Heather Chadwick- Harrison, NJ Freelance Writer

Finding Inspiration

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

I find that I love to indulge in what I call "brain food"for inspiration to write. I need to feel smart to get my brainworking. I need to feel intellectually stimulated to write, like I'msure other writers do.

Here are some of my favorites:

The news, in general- I'm a news geek by nature.Whether it's the internet, television or radio, if I want toconcentrate, I love all things informative making up my backgroundnoise. Sometimes I need quiet to work, especially when I'mfact-checking. Otherwise, I love having on the news. It's almost areminder of sorts to get working. Watching the news makes me feellike an adult, and as an adult I have to work to provide for myself.And how do I provide for myself? I write. What can't the news livewithout? Writers.

NPR- Speaking of news, here's where I sometimesget mine. Talk radio in general is a great way to get your mindworking. It's free, easy to find, and informative. While others mayprefer more opinion-related talk, I prefer the news. NPR (on WNYC inthe NYC area) focuses on topics I care about, and topics I don't hearabout anywhere else. For me, it's a must listen. What's also greatabout news radio is I can turn it down if I need to concentrate, butfeel like I need background noise.

Behind the scenes/plot, character analysis- Ilove the "goodies" on DVDs: behind the scenes, deletedscenes, intricate plot and character detail. I'm a big fan oftelevision because of the opportunities it provides for character and storydevelopment. While film has its own, television series are afforded more time todevelop with seasons. And I love those pieces about character and story change over the years. It's great contrast and thought-provoking.

Reading- Reading great editorials are what got meinto writing in the first place. When someone else's thought inspireyou to think about how you would relate messages to others, it getsyou going. It's a bit odd to explain sometimes; I'm the type ofperson whose mind reads about current events and finds herselfthinking about new ways to start an article about pop culture. Inother words, reading other people's work gets me thinking about myown work. If you let your mind wander while being intellectuallystimulated, you never know what you can get.

Call these my mental warmups- sometimes I’m not at my best if Istart writing right away. I need a period of mental stretching, ifyou will. These things are important because they get meintellectually stimulated, and they get me inspired. Athletes need tostretch, singers need to do vocal warm ups, and I as a writer need tofind some inspiration to write. And yes, while I'm not writingfiction, I do still need inspiration. It can be difficult to write aninformative article if you can't come up with a proper way to get itstarted. I need to feel my mind working. And once it starts, it's upto meet to start. And with inspiration comes great work, thankfully.I don't know what I'd do if I had nothing to interest myself in. If Ididn't, then I wouldn't be writing, would I?

Where did September go?

2011-10-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

It seems that September came and went faster than the summer did. In the past month, I've been writing, editing, cleaning and pretty much being productive. I've recently been named a Contributing Admin to the WM Pet Connection, to which I regularly post to. I've also began my foray into journalism, going to Zuccotti Park in Manhattan to cover the Occupy Wall Street movement. I interviwed protesters, took photos and even looked into getting a press pass. Of course, I have to write more until I qualify for that, but it hadn't been something I thought about until recently.
So how about that- journalism? It's something I always rejected. It wasn't with good reason, however. I just never felt the need to pry. But my ever-growing interest in politics and social issues makes me very interested in pursuing that route, perhaps though not exclusively. For now, I think I'll try a flirtation with it and see how that goes. Here's to new adventures, the fall season and working my way to a press pass!

Recent articles

Comic Book Series Introduces Itself with ArtPrize Entry- Associated Content, Sept. 26, 2011
Occupy Wall Street movement proves to be peaceful, welcoming- DailyHarrison.com October 10, 2011

New digs= more work

2011-08-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Well, that title is a mixed bag. It can be believed to be half right, if you consider I've done more cleaning and unloading than writing these past couple of weeks. It's very easy to get preoccupied when there are boxes to be packed, couches to be moved and things to be thrown out. It can also of course be taken at face value, considering the physical workload I've undertaken, with the bruises to prove it. There's something about a new workspace that's inspiring; new surroundings can rejuvenate anybody. For me, it's not only about potential, but more of the feeling of needing to work more. I admit it's been easier to focus on the move than it has been on work. I've done more copywriting than article writing lately, so I honestly haven't felt like I've written as much. There's a romance to getting that first sentence just right. Once the first paragraph is finessed to your satisfaction, the rest of the article is smooth sailing.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Tony Hisgett

Of course, this moment of lackadaisical writing can also be likened to the need to enjoy what's left of the summer. I've never been a big beach-goer or someone that's really celebrated the summer. I'd always been preoccupied with something, whether it's work or school. It's very easy to procrastinate when you realize how little you've enjoyed the favorite season of the year. But with the summer being just about over and the move being all but done, it is time to get back to work and back to writing. It is what I do for a living, of course

It seems that many of my posts are about "getting back to writing". It is very easy, too easy in fact, to get distracted. Life and other responsibilities can get in the way. For a vocation that depends so much on the input of its workers, freelance writing can be so ignored. When you're depending on the vocation to pay your bills and shelter, however, there needs to be more discipline. Thankfully, there's no more boxes to worry about. Now, it's time to push the writing. Again. Until my next slacking period, here's hoping that I get on a roll for a long while...

What a year of Freelance Writing has taught me

2011-07-12T10:36:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of MorgueFile.com

After one year of professional freelance writing, I've learned some things about how to start a freelance writing business and how to keep one going. Freelance writing to the uninformed can seem like a professional no-man's land, filled with non-stop promotion, marketing, job-applying and sporadic payoff.

Figure out what you want to write- Are you an article writer, business writer, or both? A great thing to do is to diversify yourself in your writing. Don't limit yourself to what you can write. I started out as an article writer and resume editor. Now I've added blogger, editor, social media marketer and copywriter to the mix. It definitely helps you get more work and more pay. And what writer wouldn't want that?

Get a website- If there's one thing a budding freelance writer needs, it's a place to show off their work. Look around at website providers first. Some services charge monthly payments, other charge a low yearly payment. Domain names are incredibly cheap these days; don't pay for something you can get at a tenth of the price somewhere else.

