About Professional Writing, IAPWE, New Experience, And Article Writing

IAPWE is the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors.

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The ‘About’ page on their website says:

The IAPWE or International Association of Professional Writers & Editors is an organization dedicated to providing helpful resources to writers and editors and disseminating helpful ideas and resources across the greater professional community in the form of outreach, blogging, networking and thought leadership.

In addition to providing free resources for our members, we are always seeking talented writers and editors to help create engaging, locally relevant, educational and inspirational content to help support our outreach efforts. We believe in paying our writers and editors a competitive wage, unlike many of the “content mills” and comparable low-paying clients and/or companies.

The IAPWE is also dedicated to bringing the most updated, legitimate and vetted writing and editing job opportunities to its members.

Currently, there are many different websites containing both legitimate as well as illegitimate writing and editing job opportunities and we make available, in one place, all of the opportunities that have been determined to be legitimate across over 100 different websites.

In addition to this, the IAPWE provides helpful tools, resources and networking opportunities for professional writers and editors, as well as making all members aware of potential writing job scams.

We are currently seeking members to take on administrative roles to help us identify and verify additional writing and editing job opportunities for our members. If interested, please send an email to staffing@iapwe.org for more information.

(Source: About – International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (iapwe.org))

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Lately, I have been looking for an opportunity to extend my writing to a ‘more professional way’ by adding articles to my fiction writing, and I saw that IAPWE is looking for professional article/Blog Post/Content writers.

I contacted them, gave them my contact information, and samples of my work, and waited for their approval, which they did, not long after.

It was a short and easy process. After my approval and acceptance as a future professional article/blog post writer, I signed up as a member. The membership gives me access to their courses, writing tools, articles, and posts, and also to their open tasks.

Also, as one of their writers, you’ll get a discount on the membership fees, which is an additional bonus, and with writing for them, you’ll get the membership charges back within a heartbeat.

As their writer, I can choose to write as many or few articles as I like. The open tasks are often giving instructions on how the client wants to have them written, i.e., subject, length (in words), font, pictures, etc. It’s very important to follow these rules, otherwise, the client isn’t going to accept the article/post, no matter how much effort you put into it.

Also, it’s essential for the writer to get clean and traceable research done. Of course, being writers, doesn’t necessarily mean we’re experts on every aspect of life, science, technology, and other things. It just means, we will have to do our ‘homework’.

Each piece of information I provided with the article had the source right below, connected by the respective link. Since the articles mostly are limited in word count, this also gives the reader the opportunity to read more on the subject.

Most articles demand the writer to address the reader directly and encourage a certain ‘sober’ form of including the writer’s own opinion. That needs a little diplomacy, but since this is part of my nature, I think I mastered that quite well.

After I wrote the article, I submitted the task on the freelancer Writer’s platform of IAPWE. They demand one task at the time, which means, don’t write another until the submitted one is accepted. Shortly after that, I was informed that my article was accepted. The entire process is uncomplicated and efficient.

I like the challenge of non-fiction article writing. To me it’s new, and a task that I hadn’t before.

Now, my last provided article (which is for a client, and I, therefore, am unable to provide you with that one.) has been quite technical, and I rather pick another topic here as an example…

Let’s say…

The task would be:

Write about art, their forms, and provide the reader with your honest opinion about them. 300 words, do your research, provide sources and at least 3 free pictures (in a certain size).

Let me start like this:

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The Seven Different Forms Of Art

Painting

Sculpture

Literature

Architecture

Cinema

Music

Theater

(Source)

(Or Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Poetry, Music Literature and Dance) It depends on where you’re looking for the 7 forms of art) ((Source))

I agree that all of them are art, of course one could debate about ‘poetry’ being a part of ‘literature’, and ‘Dance’ a part of ‘Theater’, but I’ll leave this decision gladly to the reader.

Is ‘Architecture’ a form of art? If I look at the left picture, I definitely have to say no, but seeing the building on the right, I’d gladly change my mind.

(Left: Lincoln Plaza, by Architect Ike Ijeh – Source) (Right: Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany – Source)

In my opinion, dance is a wonderful expression of art. And who can say it’s not art when you see something like this?

