Anyone who’s close to me knows I spent about a month waiting for an overdue check recently. Normally, I wouldn’t notice because other checks would be rolling in, but naturally, it was tax time. The time when checks go missing right when you need them most. My mom always asks “Did you get any money…
Uncategorized
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…
Tuesday Idea File: Creating Freelance Pitches from Headlines
Welcome to our second Tuesday Idea File day. I’m rather glad we’re going down this path. As I mentioned in the comments section in last week’s post, it was something I struggled with at the beginning of my freelance writing career. No matter what career stage you’re at, there’s no need to struggle. [bctt tweet=”With…
3 Things to Change That Will Make You Look Like a Professional Writer
Social media browsing is interesting sometimes. Interesting in that “train wreck” sort of way, that is. I was cruising around Twitter and some blogs yesterday, and it’s a bit surprising what shows up that people put out there on purpose. Sure, you get the political opinions, which I try to shy away from (I don’t…
Finding Balance in an Unbalanced Freelance World
Hey, you. Writer — what are you doing here? Same thing I’m doing, I bet. When the client work comes in and you have some free time, you get a head start. I plan to give an hour of my time off to a favorite client this morning, then off to enjoy the rest of…
Hidden Freelance Writing Gigs You Can Uncover Now
Not long ago I was supplying a steady client with articles. The process went like this: I proposed article topics They selected I wrote and got paid I’ll say upfront I wasn’t compensated terribly for the articles, though I wasn’t going to become rich off the work. What was sucking up a bit too much…
Free Advice Friday: The Freelance Work You’re Missing Out On Right Now
I’m sitting here in an unusual situation — I’m between projects. So what am I doing about it? Nothing. For the moment, anyway. I have three projects for this month that are in what I call “wait mode.” One can’t be completed without further input, due next week. The other two can’t be started until…
Writers Worth: Removing One Fear
There’s something about the first day after Labor Day that feels, well, serious. Summer gear put away (even if it’s still warm enough to use it), summer attitude stowed, and it’s down-to-business time, isn’t it? I’m stubborn. I hang on to that summer feeling until the warm weather is gone completely. Last year, that was…
Free Advice Friday: 7 Blog Posts Freelancers Should Be Reading Now
When I have a slow week, I look for things that impress me, teach me, or raise questions in me. This was a slow week, so I took to the internet to find those otherwise overlooked nuggets that get my brain engaged. The result: a list of what I think are the top blog posts…
The “Do Not Think About List” Revisited
Way back in 2013, I wrote about things that unnerve us and that take up too much of our time worrying about, fussing over, or venting to friends about. In the current political and social environment, it might be time to revisit that list. And update it. If anyone needs it, it’s me. I’m addicted…