A happy result of social networking is the opportunity to WIN FREE STUFF. Really. Did you know that there are tons of prizes to be had out on the World Wide Web, given away by bloggers like me? (Wow, could that sound any more like bad sales copy??)
A friend of mine won a $15 gift certificate to a grocery store during a networking chat the other night. Another friend won a lovely gift set of lotions and soaps at the Tuesday night Business & Learning Chat. (They don’t give away prizes every week, though. That was in honor of Tammy Munson’s birthday). They’ll be giving away even more at the Business & Learning Expo.
There are a few great contests going on right now, too.
Until February 11, you can win a free copy of Deb Ng’s ebook, Beyond Blogging, through the blog Lively Women. (Don’t let the blog’s title deceive you, men can win too.) Deb Ng is one of my favorite people in the freelance writing/blogging world and I’m sure that whatever she has to say has LOTS of value. She knows blogging; she knows how to network; and she is a pro at making money on the Web. She is also an extremely talented writer, which, lately, has gotten to be less and less of a prerequisite to make money as a writer on the Web, so I have the utmost respect for her and what she does.
Another one of my favorite writer chicks (and I can call her a chick because she’s cool like that!), Julie Fletcher, is also holding a contest at her blog, Family Resource. Go to the site, leave a comment per the instructions, and you’ll be entered to win a free car seat ID for your child. This contest is sponsored by My Precious Kid and even if they weren’t giving away cool shwag, it’s a great place to check out if you have kids.
Finally, Babies Online, your resource for parenting, pregnancy and free baby stuff, is giving away free copies of the DVD Screenplay by the children’s rock band Milkshake, along with the band’s latest CD, Play!, and the first-ever Milkshake comic book. Go to BabiesOnline.com to find out how to win and read my review of the band. (Yes, I always save the shameless plugs for last).
Get Writing Assignments Without Querying
In a previous post, I mentioned that I have built a full-time career as a freelance writer without querying. How do I do this?
1. Word-of-mouth – Anybody whose ever read a book about marketing knows the importance of word-of-mouth. Its significance is enhanced in Web 2.0, where WOM extends to social networking. I’ve landed several assignments through my social networks on Twitter, Facebook, and various forums. But my favorite story about word-of-mouth relates to a long-term client I began working with about 5 years ago. While shopping for paintball gear, I revealed to the marketing director at one of the top paintball distributors in the country that I was a freelance writer. He immediately hired me to write press releases. That job turned into a position as Editor-in-Chief at a leading paintball magazine. I share the story here, on one of my favorite sites for writers.
2. Assignments - My cash cows as a freelancer are regular clients who give me assignments every month. They generate the ideas in-house and, in most cases, provide sources. Since coming up with unique ideas and finding sources are two of the biggest challenges in freelancing, this makes my life a lot easier and my business more lucrative.
3. Ads – Sure, responding to ads takes time, and you’re up against intense and copious competition. But if you craft a basic letter that you can tailor to each specific ad, you’ll save a lot of time. The site Freelance Writing Jobs (www.freelancewritinggigs.com) is a great place to start, but you can have even more success by mining sites that aren’t regularly visited by every other aspiring freelancer on the Web. One caveat—there’s never any need to pay for job listings.
4. Letters of Interest – Want to write for a specific publication but don’t have an idea on tap? You can save time and capture the interest of an editor with a Letter of Introduction. LOIs, as they are known, work best if you have some credentials and quality clips. In this letter, rather than presenting an idea (as you would in a query letter) you sell YOURSELF as a writer. Start with a strong lead, emphasize why you would make a positive addition to the magazine’s team, and end with a call to action, asking for an assignment. Include clips and possibly your resume in the body of the e-mail (never send attachments).
I’m not saying you can easily break into a national magazine without a query (although it could happen) but you can build a successful freelancing career without spending hours on query letters!
1. Word-of-mouth – Anybody whose ever read a book about marketing knows the importance of word-of-mouth. Its significance is enhanced in Web 2.0, where WOM extends to social networking. I’ve landed several assignments through my social networks on Twitter, Facebook, and various forums. But my favorite story about word-of-mouth relates to a long-term client I began working with about 5 years ago. While shopping for paintball gear, I revealed to the marketing director at one of the top paintball distributors in the country that I was a freelance writer. He immediately hired me to write press releases. That job turned into a position as Editor-in-Chief at a leading paintball magazine. I share the story here, on one of my favorite sites for writers.
