What I’m reading: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez What’s on the iPod: Iris (Hold Me Close) by U2 Holding patterns: I’m not a fan of holding patterns. I have projects coming in, but they’re not here. I’m not waiting, either. As I told a friend yesterday, I market like there are…
Monthly Assessment: October 2014
What I’m reading: Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck What’s on the iPod: You Don’t Know How it Feels by Tom Petty What a weekend. For the first time in ages, I had a project to complete by today. Since the client is a favorite client, I was happy to be able to help them…
The Worthy Writer: Bending Without Breaking
What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers It’s been a nice, slow week so far. I’m glad for the break since I’ll be working this weekend. I can remember one other time I did work a weekend, and it was under similar circumstances. When clients have hard deadlines they must meet, and when…
The Freelance Writer: Looking Big
What’s on the iPod: Hate Music by Owl John After a month of full-out writing, it was nice to have a break yesterday. I sent out some queries, contacted a few potential clients, and did some grunt work (a.k.a. things I’ve been putting off, like cleaning the desk). News on the home front: daughter has…
Free Advice Friday: Cutting Through the Writing Advice Noise
What’s on the iPod: Misfits and Lovers by The Wallflowers It’s been a relatively slow week since Wednesday. I’m rather happy for that as I know next weekend I’ll be putting in extra hours. Normally, I don’t work weekends, but a favorite client has their back to the wall and needs help. Excellent news on…
How to Be an Exceptional Writing Pro in 7 Steps
What’s on the iPod: I’ve Been Waiting for This by Butch Walker Good week so far. I had a lunch meeting with a potential client on Monday, a bit of work to do on a current project, and some out-of-town guests here last night for dinner. I spent a lovely weekend at my son’s house…
Top Tips Writers Series #5: Jennifer Mattern
What’s on the iPod: I’m A Mess by Ed Sheeran (acoustic version – and fabulous) Know what it’s like to rub shoulders with one of the most successful freelancers in the business? You’re about to find out. I met Jenn Mattern through online conversations, and met her when Devon Ellington and I decided to meet for…
Free Advice Friday: 4 Freelance Lessons You Should Learn Now
What I’m reading: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe What’s on the iPod: Call Girl Blues by Diamond Rugs Friday already? Where did the middle of the week go? I’ve been busy, not extremely so, but a focused sort of busy. Time flew by. As this project winds down, another one is about to ramp…
The Writing Career Cross-over
What I’m reading: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe What’s on the iPod: Only For You by Heartless Bastards My busy Monday became a busy Tuesday became another busy one today. The projects I have aren’t complicated, but the deadlines are short. Plus, there’s some corralling of interviewees, so that takes some time. One project…
Top Tips Series #4: Samar Owais
What’s on the iPod: God Only Knows by The Beach Boys I couldn’t tell you where I first met Samar (pronounced “Summer”) Owais. I remember her interviewing me for a podcast, and I remember interacting with her quite a bit on a blog or two. Then there were the personal emails, which are always fun….