Yvonne Battle-Felton

I am often at odds with what I should do.

When I log onto Twitter, I find that I should check someone out on Facebook. I should click a link to an article. I should watch a video on making more money RIGHT NOW. I should join, I should respond, I should add.

It’s exhausting.

It’s also rude.

There are quite definitely things I should do. I should make sure my children are taken care of. I should write as regularly as I bathe. I should take time to experience and imagine possibilities. I should engage in my communities.

Seldom do the things I should do include things like clicking links, checking out articles, participating in surveys.

There are a myriad of things I could do, things I need to do.

Those things—just like the things I should do—are better received when they are suggested to me politely, preferably with an introduction, a question and an answer, or an introduction, an answer and a question—I’m flexible.

I’m willing to read blogs, watch videos, even participate in surveys, but not on demand. Demands never work well, you should think about that.

Posted by Yvonne Battle-Felton at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

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At first glance, it seems the internet levels the writing playing field. The predictions: With a click of a button, equal access is born.

Readers can connect (follow, update, tweet) with writers, editors, publishers, agents; query letters are replaced by blogs; intent is replaced by content; publishing is replaced by self-publishing.

All is fair in html.

Or is it?

I agree, anyone can write, publish, print, blog. If you have something to say, there is someone who wants to read it.

And if you are willing to write for free, well you are willing to be read for free. If you love to write and write for the sake of writing, the internet is an spiritual goldmine.

Pop up any Craig’s List Writer’s Wanted Ad in most major cities and you will open a link to the unpaid writing opportunity of a LIFETIME. Editors and publishers are eager to read and publish your free content to promote you on their soon-to-be discovered site.

But, for free I can write on the topic of my choice and publish it on my own yet-to-be discovered blog.

And, I do.

Still, I write, submit and wait to be published in traditional media as well.

It’s my marker, how I define my success. Blogging provides me the freedom to write what I want to write, to take responsibility for my words and to publish them anyway. As someone who endeavors to be paid for what I write, submitting and publishing is validation and more.

While it's certainly not this cut and dry, if I write for nothing, I get nothing. If I write with intent to publish, I get read.

So, does blogging make you a writer?

Writing makes you a writer; blogging makes you a blogger.

Maybe the difference is intent. Maybe the difference is content. And maybe, there isn't a difference at all.

Posted by Yvonne Battle-Felton at 09:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

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In my spare time--the time between deadlines--I entertain myself by proving, testing or challenging various conspiracy theories.

As healthcare open enrollment period approaches, I am faced with a myriad of costly choices, options and plans that I am not at all certain I can afford. My children and I need health insurance so while I cannot afford many of the choices I am presented with, in the end I am left with no choice.

Of course, that is not true.

There are state health care assistace programs, but more seductive right now is the elusive Public Health Insurance Option.

Naturally, when I got the notice from my small business employer that it is time to review health care options, I became curious.

What happens if I choose the $480 monthly option to cover myself and my three children and the Public Health Insurance Option is approved? Will I be locked in to insurance I cannot afford for the year? Can I switch plans mid-year? Will I disqualify myself by electing coverage through my employer?

After reviewing their website, I contacted the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

I'm waiting for a call back.

Because I lack patience and because of their Public Health Insurance overview, I visited the Committe on Ways and Means website where I learned that 96% of Americans will (should) be covered by healthcare by 2015.

Granted, I'm electing health care for 2010.

Still, I called for clarification.

According to the representative, even if approved, Public Health Insurance will not be available or in effect until 2013. At that time, the Public Healthcare Insurance will have open enrollment periods similar to other insurance plans to avoid people getting locked out-- or in to other plans.

Ideally.

Posted by Yvonne Battle-Felton at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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I am a Libra.

Today, as I have for the past I don’t know how many days before it, I clicked on my horoscope in partial anticipation, dread, amusement, curiosity as to what the cosmos (or the horoscope writer) had in store for me.

My horoscopes do not dictate my day.

Some days they are accurate, other days close, some days completely far off. Today, it was empty.

The day is waiting for me to write it.

I choose to have a day filled with passion, success and laughter. I decide to have a day with adventure and good news. Today’s forecast: something good is about to happen, you will smile often, laugh loudly; and love and be loved completely

Posted by Yvonne Battle-Felton at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

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