Freelance Writing Blog

Bypassing the Trap

Posted on September 9, 2010 by lwidmer

First, I’d like to pass along my condolences to Devon Ellington, whose beloved cat Elsa passed on after a long, happy life. If you read Devon’s blog, you’ve gotten to know Elsa and also know her health struggles of late. My prayers to you and to Elsa, Devon. Carol Tice has a very interesting post…

The Game Plan

Posted on September 8, 2010 by lwidmer

Did we really have a long weekend? It seems like yesterday I was thrust back into work. Like walking downhill only to stumble and roll out of control. That was yesterday. I saw it coming. We’d gone to a meditation retreat over the weekend. It was going too blissfully. Still, I got a good deal…

The Hardest Word (But the Most Necessary)

Posted on September 7, 2010 by lwidmer

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Back to the serious business for some. For the rest of us, we’re serious about business 24/7, 365, with a few days off for good behavior. Maybe it’s because the calendar page turned over, but the first few days of September were a damn sight better than…

Friday Madness

Posted on September 3, 2010 by lwidmer

I know it’s supposed to be a day people traditionally blow off work – that last summer blowout before we get serious again. But I’m here, for a little while today, to get ahead of the work. That’s either dedication or stupidity. It depends on your perspective. Since I feel like working like you feel…

Bringing Out the N Word

Posted on September 2, 2010 by lwidmer

I don’t need a calendar to know what time of year it is. I’m busier than I’ve been in months, so it must be September. More to the point, it must be right before Labor Day. Yesterday, I pushed through eight hours of writing to finish one deadline. Today will be no different. Everything is…

Monthly Assessment: August 2010

Posted on September 1, 2010 by lwidmer

Maybe it’s because it’s been a month of emotional hell on earth, but this month didn’t seem to fly by as the last several have. I was sure busy enough. Perhaps it was juggling that work – I don’t know. Either way, I feel like I’ve lived two months in the span of one. I’m…

Up for Bid

Posted on August 31, 2010 by lwidmer

It continues to amaze me when I see writers who have built careers on leading other writers to make smart career choices suddenly decide the money’s the goal. One writer, who shall remain nameless, has decided to offer a book on how to make money on one particular bidding site. By bidding site, I’m talking…

Working Smarter

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lwidmer

Spent a great weekend just reconnecting with the man and enjoying some yard time. The lack of humidity made it marvelous gardening. The neighbor’s cat, per usual, was a constant companion. I would sit on the swing for a break and he’d make a running leap for my lap. If they’re not careful, he may…

The Not-so-special Offer

Posted on August 27, 2010 by lwidmer

Well, it doesn’t take me long to get back on a tear, especially when I sense an attempt to get out of paying a writer a decent wage. This week is no exception. I don’t know what it is or why it is that some prospective clients find it their business to define our businesses…

Doing What We Do Best

Posted on August 26, 2010 by lwidmer

Thanks to everyone for the wishes and condolences as I put 600 more miles on the car to chase down ghosts. It was a cathartic time, made possible by two of my dearest chums – Kim and Michele, along with the additional help of Sir Jack Daniels. Thank you, dear friends, for sharing your time…

Wendy

August 26, 2010

I understand how you could feel your letter was a sham in a way. But, in my eyes, it wasn't a writer writing it. It was LORI writing it. You wrote what was in your heart to write.

I've seen people who can't even write a grocery list, create a tear-jerking poem in similar situations.

Everyone has different spiritual beliefs. To me, I feel you were chosen to be the one to help him and those close to him to heal. In this situation, it happened to be with words.

Lori

August 26, 2010

Wendy, thank you. And you should see my grocery lists – what a mess! 🙂

See, I feel he was chosen to help ME in some way. I haven't quite nailed down what that was yet, but I'm getting closer to it. Maybe he's the one who taught me unconditional love beyond family borders.

