Writing a Blog to Change Your Life

With my little one

Entering the tunnel

I launched Succes Diaries in order to keep myself going during tough times that included a recession, unemployment, divorce and eventually, bankruptcy. If my entries helped others who may be facing similar issues, so much the better.

I started blogging a few times a week, while I strived to find writing gigs and resolved financial and personal challenges. I started this blog in English and then decided to write it in Spanish too, as Diario del Éxito, which is now also at Diario del Éxito at Hola.com, which has helped me reach more readers.

Always looking forward

An Internet entrepreneur noticed what I was doing and hired me to write paid blog posts, and that’s how I started to learn SEO (search engine optimization). Shortly after, another company hired me to write SEO content for websites, which taught  me even more about writing for the Internet. I had to reduce my Success Diaries postings to two a week, as I again got more paid work.

When I applied to be a writer and editor for Consejos de mamá (Mom Recommends) at About.com of the NY Times Co, I was already fluent in SEO and writing for the web, but the application process taught me even more. When I was chosen to manage that website, I understood it was a wonderful chance to keep on learning on the job - HTML, SEO, key words, linking and social media presence - while writing about something I’m passionate about: motherhood.

A recent girls-only vacation

In the meantime, I wrote a book based on this blog, which will be released in February of 2012, by ediciones Obelisco. I am also a weekly contributor for Mamiverse, the online hub for Latina moms, in English, and will soon be up and running as a collaborator for a new platform for Latinos: VOXXI. Another project will soon be launched with two other wonderful writers I’ve met on the way to follow my dreams, and there are more in the works.

The light at the end of the tunnel
In short, something I started just to keep my spirits up – this blog – helped me create a platform on the Internet and a following that has resulted in my professional reinvention and success. I was able to adapt to the Internet in order to, once again, make a living doing what I love: writing.

The global crisis is still there. Many are still unemployed and confused, as I was. I look back and I recall how difficult it is to get out of bed in the morning when you´ve lost it all.

If that is you now, don´t despair. Focus daily on something that lifts your spirits and do it consistently, while you look for a way to overcome your struggles. Life goes on whether you fight for your dreams or not, and I hope that one day you will look back as I do now and think: “I don´t know how I did it, but it was well worth the fight.”

Now I only write weekly entries in Success Diaries, because I am so busy with my work, but I won´t stop posting, because I know from my stats that there are people who still find inspiration here, even if only to take one more step towards their goals.

The engine of my life

Thank you for following me on this crazy rollercoaster called life!

Some of my articles on Mamiverse.com that may inspire

From Middle Class to Foodstamps: A Latina Mom´s Tale. Please read and share. There may be other women out there who don´t look like they need the help. But, you´d be surprised at how many are still struggling.

A Latina´s Journey to Bulimia and Back. This was the subject of my first book, published in 1993 and still in print. I hope it helps other sufferers and their families.

After a Lifetime of Searching, I Found My Tribe. On growing up bicultural and bilingual. I am proud of my mixed roots and strive to instill this pride in my kids.

A Child´s Mantra. The lessons I learn from my kids.

If you enjoy this blog follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Read my articles on Mamiverse.

Diario del Éxito (Success Diaries) will be published in book form in February 2012 by ediciones Obelisco.To read about my books: www.lorrainecladish.com

Recession-proof your freelancer status!

A few days ago, someone asked me how I´m able to successfully freelance with two young kids in tow and in the midst of a global recession. Well, in my case, I´ve had to reinvent myself and change the type of services I offer. I used to make a good living as a language interpreter and translator until that field was hit by a struggling economy. Then I wrote for a newspaper for almost four years, until 2008, when newspapers started letting go of freelancers and insiders alike.

I now write content for business websites and I copyedit in English and Spanish, aside from the occasional translation. Writing copy for websites wasn´t my idea. A business owner asked me to write the text for his site. He liked the result, and now I get clients by word of mouth. I have since learned a lot about writing for the web, which is very different from traditional journalism. I still pen books and they are published, although publishers and agents say that the future of books looks bleak. But, they´ve always said that and besides we all know it´s difficult (but not impossible) to live off of royalties, unless you´re a household name, which I am not (yet!).

I am grateful to have enough work to cover expenses in time when my friends are losing their jobs. I don´t work 8 hours a day, because it´s summer and my kids spend more time at home, and this entails more work than work itself. But, at the end of the week, I somehow manage to get projects done so I can take on more. I´m not yet at the level of workload and income that I had before the recession, but I´m slowly getting back on my feet …

My humble suggestions to other freelancing moms and dads during these tough financial times:

- Make a list of all your marketable skills. Look at the market´s needs and tweak the nature of the services you offer based on that. Don´t pigeon-hole yourself from the get-go. I know someone who used to work in a restaurant and is now making good money designing web pages

- If you´re making enough to cover expenses, count your blessings, and enjoy your time off with your kids

- If you aren´t making enough money, then cut back on your expenses and enlist help to care for your kids so that you can spend more time promoting yourself and working

- If you live in the U.S. take advantage of the fact that this really is the land of opportunity. In other countries it is not so easy to change careers, switch gears or temporarily take on menial jobs if that´s all you can get

- Do your best to keep in touch with others in your situation, so that you can support one another and share tips and ideas

If you have any other suggestions, please share!

http://www.lorrainecladish.com/

I will not be attending the National Pity Party ...

Ok, so we are in a recession. Big deal. Small deal. No deal. Not for me.

Don't get me wrong. My family's hurting! Unemployment has visited my family as well, and as I contemplate credit counseling, bankruptcy and shopping around for the nicest shelter in town, I refuse to turn my story into a pity party. I have two kids, 7 and 4, and I sometimes catch myself wondering if they could walk to school from the shelter if we end up in one?

I realize this IS a REAL possibility! It doesn´t only happen to others!

I'm not typing this from my penthouse at the Ritz, overlooking the ocean. I do live near the beach, but I have to drive there. That's while I can keep up with my car payments ...

Anyhow, despite the mess we're in, I'm taking responsibility for my part in it. What I did yesterday determines where I am today, and I know that my actions today will impact my future. And I want my future to look GOOD.

I'm a 14 (soon 15)-times published author, a proud and fit mother. But I´m broke. That´s me in a nutshell. When I set a goal, I tend to accomplish it. Now I am realizing that perhaps I should have set myself some financial goals a "few" years ago ... and then I would be successful in all areas of life, not just one or two.

Despite my current situation, I refuse to join the National Pity Party that is growing faster than the recession is! I am dusting myself off, and getting to work, in order to reach my family and financial goals as well as my career goals, which I have already accomplished.

In this blog, I will post positive proactive material, what I have done and will do to achieve my goals, in the hopes of inspiring YOU and YOU and perhaps YOU ... to take yourself on and send in your RSVP saying:

"I will not be attending the National Pity Party ...."

Now, let´s get going ...