lwidmer | Words on the Page

Are You Partner-Worthy?

Posted on February 23, 2012 by lwidmer

Pretty good day yesterday. I worked through another section of my article, lined up a few more interviews, had a conference call, and handled a few small client items. I got some marketing in, but not as much as I’d have liked. The conference call was with dear chum Anne Wayman and another writer who’s…

The Posse Clause

Posted on February 22, 2012 by lwidmer

Yesterday was one of those one step forward, two steps back days. I had the entire day to write, or so I thought. However, phone calls, emails, and various oddities kept cropping up. I did get some work done on an article, but I felt like I was being dragged through the day backwards and…

When There’s No More Demand…

Posted on February 21, 2012 by lwidmer

Yesterday was blessedly slower than most of last week. I managed to get two interviews done, review a client proposal, and work on a side project. Appointments on my very full calendar vaporized. I was somewhat glad for it, though each postponed appointment does have to be rescheduled. Another day. Good friend and writing chum…

Putting “Free”dom In Freelance

Posted on February 20, 2012 by lwidmer

Thanks to chum Cathy Miller for reviewing Marketing 365 over on her Simply Stated Business blog! I appreciate the review! How was the weekend? Mine was a mixture of lethargy and laziness – in general, pretty darned good. We had his office party on Saturday where I had the chance to really chat up some…

Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Posted on February 17, 2012 by lwidmer

Hop on over to Newton Ideas for a review of my Marketing 365 ebook. Yesterday was upheaval much of the day. I was still feeling under the weather thanks to an intestinal infection, so I was intent on taking it slow. Unfortunately, too many things conspired to keep that from happening. I was chipping away…

Agreeable Disagreements

Posted on February 16, 2012 by lwidmer

Yesterday was a wad of busy wrapped inside a shell of chaos. I got plenty accomplished, but there’s plenty more awaiting. I’m busy working on an emergency project today, plus I’m fighting off an infection that may require a doctor’s visit. I have no time for that, so it may wait until tomorrow. I’ve been…

Worth-inducing Wednesday

Posted on February 15, 2012 by lwidmer

Nice day yesterday. It was slower – not at a standstill, but slow enough I could take my time getting back from lunch. I’m working on articles, messaging, and a potential editing gig. I’m also working on what may be a flu. I’m aching and my skin hurts. No fever, but there’s definitely something going…

Things I Love About Freelancing

Posted on February 14, 2012 by lwidmer

Happy Valentine’s Day! You’re all my valentines this year. No better people in the world to share a virtual hug with. I finished a large article project, one that seemed to be getting longer instead of shorter as I wrote. I started on two others, and I got some marketing in before heading over to…

Guest Post: Your Freelancer Lifecycle

Posted on February 13, 2012 by lwidmer

Many thanks to good chum Jake Poinier (Dr. Freelance) for providing this example of blog post excellence. I had the distinct pleasure of sharing thoughts with Jake over some Starbucks swill back in December. He’s as congenial, professional, and downright fun to be around as he comes across. About three weeks ago, Jake intrigued me…

Removing Doubt

Posted on February 10, 2012 by lwidmer

Did you ever have one of those two-steps-forward, one-step-back days? Try four in a row. Yesterday proved to be as interrupted as the rest of this week. I finished a large project, but another one is due and every time I went near it, another must-do-now thing got in the way. I’m okay at juggling…

Damaria Senne

February 10, 2012

if it's really bad, i call a friend or two who have seen my work/worked on projects with me and share my self-doubts with them. I have found that verbalising the doubts make them less threatening. The friends usually help me regain perspective on things.

Cathy Miller

February 10, 2012

Sometimes taking a step back helps. I find when I am stressed, I do not handle criticism as well. I have always been one that is initially hurt by criticism (sometimes overly hurt) and I need time to acknowledge the hurt, work through the emotions and then get back to reality. I m a good writer, but even the great ones stumble. It is not the end of the world.

And if the issue is it's someone else who is the problem, like I said to my friend, Brandi, I have enough issues of my own to take on the insecurities of others.

Wade Finnegan

February 10, 2012

Writing is the only arena I feel this way. Not that I have a huge ego, but I know I'm a good teacher. My students have success and I believe I could take on any classroom. If someone were to criticize me, I would defend my actions to the end. It's interesting that writing doesn't hold the same weight. Maybe, it is the ownership piece of it, because our name goes on it? What ever the reason, with the encouragement of Lori and others, I will not let the doubt hold me back. I want to write and I will.

