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.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, September 23, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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,
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,
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, September 19, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Working Through Doubt
My original plan for today was to go to a baseball game with my daughter and a friend. But it started going against her plans, and her friend's plan, and the team mentally checked out for the season a few weeks ago, so I gave the tickets away. And yeah-- we lost, again.
At home, the day was weird. I wrote the poem I planned, Justify, still trying to convince myself that not wanting to deal with the whole rat race and traditional employment is not a bad thing. I do like freelancing, but keeping up writing full time is hard. You have to build endurance, physically and mentally.
I wrote the poem and posted it, watched views come in, but not comments. I didn't think it was quite as good as the one from last week, Ghost. It certainly didn't have the same mystically quality. But I try not to be a one trick pony with my poems. This was also a little longer, which may have pulled some away. Who knows?
But I started to take it personally, which I know better. I started doubting myself, my brave front came crumbling down and I had one of those good cried I probably really needed to have. I also made some yummy chicken thing in the crock pot, did a couple loads of laundry, got a short article done, even though I had planned on taking the day off, and even fit in a short workout, and now I feel better about tomorrow.
I need to take time to take care of myself, be more healthy. I need to stop and shed the brave front sometimes, and just drop everything for a day or two. Maybe I won't have to fight nervous energy while I am writing as if it were a current going in the wrong direction. There are voices that say I can do this, and voices that say I can't. The voices that say I can't really aren't giving me any viable alternative, so they'll just have to sit back and be quiet while I work.
At home, the day was weird. I wrote the poem I planned, Justify, still trying to convince myself that not wanting to deal with the whole rat race and traditional employment is not a bad thing. I do like freelancing, but keeping up writing full time is hard. You have to build endurance, physically and mentally.
I wrote the poem and posted it, watched views come in, but not comments. I didn't think it was quite as good as the one from last week, Ghost. It certainly didn't have the same mystically quality. But I try not to be a one trick pony with my poems. This was also a little longer, which may have pulled some away. Who knows?
But I started to take it personally, which I know better. I started doubting myself, my brave front came crumbling down and I had one of those good cried I probably really needed to have. I also made some yummy chicken thing in the crock pot, did a couple loads of laundry, got a short article done, even though I had planned on taking the day off, and even fit in a short workout, and now I feel better about tomorrow.
I need to take time to take care of myself, be more healthy. I need to stop and shed the brave front sometimes, and just drop everything for a day or two. Maybe I won't have to fight nervous energy while I am writing as if it were a current going in the wrong direction. There are voices that say I can do this, and voices that say I can't. The voices that say I can't really aren't giving me any viable alternative, so they'll just have to sit back and be quiet while I work.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Celebrating Structure
Since I made a renewed commitment to staying consistent with my Write of the Day blog I have been trying to determine what it needs to become a truly useful tool for writers, whether they write for their own enjoyment, for money or a little of both. I decided the next element to incorporate in structure.I'm doing better with consistency, but a good blog needs to go beyond being journalistic and really give back. I wanted to do something that would help my own writing career in the process. My "structure" will still be kind of loose and vague, but is at least a good place to start.
Sunday -- Sunday, I have declared as personal recharge day. The day I write something for the personal purpose of writing. For me that's fiction or poetry. Art for art's sake. Somehow, my Sunday blog will play homage to that.
Monday -- Marketing and Money. Monday's I'm in "Let's get down to business", practical mode. So I'll feature actual money making writing opportunities.
Tuesday -- Toot the horn day. It's the day I'll seek out other cool writing related blogs. Find something new I want to follow. Maybe let someone guest blog.
Wednesday-- Words, words, words. Writers must be readers. So this will be book reviews or previews or at the very least recommended reading lists.
Thursday -- Throw it out there. I'm going to try to put something new in the blog, maybe pictures or something else. Could get experimental. Who knows?
Friday -- Fundamental Fridays -- Grammar, usage, spelling. All that editing stuff every writer loves. I'll find resources to highlight.
Saturday -- All about structure and organization, coming up with a game plan that makes sense, at least for the next week. I may come up with a better Saturday theme, but it's what I've got for now. The day a blog stops being a work in progress is the day to stop blogging.
Sunday -- Sunday, I have declared as personal recharge day. The day I write something for the personal purpose of writing. For me that's fiction or poetry. Art for art's sake. Somehow, my Sunday blog will play homage to that.
Monday -- Marketing and Money. Monday's I'm in "Let's get down to business", practical mode. So I'll feature actual money making writing opportunities.
Tuesday -- Toot the horn day. It's the day I'll seek out other cool writing related blogs. Find something new I want to follow. Maybe let someone guest blog.
Wednesday-- Words, words, words. Writers must be readers. So this will be book reviews or previews or at the very least recommended reading lists.
Thursday -- Throw it out there. I'm going to try to put something new in the blog, maybe pictures or something else. Could get experimental. Who knows?
Friday -- Fundamental Fridays -- Grammar, usage, spelling. All that editing stuff every writer loves. I'll find resources to highlight.
Saturday -- All about structure and organization, coming up with a game plan that makes sense, at least for the next week. I may come up with a better Saturday theme, but it's what I've got for now. The day a blog stops being a work in progress is the day to stop blogging.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Power of Thank You
Earlier today, I heard from a client who was in a bit of a bind. Another writer had picked up assignments with a 2 day deadline, and cancelled out just before it was due. This client has sent out many similar assignments, of which I have completed several. So they asked if I would take them with a 1 day deadline, but they needed them done today. I juggled things a bit, and got them done within the next few hours.
Why was I eager to make adjustments? Because this client has mastered the simple habit of saying thank you. They don't give be outstanding ratings on things. They don't butter me up with compliments or bonuses-- although that would be nice. But they consistently say thank you.
Thank you makes a business transaction a little more than just business, but still keeps things genuine. There is no ceremony or fanfare required, just two words, honestly y meant to show appreciation for whatever you do whether mundane or major.
So I say thank you for reading, and bearing with me. It's appreciated.
Why was I eager to make adjustments? Because this client has mastered the simple habit of saying thank you. They don't give be outstanding ratings on things. They don't butter me up with compliments or bonuses-- although that would be nice. But they consistently say thank you.
Thank you makes a business transaction a little more than just business, but still keeps things genuine. There is no ceremony or fanfare required, just two words, honestly y meant to show appreciation for whatever you do whether mundane or major.
