Becoming a Writer

by Mike O’Mary

I am editing a book about creative writing. I’m very excited about it. It’s more of a “why” write, rather than a “how” to write. But in the process of talking about why write, the author sheds a lot of light on how to write, as well. I think it’s going to be a great book. I’ll tell you more about it as we get closer to publication later this year.

For now, I want to tell you about another book about writing. Editing this current manuscript prompted me to refer back to one of the first books I read about writing: Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. If you are familiar with Brande’s book, you know the story…written in the 1930s by a woman whose teaching techniques incorporated right-brain thinking and transcendental meditation long before those concepts were popular…long before there were even names for those things! The book went out of print, but was brought back to life and light in 1981 with an introduction by John Gardner. The book is a treasure.

I said earlier that the book I am currently editing isn’t about how to write; it’s about why we write. Similarly, Becoming a Writer isn’t about how to write; it’s about how to be a writer. It’s very inspiring. If you’re not familiar with it, give it a read.

Another great book about writing is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. But more on that book another day. In the meantime, I’m curious: what books do you turn to for inspiration or instruction or motivation when it comes to your writing?

Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, an independent book publisher currently accepting creative nonfiction stories for anthologies on 15 topics.

Avoiding the Paper Bin

by Mike O’Mary

Dream of Things has a Fan Page on Facebook, and a while back, somebody left a message for me on the Dream of Things wall: “Ever time try write storys use go in paper bin because stoys not at good.”

At first, I didn’t know what to say. But I thought about it, and then I wrote back: “I think I understand. I have days like that, too.”

Actually, I have a lot of days like that, and recently I kind of hit a wall. Which is why this post is about taking care of yourself and making sure you get plenty of rest and relaxation.

I hit a wall mentally and physically after four months of working 70-80 hours a week. I launched a new publishing company and online bookstore, published two books, started soliciting submissions for 15 anthologies of creative nonfiction, recruited and retained seven editors to edit those 15 anthologies, started contributing to The Freelance Zone, and began editing two book-length manuscripts. And that was in my spare time because I also have a day job. This past weekend, I couldn’t think any more. So I took the weekend off. I went for a walk on Saturday, then spent the afternoon cleaning out my closets, trying on old pants (I had somehow accummulated about 40 pairs of pants) and setting aside anything that didn’t fit for donation to charity. Then Sunday afternoon, I went to the Green Mill in Chicago for some live jazz and to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday. It was a much-needed break.

When I was freelancing, one of the things I found most challenging was battling the feeling that I could never completely relax. I always felt I needed to be looking for the next assignment, and I never told a client “no” because I never knew when the client might call again. But relaxation is critical to your well-being. Otherwise, it is very difficult to do the very demanding work of writing and editing. So turn off that laptop, put on some music and try on some pants (or try on whatever you like to try on to relax), and live today so you can write again tomorrow.

Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, an independent book publisher currently accepting creative nonfiction stories for anthologies on 15 topics.

“Get Moving Early” And Other Icky Advice

by Catherine L. Tully

I hate to admit this, but I get more done when I get up early. Much as I love being a night person, when I get out of bed at a decent hour and get moving, I simply am more effecient. So my advice to you is even though you can sleep until you wake up naturally–it’s a better move to set an alarm.

And yes. I know that is what people with a day job do.

Want some more “icky” advice? Here are some unpopular truths about freelancing:

+ Keeping a schedule is better than winging it. You can wing it occasionally, but if you don’t create patterns for yourself, you will have a hard time keeping up with everything you have to do.

+ You have to spend time marketing yourself. This means more than social networking time on Twitter and Facebook. This means developing quality relationships with other writers. It means taking the extra time to get to know your editors a bit and ask them how things are going once in a while. Relationships mean a lot in this business.

+ You really don’t need the newest toys. Ooh. I know. This one hurts. But it’s true. The fact of the matter is–your old laptop will probably work for a long time…so you can pass on that cool, compact netbook. You really don’t have to buy that new digital camera. And you probably can get by without a second monitor. It’s easy to overspend on gear that you don’t really need to do your job.

I was going to write some more on this subject…

But I think that’s enough truth for the day. Don’t you?

Does Your Query Letter Look Like This?