2. Assignments - My cash cows as a freelancer are regular clients who give me assignments every month. They generate the ideas in-house and, in most cases, provide sources. Since coming up with unique ideas and finding sources are two of the biggest challenges in freelancing, this makes my life a lot easier and my business more lucrative.
3. Ads – Sure, responding to ads takes time, and you’re up against intense and copious competition. But if you craft a basic letter that you can tailor to each specific ad, you’ll save a lot of time. The site Freelance Writing Jobs (www.freelancewritinggigs.com) is a great place to start, but you can have even more success by mining sites that aren’t regularly visited by every other aspiring freelancer on the Web. One caveat—there’s never any need to pay for job listings.
4. Letters of Interest – Want to write for a specific publication but don’t have an idea on tap? You can save time and capture the interest of an editor with a Letter of Introduction. LOIs, as they are known, work best if you have some credentials and quality clips. In this letter, rather than presenting an idea (as you would in a query letter) you sell YOURSELF as a writer. Start with a strong lead, emphasize why you would make a positive addition to the magazine’s team, and end with a call to action, asking for an assignment. Include clips and possibly your resume in the body of the e-mail (never send attachments).
I’m not saying you can easily break into a national magazine without a query (although it could happen) but you can build a successful freelancing career without spending hours on query letters!
When It's Okay to Write for Minimum Wage--or Less!
I don’t believe in churning out an article in seven minutes to make minimum wage rates. Most of my clients, whether they pay per word, per project, or hourly, pay me approximately $25 - $30 an hour.
But I also believe it’s okay to write for extremely low rates, or free, sometimes. I mean, I’m not going to pass judgment on anyone who accepts $1 per article. Personally, I won’t go that low. (In fact, I’d rather just do the work pro bono than accept that rate—it’s a pride thing).
But when will I write for low rates?
1. When I’m starving. Well, okay, my freelance career has never reduced me to eating Ramen (at least, not when it’s not by choice… I have a great recipe for noodles with peanut sauce, though!) There are times, however, when a quick $10, payable upon acceptance through Paypal, may be just enough money going into my account to pay my electric bill a few days before it’s due. So if the pay is fast and the work isn’t hard, I’ll do it.
2. If it’s a topic I love so much, I’d write about it for free. Some topics, like freelance writing, parenting and paintball, I just love writing about. Why else would I run this blog? In the niche market of paintball journalism, after you add up the time actually covering an event (and getting shot at!), selecting photos and writing the story, the hourly rate is in the pennies. But it’s a passion.
3. When the perks rock. Even though the pay stinks in paintball writing, fields typically comp you entry to the event, encourage you to play, and often toss in a case of paint. Paintball costs a lot of money, so the comps make up for the pay rates. Oh, and I’m a total you-know-what for free concert tickets, DVDs and books, too!
4. When it's a cause I believe in. I will write pro bono for certain charities or causes, but I've also been known to devote time to paintball teams who I believe are dedicated to improving the sport. (Please don't contact me to see if I will write for your team for free!) These are hand-picked teams, mostly in situations where I'm good friends with the owner/captain. These guys have my back on the field, so I do what I can off the field!
5. When the work isn’t hard. There’s $40+ an hour of interviews, transcriptions, and pages and pages of notes to put together a cohesive, captivating feature article for a print publication. Then there’s $10 an hour to write a blog post on a topic you know well, that you can write one-handed on your iPod Touch while you’re nursing the baby. (And now my biggest productivity secret is out!)
But I also believe it’s okay to write for extremely low rates, or free, sometimes. I mean, I’m not going to pass judgment on anyone who accepts $1 per article. Personally, I won’t go that low. (In fact, I’d rather just do the work pro bono than accept that rate—it’s a pride thing).
But when will I write for low rates?
1. When I’m starving. Well, okay, my freelance career has never reduced me to eating Ramen (at least, not when it’s not by choice… I have a great recipe for noodles with peanut sauce, though!) There are times, however, when a quick $10, payable upon acceptance through Paypal, may be just enough money going into my account to pay my electric bill a few days before it’s due. So if the pay is fast and the work isn’t hard, I’ll do it.
