Posts filed under 'writing'
Many people take the plunge into writing without any real direction or understanding of the industry. I know I did. I sent in my first short story to Seventeen magazine when I was, well seventeen. It was rejected and with a photocopied letter that I still have today.
The sad thing is that I had one of the tools that would have helped guide me in my quest to write. I had received a subscription to The Writer when I first expressed a serious desire to write. The articles on query letters and knowing your market must have slipped right past me.
The Writer still comes to my home today. I also get other writing tools through the mail and now through the internet, but The Writer is still the one that ALWAYS offers me tips and suggestions that truly help me better my skills or increase my business (writing IS a business!).
If you aren’t currently receiving regular information about the craft of writing then The Writer is a great choice. The subscription fee is small, there is an online site, and the magazine is great for the experienced and the new writer.
This month (June, 2008) the magazine has some great tips on how to schedule your calendar, several articles on how to write children’s fiction and suggestions on taking real life people and molding them into fiction characters. Each month there is also a list of markets for the freelance writer and an interview with a successful writer that give tips on how to write.
Expand your writing skills and learn from some of the top writers in the field by using the tools that are available to you today. Whether you subscribe to a magazine like The Writer, invest in an online magazine subscription or find books to help you along the way, it is important that you continue the journey to become a better writer.
May 9th, 2008
Yesterday I got a rejection for a magazine. It was one of those rejections that actually give feedback. I consider these a challenge. It is my goal to take the feedback and make the next query one that is accepted and purchased.
There are many people who do not believe in good rejections or failures. But the only people who ever fail are those that are attempting to reach for a goal or a dream. The difference between a good rejection and a bad rejection lies in my attitude of the letter.
I could be hurt that the magazine did not purchase all of my blood, sweat and tears. Defending what I wrote would be the natural response of many writers. It would be easy to turn up my nose and refuse to query that magazine again (but eventually a writer who does that will run out of places to query).
Instead of being hurt, I am grateful that the magazine didn’t accept my article. The editor was right (shock, dismay) that there could be more to the story. With some tweaking I can help others with the story and not just show off my own situation. Instead of defending the piece as it is written I need to embrace the vision that the editor offers for what it could become.
The more I am willing to improve then the farther I can go. I refuse to see the rejection as a negative. It is a red flag challenging me to send something that is perfect for that magazine and that no editor could ever refuse.
May 7th, 2008
I’ve been writing online in various aspects for around two years. Many of the sites that I have worked with pay a bare minimum (particularly when you compare them to the print market). With a few strong sales under my belt, I’m becoming more discriminate about what I will take and what I will not. Unless the topic is one I would do for free anyway, I have set my minimum per word pay and I’m not going back.
Just a few jobs a week that pay $50 an article will push you to your $5000 goal every month. And YES those kinds of jobs are out there when you really are willing to look for them.
1. Use keyword searches to find “top paying freelance writing jobs.” Avoid those sites that take a percentage of any jobs and avoid the ones that you have to pay to join. There are plenty of sites out there that have lists of well paying freelance writing jobs.
a. You just may have to spend a day specifically looking for new markets and new jobs.
b. Book mark the top sites that you find or subscribe to any newsletters that they send out to make your search easier in the future.
2. Be bold, be brave and be tough. Be bold and ask for the job. When you are at a website or forum that you like then you should ask for a chance to write and article for that site. Be brave enough to ask for what you think is fare and reasonable pay (about half of what you would expect from a print source). Be tough enough to take what ever answer is dished out.
a. Remember that no just means you have another chance to perfect your pitch elsewhere.
b. You can make the big dollars if you don’t ask for the big dollars.
3. Work on your skills. It is important that you perfect your writing, but it is just as important that you perfect your approach and your query. You can take a class or course on queries or you can work with other writers in a group or even online. Great queries are a sign of a professional writer.
a. Watch your grammar.
b. Check (and recheck) the spelling of the editor’s name and the website you are pitching.
