Ghost Writing is Not About Ghosts!

I guess I just assumed that ghost writer was a familiar term. Seems that I guessed wrong. I have received quite a few inquires about writing articles on ghosts, blogging for a group that "follows" ghost, and writing ghost stories. Sorry, I know nothing about ghosts except for what I saw in the movie Ghost (Special Collector's Edition) and Casper, as in the friendly ghost.

Ghost writing refers to writers that write articles, stories, poems, books etc, and sell all rights to the buyer. This means that when I ghost write an article, I am selling that work to a buyer who will then attached their name to the piece. I cannot resell, or use the piece as my own...all rights now belong to the buyer. Hence the term "ghostwriter". I write for people that can't write, need some help with their writing, or they don't have the time to complete their writing requirements.

A client once asked me if it ever bothered me to write and not be able to put my name on it...Not at all...don't forget, I'm getting paid for it. However, it is nice to see your name in print, so I do publish work in my name. I guess you need a little bit of an ego to be a writer :)

Bid Sites - Use Them Wisely

When I first got started with my ghostwriting business I was very lucky to literally stumble upon a goldmine of information called Content Chef. It literally walked me through a successful process that allowed me to build an initial client base and start my online ghostwriting business.

One of the suggestions was to use bid sites to get your foot in the door. Well, that worked, but here are a few things you need to be aware of. Most bidders are looking for the lowest bidders...period. You will work for less if you deal with bid sites, but the overall objective is to build a reputation and a consistent client base.

I found my very first client on a bid site. She is a good client and has referred others to me. It works...but be careful. If the site holds your payment in escrow until the work is finished, use that option. It is for you and the buyer's protection, the buyer may have to pay a percentage, so it is more beneficial for them to pay you directly through Paypal. Make sure they have a good rating history, before accepting a payment this way. I was ripped by two never to be heard of again "clients" after I completed their project.

Use the bid sites to get your ghost writing business started and to fill in when business is slow. Unless you like working for next to nothing, I don't recommend them as your sole source for clients.

The Economy Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

As I listened to the news today, I realized that this is only the beginning. The economy will get worse before it gets any better. Circuit City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, DHL Express is terminating US ground service and concentrating on International deliveries. And AIG has it's hand out again asking for "40 more billion please". As of today, it is still up in the air about the government helping the auto industry.

So far the freelance writing business hasn't felt the pinch...I hope it stays that way. I guess I'll find out how recession proof ghostwriting is.

Welcome K-mart Shoppers

Years ago when I was young, poor and living on my own I would visit the local K-mart to purchase my "outfits" for work and leisure. The great thing about K-mart in the late 70's was something called the "blue light special" and the layaway plan.

The blue light special was targeted for a specific area for about a 15-20 minute period of time. It was announced over the store loudspeaker system and if you were in the store, you could run to the department the blue light special was in and save big bucks on the special that was being offered.

The layaway plan worked like this...you picked out items in the store you wanted to purchase...you put a deposit on those items and made weekly or bi-weekly payments on the merchandise until you paid it off. It was a blessing for young, low paid women like me who wanted professional clothing for the workplace, and contemporary, stylish night life attire for hitting the discos(we are talking the 70's now) and clubs in the evening.

Times have changed, but in 2008 K-Mart is still offering their popular layaway plan for the upcoming holidays. They are the only national discount department store that offers layaway.

"Layaway enables our customers to reserve those 'hot' items early, pay over time and pick them up before Christmas," added Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer, Kmart. "The Kmart layaway program makes it easier for families to make the holidays special -- and Kmart is the one-stop destination for amazing quality and value this season."

Hat's off to you K-Mart! It's good to see a company that is still providing a sensible, down to earth service that doesn't encourage people to spend more than they can afford by enticing them with credit cards, but actually giving them the ability to purchase items at a pace they can afford.

There a some limitations. Holiday merchandise and "limited supply" merchandise must be picked no later than December 5,2008. Also,starting November 16, Home Electronics items over $200 cannot be placed in layaway. Layaway fees do apply and layaway is
not available at all Kmart stores. See kmart.com/layaway for more details.

