Montessori Writer

One of my goals with this blog is to start a conversation with my readers.  I want to share my experiences, and have you share yours as well.  I like to initiate discussions, like we did with the glass vs. plastic debate.  By working and sharing together, we can keep Maria’s dream going.

I have already sent out requests on Facebook and Twitter for questions to be addressed either via blog or via article.  A few responses have come in, and I would love to have some more!  Leave a comment below, or send me a DM on Twitter @andreacoventry.

Questions so far:

Do you have any articles on the assistant’s role in the classroom?  I am training 2 new ones.

What are issues related to Montessori kids who are ahead of their age peers?

Making transition from Montessori to “regular” school.

I would also like to hear other questions that you are regularly asked by parents, for you to share inspirational reads, to be directed to your favorite websites, etc.  I’ll even take general parenting and family questions, even if they aren’t related to Montessori. 

If you would like to be credited for your question, with a link back to any of your own writing works or other websites, please let me know how to accommodate you!

Thanks!

Technically, my friend started this challenge this work week, which was Monday.  I believe she started writing a few on Sunday, and her financial goal is up to about a third!  Considering how much she was trying to earn, I am highly impressed!

As for me, I have only made about half of what she has at this point.  But for me, that is a personal record!

It occurred to us that the actual pay period for Demand Studios runs from Wednesday to Wednesday.  So anything that isn’t approved by today has to wait until next week.  Again, keeping that in mind, I am satisfied with what I have done.  The weather report this morning is rain, rain, and more rain for the next week, with a few spots of sunshine.  Bad for gardening jobs, but great for writing!

If you have joined us in this quest, how are you doing so far?

One of the sites for which I write is called Demand Studios.  Usually you will then find those articles on one of my eHow accounts; however, Demand Media also serves at least a dozen other websites.

To become a writer for this site, you have to fill out an application and submit writing examples, preferably previously published articles from a different website.  Not everyone is hired to work for them, though.  I know a couple of talented writers who just cannot get their foot in the door.

Working for Demand Studios can be fun, as you can choose from titles within your expertise, or try other titles that require a little bit of research.  My current favorite area is Health and Fitness, because it gives me an excuse to research medical conditions plaguing me, my family, and my friends. Once you have the research for one article, you can often find the topic again and again and maximize your money.

Demand Studios pays upfront for their articles, ranging anywhere from $5-15 for a title.  They have been experimenting with a revenue share series of titles, as well, that in theory will earn you more over a five-year period.  Pay periods run from Wednesday to Wednesday, and pay day is every Friday.

One of my writing friends on Facebook is challenging herself to write nothing but DS articles for the month.  Her goal is to write 10 articles a day, for five days a week.  I told her I would love to join her challenge, but would probably aim for 5 a day, because I work for about 11 different websites at this point.

Last night, she adjusted her goal to a financial one, as there were more of the lower-paying articles available.  But it’s all about cranking out quality content for the titles for the money, right?

So far, for this pay-period, I have only written four flat fee articles, and one revenue share article.  I have also proofed 120 titles.  (Title-proofing pays 8 cents per title you either accept as is, adjust to fit the site, or reject, and is done in increments of 20. It’s actually quite easy, and those pennies add up!)  With the pay-period ending on Wednesday, and allowing for review times, many more will have to be written today to qualify.

I get to cheat a bit with the financial aspect, because I am close to receiving a revenue-share bonus.  For every 10 written, you get a bonus through the end of June.  I need one more written, then would like to aim for the next ten.

We’ll see how the challenge goes!

How are you challenging yourself, this month?