I was talking with a relative at a party last year when I realized I was missing a pretty big opportunity. He’d asked me how the writing was going, and then he said it: “You write stories and magazine articles, right?” Magazine articles, yes. But stories? Hardly ever, and certainly not for pay. He had gotten…
Author: lwidmer
Freelance Negotiating, Used Car Style
Because my life wasn’t complicated enough, I decided to buy a car right when everything was turning to quicksand underneath my feet. The night before I drove west to help my mom with my dad’s care, I was signing papers for my new(er) car. Twelve hours later, I drove it west. When I got home, I…
The Government’s How-Not-To Guide to Better Freelance Writing
When you need them, real friends are there. Such was the case last week. I had to take off for eight days because my parents needed me. Dad was in the hospital. Reports weren’t good. I bolted. Somewhere about four days or so into my absence, Paula Hendrickson checked in. As did Cathy Miller. As did…
Goal Planning Worksheets for Freelance Writers
By Jennifer Mattern In my last post on the necessity of change, I mentioned quarterly evaluations as a good way to take stock of your current situation so you can figure out what you need to change over the next few months. I also promised you a worksheet or two to help you do this….
Freelance Writing Self-Rules That Are Not Right or Wrong
Does the notion of rules leave you bristling? Or do you find comfort within the protective structure they provide? When I read Jenn Mattern’s post, Freelance Writing Rules (and Why You Should Break Them), I thought back to the start of my own freelance writing career. Since I began in 2008, I’ve read a lot…
The Necessity of Change
By Jennifer Mattern I’m in again for Lori today. Lori will be back next week, and tomorrow Cathy Miller will share a post with you on setting rules for yourself and how she’s done so in her freelance writing career. But first, let’s talk about something you can’t avoid if you want to succeed in…
Freelance Writing Rules (and Why You Should Break Them)
By Jennifer Mattern Once upon a time, I was newly self-employed and living much too close to my mother. (In my defense, she moved near me, not the other way around – into my apartment building, I kid you not.) There was no avoiding her. Every time she visited, without fail, she plopped a newspaper…
The Totally Eclipsed Writer
It was a stupid idea, really. Sunday morning is my lazy time, so I woke up, splashed some water on my face, then met my daughter at Starbucks for our usual chai fixation. Somewhere between the caffeine and the kicking back, my cell phone rang. Where are you? he asked. Want to go to see the…
4 Issues Every Freelance Writer Will Face
What I’m listening to: Trip Switch by Nothing But Thieves Sometimes you come across something that’s stated simply, and it’s so brilliant that you have to share it. That was the case yesterday when I read this blog post by Jason McDowell. He said this: Never let a client treat you like anything but an equal. Take…
5 Things You Lose When You Raise Freelance Rates (and One Thing You Gain)
What I’m listening to: Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man Writers, it’s time you get serious. No more bitching about being underpaid. No more trolling job boards and announcing on forums that freelancing is dead. No more expecting clients to respect you when you’re giving them a price break that hurts your own…