tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274316172012-01-25T21:28:16.676-08:00A day in the life of a freelance writer. Helpful links, writing resources and more to get you started on your career!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.comBlogger1371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-65468192028321676542007-12-11T08:54:00.000-08:002007-12-11T08:56:06.627-08:00

Recent events have forced me to take a look at my goals for next year, and let's just say I have a new perspective on the fragility of life.In light of these recent events, I'd like to ask you: What are your goals for next year? Are you finding that you have to reevaluate what you planned, or are you content with what you want to accomplish?I'd love to hear your feedback.Thank you!Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-74289671566350984432007-12-07T11:17:00.000-08:002007-12-07T16:34:15.095-08:00

Good morning, fellow freelancers. I'm currently running on about 5 hours of sleep (in the past two days, I mean). I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm finding that I just can't get to bed!In any case, I apologize in advance for typos, grammatical errors or anything else that detracts from this post. Onward!Latoya from Writer's Brew wrote an excellent post about how to ask your clients for a

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-60853515480799718442007-12-05T10:20:00.000-08:002007-12-05T10:45:47.871-08:00

When applying for any writing job, it's important to read the advertisement very carefully. If you don't, you might miss pertinent information about the position or application process.Only apply to the jobs that you are qualified for. If the job lists very specific requirements that you do not possess, there's no sense in applying. Your application will be summarily rejected without another

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-2180374591354814942007-12-04T10:55:00.000-08:002007-12-04T11:06:08.486-08:00

A recent post at a forum I belong to happened to catch my attention earlier this morning. I want to write about it not only to voice my opinion, but to get your feedback on the matter as well.A writer was accused of plagiarism, and the webmaster who hired this particular writer was very unhappy. The rates were fair, he said, and the writer blatantly copied and pasted in an attempt to pass off the

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1999529219332493892007-12-03T12:35:00.000-08:002007-12-03T12:55:14.354-08:00

I hope all of you had a terrific weekend, fellow writers! :)This week's question: How do you manage to stay sane while working from home? While working at home offers a number of benefits, oftentimes it can be just as stressful - if not more so - than a standard 9-5.So, allow me inside your head, writers! What secrets, tips or tricks do you employ in order to not go postal on your friends and

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-13916843410405273052007-11-30T10:09:00.000-08:002007-11-30T10:20:30.218-08:00

Good morning, fellow freelancers! Catch up on your weekend reading and take a look at some of these great posts from fellow writers in the blogosphere.This great post from HR World details 100 resources for web workers. Scroll down to the section specifically for writers and bloggers. They seem to have some pretty nifty things worth a look.Deb Ng from Freelance Writing Gigs wrote a great post

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-15515531680261494222007-11-29T11:10:00.000-08:002007-11-29T11:18:55.593-08:00

It's not always easy saying no to a client, especially when we don't always know where our rent money will be coming from at the end of the month.I was very guilty in the beginning of my freelance career of taking on every project that came my way. If a client contacted me, I couldn't say no - not only did I need the money, I was also scared that if I said no this time, I might not get a second

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-37694284487016695422007-11-27T15:40:00.000-08:002007-11-27T15:42:07.826-08:00

It's almost Christmas... how about leaving me a virtual gift? I think it's cute :) Leave a notice in the comments if you leave a gift and I'll be sure to thank you.(Hey, it's something to do to break up the monotony of my day!)Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-15844465638136055352007-11-27T11:06:00.000-08:002007-11-27T11:21:52.772-08:00

From an outsider's perspective, working at home seems like an ideal situation. Little do they know that working at home requires intense motivation, self-discipline and the ability to avoid distractions.If you want to maximize your productivity while working from home, there are several important things you need to do.First and foremost, you need to set up a working space that won't allow for

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-46672269112602454172007-11-26T10:08:00.000-08:002007-11-26T10:11:21.012-08:00

Good morning, fellow freelancers. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!This week, I'd like to talk about your workload during the holidays. Does it tend to slow down? How do you plan for a decrease in workload around the holidays?I generally notice a decrease in the amount of available jobs during the holiday season, but thankfully I have a few long-term clients on the back burner that

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-56608125073948905572007-11-19T08:03:00.000-08:002007-11-19T08:08:42.665-08:00

Happy Monday, fellow freelancers.This week, I'd like to initiate some feedback regarding your writing schedule. How early do you wake up each morning? Do you schedule your work in one large block of time, or do you work a "split-shift," so to speak?Today, I was bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7:00 in the morning. I don't normally start my day until 8:30 or 9, where I proceed to work from my

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-41959316370778660292007-11-16T09:58:00.000-08:002007-11-16T10:14:25.867-08:00

I've decided I'll spread the love around and link to some of my favorite posts from other writer's over the past week.Anne Wayman wrote an interesting post on writer's block and what she believes causes it. Check it out, it's well worth a read.The insightful and informative Allison Winn Scotch of Ask Allison wrote about breaking into the national print markets. Great information for newbie

