Jude’s Blog

Though my searches don’t always come up with useful information, my Google adsense continues to pay off.  I have made more this month than I ever have in the years I have used adsense.  If this keeps up, I will make payout in just a few months, something that usually takes well over a year.

For those who aren’t familiar with adsense, it is best to keep track of which pages payoff.  While there might be a better way to do it than I use, custom channels is an easy way to monitor which pages are the biggest cash cows.  Plus, it’s very easy to set up custom channels.

When you first log in to Google adsense, you’re taken to the home page and shown how much you’ve made in estimated and finalized earnings.  Estimated is the current days and month, before Google has the chance to look over your stats and determine if there was any click fraud going on.

What are custom channels?

A custom channel is a specific word you choose for all clicks to be directed to.  So when you create an ad, you select a unique code for that ad and put it on either one page or several pages with similar content.  So when that custom channel records income, you will know which pages received those clicks.  For instance if you have a site like mine, you could have channels like erotica, romance, samples, stories, and place those channels with ads that go on pages where erotica or romance or samples or stories are placed.  So if your custom channel for erotica has clicks and/or money, you know that the ad on the erotica pages produced income.

Custom channels are also a great way of determining what doesn’t produce income, so you don’t have to waste your time creating more content for those areas.  The reverse is true as well. If you have a channel that makes more money than any other channel, you should dedicate most of your writing to that area.  Make more pages with that type of content and place more ads with that channel, so you can make even more money.

How to create a custom channel

From the home page click on My Ads at the top menu bar.  From there, click Custom Channels just below that menu bar.  All your custom channels will appear to the right, and above them will be the button “New custom channel”. A pop up screen will appear where you type in the name of the new channel and then add which ad code you want associated with this new channel.  When creating ads, it’s important to give them names appropriate to where they will be placed.  Then it’s easy to select them when creating channels.

If you are creating the custom channel first, then merely click save after typing the new channel name. Then when creating the ad, you can select the channel.  If you’re doing that first, click Ad Units (above Custom Channels) on the upper left.  Then click “New ad unit”. Below the name, size and ad type is where you would select the custom channel you already created.  Simply click the “add” button to the right of the channel, and it will be moved to the box on the right.  It will then be associated with this new ad.

Now, whenever you visit the home page of adsense, you can click on custom channels for the day, week or month under Quick Reports near the bottom of the page.  This will show all your custom channels and how many clicks and/or earnings you have received for each.  Good luck!

Reader Views talks with Nadine Laman, author of the contemporary women’s novel “High Tide.” Nadine is being interviewed by Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor of Reader Views.

Juanita: Nadine, we are happy to have the chance to talk with you once again. You’ve been busy at work on your second novel “High Tide,” which is the follow-up to your first book, “Kathryn’s Beach.” What can readers expect in way of storyline for “High Tide”?

Nadine: Thank you, Juanita. It is good to be back. Readers can expect an upswing in Kathryn’s career. As always, Kathryn’s life is a journey filled with a tapestry of relationships. There is more tongue-in-cheek humor in “High Tide,” in addition to hard decisions, tragedy, a miracle or two, and new relationships that add richness to her life.

Juanita: How did Kathryn’s character evolve into a second novel? I understand that you’ve actually decided to turn Kathryn’s journey into a trilogy. Can you tell us about this decision and your relationship with her character?

Nadine:”High Tide” was written because my friend Terrie Berg hounded me about leaving Kathryn’s boyfriend in Europe at the end of “Kathryn’s Beach.” In my view, “Kathryn’s Beach” was never about the present, but resolving the past. However, my readers made it quite clear that Kathryn’s story was bigger than I thought. So, I wrote “High Tide” to address what the readers wanted, and to take Kathryn where I couldn’t take her in “Kathryn’s Beach.” As I wrote “High Tide” it became obvious there was another book in Kathryn’s life. The third book, “Atonement,” is four years later when Kathryn’s life takes another turn. I’d say, after three books, my relationship with Kathryn has become “complicated.”

Juanita: “Complicated” sounds intriguing! Creating characters seems to be an interesting phenomenon for authors, because as you’ve just suggested, many times they take a story places the author may never have planned. Would you comment on this aspect of character building?

