When the internet started, I’m sure more than a few of us thought it would be a passing phase. Or at least something that most people would never need.

Well, as we all know now, the internet is here to stay. It’s now crucial to many aspects of our lives, especially if we’re looking for side income.

Serious bloggers and business owners must have their own websites, so now it’s just a matter of choosing the right web hosting company. Whew! What a daunting task, with hosting companies popping up left and right.

I just found a cool website, Web Hosting Geeks, that offers side-by-side comparisons for various hosting companies, as well as customer reviews. Their site also offers lots of information, including links to relevant articles about web hosting. If you’re considering switching companies, starting a new site on with a new host, or you’re just interested in keeping up with what’s out there, check it out.

Do you have multiple blogs or websites? How do you keep up with the latest companies?

Working toward being a self-sustaining business owner is definitely not for the faint of heart. My journey recently included starting to substitute teach again. The goal? To make some steady money while not forgetting I really want to solely be an entrepreneur.

So far, it’s been pretty rocky. My last part-time gig was as a call center representative, and my poor throat has never been the same. Working with a classroom full of kids has made my throat injuries flare up again, so this gig may be short-lived. High school kids are easier (I just shut up and let them work), but the jobs aren’t steady yet (still early in the Arizona school year, though).

Though my 3-year-old likes her preschool, we miss being together, so we taken a few field trips during the week anyway.

It’s tough. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up, so remember that it’s the journey that counts…not the destination. Life is a highway.

Criminal law is probably what you think about first when you think of the law, right? No surprise, especially with all the criminal law TV shows and all the junk we’re inundated with on the news.

This month’s website will help satisfy your cravings for information about all things criminal law. And if you’re also a freelance writer, you might get some ideas about how to set up a great website for an attorney.

This particular site is specific to the law firm of a Los Angeles Criminal lawyer, but much of the information is relevant no matter where you live (in this country, at least). No matter the crime someone is accused of, everyone deserves a fair trial (in my opinion). Even though I once wanted to be a prosecutor, I know that defense attorneys are essential to an eventually fair justice system.

Take a look a the site and let us know what you think. If you’ve started contacting attorneys to write for, let us know that too.

Running a business is hard work, as we all know.

Coupled with single parenting and attempting to work solely from home, I’ve had to make some tough choices. Now that my daughter’s three years old, we’re giving daycare/preschool a second chance, and it seems to be working. She likes the teachers, she asks to go to school, she hasn’t gotten a cold yet (knock on wood…but she’s been there 7 days), and now I have my time freed up a bit.

The great thing about her new school is they don’t run it like a typical daycare or preschool. The kids have a general structure, but then they’re allowed to decide what they want to do. The teaching style is Reggio Emilia, and is similar to Montessori schools. I think that’s one reason she likes it. Also, her main teacher “got” her immediately.

The next tough choice was whether to pour myself into my businesses, or work on a part-time job. For now, I’m going to work as a substitute teacher to take off some financial pressure. In my free time, or days when I can’t find an assignment, I’ll be blogging, freelancing, and/or working my direct sales business.

My goal? Besides raising a happy and healthy girl, I still plan to be an entrepreneur only. I’m just taking a detour for now.

Have you taken a part-time job while still pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams? Share with us!

Crayon Writer has been around for more than a year, and it’s attracting a variety of visitors. I use Entrecard.com to boost my daily readership, and I have loyal subscribers as well. I’ve also been receiving inquiries about advertising with Crayon Writer, so it makes sense to make it easier for you.

You’ll notice the new advertising spots in the side columns. The smaller spaces are for 125×125 pixel ads, while the large one on top is negotiable (currently it’s 300×300).

The rates on the Advertise page are also negotiable. If you want to purchase several months in advance, I know we can work out a deal.

Why advertise on a blog? Readers are more likely to go directly to an advertised spot. Paper ads mean the reader has to put down the paper, pick up their phone or go to their computer, and then dial or type in the information. Advertising online just makes sense.

Have you ever advertised on a blog? How did it work for you?

With a new business comes a new blog, so head over to My Desert Spirit to see my latest project.

My Desert Spirit is a blog about starting a network marketing/MLM business. Similar to Crayon Writer, it’ll be my journey in the field. There’ll be articles about network marketing, sales, my personal goals and accomplishments, and of course some “product placement.”

The goal? To introduce people to Warm Spirit, the product line I’m selling. Hopefully the blog will generate new customers and new business partners. Also, I’d like to educate other MLMers through my own success and trials.

One thing I don’t like about the network marketing field is that I don’t hear enough about how people build their businesses. Often we hear about the great successes, or the super-power marketers who get 10 new recruits each day. My Desert Spirit will be about an ordinary person (well, maybe a little extraordinary) figuring it out daily.

