So you want to be a writer? Well, if you believe all of those books, you will never earn money for practicing the art of writing that you love so much. Isn't that right? I am here to tell you that that statement is very wrong! If you are a well educated person with even a normal level of writing ability, you can make money online from just doing what you love- writing!

Yes, some people have more natural talent than others, but anyone can be a writer. I write to live, which is why this is the name of my column. My goal is to give you the tools that you need in order to do the same. Whether it is fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, there are many places in which you can get paid for these services.

Read my article entitledPublishers Will be Emailing You Everyday that has over 280 hits! This is full of information about ezines and web-based magazines that can get aspiring writers recogniztion, pay, and even jobs! You can have publishers emailing you everyday- I do! You can get people to view your work very easily. When you visit a new ezine, simply ask for them to give you more info about their site. When they do this, include a link to some of your work.

I prefer using my author page for these purposes. This is how I got my column picked up by Readers Niche. This is how I got the position as a content editor for the Writers Niche section. Although I have several web sites, I feel that my author page at Themestream conveys the image that I want to represent the most- the image of a professional writer who is professional and very serious about her craft. After viewing my page, I received a letter from the owner and the rest was history as they say...

Here are a few ways to make sure that your author page can get your jobs:

1. Have a good Bio!

2. Have 2 different columns to show the range of your talent.

3. Write on subjects about which you are passionate.

4. Reach out and pull your reader into your world

When you have a good bio on your author page or homepage, this is your first impression on your readers. This let's the owner/editor have an idea about you. This makes you very real to them. It is ok to include personal info about yourself. Try to include the reason that you want to be a writer. For me, it is to change the world. You see, I used to think about being a psychologist or social worker. Not only do I love these fields, but I also want to help people.

After attending a year or so of college, I realized that I could touch more people and change the world through my writing. This is why it is in my bio, and this is also why I touch the editors and publishers that visit my author page. Open up, and let the light within you shine upon the page.

When you have multiple columns, this shows the editor or publisher that you are diverse. This also shows them that you can be funny and moving when you want or need to be. By showing a breadth of your work, you will enable the reader to see you. I mean that they will be able to really understand your motivations to become a writer.

If you are honest in your writing, people will become moved. Readers are very observant creatures that can smell weakness or read into it even with the subtlest hints of hesitation by an author. This is why we should write what we know! If you are a teacher, write about education. If you are a writer like I am, write about your craft. It is no coincidence that it was my writing column that first attracted this editor.

You are probably asking yourself what I mean by reaching out and pulling your reader into your world. Well by using a delicate combination of first person and third person point of views, by telling stories, and through personal experiences told in a professional manner, you can touch your reader with your knowledge of the subject matter.

Authors must be very careful with the first person point of view, though. If it is over-used, the article can take on a personal testimony or a sort of "PTA story" quality that most editors do not like. Watch this very closely. When I do my final edits, I always check my point of view and try to imagine what my reader with think. Try Kat's New Writing Workshop HERE:

I hope that you try the above exercise and post it for all to read. You can email your links to me at ohiobar@sssnet.com. You can also just leave the links either here in the message box or in the comment box on the workshop article. These articles can be on any subject whatsoever. I also hope that this article helped you to understand the art of writing all the more.

Perhaps you learned something new today, or at least became more familiar with a tip or technique about which you had been wondering. Maybe I even gave you the tools that you need in order to sell that article that has been collecting dust! Now go write something!