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-35562234855404459492007-11-12T10:35:00.000-08:002007-11-12T11:48:46.737-08:00

Good morning, fellow freelancers and a happy Monday to all of you.While I'm fortunate to love all of the clients I currently work with (sounds amazing, but it's true), there have been several in the past who were... pushy, to put it mildly.I'm sure you know the type - the client who demands countless revisions, changes the entire scope of the project, or constantly badgers you via e-mail, IM or

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-69634344325891106372007-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:002007-11-08T11:24:51.448-08:00

I've never entered a writing contest - not because I didn't want to, but simply because I don't have time!What's more, I'm not sure how beneficial writing contests are in the scheme of things.What do you think? Have you entered a writing contest before? If so, how did it help you and/or your career?I'd like to know both positive and negative experiences you may have had with writing contests.

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-76104214320297103442007-11-05T11:04:00.000-08:002007-11-05T11:13:08.466-08:00

Albeit an old post, I'm constantly referring new writers to Jennifer Mattern's "Crunching the Numbers" post at the All Freelance Writing Forums.Many newbie writers don't understand or don't know how to set their rates to actually make a decent income without burning out.Freelancers have to account for additional taxes, medical insurance, business expenses, etc. That's why it's so important to

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-3057117736349479612007-11-02T09:42:00.000-07:002007-11-02T11:30:47.456-07:00

If the quality of this post leaves something to be desired, I am apologizing beforehand. My dog I've known and loved for 16 years was put to sleep yesterday. He lived a good life, but I am still processing everything. I apologize now, and hope you still enjoy the post, for what it's worth.Yesterday, I wrote about the price of quality and asked for your opinions regarding how much quality costs in

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-66396839040576646992007-11-01T11:51:00.000-07:002007-11-01T12:07:03.888-07:00

When I first began trying to freelance I have to admit - I was clueless.My first gig was writing various articles about wedding favors. I had to focus each article on a specific keyword, and write 50 articles all essentially about the same thing.At the time, I didn't realize I could be doing much less work for MUCH more money. I was just happy to be doing something I loved and getting paid

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-35243345778692374242007-10-31T11:54:00.001-07:002007-10-31T11:56:21.975-07:00

I won't promise I've returned... at least, not permanently - yet.But, after evaluating my life and my goals, (writing-related and otherwise) I've decided I really want to take a stab at bringing this lil' ol' blog back to life.If it even CAN be brought back, that is - hey, are there any readers even left?Happy Halloween, everybody. Here's hoping to more posts in the coming weeks, eh?

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-48951809336182924152007-06-18T09:13:00.001-07:002007-06-18T09:15:36.998-07:00

Happy Monday, fellow freelancers! I do hope your weekend was teriffic, and to all the father's out there, I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day.This week's writing question: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind of music helps you relax and get into writing mode?If you don't listen to music, why not? Does it prevent you from concentrating?I'm very interested to hear your

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-38577353688769744302007-06-13T11:04:00.000-07:002007-06-13T11:08:14.641-07:00

It's barely mid-week and I'm exhausted. The new puppy loves keeping me up during the middle of the night... he doesn't realize that it's not play time at 3 am.So, my question to you this week (I've missed a few weeks, I know. Sue me?):What are your writing goals? Have they remained the same since you began writing professionally, or have they evolved into something different?I'd love to hear your

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-40260661235098960412007-05-28T11:40:00.001-07:002007-05-28T11:58:00.248-07:00

No, I haven't updated. And I'm not apologizing for it.But I did want everyone to know I am still alive, in case you were wondering. I'm starting to, slowly but surely, get my writing life back in order. I have a few new prospects on the horizon, so I'm crossing my fingers those pan out.Additionally, I'm starting to take more time for personal writing (or rather, I am attempting to.) I've realized

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-59732842051646067272007-05-15T10:54:00.000-07:002007-05-15T10:56:05.182-07:00

Good morning, fellow writers.This weeks writing question comes from a bit of personal soul-searching I've been doing for the past few weeks.As a writer, do you ever feel like giving it all up? If so, how do you cope with the feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and stress? How do you force yourself to start writing again?Not only will this question enable me to see a few different perspectives on

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-62644774073766169692007-05-08T10:52:00.000-07:002007-05-08T10:59:08.603-07:00

It's been awhile, but happy Tuesday everyone!This week's writing question: Do you keep a journal? Perhaps you still have one of those old-school diaries with a lock on it that you've had since you were a kid (I do!) Maybe you have a personal journal online that you use to vent, or simply keep a spiral notebook to jot down your impressions of the day.As writers, I think keeping a journal is an

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-22237355147537502092007-04-30T12:06:00.000-07:002007-04-30T12:27:49.431-07:00

If you haven't already heard about Allen Lee, I'd be quite surprised. Since the 18-year old student's arrest, there have been varying opinions about the response to Lee's essay - media hounds and bloggers alike have expressed their views on Lee's predictament.You can read the full story in the Chicago Tribune.To make a long story short, Allen Lee, an 18-year old senior attending Cary-Grove High