Diversify your resume- Don't limit yourself to one standard resume. Get used to playing around with it. Resume writing and revision is a lucrative market in itself, so practice retooling your own.

Learn Your Social Media- No writer is anyone without a Twitter handle and a Facebook fan page. And those are merely great places to start. Get yourself knowledgeable about hash tags and retweets. These platforms are a fantastic way to promote your work.

Make some writing friends- Getting in this field doesn't have to be isolating. There are networks of fellow writers who love to give advice and help steer you where you need to be. One group to check out is the WM Freelance Writer's Connection, where they offer daily advice on all-things writing. Subscribe to their daily newsletter, and get yourself a writing buddy.

Work it like a business- And never forget that what you're doing is in fact starting and running a business. Order some business cards, get a professional sounding email address and market yourself. Make sure your voicemail sounds professional, with a message that you wouldn't be embarrassed for a potential client to hear. Remember that voicemail you used when you were waiting for call backs from interviews? Exactly like that.

Don't take work merely because they offer pay- Look into the work you're offered. Do they want you to perform what would turn into several hours of work, for far less pay than you'd take at a job away from home? Don't work for pennies. I've had plenty of offers for $1/an article. For the asked 700 words, that would amount to $0.001 a word. For $ 0.1 a word, you would earn $70 for 700 words. Talk about a HUGE difference.

Don't sacrifice your life for your work- You certainly wouldn't do that for a 9-5 job, right? Remember to work hard but to live your life as well. Take breaks, days off and holidays. Remember that your career is supposed to enrich your life, not be your life.

One Year of Freelance Writing

2011-06-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user εΔω

Today marks one whole year since I had my first article published as a freelance writer. It was a piece titled Elena Kagan Promises Modesty, Impartiality, published on Associated Content. Since then, I've written album reviews, ghost written for blogs, edited manuscripts for publication and promoted businesses through social media marketing. A good start? You bet!
I've recently switched HeatherChadwick.net to a new server, giving it an all-new look. I am the first to admit I'm not the most html-savvy, so the switch was necessary. Now I've gone from a rather-boring template to something a bit more exciting. I'm also now very active on LinkedIn, a great tool to professionally network and look for jobs. I also have a Facebook fan page, a great way to promote my work. As I venture on through social media marketing, learning the ropes on how to build a substantial web presence, I am building up my portfolio and working to make a living via my writing. It hasn't been easy, but I know know it is very much doable.
So, here's to beginnings, first years, anniversaries and the like. I have to say I really enjoy sharing my foray into full-time freelance writing, ups and downs and in between. Next up on the agenda is going after higher-paying gigs, and getting more substantial work. Wish me luck!

My on-the-fence feelings about content mills

2011-06-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ansel Adams image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

If there's anything I first came upon when I started writing for a living, it's the world of the content mill. I heard about Associated Content years ago when I was exploring the idea of freelance writing. I made an account that I didn't do anything with until this time last year. To be quite honest, when you're starting from nothing, it's hard to build. I've used Associated Content (and the getting more popular Yahoo! Contributor Network) to build my writing portfolio. Admittedly, not all of my work on there is my best. When you're being paid less than $10 for 400 words, you want to finish up your work quick; wasting an hour on about $5 worth of work isn't good for anyone.

Why do I still do it, do you ask? I want to have a place where I have a ton of work. If it takes me no time to do it and I can see even a little profit, I'll do it. I know it isn't the popular answer. Right now, I'm still in the beginnings of my writing career. When days are slow and paying work seems sporadic, it's nice to know you can turn to a place and writing something. Of course, I won't taking a feeble playing assignment that would take me more than twenty minutes; I see no reason to take forever on an article if I'm only going to make $5. I don't want to it represent my work as a whole. I understand that right now it might seem as such. In the long run, I want it to be one of the many places with which I've published my work. Taking it more seriously than that is not worth it to me. For the most part, it really is not a lot of money. Sometimes I find that my $4, $5 article turns in $20 with performance payments. That is always a nice surprise, of course. Basically, I'll take an assignment if it's something I can easily write about in five minutes. That way, I am justified in the low pay. A little money for what's essentially no work at all? Something I can finish in between higher paying work, especially when I either need a break in my writing routine or just another thing to help me fill out my workday? Sign me up!
Of course, there may come a time when I don't write for it. Hopefully, that's because I'm too immersed in more substantial work. Right now, it's merely a good place to start, earn a little money, and hone my writing prowess. Making it anything more than that might not be worth it. I hear what people have to say about it. I understand that it can only get me so far. Hopefully people can understand where I'm coming from. At the very least, where else can I rant about what won't matter six months from now and get paid for it? Perhaps it'll encourage those interested in what I do to make a go at it for themselves. At a time when jobs (and when I mean jobs, I mean both at home and away from home) can seem too far and in between, any start to high-paying work will do.

And we're back!!

2011-06-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentleman, HeatherChadwick.net is back! After some confusion, getting to speak to some courteous (and endlessly courteous) HTML-savvy people, my writer's site is back online. Now it's back to normalcy, gearing up for whatever revamps I can come up with and any ideas I have. Time of course to concentrate more on writing, garnering more clients, and getting more clips out there. Cheers to working stuff out!!

Keeping up with the writing- while sitting in a writer's no man's land

2011-06-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.Com

For the past couple of weeks, I've been patiently waiting for my old website provider to release my web domain, leaving me available to buy it again. No such luck. I was told the process would take about two to three days, and I'm still waiting. Rather than name-check the server, calling them out at every chance I get, I've decided to just carry on as I usually do, getting ready my new official writer's website. I've kept on writing, working diligently through the days as I ready this welcome change. Now I'm assuming that this transfer might take a while. At least two to three months, the time span I've heard it takes for domain hosts to allow domain names to be available for purchase again.