P.S. I absolutely love when I can inspire Lori for a post. My insecurities provide great fodder. 🙂

Amelia Ramstead

February 10, 2012

I've been going through that a lot this week. I've been hired for a project and it's actually really intimidating. It feels like my first "serious" project. There's no reason for me to feel this way — it's in my field of expertise, I know this stuff inside and out, but I can't help feeling like I'm not qualified to play with the big boys. I was so relieved when I had my first status report yesterday and had no criticism whatsoever. Maybe I don't suck after all 😉

LilyLu

February 10, 2012

Usually when someone is that hyper-critical it means they're insecure. When overly zealous editors or clients to it, they're usually trying to validate themselves by tearing you down.

It's like the editor who wants every sentence in the magazine to reflect his or her voice. They'll rip perfectly good work to shreds and simple because it's in the writer's voice.

Like Cathy, I can be very sensitive to criticism, but it's amazing how little sting it has when it comes from someone you don't respect. Someone like Lori's all-but-four-sentences client doesn't deserve much respect, and therefore isn't important enough for his opinion to cause her one iota of self doubt.

Paula

February 10, 2012

Um….some how my previous comment was attributed to my dog, Lily. Apparently she left her Google Account open. (I always wondered what she does when she takes over my office in the evening!)

Lori

February 10, 2012

I like that approach too, Damaria. You can talk yourself back to feeling better about your skills when a friend is helping.

Cathy, you're so right. One stumble is NOT the end of the world. It's just a stumble, and a lot of times it's just miscommunication or someone else's control issues.

Wade, it wasn't your insecurities – it was your absolute knack for uncovering those things we need to deal with. 🙂 I think you're on to something with the personal nature of writing. Teaching is just as creative, in my opinion, but for some reason creative writing and artistry in general is often attached to emotions and maybe even ego.

Amelia, you DON'T suck! You said it yourself – you know that stuff inside out. Why shouldn't you do it and get paid for it? You're offering some valuable skills and knowledge. That in itself should give you confidence!

Hi "LilyLu" – Paula, you never cease to surprise me. 🙂 I think you're correct about insecurities being the root of this stuff. The controlling client is no less insecure and is sporting an unhealthy trust issue on top of it.

Nita C

February 10, 2012

I like the idea of having a "Kudos" folder. Last year in November I had a client I decided to write for that stated I wrote fluff. When I started out four years ago, yeah I did write fluff, but I learned from quality feedback and a sweet editor, how not to write fluff. Turns out, the client just didn't want to pay the amount I had quoted him. Great post!

Anne Wayman

February 10, 2012

Calling a supportive friend works… so does looking at my credit list…

Wade – write "I am a good writer" 100 times on the white board! Didn't know you're also a teacher!

Wade Finnegan

February 10, 2012

Anne- too funny 🙂 Ya, I'm a reading specialist at the high school level. Writing is my side job, for now.

Lori

February 10, 2012

Nita, fill that folder with all the good things. 🙂 And I hear you on the client who fussed to avoid payment – oldest trick in the book, isn't it?

Anne, LOL! Love it. Wade, you should definitely follow her advice!

Sharon Hurley Hall

February 10, 2012

Oh, we all get that sometimes, don't we? The combination of overwork, stress and a critical client can bring those doubts rushing to the surface. Sometimes you just have to step away from the computer and find a change of scene, then come back, look at your testimonials and recommendations and remind yourself that you're good at what you do. (Of course, we all make mistakes, so sometimes it's about accepting an error and moving on.

Lori

February 13, 2012

It is that combination, isn't it, Sharon? It's okay as long as we're cruising along at light speed without a speed bump, but oh, those bumps hurt at that velocity!

Devon Ellington

February 13, 2012

I call them the Doubt Demons. They often attack when you're overextended and overtired, and then someone makes their disorganization your emergency.

Just remember you don't have to take the cow pattie someone's flinging at your face. You can step back and let it land on the ground.

Remember what a small percentage can survive and thrive doing what we do, and that you're one of them.

Lori

February 13, 2012

Devon, there's imagery! LOL I shall forever remember to, er, step back. 🙂