novels into a writing career. Oddly enough, I hope that I am able to write material that helps people in some way. I have always gotten a rush out of giving someone something they need. If it is an emotion, or a laugh, or something more tangible, then so be it. I am not particular about what. This is why I love writing human interest and memoirs. I can take the reader on a journey of any emotion I please. That is a wonderful feeling.

DP: What is you're favorite quote about writing?
(and who get's the credit?)

"Keep writing even when there is nothing to write about!" My wonderful wife gets the credit! (You should marry that gal.-DP)

DP: If you had any advice for newbies to get better exposure, what would you say?

Exposure is something that comes with hard work. If you do not publish material, you will not be exposed. (that sounded a bit funny but you know what I mean) The quote above is the best thing I can tell you. Write all the time. Do it in your sleep, in the shower, and when you are at your lowest. No time to write is a bad time. Finally, I would say write about things that light your fire. If you are turned on by fireflies, then your next great article should detail why. It is fine to write on subjects that are not in your wheelhouse, but by all means, cover those things you love well.
For me, this is family and my kids. My articles on AC are loaded with tons of articles on these subjects. It is no big surprise that those articles are my top performers as I am able to reach the reader on a personal level. When a reader relates, that is a good thing.