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….
Worthy Advice: This Job, Not That Job
What’s on the iPod: The Road to Home by Amy MacDonald (including Caledonia) I don’t need a calendar to tell me September is almost here. The clients are starting to call, email, and send projects. It’s going to be a busy fall, and I’m happy for it. I was looking for something else when the Craig’s…
When to Follow Writer Advice (and When to Go Your Own Way)
What I’m reading: Strip Jack by Ian Rankin What’s on the iPod: Conductor by We Were Promised Jetpacks It was nice to get away. It wasn’t a long break — 4 days — but it was welcome. Saturday afternoon, we started the 7 1/2 hour ride. It’s always made longer because we stop at our…
7 Lousy Marketing Tactics
What I’m hearing: Rain on a tin roof, a loon in the bay…. Today I’ll be waking up to the sounds of birds, frogs, and maybe some rain. The cottage I sleep in (there are two on my parents’ property) is a one-room place with a tin roof. There are no amenities beyond the four…
This Job, Not That Job
What’s on the iPod: Nothing. I’m fishing. As I spend this week tormenting Canadian fish, I wanted to leave behind a few things for you all to discuss. And anytime I want a good laugh, I just head to Craig’s List and look at the job ads. That’s not to say all the ads suck,…
Free Advice Friday: To Contract or Not?
What’s on the iPod: Rain King by Counting Crows Yesterday felt like Friday to me. That’s because today, I’m out of here. There’s a little river in the middle of Ontario where there are some fish and a few parents camped along the shores. I must go visit them all. I did manage three newsletter…
Finding More Writing Time
What’s on the iPod: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by Red Hot Chili Peppers It’s been a productive week so far. Monday was nonstop work.Tuesday I had to stop for a few phone interviews and a furniture delivery, plus I had to get out of this house before I suffered some serious cabin fever….