What I’m reading: A Good Hanging by Ian Rankin What’s on the iPod: The Miracle (of Joey Ramone) by U2 (Free album available on iTunes right now) Home. What an absolutely fantastic week away. Southern England is a treat for the senses. The place is all about walking and being outdoors — trails everywhere, and…
What Breaking Bad Has Taught Me About Writing
I’ll be back in my chair tomorrow. When I do sit down, I have a full day ahead of me with at least two projects. I don’t like leaving in the middle of things, but that’s the way the projects rolled this time. Some things can’t be helped. As I was once again watching the…
Writing Link Love
I should be back at the desk next Wednesday. Meantime, here are some favorite posts by some great writers: The Three-Day Rule by Walt Kania – a great plan for any freelancer to live by. Self-Publishing for Freelancers: Don’t Forget Phase Two – Yo Prinzel shows us how to be brutal with our beloved manuscripts. Want to…
4 Ways to Collect Without a Contract
What I’m reading: Pigs Will Fly by P. G. Wodehouse Right now, I’m in southern England, hopefully relaxing. I know I’ll be coming home to a number of client projects — I’m just not sure how many. Right now I have two, but there are at least that many more in talks right now. It’s…
6 Ways to Keep Writing Work Coming In
What I’m reading: Pigs Can Fly by P. G. Wodehouse This time tonight I’ll be boarding a flight to England. Meantime, I have this morning to wrap up projects, get another project in good shape, and yes, market. Always market, right? Because any time away from the career means a hit to the wallet, I’ve…
Riding the Writing Excuse Train
What I’m listening to: Bloodstream by Ed Sheeran Lots of work at my door right now, and naturally, I’m about to head out of the country for a week. As I’ve always said, if you want work, just plan a vacation. I’m not so busy that I haven’t been able to interact on forums and…
Monthly Assessment: August 2014
What I’m reading: Strip Jack by Ian Rankin What I’m listening to: Happy by Pharrell Williams September — she’s here. Time to get serious, right? Time also to see how August went for us writers. Whew. Much more like it. With June being ridiculously slow thanks to so much time off and with July picking…
Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job
What I’m listening to: Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros There’s something about the waning days of summer — the school buses come back, clients ramp up stalled projects….and cheapskates come out of the woodwork to prey on desperate writers. Thanks to Jenn Mattern for sending over this week’s nominee for sh*ttiest job…
4 Questions to Help You Find Freelance Purpose
What I’m listening to: Your Long Journey by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss It’s been a good start to the week. After a busy, enjoyable weekend, I sat down on Monday with just one project in front of me, but with a few client calls to prepare for. It was nice to have the luxury…
Free Advice Friday: Using Writing Contracts to Nail Down Projects
What I’m reading: Strip Jack by Ian Rankin What’s on the iPod: Just Another by Pete Yorn Yesterday was a bit of a blur. I sat down to accomplish something. Well, I managed my marketing and a little editing on my poetry. Nothing more. There’s a fatigue running through me that can only be thyroid-related….