So I say thank you for reading, and bearing with me. It's appreciated.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Blog Slackers Anonymous
Hi, my name is Gretchen, and I'm a blog slacker. It's been 7 days since I've slacked on my blog. I feel like I should get a metal or something. Well, maybe not, but I am patting myself on the back for beginning to develop some type of consistency which can be difficult when you really don't know who, if anyone you are writing to.
The blog experts will advise to fill blogs with important useful information, embed videos, and find really cool links that will keep readers engaged. They will tell you use, but not overuse keywords in order to assure that search engines will pick up your blog and you will attract new readers. This is something I will need to work on. I've yet to master adding photos, let alone video, although when I look at the tools at in the editing bar it doesn't appear to involve anything too terribly complex. I should be able to get it figured out soon enough.
So I lied, I guess. I am still slacking on my blog, but still, I have a start. I am being consistent. I am beginning to see where the holes are, and I will find a way to fill them. It's a delicate balance, finding what you need to do, what you have to do, and what you want to do and keeping everything from contradicting. There's a lot of trial and error in the learning process, but you only learn when you show up.
The blog experts will advise to fill blogs with important useful information, embed videos, and find really cool links that will keep readers engaged. They will tell you use, but not overuse keywords in order to assure that search engines will pick up your blog and you will attract new readers. This is something I will need to work on. I've yet to master adding photos, let alone video, although when I look at the tools at in the editing bar it doesn't appear to involve anything too terribly complex. I should be able to get it figured out soon enough.
So I lied, I guess. I am still slacking on my blog, but still, I have a start. I am being consistent. I am beginning to see where the holes are, and I will find a way to fill them. It's a delicate balance, finding what you need to do, what you have to do, and what you want to do and keeping everything from contradicting. There's a lot of trial and error in the learning process, but you only learn when you show up.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
No, Honey, I'm Not Going to Write Your Paper
A little while ago, I passed up an assignment that came through one of the sites I write for. It called for a literary analysis of "Catch 22" - about 5-7 pages, APA format due in 48 hours for $20. In the notes, "I need the rough draft too." Um. No.
I'm not so naive to think high school and college students aren't buying papers online, but I'm not going to be a supplier and if my kids (who are in college) ever bought a paper online instead of writing it themselves there would be hell to pay.
Yes, someone picked up the assignment, which saddens me. The student who ordered it should know if they have ever turned in any of their own writing to that particular teacher/professor they will know that the paper is not yours. They may not be able to prove it, but they will know.
One nice thing about freelancing is that you can choose your standards. Had that paper been a $100 assignment it might have been tempting, but still. No. Since I am new to copywriting, I do write for peanuts sometimes. I accept that I'm paying my dues. I know how to live frugally, and I'm okay with that. I like that when something comes across my proverbial desk that rubs me the wrong way I have the freedom to pass without completely losing my livelihood.
Besides the moral implications of knowingly writing a high school/college paper for a student who is supposed to be learning these skills for himself/herself, the assignment would've made me maybe $2 an hour which is along the lines of indentured servitude. I'm poor and desperate, but not that poor and desperate. Already, my standards are higher than they were a few months ago.and with luck and perseverance they will creep up a little more closer and closer to a real living.
In the meantime, I'll sleep at night-- unless of course I'm up writing.
I'm not so naive to think high school and college students aren't buying papers online, but I'm not going to be a supplier and if my kids (who are in college) ever bought a paper online instead of writing it themselves there would be hell to pay.
Yes, someone picked up the assignment, which saddens me. The student who ordered it should know if they have ever turned in any of their own writing to that particular teacher/professor they will know that the paper is not yours. They may not be able to prove it, but they will know.
One nice thing about freelancing is that you can choose your standards. Had that paper been a $100 assignment it might have been tempting, but still. No. Since I am new to copywriting, I do write for peanuts sometimes. I accept that I'm paying my dues. I know how to live frugally, and I'm okay with that. I like that when something comes across my proverbial desk that rubs me the wrong way I have the freedom to pass without completely losing my livelihood.
Besides the moral implications of knowingly writing a high school/college paper for a student who is supposed to be learning these skills for himself/herself, the assignment would've made me maybe $2 an hour which is along the lines of indentured servitude. I'm poor and desperate, but not that poor and desperate. Already, my standards are higher than they were a few months ago.and with luck and perseverance they will creep up a little more closer and closer to a real living.
In the meantime, I'll sleep at night-- unless of course I'm up writing.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Batch Cooking and Writing
Recently, I bought the restaurant size can of tomato paste from the grocery store and spent 2 days converting it into a ton of chili and spaghetti sauce, a good deal of it is still in my freezer. Tomorrow, I will be making stroganoff sauce with a giant can of cream of mushroom soup. When I have these big batch cooking sessions, individual portions go into the freezer, making it easy for me or my college student daughter to grab something to make quickly without resorting to restaurants.
The process is satisfying, exhausting, and a little boring all at the same time. Assuming we are mindful of the portions in the freezer and make use of the plan, they will also from to be efficient and money saving.
I know that the concept of "batch writing" is not unknown to many successful freelancers. The same principles apply. It is hard for me to make myself do it, however. When I finish an assignment, I look for something that is different for the next piece if I possibly can. Sometimes, I make a note of a particular element in one article and plan to expand on it in a different way in a different piece. It's like after Thanksgiving having turkey casserole, turkey pot pie, and turkey stew. Eventually, I still get tired of turkey, and I especially don't want to eat all those dishes in the span of a week or two. Instead, maybe I'd portion the turkey into enough to make for a meal and make a different leftover turkey masterpiece once or twice a month.
When writing for a specific assignment, guidelines can be pretty specific, so if I reuse the material I really have to make sure I do it in an original way. I also need to make sure I don't get too tired of one topic that I get bored and slow down. Or that the idea just sits there collecting freezer burn, which I'm sure has been the case for more than one potentially profitable ventures.
So how can I make this work? Outlines perhaps? If I plant the seed on an idea in an outline, it won't take too much time. I can store away my outlines in a writing "freezer" and pull them out touch up the research and put them up for sale whenever my inevitable downtime comes. I'll let you know how it tastes.
The process is satisfying, exhausting, and a little boring all at the same time. Assuming we are mindful of the portions in the freezer and make use of the plan, they will also from to be efficient and money saving.
