The Monster List of Freelancing Tips at www.poewar.com has some wonderful keys to being a successful work at home writer or any freelance position.
Some of my favorite tips:
*Follow instructions
*Ask clients what they want and listen to the answers they give
*Explain things clearly
*Meet deadlines
*Avoid distractions
*Be an editor
*Be ready to write whenever inspiration hits
And the list goes on and on! Be sure to check it out.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Open Office 3.0
The latest version of Open Office has just been released, Open Office 3.0. I downloaded it on both of my computers today and so far really like it. There are some new features that were not on 2.4 so I'm working to become familiar with them.
I love Open Office because it's compatible with Microsoft Office but it's a lot cheaper. It's FREE!
It has a counterpart to pretty much everything in Microsoft Office except one program, Publisher. I use that program to produce several newsletters so I still have to use Microsoft Office.
The Writer program is the Open Office version of Microsoft Office's Word. Files can go back and forth in either format without any glitches that I am aware of. I use Writer most often and I really like the word count feature. In Word it is right at the bottom of the document; in Writer you click Tools and then Word Count.
To download Open Office just go to www.openoffice.org. It's a wonderful tool for writers!
I love Open Office because it's compatible with Microsoft Office but it's a lot cheaper. It's FREE!
It has a counterpart to pretty much everything in Microsoft Office except one program, Publisher. I use that program to produce several newsletters so I still have to use Microsoft Office.
The Writer program is the Open Office version of Microsoft Office's Word. Files can go back and forth in either format without any glitches that I am aware of. I use Writer most often and I really like the word count feature. In Word it is right at the bottom of the document; in Writer you click Tools and then Word Count.
To download Open Office just go to www.openoffice.org. It's a wonderful tool for writers!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Historical writing
Writing World's current newsletter has a very interesting piece on historical writing, something I really love to do.
I've written numerous outright historical pieces and during the past five years of freelance writing have collected some wonderful local histories, firsthand comments on historical events, and the like. My love for local/regional history has grown and when I have time I write about neat facts I've uncovered in my blog Historical Happenings. It focuses on Arkansas and African-American history with an emphasis on people and places about whom/which I have firsthand information and knowledge.
The Writing World newsletter offers a great piece of advice on writing about history -- find something interesting that hasn't been covered a million times already! I treasure these firsthand experiences with area historical events I've collected, like one woman's take on what it was like to be an African-American student during the time the Hoxie School District was being integrated or another woman's very sharp memories of the years she attended a private boarding school for African-American students in Eastern Arkansas.
Until I decide to compile all of my collected experiences and memories in a better format, I'll continue to publish snippets at Historical Happenings.
I've written numerous outright historical pieces and during the past five years of freelance writing have collected some wonderful local histories, firsthand comments on historical events, and the like. My love for local/regional history has grown and when I have time I write about neat facts I've uncovered in my blog Historical Happenings. It focuses on Arkansas and African-American history with an emphasis on people and places about whom/which I have firsthand information and knowledge.
The Writing World newsletter offers a great piece of advice on writing about history -- find something interesting that hasn't been covered a million times already! I treasure these firsthand experiences with area historical events I've collected, like one woman's take on what it was like to be an African-American student during the time the Hoxie School District was being integrated or another woman's very sharp memories of the years she attended a private boarding school for African-American students in Eastern Arkansas.
Until I decide to compile all of my collected experiences and memories in a better format, I'll continue to publish snippets at Historical Happenings.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It's been five years!
It's hard to believe it's been this long, but I became an official work-at-home writer mom five years ago!
It was five years ago this month that my job in a newspaper office as an editor, writer, photographer, etc. came to an end after nearly 16 years. I began freelancing for a couple of area newspapers right away and after several months added another one. A couple of years after that, I began producing a newsletter for a nonprofit organization.
In the past five years I've been a regular contributor at several area newspapers, including a couple that I no longer write for because of the distance, and I've produced regular newsletters for several nonprofits. During this time I've also done some editing for different clients. I'm still writing for newspapers, producing newsletters, and doing some editing.
This has been a wonderful opportunity for me, as I've been able to stay home with my children, contribute to the family finances, and do something I've always loved to do. I'm very thankful for this and hope that it continues.
It was five years ago this month that my job in a newspaper office as an editor, writer, photographer, etc. came to an end after nearly 16 years. I began freelancing for a couple of area newspapers right away and after several months added another one. A couple of years after that, I began producing a newsletter for a nonprofit organization.