Image courtesy of Lifehack

I have seen the worst and the best of art in very different ways and means One of the best comparisons I can deliver at this point is the ‘Zentrum Paul Klee’, the building in Bern, Switzerland, which houses Paul Klee’s life work. Paul Klee was a Swiss artist, who created mostly, what’s generally known as ‘Naïve Art’, and what I call ‘no progress since Kindergarden’-art. Even the building is irritating and mutilates the entire area.

On the opposite side, here on the left, I’ll give you ‘The Louvre’, the breathtakingly beautiful museum in Paris, France, which not only exhibits the most famous painting in the world, but also a vast number of phenomenal paintings and sculptures from long forgotten artists, each one of them an expert, bringing taste and beauty to countless generations of admirers. If you have a chance, go there, enjoy, drink a glass of champagne and think of me. You won’t regret it.

(Both images source: Google.com)

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Now, this is clearly a short, 300-word article, but definitely not perfectly suited for a client (in particular not one who’s a fan of Paul Klee). However, it is absolutely essential that the writer of these articles does detailed research and clearly states where the information comes from. This is not only valid for articles and blog posts for clients and IAWPE! It’s necessary for all posts and articles, even for private blog posts.

Writer’s Treasure Chest wouldn’t have existed this long if I didn’t take care what I’m doing. Pictures and images for promotional posts, of course, are provided by their respective authors.

All other pictures need to have information about where they come from, preferably a link to their respective website or post, depending on where it was taken from.

The same thing applies to information that’s used for the own blog/article, such as ‘quotes’ or even entire paragraphs or posts.

Articles, as compared to blog posts, are preferably written in a sober, reporting manner, giving strict information, as compared to the authors own opinion. This is completely different from writing blog posts, where I can freely express my view on things, show my preferences or share my personal taste.

Let me give you an example with a blog post I published here on ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest, precisely April 10, 2017, about how ‘I Never Wore A Ballroom Gown’.

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I NEVER WORE A BALLROOM GOWN – A.J. ALEXANDER APRIL 10, 2017

For a moment I considered telling you my life was dabbling and boring and nothing exciting ever happened, but that’s simply not true. I had many highlights in my life. And if they weren’t there, I produced them. I had ups and downs, some of my decisions were good, others not so much, but I was never bored in my life, not even for one minute.

But there is one thing I’m missing until now: I never had the chance to wear a ballroom gown. Yes, I know, there’s prom… but unfortunately not for me. The reason for that will be staying in the shadows. It just didn’t happen. So, no prom, no gown.

Lately, I was thinking about the gown I would have probably picked. I mean, we agree that every girl and woman once in her lifetime wants to feel like a princess, right? I therefore very much suspect my prom gown would have looked something like this:

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I know… it couldn’t be more opulent and flamboyant, right? I still think the dresses are somehow cute. But not for me. I think the blue one would have been closest to my choice back then. It’s cute, I love the cold color palette, and I had been enthusiastic about the different layers of fabric.  I would have looked like the strolling version of a sparkling mosquito net, but I had been happy.

Well, my prom age is a few years back. (I love the expression ‘a few.’ It’s extendable). Would I pick one of these now, or did my taste completely change?

You bet it changed. Should I ever have the chance of going to a ball, soiree, dance party where evening gowns are demanded, I would more pick something like this:

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But most likely, and because I am who I am, I’d show up in a dress very similar to this one (with different shoes of course since I like my ankles too much to sacrifice their wellbeing to some murderous instruments like these):

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Yes, I know. My taste has significantly changed within the past decade (or more). I got more adult, started preferring more the ‘modest’ and classic style, but with a tiny extra that reveals the noble elegance of what I wear.

But I simply doubt I’d ever be invited to some ball, neither today nor tomorrow and probably not even in the next two or eight months.

What am I going to do to fulfill my personal dream of once in my lifetime looking and feeling like a princess?

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Aaaaahhhhh…. my wedding! I love to look at wedding dresses, just like every other woman does too. At current times (April 2017) this article does on no account mean I will get married anytime soon.

At this point, looking at possible future wedding dresses, I found out pretty quickly, my taste has changed here as well.

Haven’t I been dreaming of wearing a dress like Empress Elizabeth of Austria, with wide, expanding crinolines and layers and layers of tulle, silk, lace, silver or gold and an enormous train?

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This would not be too comfortable, but at least I ensured that I’d spend the day more or less alone since guests, family, and groom would politely stay at least 6 feet away not to endanger polluting my wedding dress nor stepping on it.