I know that the concept of "batch writing" is not unknown to many successful freelancers. The same principles apply. It is hard for me to make myself do it, however. When I finish an assignment, I look for something that is different for the next piece if I possibly can. Sometimes, I make a note of a particular element in one article and plan to expand on it in a different way in a different piece. It's like after Thanksgiving having turkey casserole, turkey pot pie, and turkey stew. Eventually, I still get tired of turkey, and I especially don't want to eat all those dishes in the span of a week or two. Instead, maybe I'd portion the turkey into enough to make for a meal and make a different leftover turkey masterpiece once or twice a month.
When writing for a specific assignment, guidelines can be pretty specific, so if I reuse the material I really have to make sure I do it in an original way. I also need to make sure I don't get too tired of one topic that I get bored and slow down. Or that the idea just sits there collecting freezer burn, which I'm sure has been the case for more than one potentially profitable ventures.
So how can I make this work? Outlines perhaps? If I plant the seed on an idea in an outline, it won't take too much time. I can store away my outlines in a writing "freezer" and pull them out touch up the research and put them up for sale whenever my inevitable downtime comes. I'll let you know how it tastes.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Glitches
When you take the time to make a plan, you want things to go off without a hitch. I tend to think of myself as pretty adaptable most of the time, but I do like new plans to go according to plan for at least a little while. So I had my writing priority list all set, and one of the sites I write for went partially down. Writers could not log in, although the rest of the site was still up. Nothing like that has ever happened on that site before, and it threw me off. I had to give up a small job, only a few dollars, but still. I don't like to do that.
Technically, I could've moved onto my next to do list thing, but I was thrown out of whack. I also got a couple revision requests in the middle of the fiasco, and my sister had stopped by. The whole thing sent my concentration way off and it felt like someone was playing pinball in my head. Oh, and the cat had one of her whiny demanding spells. Old lady cat.
And so I took a nap. The sun is down now. It's much cooler and quieter in the world, or at least my world. I'm rested and fresh ready for a couple hours of productivity before I go back to sleep for real.
Of course, glitches happen at traditional jobs too. Systems go down. Workers twirl in their cubicles, visit a little more, try and figure out how they are going to catch up and meet their quotas or maybe just make note of the glitch, and remind the boss come review time that the whole thing was out of their control.
So it remains to be seen how much I can make up. That same site has scheduled maintenance tonight. I've copied my assignment directions, so I should be able to get things set up for when systems are a-go later on.
I can't help thinking that the glitches today was a sign that I needed a bit of a break anyway -- I was dragging the last couple days. Today was Monday, Get Down to Business Day-- and I really wasn't into it, which goes to show this freelancing thing really is a "real job" after all.
Technically, I could've moved onto my next to do list thing, but I was thrown out of whack. I also got a couple revision requests in the middle of the fiasco, and my sister had stopped by. The whole thing sent my concentration way off and it felt like someone was playing pinball in my head. Oh, and the cat had one of her whiny demanding spells. Old lady cat.
And so I took a nap. The sun is down now. It's much cooler and quieter in the world, or at least my world. I'm rested and fresh ready for a couple hours of productivity before I go back to sleep for real.
Of course, glitches happen at traditional jobs too. Systems go down. Workers twirl in their cubicles, visit a little more, try and figure out how they are going to catch up and meet their quotas or maybe just make note of the glitch, and remind the boss come review time that the whole thing was out of their control.
So it remains to be seen how much I can make up. That same site has scheduled maintenance tonight. I've copied my assignment directions, so I should be able to get things set up for when systems are a-go later on.
I can't help thinking that the glitches today was a sign that I needed a bit of a break anyway -- I was dragging the last couple days. Today was Monday, Get Down to Business Day-- and I really wasn't into it, which goes to show this freelancing thing really is a "real job" after all.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Who Will Choose Your Path?
As I promised to myself, I wrote something creative today. A poem, called Ghost that actually makes me pretty proud. It's a fitting poem for the day, but rather by accident. Most simply put, the poem is about life and death and choosing your own destiny rather than letting convention choose it for you.
It's not to say convention hasn't served many people well enough. Sometimes it works great for your whole life. Sometimes it works for a while and stops working. And sometimes you find you've spent far too much time going through the motions. But convention is safe. It assures that you will be able to eat tomorrow, that your lights stay on, that no one slips a note under your door asking you to leave.But there is something too to be said of safety of the spirit. Balance of both is something that must be done, as it is hard to feed your spirit without a roof over your head.
I like writing both poetry and fiction, as well as a lot of the other things I write for money. Today, having made myself the promise, I had to decide whether to write fiction or poetry. And I opted for poetry.At least at the moment, it is probably what differs most from the other copy I am writing. It's something that on some level is without pretense, even when it is not necessarily true.
I also had to choose where to post the poem, and I went with Gather because although the quarter that that poem might make eventually may actually come in handy, it's more about community, and although the site has changed a lot since I first wrote there, it still has a community feel that I like, and I may make stopping by with a poem a Sunday Gather ritual. I had left for a while, because I needed to find a livelihood, and now visiting seems right again.
As for my path?-- I've still feeling my way.
It's not to say convention hasn't served many people well enough. Sometimes it works great for your whole life. Sometimes it works for a while and stops working. And sometimes you find you've spent far too much time going through the motions. But convention is safe. It assures that you will be able to eat tomorrow, that your lights stay on, that no one slips a note under your door asking you to leave.But there is something too to be said of safety of the spirit. Balance of both is something that must be done, as it is hard to feed your spirit without a roof over your head.
I like writing both poetry and fiction, as well as a lot of the other things I write for money. Today, having made myself the promise, I had to decide whether to write fiction or poetry. And I opted for poetry.At least at the moment, it is probably what differs most from the other copy I am writing. It's something that on some level is without pretense, even when it is not necessarily true.
I also had to choose where to post the poem, and I went with Gather because although the quarter that that poem might make eventually may actually come in handy, it's more about community, and although the site has changed a lot since I first wrote there, it still has a community feel that I like, and I may make stopping by with a poem a Sunday Gather ritual. I had left for a while, because I needed to find a livelihood, and now visiting seems right again.
As for my path?-- I've still feeling my way.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Missing Fiction and Poetry
I write every day, or at least almost every day. But I write as a ghost and give others permission to extract my words and manipulate them to do what they wish, and sell what they need to sell, I learn a lot writing this way. Research interesting topics, etc. But in all this writing for others and for money I haven't been writing as much creatively, like fiction and poetry, and I miss it.
