I’ve had kind of a rough month. My working vacation at the beginning of April turned into more vacation and not so much working. Which was fine as far as recharging the batteries and having fun, but left me with a pile of stuff to finish when I returned.
Living out of a host of hotels up and down I-95 for the past few weeks left Ashley particularly clingy; I’ve spent a disproportionate amount of time holding her, at the expense of housework, work or any sort of social life. To add to it all, I’m trying to transition her into her own sleeping space (we’ve been co-sleeping for at least half the night, every night). Ironically, when she’s sleeping on her own, I’ll get a lot more sleep but the interim brings a lot more sleepness nights. (Just when I grew accustomed to five hours being a “good night’s sleep!”)
Enough whining, I promise. It gets better. And it got better. Because I remembered a very important writing rule: Writing breeds writing.
I had fallen out of the groove. I felt like everything I wrote was garbage, I had no ideas, and couldn’t put a sentence together. Finally, yesterday morning, I popped in a Baby Einstein DVD for Ashley and promised myself I’d just write one blog post. I put up a short post for www.paintballsportsmag.com. Don’t worry; I’ll wait while you go read it if paintball is your thing and you’re so inclined.
See? It’s not my best work, but it’s informative, short and useful, and the editor liked it. From there, I did some work on another blog project, finished a review of the Cushi Tush infant seat for Babies Online, and by the end of the night, I felt like my writing wasn’t half-bad anymore. I had also gotten considerably faster.
I’ve been doing this a long time, and it’s the same story every time. Not writing feeds on itself. If you don’t make that commitment to sit at your keyboard and produce something, not writing becomes the habit.
However, writing does the same. And beating writer’s block really is that easy.
Here’s the six-figure secret to becoming a full-time freelance writer: Just sit down and write.
You will probably think what you created was awful. It might be. Or maybe it won’t.
If you’re really unsure, send it to a trusted friend or colleague. If you need a boost in confidence, send it to your mom. The point is, you will have written! And as you write, it gets easier. As you don’t write, it gets harder and harder to begin. So just take that step.
Some people might ask, “Do e-mails count?” Here’s my answer: They count if they count. I use e-mail as such a basic part of my existence, I don’t mentally count them as “writing.” Some people do, and say writing an e-mail is a great way to beat writer’s block. It’s never worked for me but if it works for you, then yes, it counts. If a 140-character Twitter post gets you out of the funk, more power to you!
In more than two decades as a paid writer, this has worked for me every single time. The problem is, when you’re in that funk and can’t write, the obvious answer (to write) doesn’t seem so obvious. I know it’s not for me, until I do it, and then I say, “Why didn’t I do this earlier instead of wallowing in misery.
Post this on your wall as a reminder, if it helps. You can do it!
JUST WRITE.
Showing posts with label freelance writing career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freelance writing career. Show all posts
"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.
Transcription Tips for Freelance Writers
Most freelancers have a love/hate relationship with interviews. They love doing them, but hate the tedious transcription process that follows.
Personally, I enjoy transcribing. It’s just the type of mindless task I can do when I don’t feel like writing but want to be productive. And since I type close to 100 wpm, transcription makes me feel very productive!
Fellow writer Mary asked me in an earlier post if I had any tips for transcribing. I’ve used all of these techniques at some point in my career, so hopefully Mary and other freelancers will find them helpful.
1. Get the right tools.
When I used an analog tape recorder, it featured a dial for variable playback speeds, a conveniently-placed pause button and a “forward/reverse scan” option. I confess, I haven’t figured out how to properly rewind and fast forward on my new digital model, so I download the files onto my PC and use Windows Media Player. Not quite as convenient, but it works. I drool over the start/stop foot pedal professional transcriptionists use, proving that the “right tool for the job” makes life so much easier.
2. Don’t transcribe it all.
Because of my typing speed, I find it easier to just transcribe everything. “Re-living” the conversation in this way helps me form my articles. But if you’re looking to save time, or only need a handful of supporting quotes for your story, keep an eye on your tape counter, on an analog recorder, or the timer on a digital model, and jot down the number when your subject says something quotable. Then you can easily fast forward to get the material you need in a snap.
3. Edit as you go.
This not only makes transcription faster, it makes it less tedious because you are actually thinking about your article as you type. As you listen to the interview, type only the parts you’ll need. Fast forwarding through large chunks of text saves time and energy. Warning: Whenever I try this, I inevitably skip a section that, in retrospect, I decide would be perfect for the article and have to go through the entire interview again to find the quote I need. But I’m throwing it out there because it might work for someone.
