Raiscara Avalon

And We're Back!

Sorry about that, but being broke is no fun at all sometimes. Things are starting to look up, however, so that's good news right there! Things have been crazy around here for awhile now, from bills appearing out of nowhere (to the tune of 97k!) to vehicles breaking down, there has been no end to the drama. But things are still looking up!

Going to be picking up Quicken to take my budget to the next level - we really need to get serious about our money. We barely have enough to cover our bills - not including medical - and that's about it. My vehicle still needs repairs, but don't they all? Especially the almost 200,000 milers. But the engine still purrs like a kitten, so it's all good - just need to maintain it.

Babysitting the nephews all summer long, so I should have some time to blog and such, though it's going to be a busy summer. I'm making some changes around here to make my life better, such as the budgeting above, and of course things are going even more haywire as they do when changes are made. But we'll get through this, one way or another, that's for sure.

If you want to help:

GoFundMe - Keeping My Family Afloat

Patreon - Raiscara Avalon

Paypal - raiscara.avalon (at) gmail.com

 

 

Filling The Well

I've been spending some time trying to fill the well so to speak. Been spending a lot of time reading, playing Sims 2, and watching TV. Trying to relax and de-stress to get those words in faster when it's time to write. I needed this break, that's for sure. There is so much stress in this household that nothing is getting done with any sort of speed. It's taken me hours to write this simple blog post, so I will probably be continuing my break for a bit - though I am writing when moved to.

Filling the well is important to writers, and to creatives of all sorts. Without some input we have nothing to work with, as our work is the stuff of life. How do you fill your creative well? I'm limited in what I can do right now, as winter still has us in its grasp. But I use other creative methods to fill my well, such as video games, movies and TV shows, and sometimes even things like cooking or some other creative pursuit.

Do you find it important to fill your well? How do you do it?

Saying Goodbye To The Old

So I've decided to pull my two short stories from Amazon. But not for long! I wanted to rewrite them, so as soon as everything is ready they will go down. So if you like and want the older version, grab it now while it's still up. I'll be treating the rewrites as new books, so they will have pre-orders and all kinds of shiny new things. I'm clearing my slate so to speak, and starting over using what I've learned over the years to see if I can do better than before.

If you want to stay abreast of all the new changes, sign up for my mailing list. I only send a newsletter when I have something to say, so you won't get too many emails from me. Plus I like to notify my mailing list first of any new goodies heading into the world. There may be other opportunities for goodies too, like freebies and the like. ;)

Sorry that I didn't get this post out yesterday, the crud has caught me in its mucous filled web. I have bronchitis and have been spending most of my days sleeping or playing ye old standby, Sims 2. I've barely even done any writing, which I'm hoping to change today, and if not today than soon. I have books to get out!

Spent most of today either sleeping or shoveling, as #Blizzard2017 hit the lovely state of Maine and coated us with a good two feet of snow - maybe more, I stink at actually eyeballing snow inches. Of course that is made even more difficult due to the fact that winter appeared in one week, all at once - we had a good foot before the latest storm hit. There's no where to move the snow on our road, which is a challenge, that's for sure. Especially if we actually decide we want to get out, and maybe go somewhere. Which would be currently a challenge.

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure: 

Living With Fibromyalgia, CFS And Other Chronic Illnesses

I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative disc disease, chronic migraines, Reynaud’s Syndrome, a herniated disc and probably many more chronic illnesses that I’m forgetting. Oh yes, and I’m a depressed and anxious person. You know, pretty par for the course really, if you have one chronic illness you often have more than one. Not including the depression and anxiety that you get just from having a chronic illness – if you didn’t already have that before you had a chronic illness.

But we all have to live our day to day lives, even if our chronic illness disables us like it did me. We still have dreams and things we want to do, we just have to approach everything differently than we used to. Things are naturally going to take us longer, and that’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself, especially in the beginning stages, and especially while you are adjusting to new medications. Take all the time you can to adjust, as some of the medications taken for chronic illnesses are quite strong. That being said, you aren’t required to take medication if you don’t want to, but I’d go with what your doctor suggests before trying to figure it out on your own.

