Introducing Popular AC Producer Carol Bengle Gilbert!

Realizing that only those who're experienced with AssociatedContent.com should be giving us newbies a bit of advice on promotion,
I've decided to reach out to my favorite CP's.

Besides, I'm learning a lot from these wonderful folks, and I'm sure you will too!

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

CBG: I was born at the intersection of Whoville and Mulberry Street amid basketballs and Indian motorcyles. I'm old enough to remember the transistor radio as an amazing new gadget and color tv as an awesome innovation.

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

CBG: I don't recall how I first heard of it. But it was the people that drew me in and kept me here. AC writers are an energetic, caring, and creative community.

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

CBG: There are a handful of things that I most enjoy writing about: international issues, travel, the environment, humor and education probably top the list.

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

CBG: I prefer articles that tell a story to articles that merely impart information. Some of my favorites are about unusual experiences I have had such as:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/239771/the_downside_of_spontaneous_travel.html; and, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278511/no_passport_no_ticket_no_plane_no_problem.html; and, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/289736/official_government_travel_sleuthing.html.
Secondly, I prefer articles that offer a unique perspective on what might otherwise be an ordinary experience, a way to incorporate the tangents my imagination takes during daily experiences into fun writing, such as:
I went grocery shopping and look what happened!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/548217/natural_cheetos_product_review.html
I read the newspaper and my imagination got loose:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/595585/top_2008_vacation_spots_for_president.html

A county official used tactics I didn't care for in challenging one of my community development articles and inadvertently triggered my inquisitiveness. The resulting article was picked up by a local radio station:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/590619/montgomery_county_maryland_moonlighting.html
You wouldn't want to know what my imagination is capable of when I stay up late at night!
There are articles I enjoy because of their innate qualities and then sometimes articles take on new meaning when readers get involved. The comments and PMs received in response to an article can be energizing or amusing. In one case, a foreign documentary filmmaker contacted me about a satire I wrote about dual citizenship (this article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/375045/novel_routes_to_dual_citizenship.html.) She thought that my imaginative options for obtaining dual citizenship- an essay contest, an ebay auction, and a contest to eradicate Hungary's Alf doll population, for example- were reality based. She hoped not only to use the material in a documentary film but to gain citizenship through one of my fictitious contests. That was pretty amusing.

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

CBG: Have you ever heard the phrase "Don't bite the hand that feeds you?" Trying to communicate with Content Managers and other AC personnel can be difficult, but remember, there are 100,000 of us writers and only a handful of them! I do try to remember that when I get frustrated. Usually, with persistence, I can get the support I need, although there is room for innovation in the communications area at AC.

DP: Where else have you been published?

CBG: Let's see, most recently I was published at CBS/ The Late Show with David Letterman. AC has licensed my work to some of its syndication partners, Cycling and Mom Junction. I sell some of my other work through the Marketplace at Helium and Constant Content. My work has appeared at DestinationElsewhere and Crafty Traveler. It amazes me lately to find my work all over the web; it is hard to keep up with all the places it is beginning to appear.

DP: Please tell us about your favorite pet.

CBG: Are you kidding? I could end up with a discrimination suit filed against me! We have two cats, two turtles, a bunny, and an ever changing number of fish including two newborns this week. I love them all.

DP: What would you do with a million dollars?

CBG: Add three zeros: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/567881/a_business_primer_the_alphabet.html
(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

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

CBG: This is humor, right? I only have 8 more months to work with on this "where do I want to be while I'm still 50" deal.
The kids are clamoring to see New York City and I want to accomplish that. I feel a desperate need to get back to Europe and a few new foreign countries on other continents. I have been writing about the EuroVelo cycle routes and I want to try them out.
My writing needs more dramatic exposure and I'm working on that. That's high on the priority list. I may do more with traditional print media. One fun goal I have this year is to spread my work to 7 continents- yes, even Antarctica.
As I realize how fast my kids are growing up, I want to do all kinds of things with them we've talked about but haven't accomplished yet.
Community activism, volunteering, influencing sociopolitical developments I care about-I am involved in all sorts of things that I want to keep doing and increase my effectiveness.
I don't think one leap day was enough to stretch this year out, so I may be compelled to lobby Congress to add a few leap months to help me out here. It is called Leap Year... If it lived up to its name, I could accomplish a lot more.

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

CBG: There are way too many to choose one.

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

CBG: Network with other writers. They will support you by reading your work (page views) and are full of outstanding advice. I am no longer a newbie but I still turn to fellow writers for advice when issues arise. If you are thinking of AC in particular, always include photos with your stories. Participate in the forums. Edit your work carefully- get rid of typos and grammatical errors and tighten your writing, learn about SEO and keywording. Use short paragraphs and bold breakers. Be generous with your time- read and comment on other writers' work. One thing I love about AC is that I have "met" people from all over the world. I communicate with writers from across the U.S. and in foreign countries including Sweden, Italy, England, China, India and Israel. AC is a wonderful window on the world.