The Witty Writer

Ready for a Laugh???

2007-07-16T20:40:00.000-04:00

Have you had your daily laugh? If not, you really need to check out this link. A must read for every writer out there. I laughed and I know you will too!

Click here

Let me know what you think!

Writing...When Your Mind is Already Gone

2007-07-09T20:47:00.000-04:00

You know...I really love my job as a writer, but then there are days like today. LOL.

Anyone who works at home as a freelance writer can probably understand what I'm talking about. You know...the computer freezes and there went 2 hours of work down the drain to be rewritten again. You have five rejection letters in your email (why in the world do I check it so often). Just about the time when you really get on a writing roll the phone rings off the hook.

Yeah. You've got it. My mind is already gone...and if I had any part of it left...it would be going too.

You see, most fulltime writers find that their minds are already gone. Why else would we choose such a job. LOL. So, the question is - How do you write when your mind is already gone?

Well, the first thing you have to remember is perserverance. Never give up. Sure, you will probably need a breather; in fact, taking a bit of time to relax and collect your thoughts will probably go a long way...but never throw up your hands and quit.

Next, getting organized will help. Ok, so we've lost our minds...but we do not have to lose our organization too. Just getting your space organized will rejuvenate you and help you get more done, since you will not be shuffling through mountains of papers looking for what you need.

Lastly, laughter is important. Be sure you are taking time every day to get a good laugh. Whether it is reading the comics in the paper or finding a hilarious video or article on line to read...you NEED to laugh.

Don't Get Scammed

2007-06-26T19:16:00.000-04:00

While writing on the web has huge potential for both new and seasoned writers, there are also a variety of scams out there as well. As a writer you want to be sure that you do not become a victim of a scam. In order to avoid having someone online take advantage of you, here are a couple thoughts to keep in mind.

Ask for Advance Pay
When you are working on the internet it can be hard to guarantee your paycheck; in fact, I know several people who have ended up in financial trouble because a client never paid up. You can avoid having this scam happen to you by making sure that you require at least part of the payment up front.

Avoid the Free Samples
Although it is okay to show people samples of your work, you may get into trouble if you start providing free samples before you get the job. There are a variety of different scams online that advertise for writers and then have them write a sample article. Of course they are never chosen for the job and the advertiser ends up with quite a few free articles.

These are just a few of the scams that can happen to writers. Keep your eyes open and remember to always protect yourself.

Tips for Sorting Through Online Jobs

2007-06-21T20:49:00.000-04:00

One thing that freelancers often find themselves doing is sorting through hundreds of online jobs. When you are starting out as a freelancer, many times it takes a great deal of effort to find some quality work. With the variety of online jobs available, it may be difficult to decide which jobs are worth your time, and which you should bypass altogether. The following are a few tips that may help you out.

Tip #1 - Beware of No Pay Jobs - While in the beginning you may need to do a few no pay gigs to get a little bit of experience, many jobs that have no pay are just easy ways for someone to get free writing. While writing for a non-profit organization from time to time is great, no doubt you want to actually make a living with your writing. Unless it is a great cause, or you really need some experience, then bypass the jobs that are offering no pay.

Tip #2 - Insulting Wages - If you have been browsing the online writing job market much, you have probably come across many ads that are asking for writers to write 500 word articles for $1, $1.50, $2.00 and other low insulting prices. There is no need for you to write for such insulting pay when there are so many great jobs available. If you cannot get at least $0.01 per word that you write, then you need to look elsewhere, and as you get experience you should be looking for $.10,$1.00, and even more per word as you progress.

Tip #3 - Requests for Writing Tests - While sending a few samples with an application is great, there are some people out there who are requiring that you write test articles before they will hire you. Taking a test that results in being paid for the article you write is okay, but if they require that you write them multiple free samples, then warning bells should be going off in your head. Some people will post jobs, ask for free writing samples, and then never follow through, then using the sample articles themselves, and getting free content.

Keeping these three tips in mind can help you find more success when you are looking for writing jobs online. If you would like more information about freelance writing and more helpful tips, feel free to stop by Mysterious Musings to sign up for our newsletter.

Four Freelancing Faux Pas You Need to Avoid

2007-06-12T21:47:00.000-04:00

Whether you are a seasoned freelance writer, or this is your first week, it is good to keep in mind a few things that you should NOT be doing as a writer. The following are some very common faux pas that you need to avoid if you want to be successful in the freelance writing field.

Faux Pas #1 - Missing Writing Deadlines - Nothing proclaims that you do not care about writing so loud as missing your deadlines. While there are emergencies that warrant missing a deadline or two, if you miss a deadline for no reason, your editor is going to get the message that you do not care, you are not professional, and that you do not want to be successful in this field. Believe it or not, word does get around the market, and missing too many deadlines may ruin your freelance career.

Faux Pas #2 - Getting Too Personal with Editors and Other Superiors - While it is important to build relationships with the people that you work for, you need to avoid getting too personal with them. Be sure that you avoid letting them in on all the problems in your life. Your superiors do not want to hear every little sob story and negative detail about your life, so keep it on a more professional/personal level.