2. If it’s a topic I love so much, I’d write about it for free. Some topics, like freelance writing, parenting and paintball, I just love writing about. Why else would I run this blog? In the niche market of paintball journalism, after you add up the time actually covering an event (and getting shot at!), selecting photos and writing the story, the hourly rate is in the pennies. But it’s a passion.
3. When the perks rock. Even though the pay stinks in paintball writing, fields typically comp you entry to the event, encourage you to play, and often toss in a case of paint. Paintball costs a lot of money, so the comps make up for the pay rates. Oh, and I’m a total you-know-what for free concert tickets, DVDs and books, too!
4. When it's a cause I believe in. I will write pro bono for certain charities or causes, but I've also been known to devote time to paintball teams who I believe are dedicated to improving the sport. (Please don't contact me to see if I will write for your team for free!) These are hand-picked teams, mostly in situations where I'm good friends with the owner/captain. These guys have my back on the field, so I do what I can off the field!
5. When the work isn’t hard. There’s $40+ an hour of interviews, transcriptions, and pages and pages of notes to put together a cohesive, captivating feature article for a print publication. Then there’s $10 an hour to write a blog post on a topic you know well, that you can write one-handed on your iPod Touch while you’re nursing the baby. (And now my biggest productivity secret is out!)
When Are You Inspired to Write?
The surest way to kick my muse into action is to take away my opportunities to write. My daughter is asleep, but my iPod Touch has a dead battery. And I’m certain that if I boot up the laptop, she WILL wake up. So I’m in bed, jotting down blog posts on an old filing folder because I can’t even find a notebook… and my pen is about to run out of ink.
I’ve already written three full posts and every sentence I write seems to spark an idea for another article.
My only problem? It’s been so long since I’ve written anything by hand, I’m afraid my penmanship will be illegible in the morning. (If you’re reading this, obviously, I was able to decipher my own personal brand of shorthand that I’ve developed over my 20 years as a writer.)
While I decode the rest of my articles, here’s a poem I wrote a long time ago on this very topic and it was originally published in Calliope’s Notes, a literary journal. If I can find the link, I will re-post it here.
Miss-Inopportunity
I have a stubborn muse
She likes to write at midnight
Family gatherings, funerals
And parties find her
Penning poems
For posterity.
We sit at my desk, finger
Poised over the keyboard
And she demands coffee,
Long-distance phone calls
To long-forgotten friends.
She wants to pet the cat.
She’ll offer up feature stories
On Highway 95
No rest stop in sight.
Leaving me muttering to myself,
In hopes of remembering
A segment, one catchy line.
On deadline days
I can whip her into submission
Greedy harlot loves checks
Even more than she enjoys
Taunting me with captivating leads
In the middle of the workday.
The house is quiet,
I’ve no plans,
And she’s run off.
She finds me when dinner’s burning,
And wants to finish this chapter.
Complete masterpieces emerge at 3 AM.
But if I tear myself from
The warm blankets,
Grabbing a pen and notebook
To capture a carefully constructed,
Chronologically-sound dream
She wants to pet the cat.
I’ve already written three full posts and every sentence I write seems to spark an idea for another article.
My only problem? It’s been so long since I’ve written anything by hand, I’m afraid my penmanship will be illegible in the morning. (If you’re reading this, obviously, I was able to decipher my own personal brand of shorthand that I’ve developed over my 20 years as a writer.)
While I decode the rest of my articles, here’s a poem I wrote a long time ago on this very topic and it was originally published in Calliope’s Notes, a literary journal. If I can find the link, I will re-post it here.
Miss-Inopportunity
I have a stubborn muse
She likes to write at midnight
Family gatherings, funerals
And parties find her
Penning poems
For posterity.
We sit at my desk, finger
Poised over the keyboard
And she demands coffee,
Long-distance phone calls
To long-forgotten friends.
She wants to pet the cat.
She’ll offer up feature stories
On Highway 95
No rest stop in sight.
Leaving me muttering to myself,
In hopes of remembering
A segment, one catchy line.
On deadline days
I can whip her into submission
Greedy harlot loves checks
Even more than she enjoys
Taunting me with captivating leads
In the middle of the workday.
The house is quiet,
I’ve no plans,
And she’s run off.
She finds me when dinner’s burning,
And wants to finish this chapter.
Complete masterpieces emerge at 3 AM.
