Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Tagged Again--Why I Love Writing from Home

Okay, something a little different here from my usual posts. My busy bee little writing friend, Michele, over at Writing the Cyber Highway.com, has tagged me for a meme. I'm supposed to list some reasons why I love writing from home. So here it goes...


1. Although I always loved writing, and wrote stories for my 3 children when they were young, I began writing for money,in the late nineties, on a typewriter! Yep, remember typewriters? I was a late bloomer, when it comes to writing, anxious to write the stories in my head, some true, some fiction. So my career of writing from home began.

2. This new career of mine was on wobbly legs for a while, and I jokingly called myself an almost starving writer. But I hung in there, and made my first sale. And when that first piece was published, in Good Old Days, and I got a check in the mail for it, well, I could go outside and whoop and holler all I wanted, and the only neighbors I disturbed were the wild creatures that share my woods with me. And they're all still here, so I didn't scare them too much!

3. Writing from home has so many advantages. I can write when I feel like it, and not write, when I don't. I couldn't do that writing for some publication, while sitting in an office. No sirree Bob. (Are you smiling, Michele?)

4. Writing from Home in the nineties was a different ball game. I bought magazines like, The Writer, and Writer's Digest, and a huge book called The Writer's Market, which came out every fall, listing thousands of magazine and book markets that bought articles from writers. I also bought books of advice for writers. They were all a huge help. Besides, I have always loved to read!

5. Then I got a computer! My son Greg brought it, set it up on my desk, showed me how to turn it on and off, then he was gone. I was alone with this new gizmo I nicknamed Einstein. Einstein seemed to have a mind of his own! But he made life easier for a writer writing from home. And I wrote a piece about Einstein and had it accepted by Folks Online! The year was 1999. What a thrill that was. My first published article on the Internet, and I got paid for it! And that article is still up. Here is the link to it, if you'd care to read it, with a photo of me from that year that I also posted on here. It was called, Messages from the Old Homeland, and if you check it out, I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.folksonline.com/folks/ts/1999/hungary.htm

6. Computers are amazing. We all know that. But for a writer writing from home, they are truly a boon! I no longer have to buy the magazines put out for writers, I can read all the writing advice I care to read, right on the Internet. I can find writing markets galore on the Internet as well. I can submit my writing by email, instead of by postal mail. I am saving on paper, postage, and on gasoline, since I don't have to go anywhere, to send my manuscript. (Of course, that doesn't mean I am saving that much on gas, since I enjoy going to town and meeting my friends for breakfast, lunch, or just coffee, often, and town is 10 miles away.)

7. Writing from home affords me unusual sights that I would not see writing from an office. Like the unusual sight that I have been witnessing for the past couple of weeks. No doubt you have heard about the plight of the honeybees. How they are supposed to be is some sort of trouble. Well, outside my window, honeybees are causing a lot of trouble, this year.

I've been putting up hummingbird feeders for 25 years, and enjoy watching the little jewels buzz around. Well, this year the bees have taken over the hummingbird feeders. Swarms of honeybees! And I don't know what to do about them. The hummies are afraid of the bees, and who can blame them? Anyone know what to do about honeybees swarming on the hummingbird feeders? (Maybe there is an article there....hmmm.)

8. Of course, there are the usual advantages to writing from home: I can stay in my pj's all day. I can comb my hair or not. I can bring my lunch to my desk, or take a break and eat it out on the deck, I can work all day, or just a couple of hours. I can read all kinds of neat stuff on the neat blogs I enjoy visiting, and then go back and work on a story, or an article later. I am my own boss! What could be better?

9.Well, you get the picture. Writing from home is challenging, interesting, and even fun! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you, Michele, for tagging me. I enjoyed it.

And thank you for reading. I hope it wasn't too boring. Have a wonderful day!

32 comments:

Nancy said...

Good Morning, Renie!

I loved this post!!! You are quite the writer!!! I am so glad I found your blog!!!

I read your article, Messages from the Old Homeland. Wonderful, wonderful!!!! I can relate to parts of it as the Kovacs told us us of their life in Hungary and then their flight to Austria, and how she was expecting her second child and had a 5-year old in tow at the time. They told us about the refugee camp they lived in, too, and also of their arrival in the US, Ellis Island, and his first job that they assigned him to. He said here they were in a strange country, and he didn't even know where he was going. I loved to hear the stories they told. They did very well for themselves over the years. He started out working on a chicken farm, and he said he didn't mind it at all, as his family was safe and in the United States. He is now retired, working most of his life as an electrician. They have been to SC to visit us several times in their motor home. They became very close friends of ours. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story!!!

