Making Plans

Well, it's December 31st--just a few short hours to complete my 2008 resolutions. I'll report on how I did on those tomorrow, once the year is officially over.

Looking ahead to 2009. I haven't made any concrete, life altering resolutions yet. Best get started on that, I guess.

But, here are some thoughts I've been having lately. I'm kind of liking this blogging thing. Being away from CaringBridge (because, thank God, Finn, and the whole family, is healthy) has allowed me a certain sort of freedom to break out and write about. . .well, really anything I guess. It's also made me think a little about where else I might write in 2009. This introspection is kind of a long time coming, and it's mostly stemming from concerns about future finances.

Have I talked much about what I "do" in the real world? I feel sure I've talked about the fact that I'm a freelance writer (Insert huge disclaimer here. If you're reading this blog and thinking, "You're kidding me. The author of this drivel is an actual writer??? Please note that I write this blog in total stream of consciousness and I don't go back and edit myself. I turn in slightly more professional results to my clients. Not that I don't think you deserve the best here, but this is me writing the way I talk, not the way I write. How about that for ridiculous?).

People get all excited when I tell them I'm a writer. And then they ask what I write and assume I'm going to say children's books or articles for the New Yorker. I wish. My two biggest clients are two state CPA societies, meaning that CPAs in several states read my material in the bi-montly magazines their state society produces, or they may read electronic news I've pulled and edited specifically for their interests as well. When I tell people I work for state CPA societies, they think I'm a CPA. I'm not. But I do play one on the Internet. Just kidding. My undergraduate degree is in Journalism and I have an MBA in marketing (the common sense degree). I could tell you a fair bit about International Financial Reporting Standards, but I'm guessing you'd prefer I didn't.

Say what you will about the CPAs, I've heard it all (and possibly thought it myself), but I enjoy working with them. Sometimes I write technical stuff, sometimes I write fun stuff, like profiles of members who have interesting hobbies (example: the 74 year old woman who is a CPA and is also an avid hot air balloonist--that was pretty cool). Anyway, I like it and it pays the bills.

But I'm feeling a need to branch out and see what else I can do as well. Could I write for a high end magazine? Heck, I don't know. But I'll never know if I don't try. My Dad was reading some of my stuff while I was here and trying to convince me I could write for the New York Times. Well, of course he's going to say that--he's my Dad. That's what Dad's do. I've been thinking about it though and if it's the economy that makes me break out of my historic CPA shell, so be it.

I'm also contemplating writing a book about Finn's cancer journey. It pops up on my Outlook to do list each week: "Write a book--hahahaha." I want to cross that off. I'm not sure who the market for this book would be yet though.

Anyway, the reason for this ramble (and my blog is the only place I can ramble--clients who pay by the word do not appreciate rambling) is that one of the things I'm thinking about doing this year is really beefing up my blog by posting more often (probably on a Monday thru Friday schedule), seeing if I can get more traffic here (because I'm convinced there are dozens more people out there who want to read more about ME), and. . .and this is a big one. . .possibly putting advertising on here. Ack. I can't believe I just said that. BUT, I'm saying it because I'd love your feedback. Truly, I'm doing it because I need to see if I can generate some revenue. I don't know what the blog advertising brings in--probably not much--but I need to try and find out. I want to know how you feel though. Would it drive you away? Because that would make me sad. And lonely. Is anyone else out there reading this who has advertising on their page? Thoughts? Advice? Warnings? Musings? Let me know. If this were a different economic climate, I wouldn't even be considering it, but these are the times that try women's soles--which means we need to raise money to buy new shoes. And maybe blog advertising is the way to do it.

So hop over to the guestbook and let me know what you think.

Happy New Year!