Search rankings and what people really want

I read an article this morning that cited some data from WordTracker. For those of you unfamiliar with Wordtracker, they follow what terms people are searching for... useful information if you are creating web sites selling advertising and so on...

Anyway, the top search term is Paris Hilton. How sad is that?

But, I am almost more distraught by the #2 search term: google. Yes, people are searching for the search engine in their search boxes. They don't think to just type the URL - they just enter google in their search box. It is... well, horrifying. Certainly, I would expect a few people to do that. But, enough people to make it the second most popular word to search on? Ack.

I suppose I should just find some condolence on the fact that they could be searching for Britney or Jessica, but that is sort of meager comfort.

Of course, wordtracker does filter out the nasty words. So, realistically there are probably more people searching for nudie shots than looking for google. Sigh.

Why not me?

Why not me?
I've been musing the last few hours over the success of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling (well-deserved in my opinion, even if I am a bit green with envy), but also the bestseller status attained by the teenage author of the dragon fantasy tale, Eragon. His 6-figure book deal went on to net him a film contract, with production set to begin in August on the $100 million dollar movie.

I don't begrudge them - or anyone - their successes. However, I must ask... why not me?

Why can I not get my novel done? Why can I not make myself write more than the snippets and starts that are floating around on my hard drive? And, even if I did get one or more of them complete, would I be able to get them published? If they were published, would anyone read them?

Well, there is the drive to get things done. That is paramount. There is also time. I spend many days writing things that will earn me immediate, if somewhat meager, income in order to support the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed. And, I actually like to get 8 -9 hours of sleep a night.

I am pulled in many directions. I love to spend time raising my daughter and bend my work commitments around her. I keep my home, I cook, I try to spend quality time with my spouse, I do things with and for friends and family.

A nagging voice in my head says if I was meant to write a best-seller, I would have done it already. But that seems defeatist. And, I am not sure I even believe it is true. So, I will keep examining my lifestyle, my motives and my work until I have a more positive, a more confident answer.

In the meantime, the sequel to Eragon, called Eldest, will be out in August.

Hmmm, I think I did something and deleted my most recent posts

But, maybe I just dreamed that I posted. lol.

The writing leads addiction

I can't help it. I scan the job leads looking for interesting places to submit and query. Never mind that I am so booked I don't know how I am going to do all the writing projects I already have in the next couple weeks. I still imagine there may be something high-paying, creative and exciting out there that would supplant my current projects.

Don't get me wrong - I've made commitments and I will finish them. Yet, I find myself drawn to looking for other freelance writing jobs like the moth to the proverbial flame...