My First Dollar

Today I checked my Hubpages earnings, as I do every morning, and I was thrilled to find that I have broken the one dollar mark! It may not seem like much, but I've only been verified to earn money for just over two weeks, and I had only written ten hubs as of this morning. At that rate, I'll earn my first payout in . . . just over two years. TeeHeeHee! But Hubpages is a long-term money-making strategy for me. I'd love to be able to put up some quality writing when I have time, and when I don't, let the money keep trickling in anyway! What are my alternatives? Sit around and not make any money at all--or improve my craft!