But if I tear myself from
The warm blankets,
Grabbing a pen and notebook
To capture a carefully constructed,
Chronologically-sound dream
She wants to pet the cat.
Writing v. Content Creation
In my previous post, I guess I kind of slammed Jason Fladlien’s How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes program. I want to clarify. (And no, he hasn’t asked me to. I don’t think he’s even read the review yet.)
The program is probably very effective for many people to make decent income. For beginning writers, it offered some very useful tips on how to get started. And, believe it or not, I used some of his tips to write outlines for larger articles I completed this week, and it did shave an hour or so off my work. With an outline in place, I had to think *less* about where my article was going, and was able to better focus on how to get there.
But, if I understand him correctly, he advocates "not stopping to think" when you write an article. Here’s where I take issue.
Writing is an art. Even with all the “content creation” on the Web today, article mills, etc., I am still naïve enough to believe that there is still a little bit of art and craft left to any type of writing. His program takes all the art out of the process to create sparse, keyword-friendly “content.”
I guess for people who want to consider themselves content providers, that’s fine. But why not strive for something more? Why not strive to be a writer?
Has the field changed so much that the adage “90 percent of writing is re-writing” is no longer true? Am I a dinosaur because I seek the best—not necessarily the quickest—ways to convey my points? Fladlien’s tight, sparse writing is definitely something I strive for, but I don’t get there on the first try. Resources like Ken Rand’s 10 Percent Solution help me write the tightest, most specific article—but rarely on the first try. And the end result is there’s also a little bit of style left when I’m done.
That’s part of the reason some of my blog posts are rambling… I don’t spend the time re-writing here. That’s also the reason I may use the techniques in the program to churn out some useful content for this space, articles with no “bells and whistles,” just fast facts for freelancers and WAHMs.
I’m not sure where I mean to go with this post. (If I had an outline, that wouldn’t be a problem.) So now I am stopping to think…
It’s cliché to rant about the writers who accept ridiculously low rates and as far as I’m concerned, there’s not much of a debate. As long as there are people willing to write for those rates, companies will be happy to take advantage. And I support that, capitalist that I am. Too many people don’t understand the value—and the art—of good writing. When we have writers, themselves, who don’t recognize the value of carefully crafted non-fiction, there’s no hope of ever obliterating the article mills.
But there are also people out there who recognize and appreciate quality writing as opposed to content creation—fortunately, enough to employ the rest of us, who need to spend more than seven minutes on an article.
The program is probably very effective for many people to make decent income. For beginning writers, it offered some very useful tips on how to get started. And, believe it or not, I used some of his tips to write outlines for larger articles I completed this week, and it did shave an hour or so off my work. With an outline in place, I had to think *less* about where my article was going, and was able to better focus on how to get there.
But, if I understand him correctly, he advocates "not stopping to think" when you write an article. Here’s where I take issue.
Writing is an art. Even with all the “content creation” on the Web today, article mills, etc., I am still naïve enough to believe that there is still a little bit of art and craft left to any type of writing. His program takes all the art out of the process to create sparse, keyword-friendly “content.”
I guess for people who want to consider themselves content providers, that’s fine. But why not strive for something more? Why not strive to be a writer?
Has the field changed so much that the adage “90 percent of writing is re-writing” is no longer true? Am I a dinosaur because I seek the best—not necessarily the quickest—ways to convey my points? Fladlien’s tight, sparse writing is definitely something I strive for, but I don’t get there on the first try. Resources like Ken Rand’s 10 Percent Solution help me write the tightest, most specific article—but rarely on the first try. And the end result is there’s also a little bit of style left when I’m done.
That’s part of the reason some of my blog posts are rambling… I don’t spend the time re-writing here. That’s also the reason I may use the techniques in the program to churn out some useful content for this space, articles with no “bells and whistles,” just fast facts for freelancers and WAHMs.
I’m not sure where I mean to go with this post. (If I had an outline, that wouldn’t be a problem.) So now I am stopping to think…
It’s cliché to rant about the writers who accept ridiculously low rates and as far as I’m concerned, there’s not much of a debate. As long as there are people willing to write for those rates, companies will be happy to take advantage. And I support that, capitalist that I am. Too many people don’t understand the value—and the art—of good writing. When we have writers, themselves, who don’t recognize the value of carefully crafted non-fiction, there’s no hope of ever obliterating the article mills.