In the past five years I've been a regular contributor at several area newspapers, including a couple that I no longer write for because of the distance, and I've produced regular newsletters for several nonprofits. During this time I've also done some editing for different clients. I'm still writing for newspapers, producing newsletters, and doing some editing.
This has been a wonderful opportunity for me, as I've been able to stay home with my children, contribute to the family finances, and do something I've always loved to do. I'm very thankful for this and hope that it continues.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Time to get ready for tax season
Work at home writers, it's time to get ready for tax season! Have you kept up with all your paperwork/bookkeeping?
I haven't for the last few months, I'm ashamed to say, but I do have several months of figures already recorded that should make things easier.
Freelance Writing at About.com has some good tax preparation tips to follow in the meantime.
I haven't for the last few months, I'm ashamed to say, but I do have several months of figures already recorded that should make things easier.
Freelance Writing at About.com has some good tax preparation tips to follow in the meantime.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Secrets to scoring a freelance job
Freelance Writing at About.com has some insider secrets for getting freelance writing jobs!
These tips are for getting jobs over the Internet, something at which I have a zero percent success rate although following these tips may get a writer a 20 percent success rate.
My failure at it is due most likely to me not being very dedicated to the process; I've found so much more success in finding print work locally. I tried to do this again this summer and got a few bites but nothing that panned out to an actual gig.
Hopefully these tips will help improve my success rate the next time I decide to try this.
These tips are for getting jobs over the Internet, something at which I have a zero percent success rate although following these tips may get a writer a 20 percent success rate.
My failure at it is due most likely to me not being very dedicated to the process; I've found so much more success in finding print work locally. I tried to do this again this summer and got a few bites but nothing that panned out to an actual gig.
Hopefully these tips will help improve my success rate the next time I decide to try this.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Writing goals for this past year
The end of the year is quickly approaching! How are you writers doing with reaching your goals for this year?
I did okay with mine since I set a very simple goal -- just to get some writing done -- but several things have happened and I am not very happy with my overall performance this year. Most of these things are pretty much beyond my control, though.
To get the year started off, two jobs were eliminated. One was a newspaper featuring writing freelance job that I'd had since I started freelancing at the beginning of 2004. The distance was the major factor in the decision I made to stop doing this feature. The other job that was eliminated was a newsletter position that was cut because of budgeting. Caught up in the middle of that was an annual report that I produced and was paid half of the proposed price.
I acquired three new newsletter production positions during the year; two are going wonderfully and another is dragging as I wait (going on almost a month now) to be notified of corrections to the first draft. I hope to hear from them soon.
Another couple of issues I've experienced with another nonprofit organization mainly concern communication and billing; because of that and a few issues with the other organizations I work with I've changed my policy on billing (will now be sending the invoice with the first draft instead of waiting until the final draft is completed to bill) and have vamped up my communication.
I wrote quite a bit for a newspaper during one part of the year then got busy with newsletters; this never turns out to be a good thing since the newspaper publishes and pays quickly, and has excellent exposure.
I have a monthly assignment with yet another newspaper; this has been going wonderfully. I've met some wonderful people this year and have written some very good pieces.
My issues this year haven't been with writing itself, but the business of it and little things like travel, billing, etc. I hope that next year goes smoother in those areas.
I hope that you have had a great year with freelance writing and that another wonderful year awaits you!
I did okay with mine since I set a very simple goal -- just to get some writing done -- but several things have happened and I am not very happy with my overall performance this year. Most of these things are pretty much beyond my control, though.
To get the year started off, two jobs were eliminated. One was a newspaper featuring writing freelance job that I'd had since I started freelancing at the beginning of 2004. The distance was the major factor in the decision I made to stop doing this feature. The other job that was eliminated was a newsletter position that was cut because of budgeting. Caught up in the middle of that was an annual report that I produced and was paid half of the proposed price.
I acquired three new newsletter production positions during the year; two are going wonderfully and another is dragging as I wait (going on almost a month now) to be notified of corrections to the first draft. I hope to hear from them soon.
Another couple of issues I've experienced with another nonprofit organization mainly concern communication and billing; because of that and a few issues with the other organizations I work with I've changed my policy on billing (will now be sending the invoice with the first draft instead of waiting until the final draft is completed to bill) and have vamped up my communication.
