Did you have a nice long weekend? Good. Now back to work. If you’re like me, though, work may be slowing down for you. Summer is nearly here (aren’t we already in the mindset?), and client work tends to drop off a bit from June through mid-August. At least, that’s been my experience. The change…
Freelance writing advice
Reality Check: Are You Freelance Writing Material?
Yesterday, my workday looked like this: I revised a client article most of the morning. Due date — as soon as possible. Simultaneously, I was dealing with phone calls and texts from family members about our summer place. There’d been flooding. Apparently, I’m the designated calm voice in a sea (pun not intended) of anxiety…
What Freelance Writing Isn’t
Today is the day after my favorite day: St. Patrick’s Day (and the anniversary of this ol’ blog). If I’m here, I’m probably sporting a rather-not-do attitude. So this post is scheduled in advance. Last week when I was looking through LI forums and Twitter, I noticed a lot of the same old, same old….
Losing Your Freelance Sh*t While Remaining a Pro
You know the feeling: You’re running to beat deadlines, you have a holiday flying up on you faster than expected, you have yet to book that flight, someone’s playing Christmas music over and over and…. Did I just hear your last nerve snap? Wait, no. That was mine. Go on. Admit it. You’re losing your…
4 Must-have Elements of Trade Magazine Writing
I love it when people say “Trade writing is boring.” Actually, I don’t love it. The “boring” part is not true. What’s boring about finding an interesting angle to a technically challenging topic? What’s boring about making it reader-friendly? What’s boring about making people remember that article because you, the writer, went out of your…
The Most Profitable Freelance Writing Niche
I saw something on Twitter yesterday that made me click. It was a blog post promising the most profitable freelance writing niches right now. I read through the list. Uh huh. Some of them I agreed with. But all of them sounded limiting. I won’t fault the blogger for pointing out what in essence is…
How to Quit Your Freelance Writing Career
Look online right now — Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, you name it. I guarantee you you’ll find at least five articles telling you how to start a freelance writing career. Or if freelance writing is for you. But no one has told you how to quit one. Until now. Say what? That’s right — I’m about…
The Reliable Freelance Writer Guide
Thanks to everyone who joined Paula Hendrickson and me for the Writers Worth chat on Tuesday! Lively discussion from everyone — we’ll have another one soon. Every now and then I like to read through old blog posts — not all great advice is recent, you know? I came across Peter Bowerman’s post from a…
4 Ways to Write Controversial Topics
Mark your calendar: The next Writers Worth Twitter Chat happens Tuesday, October 16th at 11 am ET! Join Paula Hendrickson and me for a fun and informative chat. Use the #WWMChat hashtag to be part of the conversation! Today, I’m refining a pitch to a magazine that could, under many circumstances, be rejected. It’s…
Writers Worth: The Power of No
Don’t miss the next Writers Worth Twitter Chat! Join Paula Hendrickson and me on October 16th at 11 am ET using the hashtag #WWMchat Didn’t I promise you some Writers Worth love throughout the year? Here you go. Saying no. If you do an internet search on how to say no to clients, you’re going…