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-38314017852868984182007-04-23T11:14:00.000-07:002007-04-23T11:16:31.695-07:00

Happy Monday, fellow freelancers. I hope your weekend proved enjoyable!This week's writing question: When did you actually decide you wanted to be a writer? Did you suddenly have an Aha! moment, where everything seemed to fall into place - or was it more of a gradual process? Perhaps you've always known you wanted to be a writer, and managed to take the leap.Whatever the answer might be, I want

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-33772058666183028102007-04-17T08:52:00.000-07:002007-04-17T08:55:20.919-07:00

It's only Tuesday, and already I feel exhausted. I can't imagine what the rest of the week will be like!However, I digress.This weeks writing question: Do you consider your writing a profession or a hobby? What differentiates a career-minded writer from a hobbyist? I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment below.Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope the rest of your week

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-33267789157862189482007-04-12T11:42:00.000-07:002007-04-12T11:57:02.562-07:00

As writers, words are our lifeblood - our reason for being, essentially. Words are what allow us to inform, entice, excite, entertain or otherwise elicit emotion from our readers.We are so wrapped up in words, in fact, that perhaps at times we forget to notice when words have become no longer our friend, but our enemy.Words are powerful. I am a firm believer that words are more powerful than any

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-3463834991080069152007-04-11T12:30:00.000-07:002007-04-11T12:46:27.103-07:00

Let's face it - we all have those days where we just don't feel like writing. Try as we might, we can't seem to get our brains to focus long enough to hash anything out.There are some days where I do everything in the world to avoid writing, and I'm sure I'm not alone!However, writing is my passion. There's nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing - unless it's one of "those days" mentioned

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-75885122363112977722007-04-09T11:40:00.000-07:002007-04-09T11:43:07.322-07:00

I want to know what inspires you. I want to get into your head for a moment, and decipher what, exactly, drives you to write.Are you inspired by daily events? By magazines, newspapers, or television shows? I'd love to hear some feedback on what sets the writing wheels in motion.Please feel free to leave a comment below. I'd love it if you share your thoughts.Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-68959842696508686702007-03-28T11:14:00.000-07:002007-03-28T11:17:36.957-07:00

Happy Wednesday!As writers, sometimes we might have to write about topics we are less than enthusiastic about. Hopefully, this doesn't happen on a regular basis - but it can and DOES happen.With that being said: What are your favorite topics to write about? Do you specialize in any specific field/niche? Finally, do you have any topics you absolutely refuse to write about (either for moral/ethical

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-84448158080468167462007-03-21T13:37:00.000-07:002007-03-21T13:40:15.676-07:00

Happy Wednesday, fellow freelancers.This week's question (albeit a bit late - sorry, folks) deals with beginning a career as a freelance writer.While I've learned quite a bit since I jumped into freelance writing, there are always new things I find out on a daily basis. Today's question: How did you get started writing? Were there any especially useful tidbits you discovered that could be

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-10337449020533611872007-03-14T11:41:00.000-07:002007-03-14T11:51:55.402-07:00

While established freelance writers have probably already understood the importance of finding their own voice in their writing, beginners may not realize how important that actually is.Regardless of what you're writing, it's important that you remain true to your own voice, rather than trying to imitate someone else. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but when you're

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-23160580878857455682007-03-12T12:06:00.000-07:002007-03-12T12:08:42.722-07:00

Hello, fellow freelancers!Today's question: How do you manage your time? Do you have a specific writing schedule you tend to stick to? How do you plan your schedule - per week, per day, or as you go along? When you don't feel like writing, how do you convince yourself to stick to your schedule - or do you?I'm very interested to hear how other writers manage their time during the work week. Thank

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-33613066496510992002007-03-06T11:51:00.000-08:002007-03-06T11:53:19.221-08:00

Hello, fellow freelancers - my apologies for the lack of updating lately.This week's question: Where do you find writers markets online? Do you frequent a particular website for job leads? Which websites do you find you have the most luck discovering gigs that are actually worth your time?The list can be as brief or as long as you want. Please feel free to leave your answers in the comments.Best

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-86963365988643982072007-03-01T09:44:00.000-08:002007-03-01T09:50:42.569-08:00

Hope Hammond from Freelancing Online has kindly written a piece for my blog informing interested writers about the benefits of publishing your fiction or poetry in Ezines. I hope you enjoy this informative blog post, and take a moment to stop by her website and check out what she's been up to!Publishing fiction/poetry in Ezines?A greeting, dear reader’s of Denise’s Blog. I’m the guest blogger

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-87641987798469681842007-02-26T13:27:00.000-08:002007-02-26T13:29:32.302-08:00

Let me apologize to ya'll - it's been a terrible couple of weeks, hence the lack of updating.I intend to come back to this blog when I'm not so rattled. Until then, posting will be sporadic at best. If you'd like to write a guest blogger piece to ensure my blog doesn't sit here and rot, please e-mail me and let me know.Best,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-37375248635418183512007-02-22T10:44:00.000-08:002007-02-22T10:56:20.655-08:00