Nadine: The most complicated thing about Kathryn is that she is so real. I simply love that about her. Readers and I get into conversations about her as if she is our “real” mutual friend. The funny part of having Kathryn in my life is that we get mistaken for each other. Especially when people are reading “Kathryn’s Beach,” I get called Kathryn-and it is a slip of the tongue that even my friends do.

Because of Kathryn, people think I live in California, which I don’t. Some think the books are a fictionalized biography, which they aren’t. Yet, I do see some of my characteristics in Kathryn that I didn’t see in the beginning and that is another piece that complicates our relationship–I am not writing my story, but hers.

The danger of writing extensive character bios for fiction is authors can assume readers know what the author knows about a character; therefore, there are omissions that are essential to developing the character into a real person. I write free style, that is, without drafting a story outline or writing in-depth character bios before I start writing.

The way I develop characters is to get “into character” like an actor does. With a sense of who the character is, then I write-often typing with my eyes closed-what plays out in my imagination. The lack of a pre-mapped storyline makes me write what I discover about her, much like I’m in the reader’s shoes experiencing the story development the same way they do.

Juanita: Once again, the water theme is reflected in your title. How does the ocean play a part, either realistically or metaphorically, in “High Tide”?

Nadine: Kathryn’s story is set in a fiction version of Seal Beach, California, which is a very picturesque location to set a book. It’s conveniently located near Los Angeles for the gritty drama of the city, but remote enough to pull her away from all the “noise,” and let her personal story evolve.

Water brings images of birth and cleansing; both of which are a new start. The ocean plays a role of its own in Kathryn’s story. It is a large character, a place to walk off confusion and to spend time with friends. Metaphorically, the ocean is ever changing as is Kathryn. The storms that come mirror her stormy emotions. The sounds of the waves are soothing and constant, so they add an element of safety for Kathryn, who wants things in her life she can count on when everything else goes haywire.

Juanita: What makes Kathryn such a relatable character for women?

Nadine: The thing about Kathryn that seems to reach most people is her honesty about her frailty in certain situations. Kathryn is well educated and personable. She reacts to life very much in ways real people react. Writing in first person present tense immerses readers into the heart of the story. The story unfolds right before our eyes and there really is no way to stay detached from her because we can feel her emotions as we would a best friend’s. The diary entries and knowing her thoughts make it easy to identify with her as someone more than a character in a book.

Juanita: Kathryn once again faces loss in your second novel. What did she learn in your first book that provides her the strength to move on through these new and difficult situations?

Nadine: Ah, that’s a really good question! In “High Tide” Kathryn suffers two losses back-to-back with no breathing room in between. One is a relationship she thought was something it wasn’t. The other one is the loss of a friend to AIDS. In both losses, Kathryn is able to find resolution to the relationships, which is something she wasn’t as ready for in “Kathryn’s Beach.” I don’t think Kathryn will ever allow herself to stand on the sidelines of relationships again, so she is much more willing to take risks with people in “High Tide.” Not that all the risks she takes are the best choice, but it is easy for us to see that from our vantage point, whereas, Kathryn doesn’t have that advantage–and neither do we in real life.

Juanita: So, in “High Tide,” readers will find a stronger and somewhat wiser Kathryn?

Nadine: Yes, in many ways “High Tide” is the final piece of the puzzle to prepare Kathryn for “Atonement,” her third book. In “Kathryn’s Beach,” Kathryn dealt with the past and moved to the present. In “High Tide” she is totally emerged into what is happening around her now. “High Tide” isn’t about hindsight; life plays out in present tense and she isn’t on the sidelines processing things; she is engaged. She is certainly stronger in “High Tide” because once she commits to being engaged with the present, she doesn’t run from it regardless of what happens.

Juanita: Nadine, you mentioned that you bring the issue of AIDS into “High Tide.” I know that you have a long history in the field of social work and this played out significantly in “Kathryn’s Beach.” Would you explain further why you chose to showcase AIDS in your second book, as well as your personal style of bring social awareness to your stories?

