Posts filed under 'writing'
The mantra I heard over and over when I first started pursuing a writing career was “write what you know.” For the first year, I did just that. I limited my subjects to the things I had personal experience or knowledge in dealing with.
As I looked for venues to make some money – particularly online – I began to venture out into subjects I knew less about. I would supplement the knowledge with research. As I made a little more money, I got a little more daring. Today, I am willing to write about any subject as long as I have the ability to do a little research before I get started.
On the flip side, my fiction still stays within the boundaries of my personal knowledge. For me, fiction has a different edge to it than non-fiction. You just can’t fake it. There has to be a foundation of knowledge and understanding in order for the story to feel real and the characters to come to life.
Sticking to JUST what you know can lead to stale writing. Writing something that you know nothing about (with out taking the time to research and understand the subject) can make your writing silly and worthless.
So, should you write what you know or learn what you write? I say do them both. You stretch your knowledge, you stretch your writing techniques, and most of all you stretch your genres.
February 13th, 2008
Writing has always been a dream that I have had. Even in grammar school, I wanted to write. My first story, “Snoopy and the Pineapples,” was a fruited retailing of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and a huge hit with my sixth grade teacher.
In high school I even worked up the nerve to send a story into a teen magazine, but since there was no cover letter, no query letter, and no information about the author (other than the byline on the story) I got a rejection. The sad part was that I didn’t know WHY I got the rejection. There was no one to help me understand the industry.
Flash forward in my life to just five years ago. I attended my first writer’s conference EVER! I went to the event fully expecting someone to tell me how great my writing was and to give me the steps to making a successful career out of writing. I didn’t get either. After lots of study, research, and interviews with other writers, I have come up with some steps to help anyone become a full time writer.
1. You have to write. It may seem silly, but there are people out there that want to write one article or novel and make a million dollars or land a full-time gig. It might be possible, but it is highly unlikely. The more you write, the better your writing will get.
2. Show your writing. This doesn’t mean you should ask mom and dad to read it. Give it to someone who will be honest about what you should do. Having a writing mentor online is great. There is a certain anonymity to the internet that makes honesty easier.
3. Submit your writing. Start local and work your way up. Or find your niche and bombard publications with your work until the acceptances out number the rejections.
4. Go job hunting. Decide what you will and will not write and then find the jobs you are willing to do. Value your work, though. Many people are taking jobs for one or two dollars just to have their name in print (online anyway). In the end, it’s not worth it – to you or to any other writer out there.
5. Stretch yourself. All the veteran writers that I have spoken with say that writing outside your genre is critical. If you write novels then submit some article ideas. I would expand that and recommend that you write outside your knowledge zone. If you write about family issues then write some animal articles. The internet provides you with the ability to research any subject at anytime. If you can find the information then there is no reason you can’t write the article.
6. Make it a business. Treat your writing like any other job. Set aside a certain number of hours to write and put in your hours. Make a schedule of what you need to do and when it needs to be done and then get it done ahead of time.
7. Always, always, always keep learning. It doesn’t matter where you are in the industry (or what industry that is for that matter). There is always something else you can learn or a technique you can perfect. Keep pushing yourself to get better. Take classes and courses. Join groups. Attend seminars and conferences. Make yourself a better you than you were yesterday.
Becoming a professional (i.e. paid) writer is just like anything else out there. It takes time, effort, practice and patience. Find your niche in the industry and then go for it.
February 9th, 2008
My husband often complains that I spent $40,000 (probably much more once you figure in interest and misc. expenses) getting a degree and all I have to show for it is a diploma on the wall. Try as I might, I never seem to get him to see how my BS in Leisure Services (yes it’s a real degree) helped me run the house, teach the kids, and do all of my extras stuff (like garden clubs and women’s groups).
Even though I don’t have a “real” job, I still find plenty of ways to put my degree to work and now I’m even making some nice money along the way.
1. Birthday parties – I spent my internship and many of my college years planning social activities. It just naturally rolled over into the children.
2. Grants – Part of my education involved learning about grants (how to research and write them). Today I am using that knowledge to help others (for a small fee 
).
3. Fund raising – During my college years, there were many times I had to call companies to ask for discounts, donations or contributions. Asking for help is more comfortable because of my past experience.
4. Internet content writing – Leisure Services (yes it’s a real degree) requires a wide variety of information. Now I have a lot of bits and pieces that wander around my brain. It’s perfect for short, quick articles that I can use or sale online.
5. Making connections – Meeting with the Dean of Students, leaders of companies and officers in the military made me comfortable talking with people of position and people I did not know. Today I use that to get new clients for my grants or writing and to make connections for other needs as well.
My husband was deluded into believing that if you go to college and get a degree you will get a good job. That’s one of the main reasons he complains about me not “using” my degree – or I should say he DID complain. Over the last few months he has been around to see how my degree is put to use daily and how it is adding income to our bank account.
When you are stepping out in life (or pushing your children in that direction) make sure you encourage them to go to college for the educational opportunity and not for the degree. With education under your belt you will be able to do anything you set your mind to do. With a degree you will just have another picture on the wall.
