Archive for May, 2008
Of Note: How Not To Write
This week’s notable blog is Jamie Grove’s How Not To Write.
I’m sure that all writers will be able to relate to this blog at one time or another. In a recent post, Jamie claims to have written two novels “that were absolutely dreadful.”
(If the writing on How Not To Write is any indication of skill, then I’m betting that those novels are not half-bad.)
Other recent posts at How Not To Write include:
One thing that I like about this blog is that it’s both candid and humorous at the same time - which makes for some good reading.
The last “of note” blog was the Urban Muse. You can read my review of that site here.
Note: If you’re consistently posting great information and haven’t seen your blog featured in “Of Note†yet, I apologize. I’ll probably find you soon. But hey, why not drop me a note (laura at symbol writingthoughts dot com) and tell me why you think your writing blog is notable? If I agree, then I just might feature it here.
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Is Being a Work-At-Home Mom Harmful to Your Career?
Some may think so.
In fact I’ve asked this question myself, upon occasion.
You see, I’m quite open about being a work-at-home mom. Not only do I blog at a place called Work From Home Momma, but I’ve also regularly run work-at-home mom features here at WritingThougts.
I also make no secret of the fact that wanting to spend more time with my family was one of my prime motivators for starting my own business.
Bob Younce seems to think that being a work-at-home mom can harm your branding. In his post over at Freelance Folder he shares that he has written as a work-at-home mom and that his image as a work-at-home mom has kept him from getting as many writing jobs as he might have liked.
My own experience has been the exact opposite. While find web-based jobs was initially slow, my writing business has really taken off. So much so that recently, I’ve had to negotiate project deadlines or turn work down.
But, are all my writing projects limited to “mommy writing” since I’ve been open about being a work-at-home mom?
Not at all.
I’ve edited textbooks for a major textbook publisher, written and editing continuing education courses for accountants, and co-blogged on a popular blog that examines the role of blogging in business (mostly corporate) environment.
I’ve also completed numerous “ghostwriting” web content projects on business topics for a wide variety of clients.
My specific knowledge of business, business writing, marketing writing, and accounting are definite assets that I successfully bring to my writing business. My concrete experience in each of those areas supplements the writing skills that I am able to offer my clients.
Have I written some “mommy” content?
Sure. Why shouldn’t I? Parenting is also an area where I’m knowledgeable.
What do you think?
If you’re a work-at-home mom does it hold you back?
Image Source: www.sxc.hu
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Starting Your Own Business - What You Need To Know
While many WritingThoughts readers are already in business for themselves, I know that some of you are in the process of deciding whether or not to start a writing business.
The process of going into business for yourself can be a difficult, sometimes painful, one. I should know. I put it off for years.
Even when people told me that I ought to start a business, that my skills were perfect for it, I hesitated.
I wish now that I’d had someone like me back then — someone who’d been there to talk to. That’s why I wrote a post specifically to help guide those who might be thinking about starting a business of any kind.
You can find that post over at Home Biz Notes where I’m a guest blogger today.
Whether you are thinking of starting a business, or you’ve been in business for a while, why not stop by and leave your feedback?
Image Source: www.sxc.hu
Tags: Home Biz Notes, Business Startup, starting a business, starting a writing business, working from home, home business
WAHM WritingThoughts FeaturedOf Note: The Urban Muse
Once again I had to double check to make sure that I hadn’t already featured this blog.
Nope! I’m okay, it’s a “new” blog. Except . . . it isn’t new. Susan Johnston has been the Urban Muse since 2006.
This blog is a gem of a resource for writers. Recent (and very useful, I might add) posts in just the past week include:
- Just Say “No” to Low-Paying Projects
- 6 Ways to Find Writing Markets
- How Working from Home Improved My Social Life
- Get People to Read Your Blog
- What To Do With Old Business Cards
The blog is creative, and at the same time, is chock full of good advice. If you’re a writer and you’re not following the Urban Muse, then you’re missing out.
Last week’s “of note” blog was Words for Hire. You can read the review here.
