Okay, I kind of went AWOL and I apologize!
Summer is rough - three kids don't leave me with enough time to get all my work done, let alone blog. Thanks to all who post here and help keep things going.
Since I have a migraine today and am doped to the gills, I can't really gather my scattered brains together enough to come up with deep insight and words of infinite wisdom. Instead, I figured I would give you the Grace update -- since I know y'all are simply DYING to know everything about me and what I am doing.
On the home front, I managed not to get divorced this summer, though things are still shaky. I and my sig other are in a state of truce and trying to work things out - it's hard when you have kids and are trying to make the best decision for everyone involved.
We have a new vehicle ('05 Chevy Suburban) which we were forced to buy when some idiot ran a stop sign and drove hubby into a ditch, totaling our almost paid for truck ('01 Chevy Silverado club cab). Only good thing about it is that our payments and the interest on the loan actually went down, and we got the hulking thing for about half what it would have gone for four years ago, even used. Go decline of the SUV market, woohoo. Gets the same MPG as the truck did, is more convenient for hauling tools (rain can't cause problems) and LOTS more room! (Plus, DVD player for the kids for trips to Dallas, Yay!)
On the work front, I am about sick and tired of my boss at my 'real life' work at home job where I am down to what is more or less a token position. I'm pulling in less than $700 a month supervising a small crew... but every time I try to bail my crew has hysterics (Oh please don't go! We'll eat you up, we love you so!) so I keep hanging in there. Boss is a total (insert derogatory word here) and I hate him. Seven years of him has been six and a half years too much.
Writing. Going well, actually! I keep busy and make enough to get by most months. Made some good contacts, and the repeat work keeps coming in. This month I tried something a little different; a lot of one-offs to fill in gaps. I started bidding on the little bitty jobs since Elance has a $50 minimum, and managed to do about three this week, bringing in a nice bit of side money.
Rewrite a social media newsletter, edit 2500 word sales landing page for a real estate book, and come up with 2,000 words in first person on solutions for premature ejaculation. Seriously. I pulled it off according to client, who said (and I quote) "You write really well in first person for a problem you've never experienced, haha!" I replied that I had "asked my husband if he had any input, but he got affronted and asked me if I was complaining." LMAO.
Who says you can't have fun at this job?
All right, next week maybe I'll have something better to offer, but for now keep trying, keep bidding, keep hunting for jobs, and don't ever give up. Those who persevere may one day land a premature ejaculation gig of their own. :D
Showing posts with label freelance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freelance. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Utilizing The Parts Of Speech Can Lead To Successful Writing
How long has it been since you graduated high school? Really, isn't high school the last place you fully utilized all the parts of speech. Unless you majored in English, in college, you haven't traveled down the ole parts of speech highway since.....(add your graduation date here).
While working up lesson plans for my sons' homeschooling in writing, I was amazed at how much I'd forgotten of the parts of speech. You're asking yourself right about now, what does this have to do with freelance writing? Here's the scoop, do you see it? It's right there mingling with the noun and verb. For me it's the hyper adjective! Did you look closely? Did you see it? It sits there happily waiting for me to put it to use.
Seriously any part of speech can enhance your article. How you put your information together, when creating an article for purchase, will either catch the eye of a buyer right away or have them yawning from the start. Freelance writing is creative writing, but with less on the dramatic and more on the serious. This is true when facts come into play. By making those less restrictive places within your article, visually pleasing, you stand a good chance of selling your article.
Be it noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun or any other parts of speech, reacquaint yourself with their usefulness. Become friends with them. If you treat them well enough, they just might all fall into the right places for you.
Ya, ya you say, but did I get your attention? If writing is your livelihood, you'll benefit from using the parts of speech to their fullest potential.
While working up lesson plans for my sons' homeschooling in writing, I was amazed at how much I'd forgotten of the parts of speech. You're asking yourself right about now, what does this have to do with freelance writing? Here's the scoop, do you see it? It's right there mingling with the noun and verb. For me it's the hyper adjective! Did you look closely? Did you see it? It sits there happily waiting for me to put it to use.
Seriously any part of speech can enhance your article. How you put your information together, when creating an article for purchase, will either catch the eye of a buyer right away or have them yawning from the start. Freelance writing is creative writing, but with less on the dramatic and more on the serious. This is true when facts come into play. By making those less restrictive places within your article, visually pleasing, you stand a good chance of selling your article.
Be it noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun or any other parts of speech, reacquaint yourself with their usefulness. Become friends with them. If you treat them well enough, they just might all fall into the right places for you.
Ya, ya you say, but did I get your attention? If writing is your livelihood, you'll benefit from using the parts of speech to their fullest potential.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Enhance your Writing from Cyber Resources
Sometimes it is impossible to hit upon everything there is to know about writing, the trends and overall job tips. No matter how experienced you are, even the pros need to be reminded of how this business changes and the need to listen.
