Movin On UP!

I've moved over to a Wordpress blog on my own domain:
www.gardenwallpublications.com/blog

Please visit!

Here's something I am particularly excited about: Let's see if this HTML works:

Please notice:

My revised logo with brightened colors. Thank you kindly to a great graphic designer: Steve Butler at

http://2completion.co.uk/2completion/index.html
+++Highly recommended~!

My web guy is also moving this blog over to Wordpress within the next couple days, so hopefully next time you see me it'll be in a brighter and more versatile space.

TYVM!

Updates April

Things are plugging right along here at GardenWall.

In an effort to synchronize my brand, I'm looking to take this blog over to Wordpress and will keep you updated.

April should bring on some new projects, but I am switching about 25% of my efforts into magazine writing. Unfortunately the payoff isn't as immediate as biz-tech writing, but it is a direction that I definitely want to go in.

Last, but certainly not least, I will be offering translation English-Spanish-English services for a select few clients. This will be part of an overall effort to tap into the blossoming Latino market here in the US.

The Nature of Writing as a Career

My husband and I were recently talking about my business and I noted how well this writing life suits me. I have never been particularly social, having finished high school in a rural area. I mostly remember long lonely horseback rides, bike rides and walks in my pre- boyfriend days. Before that, I was the gawky pre teen with my nose constantly (seriously, I do mean constantly) in a book. I like being alone quite a bit.

That's funny, given that I have spent time in PR, event planning and marketing, huh? I can take it, quite happily, in meted doses.

However, there are a couple aspects of this writing life that I do not savor. Technology, for one. I dislike the roar of the internet, the thought that you are not truly alone, even when you feel alone. Isn't that odd? I've kept journals since age 11 in complete anonymity, and yet the practice catches on in the form of blogging, and I am writing, suddenly, for the audience that pays my mortgage...

I also miss the partitioning of work. When I worked at the local University and Community College, I easily passed off things that others were versed in: technology hiccups, administrative tasks that I could not complete. Everything is me now, us if my husband/silent partner is available.

But overall, I do enjoy the quiet efficiency that's going on around here.

Happy Monday Update

Good morning readers, writers and clients!

Quick update: in order to better serve other clients, I've let go of two blogs: ParentingDiva and WritersUnbound. I wish them all the best!

I've also trimmed my RSS feeds, got OFF some email lists and taken down my blog "30 Years to Save the World."

All these actions are aimed at simplifying my work schedule and attempting to reclaim some work time. I really look forward to taking on some new projects and new clients!

Little Victory

I will have a verse published on CommonTies.com. It will be under a pen name, but those close to me, or who know a certain specific characteristic about me will be able to discern which it is.

Fellow writers: I highly recommend CommonTies- they are professional, the rights are standard and they pay quickly.

Update: Monday the 3rd looks a little busy- regular clients may not be able to reach me by phone most of the day.

Time Out

Between snow days, sicknesses, and my recent trip, my work has been falling down around my ears. I am taking a brief time out to realign GardenWall's priorities and finish up what I can.
This means I will not be seeking new contracts for a bit, or taking on anything new.

Thanks for understanding, and if you need a referral- I've got a bunch!

Stuck in NYC~!

My trip to NYC was productive and snag-free until I tried to come back home. Detroit got tons of snow (NYC was at 60 degrees!) and Detroit Metro Airport shut down for a while.

Today's Friday. I am home and furiously trying to catch up. I won't be trolling for new accounts/clients/jobs until mid next week, at the earliest. I cannot believe how behind I am now.

But, I did love the Big Apple. Returning there soon!

What Is Success?

In the last month or so, I feel that GardenWall has done very well. Here are some benchmarks that I am particularly proud of:

1) Reaching income goals
2) Paid travel to NYC
3) Being paid to read Shakespeare! (curriculum edits)
4) Writing for a well known site (the NY Times' About.com)

Happiness!

Additional things I'd like to see:
1) More print articles
2) Less hours!

Thanks You January Clients!

Checking in on GardenWall's monthly goals, I was within $500 of my income goal. Thank you!

I also made a good amount of headway on other goals that I set for 2008.

Got a New Website Up

www.gardenwallpublications.com

ok, not new, but I hired the nice guy at Dellinger Technologies to fix the issues with rendering...so it should actually be centered and readable YAY!

Also, a rough draft of www.adelanteforward.com is now live, too.

Yuck.

Some sickness in my house recently.

What's going on at GardenWall?

. . .just finished two local projects that I was quite pleased with.
. . . heading to training for a client in Manhattan next week, but don't worry, am bringing my trusty laptop with!
. . .just took over www.bloggingpointers.com

~Allena

Be sure to check out availability dates for the next couple weeks.

I am actively seeking work, as I've found a 2-3 week lag time between seeking and finding, so I'm scheduling work now. However, if you need something before the end of January, let me know, and I'll see if I can work you in!

Two New Clients Fall Out of the Air!

News at 11!

This morning I was happy to have not one but two new clients approach me via telephone within one hour of each other. I was expecting neither and both projects were ones I was quite happy to take on.

Happy Monday!

Just Be Satisfied!

Ahh, we always want MORE don't we? How many times do I have to live my professional dreams to be satisfied? Why do I always want more professionally?

In the last couple months I have procured a high-profile assignment, received paid (freebie) travel opportunities, been paid $80 per hour to edit curriculum on Shakespeare, and did business (bilingually) for a magazine with a subject that is near and dear to me. I also live many women's dream of working from home in a flexible job that pays as well as an out-of-the-house job.

I mean, 5 years ago I would have said "Looks like I made it"- but today all I want is more, more, more!

Is this ambition, or am I simply selfish?

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Two queries a month?

I made a huge list of goals for the New Year, broken down into Business goals, Writing goals and Marketing goals, and I intend to have every last one crossed off by December.

One of my goals was to query 2x a month. It's January 5 and I've already done both for this month, easily. I'm wondering if it will get harder, or if this is a low ball number.

Three Updates for Clients

1)
I've updated the sidebar with "off" dates. Don't forget that I guarantee instant availability via phone and email during my set office hours as listing on my website: www.gardenwallpublications.com.

2)
If you're a client looking at hiring me after a long lag time since my application, please don't hesitate to write me. Chances are that I am available. I had anticipated a month of job searching this January, but just picked up to older jobs. Thanks!


3) The website has been updated with new credits.

Can This Get Any Better?

I'm sitting here in my warm office, watching snow falling, with my kids playing around me and my husband vegging in the living room.

I'm working on Adelante's January issue.

Good times.