Nadine: It would be unnatural for me to avoid the themes of homelessness, child abuse, domestic violence, AIDS, corporate corruption, and others since Kathryn is cast as a very passionate, quintessential social worker. It was obvious in the early days of the AIDS epidemic that it was not treated as aggressively or thoughtfully as any other epidemic. It was as if the Administration thought ignoring it would make it go away. That is not only a non-responsive government, but an irresponsible government. To keep the issue in the public eye, I chose to give AIDS to a Latino mother who had a skilled occupation, one of the least typical victims, to remind people that AIDS is pervasive, and we still need to address the needs of people with this disease.

Juanita: I understand that a romantic interest plays a big part in Kathryn’s life in “High Tide.” Would you elaborate?

Nadine: Kathryn’s best friend introduces her to Joseph, who is tall, dark, and handsome with a ready grin and an Irish accent. I fought the story line to keep them from riding off into the sunset. Kathryn was no help, either, she fell head over heels for him. (Laughs) So, I created tension for her by opening “High Tide” with a major change in his life that she has to respond to in hers.

Juanita: Kathryn seems to always be struggling with finding true meaning in her life. What is the significance of her continuous searching?

Nadine: Static people are terribly boring; whereas, Kathryn is not boring. She cracks me up sometimes with what happens to her and what she learns from life. I have a plan for Kathryn, but I allow her some leeway to direct how she gets to where I want her to go. Sometimes, I have to create course corrections in her path to motivate her in the right direction. She is very much like real people. She isn’t exactly the super hero type of character who has all of the answers on the spot. She has a need to grasp the full essence of life, which leads her to be reflective of it.

In “High Tide” it was time to introduce the Spirit of Hope people. I let the scenes play out like improv theatre where Kathryn had to react to who came on the stage of her drama. All of that is part of her charm, I think.

To read the rest of the interview, visit link below:

http://www.readerviews.com

Author: Juanita Watson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Whenever Jim Carrey is in a movie, it is usually guaranteed to be funny.  At least that is what this reviewer expected, but Disney’s version of A Christmas Carol is anything but funny.  The animation makes everyone look like they are made of wax, and Scrooge himself is a pathetic skeleton with skin.  Why he would be upset at his impending death is quite a shock, since it can’t possibly be too far in the future.  Though with all the falling down stairs, he should have died during the course of the movie.

Disney always puts its own twist to all the classics it has re-imagined.  Afterall, who would want to watch The Little Mermaid if Ariel lost her prince and her life?  So it was with optimism that I watched this version of a story that has been retold many times, Scrooged being the best so far.

It’s hard to feel sorry for an old man who hates everyone, including himself.  He can’t even spare his employee coal for his fire, but then everyone is supposed to hate Scrooge.  Then the ghosts appear, and apparently anyone who is dedicated to his or her job will be chained to that job in the after life.  So for every person who cares more about career than family, that is your “heaven”.

The ghost of Christmas past is one of the most ridiculous creations ever. Not only is he very hard to understand, he is too strangely quirky.  It’s hard to concentrate on the plot while staring at what is basically a match stick.  But he is nothing compared to the very (and I mean very) irritating ghost of Christmas present.  This lazy buggard can’t even get off his butt to show Scrooge around, but instead zips him around in a room with a transparent floor.  And his laughter?  Oh mercy, it was a blessing when he finally died (yes, a ghost actually dies in this movie), but then his skull keeps on laughing.  This whole scene was watched while wincing, hoping the lunatic wouldn’t find everything that happened as hilarious.

The ghost of Christmas future was a blessing, but then the idiot Scrooge keeps running from him, taking the viewer on a ridiculous ride through London as he shrinks to the size of a mouse.  This movie was 3D in the theaters, and sometimes they dedicated way too much time on that effect and less on the actual plot.  It never really is believable that Scrooge was transformed from a pathetic miser to a lover of all things, but that’s the original story.  This version is basically a waste of two hours.

Born in Philadelphia, Rob Costelloe started writing fiction at age eight. He began writing science fiction, but after high school, his writing interests changed. While attending Drexel University, he composed a series of novellas, most of them love stories set against the backdrop of World War II. After college, besides pursuing an engineering career in the Gulf Coast region, he wrote more stories, a teeth-cutting, first novel, and a little poetry. While writing “Coinage of Commitment,” his interest focused on the question of what romantic love can achieve in people’s lives. Rob and his wife live near Houston, Texas.

Tyler: Welcome, Rob. I’m glad you could join me today. First I have to ask, what made you become interested in romantic love as an author?