Look at this spam e-mail I got in my inbox today and ask yourself if your query letters & other communication with new editors looks anything like it. There are many things wrong with this e-mail. When you read it, you’ll see that the sender didn’t bother to get the editor’s name or even LOOK at the website to see if our subject areas are compatible.

Many new writers make this mistake–they don’t research their target publications to see if their articles, style or tone fits the audience.

Another thing you’ll notice is that there’s a high degree of B.S. here. The writer says he and the site have “years of experience” but fail in the most basic noob pitch tactics. Here’s a hint for you, new writer; if you are new to this game, your query letter will reveal that in some way.

That’s NOT a BAD thing–but don’t try to pass yourself off as an old hand at the writing business. Your style and tone give you away. Instead, just get down to the business of selling your article idea. … Continue Reading

Creative Writing Tips From Writing Forward

I hadn’t see this site before, but Writing Forward had a nice post on creative writing that I thought I would share with Freelance-Zone readers today. It is advice from several writers, not just one, which is always interesting. While you are there, check out the rest of the site–it’s got some neat stuff on it. Personally, I enjoyed the areas on grammar and better writing. (BTW, this is one of the 2009 Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers too!)

Advice For Freelance Writers From…Donald Trump?

by Catherine L. Tully

Ok, it has been a while since I heard this advice, so Mr. Trump, please pardon me if I don’t get this exactly right. It’s the essence of your idea I’m trying to communicate today…

I once heard Donald Trump talk about success and he said something that really stuck with me…basically it is that most people give up too soon and that is one of the main reasons why they don’t succeed. He noted that he has seen it time and again–someone on the verge of hitting it big–who just walks away and goes down another path because they feel like their current endeavor isn’t working… … Continue Reading

YOU Bring the Snark

by Joe Wallace

It has been said that I am far too snarky for my own good. With that in mind, I ask YOU to give the feedback about this video presentation about freelance writing, titled Freelance Writing Business: 10 Quick Tips to Boost Your Sales in a Recession? Does this freelance writing video clip do the job well? Does it represent the website it advertises with skill or does it leave you wondering where the punchline is?

Take note–we did NOT produce this. We present this for your edification and commentary. You tell US what this video is up to and whether or not it makes the grade. I can’t be responsible for any accidents involving beverages squirting out your nose, so consider yourself warned.

Bad Advice for Writers

by Joe Wallace
I recently read two blogs offering excessively bad advice to writers. One blog suggested you re-write “public” articles and monetize them on places like Squidoo, Associated Content, and HubPages. The source given for these “public” articles, also known as public label rights articles or PLR articles, had a large number of “Make money online” articles full of bad information and advice that can actually get you kicked out of the Google Adsense program.

Advising people to take advantage of PLR articles isn’t necessarily bad advice in and of itself, but I take exception with pointing people towards a collection of articles specifically about Adsense, Google Adwords and other specialized topics with high data turnover without at least a warning to check your facts first.

The advice in those crappy PLR articles is dangerous because it’s old and no longer safe to use with Adsense in many cases. But the average article re-writer won’t know that because you have to actually READ the labyrinth of Google’s Terms of Service. Folks, when it comes to highly specialized information, your reputation is on the line every time you publish, even if you’re just posting on EzineArticles. It’s YOUR name on that crap.

Another website aimed specifically at freelancers stated unequivocally, “Being a free agent who works for free has its perks.” The author of this one opened with “Free is the new paid.” I tried that line on my landlord and she laughed in my face.

This article was full of treats, like this gut-busting gem; “With so many people able to access any place at any time,” the writer says, “there simply aren’t enough distinguished experts to help fill the void that would exist if we didn’t have things like youtube.com.”

If anyone understands what that means, please get in touch.

The Internet has always been a bad place to get good advice. There is a skewed signal-to-noise ratio for highly specialized topics, and real experts are often hard to find. Some of my fellow writers contend that having a playing field full of idiots dispensing bad advice actually helps us freelance pros.

The clowns actually help us raise our rates. One of my favorite fellow writers tells me she’s had clients turn her down because of higher rates, only to come running back with open arms once they’ve tasted the fruits of some cheapjack writer who gives their work away for a song. It’s true, you really DO get what you pay for.

