Ask any freelance writer what keeps them motivated and you will find a large variety of answers.  My own motivation is my family and the fact that I enjoy working at home.  Providing for my family and making them proud is my main motivation.  While I no longer have children living at home, I do have a six-month old granddaughter and I love to buy her things.  It's becoming an obsession and the only way I can afford to do it is by writing. 

Of course, the fact that I love being my own boss is also a great motivating factor for my freelance writing.  But, it is more than that.  I love words.  I love putting words together.  Whether it is writing an article on homeowner's insurance or writing a chapter in my novel, I love what I do.  However, there are always things that can put a damper on the motivation.

Let's face it.  We all have days that we don't want to work and I am no different than anyone else.  Thankfully, as long as my deadlines are met, I can take a day off when I want to.  Regardless, some days it is difficult to write and today is one of them.  I do better when the sun is shining bright.  I can sit at my desk and look out the window.  Granted, the view is not that spectacular; I am simply looking at the front lawn and the road that goes by the home a little too close.  However, sitting at the desk on a day like today, where the rain is coming down and everything is dark, I can not do.  Thankfully, a laptop lets me take my writing where ever I choose and I can change the scenery.

If you are having trouble writing, all you need to do is look at the things that are important to you.  Even on a dark and dreary day like today, I can look ahead and think of all the reasons why I must make myself get the work done.  I guess I am one of the lucky ones and enjoy what I do so much that nothing can really get in my way.

For many people, working at home is difficult.  There are a ton of distractions.  A normal day in my home can include:  the telephone ringing off the hook (telemarketers, friends, family and God knows who else), the dog barking at the neighbor's dogs who bark for any reason, the cats deciding that today is a great day to raise hell, or the many self-distracitons that I deal with everyday. 

It could be a small pile of dishes in the sink that is breaking my concentration or a computer game I'd rather be playing.  The key is to eliminate as many of things that could distract me before I sit down to write.  If I know I'm going to have trouble staying seated and writing, I try to get as much done as possible before I start.  This includes letting the dog out, dishes, laundry, or even playing a game.  It's not easy, but it must be done.

As for the telephone, I am very thankful that I can ignore most of the phone calls. Occassionally, the phone ringing will make me lose my train of thought, but mostly, I am able to pick it back up again.  If I am having trouble, I can always shut off the ringer. 

If you are working at home, you must have a system set up for yourself that works.  My other-half, Dan works evenings, so I find the majority of my work is done after he leaves for work.  However, when summer comes and his hours change, I, too, try to change my hours to working mostly during the day. 

Anyone who works at home is going to be distracted.  Do your best to determine what is going to work for you.  The thing to remember is that anyone can call themselves a writer, but to really be a writer, you have to actually write something.

I have been a writer for as long as I can remember.  Even as a young girl, I loved to spend time writing poetry, short stories, and loved it when the teacher assigned a written report.  It wasn't until 2005, however, that I started to get paid for my writing. 

I remember when I received the letter in the mail from CHICKEN SOUP that one of my essays had been accepted.  I was beyond excited.  Published in 2005, my story, Danny's Courage was published in Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul. 

I then moved on to another type of writing.  Writing web content for Constant-Content.com.  I soon found myself selling articles for as much as $150 each.  At that time, I was working in real estate and was tired of working fifty-hour weeks and waiting two months for a paycheck.  I decided to take a big risk and quit real estate to dedicate myself fulltime to writing. 

I did put writing to the side from 2007-2008, however, when my son was in Iraq with the Army National Guard.  He had only been there for 3 weeks when his vehicle stuck an IED.  Thankfully, his injuries were considered somewhat minor.  However, the fact that they kept him there for another 11 months left me stressed.  I was unable to concentrate and put my best efforts into my writing and I took a fulltime position with an alarm security company.  In January 2009, I came back to my writing and am, once again, living my dream.  

Anyone who enjoys writing and wants to take that step toward becoming a paid writer should not hold themselves back.  I started out part-time and once I was able to determine that I could make a good living doing something I enjoyed, I took that final step.  I now have several steady clients that I write for and when the times are slow, I concentrate my efforts in the web content sites, answering the requests from their clients.  I also work the hours I want to work, can schedule a day off whenever I feel like it, and have plenty of time to work on my personal writing.

What more could one ask for?

Believe it or not, many people are scared of article marketing.  Article marketing is simply writing web content to be published in the major article directories that can be found online, such as www.ezinearticles.com, www.articlesbase.com, and www.articlesnatch.com. 

Each article directory is going to allow you to have an author's resource box.  In this box, you are going to tell the reader about yourself and you can even direct them to your business website.  This will create a backlink on the Internet to your site and it is a great method of generating more traffic for your site.

The key to your success with article marketing is to publish well-written content.  The content must be put in the right category and it must be relevant to your particular business.  When your target market reads the articles you have uploaded, you will get many benefits, including:

1.  They will look at you as the expert in the field.

2.  They will view your website.

3.  The end result will be more sales.

Anyone who does not take part in article marketing is missing out on a great opportunity to increase their business.  If you feel that your writing abilities are not adequate, contact me and I will produce well-written and unique articles for you.  You can contact me at p_harmon@live.com.

Today has been a great day for accomplishments.  I finally have my website back again witha  new web hosting company.  After a lot of research, my site is finally public again.

Along with writing 10 articles for clients today, I was able to write another 1,000 words on my novel-in-progress.  The goal is to have it the first draft done by the end of April.

A total of 7,000 words total written today!