President Elect Barack Obama

Oh happy day! I had to wait a few days until I could even write about it. I was afraid I would wake up and find out it was a dream. But it's not...it is real and Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States.

Last year I remember saying, "they'll never let a black man be president. They( whoever they are) will elect a woman president before a black man. My husband strongly disagreed... and he was right. I read his book Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
and changed my mind during the primaries and dared to believe that he just may be able to win.

As a child, I remember walking downtown with my mother and my sister who was young enough to be in a stroller. So we are talking in the early 1960's. My mother quickly grabbed my hand to cross the street. There was fear in her eyes and agitation in her voice as I dallied to look at dolls in a store window. I didn't understand, but a group of men in white robes were approaching from the opposite direction. I didn't know who these men were and why my mother was so afraid, but I stuck my tongue out at them for upsetting her(guess I was opinionated even then). We have come a long way.

President Truman started the desegregation of the Armed Forces in 1950.Yes, I did say desegregate...black men could fight and give their lives, but were in segregated companies and units. Armed Forces desegregation was still taking place in 1953, while my father was stationed in New Orleans...otherwise referred to as the deep south. Black and white soldiers were on the same base, but still segregated in every other aspect. Seems the deep south moved as it's own pace.

One of my favorite Army stories that my dad told me was that during the desegregation process in 1953, four white soldiers were placed in my dad's still all black company. The company was going to march in a parade honoring the new President Eisenhower. The Captain of the company was a red haired, redneck from somewhere in Mississippi(more deep south territory). Check this out....the captain did not want the white soldiers to march with his platoon. He said they would mess it up, because they had no rhythm and couldn't march like the black soldiers....wait there's more....So on parade day, the captain assigned the white soldiers to barrack duty. The didn't mess up his platoon, but he messed up his career...his was swiftly reassigned to....ALASKA. Hey, he may even be a distant cousin to Sarah Palin...we all know she has some rhythm!

As I watched the results come in, I remember back to my initial thoughts about Barack Obama becoming president. I am so glad that I was wrong. Our Nation has come a long, long way. I am so very proud to be an American. Now lets all get up and get down to The Obama Dance!!

Diabetic Holiday Baking Recipes

Diabetes is an awful disorder. I lost a grandmother and an aunt due to complications of diabetes and currently a few close relatives have Type 2 diabetes.

Around this time of the year, it can become a challenge for diabetics to enjoy all the good foods and desserts that are such a big part of the holidays. Click here for some good diabetic versions of popular holiday baking recipes.

Cold and Flu Season

It's that time of the year again. Cold and flu ready to attack your body and knock you down for the count. If you are one of those people that refuse to get a flu shot because it makes you sick, think again. The live virus is no longer used when giving the flu shot. The worst you should feel is soreness from the shot and minor symptoms that can be controlled with Tylenol. Get the flu shot especially if you are under 14, have a chronic health condition or are a senior citizen. And if you fall in between the cracks...get one anyway. Take this from experience. The year I didn't get the shot, I was sick in November..got somewhat better, and was sick again in December. The whole 2 months of being sick, could have been avoided if I only got my flu shot. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Vote: Make Sure It Counts!

We are getting down to the wire. If you are lucky enough to live in a state that allows you to vote early. Vote. If you can't vote until Tuesday,make sure you vote on Tuesday. Be like the postman...no rain, sleet, snow or hail will keep you from voting.
When you do vote, make sure you have identification, especially if you are a person of color. Especially if you live in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Have your drivers license, state photo id and or social security card if applicable. Don't leave anything to chance.Why? Because believe it or not, there are people out there that don't want you to vote...they don't want your voice to be heard. Remember this...people died so that you could vote...show up and be heard!!

The Obama Dance :Check It Out!

As the Presidential election comes down to the wire, things are getting heated up and crazy. I just heard John McCain making a speech and he called out into the audience for "joe the plumber" two or three times until he realized that Joe wasn't in the audience....maybe he's working on his song deal...or better yet, went back to work with his no licensed self.