When you are striving to make enough to make rent, buy groceries, keep your electricity going, etc. Stopping to write something that will most likely not earn anything can seem selfish. As an alternate creative outlet, I started making jewelry last year. I enjoy it, and it has allowed me to actually give some unique gifts, but it's not writing.
Last week I did get to write something like fiction. It was a mock celebrity story. It was fiction, the situation was completely contrived, and it was utter silliness like many celebrity stories -- even the ones that are true.
Tomorrow, I have a couple professional loose ends to tie up, and then I am going to find a writing prompt somewhere, and write something creative with my own name on it that no one can take.
When you are striving to make enough to make rent, buy groceries, keep your electricity going, etc. Stopping to write something that will most likely not earn anything can seem selfish. As an alternate creative outlet, I started making jewelry last year. I enjoy it, and it has allowed me to actually give some unique gifts, but it's not writing.
Last week I did get to write something like fiction. It was a mock celebrity story. It was fiction, the situation was completely contrived, and it was utter silliness like many celebrity stories -- even the ones that are true.
Tomorrow, I have a couple professional loose ends to tie up, and then I am going to find a writing prompt somewhere, and write something creative with my own name on it that no one can take.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Feast or Famine
I've been fairly lucky this week work-wise. I've been able to catch at least some sort of work from some website almost as fast as I can write it. None of it is paying all that super, but it's consistent. August was horrible, and I was grasping to get anything. Those months will come again. I know they will. So I keep hitting the accept button. Pushing myself to take the next assignment, and I've already made more in September than I did all of August.
Grant it, I wasn't watching quite as closely in August. My son transferred to a new college out of town this year. My daughter's a college freshman locally which meant paperwork, college visits, making sure financial aid was all working out.
A little over a year ago I was fighting for my job, and losing. I knew I didn't really want it anymore, but I still fought. I needed the money, and not much else was out there. I felt small, in quicksand, smothered. I'm not sure if job security or making a little more money is worth feeling like that again.
So I will check my queues. Write one more thing that's due tomorrow. Sleep and write some more in the morning. Because I'd rather do this, than go back to that-- even if it means scraping the bottom of the barrel, or working too many hours for not enough money.
I've wanted to make my living as a writer since I was six years old. This is my shot.
Grant it, I wasn't watching quite as closely in August. My son transferred to a new college out of town this year. My daughter's a college freshman locally which meant paperwork, college visits, making sure financial aid was all working out.
A little over a year ago I was fighting for my job, and losing. I knew I didn't really want it anymore, but I still fought. I needed the money, and not much else was out there. I felt small, in quicksand, smothered. I'm not sure if job security or making a little more money is worth feeling like that again.
So I will check my queues. Write one more thing that's due tomorrow. Sleep and write some more in the morning. Because I'd rather do this, than go back to that-- even if it means scraping the bottom of the barrel, or working too many hours for not enough money.
I've wanted to make my living as a writer since I was six years old. This is my shot.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
It's a Notebook, Silly!
My quest to stay organized and productive as a freelancer is never ending. I've created folders, designed spreadsheets, tried to set reminder alarms, etc, etc. What does all these tactics accomplish? Another tab open on my computer, one more thing to organize and keep straight, more confusion and nervousness, a slower computer -- and less actual writing.
So I thought I would break things down to what was really important.
So I thought I would break things down to what was really important.
- What do I need to do?
- When does it need to be done?
- Who is it for?
- What are they planning to pay me.?
I could have opened up Excel and made another spreadsheet but I opted for a more primitive approach. A notebook -- no not a notebook computer, and actually notebook with paper made with real trees and everything. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't mean we always have to use it. How many times when working in an office was I handed literature about the importance of looking away from the computer from time to time? Using a notebook to write down my assignments is a perfect excuse to look away. When I pick up a new assignment I write it at the end of the list. When I finish an assignment I cross it off the list. Brilliant. I wonder why no one has thought of this before.
If I wanted to I could get fancy and use different colored inks each day so I could track which day I picked up an assignment and which day I turned it in. If I were making a spreadsheet these would be column headings, along with what was turned in just in time, what was early, assignments missed because there was no room in a particular queue to take more. All sorts of information in which to make bar graphs and pie charts. I could schedule a meeting with myself to discuss it.
Sometimes, you just need to simplify wherever you can. There are still more things I'd like to write down in my notebook. More things I would like to cross off my list, and I will add them when lines run through all the necessary things, when deadlines are met and bills are paid.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Discovering Web Copywriting
After spending months scratching at various revenue share writing gigs on the web I decided to take the advice of someone who had commented on a post and check out textbroker.com. The things I wrote for textbroker were different from the writing I was accustomed to doing, which was why I resisted. But it offered something I needed; guaranteed payment for my writing through web copywriting.
For the most part this copywriting has not been rocket science. I'm not writing commercials for the Superbowl. There's landing pages for the websites of small businesses, product descriptions, catalog pages, and some sales articles with keywords disguised as informational. It's sometimes fun, sometimes tedious, sometimes grueling -- like most other jobs, I suppose.
I not only do web copywriting for textbroker, but also Writer Access and ecopywriters.com. I'll also still put up an occasional revenue share article, but the bulk of my income is through web copywriting.
When I say this is "guaranteed work" take it with a grain of salt. In reality, the work isn't always there, but if you find it in the queue and take it, it's yours. The work is not a bid, like with elance or odesk, nor does it sit until someone decides to buy it, like Constant Content. The Writer Access queue, in particular is a lot like going fishing. Last month was dry -- I caught about $200, the previous 2 months I had cleared $500. Writer Access has been my favorite of the three to work for, so I really hope things pick up there soon. The staff seems personable, even though the company is online. The payment varies just over a penny a word to nearly a nickel is the base pay, but clients are able to add bonuses or indicate a higher pay rate. I've actually caught a couple articles that paid over $100 -- now that was a big 'ol bass to hang on the wall!
Textbroker is a little less personable, but very professional. They have been paying twice a month and plan to switch to weekly soon. I'm a level 3, which means a penny a word. Most of the time there is something, but the work does clear out from time to time. I've also gotten more picky about what I take from there, and stick to topics that really sound interesting or will be easy to research. Right now I have something about cold injuries, frostbite, etc. I live in Minnesota, I know something about that so I'll be able to write it quickly.