But there are also people out there who recognize and appreciate quality writing as opposed to content creation—fortunately, enough to employ the rest of us, who need to spend more than seven minutes on an article.
Review: How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes
I admit, in direct conflict with my previous post about not procrastinating, I put off reading Jason Fladlien’s How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes because I thought I didn’t have the time to sit down and read the materials. With three major deadlines and blogging commitments, I didn’t think I could take time away from my normal duties to read this information package. If it worked as advertised, it would save me a lot of time in the long-term, but I didn’t want to make that initial investment.
How many times have you done that in your life? Do you put off learning new skills because you don’t want to take the time to learn, even if, in the long run, it would make your life better?
Well, Kat Frass, THANK YOU for calling me on my procrastination, and for your comments prompting me to share my thoughts on the program.
Turns out, I had nothing to fear. The materials were a quick read. It took me less than a half hour to skim the program and learn the Fladlien’s technique for writing articles in 7 minutes. I’ve downloaded the videos to my iPod and can watch them in bed tonight.
Philosophical Differences With “Article Writing”
My views on writing differ, philosophically, from the author’s, which, I’m afraid, means I’m just not interested in using his program to maximum effectiveness. He claims that writing “slightly better than average articles” is good enough for article marketing purposes. He’s probably right. And while I do some article marketing, I’m not an “article writer” in today’s Web terms. I am a “writer.”
For instance, Fladlien doesn’t encourage knock-their-socks-off, keep ‘em reading, super-creative leads, which every freelance writer knows are the cornerstone to success.
Fladlien’s leads are more like the kind they teach writers in elementary school: "If you want to write an article in seven minutes, this article will show you how." I gave up those kind of leads in fourth grade and never looked back.
Fladlien's articles rank well in the search engines, but a strong lead keeps human beings reading. And you need both for Internet success. There is no space on the Web for leads that turn people off. When I read a humdrum lead, I think two things:1). This person didn’t care enough about their topic to take the time to entice me to read. 2). If they slacked on the lead, where else did they cut corners? Is their information even accurate?
Another key tenet of Fladlien’s program is to do your research quickly and then write without stopping to think. See objections 1 & 2 above.
Useful Advice for Re-slanting Articles
My favorite part of the program was actually “8 Ways to Slant an Article.” Great advice for beginning writers. Nothing I didn’t already know, but it helps to have a handy checklist of the different article formats that can be created from the same content.
Did I Like the Program?
I don’t want it to sound as if I’m slamming the program. It has its benefits and I’ll apply his techniques for certain article writing to create keyword-rich content quickly. I’m apt to use the techniques to try to expand my own business because, let’s face it, this blog *needs* more traffic!
I’m also likely to use his format, but spend the extra time to make my articles for clients more compelling and fun to read… to create the best content I’m capable of, even if it takes 15 minutes, and a bit of thought, instead of 7 and a formula. The hints on how to research quickly were quite useful, and I will be applying those right away.
Is This Program For You?
If you’re an Internet marketer, business owner or even a freelance writer looking to make money crafting articles designed to drive traffic to Web sites, this program could definitely help you. Will it turn you into a Hemingway of the Web? Not at all. But I believe you can create effective content in seven minutes by following Fladlien’s techniques.
I also recommend this program for people who have never written an article for the Web before. It gives you an easy outline to get started and makes the process a lot less scary.
I have no doubts that anyone who is dedicated enough to study the program (which doesn’t take a lot of time) and apply it to their work can easily make back the $37 cost of the program, so it is a good investment for an Internet business.
Incidentally, I tried to use the techniques outlined in “How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes” to write this post. It took me exactly 30 minutes to write this article, but it’s twice the length of the articles that Fladlien says can be done in 7 minutes. (So, 15 minutes per article…) Not bad for a first attempt. Using Fladlien’s techniques has already made me a faster writer.
Then again, it usually takes me only about 30 minutes to put together a blog post. Sigh… maybe I’m just too much of an old dog to learn any new writing tricks.
2009: The Year When Procrastination Can Wait
I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions, but I did post a few goals here. I also changed my mindset going into 2009. This is the year I am going to stop procrastinating.
Part of this philosophy began when I first had Ashley. With a baby, you never know when you'll have a chance to do something, so you better do it when you have the chance. I don't know whether the saying originated with Robert Heinlein or the Marines, but I follow the credo of: "Eat when you can, sleep when you can. Never stand when you can sit and never sit when you can lie down."
