The Meteor Landed Right on Their Bed.... (Don't I Wish)

The glassy black rock the size of a baseball slammed into a house at 555 Anywhere St. late last night. Landing on the bed, right between Mr. and Mrs. Whoever, as they were peacefully sleeping. Immediately Mr. Whoever pushed the power button on his Laptop to down load the photo he just took with his cell phone.

Entering Associated Content's website he clicked on "No this article hasn't been previously published". Clicking next on "Submit for Up Front Payment", dollar signs began rolling in his eyes. This time I've got it for sure, a $20 up front payment for my article. There's no way this story won't make the grade.

Rumor has it that Associated Content pays up to $20 in "Up Front Payment" for articles. I say rumor, as I or for that matter anyone I've read about, haven't been able to get anywhere near that figure in the way of an offer.

Oh, my articles do OK, I've got not complaints. Many times I lack inspiration and surly this comes through in my writing. Other times I get in a rush and don't put enough effort into my work. I just keep plugging along, dreaming of that one day when the planets are in perfect alignment and all is right with the world, then maybe my keyboard will spew forth with worthy words of wisdom.

I'm realistic, do I spend my day pounding the pavement, driving back and forth across town looking for a lead? Do I carry a pocket Police Scanner so that my pursuit of news is faster then a speeding lawyer? No, I just browse the Internet, read the newspaper, and continue my normal daily activities. Sometimes I think of something, other days I'm a blank.

If I carried a digital camera with me everywhere I went, I might gain a few points. Articles with photos indicate more effort applied, and a picture may attract and entertain the reader enough to cause them to click on your story. I guess I'm lazy, when I include a picture it usually comes from Wikipedia's collection of Public Domain pictures.

The Internet should have been available back about 40 years ago, then maybe I'd have done things differently. When your young with ideas of grandeur, your willingness to go to extreme lengths to create that top level article might bring you to that higher level of success. Myself, I'm content to see a few dollars come in, supplementing my current wage.

That's right, I have a job, one that has nothing to do with writing. I found years ago, the best way to ruin a good hobby is to make it a full time job. No, I'm not interested in becoming a world renowned journalist, traveling around the world, taking the Red Eye flight from New York to L.A. two nights a week. Nope, fame and fortune can just pass me by. I'm a lot happier being able to go to bed (My Own Bed) at a reasonable hour.

Will I ever hit that elusive figure, $20 for an Up Front Payment? Probably not, but that's OK by me. I'm just not interested in working that hard, I'd rather have fun with my literary hobby.

It's still profitable, and I enjoy it. When you get right down to it, what more could I ask for.

Oh by the way, the Meteor Story, it was a news item $5, disappointed again.