I work from home, too, in my PJs all day, usually! I get to spend time with my cats this way, too, instead of leaving them alone all day. We have another very ill cat at Upstate Veterinary Specialists group in another city 25 miles away, where he will be having the kidney dye procedure done this morning and then surgery after that. This is my daughter's other cat, and her heart is breaking....
I plan to do a post about him today with photos I took of him yesterday. Poor little guy!

Have a great day!!! And keep that ole keyboard HOT!!!

(((HUGS)))

Nonnas News said...

Your writing is NEVER boring Renie!! That is a great post! It's great being able to work in your PJ's isnt it? Have a wonderful day!!

Michele said...

Boring? You're never boring, Renie! I loved all your answers! I've already read your story at Folks Online--it is a great one! ;-)

Thanks so much for participating! I've really enjoyed reading this. ;-) I don't know how to help you with the honeybees, but I thought I'd let you know... yes, I was smiling! :-)

*smiles*
Michele

Gigi Ann said...

I enjoyed your blog today, will be back later to read the article we need to look up.

To keep bugs and bees away from my hummingbird feeders I rubbed them with Vegetable Oil all over but particularly around the feeding area. You might want to try it and see if it works for you. It is a messy mess, but if it works for you, well worth it. Will be back later today.

Gigi Ann said...

Hi Renie, I'm Baaack!!!

I just finished reading your story about your homeland and your e-mail pal. Do you and he still communicate? I'm sure you do, but was wondering.

I never get bored reading your blog, you always have something interesting going on...Or, that happened in your life...

Have a nice evening and stay happy;))

Patty said...

Good afternoon Renie, Abe said about the honeybees, see if there is a honeybee keeper in your area, and call them, they will come and get the swarm of bees, otherwise they might make a hive around your house and you don't want that. But since the honeybees are all ready in trouble all over the US I would try to find a honeybee keeper and tell them you have a swarm. We've seen only a few bees so far this year. Have a nice evening. We just had a thunderstorm and from the sound of it another is on it's way. Take care, Patty

Patty said...

P.S. I wish I was talented enough to write short stories from home and get paid a little something for them. I think it's great that you can and do. Good luck.

BClark said...

Super post, I really enjoy learning all about you. You have such a wonderful mind, so full of curiosity and kindness. I always look forward to your visits and your comments. Your bee problem is unusual, hopefully a bee expert will drop in and give you a solution. I have only seen a few and been glad they were still around. Oh, just read the hint about the oil, wonder if that will work on flies. There are awlful here. Best to you, Barbara

Midlife Mom said...

Very interesting post Renie. What a wonderful career at home, I can see why you like it. I haven't worked for about 15 years but did work at home and loved it too.
Oh your poor little hummers! I've only seen one this summer and I have three feeders up. This is very strange as we usually have them all summer. I agree with Patti, call a bee keeper, they will come and get them.
Hope you're having a wonderful week!

ancient one said...

Hi Renie, I went to the site and read your article.. I laughed out loud when I saw this .."“What the?...” I said, shutting the computer off in fright, convinced that I had somehow broken it, or broken some law and would soon be shipped off to jail!"

I did the same thing the first night when I got my computer... I went off to bed wondering what illegal thing I had done...LOL

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

My Dad's op was successful.
Thank you so much for your prayer support.
Our Lord is very good all the time =)

(((HUGS)))

Sam said...

Ooooh, I remember typewriters! I have such vivid memories of my dad sitting at his desk in the evenings, clickety-clacking away. I wish I still had his OLD typewriter. It was just ancient. And beautiful.

Great list. Very interesting information. So glad you found success with writing!

Have a great day,
Sammy

Jmkdreak said...

great meme!
greg looks so buff in the picture too, haha.


xoxox

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Great answers to the meme. You write so well and keep us interested. I enjoyed the story about your pen pal in Hungary. Thank you so
much for your comments about Jane.
Glad you enjoyed the Lemons and Sugar
and the jokes. Glad you are having good weather, and I hope your small veggie garden keeps producing for you. Home grown taste so much nicer.
Take care, dear friend, Love, Merle.

Glo said...

Thanks for stopping by. I'm still under the weather. I did just do a new post.

Love ,Glo

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Glad I found you via MidLife Mom! What a wonderful life & talent you have! I'll be back to read more!

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

I liked the part about being able to stay in PJ's all day and not comb the hair - sounds like myself!

A good article, I assume that you and your friend still email each other?

I bet Hungary has really changed since you were there - did he send any pictures or anything?

Shirley Mary said...

Absolutely delightful blog!
The mention of the typewriter brought back memories of when I got my first electric typewriter. I just loved it, not knowing what was just around the corner!

