What’s on the iPod: Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift (feat. Ed Sheeran) Yesterday was a good day. Despite one minor upset to start the day, I got halfway through a project that’s turning out to be a lot of fun to put together. I have one interview today and hopefully I’ll be able to…
8 Ways to Pump Up Your Writing Career
What’s on the iPod: Two Coins by Dispatch More snow. Friday we had about four inches. Today, close to three more, they say. I did say I love snow, so I should be thrilled. To some extent, I am. It’s coming down this morning, but then the rains arrive this afternoon and the temperatures go…
Free Advice Friday: Extracting Pay from Writing Clients
What’s on the iPod: Call Girl Blues by Diamond Rug Snow. I love it. Good thing, because late Wednesday night after we’d gone to bed, it started coming down. By morning, we had over 6 inches in the driveway and it just kept coming down. I’m writing this ahead of time should the power decide…
7 (More) Deadly Writing Career Sins
What I’m reading: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri What’s on the iPod: Right in Time by Lucinda Williams What a couple of days. That cushion of time I had last week to finish two articles vanished thanks to whatever this latest winter storm was called — Nika maybe? I’m sorry the term “Snow-mageddon” was ever…
Lessons from a Powerless Writing Life
What’s on the iPod: Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers Valley Forge Mountain damage: photos by my husband Well, that was interesting. Four days — 101 hours almost to the minute. That was the longest I’ve ever lived without power. I suspect the news got national coverage, but just in case you’re hearing…
Monthly Assessment: January 2014
What’s on the iPod: Jumper by Third Eye Blind You’re getting a lot of posts out of me this week. That’s because there seems to be a lot to talk about. Snow, more snow, and work are piling up. I got a last-minute article request on Tuesday for a short sidebar piece and right now…
Your Writing Revenue Sweet Spot
What’s on the iPod: This is London by The Airborne Toxic Event The view from the kitchen door It’s been a week of wheel-spinning. I spent Monday thinking I’d get so much done, but spending the majority of the day shoveling (and re-shoveling) the driveway. Ten inches later, I cried uncle and went inside. By…
Snow Days and the Writer
What’s on the iPod: Invisible by U2 (free until midnight on iTunes) View from my front walk Congratulations to Seattle Seahawks fans! Your team shone like diamonds yesterday, much to the dismay of the Denver Broncos. To Broncos fans, my condolences. Your team is better than one performance, so congratulations to them for making it to…
Free Advice Friday: Writing a Terrific Query
What’s on the iPod: Katharine Song by Runaway Dorothy (link below) It feels like the world is starting to return to its normal orbit. Not that things were completely a-kilter, but I did get the sense that my work life (and home life, for that matter) were a bit on the random side. Given the…
This Writing Job, Not That Writing Job
What’s on the iPod: It Doesn’t Matter Anymore by Linda Ronstadt Yesterday was a bit fuzzy for me. I woke up after my first good night’s sleep in over a year, but I couldn’t quite get going. I had taken a “PM” version of acetaminophen for a sinus headache and it left me groggier than…