I am a freelancer and professional blogger. I provide writing services to clients on a freelance basis. Most of my writing right now is for blogs. However, I do some reporting and write a column for my local newspaper.

EDUCATION | I have a Master's in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from Syracuse University.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Online writing is fairly easy -- and hard. Check job boards, start your own blog and work hard. Try to improve your writing and gain experience. The hardest part is moving from jobs that pay poorly to jobs that pay reasonably well. When you start your own blog, it is difficult to get it to the point where you make money.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Quality content, persistence and consistency are musts for freelance writing, especially if you want to be a professional blogger. Additionally, it is important to have a passion for writing and sharing knowledge.

how I got started | After graduating from Syracuse, I looked at online job boards for opportunities to write on a freelance basis, out of my home. I started blogging when Robyn Tippins (from sleepyblogger.com) approached me through online channels and introduced me to the concept of blogging for companies looking for an increased Internet presence.

why this job?| I love writing, I am interested in what I blog about and report on. Additionally, it lets me work from home.

why I love this job!| I love learning new things and talking to interesting people, two things I get to do regularly. I also love setting my own hours and being able to spend time with my son.

my typical day| Wake up, clear out my inbox, peruse my newsreader. Then I get myself and my son ready for the day, and spend some time with my husband. After dropping my son off at school, I come back and get to work, writing until I pick him up 2 1/2 hours later. Some days I go in and help out at his school. Three days a week, my son goes to an afternoon private kindergarten, and I get more work done then -- or run errands. I try to schedule appointments and interviews while my son is in school. The other two days I do a little work while he plays. But mostly we play games, go outside, visit the library, or do some other activity. We have lunch and reading time together. A couple days a week my son helps me clean the house. In the evening, I fix dinner and we eat with my husband when he gets home from school. After dinner, if I have a little more work, I do that while my husband and son hang out together. When my son goes to bed, I exercise and shower before my husband and I spend some quality time together before we go to bed.

what they are | The biggest challenge is not being able to take extended vacations. I can shift work around, and I can pre-post for my blogs, but taking a long vacation where I do no work at all is not an option. There is always something I need to do.

all about growth | For the most part, my career grows as I translate my writing into a way to make money for clients. Of course, getting a book deal would be nice. For the most part, though, I don't have any towering ambitions. I'm fairly content.

my website|