First of all, let me apologize for my absence lately. I have been dealing with some personal issues, and as such haven't had the motivation to catch up with all of you. I am very sorry for this, and I'll plan to start updating regularly again as soon as I catch a break.Now, Latoya from Writers Brew tagged me for the meme "5 Reasons I Blog," so I guess it's only fair that I participate!1. It's Fun

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-68299583198583161892007-02-16T10:27:00.000-08:002007-02-16T10:29:33.977-08:00

We've hit a milestone today - 100 Posts for Freelance Writing, yay! Here's hoping for many more.I want to take a moment to thank you, my readers, for helping inspire me and keep this blog alive. Without you, this blog wouldn't be the same... it would be here, but I'd probably have less of a reason to update it and more of a reason to let it wither away.Thank you for your continued support,

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-63939201115597935882007-02-14T10:57:00.000-08:002007-02-14T11:02:00.464-08:00

How often do you write for yourself? Sometimes, we can get so bogged down with client work that we don't take the time - or make the time - to work on our own projects. Whether you have a novel sitting there unfinished, a short story you're working on or your own blog to contend with, it's important to take time out to write for yourself.Do you have any personal projects you're working on? If you

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-77932252377617365532007-02-13T10:22:00.000-08:002007-02-12T14:26:05.184-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone - I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.This weeks writing question stems from a conversation I had with a friend over the weekend. We were talking about my job and what I do for a living, and a topic came up that I am sure you all have heard at least one time or another.My friend asked if I ever experienced any issues with other family or friends because writing isn't

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-25576693376431451232007-02-09T10:10:00.000-08:002007-02-09T09:21:16.638-08:00

The following list defines what I feel to be the key do's and don'ts when you're just starting your career as a freelance writer. However, many of these tips can be applied to your working life whether you are just starting out or have been in the business for years.I'm guilty of making some of these mistakes, as I'm sure some of you are as well. This list isn't meant to be followed to the letter

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-28804322353304225542007-02-07T10:15:00.000-08:002007-02-07T10:57:31.700-08:00

How many of you are members of a writers union? Do you believe they are actually beneficial, or are they just a waste of money? I've considered joining a writers union at one time or another, but I haven't received enough feedback to know whether they are worthwhile or not.If any of you have any thoughts on the matter, please let me know!Warm Wishes,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-86123979751334151752007-02-05T15:10:00.000-08:002007-02-05T15:12:51.879-08:00

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend (Colts won, yay!)This weeks question stems from something that's been floating around in my head quite a bit lately, and I'd like to get feedback from all of you. I'm not sure there's any one answer that's inherently correct, but I'm definitely interested to hear your opinions.What do you believe makes someone a "professional" writer?

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-16259209594854801242007-02-01T15:00:00.000-08:002007-02-01T15:07:09.585-08:00

Apparently, I have been tagged by Wendy from Creative Work at Home Info to write up a contract for myself in regards to what I vow to do and not to do with my writing, this year and beyond. Well, here goes!I, Denise Shively, hereby proclaim that I will STOP PROCRASTINATING. If procrastination seems avoidable, I will at least entertain myself with something mildly productive, even if said

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-37298888812373747292007-01-31T10:51:00.000-08:002007-01-31T11:01:57.564-08:00

There are a lot of talented writers who I would absolutely LOVE to write a piece for my blog. Interested? I'd love to hear from you. Please send me an e-mail stating who you are and when you'd be available to write a short piece for my blog. I'd love if any of you actually took me up on this offer -- it would be greatly appreciated!I'd be more than happy to reciprocate, or work out other

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-49913732001410806082007-01-30T10:23:00.000-08:002007-01-30T10:47:55.616-08:00

I'm going to attempt to implement a new feature to my blog, entitled "Writing Question of the Week." I'm hoping this will increase feedback from readers and add a much-needed dose of interaction to this blog.To start things off, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Pros/Cons of working for yourself. You can be as specific as you'd like. There are some obvious pros to working for yourself, but

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-30434981732751235802007-01-29T10:13:00.000-08:002007-01-29T10:36:28.064-08:00

Before writing this, I struggled with whether I should tackle a subject that has been discussed to death many times before - discussed by writers who, no doubt, are far more experienced than I am and can more eloquently say what they need to say about the matter.With that being said, I decided to post this anyway. Why? Well, for one -- I've always been vocal about writers who accept a pittance

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-32349388643958657592007-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:002007-01-26T10:44:42.200-08:00

I found a nifty little resource while browsing the web today and thought I'd share it with all of you, if you hadn't come across it already. The following link takes you to California State University's web site - more specifically, a link to various style guides.Now, if you ever need to write a piece following the Chicago Manual of Style, for example, you can hop online and browse to the

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-51410318160876790742007-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:002007-01-25T10:11:38.600-08:00