Some recent articles:

The Most Common Pet Ailments- The WM Pet Connection

Could Newt Gingrich Be The World's Worst Boss?- Yahoo! News

Q & A With Nick Landy- DailyHarrison.com

My conundrum: A Writer Without A Website

2011-06-01T17:15:00.002-08:00

Image courtest of Office. Microsoft.Com

Today I decided to embark on what for me is a major undertaking: switching website servers. In a really risky move (albeit one I didn't fully grasp at the time) I cancelled my service from which I'd been running my writer's website, after being unsuccessful in performing a successful transfer. Ever have one of those situations where neither party will listen and doing something drastic seems to be your only action? That was me today. Yes, it's not a move I'm not particularly fond of and yes, I don't want to lose any potential business, but the circumstances weren't favorable to making any easy transition.
I'm not well-read in HTML, and I'm not knowledgable in the logistics of CNA names and DNS servers and the like. This was very much a situation of not being able to fulfill both parties' needs (the former server and the new, intended server) to get the transfer done. This unfortunately has left me in the all-too-unfavorable position of a writer being without a writer's website. What in the world? For the past couple of hours, I've been checking the status of my domain name, hoping my old server would put it right back on the market. When I spoke to the salesperson on the phone, I was told it would take 2-3 days. Here's hoping.
So now I'm in a conundrum: just how do I make this work? I don't want to be without a writer's website, I really don't. I also didn't want to wait the couple of months to let my domain name officially expire and wait out the expiration period that would probably leave me without a website for the whole summer, and it's only June 1. As of right now, I have set up heatherchadwicknet.blogspot.com, which will serve as a temporary domain name until I can get back on my small domain name feet. Wish me luck on this adventure, readers! I will keep you updated....

The occasional Writer's Block post

2011-04-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.MSN.Com

Oh yes, the brilliance of not liking anything you write. Writing sentence after sentence, continuously hitting the delete button. Wincing and whining about what you can't stand to post or publish; feeling a little lost because you're not liking what you're writing. I am certainly having one of those moments. Sometimes being productive has its drawbacks, especially when you're not in the mindset to properly do so. Sometimes I'd rather just listen to music, watch TV or play games- anything but writing. It's easy to feel tapped out after getting a lot done.
Of course, when you're writing to make a living, you need to actually work. How to get inspired, you ask? Good music inspires me, and great writing. I'm a longtime fan of Rolling Stone magazine, and can always get inspired to write after reading one of their articles. Music is a lifelong passion of mine, and I've always been able to find inspiration from good music. Once I read about someone I'm a fan of (or something I find interesting), my mind literally goes off into spurts of sentences, paragraphs, song lyrics, etc. Reading good writing can be a great starting point of inspiration for my own writing. I'm not one to want to write in the same vein of what I've just read; I just need to read something I find really good to get me to want to write something of my own, regardless of what it is.
Here's a question for all you other writers out there: what gets you going (besides pay, of course)? I often find I need nothing at all; silence is something I often feel the need to fill, which can bring on the writing. Life is inspiring too, and as of late my need to get out of the house more often has come in the way of my writing. The fun of hibernation can only last so long (good riddance, Winter!). In the middle of April, I am ever so eager for May, the summer days and the sunny mornings. There also just seems to be more time in the summer for some reason. Don't ask me why. Perhaps because it's easy to feel less lethargic when you're not either snowed or rained in. Either way, summer is always very promising. As it gets closer and closer to May, it is also getting closer to the one-year anniversary of the first thing I ever published as a writer (June 30), and I'm really excited to say that it's going well so far. Now, if only I didn't get so distracted sometimes...

Next up: furniture!!

2011-03-31T09:12:00.001-08:00

Finally, I have gone from writing in a cramped space (if you consider having to write on a coffee table in front of the couch cramped, which I certainly do) to working at a desk, officially as of today, March 31, 2011. Happy I Have a Desk Day!! One trip to Ikea, some running around and around five hours later, I officially have the desk that I wanted. Of course, I picked a desk that required a lot of work, with more nuts and bolts than I would have liked, but now not only do I have the desk that I want, I have one that fits perfectly well in my apartment without taking up a lot of space.
If there's nothing else that can inspire me to work, it's better working quarters. I'm sure that sentiment goes for other writers as well. I have stretching room now, better organization and more room to have necessary resources right in front of me (take that, having to walk across the room to get a book from my bookcase!) It's a nice addition to my living room. Perfect for spring and spring cleaning, I'm in the planning stages of my own spring cleaning and household reorganization. Adding a writing desk to it not only helps me reinvigorate my apartment, but it also is good for my writing as well. It's definitely something that's on every writer's "must-have" list, right next to a working internet connection and good lighting. Next up: decorating the thing, as it's all-white coloring could get very boring very fast. Perhaps I'll add a couple of stickers and photos to make it interesting, or I could just leave it alone for right now.
So where does this leave me right now? Of course it's progress and a most necessary purchase, but it also means that I have to back up this purchase. For me that means earning the money back that I spent on this. That won't be hard, of course, but I want to give myself an incentive to work harder. The desk itself is inspiration enough, but another reason certainly couldn't hurt. Talk about changes since the very end of last June: I've gone from only talking about writing to actually writing. I've also gone from making a little money to making some. I'm still building up my writing portfolio (Does that ever stop? I don't think so.) and working on my online presence. I have business cards and stationery. Yes, the writing thing is going, but I know well enough that I'm just only getting started. One more possible addition: coffee. If only I could bring myself to give it more of a chance. I know this puts me in a minority. An early bird without coffee?!?!? WHERE?

Am I A Writer Now?

2011-03-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of office.msn.com

What an odd question, right? Certainly I am a writer, with a website, clips and business cards to prove it. But yesterday felt very much like I had finally hit the big time. Yesterday I received my biggest writing check to date. And for someone working hard to make a living off of writing at home, it feels pretty darn good.
So where has all this writing gotten me so far? It has been around nine months since I published my first piece as a writer. Since then, I've landed some clients, made some money, garnered some writing friends and contacts, and have learned more about business than I ever thought about. Sure, there have definitely been some long hours, long nights and burn outs. These I think have been more my fault than inevitable, as in the beginning it was very easy to get daunted by large projects. Now I think I've calmed down a bit, and welcome the opportunity to do something different from my usual work.