There are some ways to reduce pain levels or allow you to live a better life. Keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, merely someone fighting several illnesses every day. Some quick tips from my own experience and from what doctors have told me:

• Exercise gently. Don’t start a gung-ho workout regime, unless you already know it works for you. With many chronic illnesses, exercise can make us more tired, hurt more or even injure us. So take it gently, with things like stretching, walking and yoga. This will help prevent some weight gain, plus keep our muscles and bones strong. Be gentle with yourself, and only do what you are able to do. Absolutely do not push yourself too far past your comfort zone, but you should push a little bit further every time you exercise.
• Take magnesium on top of your regular multi-vitamin. I take about 250mg a day, over what is in my multi, and it helps keep the pain rather low burning. Talk to your doctor before adding anything even as simple as a vitamin or mineral, as things can have strange side effects or interact with medications you may be taking. This is especially good for those who also suffer chronic headaches of any kind, as studies have shown that chronic headache sufferers tend to be low on magnesium. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure WHY it works, just that it does.
• Eat healthy, especially in a diet high in fruits and veggies. These are full of vitamins and minerals that you might not be getting in your regular diet, unless you eat a high fruit and veggie diet already. I admit to not adhering to this one too much, as I’m flat broke and can barely afford bread, but I would like to add more fruits and veggies into my diet. I felt better when I was able to do this consistently, and was one of the first things my rheumatologist told me.
• Take Vitamin D on top of your regular multi-vitamin as most of us in the Northern climes but in particular in the US are Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D has been proven to help with so many things, including chronic illness. Talk to your doctor about how much you need to take, he/she may also prescribe you high-dose vitamin D if your levels are really low. I take 2,000IU of vitamin D every day, on top of what is in my multi, but I am chronically low. The only time I was ever even IN the normal range was when I was on high-dose, but I was only one point into the normal range.
• Use a timer to get things done every day. Depending on your level of functioning, you could set it for 5-15 minutes at a time. You will be amazed at what you can do in such a short amount of time, for real. You can do as many sessions as you need or feel comfortable doing, but make sure you take at least one 15 minute break every 45 minutes to drink water, take a walk, or just relax. You can do one 5 minute session, followed by a 15 minute break or whatever it takes for you to get what you want to get done. I’d get a lot less done without my timer! It does take a bit for the timer habit to kick in, but once it does it is awesome.

There are many more things I could write, but this blog post is starting to get long enough. The most important thing is to find what works for you. These tips will help you even if you’ve had a chronic illness for a while, especially fibromyalgia or CFS. What are some things you do to battle your chronic illness? Have you tried any of the above tips? How have they worked for you? Any other tips you can add to this list?

Finding Paying Clients

I've been having a bit of trouble finding paying clients, or so it seems. Granted, most of my clients have paid me, but there has been some that haven't, and that's troubling. Writers seem to be treated like utter crap in the freelance world at times, though we are in high demand. Someone has to write everything you read on the internet - never mind off the internet. But it seems like writers are considered a dime a dozen and not worth paying very much. Now I say this rather newish to the freelancing world, as I've only been freelancing since 2008 and had a 5 year gap in there. So I'm coming to this rather fresh, like a brand spanking new baby. And ironically all my proofreading clients have paid me. So have my editing clients. But my writing clients are a whole different story, that's more of a crap shoot.

Now granted, I did just start (again) and am doing what most new freelancers do - use job boards. Currently I'm using Upwork and Guru mostly, though I do have an Opportunity account as well. And I just found Freelancer. What can I say, I'm starting fresh. Now most of my paying work comes from Upwork and most of my nonpaying work has come from Guru. So far anyway. And the rates people generally want to pay are astounding they are so bad. Granted, the rates are generally better than content mills, but not by much! And at least content mills generally pay their writers, even if it is just pennies. But times are rather tough here, so pennies might mean the difference between a bill getting paid or not. Or me running out of creamer. I am NOT pretty when I don't get my coffee. I'm not looking to get rich off freelancing, though I'd never discount the possibility, but I'd at least like to be able to pay my bills on time and have enough money left over to buy food and other things we need instead of running out mid-month and being screwed til I get paid again at the beginning of the next month. Yeah, things are pretty bad here - we don't even have the basics for survival a lot of the time. Money just doesn't stretch as far as it used to. And granted I'm just freelancing until I can make a living off my fiction writing, which may take some time...okay, I might freelance even then if I have paying clients. I do want to be a billionaire one day! ;)

What sites have you used for freelance work? Have any tips or tricks for using the sites I've mentioned? How do you find paying clients?

Stuff and Things

Been doing a lot of thinking about my writing career lately, and I think it's time to update the two short stories that I have up on Amazon. I haven't touched them since 2012, and I'm not that writer anymore. So it's time to update them, starting with the story then moving to the cover, keywords and blurb. I don't want to lose my reviews, even though they weren't all that great, nor do I want to lose my ebook ranks, even though they aren't great right now either. 