Ecopywriters was a little less pleasant to deal with in the beginning. Right after I joined they went through a surge of testing-- those multiple choice tests which always make me second guess myself. Turns out I'm rated kind of low, my payment is about 2 cents a word and assignments are sparse usually, unless there's a surge. Last week there were a ton of product descriptions, which I was thankful to have. Payment goes through a longer approval process, but it comes eventually.
I also tried Copify. After 3 months I got a $7.50 assignment only to find their payout minimum is $20. They run mainly out of the UK, and it looks like there are many more UK opportunities with them than there are in the States. I'm hoping I will be able to make that $20 sometime in the next year. Approval also took a while, and required a CV rather than a resume which is kind of like a condensed autobiography, The process left me exhausted.
Someday, I will figure a way to take orders directly without the go-between of these sites. I'll set rates and stick to them. Demand a fair wage for my hard work, but I am thankful for the income I have generated from these sites so far. It's a great way to learn the ropes.
For the most part this copywriting has not been rocket science. I'm not writing commercials for the Superbowl. There's landing pages for the websites of small businesses, product descriptions, catalog pages, and some sales articles with keywords disguised as informational. It's sometimes fun, sometimes tedious, sometimes grueling -- like most other jobs, I suppose.
I not only do web copywriting for textbroker, but also Writer Access and ecopywriters.com. I'll also still put up an occasional revenue share article, but the bulk of my income is through web copywriting.
When I say this is "guaranteed work" take it with a grain of salt. In reality, the work isn't always there, but if you find it in the queue and take it, it's yours. The work is not a bid, like with elance or odesk, nor does it sit until someone decides to buy it, like Constant Content. The Writer Access queue, in particular is a lot like going fishing. Last month was dry -- I caught about $200, the previous 2 months I had cleared $500. Writer Access has been my favorite of the three to work for, so I really hope things pick up there soon. The staff seems personable, even though the company is online. The payment varies just over a penny a word to nearly a nickel is the base pay, but clients are able to add bonuses or indicate a higher pay rate. I've actually caught a couple articles that paid over $100 -- now that was a big 'ol bass to hang on the wall!
Textbroker is a little less personable, but very professional. They have been paying twice a month and plan to switch to weekly soon. I'm a level 3, which means a penny a word. Most of the time there is something, but the work does clear out from time to time. I've also gotten more picky about what I take from there, and stick to topics that really sound interesting or will be easy to research. Right now I have something about cold injuries, frostbite, etc. I live in Minnesota, I know something about that so I'll be able to write it quickly.
Ecopywriters was a little less pleasant to deal with in the beginning. Right after I joined they went through a surge of testing-- those multiple choice tests which always make me second guess myself. Turns out I'm rated kind of low, my payment is about 2 cents a word and assignments are sparse usually, unless there's a surge. Last week there were a ton of product descriptions, which I was thankful to have. Payment goes through a longer approval process, but it comes eventually.
I also tried Copify. After 3 months I got a $7.50 assignment only to find their payout minimum is $20. They run mainly out of the UK, and it looks like there are many more UK opportunities with them than there are in the States. I'm hoping I will be able to make that $20 sometime in the next year. Approval also took a while, and required a CV rather than a resume which is kind of like a condensed autobiography, The process left me exhausted.
Someday, I will figure a way to take orders directly without the go-between of these sites. I'll set rates and stick to them. Demand a fair wage for my hard work, but I am thankful for the income I have generated from these sites so far. It's a great way to learn the ropes.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Productive Procrastination
In the next 36 hours I have 7 articles to write that I am not especially excited about. I asked for them, I need the work and I'm thankful the assignments are there, but still. I picked them up on Friday afternoon. They had a 5 hour deadline, which I knew wouldn't be enough time so I asked for an extra day, and in lieu of the holiday weekend the deadline was extended to Monday evening. Good thing? Yes and no.
One added day to the deadline would've made the project doable, but just stressful enough to keep my butt in gear. Ideally, I had wanted to finish those assignments, and take a few more but with the illusion of having extra time, they are sitting.
The good news is although I am still procrastinating, I am managing a sort of "productive procrastination." Like many people I have my mental "to-do" list that can sometimes be a little crazy. Like any to do list there is a hierarchy of priority. There have been things on that list that I've put lower on the hierarchy that I just haven't gotten around to. Like actually starting to blog daily-- it's been sort of a ghost town here.
But now that I am officially a "full time freelancer" I have to walk the walk or find a good sturdy cardboard box, and being that I live in Minnesota, walking the walk is preferable.
The good thing about productive procrastination is that it actually serves a purpose more worthwhile than say, a game of solitaire. Yesterday, I did not write any of those seven articles but I did make a giant pot of chili and wrote 3 things for other sites. And yes, I played a some solitaire, lurked on Facebook and spent too much time playing games there as well.
I'm making a second pot of chili today, but my prep work is done so it won't take long to get going. Today, I am determined to get at least three of those assignments done, along with spending a little time with family, and they will be done by the deadline. And now, I've restarted my blog -- something I really wanted to do, and the chili is delicious.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Feeding Off One Another
The lightning spark of thought generated in the solitary mind awakens its likeness in another mind.’
— Thomas Carlyle
Last night I experienced one of the best musical values in the Twin Cities. for a mere $12, I got to see three extrodinary local bands in one place. Savage Aural Hotbed, Felonious Bosch, and Sendero Flamenco were all playing friday Night at the Loring Theater in Minneapolis.
Sendero Flamenco was a trio with 2 flamenco guitarists, and a flamenco dancer/percussionist. Not only did the dancer respond to the guitars, but the guitars responded to the dancer. After they perfeormer for about 45 minutes, the next band came on stage.
Felonious Bosch incorporates, rock, folk, jazz, and traditional music in a very unique way that will almost remind you of something you've heard before, eventhough they are quite unique. In true chameleon fashion, they blend effortlessly as they invite Sendero Flamenco back out to join them for a song. Later, the next transition comes when Savage Aural Hotbed appears and starts making music out of things you'll find at the mechanics.
By the end of the night, all three bands are playing together as if they are one entity, which, at least for the night, they are.
It's been a long time since I've actually written with another writer, but taking time to appreciate different styles is importtant to help you grow as a writer, and as a reader as well. While writers obviously don't want to copy one another, we find seeds in one anothers work all the time, cultivate them in new ways and let them grow into something that is completely our own.
