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Freelance writing advice

When Unwanted Advice is Warranted

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan It’s been a nicely paced week so far. After a ridiculously busy first week of October, I have been able to take on two larger projects and get them done almost at leisure. At least, it feels leisurely to have a full day…

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6 Things Freelance Writers Can Learn from a Kardashian

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Got to Give it Up by Marvin Gaye So far, great week. One blip in the client projects from last week, but I got the green light to go forward, hoping we’ll work it out in revisions. I’m okay with that — I have two more projects this week, one starting…

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Avoiding the Freelance Writing Burnout

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Glorious by MaMuse It’s Monday — do you know where your weekend went? It was a good weekend. The only damper in it was my son was on his way when his car started making grinding noises. That’s never good. He had to turn around and head back. However, it was…

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Your Freelance Career Evaluation

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Naked Kids by Grouplove Today’s my TGIF (TGIT?). I’m taking tomorrow and Monday as we have this guy from Argentina showing up, and about a million of us are going to the city on Sunday to greet him…. Pope madness. It’s not the visit itself that’s created the madness (though it’s…

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8 Traits of a Professional Freelance Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

SOLD OUT: Sorry, but the FREE Marketing Q&A webinar hosted by Jake Poinier and featuring yours truly has no room. However, you can get on the list for the next one! Get on the list here What I’m reading: Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie What’s on the iPod: I’m a Mess by Ed Sheeran Another week…

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Guest Post: 3 Steps to Vetting Writing Experts

Posted on by lwidmer

One of the best people you can possibly befriend in this freelance world is Paula Hendrickson. Paula is a sharp, intuitive, and skilled writer who is  as fun as she is generous. You’ve read here about the LOI? Paula introduced me to that method. In fact, her first post here was teaching us all about…

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6 Hard Facts About Freelance Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Dirty Dishes by Deer Tick What a week. My daughter and her husband are moving out all this weekend, starting yesterday. Amid a good bit of work, and with more work coming in, I had to pause and help clean, unpack, and sort. Today will be more of the same. I…

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6 Ways to Compound Your Writing Success

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Anna by Will Butler A new week, a new chance to get it all done and take a vacation. My daughter and her husband move this week, so Friday is lost, as I suspect is Thursday afternoon. If I intend to get out of here anytime soon, I have to wrap…

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The Professional Side of Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Running on Empty by Jackson Browne Isn’t life full of little ironies? That song popped up on my iPod today after what felt like Marathon Monday. I’m working on three projects simultaneously and two more that are due this month. Plus my suspicion is I’ll be hearing back from another client…

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Really Bad Writing Advice to Avoid

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison This week has gone by a little too quickly. I have one article due tomorrow (my own deadline, but a promise is a promise), and I have two blog articles to complete before the end of the month. Plus a stalled project may be getting…

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  1. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Any advice that doesn't fit your situation is bad advice in my book. That occurs from canned or as you described it, Lori, "must do" advice.

    Would you give a new client advice without learning anything about their business or current situation? Sure, we can gain ideas from someone's opinion or their own experience. But it has to fit our situation.

    It's like purchasing clothing from a second-hand-or the classier "vintage" 😉 store. It can fit us perfectly and become our own or look like an ill-fitting hand-me-down. ☺

    Reply
  2. Anne Wayman Avatar
    Anne Wayman

    amen…

    Reply
  3. LilyLu Avatar
    LilyLu

    "Write what you know."

    If I stuck to that mantra, I'd never learn anything and would be bored to tears writing only about the things I already know.

    Try "Write about what you WANT to know." At least then you're motivated to research the topic and learn something, and then pass that knowledge (and excitement) on to the readers.

    Reply
  4. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    Oh -sorry. My dog accidentally posted my comment. She will do ANYTHING for attention.

    Reply
  5. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Well, that's a good one, LilyLu. ☺

    Reply
  6. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    That's one smart dog. Or as Astro would say "Rat's run rart dog!"

    Reply
  7. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    To hear Lily talk about it (she's a very verbal dog), she knows everything. And if she doesn't know something, or is trying to trick me, she'll ask "Why?" over and over…. as in "Why do I have to have a bath?" or "Why can't I eat cheese and cucumbers all day instead of dog food?"

    Only with "Wroo-roos" instead of actual human words.

    Reply
  8. Melanie Kissell Avatar
    Melanie Kissell

    "You must outline first, then write." Uhh … nope. Who has time to create outlines?! Bullets, maybe.

    Don't get me wrong. Outlines have their place and their purpose. An outline comes in mighty handy if you're creating, let's say, an e-book. You'd almost be a fool to write a book without outlining first.

    The "pick a niche and stick to it" thing drives me bonkers. The folks who dole out that advice obviously missed the memo, "Variety is the spice of (freelancing) life." Sure, if you want to remain steadfast in one niche and one niche only, go for it. Personally, I'd get real tired real fast.

    Cool read and viewpoints, Lori — thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Melanie, AMEN. I have never had success with outlines — not formal ones. My "outline" for articles is a string of subheads and questions. For books, I have an idea where things are going, and I create character maps so Uncle George isn't suddenly Aunt Fannie. 🙂

    Reply
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