The other thing I'm focusing on is getting some more work written and put up. That's going to take a bit of time, as the novel I'm working on is barely started and I only have one more short story to put up. Definitely need to kick my fiction writing into a higher gear, that's for sure. Plus I need to balance my fiction writing with client work, because those bills need to be paid. I am hoping to have this novel done and ready for publication by the start of next year, and maybe I'll get some other stuff finished as I go. I have a lot of unfinished projects that need to be finished and moved out.

This year is all about finishing the projects so that I can get them into your hands. I'm not a very fast writer however, but I do write almost every day - surely I can get something finished by year end! I just joined Absolute Write, which I hope will help me achieve my goals - though that forum is rather addicting, let me tell you! But that's because there is so much information available, and it's all really helpful. Plus the people are so nice, as long as you are a normal human being and not a spammer. So far 2017 has been an okay year for me, there have been some ups and downs already this year, but when does that not happen? Looking forward to some more good things this year, that's for sure, while also trying my best to ignore the political climate of my country, or at least not let it bother me.

I'm Swamped!

Goodness, this month has definitely been feast as far as client work goes - I've had a lot of article writing work come my way. Which means less time for the fun stuff, like working on my fiction projects. It has definitely been a very busy January between client work and family stuff. I'm still making good headway on my 2017 goals, but most of it has been in the form of writing work rather than housework. The housework stuff still needs to be done, plus I haven't worked on any of my get healthier goals really.

Been trying to juggle too much for too long already, I can feel it trying to catch up to me. But I can't complain too much, as next month may be a dry month for all I know. That's how this business works unfortunately, but as long as I have clients who pay me I should be okay for quite awhile. I don't need too much to live my daily life, it's the non-daily things that have me down, like medical bills and propane, things like that. But hopefully my client work will allow me to save something towards those expenses and maybe get some things paid down as well. It's good to have a plan, that's for sure - and right now my plan is to simply make as much money as I can. I'll finesse it more when I have some idea what to expect each month, right now I'm still in discovery mode, and as such have no idea what I can expect when.

I love a good plan, though I hate being in limbo, and that's a lot of where I'm at right now, in limbo. I wish I knew what to expect for income each month, but at least I know that I will soon find out as time goes on...I can be rather impatient though. Been having a really hard time this weekend, I think I may be coming down with something, though I really hope not as I need what few faculties I have left to work. But I can feel something creeping up on me, so that either means I'm going to be down for the count with one of my illnesses, or I caught a cold or something from one of these germ factories I've been around lately. Just haven't been feeling like myself. 

Now back to the client work, muah! <3

Getting Out Of My Comfort Zone

One thing I'm working on this year is getting out of my comfort zone. Not too far mind you, I'm not entirely crazy, but a little bit at a time. So far I've joined Upwork and Guru - two things I never would have done before. Putting myself out there as a freelancer? Yeah, so not comfortable. But yet, it seems to be working. I'm definitely not going to get rich off what I'm making there right now, but I'm still new to both sites. But I'm getting work, and most of that has come from the same client - which I think is a good thing. Still need more jobs on Upwork to get any stats, so I keep submitting proposals. At the very least I have one client that has plenty of work for me to do from Upwork, and another client who pops in and out every so often with a job for me to do. That's a good start in my mind.

My comfort zone is very small right now, so I'm pushing myself in many ways with my goals for 2017. I've spent the last 6 years mourning my mother and fighting off depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and the list goes on. All that fighting caused my world to narrow down to JUST the illnesses and the grief, and made my comfort zone about the size of a peanut. Even just getting out of bed or going to the store can be uncomfortable to me right now, as I am more or less a hermit due to all the above. While I am an introvert, that's taking things a bit too far. While getting out of the house more isn't in the cards right now, due to lack of money for things like gas, there are still other ways I can push myself without causing a major panic attack. For instance, I can get out of bed a bit more often and push myself to get housework done, even when I don't feel like it. I'm seriously attached to my bed people - it's my office, where I sleep, where I do other things...you name it, I probably do it on my bed unless it actually requires standing up. It's not exactly healthy, but it's the only place I can sit without pain. My body definitely limits what I can and cannot do, and money issues finish off the deal, leaving me with few options.

How are you getting out of your comfort zone this year? Tell me in comments!

