Meet Y!CN Contributor Tammy Lee Waters

Just recently, Tammy Lee Waters surpassed 100,000 page views on Associated Content. This is a feat that many Sources hope to enjoy some day. Currently, she has published 228 articles and received 102,109 page views. Given the nature of her accomplishment, I thought it would be a terrific time to ask Tammy if she would be willing to answer my interview questions. I am quite pleased to report that she agreed and as a result you will soon be reading her account of her experiences with Associated Content.

Tammy joined Associated Content on January 13, 2006, so she will be achieving this historic milestone in just short of three and half years. Tammy has quite the myriad of articles in her Associated Content portfolio. She provides a variety of crafting articles. She demonstrates her first hand knowledge of home schooling. As an Associated Content Category Editor for the Home Improvement Category, it is fitting that she has published a number of articles pertaining to home improvement. Tammy also shared some of her impressive photographs of the unfortunate damage that resulted from the severe storms that passed through Southern Illinois, Storm Damage in Southern Illinois: Inland Hurricane.On the lighter side, she published an article that I liked a lot titled; Self-Cleaning Bath Towels. Also, just today, Tammy published, Dear Soldier. This is a must read.

Tammy is a genuine and helpful Source. She goes out of her way to welcome new Sources to Associated Content. She provides assistance to many people in the forums. I myself am grateful for the times in which she reached out and assisted me in my times of need. In fact any clickable link that I post in this article or any article for that matter is the direct result of her painstakingly teaching me how to do this.

I am quite certain we will all gain some valuable information and insights from the responses that Tammy gives throughout this question and answer session. Therefore, with no further delay let me bring on Tammy. Tammy, the paper is all yours. Type until your heart is content.

When did you discover you had a passion for writing?

I started writing when I was about nine years old. I started out writing short poems.

Have you always considered yourself a good a writer?

No, and I don't know that I really consider myself good now. I love writing and am always trying to improve, so I basically see my writing as a work in progress.

Who have been your biggest influences in fueling your desire to write and in developing your skills as a writer?

There are lots of great writers that I have always liked, but as best I remember it was in junior high when I avidly read the works of S.E. Hinton and the poetry of Robert Frost that gave me a real desire to write.

How did you discover Associated Content?

I saw an online ad on a writing forum.

Do you publish articles for other online sites or in print?

I write a weekly column for a local newspaper, I write a few blogs and I write for other sites such as Demand Studios, eHow, Bukisa, Edubook, and Helium.

Have the articles that you published more recently out performing your first few published articles?

It's hard to say - my first articles have been up for more than three years so they've had more time to grab page views.

Do you have any articles that standout with exceptionally high or low page views?

I have a range with my articles - some have thousands of page views, while some haven't even broken 100.

Which of your published articles on Associated Content are your personal favorites?

I published Childhood Tourettes: Syndrome One Family's Story about my son's diagnosis of Tourette's Syndrome which is very special to me, and probably my three favorites after that would have to be How to Deal with a Zombie Infestation, Diet Dr. Pepper Addiction, Blackberry Addiction: Help Me Name My Blackberry Curve.

As you approach your three and one half years with Associated Content, how would you describe your overall experience as an Associated Content Source?

I have enjoyed my time at AC. It's been a great experience so far and I've learned so much about web writing, writing in general and also about myself.

How has your writing evolved over the course of your three and half years of writing and publishing with Associated Content?

I've learned and implemented more SEO keywording practices. When I first started on AC I thought writing for the web was just like writing for print.

Did you reach 100,000 page views sooner or later than you had expected?

Both. I published a handful of articles when I first start in 2006, then stopped. I didn't do much of anything in 2007 (and if I remember correctly it was mid to late 2007 when AC implemented page view bonuses), then I started publishing again early 2008. So even though I've been here more than three years I've only seriously and consistently written here for a little over a year. I think when I started publishing again in 2008 I had around 10,000 page views total. I set the goal at the beginning of this year to hit 100,000 page views by my birthday in August and I hit that goal two months early.