4. Take a touch typing course.
It amazes me that many professionals still write by means of “hunt and peck.” This may work for articles, as you can probably type about as fast as you can compose the words, and it allows you to re-write as you go.
But there’s no advantage to slow transcription. If interviews and transcription is a large part of your job as a freelancer, take a touch-typing course or invest in Mavis Beacon software. I still cite my typing class as THE most valuable course I ever took in high school. By that time, I already knew how to write. Although good English teachers helped me hone my skills, they didn’t get me anywhere I couldn’t have gotten on my own. But hours of typing on those big heavy—not even electric!—typewriters, paper over my hands so I couldn’t see the keys, gave me what is perhaps my biggest money-making skill.
5. Don’t transcribe.
Hate transcription with a passion? Not every interview needs to be recorded. Learn shorthand, either the real kind or your own version, and take handwritten notes with only the information you need. This is also a great skill to have in a pinch, in the event of equipment failure or if you find yourself in the midst of a great story without your trusty recorder. I learned it the hard way, on the street as a cub reporter for a local weekly, because I couldn’t afford a tape recorder. I still take notes by hand at paintball games, rather than risking my pricey, high-tech Olympus WM-800.
Oh, your other choice if you don’t want to transcribe is simply to hire someone to do it for you. And yes, I’m available.
Personally, I enjoy transcribing. It’s just the type of mindless task I can do when I don’t feel like writing but want to be productive. And since I type close to 100 wpm, transcription makes me feel very productive!
Fellow writer Mary asked me in an earlier post if I had any tips for transcribing. I’ve used all of these techniques at some point in my career, so hopefully Mary and other freelancers will find them helpful.
1. Get the right tools.
When I used an analog tape recorder, it featured a dial for variable playback speeds, a conveniently-placed pause button and a “forward/reverse scan” option. I confess, I haven’t figured out how to properly rewind and fast forward on my new digital model, so I download the files onto my PC and use Windows Media Player. Not quite as convenient, but it works. I drool over the start/stop foot pedal professional transcriptionists use, proving that the “right tool for the job” makes life so much easier.
2. Don’t transcribe it all.
Because of my typing speed, I find it easier to just transcribe everything. “Re-living” the conversation in this way helps me form my articles. But if you’re looking to save time, or only need a handful of supporting quotes for your story, keep an eye on your tape counter, on an analog recorder, or the timer on a digital model, and jot down the number when your subject says something quotable. Then you can easily fast forward to get the material you need in a snap.
3. Edit as you go.
This not only makes transcription faster, it makes it less tedious because you are actually thinking about your article as you type. As you listen to the interview, type only the parts you’ll need. Fast forwarding through large chunks of text saves time and energy. Warning: Whenever I try this, I inevitably skip a section that, in retrospect, I decide would be perfect for the article and have to go through the entire interview again to find the quote I need. But I’m throwing it out there because it might work for someone.
4. Take a touch typing course.
It amazes me that many professionals still write by means of “hunt and peck.” This may work for articles, as you can probably type about as fast as you can compose the words, and it allows you to re-write as you go.
But there’s no advantage to slow transcription. If interviews and transcription is a large part of your job as a freelancer, take a touch-typing course or invest in Mavis Beacon software. I still cite my typing class as THE most valuable course I ever took in high school. By that time, I already knew how to write. Although good English teachers helped me hone my skills, they didn’t get me anywhere I couldn’t have gotten on my own. But hours of typing on those big heavy—not even electric!—typewriters, paper over my hands so I couldn’t see the keys, gave me what is perhaps my biggest money-making skill.
5. Don’t transcribe.
Hate transcription with a passion? Not every interview needs to be recorded. Learn shorthand, either the real kind or your own version, and take handwritten notes with only the information you need. This is also a great skill to have in a pinch, in the event of equipment failure or if you find yourself in the midst of a great story without your trusty recorder. I learned it the hard way, on the street as a cub reporter for a local weekly, because I couldn’t afford a tape recorder. I still take notes by hand at paintball games, rather than risking my pricey, high-tech Olympus WM-800.
Oh, your other choice if you don’t want to transcribe is simply to hire someone to do it for you. And yes, I’m available.
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