4. Work at writing every single day. Do a little of every genre that you desire to work in. Set a goal of 1000 or 2500 words each day in each field and then set aside time to get that done. The more you do what you want to do then the better you will become and the easier it will be to reach your for your dreams.
Each month I set a new goal for my income target. I will continue to push myself more until I reach the level that I desire and then I will probably just begin pushing in another direction. Success requires action and I am determined to be a successful writer starting today.
With persistence and daring, YOU can make $5000 each month writing online. Hone your writing skills, look for the right jobs and the produce a product that is worthy to be called your own. You will soon find that the $50 (and even higher) jobs will begin to start looking for you.
May 2nd, 2008
After reading some blogs around the Web, I’ve discovered that the best way to make money as a freelance writer is to sell my abilities and proficiency as said writer. Today I am asking you to hire me!
1. You will be working with a freelance writer that produces quality work that is grammatically correct.
2. You will be working with a freelance writer that consistently produces the work on time – or early.
3. You will receive completely original work from the freelance writer that you hire (work will NOT be farmed out).
4. I am a freelance writer that is willing for work for a discount under some situations (for instance in exchange for the by-line or to retain re-print rights).
5. I am a freelance writer that is able to write with a variety of voices – from technical to chatty and anything in between.
6. I am a freelance writer who is looking to expand her career and is able to start working with you today.
7. I am a freelance writer that is passionate about writing and one who works hard to let that passion show through no matter what the topic being covered.
8. I am an experienced writer in both print and online and looking for more avenues to expand my freelance writing success.
9. I am a freelance writer that can do projects in a time crunch.
10. I am a freelance writer who is determined to always improve my skills and looks forward to comments and suggests. I do not get my feelings hurt if you have a complaint or a criticism.
Writing is not just my passion – it is my life’s work. I want to put my skills and experience to work for you. By seeking out the freelance writing jobs, I am taking one of the largest steps yet towards the freelance experience I desire and will achieve.
April 12th, 2008
We are blessed – with our health, with our home and especially with our finances. Few people can walk away from the only steady income a family has and turn out to be more financially blessed because of it. Just a few years back, it would no have been possible. We struggled hard to get to the place where we are and we will continue to crawl can climb until we reach the pinnacle of abundance.
Our struggle was recently recounted in an article at In Touch magazine (Dr. Charles Stanley). “Breaking the Debt Curse” – found on page 22 of the April issue of In Touch - is one of my first big publications and also the first step to being completely honest with people in my writing. I was reading it with my hubby yesterday online, and it is overwhelming how far we have traveled in the last several years.
Today we are both staying at home. I’m writing full time. He is starting an Arts Academy. Together we are working the land and making a go of the “small farm” life. We have truly been blessed – but we have worked hard to get to a place where we can receive the blessings.
If you have a dream or a goal and you fill like you are just spinning your wheels, look back in your journal (I know you keep one 
) and see where you were just a few years back. Keep remembering that although you may not be where you want to be right now, you are much farther along than you were yesterday (or last year).
Abundance is having a plentiful supply. Now that we have broken the debt curse for our family and for our future, we will make it to abundance in every aspect of our lives.
April 3rd, 2008
Working at home is something I have been doing on and off since my first child was born (now over 11 years ago). I started out doing office work from home for my mom’s medical billing practice. There have been a few pauses and breaks (and stumbles) along the way, but some
things always seem to remain true.
Peculiar Thought #1: Some people will call to chat even though they will ask if you are working and you will respond yes. It’s almost as if they are asking to hear the words come out of their own mouth and not because they want a response.
Peculiar Thought #2: It doesn’t matter what your schedule looks like or how well you plan ahead – if you have kids in the house and you are working at home then the odds are good that you will work in the early morning hours (before the kids get up) or the late night hours (after they are in bed).