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Breathtaking, aren’t’ they? And about as comfortable as spending the night on a bed of nails. Fifteen years (or a few more) ago, I had picked one of these without hesitating. Nowadays, I’d rather let my fingernails be pulled out than being forced to get married in such a monstrosity. I’m not saying they are not beautiful. More the opposite. I’m only saying, they would look awful on me.

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Then I found two other extravagant wedding gowns which made me burst out into laughter. They’re hilarious. I’m trying to imagine how I’d be looking in this dress below on the left: probably like some exploded cotton candy.

And how about the one on the right? AJ costumed as the walking bird flu.

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What would I pick now to get married in? Yes… the same simple, classically elegant dress I think would best show who I am.

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And should you ever see a wedding from far, where the bride is blond and wearing this dress, then it’s most likely going to be me, taking my last chance ever to wear a beautiful gown. (And promising the love of my life everlasting support, faithfulness, confidence amongst a few other things).

All pictures are courtesy of: www.pinterest.com

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In this particular post, where the main factor is ‘taste about fashion’, I could freely express my opinion about ballroom gowns, my former taste, and how it had changed over time.

Writing for a ‘client’, blog post or article, is not giving me that freedom. I am strictly to deliver the facts, and nothing more (unless the client clearly expresses that this is part of the article, which so far hasn’t happened (yet).

Writing blog posts on my personal blog like ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’ is different again. Mainly, the entire blog is particularly a writer’s blog. However, it’s also my personal blog, and I take the freedom to write a few private articles now and then, where I can share an experience, an event, or a happening, clearly say what I think about it and express my personal point of view.

At this point, let me share a former blog post published on my friend’s blog:

The secret of internet dating and its devastating repercussions on the human disposition

Written by A. J. Alexander – Copyright, September 2021

Sex is overrated. Yes, I can easily imagine the confused looks on surrounding faces. Would I stand in a room and proclaim that fact, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m talking about the fact that I tried it, and my current opinion is the result of my experience a while ago.

We keep thinking, that’s like in the movies, where the violins cry (meow-meow-meow) and the candles spend warm light (flicker-flicker). It’s a miserable attempt at physical exercise. You hit your skull on the headboard, the nightstand lamp crashes onto your temple, and every five minutes, Mommy comes in and brings cheese sandwiches, now there.

And that’s not even it! I’m beslobbered from head to toe, what am I? A popsicle? And then, afterward… afterward they want to talk! You have to praise them! I only want to turn around and sleep, but no! And, dear gentlemen, talking about ecstasy – HAHA! Just for your information: If you have 210 pounds laying on you… of course you’re groaning!

Well, it didn’t work out with that guy; one would think a woman gives up, right? No, we girls hope it will be better with the next one. And where do we find that next one? Oh yes! Of course, on the world wide web! Yes, I admit it. I did it; I was on the internet.

That’s unbelievable! You open a website, and you find men; men galore – and all so sporty! Golfers, sailors, scuba divers, hikers, marathon runners, a country full of well-trained ham hock heroes. No wonder you never see them on the streets. They’re all on the internet!

Immediately I was chatting with one of them: JamesBlond007 – what a hunk! And from the first second on, it was clear – we were destined to be together, oh yes.

We immediately set the first date – in the next Home Depot, aisle 4, where the hammers are. And he immediately recognized me! That was important because I didn’t notice him at all. Wait! How can that be that someone gains like 45 pounds within three days? First I thought, he had sent his Dad ahead, that much older he suddenly looked. Well, he admitted, the picture was a wee bit older. It was taken in ’96 on the Bermudas – during his honeymoon. Oops!

Oh, yeah, he forgot to tell me that he’s actually still married. That’s why our first date cannot take too long. His wife is outside in the plant and garden center.

Now, ladies, here is a tip for the guy search on the internet: Get yourself an Alfred. An ‘Alfred’ you recognize by the profile picture right away. That’s the type of man who lounges on the sofa. Actually, it’s the ‘slouch on the couch,’ in one hand the beer can, and a half-smoked cigarette in the other. An Alfred is a man who wears his sweatpants with the certainty that he’ll never ever fit into any of his other clothes again, so why even try?