Writing For New Markets

By Joe Wallace

If you feel daunted by the prospect of writing an article in an area you know little about, don’t let that lack of knowledge keep you from sending out query letters. Try doing a few interview pieces with some subject matter experts and let them do all the talking about the facts and figures of your new subject matter area.

This is one of the easiest ways to get up to speed on a new topic. Once you’ve done a couple of interviews you’ll have a much better feel for the subject and can talk with more authority on your own–especially if you ask the right questions in your interview. Here are a few of my own personal secrets … Continue Reading

Insider Advice From A Travel Editor

Today FZ readers are in for a real treat–insider advice from a seasoned travel editor–Celeste Heiter. Find out how to get published, what travel editors are looking for and get some advice on polishing your prose. Thanks to Celeste for crafting this piece specifically for FZ readers!                                  - Catherine L. Tully

A Travel Guide Editor’s Inside Tips for Writing a Great Travel Essay

By Celeste Heiter 

Having just finished editing the manuscript for To Japan With Love, A Connoisseur’s Guide, a travel anthology that features more than sixty contributors (including your Freelance-Zone hosts Catherine Tully and Joe Wallace), I have much to say on the subject of writing a travel essay.

The Basics:

In seeking contributors for To Japan With Love, I received nearly 200 essays, but only about half of them made it into the book. And while some were real gems and were nearly perfect upon submission, throughout the selection process, I also had some hard choices to make, with the most common eliminator being: What’s the point of this essay? What does it offer the reader? And in many cases, the answer, sadly, was: Nothing.  Although I was more than willing to work with contributing writers in developing essays that had great potential, and I even did the rewrites myself on some of them, in many cases (to borrow a phrase from Gertrude Stein), “there was no there there.” Some essays simply lacked purpose.

Others, while technically well written, were far too linear. “First we went here and saw this. Next we went there and did that. Then we went home.”  Some stories lacked focus, and instead included every detail of the writer’s travel itinerary and little else. And some failed to follow editorial guidelines. They were too long, too short, too encyclopedic, or they were off topic; and some were even downright negative in tone and perspective.

Good travel writing comes naturally to some writers, however, for those who don’t have ‘the gift’, I also believe that there is a basic formula that will turn a lackluster travel essay into something truly worth reading. Here’s how: … Continue Reading

Freelance Writers: Please Stop Flirting With Me

I’m clearly having a Dave Barry moment, so please be patient.

Lately the deluge of offers of naughtiness are coming at me non-stop. Already twice today at the time of this writing, I’ve had freelance writers let me know they think I’m hot stuff.

Now they’re too professional to come right out and say it in an e-mail. No, these temptations come to me by way of thinly veiled messages. To the casual readers they look like simple writing goofs, but I know better.

See, I know how to read between the lines. And I can JUST TELL these freelancers are trying to tell me something. Something steamy. Like maybe they want me to scoop out one of my spare millions and take them on a world cruise, sipping alcoholic drinks out of coconut shells and savoring the pleasures of the flesh.

I know what you’re thinking right about now, but trust me. This is REAL. They all use the same code, and it’s flattering really…but I just don’t know how I can afford to take ALL these people on a steamy cruise, let alone spend the proper amount of time with them all. So what’s the hidden message in all of this material they send me?

They all write, “Please bare with me.” Some say it in the articles they send, others say it in their cover letters or e-mails about this and that. Some of them also mention that a sign proudly “bares” a logo, or that they “bare in mind” which also sounds to me just a bit dirty. I know dirty thoughts when I read them, oh yes indeedy.

But I just can’t bare with you. For starters, I’m taken. What’s more, I can’t afford all the cruise ship time. I’m flattered, really, but it won’t work out between us no matter how many times I bare with you.

Please don’t be hurt or upset, but unless you want me to “bear with you” instead, I’m afraid it’s just not on, as the kids would say. I just can’t respond to your pleas for nakedness.

I’m sure you understand.

Five Simple Ways to Instantly Improve Your Writing

Want to improve your writing damn near instantly? There are many bad habits we all fall into (see my blog entries here for plenty of examples) that can be excised with a little effort and concentration.