Peculiar Thought #3: The entire family and most of the rest of the world (including aunts, cousins and others that you may not know exist) expect you to do the little things that people who work just can be bothered with doing – like taking Aunt Pearl to the eye doctor or getting the Family Dinner planned and organized or putting together the church newsletter - because you don’t have a real job. These distractions can make work impossible.
Peculiar Thought #4: Even if you are making a nice living while you work at home there are those days when you will think that life would be easier if you just did the “normal” thing and got a real job.
Peculiar Thought #5: No matter how good you have planned out the work, there is always something that comes up or something that happens to try to throw everything off balance. Always be prepared for the unexpected, be organized and orderly, and work in advance. Procrastination and disorganization will eat you alive if you decide to work at home and let them rule the roost.
Peculiar Thought #6: The more money you make when you work at home the more money you need to make when you work at home. The government is taking a HUGE chunk of America’s income and when you write that check yourself you become very aware of it. And the more income you make, the more the government thinks it should get.
Peculiar Thought #7: Almost every venue pays less for online work than for print or in person. I haven’t decided if that is because the quality is so low around the industry or if the industry is just that cheep.
Peculiar Thought #8: The comment “so you don’t have a real job” will come up at least once when you are out in a new social situation no matter how successful you might be when you work from home. Society has a certain game plan and you must step in line or else you must be wrong.
The world of work at home is fun, interesting and it seems it is always changing (at least in this house). The best thing is that I’m here – enjoying each and every minute of my children and the craziness that is our lives. It may be a peculiar road to walk, but we are skipping along the way, so does it really matter all that much if people stare?
April 3rd, 2008
To be successful in any industry you have to establish yourself (or your company) at the top of that industry. Consumers need to look to you for advice or information about that particular market.
The internet is no different. Some of the people who are raking in the big dough are those that have established themselves as experts in their niche – either through time, education or endorsements. But becoming an expert is only one way to dominate your internet niche market.
1. Choose a subject that is near and dear to your heart. Passion will go a long way to establish your dominance (just keep your writing tight and informative).
2. Build your links. Write for the free articles sites (ezinearticle is one of the top), comment on other blogs and forums – related or in your market area, offer to guest post on other sites. There should always be a place for a signature or author’s box where you can offer a link to your site.
3. Offer freebies or contests to increase you visitors. Everyone likes feeling that they are getting something for free and most people are willing to pass the word on to other friends and family.
4. Participate in a blog carnival. There are several that I submit to on a regular basis (the Carnival of Christian Women and the Carnival of Christian Writers are two of them – thanks ladies). You can meet some neat people, get a boost in visitors and find some great blogs.
5. Keep writing. Content is still king – no matter what some experts say. If you are producing quality content then you will get visitors that not only share your site but that stick around.
It may take a little time and some hard work, but establishing yourself as a dominate force in the internet niche of your choice will be the beginning of a whole new life.
March 27th, 2008
Being a successful freelance writer is a bit like being a good salesman. There are tips and techniques you can take from the sales world and apply to your life as a writer. For most of us the goal is to make a living doing what we love and enjoy and all the help we can get is beneficial for that end.
1. Get your leads. Although many people can “break in” with the big print publications, most writers will not. It is far better to weigh your weigh your possibilities and chose those publications that print a high percentage of unknown and unagented writers. Most of this information can be found in the latest edition of the Writer’s Market.
2. Be passionate about the product. Believe in your ability to write well on the subject and to give a fresh voice to the publication. If you believe in you then it will be projected to the editor through your words.
3. Always be honest. If you are more concerned about closing the deal than you are about being sincere, it will show. In the end it will hurt your credibility in the industry and your ability to compete in the market place.
4. Keep on keeping on. A no is just a way of saying try another tactic. Look at rejections as challenges to improve and tweak your skills. Keep submitting and writing and learning if you are serious about a freelance career.
5. Network with everyone and everywhere. You can never know where that perfect connection might be hiding. Take time to attend local meetings, writing conferences and even books signings or readings by other authors. The more you know the farther you will go.
