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Author: lwidmer

Time to Take Up Juggling

Posted on August 10, 2010 by lwidmer

Yesterday was much more productive than I expected. I finished a smallish project in the morning, then devoted the afternoon to research and outlining an article. A large project due in a few weeks ago has a delivery date – I should see it by the end of the week/Monday of next week. That gave…

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How to Blog Like You Mean It

Posted on August 9, 2010 by lwidmer

Today’s a busy one. Plenty of work came in – none of it from my marketing efforts but plenty from older contacts. You never know. I had a conversation with a few folks about bloggers and trust. We came to the same conclusion; there are some people who ruin it for themselves. Blogging isn’t rocket…

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Friday Weirdness

Posted on August 6, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison Why am I so glad Friday is here? It wasn’t a tough week by any means. I may be working today in an attempt to finish up a smaller project in order to get going on the massive one due in any moment. At any…

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Losing the Career-by-numbers Approach

Posted on August 5, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: She’s Mine by Brett Dennen Got a post up over at About Freelance Writing. Check it out! If you know me, you know I love Lisa Gates and think she practically invented life coaching. In her latest Craving Balance post, Lisa says this: “If you don’t study the masters, you’ll continue…

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Worthy Tip: Upping Your Game

Posted on August 4, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: You and Your Heart by Jack Johnson Yesterday was one of those rare days – ones I used to dread, but now am thankful for. There was a lull in the work. Nothing due, nothing coming in that needed immediate attention. That was my cue – I grabbed the laptop and…

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The No-wait Policy

Posted on August 3, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen Super weekend. I know it’s Tuesday, but when you have a nice time off that lasts into part of the week, that’s a good thing. We met with a friend on Saturday for some bonding time and support during a rough period in her life. She’s…

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Monthly Assessment – July 2010

Posted on August 2, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Mustang Sally by The Commitments I’m still in denial about July being gone. It didn’t end well, with a few frustrating moments brought on by people I suspect are fussing to get out of payment. I’ll drop them once again, only this time for good. I don’t play games, and these…

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Why Writing is Sometimes Like Spaghetti Squash

Posted on July 30, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Something Good by The Airborne Toxic Event Back when big hair and shoulder pads were necessary accessories, Oprah and her personal chef put out this cookbook. The premise – if this woman could make Oprah skinny, she can make you skinny, too. In the cookbook was a recipe that used spaghetti…

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Trust in God, But Lock Your Keyboard

Posted on July 29, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Karma by Alicia KeysWhat I’m reading: The Skull Beneath the Skin by P. D. James Yesterday I managed to get an article draft completed and worked a little on a press release project. I was able to get ahead of the work as I’m expecting a large project to come in…

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The Client Collaboration

Posted on July 28, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray VaughanWhat I’m reading: The Skull Beneath the Skin by P. D. James It was a little coincidental that I was listening to The Sky is Crying yesterday – I wasn’t shedding tears, but tension is building in a current project. Remember the “We didn’t…

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  1. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    July 28, 2010

    Okay, in the ideal world, that you get one message on a project. Projects with multiple people involved in the process often give conflicting directions.

    One way to deal with it is having one person accountable and even if you are not dealing with them directly, they are cc'd on all decisions so if there's a difference of opinion, the players can work it out before the writer goes down the "wrong" path.

    Reply
  2. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley
    July 28, 2010

    This is something I look for in everyone: Do what you say you're going to do.

    Wouldn't the world be a happier place? It definitely applies to the relationship between writers and clients!

    Reply
  3. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    July 28, 2010

    Amen, Ashley.

    I was excited to learn that an irksome editor is out of a magazine I once wrote for. It pays really well, so when I got that first assignment two years ago I was excited. Problem? She assigned a first-person account of my extended family's experience exchanging handmade Christmas gifts, but she kept changing things midstream – without bothering to tell me.

    I turned the first-person piece in early, explaining that I wanted to get in in ahead of time in case she needed changes. She said she'd look it it right away but sat on it for over a month, then asked me to rewrite it as a third-person roundup of quick & easy holiday gifts you can make in under 30 minutes (ha!). Wanting to show I'm a team player, I agreed to do the rewrite, pointing out no gifts that can be made in that short of time are worth giving – unless you're a child. She upped it to one hour. I dug up three projects, provided URLs, everything. I was paid. She said she'd send me an issue, but didn't. I later found it online – she'd only kept one of my examples and reworked it so much I couldn't tell I'd written it. Frankly, I wish my name weren't on it.

    Looking back, there were signs. For several months she promised to send me sample issues, but they never came. I politely reminded her I needed to see them to help match their style. She finally sent them after I'd finished the re-write!

    Here's hoping her new replacement is more professional and easier to work with.

    Reply
  4. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    July 28, 2010

    And there's the bane of my existence, Cathy – the multiple messages from numerous people, none of which hold any authority.

    Ashley, totally agree!

    I have my fingers crossed too, Paula. When the editor is bad, it's tough to deliver quality.

    Reply
  5. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy
    July 28, 2010

    What do I expect from clients? (Sorry, but this song was on the radio a little bit ago and it just seemed to fit.)

    "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find out what it means to me." Sometimes, my idea of respect is completely different from their idea of it. For instance, I don't want to be chastised for not getting back to an email you just sent 2 minutes ago. Give me some time to read it through and respond or respect that I might be working on someone else's stuff, or maybe I'm just done for the day.

    When I get respect, I'll give it back.

    Reply
  6. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    July 29, 2010

    Wendy-too funny-I had respect as part of my "recipe" for sharing-check it out 😉
    http://simplystatedbusiness.com/2010/07/27/add-3-cups-of-sharing-and-mix/

    Reply
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