Image courtesy of office.msn.com

I've recently taking up writing for DailyHarrison.com- a website dedicated to the goings-on of my hometown Harrison, NJ. I've started a new aspect of writing (egads...interviews!) that I'm rather unfamiliar with, but am eager to try. So far I've taken the easiest foray into it (emailing questions), letting it be my training into getting ready to do one in person. For those interested, you can also check out DailyHarrison on Facebook and Twitter. I've also been networking more on LinkedIn; you can check out my profile here.

I've also taken steps into copywriting and learning about contracts, definitely some necessary skills to add to my resume. I plan on spending more time in the near future focusing on improving my skills in these areas. If there's one way I know to make some surefire good writing money, it's copywriting. Another skill very much necessary these days: proficiency in social networking: Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc. StumbleUpon is something I don't know much about, and I'm not too sure of its effectiveness. I'm definitely proficient on Facebook and Twitter (isn't the whole world at this point?), and love the ease of promoting my work on them.

So far now my real big writing news is one of the best fall outs of doing a good job: getting paid. It is encouraging, and makes me only want to work more. Am I exactly where I want to be? Not yet, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm sure with more work I can get there. As for right now, this definitely gives me something to talk about...

Website upgrade

2011-02-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.Com

I've spent some of the past couple of weeks redoing my website, attempting to make it look more appealing to potential clients and look as good as some of my colleagues' sites. I use the server APlus.net, and while it's easy enough, I still can get very much confused. HTML is a tricky mistress if you don't know it enough already. I'm using an easy site builder service offered by my server and am learning the ropes. It's hard to get the look you want when you have only so many options, of course, and it can be especially hard when you're not sure what you want.
Right now, I think my site looks lackluster, to be quite honest. I've looked at other writers' sites for inspiration, but I'd like to have something notably different. Though, what could possibly set me apart from other more experienced writers? Not much yet frankly. But I am working on it. I have my portfolio, biography, a list of services I offer, a link to my blog...and that's it. I need some pizazz, something exciting. Or at least something that makes me look more like a seasoned professional. Maybe that takes some time to earn, but I'd at least like my site to look better. So, for the time being, I will be learning website basis via trial and error, edits and reediting. Thankfully, at least I have some content to fill it with. As I stay on the hunt for new clients, get more work, write for the clients I have and build my business, my website will grow as well. Here's to growing, developing, and bowing down to the HTML Gods...

Working, working, surrounded by snow

2011-02-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Bpaulh

These past six weeks have seen NJ and pretty much the entire tri-state area continuously covered in snow. It has snowed at least once a week for the past six weeks, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. I've ben working a bunch for some clients am reading some writing books to learn more about writing as a business. I read something about writers who eventually go on to rent office space, tired of never leaving the house and needing new scenery. It makes me wonder if I'll ever get to that point, or wonder when I'd consider myself able to afford a separate office. Right now, I very much like the idea of working from home, especially when it means hiding out from the never-ending snow. It also means cutting on commuting expenses to and from work, as well as skimping out on buying lunch everyday, unless I really want to. It also means I can work as early (or as late) as I want to.

BUT, it does mean that I have to get more disciplined. I need to garner more clients, and read these damned writing books more, and not just in spurts. It's time to consume myself with productivity. Yes, I have been productive, but it's time to be more so. I want this writing thing to be a career, and not just a passing fancy. I also should blog more, of course. In spite of what I've gotten done, I don't think I've gotten enough done. Get clients? Check. Get paying work? Check. Get enough work to cover all my expenses? Not yet, unfortunately. I really have to push it. But I have been working diligently this entire month, so I really shouldn't be that hard on myself. Maybe this is just my "learning the ropes" bit, where I'm feeling more of an adjustment period to this line of work than I have before. Maybe it's simply because I'd like to earn more money. I am getting paid work, but I would of course like to get to the point where I'm making more money than my previous 9-5 gig. Hopefully, that time will come soon enough, but for now, I will continue plugging away at it until I get there.

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Yuval Y

It is finally 2011, and now I am setting up a new template for my blog, as well as mapping out my plans for the year. 2011 is all about pushing my writing and my writing business further. From gaining new clients to expanding my portfolio to learning new skills, 2011 looks to be a very busy year. On the immediate agenda is coming up with a business name, which for me is no easy task. I'd like to not include my name in my business name, in case I ever expand my business beyond myself being the only employee. I've been toying around with business name generators online, hoping for some inspiration. I have maybe one idea, but nothing solid so far.
While I plan out the business aspect of my freelance writing business, I'm also very much looking forward to expanding my portfolio. Right now, I have a whole swell of news articles, blog posts about animals and pop culture articles. I'd like to master the art of writing a press release, as well as learn more about business writing. I recently dug up a business writing book I had used in college, and that will be my go to guide for business writing. I'd also like to start brushing up on learning other languages, particularly Spanish. I do live in New Jersey, after all.
I guess you can say 2011 is all about three word mottos: expansion, expansion expansion, reading, reading, reading, writing, writing, writing and learning, learning, learning. I'm not going to pressure myself into having to earn more money than I've ever earned, or working eighty hours if I don't have to. I'm simply looking to expand on what I've been doing so far. I'd also like to encourage anyone interested in writing and freelance writing to go for it, and show them how they can by referencing what I've done.
Here's to hoping I can make myself work, work, work more this year, and to all my readers, Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

It is my favorite time of year, where I get to make a whole slew of lists, shop online all the time and get to do a lot of planning. I'm also starting to debate on whether or not to come up with a formal working schedule, as that is one thing I've failed to do. Sometimes, I start working really early in the morning; other times I find myself getting a lot done late into the night. That of course means my sleeping schedule has significantly altered. I've gone from typically going to sleep at around ten at night and waking up at six to a bunch of varied sleep times. I've even found myself taking naps during the day, which is something I don't normally do. Naps are usually left for when I'm sick or when I know I'm in for a long night. Also, with nights starting earlier these days, I've found myself sleepy all the time. I'm not a big coffee drinker in the least, but I have definitely found myself craving it lately.

