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Satisfying Recharges

Posted on September 9, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: In the End (There’s Only Love) by Ewert and the Two Dragons Sometimes accomplishing a lot doesn’t mean wearing yourself out. I had a weekend that started with a long list of things that had to be done. By Sunday, I was relaxing and not over-tired. That’s a good way to…

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Monthly Assessment: August 2013

Posted on September 6, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers Well, I’m back. Fishing was amazing, the weather was just right — sunny, warm days followed by those lazy rain showers that just beg for naps to be taken. It was a pleasant few days away, and Ontario, per usual, was good to me. I jumped…

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Doing Nothing Wrong

Posted on September 4, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Mission by Dispatch I’m back. I promise you I’m not yet in front of the computer. I know myself enough to realize that after a long ride back from Ontario, I’m not getting to posting until two days later. I’ll avail you of my trip details, and of the fish almost caught,…

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5 Ways to Look Like an Inept Writer

Posted on August 30, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Plenty of stuff; I’m in the car driving to Ontario View from the cottage Vacation time. At long last, I get the heck out of Dodge. At first I felt guilt for wanting a few days off — didn’t I just have a surgery/convalescence? Isn’t that time off? Yes. And definitely…

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4 Ways to Set Writerly Boundaries

Posted on August 28, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Last Time by Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody Writers: Take part in a FREE chat with veteran writer Cathy Miller Thursday, 8/29 at 1 pm ET/10 am PT Register for free access here I thought I’d have a nicely paced week, have time to research for an article, take time…

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Heeding Writing Client Warning Shots

Posted on August 26, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Blue Skies Again by The David Mayfield Parade Last week was a nice transition from a light workload to a faster pace. I ended the week with another project and a few potential ones from the same client. Plus I saw my surgeon Friday morning and got the good news: I’ve…

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Writerly Wednesday

Posted on August 21, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons It’s August. I can tell by the silence. Where last year I had a summer of confinement (tons of work at once from May until December, really), this summer I could probably take off entirely and never be missed. Well, except for one large project and a…

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4 Simple Moves to Impress Your Writing Clients

Posted on August 19, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Middle Brother by Middle Brother It’s amazing just how much you can change your perspective in a few short days. My husband switched out his desk from this massive, executive monstrosity to an original, mission-style hunk of gorgeousness. Not only is the desk much smaller, but the study is now arranged…

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Avoiding the Dangling Carrot Effect

Posted on August 15, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Lonesome by Dr. Dog It’s been a busy week despite not having a ton of work. One project is monopolizing my time, but there’s real headway on it. Another project is coming in tomorrow (I hope), and I’ll have to split time yet again. Meantime, I write. I was listening to…

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Looking Like a Smart Writer

Posted on August 13, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Drive by Dispatch Busy Monday it was — I sat down and wrote until after 2 pm, at which time I’d finished a project and killed any hope of thinking another coherent thought. But it was a productive, good session. I had some time to wind down, so I cruised a…

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  1. Anne Wayman Avatar
    Anne Wayman
    August 13, 2013

    all good advice

    Reply
  2. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller
    August 13, 2013

    Criticism is seldom easy, especially when it is about something so personal as the way you write.

    I try to tell myself to digest first, respond afterwards. Of course, that assumes my response doesn't take too long. 😉

    Reply
  3. Gabriella F. Avatar
    Gabriella F.
    August 13, 2013

    If anything, I'm the one who over-warns clients I'm not 100 percent on what they're asking. That may hurt me, but I think clients appreciate my honesty.

    Several years ago, I told a client who was perfectly willing to give me some work that I didn't specialize in that type of writing and didn't want to mislead them that I was. They'd have still given me the work if I hadn't told them I thought we should connect on the next project that was a better fit.

    I've also told clients assigning an article on a particular topic that I know nothing about X or Y, being part of the topic, but that I'm really interested to learn. I've never had that come back in any negative way, and I feel much better going into projects with full disclosure of my skills.

    All of that is a lead up to a point: My guess is that I head off some of that dumb-question criticism by letting clients know how dumb I am from the get-go! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    August 13, 2013

    I imagine anyone who's been writing for more than a year or two has encountered some degree of criticism.

    Like Cathy, I don't reply immediately. I take a little time to let it sink in and formulate a polite response.

    When someone's criticism of you is way off base you can usually laugh it off. It only really hurts when the criticism is on target – and that's when you need to address it.

    By all means, keep your cool when responding. Getting irate, insulting the client or challenging his or her opinion won't make you look any better, but acknowledging they pointed out an area for improvement just might. Thanking them for bringing it to your attention won't hurt, either.

    Reply
  5. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    August 14, 2013

    Cathy, I agree. Criticism can be tough to listen to. It's finding that grain of truth and pushing aside the emotional reaction that's the hardest part.

    Gabriella, you're far from dumb. 🙂 It's the fair thing to do. It's also a great time to have a referral network. You get to spread the wealth to friends who can handle the job. 🙂

    Paula, good point. It's so hard when you're first starting out to get that the criticism is sometimes useful. Or not. Knowing the difference means trusting your gut a bit.

    Reply
  6. Weekly favorites (Aug 19-25)
    March 12, 2017

    […] Freelancers Find Work? Avoiding the Dangling Carrot Effect Freelance Writing as a Career Move Looking Like a Smart Writer 20 top freelancing […]

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  7. Translation favorites (Aug 19-25)
    March 6, 2018

    […] Freelancers Find Work? Avoiding the Dangling Carrot Effect Freelance Writing as a Career Move Looking Like a Smart Writer 20 top freelancing […]

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