I wrote quite a bit for a newspaper during one part of the year then got busy with newsletters; this never turns out to be a good thing since the newspaper publishes and pays quickly, and has excellent exposure.
I have a monthly assignment with yet another newspaper; this has been going wonderfully. I've met some wonderful people this year and have written some very good pieces.
My issues this year haven't been with writing itself, but the business of it and little things like travel, billing, etc. I hope that next year goes smoother in those areas.
I hope that you have had a great year with freelance writing and that another wonderful year awaits you!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Conducting interviews
Conducting interviews is a big part of writing, especially when producing local pieces like I do. This is something I've been doing for 20 years, but brushing up on some tips is always a good idea.
Freelance Writing at About.com's newsletter recently talked about how to conduct an interview. Take a look!
Freelance Writing at About.com's newsletter recently talked about how to conduct an interview. Take a look!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Writers Weekly ezine
Writers Weekly dubs itself the highest circulating freelance writing ezine in the world!
It has lots of good topics, list of paying markets, etc. each week. Have them emailed to you every Wednesday or read it on the site.
There is also a forum on the site. I've just joined but I have high hopes for it.
It has lots of good topics, list of paying markets, etc. each week. Have them emailed to you every Wednesday or read it on the site.
There is also a forum on the site. I've just joined but I have high hopes for it.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
How to survive while writing with the kids around
Write from Home has a great piece on juggling your kids and writing, something I struggle with on a daily basis. I imagine all work-at-home writer moms have this problem, so check it out:
How to Survive While Writing with Young Children in the Home
It gives some great tips, like getting up earlier than your kids, something that does not work for me on a regular basis, or staying up later than the children, which I usually do. (I have found lately that I make kind of a mess when I write at night, but if I can just get it written I can fix it in the morning!)
The piece recommends movies and arts and crafts, both of which are very popular at my house.
All of my kids but one are old enough to play outside without me, and they are also old enough to watch the little one!
How to Survive While Writing with Young Children in the Home
It gives some great tips, like getting up earlier than your kids, something that does not work for me on a regular basis, or staying up later than the children, which I usually do. (I have found lately that I make kind of a mess when I write at night, but if I can just get it written I can fix it in the morning!)
The piece recommends movies and arts and crafts, both of which are very popular at my house.
All of my kids but one are old enough to play outside without me, and they are also old enough to watch the little one!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Top 10 writing blogs of the year
The Top 10 writing blogs of 2008 were recently announced!
Writing Blog Winners
The top 10 were narrowed down from a list of 37 excellent blogs:
Writing Blog Finalists
A few of them are some of my favorites!
Poewar Writers Resource Center
Freelance Writing Jobs
Freelance Writing at About.com
There are some really great blogs in the finalist list that I'm adding to my regular reading list.
The top 10 blogs came from over 300 writing blog nominations.
Writing Blog Winners
The top 10 were narrowed down from a list of 37 excellent blogs:
Writing Blog Finalists
A few of them are some of my favorites!
Poewar Writers Resource Center
Freelance Writing Jobs
Freelance Writing at About.com
There are some really great blogs in the finalist list that I'm adding to my regular reading list.
The top 10 blogs came from over 300 writing blog nominations.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Launching your writing career, step by step
Writing World's Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Writing Career has informative articles on every single step of getting your freelance writing career off the ground. Topics include:
Begin at the Beginning
Finding Ideas
Finding Markets
Queries and Submissions
Conducting Research and Interviews
Crafting Your Article
Rejection, Writer's Block, and Other Hazards of the Writing Life
Time Management
Networking
Should You Quit Your Day Job?
Each topic has a long list of helpful articles, so check it out!
Begin at the Beginning
Finding Ideas
Finding Markets
Queries and Submissions
Conducting Research and Interviews
Crafting Your Article
Rejection, Writer's Block, and Other Hazards of the Writing Life
Time Management
Networking
Should You Quit Your Day Job?
Each topic has a long list of helpful articles, so check it out!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Things that can go wrong for a freelance writer
Writing World has a great piece on things that can go wrong for a freelance writer and, thankfully, what to do about them!
From a publication folding before paying you for your work to the subject of a piece you wrote bowing out of business to inadvertently signing away your rights, this piece has excellent advice on what to do about several potentially disastrous events in the career of a freelance writer.
