Comments on: 7 Freelance Writing Hacks That Optimize Your Time

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:07:09 +0000

AMEN, Devon! That's so smart. Very few people waste time when they're paying for it.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:14:53 +0000

I bill for phone time, in 15 minute increments, like a lawyer. I have yet to have a call of more than 30 seconds' duration that wouldn't have been more efficiently done via email. Therefore, if you're going to waste my time because you love the sound of your own voice so much, you're going to pay for it. Best price addition I ever did.

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:44:28 +0000

I'm with you both when it comes to outlines. I cringe at the very word, but had fashioned my own type of outline to help with articles. I recall one college writing course that had a section on different types of outlines - some looked more like flow charts, some were done using index cards. The only thing they had in common? They helped synthesize and organize information.

Once again we're having busy weeks at the same time, Lori. I turned in one article yesterday and have six more to wrap up. Trying to turn in one per day this week, which is a pretty ambitious goal especially since there's a family situation I'm waiting to get details on that will take me to Chicago for at least a day or two.

When it rains, huh? Just hopes those checks start flooding in soon!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:13:44 +0000

LOL Oh, Cathy. You guessed it on the first try -- a teacher. A teacher who was a tyrant about outlines. I could have given her an outline written by the Outline Queen and she would have said it wasn't right.

What a way to sap a kid's confidence waaaaaay into adulthood. :)

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:15:39 +0000

Methinks an outline by any other name... ;-) Could there be a teacher or editor or someone who demanded outlines in your past? :-)

Whatever works. Lord knows I HATE to be told, "Only do it THIS way."

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 14:35:05 +0000

Count me as an outline hater, Cathy. That said, I set my articles up — you guessed it — outline style. My subheads are my questions, and they help keep me on track. I write my queries with the questions I'll use, which become subheads, which turn into a more focused article.

Go figure. 🙂

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 14:02:56 +0000

I know several people hate 'em, but for me, outlining what I'm working on is a huge productivity booster. When I don't do that I'm like a person wandering in the desert of lost time. 😉