This idea came to me from an interesting creature who we call our mean bird. So, we will start with him first, before moving on to what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome". In our backyard, among other things, is a pear tree. In that pear tree resides a special bird who we have dubbed "the mean bird". He is often found in or around the pear tree, even when there is no fruit in the tree. There is also no nest in the tree, so it seems he just likes the tree.

If any person or animal happens to be in the backyard during the time he is in the tree, he yells at them very loudly, making it clear he wants not a soul around him or his precious tree. If a creature comes near the tree, that's when he chases them away, screeching at the top of his small bird lungs, sometimes even pecking at the creature during the process. He won't peck at people, though, just animals.

If he happens to be outside when the kids want to play, I usually end up having to chase him away, as he often makes it clear he does not want us there. However, he doesn't scare easily. It takes some effort on my part.

Have you ever seen a grown woman yelling at and shooing a small bird? It's pretty comical, so long as you're not the one doing it. Many times he will keep coming back and yelling right back at me and sometimes I have to laugh because although it is clear he is threatening me, I think it's quite cute and funny that a creature so small would even attempt to challenge a human.

Since I don't believe in harming any of God's creatures, even cute little pesky ones, we just continue to deal with him, which brings me to what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome".

Many people have a "mean bird" around them at some point in their life. It may be a person or a creature. This mean bird can greatly affect a person's mood if they let it. When that happens, that's what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome".

While this can be avoided by not letting negativity affect a person, many people still fall victim to The Mean Bird Syndrome. So, how can it be avoided? Well, simply don't let the mean bird's negativity affect you. Keep your positive outlook. No matter what your mean bird says or does to you, do not take those words or actions to heart.

There will likely be many negative people and events in a person's lifetime. You can't let them steal your happiness. This can be hard, especially when words and actions are harsh and hurtful, but being strong and always using the negativity to create a positive force will help you avoid The Mean Bird Syndrome.

Using your positive force may even cause that mean bird to become your friend one day.

As for the mean bird in our pear tree, well I'm still working on making him a friend. Food helps for a few moments, but not long. However, we still aren't letting him put a damper on our outdoor fun. In fact, sometimes he makes it even more fun with all his carrying on.

Thankfully, he's the only mean bird around me right now. However, if and when I cross paths with another mean bird, I'll keep my little "friend" in mind and be sure I do not fall victim to The Mean Bird Syndrome. Will you be sure you don't?

~This was originally published on Associated Content by Lyn Lomasi~

Occasionally I get the opportunity to highlight fellow AC Contributors. Recently, Anita Cameron granted me an interview. She joined Associated Content on December 3, 2009. So far she has written mainly on community and disability issues, which reflect her role as a disability activist. My favorite articles of Anita's are "Community Living Should be a Choice for All" and "Independent Living Centers Help People With Disabilities". I think when combined, those two pieces convey a message worth listening to. Read on to learn more about Anita and don't forget to check out her work on AC afterward.

How did you learn about AC?
I learned about AC through one of the local career centers here in Rochester. I've been out of work due to illness for almost two months. I wanted to look into working from home, or at the very least, making some money on the side when I returned to work. The person who interviewed me told me about AC when he learned that I like to write.

Why have you decided to begin writing here?
I lurked the forums for two weeks before I decided to start writing here. At first, I was very intimidated, but I saw that people were very helpful and supportive, so I decided to take the plunge, so to speak...


>>Click Here to Continue Reading>>>

~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.

Recently, Associated Content Contributor Gwen Navarrete allowed me the privilege of interviewing her. She joined AC in September of 2009 and has already had a number of quality articles published. Gwen writes on topics such as family, society, fashion, and health. I always find her content interesting and enjoyable. My favorite piece of hers is "Thankful to Be Laid Off in 2009." The reason I chose this piece is because there are many people out there who have been laid off and may think they have nowhere to go. Gwen's reflections and experiences are very inspiring and I could feel her personal emotions in that piece. Please read on to find out more about Gwen Navarrete and check out her well-written articles afterward.

How Did You Come Across Associated Content?
Honestly, I can't remember how I discovered Associated Content. I know I had found other websites that pay writers for content, such as ehow, Examiner, About.com, and Hubpages. I think it was one of the articles I read on that site that led me to Associated Content.