One of the great things about being a writer is although writers do compete with one another, we tend to wish each other the best. One writer doing well will only make another better. So when we hold ourselves to a high standard, we make other writers better at the same time. And that's a good thing. Because in the end, we all get what we need.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Do You Still Love to Write?
There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second.
Logan Pearsall Smith
Over the past few days I've been restructuring my website, trying to get it to reflect how I want to present myself as a writer and also find a way to draw traffic. The whole SEO thing is a constant learning experience, but I am learning. I still have a lot of tweaking, but I've got the structure mostly down-- at least for now. Now it's back to writing articles, and blogs, and whatever else I find the time and inspiration to write.
One of my new goals is to better utilize my website, my blog, and my writing Facebook page, which I have now linked to Twitter. Part of that means making regular updates, and despite this blog being called "Write of the Day" I've not done well with it.
And so, I am hunting for quotes on writing, inspiration, goals, and posting on my site's home page, as well as Facebook and Twitter-- and here.
Inspirational quotes make excellent writing prompts, which should help me produce a consistent blog that hopefully people get something from. And so I take to heart the words of Logan Pearsal Smith. To go for what I want, and then enjoy it.
For a long time, I was adament about only writing fiction and poetry -- that's what I loved to write, and I didn't want to sell out by writing articles or ads or blogs-- but those types of writing are growing on me, and the more I practice them, the more I enjoy them. I find I'm enjoying a lot of the busy work, like web design and tightening my grip on the whole social networking thing. But I'm learning. Perhaps that is the best thing. I'm always learning, which was not something I could always say when I spent my days in a cubicle.
Lately, my creative writing has been limited to the occasional poem. It's been a while since I've written and original story, or worked on a novel. The part of writing I love the most is taking a back seat right now, and there are times it makes me a little sad.
But it is there. When the time and circumstances position themselves-- or rather, I position them, I will be able to spend more time on balancing the parts of writing I love a little, with those I love a lot.
It reminds me of another quote, "If you can't be with the one you love, Honey, love the one you're with." By embracing where we are and what we are doing, yet looking towards the next step we keep ourselves content in what we do without getting bitter.
I spent many years making my living in less than thrilling ways, stealing my words in the early mornings, evenings, and weekends. But during that time, I don't think I could have written things that weren't necessarily my idea. I had to learn through life that writing isn't just about my expression of myself, but it's also about forming a sense of cooperation with others, be it through networking, marketing, or writing.
Sometimes, being older and wiser really can be a good thing. Our lives move in waves, and sometimes all we can do is ride them. But if we learn to enjoy the surf we position ourselves to have a little more fun whenever the next one comes along.
Logan Pearsall Smith
Over the past few days I've been restructuring my website, trying to get it to reflect how I want to present myself as a writer and also find a way to draw traffic. The whole SEO thing is a constant learning experience, but I am learning. I still have a lot of tweaking, but I've got the structure mostly down-- at least for now. Now it's back to writing articles, and blogs, and whatever else I find the time and inspiration to write.
One of my new goals is to better utilize my website, my blog, and my writing Facebook page, which I have now linked to Twitter. Part of that means making regular updates, and despite this blog being called "Write of the Day" I've not done well with it.
And so, I am hunting for quotes on writing, inspiration, goals, and posting on my site's home page, as well as Facebook and Twitter-- and here.
Inspirational quotes make excellent writing prompts, which should help me produce a consistent blog that hopefully people get something from. And so I take to heart the words of Logan Pearsal Smith. To go for what I want, and then enjoy it.
For a long time, I was adament about only writing fiction and poetry -- that's what I loved to write, and I didn't want to sell out by writing articles or ads or blogs-- but those types of writing are growing on me, and the more I practice them, the more I enjoy them. I find I'm enjoying a lot of the busy work, like web design and tightening my grip on the whole social networking thing. But I'm learning. Perhaps that is the best thing. I'm always learning, which was not something I could always say when I spent my days in a cubicle.
Lately, my creative writing has been limited to the occasional poem. It's been a while since I've written and original story, or worked on a novel. The part of writing I love the most is taking a back seat right now, and there are times it makes me a little sad.
But it is there. When the time and circumstances position themselves-- or rather, I position them, I will be able to spend more time on balancing the parts of writing I love a little, with those I love a lot.
It reminds me of another quote, "If you can't be with the one you love, Honey, love the one you're with." By embracing where we are and what we are doing, yet looking towards the next step we keep ourselves content in what we do without getting bitter.
I spent many years making my living in less than thrilling ways, stealing my words in the early mornings, evenings, and weekends. But during that time, I don't think I could have written things that weren't necessarily my idea. I had to learn through life that writing isn't just about my expression of myself, but it's also about forming a sense of cooperation with others, be it through networking, marketing, or writing.
Sometimes, being older and wiser really can be a good thing. Our lives move in waves, and sometimes all we can do is ride them. But if we learn to enjoy the surf we position ourselves to have a little more fun whenever the next one comes along.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Overserved- Picking your Pace in Writing and Elsewhere
I went to a restaurant with my daughter earlier this evening. We were seated quickly, the server tried to take our order before we could even open the menu, much less peruse it. Had we wanted to talk about anything serious it would've been impossible because she was back at the table almost constantly. In one of the few moments when she wasn't at our table, someone else-- the manager I presume-- came and asked if there was anything we needed.
While on the surface, this is good, it felt like overkill. It seemed like we were being rushed through the whole experience, rushed to order, rushed to eat, rushed to leave.
There are times when haste makes sense, when there is a lobby full of patrons waiting to be seated, and servers need to propel each group through their meal so the next group can sit down. But this was not the case. It was just the two of us, and there were plenty of empty tables.
The experience, or rather the way that I interpretted it, was probably brought on by the servers general anxiousness that come through although she tried to hide it, and the fact I was coming off a bit of a frenzied day myself. Which was why I wanted to sit down and have a slow relaxing meal in the first place.
In the servers defense, I do recognize that finding the right pace to serve customers has to be a challenge. I've had the opposite problem as well, when it took forever to refill glasses, no one bothered to ask if the food was okay, and it took forever to bring the check. Service at the other end of the spectrum has caused me to miss busses and has otherwise thrown plans off kilter, so I guess in the grand scheme of things being overserved is preferable.
Restaurant servers aren't the only ones who need to concern themselves with pacing. Writers need to pay attention to this as well. When a story moves to slowly it starts to feel stale, and the reader winds up spending their energy trying to stay alert to finish it. When it moves too fast, it's hard for the reader to really experience the characters and nuances of they story. A story that moves too fast can give the reader the same rushed feeling that I had at the restaurant, and it may be a while before they decide to come back to your work.
