Confessions of a Ghostwriter
Ghostwriting is not for me but I do like the money.
Do any of you remember Liza Minnelli in the film Cabaret singing, “Money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money…”? Liza Minnelli. Liza with a Z.
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For about two months now I’ve been ghostwriting for a site called Textbroker. I thought I had found another freelance writing home to go along with my Triond home. The category I picked my topics from at Textbroker was “news.” And I only picked articles with a 200-word limit. The other categories were just too technical or required too much online research. The only problem was you had to write one article at a time and by the time you finished that article all the other articles in the news category were gone.
So, I ended up only making $2.00 a day which was not going to make me rich but I figured I could supplement my social security check very nicely with $60 a month. That was fine. It was easy pickin’s. $60 a month is a much bigger income than what I make writing for Triond.
Well, other writers at Textbroker figured it was easy pickin’s, too.
I found that I had to log in by 7:00 am to gab an article. No problem.
Then I found that sometimes there were no news articles ready at 7:00 am. I started logging in at all hours of the day in order to secure an article.
Finally, I couldn’t grab an article no matter what time of day I logged in. In desperation I even tried writing other kinds of articles from other categories. My content was rejected. After having 39 news articles accepted I’m once again that cliche of all cliches: a writer without a paying writing gig. I liked being a ghostwriter for Textbroker.
Is this the end of my freelance ghostwriting career? No, but for the moment it’s on hold. I’m really a creative writer anyway. I still have my blog and I have Triond. And there are other ghostwriting sites out there. But I really thought I had found another writing home at Textbroker.
You will still find me here and at the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette. I changed the name of my blog back to its original name. The new name didn’t feel like home.
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May 6th, 2010 at 6:14 am
I’m sorry it didn’t work out exactly as you thought it would. You’re a SUPER writer so don’t forget that. I’m sure you’ll find another writing job.
May 6th, 2010 at 6:55 am
textbroker? first time I heard about it. Good for you, hope they will give you more writing assignments.
May 6th, 2010 at 7:08 am
money money money
…great write
May 6th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Another great piece Guy cheers
May 6th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Loved reading your experiences, your adventure, your little frustrations, etc.
May 6th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Yes, this online writing and blogging business is turning out to be a real adventure. Actually, it’s kind of exciting.
May 6th, 2010 at 8:26 am
well for me, 2 bucks a day is quite an achievement. Whatever it is, you’re doing great!
May 6th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Hadn’t heard of textbroker before. So sorry it didn’t work out as you had hoped.
May 6th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Thanks for sharing your experience with Textbroker.
May 6th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Keep looking. I’m sure there are other sites out there which would be glad to have a writer of your caliber.
May 6th, 2010 at 8:53 am
That sounds good. And I wish you a success in your writing career at textblocker. Clicked you “liked it”
May 6th, 2010 at 9:07 am
It’s just another bump in the road to success.
May 6th, 2010 at 10:09 am
This was interesting! Haven’t heard of Textbroker before. And yes, I too agree this freelance writing is an adventure. I’m hooked on it so badly, that I feel like writing for Triond and other couple of sites I’m into, even during my regular office hours. lol..
May 6th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Thanks. I’ve never heard of textbroker. I like your articles and writing style. keep up the good work:)
May 6th, 2010 at 10:46 am
I had never heard about the site but must add that writing newsworthy content is really tough. Keep trying.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Another informative article about paid writing. Thanks for sharing your experience!
May 6th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Guy, that’s very interesting. I have thought about writing for other sites but I can hardly find the time to do what I do.l might try something else one day when I think I can squeeze it in. Good luck to you in all your sidelines.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:37 am
well it became an intersting story to write about here right? Frank
May 6th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I am sorry the well went dry so to say. Have you thought about writing for Associated Content, Factoidz, Bukisa or Firehow?
May 6th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I am pretty sure your good days as a writer are around the corner Guy..:)
May 6th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Interesting. Good luck to your future plans Guy.
May 6th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
I just made $17.00 in about 4 days. I haven’t been able to find any lately that I like but I think I’ll like it more as time goes by. Not bad for only a few days. Hang in there!
May 6th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Interesting experience! I enjoy to read your article. Thumb up!
May 6th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Your confessions are interesting.
May 7th, 2010 at 2:33 am
I hope it does fizzle out completely. I am sure a guy with your talents will find another place to write without too much effort.
Good luck.
Christine
May 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Oops, great share. So far I have not been ghostwriting. I have published all my own content on the web myself.
May 8th, 2010 at 4:19 am
Great write Guy. It was interesting to read about other sites. I don’t think I could cope with the being ready for 7am!
May 8th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Anoter great article, Guy.
May 10th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
So true. I find the competition for grabbing assignments in any site is growing exponentially.