My 2017 Goals

My only resolution this year is to make the most of 2017, and to that outcome I have a LOT of goals. I like goals, they make me feel good. I'm also super excited about the new year AND the new month - I absolutely adore new beginnings. Which is probably why I start fresh all the time.

 

My 2017 Goals:

 

 

Become A Billionaire

- Find more freelance work on Upwork.
- Use all monthly connects.
- Finish The Emperor’s Bride.
- 200 words daily.
- Finish plotting
- Get some freelance work on Guru.
- Use all monthly bids.
- Start blogging again.
- One blog post per week.
- Catch up on bills.
-Utilities first, then credit card companies.
- Save 10% of my income.
- Write 1M words
- Review Books
- Make $2000 a month over my disability.
- Write at least one book of poetry.
- Submit short stories to magazines.
- Submit poetry to magazines.
- Submit flash fiction to magazines.

Get Healthier

-Quit Smoking.
- 40 minutes of cardio per day, no matter the weather.
- Walking
- Strength training, especially arms, legs and stomach.
- Join a gym.
- Anytime fitness.
- Cook more.
- Lose 55lbs.
- Drink more water.
- Bake more
- Start meal planning

Have A Clean House

- Get Midget involved more with chores
- Dishes
- Declutter - everything must go.

Other

Relearn my languages.
- French
- Russian
- German
- Italian
- Spanish

Of course these will change as the year progresses. Obviously some of these goals will take longer than a year, but hey, who doesn't like a giant goal every now and then? I'll be adding goals throughout the year as things get accomplished and new things take their places, or as new things come up. Now for the monthly goals!

Monthly Goals

Write 6,000 Words In The Emperor’s Bride

Write 4 Blog Posts

Pay Off Phone Bill

Save 10% Of Income

Use 60 Connects On Upwork

Declutter The House

Use 10 Bids On Guru

Spend 155 Minutes On Russian Language

Write 4 Book Reviews

Write 31 Poems

Get A Business Account (KSW)

Quit Smoking

Pay Typepad

Start An Email List

As you can see, I've already knocked some things off the list. This will change month to month, though some things will remain the same, obviously. This list of goals won't change much, though it may change a bit. My weekly goals list, however, will be the one that changes the most - other than my daily lists.

Weekly Goals (January 1^st – 7^th)

Write 1,400 Words In The Emperor’s Bride

Write 1 Blog Post

Save 10% Of Income

Use 15 Connects On Upwork

Declutter The Bedroom

Spend 35 Minutes On Russian Language

Write 7 Poems

Write 1 Book Review

This is where the magic happens. Or so I'm hoping. I'm trying a new way of breaking down my goals and to dos - and so far it seems to be helping. We'll have to see as the year progresses if this way of dealing with my goals helps any - it's easy to say it does when it's still the first of the year! One thing I need to watch for is becoming obsessed with finishing off the list. My OCD loves lists, and loves to complete lists - which normally wouldn't be a bad thing, but with my OCD it becomes a compulsion to finish, and then I beat myself up when I don't finish the list RIGHT NOW! It's one of the many weird ways my brain is wired, so I have to use care. Seriously, my brain wants to do ALL THE THINGS and wants it done NOW...snort like that's going to happen in any reality.

And that's my goals people! What are your goals/resolutions for 2017? Anything fun and exciting?

Reflections on 2016

With a new year coming up, it's time to reflect upon the old. 2016 was a mess, with half of my childhood heroes dying, never mind all the personal stuff. I could barely make ends meet this past year, with my boyfriend losing hours from his job and my disability just not going as far as it used to barely a year ago. Because of that I've started a GoFundMe page, a Patreon account and have settled in to shoulder my way back into the freelance world, mostly as a proofreader but also as a writer.

If you would like to help out, click on those links. You can choose between a one time $5 or more donation (GoFundMe), or a monthly donation (Patreon) with sneak peeks of my work and maybe some other cool stuff. Either one helps keep a roof over my head and the bills paid - never mind helping me dig myself out of a HUGE hole.

My goals for 2017 are already written and are focused on self-care and money - the two most important things in my life right now. I really want to finish off The Emperor's Bride this year (and have actually been plotting it, yikes), as well as get together a poetry book and maybe a photography book, all while finding paying clients and doing THAT work. I'm sincerely hoping it will be a busy year for me. Though it hasn't even started and already things have picked up, which is a great sign. There's a lot I want to accomplish in 2017, that's for sure. If you are interested in my proofreading services, shoot me an email at raiscara.avalon@gmail.com and we'll talk price.

What are some of your goals for 2017?