Mobile Novels, also called text novels, are stories, often serialized, delivered through non-traditional means to the reader.

Some examples include cell phone applications, Twitter novels, and plain text cell novels.

While some may think this is just another fad, the truth is it is good news for writers.  This is proof that people still want to read for pleasure.  They just need their reading in a format that fits into their busy, technological lives.

What does it take to write a mobile novel?

It’s easy enough to do.  You need an idea, something to write it in, and a delivery system.

For an idea, almost any idea will do.  It doesn’t have to be the next Great American Novel, nor does it have to be any specific length.  It can be funny, or serious, fiction, or a how-to on a popular subject.  Perhaps you like trivia or recipes and have plenty to share.  For every interest you have, there is some one out there that shares it, and would probably like to get it delivered quick and easy to the one device they take everywhere they go: their cell phone.

For the composing, any format will do, but a word processor that includes a count function will be most helpful.  Microsoft Word is a popular choice, but Open Office has a similar application that is free.  Either one beats trying to count the words or characters yourself!

There are application developers that are eager for content.  They generally work through agencies like Absynthe Spectrum Agency and Publications, a new concern that caters especially to writers and other creative types on the autistic spectrum.

But anyone with a story to tell can create a free Twitter account and share their ideas 140 characters at a time.  This sort of story-telling requires a particular discipline: 140 characters seems like a lot until you start writing and discover that character count includes the spaces between words.

Other methods are websites like textnovel.com, where users upload their stories and other users subscribe to receive installments on their cell phones or other handheld devices.

It makes for a busy life but it is possible to make enough money online to work from home.  No, not get-rich-quick money.  Honestly-earned money.

What most “I got rich online” guru scam-artists won’t tell you is the one simple secret that enables them to stay home and still get their bills paid.

The simple fact is, if you want to work from home and be able to afford to keep that home, you have to have multiple sources of income.

Not so much a secret, you have to be willing to put the time in.  It takes time to find reliable, legitimate opportunities, it takes time for them to start generating income.  It takes time and dedication to work many “part time” jobs so that each little bit adds up to the goals you have set for yourself and your needs and wants.

It helps to be organized, ambitious, and willing to lose online friends by constantly trying to sell them stuff as you try out new products and programs.  But it is possible to do it without these elements: I am doing it right now.

You must, of course, have something to sell.  Either a product or a service that people want to buy.  You might have to invest the time into building trust by offering free products or services, but this will pay off for you when the price tag changes to dollars and cents.

If there is one secret formula for working online from home, this is it.  Find multiple, reliable sources of income, and dedicate yourself to working them.  When you make your money, be very careful with investing in anything you find online.  Join affiliate programs, so as you build your little online income empire you can be ready whenever a need is presented to you.

Stay tuned for more aspie-honest information on this topic.

If you meet some basic criteria, you are eligible for a significant reduction to your monthly payments. This standardized program means no negotiations are necessary: if you qualify, your application will be processed.

First, make sure your bank or mortgage lender is participating in the program, since it is voluntary and there is no guarantee all lenders will join. Participating loan companies will receive payment for each modified loan completed as an incentive to do their part, so chances are good your lender has elected to participate. Some participating lenders include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Countrywide, and GMAC.

Second, determine if you qualify to apply. The criteria:

1. The mortgage is on your primary residence
2. The current loan payment (including taxes, insurance, and dues) is 31% or more of your gross monthly income
3. You have a financial hardship situation, such as risking losing your home
4. Your loan amount must be under $729,750 for a single-family residence (multi-family residences have higher amounts)
5. The mortgage was taken out before the first of January, 2009

When preparing your application be sure to keep the criteria in mind. These are the guidelines that determine eligibility for the mortgage loan modification program.

The Loan Modification program is not just for first or primary loans. Second liens or mortgages can still be eligible. Homeowners that have suffered the loss of equity due to a second mortgage might be able to reduce the interest rate as low as 1%, or even have the entire debt eliminated. Participating lenders can be paid to forgive secondary liens that qualify under this plan, just as with primary loans. . If you have a second mortgage, ask your lender about this option.

Qualified mortgage loans will be adjusted to reduce monthly payments to no more than 31% of your gross monthly income. In general, the following changes will be enacted:

1. Interest Rate Reduction: as low as 2%
2. Term: extended up to 40 years as necessary to lower monthly payment amount
3. Principal: some might qualify for deferral

Also, borrowers who stay on track with their new payments can receive a bonus with this program. Over five years, homeowners can get up to $5000 to reduce the principal balance of the mortgage and increase their equity.

The mortgage loan modification program can mean the difference between keeping your home or losing it due to financial hardship. The application process is straightforward and all qualified homeowners are encouraged to apply. Talk with your lender as soon as possible to ensure your application gets processed before the funding is gone.