I got a couple new clients that have been keeping me busy, excited and encouraged. I have purchased a couple of eBooks, including The Practical Freelancer's Guide to Author Websites by Angela Atkinson and Grammer Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Grammar Girl, a.k.a. Mignon Fogarty. It might be time to invest in a Kindle soon. Though I will never get away from actual hand held books. I think what I want to do is have a desk with writing books, stationery and a mess of paperwork, and have a Kindle to make sure I don't ruin said writing books. I tend to wear through the books I read a lot, like anyone else, and I'd at least like the impression of gently-handled books. I also like the idea of getting to buy a ton of books for cheap, and getting to be selective of which books I want to buy in print editions.

I've also tidied up my website a bit, getting rid of the "articles" section, which pretty much comprised of all my Associated Content/Yahoo! Contributor Network articles and neatly placed an "articles" section in my "Portfolio" page. Next up will be just much more tidying up and learning different ways to change up my page. My goal is to make an exciting, content-filled author website that is still easily downloadable for slower internet connections. I'm also working on my own personal WordPress blog called Writing for a Purpose in an effort to learn WordPress more. It's become so big I've made a point to learn more about it to add it as a skill on my resume. I think it's a skill that other people should definitely look into having; being that internet savvy is such a must-have skill in the workplace, it's only logical that working knowledge of a popular blogging server would be wanted as well. But don't get me wrong, I'll never leave Blogger. I find both equally valuable. It's important to know how to adapt to different types of internet and computer programs, servers and social networking websites. You never know where you could find that next paying gig. I'm also interested in obtaining another non-paying writing gig (a guest blog post in the future, perhaps?) to gain more of a web presence. It's December, already so it's time to think about what I want to accomplish in 2011. Already. 2011 is also the year of my 10-year high school reunion. Oh dear. I wonder what I'll be telling people what I do for a living then. Of course I'll be saying "I'm a freelance writer", but I wonder what wording I could use to explain it exactly? "I get paid to write content online", "I'm a writer who specializes in online publications" (for now), or perhaps "I'm a burgeoning big-name writer". Either way, it beats saying "I hate my job..."

How about a Writing "To Do" List?

2010-11-15T18:09:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.Com

One of my favorite things to do ever is list making. I think I write one up at least three times a week. Why not write about what writing tasks I want to accomplish? Here it goes:

1. Plug away at writing, writing articles and getting clips.

2. Continuously revamp my website until I actually really like it.

3. Apply, apply and apply for new writing gigs.

4. Hand out a ton of business cards.

5. Market, market, market.

6. Set up a bit of office space in my bedroom.

7. Make my writing an actual freelance writing business, with a business name and everything.

8. Buy a couple of writing books so I can read them (in an effort to sometimes give my laptop a break).

9. Get more writing stationery.

10. Set up an awesome work schedule, suitable for work and getting out of the house!

Doable, don't you think?

Finding my niche

2010-11-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.Com

I'm finding that writing on a daily basis can be a little monotonous, especially if I'm a little drained. I've found easy inspiration in writing about current events. It's easy to write about the goings-on in the world, and I really like to do it. Now, it's not exaclty the most lucrative form of writing (that I know of yet-remember guys, I'm still a newbie), it's definitely satisfying. Of course, to make a proper living writing I have to get more immersed in other forms of writing, such as press releases and blogging. I think if anything, it might be time to study, study, study. It's time to get more acquainted with press release writing (I don't think the experience I have is enough), essay writing (does college count?), blogging and perhaps doing some fiction. I've been lax on my creativity, in the respect that just coming up with a great opening paragraph about the Midterm Elections isn't enough. Maybe, oddly enough, it's time to get more serious.
Some recent articles:

Obama to Appear on "The Daily Show"
Behar Slams Angle on "The View"
Boehner's Uphill Battle to Be the Next House Speaker
Obama Visits India During Diwali

P.S. A couple articles I've written made onto Yahoo! news!!! Check out the Behar & Boehner pieces for my two seconds of big breaks!

My new foe: my own spelling

2010-10-11T18:50:00.003-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.com

I've noticed that writing every day has somehow lessened my ability to spell. Damn you spell check! I find that I've been using it more and more these days, and I'm also finding out that there are just some words I've never had to write down a lot. And it's not words that I necessarily don't know how to spell, it's just words I haven't had to write down. Here are some words I seemed to have forgotten how to spell (and yes, I'm using spell check for this!)

*Disappear                     *Exercize
*Immediately                  *Tomorrow
*Rhetorical                     *Definitely
*Halloween                    *Unfortunately
...Though I do have to say that maybe this could only better my writing, at least grammatically. I'm learning how to sound out the words in order to spell them correctly, and I'm learning how to do that consistently. I though my days of worrying about so much spelling were beyond me, but alas...

I've also garnered a couple clients, and am working more. With a little more work, this can be a registered business before long, with an LLC attached and name and everything. All I have to do is come up with a proper business name. I've been giving out my business card to friends and family, and hope to start some real networking soon. I've been advised that at one point I'll want my own business phone number, but for right now I'll just use my personal cell phone, as I don't really get enough calls to warrant a separate line. I do have my professional email that works fine, of course (heather@heatherchadwick.net).

Here are some recent articles for your enjoyment...

Gay College Student Suicide Rocks U.S
How to Pitch Your Writing Services to New Clients
Greening Your Indoor Holiday Decorations

Working, working, working

2010-09-27T13:17:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

Something very happened on the way to my Freelance Writing career- it's working in ways I never expected to happen already! What's been really random is that simply plugging away writing and applying for gigs is all you really need to do. That, of course followed with marketing and promotion. Did I say endless self-promotion? Oh, yes of course! But honestly it's all been in a way easy. I think for me it's been easy because I haven't let myself be bogged down by the details. Sometimes, you need to just got for it and not be intimidated. That really helps. I've been working every day, obtaining real, paying clients and applying for new writing gigs. My goal is to obtain enough consistent writing work to have at least rent and bills covered more than barely, and make this Christmas an awesome one. Yes, I did just mention Christmas. I'm absolutely BIG on Christmas. I love shopping for gifts for people and making a ton of lists of the things I want to buy people. And now, when I get asked what I want for Christmas, I can actually say that I have some sort of idea: simply put, anything work relarted. Barnes and Noble gift cards, Staples, gift cards, any books on writing, etc. I have a feeling I might become a stationery queen. But I have to admit, it feels pretty cool to see something with my name on it.