Then I looked at some of the women’s profiles. That’s not too funny either, oh, yes. It’s not amusing what men have to look at. It starts with the names: MagicKitty, SweetMouse, LittleFairy, SunFlower2568, Cuddlekitty, come on! That’s an esoteric petting zoo. Compared to that, a Barbara Cartland novel is a hardcore thriller!

Oh, please, it’s true! And the pictures? Lying on a piggy pink cuddle blankie, holding on to ruffle curtains, or next to man high cat scratch trees. How can a woman, searching for the man of her dreams, stand next to a man-high cat scratch tree? With a hairstyle which they obviously had carved into shape in Salon Gretchen around Happy Hour. That’s not a good idea!

And then they all love animals, yes! But only when it’s really cuddly. Everything that crawls or scrambles scares them.

My-oh-my! Some things scare me far more! For example that men could actually like that!

Because if they do, at the end, all that will be left for me, is – an Alfred.

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Okay – after looking at the different forms of posts and articles, of course, we will have to look at the work of a fully-fledged published author, in this case, preferably mine.

Writing ‘sober,’ neutral, and reporting articles isn’t particularly easy when you’re a fantasy and paranormal romance author. But there is a way to get it done, and I have proven myself to be able to do that.

This does not mean that I would ever neglect my work, notably the award-winning ‘The Council of Twelve’ series, currently published with five books:

SOUL TAKER

After long years in the line of duty as a ‘Soul Taker,’ Kate is worn out.

When she gets a new job offer from the ‘Powers Above,’ she accepts her new job as a Guardian gratefully without knowing that her teacher is one of the most powerful beings in existence, the Archangel Raphael.

Along with Raphael, she takes on her new task and the connection between them grows.

Raphael helps, protects and supports Kate, but suddenly, she becomes a target for the Demons of Hell.

Raphael realizes that Kate means more to him than he expected, which causes him to fight furiously against danger. If he fails, Kate’s future will contain eternal darkness, Evil, and torture.

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SUNDANCE

Sundance is a promising young Warrior Angel, the first in centuries to join the Divine Army. With the help of one of the most powerful Archangels, her skill and talent develop, allowing her to master some of the most difficult tasks that face her kind.

Sundance, under the supervision of the ‘Council of Twelve’, seeks to prove that she deserves her unusual gifts in the eternal fight between good and Evil. Follow her adventures as she discovers love, fights the good fight, and finds herself in the heat of battle trying to keep her wings from being singed.

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DEMON TRACKER

Zepheira is the best Demon Tracker working for the Good side. With her unusual looks, her phenomenal sense of smell, and her bravery, she quickly draws ‘The Big 7’s attention to her talent. They hire her to find one of them. Leaving her familiar surroundings and regular work environment unsettles Zepheira at first. But the challenge to prove herself and to increase the reputation of her infallibility tempts her. She is convinced she will be a great asset to ‘The Big 7’. Little does she know she will be a much greater asset in Heaven’s fight against Evil. Zepheira suddenly becomes more than a hired tracker. She finds herself an important pawn in the game of love, heat, and fire. Will her courage and sacrifice be sufficient to dance with the flames?

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Bounty Hunter

When Centriel roams the Earth in a dark mood and atypical despair, in a mountain clearing, far from humankind, he unexpectedly discovers a runner, followed by a petite hunter. The way the woman treats the giant fugitive amuses the Archangel, but he quickly learns that neither of them are what they seem to be.

Simin Arnatt is an extraordinary woman. Her occupation as a Bounty Hunter takes her all over the world, as she follows her prey to the most unusual places. She would have never expected to meet the famous Centriel while on a hunt. When he offers to help her, she feels the enormous attraction, but she knows, with the secret she holds, she could never dare to hope for love.

Neither of them could guess that with her next assignment, Hell is breaking loose…

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Dream Walker

Koyu thought she had done her duty, but deep inside she knows it will never be over. She is bound to her master forever and will have to execute his every command. But when he demands she’ll invade his sworn enemy’s dreams, she chooses to rebel.

Koyu risks her existence to help the ‘other side’ by purposely disobeying her master’s orders.

Koyu knows she’ll pay with her life for her impertinence. Is there, indeed, no hope for her?

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What is your experience with writing articles as compared to blog posts? Where do you see difficulties, or what is easy for you writing as an assessment? Let us know in the comments. We’re curious.

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