February 9th, 2008
There are many websites that promise if you will just spend your time writing free for them then you will get money in the long run. You know the sites I mean, you register, post, and then sit around and wait for your numbers to add up so that you can get paid.
These are some of the sites that I started out on when I first began writing online. It offered me at least the hope of some cash sometime down the line. Besides, my writing got posted on someone’s site and that’s what was really important, right?
Here are a few of the sites that I would recommend IF you want to try your hand at pay per click postings:
• eHow.com – It’s rather a simple lay out and you can write about any thing that requires steps (like How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich). Just make sure you sign up for the Writer Compensation program.
• Associatedcontent.com – Write what you will and then see if they will buy it. You can sell all your rights, or retain the rights to print the article elsewhere (which means they won’t pay you in advance). I’ve known a few people personally who have made some money off this site, but not enough to pay the phone bill much less the mortgage.
• Helium.com – Click on a subject, write and post a response and then spend some time rating other people’s articles (the more you read the better you’ll do).
There are probably plenty more sites that let you post your hard work and get paid pennies for it. These three sites are ones that I am personally registered on and have made money using (eHow has been the most lucrative thus far). I don’t recommend you rely on it for your main income, but one of these sites could be a fun way to make a few extra dollars here and there.
February 7th, 2008
Working online is a great way to control your own employment destiny. The hours are up to you. The work load is up to you. The price is up to you – sort of.
Online writing is notorious for low pay. Many “writers” are accepting jobs for $2 an article (around ½ of 1 cent). I assume it is because they either want to write so bad they don’t care how much they make or else the buyer doesn’t care about the quality of work received.
I was a cheap writer for the first few months online. As a matter of fact, I made all of my money writing posts on forums for a whopping 15 cents per post. It didn’t make me feel like a writer, but I was learning about the internet, making a few connections, AND getting some money along the way.
As I began to understand the online world of writing and I started getting more regular work, I determined that I am worth more than I was charging. Now when I bid for work, or a potential client asks for a fee, I have a genuine idea of what to charge (I start at 6 cents a word, which I know is still cheap). There are some things you have to do to be able to ask for more.
1. Start writing online. If you have a personal blog, be sure to make each post quality content that you would be proud for an editor to view. Other wise, visit some other sites and inquire about doing a guest post for them. Even if you don’t get paid, you are building up clips for editors (and potential employers) to see.
2. Evaluate your pay before accepting a job. Set a per hour limit that you are willing to accept and don’t go below that. Instead of accepting $2 jobs, use that time to build up clips on other sites and to tweak your own site as well.
3. Meet your deadlines. The internet lends itself to an extremely casual work environment, but meeting deadlines is not where you should be lax. Do what you say you are going to do, on time, and with quality.
4. Ask for an increase. As you continue to work for the same person repeatedly, as for an increase in pay. If you are doing a good job, consistently, then you just might get what you ask for.
5. Be willing to learn. You may have little (or no) knowledge about parrots, but don’t turn down a job because of that. Put a little time into research. You’ll learn something AND make money along the way.
6. Overlap jobs. If you can do the same research for several jobs, you will end up making more money per hour. Use your time wisely.
7. Look to print. Use some of the articles and ideas from your online work to query print publications. DO NOT submit the same material you sold to someone else (unless you have a contract saying you retain control). Create new material from the information that you now have stuck in your head.
Working online is a great way to make extra income or start a new career. Remember to charge what your worth. Selling yourself short cuts into your ability to make an income but don’t over price yourself out of the market. Look for some solid opportunities to stretch you gifts and talents and then ask for compensation that you and the site owner can both live with.
February 6th, 2008
I just stumbled over a virtual plethora of write offs for those of you who are making a career out of writing. If you have been freelancing for any time you probably know a few tricks, but have you thought of everything?
1. Memberships to local attractions (museums, parks, aquariums). If you are using your trips for writing research then be sure to write-off the expense (that includes mileage and meals).
2. Trips to visit family. Figure out a way to use the experience in your writing and deduct your mileage.
3. Conferences and seminars. Even if they aren’t specifically about writing you can use them IN your writing.
In essence, I can deduct all or a portion of just about anything that I do – as long as it is relevant to my writing.
For every deduction I can find that is one less dollar that the government will get. And the more of my money I can keep the happier I am going to be!
February 4th, 2008
It’s that season. It’s time for you to hate and love numbers all at the same time. Tax Season has descended upon you. You gather receipts, statements, and any other scraps of paper that can help you hold on to YOUR money. But have you thought of everything?
1. Claim your home expenses. If you have a business in your home, you can deduct home expenses (like mortgage payments, utilities, even garbage or household repairs). The catch is that it can only be what ever percentage your office space is compared to your home. So if your home is 1700 sq ft and your office space is an 8 x 8 space (64 sq ft) then you can deduct 3.7% if your household expenses.
2. Keep up with mileage accumulated for work related errands or meetings. The government has upped the allowance to 48.5¢ per mile which can quickly add up.