I now do my journaling on the computer. It's not as "personal" but so easy to find things. My son was anxious for me to get a computer long before I had any interest. Now that I jounal on the computer he said that after I'm gone, if he didn't like something I wrote, he would just change it! :)

Loved your article about your home land.

mary

Michelle said...

renie,

Thank you for your post on my recipe.

Please visit again soon.

You are a writer, I am an accountant for a newspaper, there are so many reasons we shouldn't get along, lol.

Please visit often. I love new opinions and thought.

Susie said...

Hi Renie,
What fun to be able to work from the comfort of your home with all your favorite things around you. You never have to buy special work clothes either (just nice comfy pjs)
Lucky you!!
xo

Mountain Mama said...

Hello Renie. I enjoyed reading your meme. I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading everything you write. 'boring?' NEVER!

I read your piece about Messages From The Homeland again too. It's always a pleasure to read the things you write.

Sorry I don't know what to tell you about the bees. Maybe if you remove the feeder for a week or so, they will find lunch elsewhere.

I haven't seen any honey bees in my hummingbird feeder, but a few Bumble Bee's have been hanging around. They don't seem to bother the Hummer's though as they are at the feeder all day long.

I write stories & poetry too but haven't submitted them for publishing. I used to write little stories for the children too. They are so easy to please.

Keep up the good work!
Love, Hugs & Prayers

Anonymous said...

hi renie! you're posts are never boring! they're refreshing. =D

Linda said...

Working at home is such a luxury! After I retired I had my own consulting business for 2 years. Many days I stayed in my pj's till noon. One day a man I use to work for called with some questions. I had a retainer with him for his hospital. He asked if I dressed for work. I came back quickly saying, "I'm sitting here in a suit and a freshly pressed white blouse". We both laughed, but at least that was the imagine he had in his mind.

I so enjoy your writings and glad I found you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

Thank you so much for your encouragement and sharing on my Dad's op =)

You're so kind.
(((HUGS)))

Nancy said...

Hi Renie,

Thank you for caring about our pets! It is a constant worry. Hopefully, it will all be behind us before long. I feel the same way, that they think they have been abandoned...when we are only doing it cause we love them so much! Oliver is a great lapcat, so I know he is missing that as much as I am. It's going to be a verry long weekend, but I plan to go visit him this aftertnoon! He will be happy to see me, I know, and vice versa!

I am so far behind in reading my blogroll! Hope to get all caught up this weekend, though.

Have a great weekend now!

(((HUGS)))

Mary said...

Renie,

This is a great post. I enjoyed hearing all the reasons why you enjoy writing from home. I remember when I got my first computer and it was shortly afterwards that I met you online at the Suite.

I am not sure what to do about the honey bees. Of course with all the problems with honey bee colonization, you don't want to spray them. If you find a solution, please let me know. I have seen only one honey bee this year.

I also enjoyed the post below and left a comment there as well. The deer are delightful.

Take care and enjoy your weekend.
Blessings,
Mary

David/Sue said...

I really must fix my blog. This is Sue not David.
I loved your story, and your MeMe.
I really want my daughter to write. Her stories are amazing. Now to get her started in the right direction. She wrote one after moving to a small town, that was so vivid. So if you have suggestions I would love them, Maybe your opinion can get her inspired. She is a mom to four and a homeschooler, I am sure that is a story in itself.
Great blog. I am so glad to find you.

2 LMZ FARMS said...

Just wanted to check in on ya and let you know how much I apperciate your prayers and encouraging words. Hope you and yours have a blessed day.

sandy said...

Oh this was so fun to read. I worked at home for years, (twenty five plus, doing medical transcription....and finally, the modem came into being so I never had to leave. The work was dictated over a special type phone system and I would just dial in to get the reports assigned to me.

I enjoyed reading this and will scoot on over to the article you wrote that you linked to.

fun read Renie..


p.s. My hummingbird feeder also was attacked and taken over by bees last year, but not so far this year.

sandy said...

Great story that you linked to. I enjoyed it a lot.

s

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I had to smile when you wrote about writing on a typewriter. It seems like a lifetime ago that typewriters were the technology of the day, doesn't it??

I hope you are having a great weekend, my friend!

hugs,
Tina

Brenda said...

Renie,
Just stumbled upon this post and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love your writing and want to come back and read more.
As far as the honeybees, I have heard that they are having problems, but I cannot retell the story I read or heard, as my memory may not tell it accurately.
My cousin told me an interesting story about bees nesting in her husbands tool chest and the beekeepers had to come out.
Keep writing and have a great day!
Hugs, Brenda