Tag Archives: jake poinier

What Writing Blogs Do You Read?

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by Catherine L. Tully

Here’s the chance to promote a writing blog that you love, one that you write–or one that you have just recently discovered. I’m putting a call out here for people to check in and list some of the writing blogs that they keep up with. What are your faves?

Blogs about freelance writing, fiction, non-fiction and any others that deal with writing are welcome. From time-to-time I like to go out there and try and find something new on the web. Some writer’s blog that I haven’t seen yet. And I’m hoping you can help direct me to some of them…

So with that in mind, let’s start a big list here in the comments section, shall we? Who are you reading these days? What sites do you find offer the most helpful advice about writing as a career? There are so many out there–I know I haven’t come across them all! Here are a few that I check in with on a regular basis: Continue reading What Writing Blogs Do You Read?

5 Questions with Jake Poinier

Jake runs Phoenix-based Boomvang Creative Group, writes an advice column for freelancers as Dr. Freelance, and is a regular contributor here at Freelance-Zone.com—most recently posting on “The 7 Scariest Words in the Freelance World.”

1. How did you wind up a writer?
I got my first encouragement from a high school English teacher, which led to writing for the school paper and later for my hometown paper in Massachusetts. After graduating college, I worked for about two years each at several different magazines. I realized at that point that my freelance stable had a lot of successful, independent-minded people in it…and I thought, “Why not me?” That was in 1999, and I’m happier with each passing year.

2. Was the road to being a writer what you expected? Why or why not?
Approximately. I consider myself fortunate to have worked for and with some outstanding businesses, which taught me more than an MBA ever could. I honestly don’t *love* writing the way some freelancers do, but the entrepreneurial aspect is what motivates me—which I credit to my dad.

3. What has been your best moment or biggest accomplishment as a writer?
Ha, I’d like to say it hasn’t happened yet. But I still get a thrill from each new client, had a blast ghostwriting my first book a few years ago, and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to interview some of the world’s top professional speakers for Speaker magazine. And I’m looking forward to publishing my own first book in a few months.

4. What has been your most difficult moment?
I think the shock of my first non-paying client. I’d done a big web project for a local business, which went belly-up before I got paid. It was a cold, hard reminder that, particularly if you’re doing a sizable amount of work for an unproven entity, you need to ask for a deposit. If they say “no”…there’s your sign.

5. Can you share your top piece of writing advice with Freelance-Zone readers?
Be the writer who you’d want to hire if you were an editor or client. Some folks want lots of communication and updates, some just want the finished product. Figure out what the person wants, and deliver it.

Get In On The Freelance Forecast For 2010

freelance_forecast_surveyby Catherine L. Tully

Everybody should do this. Seriously.

Fellow writer Jake Poinier has a survey out that will allow him to compile data for the 2010 Freelance Forecast–Boomvang Creative Group’s second annual survey of creative freelancers and the clients who hire them. This is a great resource, and if you fill the form out, you’ll not only be helping clients understand writers better, but you’ll also be entered into a drawing for a $100 iTunes or STAPLES gift card.

Not bad! (And if you can get a client to take the survey, you’ll have good karma. Jake says so. I have asked several of mine to participate….good karma is mine!)

Freelancing Horror Stories Contest–Win A $10 Prize!

Copyright 2008, Catherine L. Tully
Copyright 2008, Catherine L. Tully

OK writers–here’s a chance to earn a prize–just for telling your own freelancing horror story…

Jake Poinier posted all the info you need to enter at Freelance Writerville II on Ning, but you have to hurry–the entries will only be accepted until midnight on Halloween. Read Jake’s nightmarish story on his blog, and while you are there, have a look around…he has some great stuff on there. One of the few blogs I read…
I have too many to share and not enough time to write them up, but I’ll be checking in to see what horrible story wins the grand prize!