There are only a couple of posts right now, but feel free to leave comments or email me suggestions.

Enjoy!

Lately I’ve been perusing a lot of legal websites, and I’m really enjoying learning so much about defense law. Though my bias is usually on the prosecution side, reading these sites has opened my eyes.

I’m also beginning to contact lawyers as a freelance writer, letting them know that I can write or edit website copy. So far I’ve gotten a good response.

This week’s website focuses on the practice of an LA DUI lawyer, with information about how to handle being arrested for DUI. Though I know you would never drink and drive, you undoubtedly know someone who’s had a couple of drinks before driving home. That person has rights, whether or not they’ve committed a crime, so it’s a good idea to learn what they are in case you’re ever with someone in that situation. This site has some solid information.

I’m sure the owners of the monthly sites I write about would appreciate constructive criticism, so check out the website and let us know what you think.

I love ellipses, so much so that my 3-year-old recognizes and gleefully exclaims, “Ellipses!” whenever she sees the delightful series of dots. I actually overuse them, and sometimes I use them incorrectly, but ellipsis points are fun!

But, like most everything else in the world of grammar and punctuation, there are some rules to follow. Granted, ellipses are basically a style issue, so you can exercise a little creativity with them.

According to the Harbrace College Handbook:

“Use ellipsis points sparingly to mark a reflective pause or hestitation.”

For example, “Love, like other emotions, has causes…and consequences.”

According to the Chicago Manual of Style:

“Ellipsis points suggest faltering or fragmented speech accompanied by confusion, insecurity, distress, or uncertainty.”

For example, “The ship…oh my God!…it’s sinking!”

The most important thing is there are always three dots. Not two, and certainly not 5 or 6. That’s one of the biggest mistakes I see in people’s writing.

Also notice that it’s correct to put punctuation before the ellipses, as in the example above. Likewise, it’s not wrong to put punctuation after them when necessary (like a period, so there are 4 dots). Just watch out for those commas (tricky little devils, I know).

For example (also from the Chicago Manual of Style):

“But…but…,” said Tom.

(The only reason Tom got that comma was because it was at the end of speech.)

On the other hand, you don’t want to say,

“Well…, I plan to do some shopping…, if that’s okay with you…?”

(The commas here are unnecessary and incorrect.)

See why I love ellipses? There aren’t that many rules, and you kind of pick and choose when you want to use them. Of course, I’m not talking about using ellipses when omitting text from quotes (then there are a whole other set of rules).

So have fun using those 3 cute dots whenever you feel it’s appropriate. Just don’t go overboard….

Crayon Writer makes a little money, which is definitely a plus in this economy. But I know I could, and should, be doing more. What about you?

Luckily we don’t have to figure it out by ourselves. People like Yaro Starak, a successful Australian blogger, are willing to teach what they’ve learned. One of my readers joined Yaro’s Blog Mastermind program last year. She renewed her membership monthly, so I’m sure she’s a satisfied customer.

This year’s Blog Mastermind just opened, and there are some cool offers for the first 100 who join. You’ll get three teleconferences and 6 videos with a wealth of extra information. The program opened at 10a.m. EST today, so hurry!

Even if you’re not one of the first 100, join the class if you’re serious about making a living blogging. If you need more convincing, just check out the FREE Blog Profits Blueprint to get an idea of his teaching style (and learn some methods for making blogging profitable).

Have you made money with your blog? What methods have worked best for you?

Writing a weekly website review didn’t work out for me, so I’m changing it to monthly. That’s the beauty of running your own blog.

First, as freelance writers and bloggers, the legal field is rich with writing opportunities. I’ve written copy for a law firm’s website, a legal monthly newsletter, and an online legal publication. I’m sure there are more, and not all lawyers want people to write in legalese. Also, not all lawyers are good writers, often because they try too hard to write “like lawyers.”

So get out there and contact law firms. Read through their websites and offer to improve them. Many don’t even have a website yet, and others need print material too.

One of my interests, especially having worked as a teacher, is the juvenile law system. All too often we hear on the news that a young person has been accused of committing a crime. Some face being tried as an adult, while others are sentenced to juvenile programs.

What these young people need is a juvenile lawyer…someone who is trained to handle juvenile cases, and someone who knows what they’re doing. Adult defense attorneys may not fully understand the system as it relates to youth.

I found a great legal website, based out of California, that has a ton of information about the juvenile system. Toward the bottom of the page are links to different facets of juvenile law, and it’s valuable information for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about kids.

The laws may be different in your own state, but this is a good start. It makes you think, it’s very educational, and it might make you more empathetic the next time you hear that a child has been sentenced to time in an adult prison.

Check it out and let us know what you think.