I'm sure you've dealt with the following scenario at least once during your career, but if you haven't, count yourself incredibly lucky.Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a writer. From the age of three, there was nothing I could imagine myself doing if it didn't involve writing in some way. I read constantly - I wrote stories that, looking back now, were laughable. At that time however,

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-45014289796458591952007-01-24T11:30:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:34:53.515-08:00

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you check out Anne Wayman's site, The Golden Pencil. The site offers freelance job postings, helpful articles and links to other resources you may find useful. For the beginning writer, I highly recommend this website - and the seasoned professional can benefit from what Anne has to offer, as well!Do you know of any additional writing resources I have yet

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-63507006615004724062007-01-23T11:57:00.000-08:002007-01-23T12:01:06.461-08:00

Being self-employed means locating, and paying for, health insurance that's usually covered by an employer if you work elsewhere. Because of this, many people who choose to make the switch from a traditional 9-5 to a freelance position may find themselves in a bit of a quandary.Luckily, there are resources for freelance writers to research affordable health insurance plans that will meet their

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-13854342842150162862007-01-22T10:04:00.000-08:002007-01-22T10:17:42.423-08:00

As freelance writers, we run the risk everytime we take on a project that we might not get paid. These deadbeat editors run through every excuse in the book as to why they can't pay us, and usually, they're full of baloney. Thankfully, I've only had to deal with a client who didn't pay one time... unfortunately, I never saw any money from the deal, he ignored my repeated e-mails and IM's, and

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-13582666664218554092007-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:002007-01-20T11:00:38.586-08:00

Ah, the query letter -- it's what can potentially make or break your chances with an editor. Craft an outstanding query letter, and you'll be published in no time. If your query letter falls flat, however, you can expect to get a nice rejection slip in the mail.Learning how to write an effective query letter can mean the difference between a published article and a tidy little pile of rejection

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-85104653519550982842007-01-19T09:45:00.000-08:002007-01-19T09:48:44.408-08:00

Oh joy, it's that time of year again - tax time!I've linked to a helpful article (found below) that can fill in the blanks for you if you're unsure how to go about preparing your taxes as a freelance writer. Organization is KEY during tax time, so if you were less-than-diligent with your records last year, keep a watchful eye on how you record your finances this time around. Trust me, it will

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-995010252822054982007-01-18T09:26:00.000-08:002007-01-18T09:34:38.135-08:00

How do you brainstorm ideas? Are there any particular ways that seem to work best for you over other methods? Are your brainstorming methods different depending on the type of project you're working on? (A short story vs. a how-to article, for example.)Personally, the best ideas come to me when I've got my trusty notebook and a few pens at my side. I can write whatever ideas come to mind, then go

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-13559953439138446792007-01-17T09:50:00.000-08:002007-01-17T09:57:35.257-08:00

We're about halfway through the first month of the new year -- bravo! Like me, I'm sure many of you came up with a few New Year's Resolutions before the start of 2007. I'd like to know: how many of those goals pertained to freelance writing?Do you have any goals for your career in the coming months? What do you plan to achieve with your writing? Are you looking to increase your writing income or

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1787167354715766522007-01-15T00:06:00.000-08:002007-01-15T00:09:14.809-08:00

For those of you subscribed to the Six Figure Challenge newsletter, you may be wondering when we'll be up and running again. Rest assured we'll be back on track soon. We are currently in the process of turning over newsletter duties. Once we've figured everything out, you'll start getting weekly newsletters again!Thank you all for bearing with us so far. I know the challenge has started off

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-20531842963695754132007-01-11T13:48:00.000-08:002007-01-11T13:52:41.503-08:00

I'll admit it - sometimes, I just don't want to write! I have days where all I want to do is lounge around in my pajamas, enjoying cup after cup of hot tea and reading a good book. But there are bills to be paid and deadlines to meet and goals to accomplish and... the list goes on.I'm sure I'm not the only writer who experiences moments like these. I love writing, and I wouldn't change my career

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-57614483920255408742007-01-04T10:11:00.000-08:002007-01-04T10:43:19.549-08:00

"Where can I find places to submit my work?"That question pops up repeatedly from new writers looking to find outlets to submit their work to. Unfortunately, most markets don't come to us on a silver platter -- we have to network, research, and put effort into finding markets that suit our particular strengths as writers. For beginning writers do don't know where to search, this can be a

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-16223691392054853152007-01-03T09:39:00.000-08:002007-01-03T09:41:57.815-08:00

The Six Figure Challenge is officially three days underway now. If you haven't already, I strongly suggest you stop by the forum for helpful advice, great discussions, and to share your own goals for the New Year with us. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to speak your mind. We'd love to hear any thoughts you have, so drop by and say hello!Best Wishes,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-30055282051892916652006-12-30T16:19:00.000-08:002006-12-30T16:21:54.470-08:00

For those of you who have been following along with the Six Figure Challenge, you may be interested in checking out the interview (link posted below) Jennifer Mattern, the top brain behind the Challenge, participated in. Hopefully, the interview will clear up any misconceptions skeptics may have about our motivaton behind launching the challenge in 2007.http://sologignews.com/news/188358-five-...