>>Continue Reading>>>

~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Associated Content Contributor Rebecca Caroll. She's had experience in a variety of careers and is a proud parent, both of which are part of what's reflected in her writing. Rebecca joined AC in August of 2009 and is quickly succeeding on AC. My favorite article of Rebecca's is A Simple Christmas: Tips to Bring the True Meaning of Christmas Back to Your Family because too many people get caught up in the gifting and decorating part of Christmas. Mrs. Caroll brings us back down to Earth and reminds us what the season is truly about. Read on to learn more about Rebecca Caroll and please stop by her AC page afterward for some great reading.

How Did You Find Out About Associated Content?
Literally, I read about AC in a magazine article! I've always enjoyed writing and have a few topics about which I am passionate, so I thought I would give it a try!

Is Freelance Writing Your Career?

>> Continue Reading this Interview>>

~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.

How to Use SEO and Keywording in AC Articles
by Lyn Lomasi

When you write for Associated Content and other writing sites, the majority of your traffic is going to come from search engines. You need to not only target your audience, but also speak in a way that gets the most results from searches. That will gain you more views, thus earning money. But, how do you do that? The compilation below of articles from expert AC and web writers should help.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers by Lyn Lomasi
Yes, here I go mentioning SEO again -- that magic three-letter abbreviation we hear often. Easy SEO techniques can help online article writers significantly. If you haven't heard of SEO or if you haven't heeded the advice, as an online article writer, you likely are losing out big time. A large portion of Internet traffic comes via search engines, namely Google. If you expect search engines to find your content and deliver it in search results, you need to talk their language -- SEO...Here are some easy SEO techniques you can incorporate right away to help increase traffic....Read More>>

Avoid Keyword Problems and Awkward  Writing in News Stories by AC Tim
Finding your Associated Content news story at the top of search rankings is always exciting. It's good for you -- and for Associated Content -- because it provides visibility and recognition on a newsworthy topic. Because your story has a high placement, it's likely to be seen by thousands of readers. That's why it's important we publish quality content...Read More>>

Accidental Keyword Optimization and Latent Semantic Indexing by Michelle Devon
Several weeks ago, I took a class on the internet about Latent Semantic Indexing, and since then, I've been discussing this with many web content writers and web developers, of which I am both a writer and web developer. There are so many people who don't understand how Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) works, and how that can affect people who write web copy or build websites for search engine optimization....Read More>>

SEO Toolbox by AC Insights
On November 5, 2009 we held our first ever AC Insights community event in Denver, Colorado. The following is Miguel's presentation on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how it can help your content become searchable online...Read More>>

Using TagCrowd as an SEO Tool by Marie Anne St. Jean
SEO (search engine optimization) and keyword density are terms that scare many a writer who want to write for the internet. TagCrowd.com makes the basics of SEO very easy to visualize without having to crunch numbers in hopes of attaining proper keyword density....Read More>>

More Writing Tips:

When you're new to writing, it can be difficult to figure out what to charge. Should you charge a flat rate fee, an hourly rate, or per word? Depending on who you ask, you'll likely get answers that are quite varied. But the answer that should be common among good writers is "don't undersell yourself."

Recently, a fellow writer and friend of mine, Lisa Mason shared her perspective on that topic. Click Here to read what she said and share your comments here and/or at Lisa's article.

~Lyn Lomasi~

Recently, Associated Content Contributor Maxine Nelson allowed to me to do an interview with her. She writes on a wide variety of topics, such as music, eco-friendly beauty, holidays, travel, and more. You'll see that Maxine is very passionate about writing, AC, and music. My favorite article of Maxine's is entitled Is Auto-Tune Ruining Music? Read on to learn more about Ms Nelson and be sure to stop by her AC page afterward.

How Did You First Find Out About Associated Content?
It was through Craigslist under Writers actually. I was looking at some major cities for writing positions, since writers can work from anywhere in the world. When I looked in the Miami Craigslist that is how I found out about Associated Content back in March 2009. The rest is history...

Click Here to read more.