3. Membership fees are deductible as long as they are work related. That means signing up for online market research and job announcements can be deducted from your income.
4. Subscriptions can also be written off. Anything that is worked related (like domain name subscriptions) is another deduction you need to include on your return.
If you are using an accountant remember to take any expenses that you use for your home business (including cable if you do research through television programs) and ask if you can use a portion of them on your return. When it comes to filing taxes, a penny saved really can end up being a penny earned.
February 2nd, 2008
Every day I write multiple articles that I receive compensation for doing. They cover travel, politics, finances, and so much more. I’m learning a lot AND making a decent income.
This morning, as I was fixing my coffee, I began to wonder about what I’m doing. Is my writing gift just a way to make money? Or am I suppose to do more with what I have?
I know the answer, but I don’t want to face it. It’s easier to settle into the status quo of getting and depositing a paycheck. The idea of moving past the comfortable is just, well . . . uncomfortable.
Most writers want to make money from what they are writing. I am there. Granted, I’m not making thousands of dollars for each article I spit out. Much of what I write doesn’t even have my name on it (which does hurt my feelings on many days). But I’m a paid writer which is a dream I have had since I remember dreaming.
Still, I’m committing to do more. I will do what I know to do DESPITE what I need to do. That means blogging here at least twice a day – about life or writing or money. That means sending out queries for articles. That means having my novel printed up (about 5 to 10 copies) to let others critique so that it can be made ready for market. That means working on the other novel ideas that are swimming around my head – before they (or I) drown.
It is possible to get there. It just means making a few adjustments to the “me” schedule.
1. Cut out the after lunch break. Despite my excuses, no one needs three hours to “get their mind refocused.”
2. Start earlier. If I actually get up when my alarm goes off then I have plenty of time to get most of my work done BEFORE the family day gets started.
3. Make writing a habit not a hobby. Even though I write for pay every day, I don’t write the stories that are part of my heart. There needs to be a time where that is the only thing that I’m focused on doing.
These are three things that I will focus my energy on doing every day for the next 27 days. By the end of February, I will be more than a paid writer. I will be a paid writer who is a good steward over all my talents.
February 2nd, 2008
Very few writer’s have stable incomes – the kind where they get a specific amount every week or every month. Instead, the income is based on the number of articles that are written and sold (and sometimes when those articles are printed). It is still possible to budget for such and uncertain amount of money.
1. Establish an emergency savings account. Before you dive into a full time career as a writer, you have to set back some income. You want at least three months of must pays (mortgage, utilities and insurance) set aside for any months where the paychecks are lean.
2. Get a month ahead. You want to have next month’s money in your checking account today. Instead of paying your bills from the paychecks you are getting in, those monies will go to restore the reserves in your account (this is separate money from what is in savings).
3. Set you budget so you know what income goal you must reach. Be sure to include savings AND taxes (about 28%) in your figures. Once you reach that income goal consistently for six months you are ready to be a full time writer.
4. Cut back on your unnecessary spending. It may be easier to go to the local burger place and get supper, but it will cost less if you take that 30 minutes and fix a meal.
5. Save the bonuses. Any thing that you make over you monthly needs should be placed in your emergency savings account.
Making a regular income from any freelance job is not easy. At times it can be scary – because the check might be in the mail, but you don’t know when it’s going to arrive. You have to plan for the lean times and aim for the high times. Hard work, persistence, and a thrifty nature will help you reach your personal, financial, and literary goals.
January 24th, 2008
Great, unique and interesting stories are the life blood on any freelance writer. Working online, putting out 10 or 20 articles a day, it is easy to see how your idea well can dry up. When you get all dried up for article ideas, here are some ways to prime the pump.
Read other magazines that relate to your field. Jot down in phrases or ideas that you find particularly appealing. From you list you can start to create punchy titles and complete the circle by adding a break down of five to ten points you want to cover in the article.
Review your older articles. First, you writing will have improved since you wrote your older material and you may be able to find a better way to approach some of the article ideas. Second, you may notice a trend in your writing that you missed before. This alone could spark some ideas around your lifestyle, plans, or success. And third, but not least, you may discover some unpublished pieces that you can polish up for publications.
Make a list of topics that you deal with each day. Choose the ones that you want to know more about and do some research. Let that research be the beginning of your article. Repeat the process until you know all there is to know about everything.
Scan the internet for websites that deal with issues you prefer to deal with. Read what other blogs or sites are writing about and let their ideas ignite your own creativity. NEVER copy articles from a website or other publication – this is stealing. Instead of taking their words, let their words inspire you to create your own.
Eaves drop on people during your day. In waiting rooms, restaurants, and even the grocery store people talk openly (and sometimes loudly) about every thing under the sun. Let their words inspire your writing (even if it’s only an article about conversational etiquette).
You are surrounded by great ideas every day. The key is harvesting those ideas and then forming them into coherent articles. Keep a notebook handy, jot down phrases or titles as they come to your mind, and be sure to add a few points that you would want to cover in the article. You will find that your well mostly likely will never run dry again.
January 16th, 2008
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