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-80812209502444764032006-12-11T10:59:00.000-08:002006-12-11T11:03:15.861-08:00

If you're looking for new places to submit your work or you'd like to branch out on your career path, the Six Figure Challenge Blog, AllFreelancing Forum and our Myspace page deliver tons of markets in a variety of niches. You're sure to find a publication suitable for your needs! Check them out today, and while you're there I strongly encourage you to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Now,

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-37682569873015813752006-12-08T19:39:00.000-08:002006-12-08T19:41:51.666-08:00

Adopt-a-Writer ContestRead the press release: http://sixfigurewriters.com/press-room/p...er-4-2006/The basics:In early 2007, the Six Figure Challenge writers will choose one freelance writer to "adopt". We'll be working with them on a personal level to help them reach their writing goals, increase their writing incomes, etc.How to enter: (entries are open from December 4th - December 17th)1.

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-75468652996797968982006-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:002006-12-05T09:03:55.591-08:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone! The first edition of the Six Figure Challenge newsletter was mailed out yesterday, and I hope everyone who subscribed was happy with the results. If you haven't signed up yet, you can still subscribe for subsequent editions. It's free and easy, so sign up today :)You may have noticed I added a "Recommended Reading" sidebar to my blog. If you purchase a book through my

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-15763973263630119542006-12-04T10:28:00.000-08:002006-12-04T10:30:33.457-08:00

Now is your last chance to sign up for the Six Figure Challenge newsletter! Our first issue will be out later this afternoon, so if you don't want to miss it I strongly suggest you sign up now.Also, please check out the AllFreelancing forum for a new contest we are running, called Adopt-a-Writer. It promises to be very exciting.Warm Regards,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-75290817028156002342006-11-30T20:28:00.000-08:002006-11-30T20:30:11.201-08:00

If you haven't already done so, hop on over to the Six Figure Challenge newsletter page and sign up so you can be a recipient of our first issue. I guarantee it will be a resource you can definitely use. We promise not to spam you or sell your contact information to anyone, so if that's something you're worried about -- worry no longer!Best Wishes,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-58920983836561179252006-11-29T09:42:00.000-08:002006-11-29T10:14:38.858-08:00

If you haven't already done so, I strongly encourage you to check out the Six Figure Challenge blog and read up about the challenge I and four other writers are participating in next year. Once there, you can sign up for our forthcoming newsletter, get links to high paying writers markets and a lot more fun stuff.Now, it seems that I have been tagged by Wendy -- five things you didn't know about

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-33797784191230113452006-11-28T10:35:00.000-08:002006-11-28T10:38:54.452-08:00

Great news! Visit The Six Figure Challenge Blog today and sign up for our upcoming newsletter! It promises to be chock full of informational articles, tips to help you improve your writing, and paying market listings to get you started on your freelance career. What are you waiting for? Sign up today so you can get the first issue delivered directly to your inbox.

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-17894802226572359272006-11-21T15:41:00.000-08:002006-11-21T15:46:09.146-08:00

It has come to my attention lately that there may be certain individuals that believe I and the four other writers involved with the Six Figure Challenge are lacking both the credentials and experience necessary to attempt such a goal. I'm not sure what credentials a writer should have in order to try to improve their writing and work towards a collective goal with their fellow colleagues; I

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1163449023468847442006-11-13T12:12:00.000-08:002006-11-13T18:40:21.074-08:00

If you are a writer or know someone who is, please please PLEASE tell them about the AllFreelancing Forum, Myspace page and Blog. The forum is only a few weeks old, but it's already hopping with several discussions relevant to freelance writers and their careers. If you're looking for great market resources, inspiration from your fellow writers and ways to improve your craft, there's no better

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1163184738816178782006-11-10T10:46:00.000-08:002006-11-13T18:40:20.962-08:00

I realize I haven't updated in quite some time, but I really do have justification for it.I'm involved in The Six Figure Challenge, as well as four other like-minded writers. Beginning the start of 2007, I and the four other writers involved with the challenge will take on the enormous goal of making 100,000 dollars with our writing. Sounds ambitious, doesn't it? As a collective effort, we will

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1161635327048046692006-10-23T13:23:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.845-08:00

I realize I haven't updated this blog as faithfully as I'd like to. Paying writing gigs have taken up the vast majority of my time, and seeing as how I make very little money from this blog, I do need to make a living elsewhere! I will try to keep up with this as much as possible, but there are no guarantees. I hope all of you will continue checking back every now and then.Now that we've gotten

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1160964874245732282006-10-15T19:11:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.746-08:00

Today's question:Would you ever accept a job paying less than you normally charge if you didn't have any experience in a particular field but wanted to break into it? Furthermore, do you believe this is a good stepping stone to higher paying gigs in the future?Please leave your thoughts below.Best Wishes,Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1160464560007211752006-10-10T00:13:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.591-08:00

