The #1 Reason I Write for Associated Content...And The #1 Drawback
Sounds good, right?
Actually, it has been good. It's been great. Within the last six weeks, I've posted over twenty-five articles, a few photos, and I've been paid for my work. As a person who has dreamed of making a living as a writer since she was in high school, that was a big deal.
The downside: I'm now addicted to checking my number of page views every morning and coming up with new ideas for article submissions to the point that I've written substantially less fiction in the past few weeks.
Market research is something I've always hated. Looking through Writers' Market or browsing databases and the Internet for literary journals to which I can send my stories is the single most effective way to avoid writing altogether. Looking for a place to send your work once that work is finished keeps you from starting new work. Market research is writing avoidance at its worst--it adds little to new writing endeavors.
Non-fiction market research is the most tedious. Every freelance guide I've read outlines the time-consuming process of querying magazines and waiting for a positive reply, a process that may take weeks, especially if you're a beginner without clips or referrals, only after which you then begin to start writing.
That's why I felt so elated to come upon Associated Content. Not only can I write on whatever subjects I prefer and submit articles for upfront payment, but I can also browse the site's Call for Content list--effectively eliminated the querying process. Yes!
That elation lasted a few weeks. Technically, I am writing. But I'm falling into the market research again. I'm counting my page views, following which articles bring in more income. I'm not writing according to my own definition, which is the writing I've done all along: fiction writing.
Fiction writers can post work to Associated Content. But there is one major reason I don't post fiction on the site. I don't read fiction online. There is nothing wrong with online fiction. I just happen to love holding a book in my hands. And I write what I enjoy reading. That's always been a rule of mine.
I like reading news and information articles online. So I enjoy the practice of writing these web-content articles, and I especially like networking with other writers on the site. But I'm feeling the adverse effects of this minor success in my writing career. I am using Associated Content as another excuse to avoid writing fiction. Instead of waking in the morning to a head filled with story ideas, I'm waking with the question of how many page views I've had and what subjects I might write on that day.
If you've had a similar experience, I'd love to hear from you.
Previously published on 1,001 Ways to Avoid Writing
Published by Stacey Laatsch
Stacey Anderson Laatsch holds an M.A. in English and creative writing. Besides providing web content for Yahoo!, she blogs about travel, Illinois, and the writing life and is currently working on a novel for... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentHow true! Writing quick AC articles for pay, albeit a small amount of money, certainly deprives me of time--in the least--spent on fiction writing endeavors, that may have never seen publication or payout anyway. Nonetheless, I try to strike a balance so as to not cut out one or the other entirely.
How true! Writing quick AC articles for pay, albeit a small amount of money, certainly deprives me of time--in the least--spent on fiction writing endeavors, that may have never seen publication or payout anyway.
Nonetheless, I try to strike a balance so as to not cut out one or the other entirely.
Stacey, I agree writing for AC can be addictive. I go in spurts. Now I am putting at least as much time into writing and rewriting, then marketing completed short fiction and poetry. The www.duotrope.com site is a great stimulus and help.
Stacey, sounds like AC is treating you well. Good luck with your fiction too.
I can relate to what you wrote in your article, Stacey. By the way, congrats on your Best of AC win for April. When they remove the March winners and put up your Avatar on the Community page that will generate those coveted page views you mention. Also, you should check out Donna Leach's fictional short story on AC for the sheer pleasure of the read. It is entitled, "The Mortician's Son," and I have one too entitled, "Death in Dalton."
So true, Stacey! My fiction writing has suffered since I staretd writing for AC. And I feel "guilty" when I just write for pleasure- I always feel like I should be writing to make money!
Hello, my name is Theresa Wiza, and I too, am a PVA (Page View Addict). Maybe we should start a PVA Anonymous group. We could hold meetings in a virtual room with a page view :)
I write humor, lists, poetry, short stories, and other things. I'm not a how to person nor do I critique restaurants or suggests recipes. I don't get a huge amount of clicks, but I do get comments and I enjoy expressing myself. I just can't get into market research data. Very nice posting.
Well written article. I agree researching markets is a drag. It's great when you can build a network of other writers who can help steer your work in the right direction.