But in the midst of all the tension and craziness surrounding this campaign, I found something extremely refreshing. A young, talented gentleman by the name of Bob Brown, came up with The Obama Dance. It had me moving in my seat the minute I heard it. It is so nice to hear someone rapping a positive get out and vote message,along with a nice and easy dance that even "old folk" like me can do, without getting a butt cramp.

Check out the Obama dance...and I dare ya to keep still while it's playing!

Sarah Palin At Least Has Some Rhythm

By now You all know that Sarah Palin and John McCain are at the bottom of my list. I got so tired of hearing the right wing conservative talking heads try to justify how they perceive Palin to be energizing the Republican Party. Well, technically she is...energizing their base....that is because they are uneducated rednecks and she is their last hope to stop Obama from moving into the White House.

I just snicker when I hear the TV conservative talking heads say things like, "over 70 million people watched the Vice Presidential debate", and Saturday Night Live had their biggest audience in over 14 years. That is not because they are great Palin followers, it's because they wanted to see if Palin would make a complete idiot of herself!

Well this pains me to say that she didn't look like an idiot...but then again, she really didn't say much. However, I have to give it to her...Ms Thing has got some rhythm. She was jammin to Amy Poehler's rap and looked like she could get down if she wanted to. That will probably be the nicest thing I'll ever say about her. Check out this link and watch the video, it is hysterical!

Get Your Writing Read..Ping It!

Freelance ghostwriting has it's benefits. I get to choose my own assignments, write about things dear to my heart and many things that I know nothing about. I love to research so when I get those type of assignments I am amazed at all the information that is out there and what topics people are interested in.

A recent project was for writing eulogies...yes I said eulogies. I know it may sound kind of morbid, but the job was kinda fun. I didn't know that there was a market for such things...but there is a huge one.

In addition to ghostwriting, I also write to get published in my name. Even more fun. I don't care what anyone says...I like seeing my name in print.

Writing for online venues can be competitive and challenging. There is a steep learning curve, but hopefully once I master it, the payoff will be well worth it. I have discovered though in order to get my articles and this blog read by more people, I need to not only share and bookmark them with sites, I also need to Ping them. I don't know what exactly Ping means. But it works! After you update your blog, or get a non-exclusive article published update or ping them with the following sites so your fresh new content is out there:
Ping-o-Matic, Pingoat, King Ping

Levi Stubbs Gone But Will Never Be Forgotten

The other day Levi Stubbs the lead singer for the Four Tops died in his home at age 72. My first reaction was...not another one. Not another beautiful talented black man who's music was a part of my life. Music that helps one define who they are at life different stages.

As a younger child, "I Can't Help Myself(Sugar Pie, Honeybunch)" was the jam. As a teenager, "Ain't No Woman Like The One I've Got" was really special to me. Cause I was hoping for someone to feel that way about me. In my Disco dancing days, it was "When She Was My Girl". And my all time favorite, "I Believe In You And Me". Brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I reaches my very soul.Whitney Houston redid the song in the movie The Preacher's Wife. I got chills when I first heard her sing it.

Growing old is not easy...everything familiar is growing older too and death is a part of the journey. Peace to you Mr. Levi Stubbs...you will be greatly missed, but your music will live on in my heart forever.

Stick a Fork In McCain; The Turkey Is Done

I just finished watching the 4th and final election debate. What a pathetic little angry man McCain is( do you really want to know how I feel?)I have watched him squim, squirm, roll his beady little eyes and blink them at warp speed, clench his teeth, interrupt, try to make jokes and lie...over and over and say absolutely nothing but regurgitate 1980 Ronald Regan rhetoric. All he says is..blahblahblah. Never once giving a plan on how he will do it....he is just going to do it.

We also can't forget how great he is...everything is I did this, and I did that, and I was here and I was there....who cares John McCain. People don't care about how great you think you are, they want to know how you're going to get this country out of this mess and what you are going to do for them. And you just can't deliver.

When I hear news commentators comment that he won the debate on points. I really want to know what points they are referring to. He doesn't give specifics..he doesn't answer the questions..he just talks about how great he is, how he won't increase taxes and lie about Obama's record and policy positions.

But really all that doesn't matter, because the polling tells the truth. No matter how they want to spin it...the American people shouted loud and clear all four debates who they want the next president of the United States to be...and it's not a turkey.