This post references an earlier post I made about freelance writing rates. How many of you charge acceptable rates in your field, but occasionally accept jobs that are far below what you usually charge your clients?I'm sure the large majority of writers have done this at one point or another in their career. Whether they believed working for a particular client would enhance their resume or they

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1160230101058775492006-10-07T07:06:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.456-08:00

Well, I've been up all night because I've had a surge of adrenaline coursing through my body since approximately 8:30 p.m. yesterday evening. Why? Because a person I thought I could trust stole my wallet -- and laughed about it.It goes to show you that you never know who you can truly trust, doesn't it?In any case, today I'd like to talk about specialized niches. Do you freelance in any specific

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1160094977352020572006-10-05T17:34:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.343-08:00

As freelancers, we come to depend on our steady gigs. Unfortunately, when those "steady gigs" suddenly disappear, it leaves us wondering what route to take next.I am going through a bit of a dry spell right now and feeling quite discouraged. As freelance writers yourself, is there any advice you can pass on to me? I don't want to give up this job that I love so much, and I don't plan to. However,

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1159818309734140172006-10-02T12:34:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.199-08:00

For beginning writers especially, working for no pay seems commonplace. Even more established freelance writers might submit to non-paying publications on occasion, depending on the cirumstances and the publication they are writing for. However, the question that often arises from people new to the field -- should I write for free -- meets with mixed responses depending upon who you

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1159643500621642752006-09-30T12:01:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:20.044-08:00

A few days ago, I spoke about rejection -- and wanted to know how fellow writers handled it. In an even earlier post, I wrote about how to overcome rejection. Now, I'm going to share with you my tips to improve your chances of getting an editor or publisher to notice your work. In order to avoid rejection, you must have something that stands out from among a pool of hopeful would-be writers.

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1159501486388109292006-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.924-08:00

Whew, I've finally managed to fix the internet problems I've been having lately. Well, okay -- the Cox Cable men fixed it, but at least the problem has been solved. Hopefully, I'll be able to start updating this blog regularly again. I've hated letting it go like this!Moving right along, today I'm going to talk about writing rates. I know, I know -- this topic has been done to death, and I've

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1159199046028287332006-09-25T08:38:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.766-08:00

The world of freelance writing often comes with rejection, so I feel today's question is quite appropriate. How do YOU handle that dreaded rejection letter? Even if you're not a writer, but your career involves contract or freelance work, I'd like to know how you handle being turned down.For people new to the field, rejection can be quite a blow. While it may lower your self esteem and make you

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1159120212922740932006-09-24T10:45:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.618-08:00

Phew! Well, I've returned for the time being. Hopefully, this means regular updates can start again -- I know this blog has been sitting idle, of late. Sometimes, life just throws you for a loop and you have no choice but to deal with it head on. Unfortunately, this means oftentimes leaving little side projects (like this blog) in the lurch.However, I do have a question for you, my fellow

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1158337912553284112006-09-15T09:30:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.489-08:00

As you've undoubtedly noticed, I haven't updated in quite some time. Life is quite hectic right now, and unfortunately I've let this blog go by the wayside. I promise, frequent updates will return! I just wanted you to know that for now, updates to this blog will cease to exist until I can get a few things sorted out.Peace to you all, and have a fabulous weekend!Denise

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1157663395226424822006-09-07T14:08:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.348-08:00

In starting your freelance career, you probably wrote for a few internet publications at first. You dabbled in a variety of topics, maybe even found your niche through them. Now that you have a fair amount of experience under your belt, you figure it's time to move up the career ladder into the world of newspaper and magazine writing.Hold it right there! Before you can jump the gun into the news

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1157571813311594682006-09-06T12:32:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:19.067-08:00

Oftentimes, it can be tough to eke out a living as a freelance writer. Many people manage to make their career a lucrative success, but without the drive and determination you will never succeed. Additionally, it's important as a writer to account for every cent you spend on a particular project.While what you can bill for will vary depending on the type of publication you're working for, there

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1157388133127971722006-09-04T09:25:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.931-08:00

Happy Monday, fellow freelancers! I hope you all had a terriffic Labor Day Weekend. This week, I'm going to introduce a series of short, informative articles relating to various aspects of freelance writing that I haven't covered before. Whether it's a definition you may never have heard of before that pertains to freelance writing, or an informative article about self publishing, you'll find in

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1157131023374340462006-09-01T10:10:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.803-08:00

The competition among freelance writers today is crazy. As such, it's imperative that you learn to write more on a regular basis and write faster so you can churn out even more work if you hope to compete with the top dogs in the industry. You have to write a lot, and if you're anything like me there are some days where you just don't have the creative juices flowing to do so. I've compiled the

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1156956972012060722006-08-30T09:53:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.672-08:00