This urgency to accomplish "life" tasks has translated into everything. No longer do I let projects, from small to large, sit. If I have an opportunity to do something, I do it right that minute. Of course, I still follow my to-do lists for business-related tasks.
Here's a small example. I have a bad habit of making purchases and then leaving the bag in my car overnight, or for weeks. I'm not hiding purchases from my spouse ala "Shop-aholic." I'm just too lazy to carry them inside, because that would mean finding a place for them. (Yes, that's a whole different issue of buying things when I don't have room for anything else in my house or in my life!)
Now, if I see something that needs doing, I just do it. This means no more dirty coffee mugs on my desk. If I see a smudge on the bathroom mirror, I wipe it off immediately. I don't wait until I have time to clean the entire bathroom. Nothing has to be perfect. It just has to be *done.*
After only a week of living this philosophy, my house is a bit more organized and I feel like I'm accomplishing more.
The same philosophy works in business. I don't wait for one-hour chunks of time to complete a task any more. 15 free minutes? I will knock out a blog post. An extra half-hour? I'll try to transcribe a 15-minute interview.
I just purchased an eBook and educational program titled "How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes" and hope this will boost my productivity even more. I will return with a complete review after I use the program and, if I find it effective, I'll add an affiliate link to this blog.
In the book, Jason Fladlien talks about "article-writing frenzies," where you take a grain of an idea from one article and create an offshoot article (or 10.) You can sit down and write these continuously, in a frenzy. If you don't have time for a frenzy, though, you can always jot down the ideas and write another article when you have another seven minutes. Keep in mind, I haven't read the book yet, so I'm paraphrasing based on my understanding from the promotional materials.
I'm going to try that right now, however, as this post has sparked an idea for a post about the concept of writing ANYTHING in seven minutes. (Teaser: I used to think it was impossible!)
Stay tuned... and while you're waiting, why not use a few free minutes to tell me:
What tools and techniques do you use to combat that ugly, lazy monster called procrastination?
Part of this philosophy began when I first had Ashley. With a baby, you never know when you'll have a chance to do something, so you better do it when you have the chance. I don't know whether the saying originated with Robert Heinlein or the Marines, but I follow the credo of: "Eat when you can, sleep when you can. Never stand when you can sit and never sit when you can lie down."
This urgency to accomplish "life" tasks has translated into everything. No longer do I let projects, from small to large, sit. If I have an opportunity to do something, I do it right that minute. Of course, I still follow my to-do lists for business-related tasks.
Here's a small example. I have a bad habit of making purchases and then leaving the bag in my car overnight, or for weeks. I'm not hiding purchases from my spouse ala "Shop-aholic." I'm just too lazy to carry them inside, because that would mean finding a place for them. (Yes, that's a whole different issue of buying things when I don't have room for anything else in my house or in my life!)
Now, if I see something that needs doing, I just do it. This means no more dirty coffee mugs on my desk. If I see a smudge on the bathroom mirror, I wipe it off immediately. I don't wait until I have time to clean the entire bathroom. Nothing has to be perfect. It just has to be *done.*
After only a week of living this philosophy, my house is a bit more organized and I feel like I'm accomplishing more.
The same philosophy works in business. I don't wait for one-hour chunks of time to complete a task any more. 15 free minutes? I will knock out a blog post. An extra half-hour? I'll try to transcribe a 15-minute interview.
I just purchased an eBook and educational program titled "How to Write an Article in 7 Minutes" and hope this will boost my productivity even more. I will return with a complete review after I use the program and, if I find it effective, I'll add an affiliate link to this blog.
In the book, Jason Fladlien talks about "article-writing frenzies," where you take a grain of an idea from one article and create an offshoot article (or 10.) You can sit down and write these continuously, in a frenzy. If you don't have time for a frenzy, though, you can always jot down the ideas and write another article when you have another seven minutes. Keep in mind, I haven't read the book yet, so I'm paraphrasing based on my understanding from the promotional materials.
I'm going to try that right now, however, as this post has sparked an idea for a post about the concept of writing ANYTHING in seven minutes. (Teaser: I used to think it was impossible!)
Stay tuned... and while you're waiting, why not use a few free minutes to tell me:
What tools and techniques do you use to combat that ugly, lazy monster called procrastination?
