Uncategorized | Words on the Page

Guest Post: What’s Your Writing Dream?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by lwidmer

Many thanks once more to dear friend Anne Wayman, who has given us two great posts this week, this one included. I love Anne’s approach to writing – she brings it from her soul. What’s Your Writing Dream?By Anne Wayman Because I have a blog about freelance writing (AboutFreelanceWriting.com) and because I also coach writers,…

I Heart Singer Songwriters

Posted on October 21, 2010 by lwidmer

I love the Susan Boyles of the world – those people whose unassuming looks hide real talent. This guy is just like that. Brett Dennen’s solo version of his song “She’s Mine.” Share some of your favorite artists. Who are you listening to?

Artful Delivery

Posted on October 19, 2010 by lwidmer

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl break up. Boy sees girl afterward in bar. This song wins the award for best delivery of an emotional meltdown. Listen to the whole thing. The whole song is just brilliantly executed to convey the emotion. It’s the reason I started listening to…

Guest Post: How Much Time Do You Really Spend Writing?

Posted on October 18, 2010 by lwidmer

When the call went out for guest posts during my vacation, Anne Wayman was one of the first people with her hand up. I was excited to see what she’d provide because I’ve been one of her not-so-secret admirers for a while. Per usual, Anne has delivered a thought-provoking post. How Much Time Do You…

Expanding Your Musical Horizons (Or Not)

Posted on October 15, 2010 by lwidmer

While I’m gone, I thought it might be fun to introduce you to some of the music you see on my iPod updates. Just an attempt to share my favorites and maybe expand your music library a bit. Or make you glad you didn’t pick up my iPod by accident. Either way. I came across…

Guest Post: Life Lessons from Project Runway

Posted on October 14, 2010 by lwidmer

By the time you read this, I’ll be in Shannon, on soil that’s been calling me since birth. Hard to explain it, but I’ve never felt quite “complete” before. I’ve always felt there was a home I needed to get back to, even before I realized how Irish I was. Listen to the instincts. I…

On the Search for Leprechauns

Posted on October 13, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Rain by Scott Blasey Today is the last post you’ll get out of me until the end of the month, but stick around. Plenty of folks have helped fill this blog with excellent information and advice. I spent yesterday putting things in order. Let me say I LOVE AT&T Wireless. Setting…

Let’s Be Consistent

Posted on October 12, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Sweet Sophia by Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers Many thanks to my camera company, Fuji, which responded quickly to my call asking for help. I’d sent the camera in for repair and had received mixed messages on when I’d get it back. I explained calmly but with a little “oh dear”…

Of Weekends and Strong Drinks

Posted on October 11, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Clowns by The Clarks With weekends like the one I just had, I’m glad to be able to come to work and sit for a while. Not only are we preparing for a vacation, but let’s throw a party in there three days after we get home. Oh, and four…

What I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Posted on October 8, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Ah! Leah! by Donny Iris Yesterday was great. I managed to finish a lot of blog posts for the entire month of October for one client, and tried to get some work lined up for when I return. I had time to get some invoices filed and get some work papers…

Cathy

October 8, 2010

I've learned that the only expert about your business is you.It's all well and good to seek out books, blogs, advice from "experts," but they don't know your business, your circumstances and, ultimately, whether or not you succeed is up to you.

I've learned that it's easy to call yourself an expert. Another reason to be your own expert.

I've learned what a wonderful, supportive bunch of people freelance writers are. They are generous with their time and always willing to help. It's a great community.

🙂

Wendy

October 8, 2010

I learned one of the most important lessons of all. That you're not alone.

Back in the beginning, I followed a couple of writers blogs. Those particular ones always shared the fluff and stuff. The positive aspects of their career. There never seemed to be any bad experiences for them. I kept envisioning them walking around with tiaras and royal crowns on their head, while I had the jesters hat. I felt pretty much alone, since I struggled and they never seemed to.

Eventually, I found other blogs where I saw the good AND the bad. A huge weight seemed to have lifted. To know that there were more people, like me, who didn't have the royally perfect career made all the difference.

Like you, in the beginning I got easily flustered when something would go wrong. Now, it's just a part of the business that you have to deal with, even though you sometimes want to scream.

Paula

October 8, 2010

The best thing I've learned is that if you work hard, even if you lose a client or two, you never have to worry about losing your job. In this economy that's a huge comfort most full-time employees don't have.

The worst thing I've learned is how little the average per-word article rate has changed in at least 60 years. (I wish I could find that 1950s Writers Market I bought at a book sale!)

Lori

October 8, 2010

Cathy, I especially love your first point. What works for me may not work for you may work for someone else but not that other person…. we have to define our own processes. And you're right – good reason to be your own expert. 🙂

And I thank God for the support of the writing community. Super bunch of people – yourself included. 🙂

Wendy, so true. I followed a few that spewed out the "here's EXACTLY how to do it" advice, or never showed that they were fallible just like the rest of us. I prefer to show the entire picture – how else do we learn?

Amen, Paula. Losing one client doesn't make or break you. Well, unless you had only one client, in which case you have two problems – no more work and no marketing skills. LOL

I can't believe how the rates have stayed the same, either. I don't see it getting better, either.

Lori

October 8, 2010

(hiccup) Pardon my multiple eithers.

Cathy

October 8, 2010

Back at 'cha, Lori. 🙂

becky @ misspriss

October 8, 2010

I have definitely been lucky to find some very supportive writers in the community. So thankful for that.

Lori, how did you put together your contract? Did you cobble something together from several that you liked, or did you have a lawyer draw one up, or a combo of things?

Georganna Hancock M.S.

October 8, 2010

You young whippersnappers probably won't believe this, but I've never had a contract, and I've never been sued for anything.

However, I did learn early on that even if you take a publisher to court for non-payment and receive a judgment in your favor, you may never be paid and be out the court costs. So, I've never sued anyone after that experience, and I've never needed to.

Oh, until recently when a client stiffed me $200, but that was my slip-up for underestimating the time a developmental critique would take and failing to bill a large enough amount in advance.

Almost 70 and still learning!

Mridu Khullar

October 11, 2010

I've learned that even though it is work, you must have fun. If all the assignments I take on are solely based on money decisions, I'll end up getting very bored and very frustrated, defeating the purpose of choosing this career in the first place. I try to keep a mix of the things that I'll do for love and money.

Lori

October 11, 2010

Becky, a writer friend sent me his standard contract years ago. I pieced it together as I learned, so to speak. And I had my sister look it over to make sure it was legal (she's an attorney).

Georganna, I'd believe it. I want to bottle your experience, in fact. I had heard that getting judgment in your favor is vastly different than getting actual payment. It makes me think going through collections may make more sense.

And thank you. I have been called a whippersnapper in years. LOL

Mridu, excellent advice! If you're not interested in what you're doing, you might as well work at the local fast food place. 🙂

StaceyW

October 11, 2010

I'm new to full-time freelancing, but what I'm learnING is that I have to set specific goals/deadlines to market myself and get more work. As a journalist, I'm good at working on a deadline, but I didn't realize until I started working for myself that I NEED a deadline to work productively.

This point really jumped out at me: "I've learned that chasing the paycheck results in lower earnings. I worked hard for a handful of clients. I was so focused on the paycheck that I didn't focus on finding more clients and building a career."

That's where I'm at right now. I have a handful of steady clients, and that's made me kind of complacent about reaching out to new ones. But my goal as a freelancer is to write for national design publications, and that's not going to happen if I don't send queries!

Thanks for the great post.