New Online Content by Yours Truly

Recently, one of my freelance clients (SafetyWeb) launched a new product/service all about protecting one's privacy. It's called MyID.com- check 'em out!


As a result, I wrote a lot of content for their new website including both blog posts and resource articles. It's borderline ridiculous how much knowledge I now have in my brain about identity theft and online privacy. The research was fun and interesting and wow, there are a LOT of things we need to do to protect ourselves in the digital world.

Here are some links to a few of my blogs for your reading pleasure:

Twitter Can Damage Your Online Reputation

Top 10 Safety Tips for Online Dating

Tips for Staying Safe on Craigslist

Your Blog Could Get You Fired! (highly recommended reading)

More to come soon! :-)

WOOF- I heart doggies!

If you've taken one look at my photograph featured on this blog, you'll know that I'm a dog lover. The cute pooch next to me is our beautiful cocker spaniel named Frenchy. My husband and I found Frenchy on Petfinder.com through an amazing dog rescue organization in my area called Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue Inc. They are dedicated to rescuing and re-homing cocker spaniels and other breeds, and let's face it- there are a ton of homeless dogs in kill shelters around the country who need groups like this one to save them.

Here's a great pic of our baby taken during our engagement shoot a couple of years ago:


Photo taken by: Ryan Brenizer Photography

Isn't she adorable? So, why am I telling you all of this? Well, in addition to my writing work-- I also have experience in social media. I've been racking my brain for a while now to figure out how I can make a difference, particularly with this dog rescue group that has given my husband and I so much joy.

And then it hit me! Social media! Why I hadn't though of this before, I'll never know. In any case, I am now managing Abandoned Angels' Twitter page and following! I'm proud to say that within one week, we gained almost 300 followers and boy, are they loyal retweeters! :-) If you love dogs as much as I do, please follow us here: @NYCockerRescue.

And without further ado...

Today, March 15th is Adopt the Internet Day on Petfinder! Go ahead, click on the ad... it won't bite.


More than 320,000 pets are waiting for homes on Petfinder.com. Help Petfinder Adopt the Internet today and find forever homes for as many as possible! Go to Petfinder and rescue, rescue, rescue! Then, spread the word via Twitter, Facebook or on your blog all about Adopt the Internet Day. That's today, people!

If you live in the tri-state area and are looking to adopt or foster a beautiful cocker spaniel, please visit Abandoned Angel Cocker Spaniel Rescue on Facebook and give them a "like" to see all of their pooches searching for loving forever homes. Even better, check out their selection of available dogs on their Petfinder page! If you see one you like, email rescue@nyabandonedangels.com to request an application. (Yes, they do adopt out of state occasionally).

Now, get out there and get your wag on! WOOF!

A Writing Career?!

I recently came across Roni Loren’s blog post (by way of Gabriela Lessa’s blog) about all the various responses writers often get from people when they reveal that they are actual writers. This got me thinking about all the insane comments my whack-a-doodle mother has said to me over the years.

(no, that's not really my mom but it may as well be. she's just as loony)!

Here are just a few examples of her isms:

While I was attending graduate school for screenwriting: “What do you do besides watch movies all day?”

When I moved to Los Angeles: “Do you live next to a famous person?!”

When I became a copywriter: “I don’t get it. Do you write legal stuff?”

(In my mother’s defense, I actually get that question a lot).

When I started working in social media: "What is a Twit? I don’t understand how Tweeter works? If I go on Facebook, can I meet a man?"

When I began writing video games: “What kind of games do you write? Do you write Scrabble? I play a lot of Scrabble. Can you get me free Scrabble?”

…and our latest conversation (via phone last night) went a little like this:

MOM: Have you ever written a mystery?

ME: Yes.

MOM: You have??!

ME: Mom, you know I have.

MOM: Oh. You mean a game. I’m not talking about a game.

ME: No, I’ve written mystery stories other than games. You’ve read some of them.

MOM: I have? Well, I don’t remember. Anyway, I think I want to write mysteries as a hobby.

ME: Uh… okay.

MOM: But I want twists and turns and red herrings and stuff. How do you do that?

ME: Well, first you need a cast of characters.

MOM: Oh. But I want twists and turns.

ME: You still need characters.

MOM: But how do I figure out who committed the crime?

ME: What? What are you talking about?

MOM: How do I solve it? Do I start from the end? How will I know who did it?

ME: What? Just start with characters, okay?

MOM: Oh, okay. I need motives and weapons too!

ME: Decide where you want the story to be set.

MOM: Oh, I know that. In my office.

ME: Okayyyy…

MOM: We have a lot of interesting characters there! They say there’s nothing more interesting than real life!

ME: Actually, they say the opposite. Real life isn’t interesting enough. Things based on real life sometimes get dropped from the story, so be prepared for that.

MOM: Oh, but writing is such a good hobby. Don’t you think it is?

ME: Uh, yeh. That's what you've been telling me my whole life.

MOM: It's not a career. It's just something fun to do!

ME: Mom. I gotta go.

[scene]