While on the surface, this is good, it felt like overkill. It seemed like we were being rushed through the whole experience, rushed to order, rushed to eat, rushed to leave.
There are times when haste makes sense, when there is a lobby full of patrons waiting to be seated, and servers need to propel each group through their meal so the next group can sit down. But this was not the case. It was just the two of us, and there were plenty of empty tables.
The experience, or rather the way that I interpretted it, was probably brought on by the servers general anxiousness that come through although she tried to hide it, and the fact I was coming off a bit of a frenzied day myself. Which was why I wanted to sit down and have a slow relaxing meal in the first place.
In the servers defense, I do recognize that finding the right pace to serve customers has to be a challenge. I've had the opposite problem as well, when it took forever to refill glasses, no one bothered to ask if the food was okay, and it took forever to bring the check. Service at the other end of the spectrum has caused me to miss busses and has otherwise thrown plans off kilter, so I guess in the grand scheme of things being overserved is preferable.
Restaurant servers aren't the only ones who need to concern themselves with pacing. Writers need to pay attention to this as well. When a story moves to slowly it starts to feel stale, and the reader winds up spending their energy trying to stay alert to finish it. When it moves too fast, it's hard for the reader to really experience the characters and nuances of they story. A story that moves too fast can give the reader the same rushed feeling that I had at the restaurant, and it may be a while before they decide to come back to your work.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Three of the Goal Areas for a Freelance Writer
Whether you dabble in writing an occassional article online for a few extra bucks or you strive to call yourself a full fledged freelancer it is important to have goals. There's a lot of things to consider when setting your writing goals; who you are, what kind of writer you want to be, how much money you want to make and more. If all goes well you should be able to mesh your goals together and obtain some sense of personal satisfaction as a writer.
While there may be many aspects that a writer could consider, today I am going to focus on these three: production, money, and staying creative. Other goals echo in my mind as well, writing more offline, increasing my quality, writing fiction that sells -- but that will come in due time. First, I need to find my writing rhythm.
So step 1: Production goals.
Lately, I have been writing mostly SEO copywriting and ghostwriting blogs, with fewer informational articles like I was doing a couple months ago. Some of these are harder than others, and they don't have as much excitement of "learning something" as I did when I was writing more informational stuff. So, my production goal this week is 12-15 pieces, with at least 2 informational articles and one purely creative piece.
Step 2: The money.
Yes, there was a time when I wrote purely for the love of the craft. For a long time I didn't want to branch out into writing for money because I didn't want to feel like I "sold out." But there is a lot you learn by trying to be marketable, and face it, getting paid for you writing is satisfying-- not to mention it's nice not to have your electricity shut off. So, at the moment I am going to say I want to make at least $100 this week. Hopefully, I'll make more, but $100 seems reachable.
Step 3: Staying Creative
As I write this, the current assignment lingering over my head is on postage scales. Wow. How fun can you get? Writing about super practical products can drain your creativity, which is why you need to step away from time to time and mix up your mind. I'm a fiction writer and poet at heart, but right now no one is seeing me as the next Maya Angelo, Stephanie Meyer, or J.K. Rowling, and I need to support myself. This is why I added the "write something purely creative" to my production goals. As much as I would love for creative writing to be my main course, for now it needs to be dessert. My reward for doing everything else I said I would do.
While there may be many aspects that a writer could consider, today I am going to focus on these three: production, money, and staying creative. Other goals echo in my mind as well, writing more offline, increasing my quality, writing fiction that sells -- but that will come in due time. First, I need to find my writing rhythm.
So step 1: Production goals.
Lately, I have been writing mostly SEO copywriting and ghostwriting blogs, with fewer informational articles like I was doing a couple months ago. Some of these are harder than others, and they don't have as much excitement of "learning something" as I did when I was writing more informational stuff. So, my production goal this week is 12-15 pieces, with at least 2 informational articles and one purely creative piece.
Step 2: The money.
Yes, there was a time when I wrote purely for the love of the craft. For a long time I didn't want to branch out into writing for money because I didn't want to feel like I "sold out." But there is a lot you learn by trying to be marketable, and face it, getting paid for you writing is satisfying-- not to mention it's nice not to have your electricity shut off. So, at the moment I am going to say I want to make at least $100 this week. Hopefully, I'll make more, but $100 seems reachable.
Step 3: Staying Creative
As I write this, the current assignment lingering over my head is on postage scales. Wow. How fun can you get? Writing about super practical products can drain your creativity, which is why you need to step away from time to time and mix up your mind. I'm a fiction writer and poet at heart, but right now no one is seeing me as the next Maya Angelo, Stephanie Meyer, or J.K. Rowling, and I need to support myself. This is why I added the "write something purely creative" to my production goals. As much as I would love for creative writing to be my main course, for now it needs to be dessert. My reward for doing everything else I said I would do.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Giving Up the Ghost: Moving on From Writing Sites That Don't Work for You
In January 2006 I joined an online writing site called Gather.com at the suggestion of my sister. I had written online before that, first at a diary site (I actually wrote most of the first draft of my novel on the diary site), I also wrote on Fanstory.com, under the name of Greta Quinn, and also tried out Write.com and Zoetrope.com. But Gather was the first that rewarded writers for their work.
Gather never paid much, at least not for me. For the majority of members there's a straight point system. 625 points equals $10. In the beginning it was all gift certificates, unless you could make 3000 points in a month-- then you got cash. Over the last couple years they introduced the $25 paypal option, and most recently $10.
In the last couple years I branched out, and last August when I lost my day job, the money aspect became more important. But I liked the idea of Gather, and the fact that I had a long friend list. But for what I do the earning rate is painfully slow. As I write this, I'm 11 points from 625, at which time I can cash out. I posted a poem this morning called Winter's Reprise in hopes of boosting views enough to cash out and be done for a while. Maybe even for good.
These days, I'm picking up most of my writing work from Textbroker.com and Writeraccess.com, sites that pay upfront for assignments and don't have a SEO revenue aspect. I've had a little success on Associated Content, and I haven't given Suite 101 enough of a chance, so I will try to write more for them as well.