Just these few tips will help you develop your freelance career. Keep in mind that there is only one way to develop a career in writing and that is to write. Everything else is just marketing tools and techniques designed to help your career along.
March 22nd, 2008
Every writing conference I have ever attended was weighted down by people who wanted to be able to make a living writing. I am one of those people. I choose workshops and events that are going to help me increase my productivity in the marketplace. It is possible to make a living while freelance writing. It just takes persistence and patience.
1. It takes time. For most freelance writers, it takes about a year to establish a regular client base. Either stay in your regular job until you get to that point or else have a one year reserve of cash in your savings to live off of until you get your base established.
2. It takes creativity. Most writers start out writing “when the inspiration hits.” Working freelance writers have to make the inspiration happen. Writing is the best way to make that happen. Write something – anything – to get the juices flowing and you will be amazed at how inspired you come.
3. It takes consistency. Working for you can make it easy to procrastinate. All that accomplishes is keeping you behind. That means writing every day for a given amount of time – like any job. Working daily on projects will give you ample time to do other things (and even take on last minute projects that will often pay much more).
4. It takes diligence. Freelance writers have to continually search for writing opportunities. Look through the many writers’ websites and blogging sites that are available. Apply for new projects at least once a week (if not once a day). Don’t forget about print work either – continue to query print publications on a weekly or daily basis as well. The more work you seek then the more work you will find.
5. It takes skills. Continue your writing education by taking courses or classes in a genre that you are not skilled (grant writing or poetry or any kind of writing you might find intriguing). Even if you never use the new genre to make a living, the new skills you acquire will help you where you are.
6. It takes balance. You HAVE to budget you money when you are a freelance writer. You never know when the next check will arrive in the mail and you have to be in a position to live until it does arrive. Before you even consider a life of freelance, learn to live off the smallest budget you can physically manage (because there are likely to be months where that will be your life).
Freelance writing is just like any other job (except you don’t get a salary or benefits or paid vacation time). You have to work at freelancing to be successful. You have to plan for your career in order to make a life out of it. But the most important thing you have to do to be successful in freelance writing is to WRITE.
March 13th, 2008
Writing any thing on the same subject can began to wear you down. Writing online can be particularly exhausting because of the need for quick turn around. Avoid the urge to give up and walk away when the same subject starts haunting you in your sleep. Let a variety in your writing and in you schedule help to boost your enthusiasm once again.
1. Spread out the work. Recently I had an order for over 100 articles on similar topics but written in the same format. After about six in a row, I start to feel like I’m repeating myself (and some times it feels like I’m saying the same thing over and over). I pushed myself to the point of a nervous breakdown to get the first half done, but I’m taking it a little different for the second half. I write one or two of the articles in between blog posts or other projects. I’m slowly getting the project done, and I’m actually enjoying the process this go around.
2. Take a break. It doesn’t matter how much you enjoy the subject. If you sit in one spot doing the same thing for too long you will start to feel the burnout. Get up and go outside in the sun for awhile. Play a game with the kids and spouse (or just the spouse). Go for a short drive or an outing. A change of scenery and tasks is sure to give your writing a boost.
3. Find a friend. I have several online buddies (we chat through IM) that I can call on when I’m beginning to feel burnout. They are also online writers and are often going through the exact same thing I am. It helps to know that I’m not alone AND they usually know how to motivate me and get me back on track.
4. No more procrastination. There is nothing worse than having a due date pounce on you without having any of the work started. Begin the project as soon as you get the assignment and work on it in pieces. Use the due date to do any editorial work that might need to be done.
The key to avoiding writer’s burnout is to write about things that you enjoy, create variety through different jobs (or your own blog), and spreading out the writing over a longer period of time. Scheduling can be one of the most valuable tools, especially for an online writer. Take a few steps to lay out your writing so that burn out doesn’t fine its way into your career.
February 16th, 2008
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