Natilie Cole Is Still Unforgettable

Last night I listened to Natalie Cole's latest release Still Unforgettable. It swings just like Natalie always does. I became a big fan of hers ever since her debut album Inseparable. Her crystal clear, strong and soothing voice has made me smile, cry and jump up and " get down.

I was looking through my "writing idea folder", when I saw an article I clipped in the summer about her new CD coming out September 9th how Natalie contracted Hepatitis C, a result of her heavy drug use in the 80s. Her doctor expects her to make a full recovery. I'm pulling for her...she has endured much pain and heartache, but still managed to get her life together be the sophisticated lady that she is.

McCain Doesn't Get It;It's The Economy Stupid!

I'm a news junkie. An addicting habit I picked up from my father. Being a writer, it comes in handy. Always giving me something to write about. I'm also into politics...another influence from my father. So, needless to say...right now I am in news junkie political heaven.

I just finished listening to McCain give his same old "fight" speech from the convention...again. You would think he'd change up once in awhile, but I guess that's what happens when you don't have anything to say.

He didn't character bash Obama, but he twisted, turned and lied about Obama's policy proposals. This pathetic little wants man to win at any cost. He ranted and raved about what he is going to do...but never says how he is going to do it. Check out one of my articles to read how I "really" feel about McCain

Here I Go Again!

It's Now October 13th and I just finished a big deadline. Whew! If I didn't enjoy writing so much, I would think that I was crazy. But now it has been more than a month since I last posted, and the promise I made to myself to keep this blog current has once again been broken!! I have decided to put this blog on my work schedule...to make sure I take time out to just write. This past month I completed projects on eulogies, weight loss, natural food products for the skin, short-term medical insurance, constipation and diarrhea in babies, unsafe herbal remedies and Chinese cold and flu remedies...but what I really want to write about is this upcoming crazy election and what's been going on that I have an interest in. Looks like I started....let me keep it going.

Not As Easy As I Thought

Here we are already on August 31,2008. Tomorrow is September 1st and it is Labor Day. I don't know where the summer went. One thing I do know is that being a freelancer writer is not easy. I spent the summer writing and writing and writing. Some say that is a good thing because I had clients. Yes, it is a good thing...but I need to learn to be more selective about the projects I take on considering the time needed to produce quality work.

I got so bogged down at one point, my beautiful and talented niece Taylor helped me to complete one project. She is a great writer...thank goodness, I don't know what I would have done without her.

So much has happened since I started this blog. I can't be sayn what's on my mind, if I don't key it in and publish my thoughts. So,my goal has now gone from having a blog...to actually posting to the blog. Let's start at a minimum of at least twice a week...wish me luck.

Big Brown Just Didn't Have Enough For The Belmont Stakes

About an hour ago, I just watched Big Brown lose his bid for the Triple Crown. I'm not really a horse racing fan, but every year, there I am...where ever I am...watching the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Guess you can call it tradition. My Dad always watched the races and encouraged us to do so...and we did. It was also a nice diversion from the NBA playoffs which are going on during the horse racing time line. Guess you can tell Sports controlled the TV in our house, when we were growing up.

I really wanted Big Brown to win 2008 Belmont Stakes and take the Triple Crown. Usually I just enjoy seeing the race....but Big Brown was different. ( maybe the last name had something to do with it) he is a beautiful horse and I loved to see him run...like he was flying through the air with the wind behind him.

But not today...Big Brown wasn't running the way he can run. Maybe it was an off day, maybe he is just tired, hopefully he's not hurt. What ever the reason...he will always hold a special spot in my heart...go on Big Brown with your bad self...thanks for bringing such grace and style to the name.

I Finally Did It!!

Welcome to my blog. My name is Cheryl Brown, and one of my goals for 2008, was to start this blog. I am a freelance ghostwriter( no..I don't write ghost stories). I write articles and proofread and edit for other people. They put their name on my work, and I get paid for it. It's a great gig,... cause I love to write, but writing for other folks, just isn't the same as writing for yourself. So, that is how the birth of this blog came about. It gives me the opportunity to write for me.
Come back soon and talk to me!