Faux Pas #3 - Tawdry Tirades - Every writer is going to have points when they are ready to pull their hair out and they feel like taking a sledge hammer to the computer, or maybe someone’s head. This is not the time to start writing nasty emails or letters to your editor. Writing a nasty letter may burn some bridges that you do not want to burn, and more than likely you will lose the job. If you have a problem, speak with your editor about it in a professional way, and they will probably listen and do what they can to make things easier for you.

Faux Pas #4 - Writing for Pennies - As a freelance writer, you are in it for more than just the fun. You owe it to yourself to get paid a decent amount for what you write. While you may have to accept a few lower paying articles when you first start out as a freelance writer, as you go on you will only hurt yourself by writing for pennies. If you continue to write for pennies you will get frustrated with all the work for so little money and you will have to work harder and harder to earn a living.

For more great freelance writing and small business tips, visit Mysterious Musings and sign up for our newsletter.

A Cabbage Moment

2007-06-08T21:15:00.000-04:00

I just had to share with you all an amusing thing that happened to me recently. I do a variety of freelance writing in a variety of genres and niches, and I was working on a product review for a client. The product was a well known Hemorrhoid cream, and I was asked to also discuss various natural cures for piles (aka hemorrhoids).

Believe it or not, while I was doing my research I came across the funniest thing. Did you know that a “natural” cure for hemorrhoids is to sit on chopped cabbage? Apparently someone tried it. Sometimes freelancing, or any home business, can get a bit hectic, but it is times like those that really keep you going. I spent about ten minutes at my computer laughing until my gut hurt about this supposed cure.

Remember, laughter is important when you have your own business. Take time to find those “cabbage” moments and lighten up. You’ll find that your work is better and that you feel better as well.

Does anyone else have any similar amusing stories? Feel free to share them with us!

Making Deadlines Work for You!

2007-06-08T13:44:00.000-04:00

Although there are many important aspects of being a freelance writer, one of the most important is the ability to meet deadlines. It does not matter how brilliant you writing may be if you are always missing your deadlines. Grant it, there are moments in life that occur that may occasionally stand in the way of a deadline or two, but part of the way to build credibility as a freelance writer is by making those deadlines every time! If you have several deadlines hanging over your head it can get a bit hectic, but there are things you can do to help those deadlines work for you, instead of you being owned by them.

Tip #1 - Organization
Organization is one of the key things you can do to keep yourself on track to making those deadlines. Taking a few minutes to organize your paperwork into separate files can be a great help. Have a folder designated for pending jobs and have a folder specifically for completed jobs. This allows you to easily see what jobs you have left for completion. Keeping an online calendar or even a desk calendar can help you as well. When you have all your deadlines organized on a calendar it is easy to get the big picture of what you need to work on to get your work sent in on time.

Tip #2 - Make Your Own Deadlines
If you find yourself constantly working right up to the last minute to make deadlines, you may want to start making your own deadlines to avoid some of the last minute stress. If you start making yourself complete projects 24 hours before they are due, this will give you time to critically look them over to avoid errors and will make your life less stressful as well. Making a weekly schedule can help you organize your projects and your self-imposed deadlines so you get them done on time.

Tip #3 Avoid Burnout
At times, having multiple deadlines can leave you cramming to complete a project right before it is due. Many freelance writers make the mistake on working on only one project at a time, which can lead to burnout on a specific topic or style. You can avoid burnout by working on different projects in spurts. Devoting just 20-30 minutes to one project and then working on something else can help keep that feeling of burnout away. Dividing your time between different projects helps you keep the creative edge that you need to create an exceptional completed project. Writing on one topic too long can cause your brain and creativity to burn out, so work in spurts to be the most effective.

Deadlines can be frustrating and at times stressful for a freelance writer, but when you learn to use them to your benefit and work with them, they can help you become a more effective writer. Deadlines can help keep you on track if you know how to manage them and becoming efficient at meeting deadlines will make you a quality and impressive freelance writer that other will want to work with.

I Was Crazy Once...

2007-06-07T22:30:00.000-04:00

What most "normal" people do not realize is that all freelance writers are crazy. I can barely keep track of all the people that have asked me in the last month to help them get started in freelancing so they can earn extra money. The problem is that they think they can sit down and work for an hour every day and earn money and be a successful writer. (pardon me while I laugh hysterically) A few see my success and think that it must be easy since I work from home. What they do not realize is that it is only the crazy people that succeed at this job. Why else would I stay up writing 40 last minute articles in one night? Why would I ever consent to a 200 article project that is due in a week?

I truly believe that to succeed as a freelance writer you have to live on the edge of insanity. People who are "normal" just won't make it in this field because they will worry about working too hard, going to bed at normal hours, and think that their life is an extended vacation. If you are considering getting started as a freelance writer and you think that it will be a life of ease and money then for god's sake man (or woman) DO NOT TRY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now by now you may think that I am trying to smash a writers dreams. Really...I am not. If it's only a dream...don't bother...but if it is your passion...something you want more than anything and you are willing to work hard to accomplish what others think is impossible...then you just might make it. With enough work...anything is possible! If writing is your passion then go ahead and take the steps to get started in a freelance writing job. Join the ranks of the crazy writers and have the time of your life.

I was crazy once...lol...oh wait...I still am...

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