What do you consider your three biggest achievements or milestones in your writing career with Associated Content?

Being chosen as a Category Editor, being a Top 1000 CP, and hitting 100,000 page views.

Are there any changes that that you would like to see with Associated Content in the near future?

I can think of several things, but none that I think would actually be implemented.

Do you think the opportunity for success at Associated Content is the same, better
or worse than when you started writing for Associated Content in 2006?

When I started in 2006 there were no page view bonuses - so that is definitely an improvement.

Where do see yourself on your fifth anniversary with Associated Content?

Still plugging away probably.

How did you become a Home Improvement Category Editor for Associated Content?

AC invited CPs who met certain requirements (had been here six months and I believe needed to be at Clout 6 or higher) to apply. I applied and was accepted.

Do you enjoy being a Category Editor?

Yes, I enjoy being able to feature and promote other Content Producers' work.

Are there any perks to being a Category Editor?

The shiny badge is quite a perk. We also get a targeted call that coincides with our turn featuring content.

Can you explain a little bit about what a Category Editor does?

A CE will be assigned a specific week (there are only four CE's for the Home Improvement category, so I get one week each month) to choose content to be featured on that category's main page. I search content and choose articles that are well-written and would make good features. If they don't have an accompanying picture, I choose a pic from AC's approved photo sites. Then I sent the url's for everything to AC and they work the magic that puts those articles on the pages.

How do you come up with ideas for articles for Associated Content?

Life. I write about things that happen to me, things that I have learned more about, things I think others would benefit from. Ideas sometimes hit me at the strangest times - like in the middle of the night.

Do you have a written list of article ideas that have you have yet to write?

Yep. I keep a notebook with me at all times and I jot down ideas and notes to myself.

How long does it typically take you to write an article for Associated Content?

It depends upon what I'm writing. Sometimes I can write one in as little as 15 or 20 minutes, while others might take an hour or more (including research).
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Which Associated Content Sources do you like to read the most?

There are so many - I don't know that I could name all of them. I read a lot of content. I always read articles by Theresa Leschmann, Lucinda Gunning, Haley Koehling and Julie Darleen - they are real life friends and writers on AC. To name just a few more, I read Gayle Crabtree, Rose Kitchen, Justice Lives Not, Angie Mohr, K. Karl, Lee Andrew Henderson, gosh - I know I'm missing several that I really, really enjoy! AC just has so many great writers - it's impossible to name them all.

Do feel as though you have bonded with anyone within the Associated Content Community?

I would have to definitely say that I count Angie Mohr, Nina Rotz and Heather Adams as friends - even if I've never met them in person. There are others that I really like and have contact with outside of AC - but those three ladies, I consider friends and would probably actually hang out with them in real life.

What has given you the greatest satisfaction so far in your nearly three and half years of writing and publishing with Associated Content?

Knowing that something I've written has helped someone - especially in the case of the article about my son's Tourette's Syndrome.

Have you had experienced any disappointments in writing and publishing with Associated Content?

Eh, not really.

What do you like best about writing for Associated Content?

I like the flexibility of being able to write whatever I want.

What do you like least about writing for Associated Content?

Hmmm, I can't think of anything that I really especially dislike - at least dislike enough to vent about it.

What are your greatest frustrations or challenges in writing for Associated Content?

I can't really think of anything specific.

Do you ever get writers block and if so what do you do to overcome it?

Yes, I do. I find that if I just start writing down words - anything that comes to mind - it'll usually help unblock the writer.

What are some of your interests outside of Associated Content?

My family. I love to read and garden. I'm a movie buff. I like to bake. I love to make crafts - by myself or with my kids.

What are your favorite memories outside of Associated Content?

I have so many - anything that involves my kids would have to be my favorites.

Is there anything else that you would like to add to this interview?

Not really - other than, thank you Han!

Here is a link to Tammy'ss Source Page:

Tammy Lee Morris