Devon Ellington

August 26, 2010

Your talent and genuine love helped make their world a better place during a dark time. There is no reason to feel guilty because you're able to use your talent to express your GENUINE emotion. If the emotion wasn't real, then, yes, feel like crap. But it WAS real, and you helped not just your ex, but the whole family. You gave them a gift of light and love in the middle of an awful time. Few can do that. Of course they're grateful.

Thinking of you.

Lori

August 26, 2010

Thank you, Devon. I appreciate your kind words.

Ashley

August 26, 2010

As Wendy and Devon have said, it's because it was a heartfelt and genuine letter that makes the difference. You just happen to have a talent that made your emotions easier to share. And don't forget – because it's been so long since you had seen him made it that much more special to receive such a letter. To be remembered lovingly would be meaningful to anyone, especially someone in such a situation. Taking the time to write, not simply what you wrote, was an act of love.

Joseph Hayes

August 26, 2010

I went on a writers residency a few years ago, where I got to spend three weeks with a high-level novelist/artist. During a conversation at the end (in which he gave me advice that changed my artistic life, but that's another story), he said, "Having observed creative people for many years, I've found an interesting thing. Artists, as a rule, spend half their lives figuring out what they do best – and the other half not doing it."

Resisting doing what you think is too easy to have any worth, and resisting accepting or believing honest praise for your words – because "it's not a struggle for me to say these things" – are the same sides of two similar coins. It's your gift, Lori, accept that what you do can and will affect others, whether an eyebrow raise or bring them to tears. We don't work for free, remember?. That's the payoff.

Jake P

August 26, 2010

I long ago concluded that just about anything said along the funeral/wedding continuum can sound awkward if you read into it too much — which of course is EXACTLY what those occasions lend themselves to.

I absolutely understand what you're getting at. All I'm saying is that your lovely and heartfelt gesture isn't diminished in the slightest by the fact that it's in an area in which you're skilled, or by a small-talk comment that (ahem) you may be examining more closely than it should be. 🙂

Anyway, glad you're back to the page and life.

Paula

August 26, 2010

I agree with what the others have already said about you and your letter, Lori. These days, actual tangible letters are a rarity, making your letter even more special to him and his family.

And what a great family – thoughtful, warm and nurturing even in their grief. Seeing someone special from his past had to underscore how many lives he touched. It's good that you went.

I like hearing your friend call rain on a funeral day being a sign the loved one has made it to Heaven. As a kid I remember waking up on the day of my mom's funeral (well, not that I'd actually slept) thinking, "It's raining – maybe they'll cancel the funeral and it won't be real." Then Dad or Grandma explained there weren't rain delays for funerals. I clearly remember thinking of the rain as angels' tears. Since then I've always paid attention to rain and snow on funeral days, and it's oddly comforting that most of the time there has been rain or snow at some point on the funeral days. Even ornery Great Uncle Harold got a "spit" or two of rain.

Cathy

August 26, 2010

Couldn't agree more with everyone. If an artist paints a portrait as a gift is it any less beautiful or welcomed?

The really special people in life are in our hearts forever, Time makes no difference. What a special gift they are to you, Lori.

Welcome back and virtual hugs.

Lori

August 27, 2010

Paula, what anguish you must have felt. My heart goes out to that little girl in you – my lord, how hard that had to have been.

Ashley, thank you. 🙂 It was an act of love – how could you not love someone so special?

Nice words, Joseph. Thank you. 🙂 I've always felt a little twinge of discomfort when anyone gives me a compliment. But I guess that would be fodder for a therapist, eh? :))

Jake, you're right. And maybe some of that guilt stems from the emotional upheaval. He and I never resolved anything face-to-face, so there will always be questions. In my mind, I wanted to resolve it in his mind at least.

Super analogy, Cathy. That helps a lot. Thank you. 🙂

Paula, they ARE a special family. I was a little surprised by all the attention I was getting. Why me? Geez. But I may have been the diversion they needed to escape that grief for a minute. And my traveling that far, I hope, showed them just how special he was to other people.