Creativity is a Team Effort

Yesterday, I went to an awesome poetry reading/ book launch for two excellent poets in Minneapolis. It had been months since I went to a literary event of any kind, and this really left me recharged. One of the poets, Bao Phi, who was releasing his first poetry book (not including self published chap books), Song I Sing from Coffeehouse Press. Among other accomplishments, Phi is a two time "Grand Slam" champion and has also appeared on Def Poetry Jam. The other poet, Ed Bok Lee, was equally as wonderful. His book Whorled is also available from Coffeehouse Press.

I've dabbled in a bit of slam poetry myself, spent a year going to several slams, performing in a few although I only made the final local round once, I enjoyed the time, and no I didn't compete against Bao Phi-- my brief time on the scene happen after he had moved on. So today, I sought to write a "slam length" poem -- which is about 2 1/2 minutes. I didn't time myself reading, but I think I got fairly close. It's about the same length as a few I performed back in the day. The poem, Wooing the Muse, is nearly 400 words, about a relationship on the rocks.

I think nearly anyone who calls themselves a writer relies at least partially on "the muse" to inspire them. But expecting the muse to lift you from nothing without giving it anything to feed on is not fair. Inspiration,poetry, art is all a two way street. When you show up, eventually, the muse will come to your aid. You just might have to throw out a few things that aren't as you as you'd like them to be.

And now, I have another idea-- wrote the beginning and end stanzas and will try to dig at it throughout the week. It's a little more of a "spilling from the veins" poem. No guarantees it will be ready, but even if I don't share, the process will be interesting.

Making money, let alone a living purely from writing creatively, especially poetry is rare, but there is so much more  that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile. For many it provides something much more valuable. A voice.

Organize and Learn

This week, I downloaded two apps in Google Chrome in order to help me manage my freelancing jobs and other related tasks. The notebook method, write down each assignment as it comes was working nicely, but there were several little nuances that are not quite as cut and dried as done vs. not done.

The first thing I added was a spreadsheet application. Yes, I have a spreadsheet on my computer, but I wanted something that is only used for my freelancing, so I'm using the Zoho Spreadsheet App for Google Chrome. Along with that I am also using a Task Timer App. The timer app lets you write down the name of your task, set a goal for how long it should take, and find out how long it actually does take. Between these two apps I have been timing how long it takes to do an assignment, minus other goofing off, and what my real hourly wage is. The good news is I am making more per hour than I thought. The bad news is I am working less than I thought.

So I've developed some goals, things I want to accomplish when the queues run dry that pay me the big bucks. I've set a priority hierarchy. Proven sites that pay X cents per word are at the top. This blog, although it is somewhat illusive at the moment is 2nd priority. Poetry and Fiction, which I write for the sake of my sanity are next, and articles written without a confirmed buyer round up the list. The goal, Tuesday - Monday, is to write 30 articles/assignments, 7 blogs, and 1 poem/story each week. If I look at how long it takes to do all this, I really should write even more, but it is a good beginning. If I stay on top of everything, I get a "weekend" on Sunday and Monday. I'll be working this weekend.

But now I know. I need to pull myself away from distractions, maybe I will need to set alarms to catapult me from "break time" to work time. Whatever it takes to get me to work more. But I am learning, and progressing all the time. I still think I'm going to be okay.

A Little Grammatical Gem

In case you don't know, there is a lot more to holding a degree in English than having good grammar. This is good, because any grammar guru could probably have a field day with their virtual blue pencil on any given day. Most of the time, I think I'm okay, but I know I'm far from perfect and not as good as I was in days closer to when I actually got my degree.

Unlike some people, I grew up in a family where people spoke with pretty decent grammar most of the time. Major grammar faux pas were corrected, not in a humiliating way, but in a respectable manner -- usually just by repeating the phrase correctly and moving on. Pomp and Circumstance were not required. We were simply shown our error and moved on.

Even with the rules laid before me in countless English classes, I respond best to grammar when I just go by ear. My results on individual grammar tests may vary widely depending on my mood. There are moments when everything looks right or nothing looks right. Sometimes it's nice just to take a little test when you don't have a job or a rating on the line. That's why I love this resource: Grammarbook.com. The site has a paid version that has a wide array of grammar quizzes and lessons to help you brush up on the little details of your English grammar lessons where you may not be at the top of your game. Even without the paid version, there are a lot of short quizzes you can take with simple, straightforward  explanations of the answers.

The basic paid version has longer tests in all sorts of different areas all available for $30 for 500 logins so it's fair for those who use it once a day, or once a month since it won't expire on a set calendar day. For those who need even more log-ins, there's a teacher's edition available as well as a physical book available in paperback and for the Kindle.

There's some criticism of an occasional error in this book, but it's under $10, and it really seems like it can go a long way to help you get your grammar groove back. Once that's done, if you plan on doing some serious editing or want to apply for top level writing jobs, you'll want to invest in the AP Stylebook and possibly the Chicago Manual of Style. But that will come in good time.

