Writing for Bread and Cheese

When people ask me, "What do you do?" I say I'm a writer. The automatic response every time is, "Oh, what do you write?" I wish I could say I write something that sounds like its incredibly exciting. But I don't. I just write.

Most of my work usually falls into one of the following dependable writing income categories.

DEPENDABLE WRITING INCOME CATEGORY #1: Articles

I wrote 10 SEO articles based on court decisions handed down for long-term disability cases. The goal was to make the confusing world of the court system make sense while helping optimize the attorney's SERP.

I wrote seven technical SEO articles for a technology company seeking to improve their SERP and exposure in the market.

I wrote 10 decorating SEO articles for an internet storefront that specializes in wall decor. Once again the goal is to increase search engine traffic to their site.

I wrote 20 SEO articles for a company that sells walk-in bathtubs.

DEPENDABLE WRITING INCOME CATEGORY #2: Websites

I revamped several websites (including my own). Included in the rewrites? Marketing strategy. Better search engine optimization (SEO).

DEPENDABLE WRITING INCOME CATEGORY #3: Resumes

I revamped several resumes.

As a writer, I'm always happy if I can get one job each month that really stretches my mind. It usually isn't one of the dependable writing income categories!

If the writing jobs that come in don't challenge me enough, then I make sure I attend marketing webinars, writing workshops and read SEO newsletters. My goal is to do more than improve my ability to write. It is to develop my skills for creating copy that provides real value to my clients.

Denise Rutledge specializes in providing resume, SEO Article and Web site services through Writing As A Ghost.

If you are interested in more ghostwriting tips, visit the Ghostwriting Blog.

Alternative Cancer Treatment or Snake Oil Scam?

Have you ever done a search on the internet for black salve because someone told you it was a good treatment for skin cancer? You probably ran across some very scary stuff-pictures of people with horrible holes in their faces and scarring. The sites claim that there is no way to prove that the salve helped remove cancer lesions, and it is all a quack.

Let me share our family's experience with black salve. In 1998 my husband had four basal cell carcinomas removed. Three lesions were excised and one was scraped. Two years later the scraped lesion began to develop the same appearance it had before it was scraped. A friend of ours recommended black salve. She was an RN so we listened to her story.

Over five years before she had been diagnosed with melanoma on her cheek. The doctors told her that the only way to save her life would be to remove the lower left half of her face. The thought of such a deformity sent her searching for alternatives. She discovered black salve.

The naturopath who treated her counseled her wisely. He told her to apply the salve to the affected area and to remove it completely in 24 hours. If the pain became too intense, she was to remove the salve sooner. She was then to keep the area covered so that the leathery scab would not separate prematurely. This could cause deep pitted scars. The scab was only to be removed when the entire margin, which would look like the center of a pimple, turned liquid. She was then to keep the area covered with ointment and a bandage until the skin built itself up from the bottom layer up. The secret was to prevent a hard scab from forming. She followed his instructions carefully, and it was hard to even tell where the tumor had been.

We didn't have medical insurance, so we thought why not try it? She applied the salve to the nickel-sized lesion on my husband's cheek. We waited to see what would happen. The pain was intense, and he didn't make it to 24 hours. His cheek turned red and puffy. It looked and felt like a boil. It took a week for the margin to liquefy. The whole area itched. An 1/8-inch thick disk fell off. We kept the area covered with salve and within another two weeks the scar had shrunk down to the size of a dime. It was actually smaller and wasn't as deep as it had been before treatment.

This same area on his face has continued to be a problem. The cancer always returns to the same area. He also has two patches that recur on his shoulders. We have learned to apply the black salve for only as long as it takes for my husband to feel a reaction starting. Then we wash it off and keep the area covered. After the scab/tumor falls off keep a salve on the area to prevent a hard scab forming. The crater that the tumor leaves will fill in and the scarring will be minimal. Let a hard scab form, and the scar will be the shape the scab/tumor came off in.

If you have health insurance, go to the dermatologist! But if you don't, black salve is the poor-man's life extending option. Is it a long-term solution? I don't know. Are there risks if it isn't used properly? Definitely! Listen to your body's warning signs if you choose to use it. Pain is a warning, so listen to it.

Denise Rutledge writes on many topics but has a special interest in health issues. Many of her ghostwritten SEO articles have appeared on nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy sites.

Reminder about your invitation from Denise Rutledge

LinkedIn

Dear Denise,

This is a reminder that on June 2, Denise Rutledge sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn.

Follow this link to accept Denise Rutledge's invitation.

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-nm289k-govaezrz-30/doi/3089999932/t_4ypqxs/gir_654603774_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

Signing up is free and takes less than a minute.

On June 2, Denise Rutledge wrote:

> To: Denise PPN [drrutledge.9611@pnn.com]
> From: Denise Rutledge [ghost@writingasaghost.com]
> Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

> Denise,
>
> I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
>
> - Denise

The only way to get access to Denise Rutledge's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link:

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-nm289k-govaezrz-30/doi/3089999932/t_4ypqxs/gir_654603774_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

You can remove yourself from Denise Rutledge's network at any time.

2011, LinkedIn Corporation

Reminder about your invitation from Denise Rutledge

LinkedIn

Dear Denise,

This is a reminder that on June 2, Denise Rutledge sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn.

Follow this link to accept Denise Rutledge's invitation.

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-nm289k-gommltna-3z/doi/3089999932/t_4ypqxs/gir_654603774_0/EML-inv_17_rem/

Signing up is free and takes less than a minute.

On June 2, Denise Rutledge wrote:

> To: Denise PPN [drrutledge.9611@pnn.com]
> From: Denise Rutledge [ghost@writingasaghost.com]
> Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

> Denise,
>
> I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
>
> - Denise

The only way to get access to Denise Rutledge's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link:

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-nm289k-gommltna-3z/doi/3089999932/t_4ypqxs/gir_654603774_0/EML-inv_17_rem/

You can remove yourself from Denise Rutledge's network at any time.

2011, LinkedIn Corporation

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

LinkedIn

Denise,

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Denise

Denise Rutledge
Freelance provider at oDesk
Portland, Oregon Area

Confirm that you know Denise

2011, LinkedIn Corporation

Do you live with the reality of cancer?

It's a daily reality, always at the back of my mind. I don't get anxious about it, but I know it's there. I may not get to grow old with my husband. He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma 10 years ago. Numerous skin lesions have been stripped away since then.

He made 50 years. I ask myself, will he make 60? What will my life be without him if he doesn't? Is it my job to keep him well? Should I do more to make him take care of himself? It really comes down to an ancient question. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Just how far does my responsibility go?

I have come to the realization that I can only do so much. He has to own his responsibility to maintain his health. I am there to help him, but I can't force him into something he doesn't want.

Like a lot of men he works himself to exhaustion "supporting" me but is too lazy most of the time to prepare a bowl of his favorite morning treat, hot oatmeal with raisins. Once in a while he surprises me! Of course his excuse is that I'm the cook. Reality is that I love cooking. He doesn't.

Reality is that I love doing other things, too. So this morning, he's eating a healthy bowl of whole-grain Kashi cereal while I write a blog. I made his lunch yesterday, so I know he will eat well at work.

I live with cancer in the background every day, but reality is I refuse to stress out over it until I have to. I plan on enjoying my day. I hope you do, too.

Denise Rutledge writes on many topics but has a special interest in health issues. Many of her ghostwritten SEO articles have appeared on nursing,
physical therapy and occupational therapy sites.