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…
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…
Stolen Work: Theft in Freelancing
Last week we talked about when your ideas are stolen. It’s a tricky topic, as ideas are not copyrightable, but there are some instance in which you, freelance writer, might have some legal ground to stand on. With your writing, however, you have plenty of ammunition. In fact, here’s your guide to what’s protected: Copyright…
Your Freelance Writing Ideas, Stolen
I’ve been at this writing-for-a-living thing for a few decades, so when I hear someone complain that their ideas were stolen, I think back to the first Journalism course I took, which taught me this: Ideas cannot be copyrighted. There’s a reason for that. If they could be copyrighted, there would be just one book…
This Job, Not That Job: Part-time job, Full-time headache
Yes, it’s clearly spring, for the lousy job listings are piling up like a line of cars following behind a cow. A really slow cow. Really slow. And the posts are getting weirder. What I’m seeing lately are postings that mask the true intentions of not the poster, but the job itself. Here’s an example that…
Freelance Files: Protecting Your Billable Hours
A while ago, I was working on a project with a client’s client, and it was clear there was going to be an issue. The client was nice enough. He knew what he wanted, and I was able to interpret that into a good first draft. But there was a massive disconnect from that point…
Idea File: Finding Freelance Writing Ideas in the News
Today I’m finishing up an article whose topic came straight from the news. Think headline-grabbing, celebrity-steeped scandalous news that’s been overplayed by every major (and minor) news organization. And yet, my article only mentions that original scandal. That scandal, that news, served as a catalyst for my piece, which touches on the scandal so lightly,…
Freelance Idea File: Ideas for Attracting Clients
How many times have you heard (or asked) this question: Where do I find clients? Today, we’re going to answer it. If I had a quarter for every time I’ve fielded that question (and asked it myself — we’re all beginners at some point), I’d not have to write for a living. It’s a legitimate…
Guest Post: When Clients Try to Set Your Freelance Writing Worth
I love Mika Doyle. Mika is one of those beginning freelance writers who is carving out a career, but doing it the right way. I’ve watched her from the sidelines as she’s built her freelance foundation, and it’s exciting to watch. Mind you, she’s gone through the same tough cycles and struggles like we all…
Idea File: Getting Freelance Ideas from Articles
Have you ever read an article that left you with more questions than it answered? Right there is a fountain of freelance writing pitch ideas. I’ve read articles that never answered the one question I was hoping they would, and the ones that just brought up four or five questions. Did the writer do a…