From a publication folding before paying you for your work to the subject of a piece you wrote bowing out of business to inadvertently signing away your rights, this piece has excellent advice on what to do about several potentially disastrous events in the career of a freelance writer.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Writing World newsletter
There are tons of topics on the newsletter from Writing World.
The Writing World newsletter is e-mailed monthly, on the first Thursday of the month. You can also read it at the website.
From how to decode Internet writing job ads to why newspaper writers need blogs, the topics are seemingly endless. I'm still exploring the site and will share some highlights with you in the days to come.
The Writing World newsletter is e-mailed monthly, on the first Thursday of the month. You can also read it at the website.
From how to decode Internet writing job ads to why newspaper writers need blogs, the topics are seemingly endless. I'm still exploring the site and will share some highlights with you in the days to come.
Friday, October 10, 2008
How to find high-paying freelance writing jobs
Freelance Writing Jobs has an excellent piece on how to find high-paying freelance writing jobs on the Internet.
It encourages writers to not accept those low paying gigs that are all over the Internet. There are a lot of them, or at least I've seen quite a few in my occasional searches for freelance writing jobs on the Internet. That's what led me to my belief that the print market is much better-paying, but perhaps I just haven't run across one of those good high-paying jobs this piece is talking about.
It encourages writers to not accept those low paying gigs that are all over the Internet. There are a lot of them, or at least I've seen quite a few in my occasional searches for freelance writing jobs on the Internet. That's what led me to my belief that the print market is much better-paying, but perhaps I just haven't run across one of those good high-paying jobs this piece is talking about.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Coffee break for writers!
Coffee Break for Writers is a monthly ezine for writers, published on the 7th of each month. You can read it on the site with it's great coffee theme and wide variety of topics covered.
You can also subscribe to get a notification in your email when the new one comes up.
Subscribers also get first notification when submissions are needed for Coffee Break for Writers. The subscribers have first chance at the call for new article topics, before they're announced on the writer's guidelines page. Calls for articles on this page go up a week after subscribers are notified.
They do need some submissions now so while you are there check out the writer's guidelines.
You can also subscribe to get a notification in your email when the new one comes up.
Subscribers also get first notification when submissions are needed for Coffee Break for Writers. The subscribers have first chance at the call for new article topics, before they're announced on the writer's guidelines page. Calls for articles on this page go up a week after subscribers are notified.
They do need some submissions now so while you are there check out the writer's guidelines.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
A wonderful writer's resource center!
The Poewar.com Writer's Resource Center has just about everything you need to know about writing and then some.
There is a great freelancing articles section, a very nicely categorized jobs listing section, and another jobs section with listings by state!
There is a lot more that I'm still checking out. I found this blog with the new blog search tool on the Google toolbar. I just put in "writing" in the search box and this great blog turned up.
There is a great freelancing articles section, a very nicely categorized jobs listing section, and another jobs section with listings by state!
There is a lot more that I'm still checking out. I found this blog with the new blog search tool on the Google toolbar. I just put in "writing" in the search box and this great blog turned up.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Why write for newspapers?
There are a lot of great reasons to consider writing for newspapers in this Writing World piece: Why Write for Newspapers?
Turns out there are a number of reasons, including the fact that there are quite a few newspapers being published, and quite frequently at that. More papers coming out more often mean more writing opportunities for us freelance writers.
Turns out there are a number of reasons, including the fact that there are quite a few newspapers being published, and quite frequently at that. More papers coming out more often mean more writing opportunities for us freelance writers.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Freelance opportunities abound at newspapers
Looks like someone at Writing World agrees with me (and my tutorial of the past several days) about freelancing for newspapers!
Check out this great piece on why you should try freelancing for newspapers: Newspapers: A Great Source of Freelance Opportunities
If you missed my tutorial series, "Getting Started in the Print Market," it started on Sept. 9 with a short tutorial; the expanded series started on Sept. 15 and concluded on Oct. 4.
Check out this great piece on why you should try freelancing for newspapers: Newspapers: A Great Source of Freelance Opportunities
If you missed my tutorial series, "Getting Started in the Print Market," it started on Sept. 9 with a short tutorial; the expanded series started on Sept. 15 and concluded on Oct. 4.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Getting started in the print market: Tutorial conclusion
Hopefully the "Getting Started in the Print Market" tutorial that this blog has been running the past couple of weeks has been helpful for you.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance to you. I am always happy to help or give free advice.
Write on!
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance to you. I am always happy to help or give free advice.
Write on!
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