Ten Days *After* Christmas
As it's officially 10 days after Christmas, it's well past time for a Christmas wrap-up and...
MORE CUTE BABY PICTURES!
Ashley slept through the gift-opening festivities at my sister's house the weekend before Christmas... but looked very cute decked out in a pink Christmas outfit.
We decided to forego the traditional red velvet dress for her first Christmas, but she did sport red "My First Christmas" jammies...
And here she is posing with her Aunt Doreen.
MORE CUTE BABY PICTURES!
Ashley slept through the gift-opening festivities at my sister's house the weekend before Christmas... but looked very cute decked out in a pink Christmas outfit.
We decided to forego the traditional red velvet dress for her first Christmas, but she did sport red "My First Christmas" jammies...
And here she is posing with her Aunt Doreen.
"Ask Me How"... Advice for Freelance Writers
Confession: I made a New Year's "Goal" to blog at least 2 times a week here. But I often find myself staring at this tiny box and wondering what on Earth to write.
With nearly 15 years experience as a writer and editor, I've launched magazines, written press releases, reported for a local newspaper, pitched countless article ideas and written thousands... but I find myself stumped when I stare at this little blog space and wonder what I could possibly have to share with the world.
So, I'd like to give you, my readers, the opportunity to ask me anything you want. Ask me how I made more than $40,000 as a freelance writer this year, putting in less than 30 hours a week (for the most part). Ask me how to impress editors. Ask me how to build a social network of people who need writers. Ask me the best places to find freelance writing jobs. Ask me why I won't work for less than $30 an hour, but why it's okay to blog for $5 a post sometimes.
In short, ask me anything else you'd like about the freelance writing life.
Some facts:
1. Although I call myself a full-time freelance writer, as it is my only source of income, I don't work full-time hours. There's no need. I never made $40,000 at any of my "day jobs," even as the Editor-in-Chief of 'top in their industry' publications. But I did it this year solely through freelance writing.
Can I do that--and better--while taking care of an infant in 2009? We'll see.
2. I rarely send queries--although that will change in 2009 as I attempt to achieve the goal of being published in a non-niche, mainstream glossy newsstand publication.
3. I love my job. More than anything I've ever done in my life.
4. I have the freedom to travel, to stay home and take care of my daughter, to set my own hours.
5. The one thing I've learned is that success is all about relationships. People hire people they like to work with... whether they're working long distance or side-by-side in an office.
I sometimes get e-mails or private messages through Absolute Write asking me how to make a living as a freelance writer. Unfortunately, many of the people who e-mail don't want to work at it. They don't want to hear it's hard work. They want the magic solution. I won't lie... freelancing *is* hard work and it takes time to build up contacts and connections (I'm assuming would-be writers have some level of talent).
But I will do my best to answer any questions posted here... it's up to those asking the questions as to what they do with the information.
With nearly 15 years experience as a writer and editor, I've launched magazines, written press releases, reported for a local newspaper, pitched countless article ideas and written thousands... but I find myself stumped when I stare at this little blog space and wonder what I could possibly have to share with the world.
So, I'd like to give you, my readers, the opportunity to ask me anything you want. Ask me how I made more than $40,000 as a freelance writer this year, putting in less than 30 hours a week (for the most part). Ask me how to impress editors. Ask me how to build a social network of people who need writers. Ask me the best places to find freelance writing jobs. Ask me why I won't work for less than $30 an hour, but why it's okay to blog for $5 a post sometimes.
In short, ask me anything else you'd like about the freelance writing life.
Some facts:
1. Although I call myself a full-time freelance writer, as it is my only source of income, I don't work full-time hours. There's no need. I never made $40,000 at any of my "day jobs," even as the Editor-in-Chief of 'top in their industry' publications. But I did it this year solely through freelance writing.
Can I do that--and better--while taking care of an infant in 2009? We'll see.
2. I rarely send queries--although that will change in 2009 as I attempt to achieve the goal of being published in a non-niche, mainstream glossy newsstand publication.
3. I love my job. More than anything I've ever done in my life.
4. I have the freedom to travel, to stay home and take care of my daughter, to set my own hours.
5. The one thing I've learned is that success is all about relationships. People hire people they like to work with... whether they're working long distance or side-by-side in an office.