Rob: Thank you, Tyler; it’s nice to be here. As far as romantic love is concerned, it’s something I’ve been interested in since childhood. Then when I was a freshman in college, I met a girl who took my breath, and my heart, away. Years later, even after marriage, a child, a demanding career path, I realized that we still had the magic, still measured life by the time we spent together. At that point, I had a humbling realization. Even though I prided myself on having studied romantic love for a long time, it was my wife who was teaching me how to keep it fresh through the years. I started writing my first novel partly to give something back, to let readers know that love could reach a higher level and that it could be nourished through time as something worthwhile and satisfying.

Tyler: Have you felt any awkwardness as a male romance writer in what is generally considered the territory of female authors?

Rob: For me, it was probably the opposite. From the very start of my query campaign, I aimed my letters and sample chapters at women editors. Then, once I got into the game and realized that my end of the publishing industry was heavily dominated by women, I felt relieved. If anything, being a man may have given me a certain advantage, you know, from a novelty standpoint. Not only was I a male engineer (of all things!), with no detectable writing credentials, daring to show up with a love story, but I was touting it as a love story unlike any other. Well, at least it made them look up from their keyboards. Even from across the vast Internet, I could feel their skeptical smiles.

I did have advantages related to temperament. Women have always been my epitome of beauty, and I have long admired the feminine spirit and disposition, the nobility of her biological calling, the sophistication and elegance of her romantic impulses. As a result, I have always worked well with women. Plus I am grateful. So much of what I learned about romantic love I learned from a woman, namely my wife.

The other advantage I had was acquired: I had studied love stories for years and I knew the intricacies and challenges of the genre. At one point, an editor who was intrigued by my sample chapters started an e-mail conversation that escalated to a phone discussion. I knew this was curiosity bringing opportunity to my door. She was a Romance novelist as well as a Romance editor, so I was nervous as I dialed her office number. I could tell that she was surprised then delighted to meet a man who could discuss nuances of love story plot and characterization ranging from risk factors in portraying heroines as less than physically perfect, to pet theories for best lead up to denouement. I knew before the conversation was over that she would offer a contract. Although it was not one I ended up accepting, the bonds of respect we forged has led to an enduring mentoring relationship that she has been gracious enough to provide.

Tyler: What viewpoint did you write the novel from, first or third? Did you have difficulty getting into the mind of the female character to make her believable?

Rob: My early writing, including my first novel, was first person. For “Coinage,” I made the switch to third person, and I am glad I did. For the female character portrayals, I relied heavily on love stories and romances I had read that were written by women. Even with that, I consulted with some women friends, not on the characterizations themselves, but on how they thought a woman would react emotionally in certain situations. I also got womanly help with clothes and grooming issues, for instance, the outfits that Nancy wears for the various social engagements.

Tyler: I understand for a long time you were interested in romantic love, but a specific reading experience led to the creation of “Coinage of Commitment.” Will you share how the book was created?

Rob: Well, as you mentioned in your intro, I wrote earlier in life, including an unpublishable first novel; then I abandoned writing altogether. But I continued to study romantic love, and I enjoyed studying love stories in books and films. In 2005 I read an otherwise well written novel whose denouement was so suddenly despairing that I felt outrage on behalf of all the women readers who were disappointed by this disjointed outcome. Within twenty-four hours, I was writing “Coinage of Commitment.” The first draft took four months of nearly full-time effort. Since I was also holding a full-time day job, that meant I got very little sleep. I queried awhile, then sat down and read the manuscript after not having looked at it for two months. I was shocked to discover that it was not the greatest love story ever written, and that it suddenly became important to me that it be that good. I know this sounds delusional, and it did to me even as I was thinking it, but it did affect my actions in a major way. I pulled the manuscript off the market and went into what turned out to be seven months of editorial analyses, rewrites, and polishing revisions. I even changed my writing style to be more in tune with the story’s artistic needs. After that, it was back to the tedious grind of querying. But this time I did hit gold, garnering three contract offers from royalty publishers.

To read the rest, be sure to visit Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar is pleased to be joined by R. Costelloe, who is here to discuss his new novel, “Coinage of Commitment,” Saga Books (2007), ISBN 9781894936835.

http://www.readerviews.com/

Author: Tyler R. Tichelaar