Local Paper Interviewed Me Ac's Top 100

Tuesday February 3, 2009 the local paper interviewed me in my hometown. Although I do not live in Sayre where the paper is located, I live about four miles down the road in Athens, Pennsylvania. Both are small little towns that do not even appear on the bigger maps, but that is okay because we know where we are.

Now you maybe are wondering why the Sayre Morning Times newspaper wanted to interview me. With the help of my good friend Cindy, I sent a press release of the Top 100 award our very own Associated Content bestowed upon me and ninety-nine other writers here on the site. I had never sent a press release but I knew Cindy has, so I went to her.

Amanda from the Morning Times took Ray and me into the conference room in the paper to do the interview. I know Amanda has worked at the local paper for a few years, as I have seen her byline often. I took Ray along for moral support, as I was a bit nervous, as this was my first writing interview. I need not have worried or nervous as Amanda was like talking to a friend I had known for years.

This very newspaper had interviewed often before me but it had been years. Back then, it was because of my involvement with Penn York Valley Habitat for Humanity in 1993-1996. I was very active with the group before I began college but college and becoming a single mom took up so much time that I had little left over for any type of volunteering. Let's just say that every article you read of mine here helps to pay my house Athens, Pennsylvania house payment, so you are supporting my local Habitat.

Amanda had asked when I began writing, and I answered that was back in junior high at the local middle school in Athens, Pennsylvania. I love the creative writing class but the grammar always got me, but I have learned how to compromise and get along fine. When I have a question about grammar or punctuation, I simply ask my friends over at the Accentuate Writer's Forum. I told Amanda how I still rely quite often on that forum for those things, but I also added how I help any members of that forum with SEO as needed.

We talked about how many writers are on Associated Content; I said that there were about 200,000 writers on here. That makes the top 100 truly awesome, in anyone's eyes, but to those of us who live in my small valley it is a bit different. Athens, Pennsylvania has about 5,000 people; Sayre has slightly more but for a good estimate we will say they have 7,000 and add in the townships, which are part of this small valley, and it brings us up to about 10,000 people give or take. You'd have to multiply everyone in the valley many times to get 200,000. It makes my award even more special to my family and me.

Amanda asked what my next goals are and I said with the Accentuate Writer's Forum help with grammar and punctuation I am currently writing a fancy novel. As far as writing goes I will keep up with writing on Associated Content which gave me a great start, helium, e-how and writing for those higher paying markets which are out there but can quickly be found within the Accentuate Writer's Forum.

Amanda asked if this was my only job to which I replied yes. In Athens and Sayre Pennsylvania we have plenty of people loosing their jobs or having hours seriously cut because of the economy. Even the biggest business the Ingersol Rand Athens, Pennsylvania plant lay off employees including my sister and my ex for a month because there was no work available. They are not the only local businesses in this boat.

Freelance writing did not require me to fill out any application, and they did not disqualify me because of the college education.

This is hard work typing all these articles; I try to do six or seven articles on any given day. That made Amanda's eyes big, but I told her my articles are usually shorter averaging from 400- 700 words. I also told her I do not type every single article out, as I often use my Dragon Naturally Speaking software, which allows me to 'talk' out my articles. That software was a gift from my boyfriend Ray who walked me fight carpal tunnel syndrome and go thru three keyboards a year. I typed so much that I would rub the most common letters right off those keyboards.

On average monthly, I produce 50,000 to 60,000 words and that is about equal to a smaller novel. I figure if I keep at my current pace of writing for pay and add in 20,000 more a month I can get that novel written within six months in my little home in Athens, Pennsylvania.

Truthfully, as I sit here in my downtown Athens, Pennsylvania home, to earn my living I feel good. Never again will I bust my butt for minimum wage when I can make just as much for sitting on my butt when I can and write. I can be the type of parent I wish to be, taking care of my teenage boys full time, and grandchildren as needed and I work when I can. I write what I want to write, when I want to, all from the comfort of my home in Athens, Pennsylvania.