To start off your Monday, which on a personal level is the start of a new beginning; the following five recent articles should not be miss. Refer to them and make this content part of your writing career bible.
5 Ways to Instantly Become a Better Writer by Mason Hipp
The information is so simple, yet very important advice to consider as a writer. Freelance Folder has advice for all types of freelancers and not for writers only, but when they come up something in our niche, it’s terrific.
To Query or Not to Query: That’s a Question for the Pros! by Jennifer Mattern
Jennifer created a series involving seven well established writers; Chris Bibey, Angela Booth, Jenna Glatzer, Kristen King, Deb Ng, Allena Tapia and Anne Wayman using a question and answer format. The series began on June 15th and should be coming to a close soon.
Avoiding the temptation of easy to score but low paying gigs by Jennifer Mattern at Freelance Writing Jobs
Jennifer stopped by Deb Ng´s fabulous site and offers a wealth on infomation that we all are guilty of – low paying gigs. Deb, herself, is an adament foe of the cheapies.
How to Increase Your Freelance Writing Rates by Anne Wayman
After reading about Jennifer’s tips to avoid low paying gigs, a must is Anne’s guidelines on how to increase your rates. I know you are probably afraid to do so but if you want to make a living out of your love of writing then this article is a must read.
Writing: how to get more great ideas every day by Angela Booth
Although Angela is a prime marketer of her numerious eBooks on writing, her blog has been bookmarked as very informative. Sink you teeth into it.
Topics such as these are what make the web a worthwhile resource for a writer. There are hundreds of thousands of others in cyberspace. We all narrow down the ones we prefer. Why not list some of your favorites here as a reference for others?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hey, there's a guy in the room!!
Someone gave me a key and let me in (Grace). Since then I've been hiding in the corner, trembling with shy reserve, afraid to step forward and introduce myself.
Hi, I'm Jim and I'm a writer. Sort of.
I hear all the ladies snickering, and see some of you reaching for your drinks or heading for the powder room in groups of three for safety.
I admit it: I'm not good enough to be called a Hack Writer. Yet.
I think too much about what I write, or about what I might write. I proofread and revise stuff that's perfectly okay the way it is. I worry that every one of you can write better and faster than I can, unless I try harder or steer away from dangerous topics.
I just read Mandy's introductory post and am now well aware of all the mistakes I've made in my writing "career." Hah.
What career? I've sold three articles for less than $200 all told. Still, that makes me a professional, doesn't it? Please tell me I don't have to give back the Key to the Guild. It's such a pretty key, and the company here is outstanding.
You know what I really love doing? "Taking in a moment." You probably can't earn a living writing about those perfect moments in life, unless you're one hell of a poet maybe. But that's my very favorite kind of writing; and finding a way to express the awe and magic of a still and starlit night and weave that into a useful article about the merits of RV camping (real example!) makes me at least feel like a decent writer.
I should have been a journalist. I've been a founding editor and an EIC for two academic publications; but that was years ago and I let the moment flash by me. God, how I loved deadlines and page design and working with writers!
I came to Helium nearly two years ago to try and recapture some of that magic. I've since written some things -- both fiction and non-fiction -- that make me proud. And I've met SO many wonderful writers! Many of you are right here, listed as contributors.
Will I ever be a full-time freelancer -- a dedicated and money-earning Hack? I sure hope so! I can't keep building and fixing things indefinitely. Sooner or later my knees will give out. I do know who to turn to for advice and guidance and friendship in that pursuit.
You.
I'm honored to be counted among you, and thrilled to know each of you. And, no Grace, you cannot have this key back. It's mine, all mine!
Red heart atcha. ~Jim
Hi, I'm Jim and I'm a writer. Sort of.
I hear all the ladies snickering, and see some of you reaching for your drinks or heading for the powder room in groups of three for safety.
I admit it: I'm not good enough to be called a Hack Writer. Yet.
I think too much about what I write, or about what I might write. I proofread and revise stuff that's perfectly okay the way it is. I worry that every one of you can write better and faster than I can, unless I try harder or steer away from dangerous topics.
I just read Mandy's introductory post and am now well aware of all the mistakes I've made in my writing "career." Hah.
What career? I've sold three articles for less than $200 all told. Still, that makes me a professional, doesn't it? Please tell me I don't have to give back the Key to the Guild. It's such a pretty key, and the company here is outstanding.
You know what I really love doing? "Taking in a moment." You probably can't earn a living writing about those perfect moments in life, unless you're one hell of a poet maybe. But that's my very favorite kind of writing; and finding a way to express the awe and magic of a still and starlit night and weave that into a useful article about the merits of RV camping (real example!) makes me at least feel like a decent writer.