So, I've had this thought running through my mind for about two months now and have yet to come to a solid conclusion. That's why I've decided to ask you, my fellow freelancers, for your help/thoughts on the matter.How many of you use a laptop to work? Do you take your work with you everywhere you go? (I.E., vacations, family events, etc.) What are the benefits to using a laptop rather than a

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1156800121343787182006-08-28T14:16:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.540-08:00

I am burned out. Between working full time and taking care of my mother, I haven't had a moment to myself in many months. Thankfully, my mother is starting to be able to take care of herself again and my life may just return back to normal -- or a semblance of "normal," anyway!What's the point of my personal diatribe? Taking time for yourself, especially as a freelancer, is essential to

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1156303569596831702006-08-22T20:23:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.399-08:00

When I first started freelancing, I knew that the internet would be a primary portal for my work. As such, I read everything I could get my hands on about web content writing and how to improve my work so it would catch the attention of an internet audience. I've compiled the following tips that have helped me on my web writing journey. I hope they prove useful to you, as well!I can't tell you

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155842357011888422006-08-17T12:06:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.276-08:00

Maybe you've dabbled in the nonfiction market here and there and have always been interested in putting your ideas for a fabulous how-to book on paper. You can think of a million excuses not to do it -- perhaps you don't have enough time, or maybe you're afraid of failure. Possibly, like many freelancers, you just don't know where to begin. The following guide aims to detail the essential

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155672443475412732006-08-15T12:57:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.140-08:00

This follows along similar lines as a previous post of mine, but for my fellow freelancers out there... do you love what you do?I've received a lot of flack for my writing, not because people believe I'm not talented, but because they feel I can put my talents to better use in a "real" job. Excuse me? I consider what I do a real job. I get paid for it, I put in extensive time and research and I

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155573783285690392006-08-14T09:36:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:18.034-08:00

I thought this was a little interesting, so I decided to share the news with you all:I'm an active member of Digital Point, and my friend Mike is running a little contest/poll over there to determine who has the best blog. Lo and behold, mine was included as part of the poll because someone nominated it :Do I stand a chance of winning? No way in hell, but I thought it was a nice bit of

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155484733592498112006-08-13T08:47:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.915-08:00

How do you, as a freelancer, charge your clients? Do you base your fee on a per-word basis (for writers, obviously) or by the hour? How about per project, depending on the time it takes and the depth of research involved?I definitely enjoy freelancing because of the freedom it allows to name my own price for each project, based on several important factors I always take into account. These

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155277464002142422006-08-10T23:14:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.796-08:00

As a freelancer, do you find it easier to balance your working life with family life or more difficult to incorporate everything you need to do during the day? While there are definitely perks to the freelance business, I am curious to hear your opinions on the matter.You'd think that working from home all day would allow me to get more things done around the house, but I seem to find the exact

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1155005943448819902006-08-07T19:51:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.695-08:00

For my fellow freelancers out there, what do you do if a client rips you off? I have been lucky enough to not run into much of a problem with this issue, but I know that working in a career like I do opens up a whole new world of rip offs and scams to watch out for.What steps do you take to resolve the issue of a non-paying client? You've completed work, sent the finished project over and the

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1154885653485808732006-08-06T10:22:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.586-08:00

I got the inspiration for this post from Deb Ng's blog. I can't tell you how much animosity I've run into when some people find out I work from home as a freelance writer."What,?!" They'll excitedly yell. "But how do you pay the bills?"I do get paid for my work, folks. This is a REAL job. No, I don't have to make a frustrating commute back and forth to a 9-5 job five days a week; no, I don't get

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1154651143632739522006-08-03T17:20:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.471-08:00

Here's another question to you, my fellow writers: What motivates you to write? I know there are some days I can't bring myself to write at all, and those are the days I dread because they mean I'll be working until the wee hours of the morning, trying to meet a deadline. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does I wonder why I procrastinate to the point where I'm working like a dog just to

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1154483370424301542006-08-01T18:40:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.362-08:00

Oftentimes, I realize I'm stuck with a batch of articles I know nothing about. Even worse, I find out the subject matter is something I really don't care about, making the entire ordeal seem more frustrating than it needs to be. However, bills are bills and they don't magically disappear because we wish it so!My question to fellow writers out there: How often have you had to write a series of

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1154372604878795022006-07-31T11:24:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.249-08:00

Let's face it, nobody's perfect -- as freelance writers, we're bound to make the occasional mistake here and there. Minor grammar or spelling errors are one thing but as writers there are several mistakes we just can't afford to make.For one thing, if you give a client your word you must absolutely honor it. For example, if you've promised a client 20 500 word articles to be delivered within one

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27431617.post-1154187678547540512006-07-29T08:31:00.000-07:002006-11-13T18:40:17.151-08:00

Let me ask you: When you're working on personal pieces (a short story say, or a novel) do you choose the names for your characters at random, or do you pick something that *feels* right?When I'm creating a story, I'm not your typical writer who lays down a plot and character profiles beforehand. I jot down a few general notes, sure -- but I don't create the entire story in rough draft form. What

Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276813762560798312noreply@blogger.com6