Non-accomplishments

You ever have those little goals you strive for that on some level seem like they mean something, like they will make a difference, but you know deep down-- or maybe pretty shallow down that they don't matter much or really at all? I do. I'm playing out a silly game on Facebook until I get to the top level (for the third time) and at that point, I plan to delete the app and not look back. While I'm on my way, I'm wasting a lot of time. I have that mixture of accomplishment combined with self-loathing. A joyous mix to be sure.

Could I just delete the app now. Well, yeah, I guess. But finishing what I set out to do seems to mean something, even if it doesn't mean anything. I've made some real goals too-- work related. How many articles to write. I'm tracking time it takes to write them. I'm trying to get honest with myself on how much better I can really do. For some reason I can't pull out the rock star stops all in one day-- but they are coming. I will get there. I'm meeting deadlines, although I could give myself a few more. Little by little I'm getting tougher on myself, and I will get there.

Yes, I know I am most likely grasping, but non-accomplishments can be important precursors to the real thing. Finishing what I started and walking away or moving on are important things to reinforce in myself. Always, always a work in progress.

Will there always be ways to waste time? Of course. But I will find ways to make them more useful. I might start doing arm curls or crunches or read or meditate. Who knows? Whatever it takes to get to the next step.

Where I Came From, Where I'll Go

I must confess I haven't read nearly enough lately. As I've concerned myself with actually getting paid to write due to by admiration of living in an apartment rather than a cardboard box somewhere my priorities have shifted. Still it is important to remember where you really want to go as a writer, the things that inspired you, and how a constant redefinition of self should be on just about everyone's to do list.

I've pulled from my shelves two books I hope to finish over this next week-- or at least get really close. Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom by Mary Catherine Bateson, a former professor of Anthropology and English. The book, which I'm currently a couple chapters into, explores the concept of "Adulthood II" a time when middle age adults often redefine their future. There's a lot I can take from this. My kids are in college, I'm taking on a semi-risky career move with freelancing. Taking a leap of faith isn't easy. I grew up the youngest in a big family where it is often difficult to hear my own voice, let alone get anyone to listen. Maybe that is why I write things down. That way I know it is real.

I have also always found writing "guide" books inspiring and motivating. A while back I bought a used copy of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, which somehow I haven't read. So that is also on my reading list this week. Between the two books, I should have much reflecting to do.

Books, whether they are fiction, poetry, guidebooks or something else teach us not only about the people that write them but also about ourselves. I look forward to making that journey and planning my next turn,

My First Resource- A Little Different Now

When I was a kid, clutching a notebook and a pen everywhere I went dreaming of being a famous writer --or at least a writer who sold enough not to starve, I went to the only resource I knew at the time, Writer's Digest. Yes, they are the ones that do all the Writer's Markets, and there is a lot of controversy on whether writers need Writer's Market, or Writer's Digest. Now, of course there are lots of resources. Writer's Digest has a free download, the 101 Best Websites for writers that you can get my signing up for their newsletter. Register on their site and you get access to writing prompts, webinars, forums with other writers, etc. Not quite like flipping through the magazine-- which you can do, but I don't. Maybe someday, but right now, I'm all about getting the resources I can get for free.

I am barely registered now, and much of the reason is nostalgia-- but that's as good a reason as any. Writersdigest.com has quite a few resources just on their website, a community, writing prompts, contest info (although those may have entry fees). It'll be worth browsing around when and if I get some spare time. I'll dig in further later, but starting in the place where I started is good. Our writing and motivation can change a lot over the years, and it's good to have a place that will ground us and help us remember why words became do important in the first place.

Seeing Future Potential in Something New

One thing I've noticed with some of the writing sites I've written for is that they are upping the ante when it comes to building relationships between writers and their clients. Textbroker has introduced "Team Orders" so clients can post to smaller groups of writers they like, and sometimes they pay more. There's still some glitches in the process though, since it's new.

But one site I haven't used much but may utilize a little more is Constant Content. There are specific orders for articles, but instead of just taking them out of the queue, you have to compete for them. You can also write about pretty much whatever you want and set your own price. It can take a while for an article to actually sell though. It can be tricky finding the right balance between uniqueness and marketability. You could write a review of the Two and a Half Men Premiere, which is definitely trending, but how many other writers are going to be doing the same thing?  You could also use the episode as a launch pad for something like helping a teen deal with a relative's tragic death  -- which, if it's not part of the premier episode or one coming up, it should be. Sit-com situations may be far fetched, but there's a real component to mist of them that can make for some pretty good articles. It only takes a couple mentions of the actual show and you have something salable.

Constant Content has introduced Writer Pools, where articles can be ordered from a specific writer who guarantees a certain turnaround time. It's an interesting concept, and one that I don't yet qualify for. It requires 10 articles accepted into the system, and I've only had two. Perhaps in about a month I will have enough on my  Constant Content plate to make it work. I find I spend too much time checking the queues of my most tried and true websites, even when there isn't much in them. I'll need to take time to step outside my comfort zone and start making some other sites work for me on a regular basis. The toe's in the water. I need to start wading.

So there's my advice to myself, and to any writer who is trying to sneak that writing income up to a live able wage. Make time for the unfamiliar. It may pay off when you need it most.