Speaking with stationery with my name on it, I am now a card-carrying freelance writer. Now, I have official proof that I write for a living, other than my word. Hopefully, I can really land gigs with these cards. Every bit of this process is absolutely integral to the future of my career, which I've been working really hard to progress. I say it's been easy because I assumed it'd take forever to make money, but it honestly hasn't. What's disarming is the idea of having more temporary assignments rather than a steady stream of long-term clients, but I am working on it. And I have to say, versus spending long hours in a miserable office, this feels pretty darn good.

Recent Work:
American Hiker Detained in Iran Released
Restoring Sanity, Fear with Stewart and Colbert
Lopez, Tyler to Judge on 'American Idol'
Pet Parent Worrying
Fighting over my attention

Business Cards, Networking, Etc.

2010-09-08T12:43:00.006-08:00

Image courtesy of Vistaprint.com

Introducing myself as a writer last night, I felt odd missing one thing: a business card. Last night, I went to a mock jury group in Manhattan and met singer/songwriter Mammi-Ama Ofari and producer of NYC show Different Voices Poet Minor. So, this morning I finally did it: I ordered some business cards and some "Heather Chadwick, Freelance Writer" stationery. Looking to save some money, I took advantage of the deals found on Vistaprint.com. Where else could I order 2,000 business cards for less than $30?

Now it's also time to market and network, network, network. I'm anxiously awaiting news of the potential 10/10/10 Restoring Truthiness rally to be led by the Stephen Colbert. I'm already looking at train schedules and hotel fees to attend it. I'll have my camera at the ready, and notebook in hand. Check out some of my recent articles:

Image courtesy of Vistaprint.com

My Surprise Emmy Night
Glenn Beck's 'Restoring Honor' Rally Draws Crowds, Attention
CollegeOnly.com: The New, Fun Way to Network
Aseptic Meningitis: A Scary-sounding, but Very Treatable Illness
The Campaign for a 'Truthiness' Rally Reaching Fever Pitch

I've also spent some time of Freelance job-listing websites like Elance, Freelancer.com and Guru. I've been posting profiles, bidding and projects and taking their skills tests. I've got one client so far, and hopefully I'll land some more soon enough. I've started to recommend Freelance Writing to people; I didn't realize how easy it really is to get started. Next up: making heatherchadwick.net a little flashier. Honestly, all this html, graphic nonsense is intimidating. It's time to get the ball rolling, however. Time to ante up the project searches and ante up the work...

Writing about the Zoo

2010-08-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

One new writing gig I have is writing for the WM Pet Connection. Catch my posts every Tuesday as I indulge myself in all things pets. Posts so far:

Introducing Henry
Introducing Little Lady
Bringing out my inner dog person

Happy reading!!!

Getting in the thick of it

2010-08-27T12:27:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.Microsoft.com

This past month has been about landing paying gigs; setting up a work schedule and continuing to get myself noticed. You can find my weekly column, HYPE/OVERHYPE at CRVD. I am also now writing for the WM Pet Connection, where I've a couple a posts about my cats Henry and Little Lady; you can find new posts from me every Tuesday. I've also been looking into the business aspect of my freelance writing career more, looking at filing and licensing fees and accountants. Heather, meet a lifetime of paperwork- paperwork, meet Heather. I smell the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Recent articles:

'True Blood' Rolling Stone Cover Leaves People Hot and Bothered
Mosque to Be Built Near Ground Zero Brings Ideological Tension to New Heights

Some recent work

2010-08-08T06:43:00.000-08:00

Over 100 Million Facebook Users Have Their Information Linked To Torrent
More Repairs for the ISS After a Cooling System Shuts Down
How to Build An Awning
The Amish People: A History, Culture Growing
'The View' Co-Host Goldberg Denies Accusations Made by White House Crasher

Also, check out my new weekly column on CRVD, Hype/Overhype. I updated heatherchadwick.net a bit, and plan on making it a little flashier. Happy reading!

I'm getting really into writing the news

2010-07-29T10:18:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.msn.com

As I'm finding that I'm getting feedback and pay for the news content I've been writing, I've been finding myself gearing more towards news pieces as of late. I'm also working on a music column that should be coming out shortly,as well as various other projects. Pay has been coming in(!!!) and I've been encouraged to try out sites such as Freelancer and Guru in an effort to land more paying work. I'm also looking into learning more about SEO content, which I've been happening on. I don't want to call myself an SEO writer yet until I learn more about it. While it might seem easy enough, I want to be more thorough.

On my "to buy list", I have
Alyssa Ast- The Fundamentals of SEO for the Average Joe
Robert Bly- Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $100,00 a Year or More
Robert Bly- The Copyrighter's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells

I've also been looking into joining the National Association for the Self-Employed when I'm landing consistent work, as well as possible trademark information I might need to know. I'm at $10 in writing earnings in almost a month's work, with steady gigs and constant working. Coming soon: business cards and promotional items, as well as more work. This writing business is definitely going.

Check out my recent articles:
Judge Blocks Specifics in SB1070
Condoleeza Rice, Aretha Franklin Duet at a Philadelphia Benefit

Some recent articles

2010-07-24T08:58:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of Office.microsoft.com

Moving into Your First Apartment

How to Make a Sandblaster

Review of Sleigh Bells' Treats
Awaiting a Judge's Decision on Arizona's SB1070

I am now a contributing writer to a couple online magazines, Strickly Chicks, and CRVD. I'm still chugging along, article after article, idea after idea, and getting myself going. My website, heatherchadwick.net, is still new and growing. Next up: payday! Albeit it's no major paycheck, being paid to write is still being paid to write. I'm still learning many of the dynamics that make up my career, and I am loving every minute of it.

Check out my review of the latest M.I.A. album

2010-07-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

I am now a contributing writer to the online mag CRVD. You can read my review for the new M.I.A. album here.

Biding Time for Babies

2010-07-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Check out my new article entitled Biding Time for Babies, exclusively on Strickly Chicks.

I have a lot to live up to, apparently

2010-07-17T14:37:00.002-08:00

I write like
David Foster Wallace

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Happy Friday!