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.

by Lyn Lomasi

Do you find yourself asking the question "Why am I working so hard with little to no results?" You aren't alone. Many people ask this question. Whether you relate this to a low-paying dead-end job or to some other situation in life, there still is hope. In fact, each time you work hard, you are getting results. You just may not see them. What do I mean? Read on to find out.

This message came to me in an odd way, which is often true for many things in life. This morning I was playing a game on the Facebook website called Farm Town, a game which several AC favorites of mine are addicted to. Part of the game requires plowing fields to ready them for the crops. Probably due to a temporary glitch, when I placed one field, my character paid the money due and did the hard work, but the field did not plow. She did however still earn the experience points due.

This incident made me think about real life. Sometimes people work so hard, yet do not see the results expected. Does that mean the hard work was for nothing? Some may say yes here. I disagree. With hard work comes experience. Therefore, even though expected results are not always gained, that does not mean the hard work was for nothing. In fact, there are times where experience can be more valuable than any money or monetary award.

If you are relating your hard work with no results to a job, think about that for a moment. It's true that it's no fun to work hard day in and day out for minimum wage or less money than you believe you deserve for that work. However, at the present, many are taking whatever job they can get. If that's you and there is not another income opportunity, make the most of it. How?

Reap the benefits of experience, just like the farmer who plows many fields will learn to do it better over time. Keep working hard and learn as you do. That experience could help later down the road when there is better opportunity. That better opportunity may even exist within the very company you are putting all that time and effort into.

When it comes time to choose someone for a better position within the company, who do you think they'll look at first - the slacker on the phone all day or the hard worker? Even if it is not within that company that you advance, the experience you gained could come in handy for a future position and also looks good on a resume.

Hard work is not for nothing. It does eventually pay off, just not always in the way people expect.

*This author welcomes feedback and discussion in the comments section below.

-- This was originally published on AssociatedContent. --

I recently was able to interview AC Contributor Lisa Kay. She's been with AC since February of 2009 and writes informative articles on parenting, health, gardening, pets, homeschooling, and more. My favorite article by Lisa Kay is The Blue Zones: Where People Live to Be 100. I found this to be particularly interesting, informative, and thought-provoking. Read on to find out more about Lisa Kay and don't forget to go read some of her articles afterward.

How Did You First Find Out About Associated Content?
Earlier this year, I read a health related article that happened to be on Helium. When I took a closer look at Helium, I discovered a whole new world. I was fascinated with the idea that I could seriously and immediately pursue a life long interest in writing, while at the same time generating a little extra income. While I was learning about Helium and how to write articles, I stumbled across Associated Content. I've never looked back.

Click Here to read more.

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must also have less than 500,000 page views total on AC.

Meet AC Contributor Michael Thompson

I've recently been interviewing fellow AC Contributors who are either new, up-and-coming, or not as noticed as they could be. Associated Content Contributor Michael Thompson recently granted me an interview. He's been with AC since August of 2007 and has contributed quite a collection of articles. He may be one of the lesser-known clout 10 AC writers. His main topics are politics and social justice, but he also writes about education, health, holidays, parenting, and more. My favorite recent pieces of content by Michael are "Travel Close to Home and Still Travel a Great Distance" and "Memories of Sept. 11, 2002." I recommend, in addition to the above pieces anything he's written on politics or social justice. Read on to learn more about Michael Thompson and don't forget to check out his AC library afterward.

How Did You First Find Out About Associated Content?
Twas Google-researching during August 2007 and found an article by Shamontiel. The topic was the Jena Six, the story of discrimination directed toward African-American teenagers in Jena, Louisiana. Then started writing my own stuff, slowly but surely. I was (am) so stupid about computers, Shamontiel had to explain to me how to leave comments on other articles. However, I am not as stupid as I look.

Do You Freelance For a Living or Do Something Else As Well?
Am retired from The Saginaw (Michigan) News, after 32 years in local news reporting. Mainly covered local government and schools, nonprofit and neighborhood groups, the social services system, local politics, and racial relations. Thankfully, I didn't have to do the crime-and-violence stories very often. Won a few awards...

Click Here to read more.

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must also have less than 1 million page views total on AC.