To be able to let go and speak freely – or act freely – in times of high emotion is a gift that can be given to those one cares about. But first the person has to be able to trust that the listener will be able to simply listen without judgment or reacting defensively (and certainly not reacting offensively).

For as long as I can remember, other people have considered me to be a good listener, and felt comfortable, even on short acquaintance, to exhibit that level of trust in me. And I am pleased to say I have yet to let anyone down in that regard. It’s not always easy, to be sure – sometimes reactions rise quick, or advice presses itself to be voiced when no advice was asked for. But I have never been afraid of challenge, and I appreciate that those I care about trust me so much.

In truth, I also gain from these seemingly one-sided expressions; which each exercise of trust I am reminded that I do indeed have the strength and resolve to be there for those who need me, no matter how I may doubt myself. They can see my strength when I might feel weak, and rely on me when I feel I cannot trust myself.

I end up in a cycle: I push myself, then get exhausted and fall behind, then push myself harder to catch up.  I have been trying to simplify and just do those things I know are most important to me, but one of the problems I have is that everything seems important.

Maybe I just don’t know how to prioritize.  I think I do, but if I can’t manage all my projects (which there really aren’t that many of), then maybe I don’t.  It wouldn’t be the first time I thought I understood the meaning of a word and found out everyone else had a different understanding of it …

My bff and fwb both tell me I am trying to do too much.  Even my neighbor laments the plight of the American Mom: we’re expected to raise children, manage homes, work, and still find time for relationships and self-enrichment.  And just wanting to be able to do it all isn’t enough.  So I have learned.

But finally I got it fixed, and even managed to make it better than what I had first intended. And I was so pleased with myself I danced around the house, singing silly songs about how mad my coding skills are.

Then I went grocery shopping with the neighbor, and it turns out she needs help with some homework, which is well within my realm of experience. So I will be able to put some of my otherwise languishing administrative skills to use, which is a nice thing to look forward to. She also mentioned a job she will be starting soon, and there might be an opening for me as well. So that’s pretty cool too.

But better still, we got the tax return much sooner than I expected. It’s such a nice surprise when looking at the bank account to see more money than anticipated instead of less!

But best of all, I get to end the evening chatting with my technomancer hawttie.

So today is an awesome day. Just awesome.

It’s a no-kill shelter, but they require a $50 “donation” per animal – doesn’t matter that a big part of the reason I have to give them up is that we can’t afford to keep them.

I also have an appointment for orientation on the 12th for Personal Assistants for the Center for Independent Living; the pay is crap but the work is light, mostly just providing company to elderly folks.  I’ve done the work before and should have no problem with it again.  I’m also starting to think I need more structure to my days, and this will be a good solution.

Did manage to get the new template for my other blog set up, although it was an exercise in anger management working with unfamiliar code in unfamiliar language that behaved unpredictably – code is only supposed to do what you tell it to do, but this stuff has a mind of its own and I had to redo modules three and four times because a change some where else would completely undo an hour’s work in an unrelated portion of the script.

Otherwise, I’m having a much harder time keeping on track with my plans that I feel I should.  I have an appointment with my psychologist this Friday, but I don’t have much hope of finding any real answer during the session.  Also had another anxiety attack today despite not having forgotten my meds last night.  Maybe I’m already building up a tolerance or maybe, like so many other drugs, this stuff just isn’t working right.

Rose has a near-addiction for an online game site.  She’s generally a responsible kid, but when it comes to this particular habit, she’s got no control at all.

I’ve spoken with her repeatedly about the fact that my evening medications make me very drowsy, and I need her to be especially conscientious about not taking advantage if I fall asleep before dragging her away from the computer for the night.  And usually she is.

But over the weekend, she not only took advantage, she flaunted it to her online pals.  When we checked her online activity and saw this, my Husband grounded her from the computer, and also banned her from that site indefinitely.

So the last couple of days she’s been sulking in bed (not that she’s really suffering: she has her books, Japanese tapes, drawing stuff, and mp3 player) and refusing to be in the same room with her dad except for meals.

But she comes in while I’m working and pouts, “Non-violent protest doesn’t work when no one cares!”

I pointed out she made a bad choice and is now dealing with the consequences.  Too bad.  And of course, the more I talked, the stormier and scowlier she got, until she stomped off back to bed.

I am soooo not a drama-mama.  But, hey, it’s Monday; what else could I have expected?

But migraines are entirely different.  I can’t ignore pain that is in my brain where no pain should be able to be felt.  I even lecture myself that since there are no nerve endings in the brain, there is no way to feel anything at all, and especially not pain.

My brain does not listen, and the pain goes on.

So instead of arguing with my stubborn brain today, I’m trying to simply distract myself with more pleasant thoughts … namely, cuddling with my technomancer sweetie and maybe listening to him talk about his latest programming project.