I catch myself paying much more attention to these when I edit other people, but also when I am writing queries to high-value publications. I try to be compulsive about these with any communication with people who might be sending me checks, but especially so with the big ones. Check out my top five and watch your copy tighten up like magic.

5. Eliminate “that”, “and then”, “such as” wherever possible. You should also drop the word “and” in favor of commas where appropriate. Sometimes this rule won’t apply; where it does the line flows much better.

4. Use contractions where acceptable for more conversational writing. Avoid contractions in formal writing where you need a slightly more stuffy, authoritative tone.

3. Eliminate commas where one descriptor will do. Why write “The sleek, slim design…” unless you are trying to differentiate between something that is sleek and wide? When you need to do a comparison, keep the appropriate descriptors.

2. Lose “ly” endings where you can. There is an especially heinous example in an old Depeche Mode song where something “passes undectedly…” Um, WHAT? It can “pass undetected” instead. There’s no reason to write “The monkeys are readily available for parties.” You can just write “The monkeys are available for parties.”

1. Edit out the meaningless parts of a phrase. There is no such thing as “mentally insane,” a “bogus fake” or a “mental telepathy”. There’s just fake, insane, and telepathy. The same rules apply to the ‘vicious beating’. Unless you can conjure up a “pleasant beating,” dump the adjective and move on.

Working With Freelancers: A Handy Do-and-Don’t List

Freelancers and those who employ them often run into situations where judgement calls need to be made. Are you a freelance writer dealing with a difficult situation with an editor? Are you an editor trying to sort out issues with your freelancers? Here’s a handy do-and-don’t list to help you regardless of which side of the desk you find yourself;

10. Re-evaluate your relationship with any publication that makes excuses for not paying you. Editors, do the same for any freelancer who makes frequent excuses for not delivering the goods as per your arrangement. You don’t have to terminate the relationship right away, but letting the other party know the issue is on your radar is a good thing in any case.

9. Don’t backdoor your writer or editor. If there is a situation that needs to be discussed, TALK about it. Don’t let your writer or editor know after the fact that there was something that needed urgent attention.  This can include everything from telling your writer you found major errors in fact in a pending article to letting your editor know that your interviewee was hostile and might be a source of trouble in the future.

8. Freelance writers should know the terms of their relationship with the editor in full including payment dates and conditions, fact checking needs, the urgency of deadlines and what happens if either party needs more time to deliver according to the terms of their arrangement. Sometimes companies get in financial trouble and have to delay payment by a few days or weeks. Sometimes freelancers get bogged down and can’t deliver the articles strictly on deadline. Each side should understand how to proceed when these issues occur. … Continue Reading

Making Blog Money: AllFreelanceWriting.com

Jennifer Mattern has some sage advice for writers who want to branch out as professional bloggers. Do you want to start earning money from your own blog? Mattern’s article is a great place to begin, but even if you’ve been in the blogging game for a while, check out her Make Money Blogging post and have a look. You’ll find some good advice I think gets overlooked in the rush to sign up for affiliate marketing programs and Google Ads; there is plenty of money to be made with e-books and digital downloads.

Of course, you have to have something to say in those e-books and downloads, but that’s another issue for another post. The real value of this article is in the common-sense approach it takes. No, not all bloggers are going to earn big money from their work. Mattern points out that many people just don’t know how to market a blog effectively. But those who take the time to learn the ropes and follow the advice laid out in the article stand a much greater chance of getting those paychecks.

I love AllFreelanceWriting.com for its BS-free writing and a complete refusal to claim that ANYBODY can do this stuff. The advice is great, the attitude is much appreciated, and if you need a good kick in the pants motivationally speaking, this site is the place. Recommended.

How’s Your Freelance Portfolio?

In the investment world, the best advice against tough economic times like these is diversification. For freelance writers, that advice is just as sound. Are you relying on only one or two clients to bring home the bacon? It’s a more stress-free lifestyle when times are good, but when the economy starts to tumble, will those clients still be there? The current money woes on Wall Street have mixed impact on freelance gigs. It all depends on who you work for and what the nature of their business is, but if your money sources are drying up, it’s time to start taking more diverse work. … Continue Reading