2010-07-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Productivity will never be underestimated. Today I got three articles written and submitted, and worked on heatherchadwick.net a bit. I've also got a couple other articles ready to be finished. My new "Freelance To Do List" is about to become long and always edited and rewritten.And honestly, it will probably fare better than my personal to do lists and this point, or replace it eventually.This blog is now viewable on Facebook for your pleasure.
Tomorrow is the Village Voice-hosted Siren Festival in Coney Island, NY, which I haven't attended in the past two years, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow's festivities. I will be taking plenty of pictures I'm sure and checking out the bands, and relaxing on the beach. As much as I love my work, I really need some play right now. What a nice feeling of achievment right now, tomorrow feels like an earned day at the beach! I will probably be bringing a notepad and a pen, of course. Ideas can come from anywhere...

Best IPhone Apps for Navigating NYC

2010-07-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Best IPhone Apps for Navigating NYC

Applying for gigs, setting up my website and setting fees

2010-07-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, the business beginning of my career. My website is set up at heatherchadwick.net, and I've been writing everyday and promoting and I've started applying for gigs. I've done some math, (thanks to this website, which has kind of become my bible at this point, check out Freelance Writing Tips) and I now know what I need to make to make even right now, while still paying taxes and paying bills. Coming soon, business cards. Hopefully before long, paying gigs!

New article

2010-07-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Ever-Expanding Convenience of Facebook is now online at Associated Content.

Official Website!!!

2010-07-07T14:29:00.002-08:00

Check out heatherchadwick.net!!!

My Open Letter to Joel Stein

2010-07-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

My Open Letter to Joel Stein is now online, courtesy of Associated Content.

A start

2010-07-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

As I wrote this week, I felt myself go back into the rhythm that had I knew from long ago. I got excited at good sentences and paragraph lead-ins. I found myself rewriting and editing and questioning everything I wrote. It felt good. I published two articles and a haiku, one article on Elena Kagan, another on Mad Men, and a haiku about the color purple. I also got to see a taping of the Daily Show in Manhattan, and meet my new niece, Arielle Brianne. Being able to do more with my days besides commuting back and forth and working in an office eight hours a day is really fulfilling. With the small revenue I've seen so far from my work (13 cents! hey, it's a start!), I am hoping that this all will springboard me into having regular clients. And of course, hopefully not too far in the future. I've been reading other freelance writer's blog posts and advice columns every day, taking everything in and trying to apply it all to my own career. I started a twitter account to promote my work, and plan on having business cards and a website soon. I've been telling everyone to read my work and making writer friends. It's a start, and a good one.

Elena Kagan article posted on Associated Content

2010-06-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

Please check out my first posting for the website Associated Content. To read it, click here.

Criticism

2010-06-29T10:47:00.000-08:00

I don't have to like it but I know I have to handle it. Criticism, for lack of a better word, is necessary. I wrote a short story today and I didn't like the feedback I received. I have a problem of getting very attached to something, and I don't like changing it. I thought it'd better to be honest about criticism instead of simply letting it pass. I have to acknowledge the importance of criticism because it's an integral part of my work. Every single step of this is a process; to say it isn't work isn't true but it's enjoyable work. To grow as a writer I need the feedback, no matter how brutal. I of course don't want to have clips that are subpar. I want a myraid of examples of what I can do. Here's a short story I wrote that may or may not be done, but I'll give this draft a shot:

There is a man mowing his lawn to the left of my eight a.m. window. I take an early morning class and watch him work. He starts right down the middle , clenching both hands tightly to the handle and never lets go. He works his way, left, right. Left, right. And then he stops. He puts away his lawnmower in his garage and walks out with a beer bottle. He sits on his lawn and takes a sip. Today I see him notice the mailman. He puts his bottle down and grabs his mail handed to him. He looks excited. He opens a large envelope and I see him smile and exhale. “Whew!” I see him saying. He looks relieved and hurries inside.

I pay little attention to my teacher. She’s quiet, indifferent and visibly ignores my daydreaming. I love this class! On rainy days I draw in my notebook and she never complains. She likes my art. I see the man come back outside, and settles down on the ground to finish his beer. He looks giddy with delight. I also notice a second bottle. He finishes his first, and I see him toss it in the garbage. He stands out in the street, hands on hips and looking around. It looks like he’s really going to miss this place.

And then the truck hits. Hard and fast, neither one of us sees this coming. He’s thrown. I yell. The class stops. “The man, the man outside! He just got hit by a truck!” I yell. Everyone surrounds my window. I see my teacher rummage her purse. Her handles tremble as they dial. Everyone’s quiet. The wait for help seems forever. I see the body: he’s back on his lawn, blood added to newly cut grass.

A busy week, only to continue

2010-06-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

I've started working on my freelance writing career. I have been calling my living room my office, started setting for my self designated work hours and have researched websites and blogs for tips on how to start getting paid for my work. I have reading a lot, writing some, and looking to write a heck of a lot more. What has felt really good is the feeling of being accomplished and this almost nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I don't want to stop working. Of course there are other things to focus on as well. This coming Monday, June 28, I will be attending a taping of The Daily Show. This coming Wednesday, June 30, I will be welcoming another niece into the world (who has yet to be named). What I love (and of course everyone else in this profession) is that I can revolve my work around my life. My workday will not be lost becase I'm not in the office; I can simply pick up my work when I get home. I don't have to worry about waking up at a certain time to leave the house the next morning, because I can adjust my worktime accordingly to when I start working. I assume as I start getting paid for my work I will be working much more, putting in more hours than I assume, but I don't mind. I really like what I'm starting to do for a living.