I should have been a journalist. I've been a founding editor and an EIC for two academic publications; but that was years ago and I let the moment flash by me. God, how I loved deadlines and page design and working with writers!
I came to Helium nearly two years ago to try and recapture some of that magic. I've since written some things -- both fiction and non-fiction -- that make me proud. And I've met SO many wonderful writers! Many of you are right here, listed as contributors.
Will I ever be a full-time freelancer -- a dedicated and money-earning Hack? I sure hope so! I can't keep building and fixing things indefinitely. Sooner or later my knees will give out. I do know who to turn to for advice and guidance and friendship in that pursuit.
You.
I'm honored to be counted among you, and thrilled to know each of you. And, no Grace, you cannot have this key back. It's mine, all mine!
Red heart atcha. ~Jim
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Proud Freelance Peep
Hi, I'm Diane.
One day I found myself retired after many years in a boring working life where trying to read an executive's mind was considered a job qualification. Generally speaking, the only pleasure I found in my work was when I was allowed to write or use my creativity.
I spent a lot of years earning a living while my spirit was dying of thirst. During my early days of 'job liberation', I puttered around for awhile. As you would expect, I quickly became bored without any focus or purpose.
Then it occurred to me--I could write for fun using the Internet! Dumb luck led me to Helium in June of 2007. I dabbled without much purpose for awhile, trying to figure everything out, and didn't really get too serious until about a year later when networking introduced me to some amazingly gifted writers. More amazing was that they cared about helping other writers, like me, who were clueless about...well...everything.
It seems that you can 'teach an old dog new tricks,' because I'm actually selling articles! (Who knew?)
Count me proud to say that I'm one of Grace's freelance 'peeps.' (Hey, anytime I'm classified as a youngster, it's a compliment.)
Lately, she's been keeping me busy with blog articles (with a real byline), and other juicy opportunities. With Grace's help, (we) recently submitted my first bid on an Elance job. Thank God she never sleeps or when would she have time to help all of us?
I'm learning as much as I can as quickly as I can, and plan to take advantage of any new freelance opportunities that come my way.
From my vantage point, it's all good!
One day I found myself retired after many years in a boring working life where trying to read an executive's mind was considered a job qualification. Generally speaking, the only pleasure I found in my work was when I was allowed to write or use my creativity.
I spent a lot of years earning a living while my spirit was dying of thirst. During my early days of 'job liberation', I puttered around for awhile. As you would expect, I quickly became bored without any focus or purpose.
Then it occurred to me--I could write for fun using the Internet! Dumb luck led me to Helium in June of 2007. I dabbled without much purpose for awhile, trying to figure everything out, and didn't really get too serious until about a year later when networking introduced me to some amazingly gifted writers. More amazing was that they cared about helping other writers, like me, who were clueless about...well...everything.
It seems that you can 'teach an old dog new tricks,' because I'm actually selling articles! (Who knew?)
Count me proud to say that I'm one of Grace's freelance 'peeps.' (Hey, anytime I'm classified as a youngster, it's a compliment.)
Lately, she's been keeping me busy with blog articles (with a real byline), and other juicy opportunities. With Grace's help, (we) recently submitted my first bid on an Elance job. Thank God she never sleeps or when would she have time to help all of us?
I'm learning as much as I can as quickly as I can, and plan to take advantage of any new freelance opportunities that come my way.
From my vantage point, it's all good!
Hello
I'm Melissa and I'm a writer in process or a progressing writer. I started writing poetry first. I was invited to start contributing to Helium by my cousin and with half a heart and little knowledge I signed up.
Wow, I learned right off I didn't know much about poetry, let alone writing professionally. However with the help of many patient writers, I'm proud to say I've evolved to being a so so writer and not so bad writer of poetry.
I'm still in the learning process, but I am branching out towards freelance writing. I do have a passion for the pen and the flair of emotion which comes from being a temperamental poet.
The journey is a singular one, as each person evolves differently in their writing capabilities. Yet, there is something to be said about the unity that comes from being around others who share your joys and passions for writing.
Where I'm heading right now is still up for debate, but hopefully it will always involve writing and eventually something far greater in the field of poetry.
Wow, I learned right off I didn't know much about poetry, let alone writing professionally. However with the help of many patient writers, I'm proud to say I've evolved to being a so so writer and not so bad writer of poetry.
I'm still in the learning process, but I am branching out towards freelance writing. I do have a passion for the pen and the flair of emotion which comes from being a temperamental poet.
The journey is a singular one, as each person evolves differently in their writing capabilities. Yet, there is something to be said about the unity that comes from being around others who share your joys and passions for writing.
Where I'm heading right now is still up for debate, but hopefully it will always involve writing and eventually something far greater in the field of poetry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)