In my hometown area, he was an icon, just short of a deity. But we worshipped Mister Rogers anyway — that quiet, unassuming man who just oozed love and understanding. When he spoke, it was in a soothing, quiet voice. Amid all the noise of television, it was a voice you couldn’t help but stop…
Category: Freelance writing advice
7 Things I’ve Learned During My Freelance Writing Career
Recently, I dropped out of a LinkedIn writers’ group. I was already disenchanted by some of the conversations, which revolved around how miserable it was to be a freelancer these days. When a rather sketchy job posting was allowed to stay on the forum — and was defended by the moderator — I knew it…
Running Your Freelance Writing Business Like a Boss
I’ll admit it — at times, I still get a case of the guilts. I’ve been freelancing since 2003, so you think I’d be over that feeling of having to be at this desk at a certain time. Yet every vacation, every day off I took (aside from weekends), I felt like I was playing…
The Return of the Freelance Leech (and how to protect yourself against one)
It happened again. I was on a social media site a while back and I accepted a connection request. “Hi Lori! Thanks for accepting my connection! Hey, I have a website and I really need someone to critique it…” Seriously. On first contact. It’s like being proposed to on the first date. No, wait. It’s…
Free Advice Friday: The Words that Spell Doom to Your Freelance Writing Career
What I’m listening to: Ghost in the Machine by Our Last Night “Terms are terms. They aren’t good or bad until we add context.” That’s the argument I received after objecting to someone’s use of the term “liberal snowflakes” to describe my Facebook video of the recent snowstorm. It seems I made it political by…
Excuses that Kill Your Freelance Writing Career
What I’m listening to: Telescope by Starset Today, I call bullshit. For every writer out there with their own particular brand of excuse that explains why some of us make it as writers and they don’t, I’m calling your bluff. This particular head of steam started on a forum discussion. On it, the advice being…
Your Freelance Writing Wake-up Call
What I’m listening to: Don’t Stay by X Ambassadors Over on Anne Wayman’s About Freelance Writing forum, there was a discussion started by a writer who’d reached her breaking point. Though she may not have realized it, she was having a bit of an epiphany. She had realized how hard she was working and how…
The Manic Freelancer (and why you really shouldn’t be one)
What I’m listening to: Kinda Fuzzy by Eels I was reading through Twitter feeds, LinkedIn groups, and blog feeds last week, and I saw it. There are a lot of freelance writers out there just throwing it together. Hey, I’m not one for a hyper-organized life either, but there are limits, you know? Having a…
Tuesday Take: Channeling ADHD and Getting Shit Done
What I’m listening to: How Long by Charlie Puth Note to all who are wondering why the blog feed says “Writer Wednesday.” I screwed up. It’s Tuesday. End of story. 🙂 I’ve been known to be a tad spontaneous. Okay, more than a tad. More like a tad plus a truckload. In the past, I’ve…
How to Change Your Freelance Writing Landscape
What I’m listening to: Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison It’s been a week — a good one so far. Still, it’s not been without its head-shaking moments. If you’ve not noticed, there’s a bit of a movement swelling called #MeToo in which women are trying to raise awareness regarding sexual harassment/assault by tweeting or sharing…