Although I've written since I was a little girl, I've learned a lot about what works and doesn't work for me online. There have been a couple sites that especially did not work for me. But I've gone through the trials and errors, and I finally feel like I have enough knowledge to really move forward. Not all of what I write is glamorous or particularly creative, but I would moch rather be able to be a freelance writer than anything else, and ultimately, I will make it work.
As for creative work, I will make sure I find the time to do something on a regular basis fueled by my muse-- even if it's only a quick poem. Most of my creative stuff will most likely wind up on Associated Content or here on my blog, informative artciles split between AC and Suite 101, with copywriting and ghostwriting going to textbroker and Writeraccess.
I did like Gather, but the site is a mere shadow of what I once knew it as, and it is time to give up the ghost. That's not necessarily a critcism. It's a good fit for a lot of people. Just not me. I've received a lot of guidance and support on Gather that I haven't been able to get anywhere else, but for now it's time to go and see where I can go without it.
Gather never paid much, at least not for me. For the majority of members there's a straight point system. 625 points equals $10. In the beginning it was all gift certificates, unless you could make 3000 points in a month-- then you got cash. Over the last couple years they introduced the $25 paypal option, and most recently $10.
In the last couple years I branched out, and last August when I lost my day job, the money aspect became more important. But I liked the idea of Gather, and the fact that I had a long friend list. But for what I do the earning rate is painfully slow. As I write this, I'm 11 points from 625, at which time I can cash out. I posted a poem this morning called Winter's Reprise in hopes of boosting views enough to cash out and be done for a while. Maybe even for good.
These days, I'm picking up most of my writing work from Textbroker.com and Writeraccess.com, sites that pay upfront for assignments and don't have a SEO revenue aspect. I've had a little success on Associated Content, and I haven't given Suite 101 enough of a chance, so I will try to write more for them as well.
Although I've written since I was a little girl, I've learned a lot about what works and doesn't work for me online. There have been a couple sites that especially did not work for me. But I've gone through the trials and errors, and I finally feel like I have enough knowledge to really move forward. Not all of what I write is glamorous or particularly creative, but I would moch rather be able to be a freelance writer than anything else, and ultimately, I will make it work.
As for creative work, I will make sure I find the time to do something on a regular basis fueled by my muse-- even if it's only a quick poem. Most of my creative stuff will most likely wind up on Associated Content or here on my blog, informative artciles split between AC and Suite 101, with copywriting and ghostwriting going to textbroker and Writeraccess.
I did like Gather, but the site is a mere shadow of what I once knew it as, and it is time to give up the ghost. That's not necessarily a critcism. It's a good fit for a lot of people. Just not me. I've received a lot of guidance and support on Gather that I haven't been able to get anywhere else, but for now it's time to go and see where I can go without it.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Calling it a Day
One way to force yourself into thinking of writing as a "real job" and not just something that brings in a little mad money is by actually punching a time clock. As much as I like to write I do get distracted, so I downloaded a time clock. When I decide to me in serious writing mode, I start the clock, if I start to wander, play stupid games or just surf I have to hit stop.
I've decided on a monthly pay period and have a goal of how much money I want to be in my paypal account by that date. It's my job to see that I do whatever I need to do to get there. I only partially recorded my writing related activities today, but now that I have given myself a set of rules and a system to abide by I expect that my tracking system will be very telling.
I'm still definitely in the "starving artist" mode, but I am finding more opportunities all the time. I applied to two new websites today, and am awaiting their decision. More than ever, I believe I can do this, but no more today.
Tomorrow's agenda looms large, but I will make it work. But first, I am calling it a day. A drink of water and bedtime beckons, and that is all for now.
I've decided on a monthly pay period and have a goal of how much money I want to be in my paypal account by that date. It's my job to see that I do whatever I need to do to get there. I only partially recorded my writing related activities today, but now that I have given myself a set of rules and a system to abide by I expect that my tracking system will be very telling.
I'm still definitely in the "starving artist" mode, but I am finding more opportunities all the time. I applied to two new websites today, and am awaiting their decision. More than ever, I believe I can do this, but no more today.
Tomorrow's agenda looms large, but I will make it work. But first, I am calling it a day. A drink of water and bedtime beckons, and that is all for now.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off
Today marks the day of the 83rd Academy Awards, aka, the Oscars, and eventhough I don't have regular television reception, I'm kind of excited this year. It's been a good year for movies, and I've seen more this past year than others. Today, I am having an Oscar kind of day, rehighlighting old reviews I've written in the past few months, and putting together a few new things as well.
The latest movie I watched was The Social Network. Throughout the movie, I kept thinking how much of a jerk Mark Zuckerman was, however, this was a movie and I know how everything gets a little amplified in Hollywood.
It also left me reminded of the power of the snowball effect, how one idea executed properly can snowball into so much more than anyone would've thought.
It is likely, that I have way too much on my writing agenda to get it all done. At minimum, I want to get in three more reviews for Best Picture contenders I have seen -- Black Swan, The Fighter, and The Social Network. I also have a textbroker assignment that can wait until tomorrow, but I hope to get it done if I can. All three are well deserving of recognition. I've already reviewed The King's Speech and The Kids Are Alright.
I haven't done as well as I could have. And every day the option of not pushing myself dwindles a little more. So here I go. Blogging, if anyone's listening and even if they aren't.
It's time to pick myself up, and start over every day. Keep trying to best myself, but not spend so much time on the failures that it trips me up. I feel the seed of confidence, but if I don't water it, it won't grow.
I just can let that happen.
The latest movie I watched was The Social Network. Throughout the movie, I kept thinking how much of a jerk Mark Zuckerman was, however, this was a movie and I know how everything gets a little amplified in Hollywood.
It also left me reminded of the power of the snowball effect, how one idea executed properly can snowball into so much more than anyone would've thought.
It is likely, that I have way too much on my writing agenda to get it all done. At minimum, I want to get in three more reviews for Best Picture contenders I have seen -- Black Swan, The Fighter, and The Social Network. I also have a textbroker assignment that can wait until tomorrow, but I hope to get it done if I can. All three are well deserving of recognition. I've already reviewed The King's Speech and The Kids Are Alright.
I haven't done as well as I could have. And every day the option of not pushing myself dwindles a little more. So here I go. Blogging, if anyone's listening and even if they aren't.
It's time to pick myself up, and start over every day. Keep trying to best myself, but not spend so much time on the failures that it trips me up. I feel the seed of confidence, but if I don't water it, it won't grow.
I just can let that happen.
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