TV vs. Film

2010-06-23T12:54:00.003-08:00

   An argument for television being the better medium rather than film seems moot nowadays. Television costs much less to watch more frequently (if you don’t consider the price of cable), offers more variety and keeps you more informed on current events. Of course, it is not the pastime that is a trip to the movies, nor is it as romanticized as movies are. Television is film’s pesky younger sister, with a long-simmering rivalry, with one constantly one-upping the other.
   The film industry has suffered from a reputation of big blowup summer films that have the same shelf life as that of your favorite dessert. They taste sweet at the time, and you couldn’t wait to have them, but both are forgettable once they’re over. Of course, with all the reality television filling up our screens these days, the same can be said about television. However, television will always have more to offer. There is more time to develop a character, establish a history you don’t have with film. You can argue over favorite storylines, seasons and character arcs. Think about how many opening television series segments you can remember- are there many of them? Of course, because we grow up with television. Many a conversation has been had over the opening song to “Saved by the Bell” and “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”. Who doesn’t know the theme song to “Happy Days”?
   Television also offers the news- something you don’t get to see at the movies, unlike so many years before, when news reels preceded movies at the theater. If you have cable, you also get world news, and if preferred, news in other languages. Information is immediate and never ending, and with so many news channels to choose from, you can choose just exactly how you like your news. Do you like headlines scrolling for you at the bottom of the screen while you watch a feature? Just turn on CNN. Do you like pundits discussing politics on an hourly basis? Try Fox News. There are also channels like History, Discovery and Science that work as the perfect anecdote to the much maligned reality tv era. Television also offers the latest weather information, which is a useful resource in everyday life.
   Film, on the other hand, is simply limited on what it can show because of the duration of any particular film. You can learn from a great documentary or a great autobiographical film (provided that it’s as accurate as possible), but you really don’t have the access to nonstop learning like television does. You can also count National Geographic, Animal Planet and the ID (Investigation Discovery) channel as other channels you can look to for educational entertainment.
   Television simply has more usefulness than film. You can watch history unfold as it happens and take advice on how to balance your budget. When film can bring me all of this at once, I’ll give it more credit.

A sample work

2010-06-23T12:51:00.001-08:00

This is something I wrote sometime last year in an attempt to land a new job. The job didn't pan out but I did get a couple writing samples out of it. Here's one:

Autistics and Sex: not as separate as they seem

   Autism is not solely a system of repeated movements, blank faces and monotone voices. It is also not high-pitched squeals, rocking back and forth of the body, and the unrelenting desire for the most structured routine. It is a myriad of habits, movements and brain function that are as equal to the development of a person as are hormones and emotional development. Autistics are much more than a robotic type of person who lack social skills; they are also people who deal with the same problems that others do, such as puberty.
   People forget that puberty plays a central role in their adolescence as well, almost assuming that sexual desire is nonexistent because of their mental disability. For some, it can occur as early as eight years old. For others, as late as twenty. Because autism is only becoming more and more prevalent, one would think this topic would be commonplace discussion. Instead, it is often ignored and assumed irrelevant. It is (as it is with teenagers as a whole) left to the teachers to teach students about sex, even if they cannot fit it into the curriculum. Special education teachers have enough to teach their students every day; adding another subject can be near impossible, especially one as sensitive as sex.
   These teenagers need to know not to be ashamed of their bodies. They also need to know the importance of discretion and privacy. They understand that something is going on with their bodies, and they like it. To stifle their feelings and emotions is detrimental to their well being. They do not understand the taboos behind sexuality, nor do they understand that others do not know how to handle their puberty. Everything is simply left in flux as parents, siblings and teachers are left confused how to handle this. We need to have sex education for those in special education. It’s enough of both a delicate matter as it is necessary to broach.
   Ultimately, people need to have patience as autistics venture through puberty like the rest of us. They do not understand it they way we do, nor are they as prepared as we are. They need support, guidance and acceptance. They need to know it is normal, and that they are no different from anyone else. They have enough going on in their world. And even if they don’t tell us, they notice our reactions to the way they are. If there is anything they should see, it is how normal in fact they really are.

One step to writing glory

2010-06-22T08:25:00.000-08:00

Step one: removing all old, pre-writing career blog postings. It isn't to negate what I've previously done; it's only to start anew. If I'm serious about this, it's a good start to change this blog, make it look more professional. Maybe images of a quill pen in the background, perhaps?

My delving in into the world of writing

2010-06-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of days, I've been perusing websites such as mediabistro.com to look at successful freelancer's portfolios. I've looked up job postings and "how to" guides. I've even looked up other writers' blogs. This wonderful barrage of information has been very encouraging; and while starting this career can be daunting, I am only very excited. Yesterday was my first official workday as a freelance writer. I've started a position as a Writing Associate Intern for a company based out of New York, NY. I spent hours prospecting, looking at hundreds of websites for contact information and writing a business letter. Next assignment: a press release. I don't want to say I have any clips yet until I receive critiques on my work so far. I've also taken to tweaking my resume a bit to make it more like a freelance writer's resume. I;m beginning the process of "getting myself out there". It feels good.

It is a new day

2010-06-17T10:16:00.008-08:00

As I begin what could hopefully be a long, fruitful writing career, I remembered this blog and that I should go back to updating it. It's been two years and more, and my interests have changed some, passions have developed more and like everyone else with an internet connection, I have something to say. Luckily, with a blog with my name in the url, I could write anything I want. I could be as unrealistic, self-absorbed and uninteresting as the next guy. I could also use this a chance to develop my writing. Even develop it. Even learn how to be funny.

Politics and the state of all of it will never cease to amaze me; I find myself endlessly out of the loop yet always interested. I watch political pundits and MSNBC evening shows and Real Time With Bill Maher and Meet the Press and never feel like I've learned enough. To stand a chance these days you have to be extremely well read, educated and undeniably hard working. Shameless self promotion always helps. If I've learned anything these past couple years, I've learned that you should know the constitution. And I'm not talking about the Tea party endorsement. I'm talking about knowing it well enough to develop your own opinions on things that you might have otherwise overlooked because you didn't realize it was in the Constitution. I have to get to that. I also have to get back to book reading, of course; even though there are many venues to read now (i.e. blogs such as this one, digital e-readers, books on tape-or ITunes), nothing beats a good hardcover and/or paperback. Nothing, as I'm also finding out, beats an excellent vocabulary. Thank you, GRE, for making me bond with my dictionary.

I live a very good life and feel it's time to pursue writing again. I don't know exactly what type of writer I'll turn out to be but it feels pretty good writing at all. I don't expect this blog to be read by more people than those that live in my hometown, but that's not the point. If nothing else, this could be a lot of fun.