I sometimes get e-mails or private messages through Absolute Write asking me how to make a living as a freelance writer. Unfortunately, many of the people who e-mail don't want to work at it. They don't want to hear it's hard work. They want the magic solution. I won't lie... freelancing *is* hard work and it takes time to build up contacts and connections (I'm assuming would-be writers have some level of talent).
But I will do my best to answer any questions posted here... it's up to those asking the questions as to what they do with the information.
Ask Me: Advice for Freelance Writers
Confession: I made a New Year's "Goal" to blog at least 2 times a week here. But I often find myself staring at this tiny box and wondering what on Earth to write.
With nearly 15 years experience as a writer and editor, I've launched magazines, written press releases, reported for a local newspaper, pitched countless article ideas and written thousands... but I find myself stumped when I stare at this little blog space and wonder what I could possibly have to share with the world.
So, I'd like to give you, my readers, the opportunity to ask me anything you want. Ask me how I made more than $40,000 as a freelance writer this year, putting in less than 30 hours a week (for the most part). Ask me how to impress editors. Ask me how to build a social network of people who need writers. Ask me the best places to find freelance writing jobs. Ask me why I won't work for less than $30 an hour, but why it's okay to blog for $5 a post sometimes.
In short, ask me anything else you'd like about the freelance writing life.
Some facts:
1. Although I call myself a full-time freelance writer, as it is my only source of income, I don't work full-time hours. There's no need. I never made $40,000 at any of my "day jobs," even as the Editor-in-Chief of 'top in their industry' publications. But I did it this year solely through freelance writing.
Can I do that--and better--while taking care of an infant in 2009? We'll see.
2. I rarely send queries--although that will change in 2009 as I attempt to achieve the goal of being published in a non-niche, mainstream glossy newsstand publication.
3. I love my job. More than anything I've ever done in my life (besides parenting).
4. I have the freedom to travel, to stay home and take care of my daughter, to set my own hours.
5. The one thing I've learned is that success is all about relationships. People hire people they like to work with... whether they're working long distance or side-by-side in an office.
I sometimes get e-mails or private messages through Absolute Write asking me how to make a living as a freelance writer. Unfortunately, many of the people who e-mail don't want to work at it. They don't want to hear it's hard work. They want the magic solution. I won't lie... freelancing *is* hard work and it takes time to build up contacts and connections (I'm assuming would-be writers have some level of talent).
But I will do my best to answer any questions posted here... it's up to those asking the questions as to what they do with the information.
With nearly 15 years experience as a writer and editor, I've launched magazines, written press releases, reported for a local newspaper, pitched countless article ideas and written thousands... but I find myself stumped when I stare at this little blog space and wonder what I could possibly have to share with the world.
So, I'd like to give you, my readers, the opportunity to ask me anything you want. Ask me how I made more than $40,000 as a freelance writer this year, putting in less than 30 hours a week (for the most part). Ask me how to impress editors. Ask me how to build a social network of people who need writers. Ask me the best places to find freelance writing jobs. Ask me why I won't work for less than $30 an hour, but why it's okay to blog for $5 a post sometimes.
In short, ask me anything else you'd like about the freelance writing life.
Some facts:
1. Although I call myself a full-time freelance writer, as it is my only source of income, I don't work full-time hours. There's no need. I never made $40,000 at any of my "day jobs," even as the Editor-in-Chief of 'top in their industry' publications. But I did it this year solely through freelance writing.
Can I do that--and better--while taking care of an infant in 2009? We'll see.
2. I rarely send queries--although that will change in 2009 as I attempt to achieve the goal of being published in a non-niche, mainstream glossy newsstand publication.
3. I love my job. More than anything I've ever done in my life (besides parenting).
4. I have the freedom to travel, to stay home and take care of my daughter, to set my own hours.
5. The one thing I've learned is that success is all about relationships. People hire people they like to work with... whether they're working long distance or side-by-side in an office.
I sometimes get e-mails or private messages through Absolute Write asking me how to make a living as a freelance writer. Unfortunately, many of the people who e-mail don't want to work at it. They don't want to hear it's hard work. They want the magic solution. I won't lie... freelancing *is* hard work and it takes time to build up contacts and connections (I'm assuming would-be writers have some level of talent).
But I will do my best to answer any questions posted here... it's up to those asking the questions as to what they do with the information.
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