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Freelance Tips - Freelance Writing Tips

Most of the information presented here is based on my experience, on the spot findings, and progress in my own freelance writing career.

The month of May really seemed to fly by for me for one reason or another. I feel as though I didn't accomplish as much as I should have. That's due, in part, to the fact that I didn't get down to the nitty gritty with my to do lists. Typically, my listing includes: 1: My month map (in a not...

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Do you consider a freelance writing career to be one where "art" is involved, or is it just a job? Do you feel as though it takes a certain amount of creativity to complete any writing task, even those that are boring or uninteresting? This topic has been debated by many. Over the years, I've...

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When you think about your writing career, do you feel like you are in control? Look where you started or how far you've come . . . are you on the path you want to be or on the path you think others expect you to be on? There's a huge difference. Ask yourself: 1: What are your goals? Are the...

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Do you keep a writer's notebook? I've had a notebook fetish for as long as I can remember. When I was very young, my neighbors would have garage sales with a lot of notebooks and paper for sale (I never understood why, but I also never complained). I would buy as much as my weekly allowence...

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The beginning of my writing career was a terrifying one. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, how to write a query letter, or what type of writing suited me best. What was my niche? What was my passion? What was my drive? It took years to figure this out as I waded through the trenche...

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It's that time of year again . . . time to get out the giant trash bag, purge through all the paper, and take stock of what supplies need replenishing. I started going through paperwork in my office last night and was dumbfounded at how much I have been keeping. I had dozens of file folders fi...

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The motto "Learn it, Live it, Write it," has been part of my career for quite some time. I started thinking in this way as soon as I realized that, in this business, you're going to learn something new everyday. This can happen through use of books, web sites, conversations, and so on. What d...

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Every new freelance writer wants to know, "what do I need to stock up in order to kick off my writing career?" It's a valid question, true, but it tends to be over-thought by some. Really, these things don't need to be pondered so much. How you use these tools deserves better thought and atte...

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Staying motivated is a hiccup in even the most seasoned freelance writer's career. There are down days, there are up days, and there are days that fall short of each one way or another. How your work environment is set up plays a big part in that. In my office, there is a lot of chaos. I h...

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As a writing parent, I have found myself fighting against the clock since 1999. It has been a bitter battle, yet the war continues. Each day, I attempt to win. Some days I accomplish this goal, while on other days . . . I wave my white flag and surrender. Time hasn't always been my enemy, so...

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There are a lot of opinions floating around about social networking. Articles and blog posts weighing the pro's and the con's, as well as personal preferences about social networking abound. The point of this blog is to hear your particular opinion about social networking. Do you feel it is a...

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For those of you who freelance using an hourly rate system, check out the rate calculator Freelance Switch offers here. This fantastic resource is especially useful to those who are constantly doubting how much they should charge. Check it out!...

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You've fallen behind on your assignments, your goals, and your queries...now what? What's the first step to digging yourself out of the "what am I going to do, I'm so far behind," rut? 1: Start small. Make a list of everything that you're behind on (if it's just one thing, then don't bother...

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Planning For June	Is Writing an Art?	Are You in Control?
Web Links	What Are Your Favorite Writing Books?	Writer's Notebooks
Take Charge!	Spring Cleaning	Everyday Learning
Tools of the Trade	Setting the Mood	Fighting Time
Social Networking	Rate Calculator	Falling Behind

Freelance Tips

Planning For June

May 20th 2008 14:04

Planning Ahead For June's Projects and Goals

1: My month map (in a notebook)
2: To-do lists broken down detail by detail
3: Deadlines tracked on my giant calendar

As an experiment, I didn't do this during May and I really saw a huge difference in my career. Several people have noted how "odd" it was for me to be so fanatical about list making . . . but it works for me. If I don't do it, I don't get it done. That just happens to be the way I operate and, this doesn't mean I think it will work for everyone.

How are you planning out the month ahead?

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: writing

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Is Writing an Art?

May 20th 2008 13:59

Are You an Artist?

This topic has been debated by many. Over the years, I've seen writers argue this point and, in most cases, the core of the disagreement seemed to be comfort. Some writers don't like referring to their writing career as an art or a creative adventure for a variety of reasons:

* artists are sloppy
* artists are starving
* artists are struggling
* it's difficult to sell art

Well, in some cases, this is true when you think of being an artist in that context. However, in the literal sense, artists take on many different meanings. Just because you tag yourself as an artist or a creative individual . . . that does not necessarily conotate failure.

How do you perceive your career?

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: writing

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Are You in Control?

May 20th 2008 13:30

Are You in Control of Your Writing Career?

When you think about your writing career, do you feel like you are in control? Look where you started or how far you've come . . . are you on the path you want to be or on the path you think others expect you to be on? There's a huge difference.

Ask yourself:
1: What are your goals? Are they YOUR goals, or are they based on other's expectations?
2: What have you achieved? Are you aiming high enough? Is what you achieved based on your interests and talents, or based on the coaxing of other's interests?
3: Where are you in your career? Are you holding yourself back because of other's opinion of your abilities?

Allowing others to control your freelance writing career will do nothing more than hinder you. If they're offering sound advice, then that's fine. However, it's important to stay aware at all times . . . meaning, there will be people crossing your path from time to time who may (for whatever reason) not want to see you succeed.

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: helpful

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Web Links

May 19th 2008 12:48

Links I'm Visiting Today

There are links I visit on a daily basis to learn from, get gigs from, and network with. Here are my hits for today:

Deb Ng's Freelance Writing Gigs: there are a lot of guest blog posts being featured this month, in addition to a LOT of gigs!
AbsoluteWrite.com: I frequent the forums, subscribe to the newsletter, and I'll be bringing back my monthly column this month.
Inkthinker: I'm constantly inspired by Kristen's business practices, her challenges, and the information she presents about others in the biz.

Where do you visit daily? This, of course, does not include the stops I make in my blog roll listed on my other blog. (I try to hit those blogs at least two or three times per week to catch up on what's going on.) Do you have a list of favorites you visit at least on a daily basis?

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: tools

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What Are Your Favorite Writing Books?

May 19th 2008 12:26

Writing Books

For years, I've been saying the same thing: A writer can never have too many resources. This, of course, includes books related to writing. I have books about writing careers, skills, creative writing, book promotion, writing markets, and many more. I'm addicted to learning more about improving my career, so my piles of books continue to grow.

Do you have a collection of writing-related books? Do you have favorites that you continue to recommend over and over? What are some books you'd like to add to your collection?

What tops my list of recommendations:
1: The Writer Mama
2: Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer
3: The Write-Brain Workbook
4: The Artist's Way
5: The Writer's Market

Trust me, there a MANY others that I continue to recommend over and over - these are typically topping my list, though. I have a list of art-related books I recommend over and over, as well. That's another story for another day.

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: writing

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Writer's Notebooks

May 19th 2008 11:53

Writer's Notebooks

Do you keep a writer's notebook?

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: writing

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Take Charge!

May 15th 2008 15:23

Take Charge of Your Writing Career!

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: helpful

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Spring Cleaning

May 14th 2008 17:06

Get Organized!

It's that time of year again . . . time to get out the giant trash bag, purge through all the paper, and take stock of what supplies need replenishing.

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Posted By: Jenn Hollowell - Category: writing

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