Comments on: Trending

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:51:07 +0000

Macaroni and cheese loses its luster about three boxes in, Debra. :)

Love your attitude. I've often had slow Novembers and yes, that is good Nano time. :) Here's what I'd change up if I were you - stop cruising the want ads. Everyone and their relatives are applying for that one job that fits you. The odds of getting the call are almost as bad as the odds of winning the lottery.

Start sending out magazine queries if you're into article writing. If not, start sending out letters of introduction to companies and prospective clients. Ask around to other writers and see what their go-to projects are during the lean times.

There are definitely better ways than relying on job listings.

By: Debra Stang

Debra Stang — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:54:33 +0000

This is my first year doing fulltime freelancing, and I just about had a heart attack when I saw how bare my calendar for November looked. I've been going through the want ads, but so far nothing promising. Ah, well, I've always liked macaroni and cheese–and I'll have time to finish NaNo. How's that for an optimistic approach?

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:31:10 +0000

Give her hell, Paula! LOL I know they're busy, but publicists need to schedule what they promise.

EP, still working on getting today's quota done! Oy. So much to do!

By: EP

EP — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:08:21 +0000

I know those days. And you sure are right about how work comes in cycles, although I haven't ever been able to detect any real patterns (not any consistent ones, anyway). Keep up the good work with NanoWriMo. That's discipline.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:06:19 +0000

I had four calls from my self-employed sister yesterday. Only one was in the evening. I believe those were the only calls I received all day. The real problem? The call I wanted to get was the publicist who's supposed to be putting me in touch with several people for one of the two rush assignments (due today or tomorrow). But she didn't call or e-mail – if I don't hear back in the next hour or so I'll let my editor loose on her. He'd been promised full access and cooperation from all parties, and one way or another he'll get it.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:05:05 +0000

Cathy, great advice. I always answer Mom's calls because she's Mom. :) That's not to say I answer nicely, but I do answer. LOL

Devon, I answer Mom. Always Mom. Sister has gone to voice mail before, as has son (I'm such a lousy mother!). But yesterday I was so disrupted there was no way another call was going to make a hoot of difference. :)

Good point, Damaria. It does differ from place to place and company to company. The folks I target tend to head off on end-of-the-year holidays. Glad to hear that's not always the case!

YES! Good for you, Wade! Give us details when you're able. Congrats!

Jake, I feel your pain. :) Nice to have them around, but not during deadline season. :)

By: Jake P

Jake P — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:46:21 +0000

My mom is in town for two weeks (mercifully, she has her own condo, but is here every night 5-9 pm chattering nonstop about relatives I don't know and events I don't remember). And my nephew, who moved from Wisconsin to start a job here in Phoenix on Monday, is staying with us till he finds an apartment. Nice young man, but our house is kinda small for the crowd. So, yah, I'm up to **HERE** with relatives right about now.

As far as trends, I used to see more cyclical behavior locally--Phoenix was absolutely dead in the summer, which it really isn't anymore. Your tip about magazines is interesting and will give that a whirl next year. As anecdotal evidence, the only mag query I sent out all year was in August and the editor snapped it up....hmmm.

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:30:53 +0000

I haven't been doing this long enough to spot trends, but what you say sounds logical. On a side note, I may have landed my first gig off of linkedin. We still need to sign the contract, but I'm hopeful. The funny thing is he actually emailed other writers before me, but none of them emailed back. Maybe, they are too busy. 🙂

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:18:13 +0000

Many companies in my corner of the world have end of December as their financial year end. So they're under pressure to allocate money from the year ending for projects that they dind't get to, even if the job gets done the following year. So October- December is a time for me to line up work for the following year.

I also think November and December are a good time to work on personal projects I can then launch the following year.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:54:41 +0000

When you are writing, turn off the phones. The only way to train them is to not answer.