Uncategorized | Words on the Page

6 Ways to Kill Your Writing Image

Posted on July 12, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Into the Dark Unknown by Holcombe Waller TGIF. It’s been a busy week, and I’ve accomplished much. I saw two potential gigs disappear because we couldn’t come together on price, but there wasn’t any lack of work to fill in the gaps. Today, I’m working a few hours, then heading to…

Finding New Writing Clients

Posted on July 10, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Rabbit by Ewert and the Two Dragons What a good couple of days it’s been! I got a good deal done on my larger project, managed to clarify and get going again on a stalled one, and even took two hours in the morning to meet with my newest writing group. Also,…

Six Ways to Balance Your Writing Income

Posted on July 8, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Falling by Desmond Myers How was the holiday and your weekend? Mine was nice. I woke up Friday morning and realized that much of corporate America had taken an extended holiday, so I tossed some things in an overnight bag and headed the car west. Five hours later, I was sitting…

Creating Your Own Writing “Magic Bullet”

Posted on July 3, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Bride and Groom by The Airborne Toxic Event So far, it’s been a nice, slow week. That’s because I’m taking an unofficial vacation and allowing myself some much-needed downtime. Doesn’t seem that I’d need that since I missed most of May thanks to surgery, but that’s not “fun” downtime. This is….

Monthly Assessment: June 2013

Posted on July 1, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Ashamed by Deer Tick Busy weekend, busier week. I intend to take off much of it as no client is around, but I do have some writing time to put in. In fact, when the clients are away, I can get so much done rather than focus on requests. It’s “me”…

The Successful, Minimalist Writer

Posted on June 28, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Untitled (Love Song) by Counting Crows The last Friday of June — I took yesterday afternoon off (every June 27th is my day off), and I’m going to do just a little work this morning before shutting down the work side of my brain for the weekend. My son is coming…

What Bikini Shots Have to Do With Writing

Posted on June 26, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Blunderbuss by Jack White It’s been a good two days back. Monday was spent starting a project, sending off quotes to interview subjects for another project, and organizing this week’s workload, which isn’t as small as I thought it would be. It’s good, though. Imagine this — you go on vacation…

Mainely Love

Posted on June 24, 2013 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Glorious by MaMuse (just an audio clip) What a week. What a wedding. We arrived in Maine last Sunday to glorious weather — warmish, sunny, and beautiful. We were staying in a house in Boothbay Harbor with his daughter, her fiance, her future in-laws, his ex-wife and her husband, and we…

Unhooking the Time Suckers

Posted on June 21, 2013 by lwidmer

What I’m reading:: The Johnstown Flood by David McCollough Tomorrow is the wedding! I can’t wait. The chapel sits on the coast in Boothbay Harbor, and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous. Today is rehearsal dinner, which is a barbecue with what will be a rousing game of corn hole. If you’ve not played,…

Freelancers and Fun

Posted on June 19, 2013 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner I’m still in Maine, but I’m leaving vapor trails. I hope I’m enjoying either a good book or a good shopping trip. Maybe both. I’ll be working, but depending on the WiFi connection, it could be sporadic at best. So as I relax and remember what life…

Paula

June 19, 2013

Before I can save up to take a week off I need to save up to have the chimney fixed, among other looming structural repairs. (I can push off the cosmetic home repairs a bit, but not the structural ones.) If I did take a week off it would probably be spent painting window trim or doing major yard work, so I'm in no hurry. LOL. Darn my Scandinavian work ethic!

I do plan occasional days off – sometimes I even take a spontaneous day off when I don't have a looming deadline or any interviews scheduled. I also have lengthy conversations with a couple of friends now and then. I've been known to take mid-day doggie walks – it helps recharge the brain cells and keeps Doggie Lily happy.

Anne Wayman

June 19, 2013

I do it all except it's been ages since a real vacation… but I read, schedule time with friends and now am including Tai Chi an Qi Jong and occasionally write gathas or short poems… and yeah, I'd like not to need to work, but….

Jake Poinier

June 19, 2013

My daughter had a golf tournament this morning, and I had every good intention of sitting in the clubhouse and doing some phone calls and transcribing while she played. Then…I got conscripted into being the Parent Scorekeeper for her group. Oy. A 3-hour unscheduled "funcation," right?

And before you ask, no, my daughter didn't want me following her around the course. It took a lot of psychological energy, because you're not allowed to cheer, talk, hand signal, give advice, etc., like we do when we play together. She played OK, but I know I could have saved her at least 5 or 6 shots!

Krista

June 20, 2013

I am so guilty of planning a day off but then checking my email numerous times, which makes it feel as though I'm still working. So far the only proven way for me to unplug is to head to the Caribbean, where the Internet connection is so slow it's not even worth the effort. This summer, though, I'm determined to take an extended break as opposed to the long weekends I've been doing for the last five summers. I am burnt out!

Alex G

June 20, 2013

Krista's comment really resonates with me – how can you keep away from email? What if an urgent assignment comes in?! On this side of the Atlantic, the Caribbean is sadly inaccessible to me, but I do think the way forward on this is to put yourself into a situation you can't escape from. I love coffee with friends, but it's too easy to excuse myself. A planned afternoon or evening out or away is more of a commitment, and eliminates that itch to get back to your desk. Works for me, anyway!

Alex

Devon Ellington

June 20, 2013

I find looking at paintings is a wonderful way to refresh. My favorite way.

In NY a few weeks ago, I gorged myself on art at Christie's and the Met.

Krista

June 21, 2013

I agree Alex! My compulsion to check email (and the need I feel to respond immediately) is a big reason why I've held out on getting a smart phone. 🙂

Lori

June 24, 2013

Back from Maine! Wow, I can't believe I went a week with only an hour of Internet connection. So much for the advertised WiFi.

Paula, you of all people need a day or two off! Time to plan a vacation, woman. It will recharge you like nothing else.

Anne, needing to work and taking time off needn't fight each other. You can take time to re-energize without it killing the income.

Jake, spoken like a true golfer. 😉 I'd say three hours is a decent break, so yes, a "funcation" counts, too.

Krista, great plan! Include ways to get out of the house and away from it. Coffee shop, mall, park, whatever works!

Alex, I've found that rarely is there a true writing "emergency" that would require me to answer an email instantly. Don't make the mistake of being at the beck-and-call of clients. They'll come to expect it and when you go on a real vacation, they'll be banging down the virtual door. As long as you get back to your clients within 24 hours (or you have an automated vacation reply on your email), you're fine. They can't expect to be your only client.

Art is wonderful, Devon. We saw some great pieces in the Wiscasset Bay Gallery (his favorite haunt). He may get in touch and buy the one he can't stop thinking about.