Do I have the WRITE STUFF…or the WRONG STUFF…when it comes to the article-writing business? As a novice writer, I shall find out…for the proof is in the pudding!

Is it “dog eat dog,” out there on the Internet among article writers? I’ve always been a competitive person. And as a woodcarver, I was in the art and craft world for over twenty years, and participated in over 40 arts and crafts shows all around the state of New Mexico. (where I live) Usually between 100 and 200 participants would compete for the visitor’s TIME…to spend a little time around our display and look at our wares, etc. And, the participants would also compete for SALES…for the visitor to open up the pocketbooks…MONEY!

I have a big advantage, over some people, because in the arts and crafts shows I participated in…I saw for myself (up close and personal/good and bad), the reaction to my work (IDEAS) by thousands of people over many years! So, what does a woodcarver have in common with a writer! Plenty! WE’RE BOTH IN THE CREATIVE WORLD! The creative world is not just about wood; adjectives; clay; stone; glass and paint; advertising; movies, etc.! It’s about ideas; style; determination; confidence; courage; attitude; persistence; creativity; discipline, etc. And, that’s what this article/report report is about! To be successful in the article-writing business or any other writing business…I’m going to need all this…and more!

Do I have the discipline it takes to re-write, re-write, edit, edit and edit an article to make it better? Do I have the ability to get fresh, new ideas to put them into words? Do I have the courage to take chances with my writing? Do I have the persistence to polish an article over and over again to bring it up from the dead? Do I have the confidence to show the world my work? Do I have the ability to get up…dust myself off…and try again? If I don’t have these abilities in the CREATIVE WORLD…I might as well do something else!

With respect to writing…I have no background in writing whatsoever! In college, I did not major in English; communications or journalism. (I majored in girl-watching, but don’t tell anyone!)

I don’t mind showing a little of my ignorance, but I didn’t know anything about article directories on the Internet, until I signed up with Ezine Articles.com, and that was in July, 2006. This is important, because if you happen to see one of my articles someplace else, I didn’t submit it there)

So, I’m a wannabe and a newbie writer, just like thousands of writers out there in la-la land! I do this project/article/report because there’s no difference between getting dusted in the art world…or the writing world…IT ALL HURTS THE SAME! Over the years…I’ve been there…I’ve done that…I’ve gotten the glory…I’ve been the goat many times…mainly because of b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-d ideas! And, that’s what writing is all about…IDEAS…and you either have them…or you don’t! You either get them…or you don’t!

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SHALL WE CONTINUE WITH THE FACTS, JER…JUST THE FACTS? Writing this article/report and keeping it updated will be challenge for me, and I look forward to it. (I just hope I don’t “bomb”)

* ARTICLE SUBMISSION START DATE (Ezine Articles.com): July 25, 2006:

* VIEWS OF ALL MY ARTICLES: (From 7/25/06 to PRESENT) 5,418

Because I’m the new kid on the block, I don’t know if this number is good or bad at this stage! The analogy I like to use for article-writing is the game of golf. I can’t be concerned about the person on the next fairway…or the person on the green up ahead. I have to concentrate, focus and play MY OWN GAME,etc. And, I just have to do the best I can, whether it be in the “fairway of life,” or …or in the “rough of life!” (Knowing me…it will probably be in the rough…again!)

* THE WORST ARTICLE START: (7 views/24 hours) “The International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta” article. I thought certain this article would take off high into the skies…but it didn’t happen! All the balloons were deflated and it’s been a DUD for about a week now.

* THE BEST ARTICLE START: (207 views/24 hrs.) “Diabetes on the Rise!” Needless to say, I was amazed, at how this article took over the top spot within 24 hours and has kept the top spot until the present. (October 15, 2006)

* THE BEST SURPRISE ARTICLE(S) “How I Lost 40 Pounds,” and “The Ugly Face of Agism.” These two articles were at the BOTTOM of the list for over a month after they were written. One was in a COMA and the other was over-weight, and I had no idea what to do with them. Both of them were as good as I could write them, so I didn’t know what was wrong. And then…in about a months time, they both caught fire, and little by little they worked their way to the top. (2nd and 4th place) I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this happen! What was probably the answer? PATIENCE!

* PROBLEM-CHILDREN: (Disappointments) I thought “How I Got Started in Humor,” and “Men, Women, Children and Courage would do better starting out…but haven’t. I just have to be patient.

* COMMENTS: (2) One good and one so-so. I’ve received hundreds of comments on my website, and I have over 250 of them posted. Comments…good and bad…all come with the territory.

NOTE: If people make comments and don’t like my articles, I have a way of dealing with them! I’ll just call my old and DEAR friend (in the Mafia), Vinni Testosterone, and put out a contract on those hateful people…SO WATCH IT, BUSTER!)

* VOTES/RATINGS: Ever since I participated in my first art/craft show back in the 1970’s I liked to be judged by the PUBLIC and not by anyone else! In other words…I like the truth about what I am doing…with no PUFFERY! And, if by some miracle…my work is showered with stars…GREAT…if not…I’ll be the GOAT…AGAIN…so what else is new!

* EZINE/PUBLISHERS (From July 25, to Present - 127) From day one…I’ve always been appreciative and thankful of those people who like what I’m doing!

* MY ARTICLES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: (As of 10/15/06) - 1) Street Toys.com; 2) Blogger.com; 3) Quit Smoking Articles.com; 4) Peace Team Book.org; 5) Only Pun Jab.com; 6) Rusbiz.com; 7) Go To Crafts.com; Hot News 360.com; 9) Stomp Ground.com (Australia); 10) ESL Teachers Board.com; 11) NOOMRA.com; 12) Blobosphere.com; 13) Linkfriendz.com; 14) 7healthcare.com; 15) FreeArticles.com; 16) Pacific Articles.com; 17) Gum Auction.com; 18) Golfi.org (Switzerland) Didn’t I tell you miracles would happen…23 of my 42 articles have been published on other websites, and for this, I thank the website owners!

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What do woodcarving and writing have in common? Over the years, I created over 200 original cartoon-like characters in wood, in many different occupations and professions. Most of these wood pieces were captioned. In the early days, I started my writing ambitions, by writing how these ideas for the wood pieces came about, and how they were produced.

A few years later, I was invited to join the Southwest Writers Workshop, by the then, President of the organization, Eileen Stanton, who is one of New Mexico’s top writers, having sold over 5,000 of her articles to some of the TOP newspapers and magazines in the country. SWW has over 1,000 talented and accomplished members all over the country, and, needless to say, I was flattered when invited to join. Later, I took and completed two writing correspondence courses (in my 40’s); the Writer’s Digest Course and the National Writers Club course. I also took a creative writing course at the University of New Mexico.

This is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, because it has given me the confidence in my writing I needed to build my website and to continue with my writing ambitions. The longer we’re out of school, the more we forget about the little things in writing that are so important. Writing courses are expensive, so I don’t encourage you to take one, unless you can afford one.

However, I do encourage everyone to go back and brush up on your writing skills by going to the library and taking out a book on English; taking an inexpensive writing course, if there is a community college near you. Or, buying a book and go back to the basics of writing…YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

email; humordoctor@aol.com
Website; humordoctormd
Over 200 colorful pages; over 500 graphics
humordoctormd.homestead.com
Copyright; Jerry Aragon; 2006

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