Note: If you’re consistently posting great information and haven’t seen your blog featured in “Of Note†yet, I apologize. I’ll probably find you soon. But hey, why not drop me a note (laura at symbol writingthoughts dot com) and tell me why you think your writing blog is notable? If I agree, then I just might feature it here.
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
I’m Not A Writing Robot, Are You?
The real truth is that even the very best writers need down time.
We need time to recharge our engines. We need time to update our skills and learn how to hone our craft. We need time to spend with our friends and families.
If we really do need down time, why do so many of us operate as though we don’t need any breaks?
We act as though we are writing robots, able to churn out copy on demand around the clock.
You may be in danger of adopting the writing robot mentality if:
- You routinely accept work that will force you to work overtime just to make ends meet.
- You can’t say “no” to a writing project, no matter how busy you are.
- Your friends and family are becoming strangers.
- Your writing lacks that special something that grabs the reader.
- You can’t tell where one writing project begins and another ends.
- You’re starting to have health problems related to spending too much time at the computer.
- You wonder if you even enjoy writing any more.
I’m Not A Writing Robot, Are You?
Image Source: www.sxc.hu
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Tags: down-time, stress, workaholic, overwork, too much work, too many projects, loss of creativity
writing tips Writing ToolsOf Note: Words For Hire
This week’s “Of Note” blog is Karen Swim’s Words For Hire. Karen has a great way of telling stories that teach. A perfect example of this talent can be found in her recent post, Forward Momentum Begins With Standng Firm.
I also liked Is it Social or Is It Business? which discusses networking in a slightly different light.
If you’re looking for a good writing blog with a unique voice, this is it. Karen has an original way of expressing ideas and concepts. I highly recommend that you pay Words For Hire a visit.
Last week’s “Of Note” blog was Rogue Ink. You can read my review here.
Note: If you’re consistently posting great information and haven’t seen your blog featured in “Of Note†yet, I apologize. I’ll probably find you soon. But hey, why not drop me a note (laura at symbol writingthoughts dot com) and tell me why you think your writing blog is notable? If I agree, then I just might feature it here.
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Are You A Writer Who Blogs, or a Blogger Who Writes?
This is a question that I’ve been mulling over for the past month or so, ever since it came up in a discussion with a colleague.
I currently wear two hats. I blog (not only here, but also at Business and Blogging, Freelance Folder, OpinionMom, and Work From Home Momma). I write/edit (training materials, technical documents, and web content).
The two hats are really very different.
Blogging leaves me with a sense of giving something back. Writing is personal. When I write a blog post I’m sharing a piece of me. However, blogging is often a lot more work because you are never done when you are blogging. You write and publish a post, but that is not the end. You must check back and answer commentators. You must participate in social media. You will worry about statistics. All this for . . . well, usually not very much money at all.
Writing/editing leaves me with a since of accomplishment. When I finish a project and turn it in, I’m done. Writing can also be challenging since I often am assigned to write/edit on topics that stretch me. Writing also pays quite well. However, it’s not at all personal.
Until a year and half ago, the answer to this question was very clear. I didn’t blog at all - freelance writing was my entire business.
From a financial perspective, I must always place more emphasis on the writing portion of my business since it pays the bills. I’d definitely miss writing if blogging were all that I did. Recently, I’ve been wondering if I’m spending too much of my day blogging. However, I know that I’d miss blogging if I quit.
I know that both writers who are primarily writer/editors read this blog along with writers who are primarily bloggers.
Which are you, and why?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Image Source: www.sxc.hu
Are You Growing as a Writer?
Living things grow and change.
That’s an indisputable fact, and growth is often for the best. It can lead to changes which can lead to improvement.
But, when it comes to our professions, many of us are not growing. We’re not changing, and we’re not getting better.
Our writing consists more and more and more of exactly the same thing.
Let me ask you this: when was the last time you tried something new with your writing?
Can you even remember?
It doesn’t take much to start the growth process:
- A class absorbed
- An opportunity explored
- A chance taken
So, what’s keeping you? Get out there and grow today!
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Image Source: Laura Spencer of WritingThoughts.
writing tipsOf Note: Rogue Ink
Have you ever gotten something that you thought you’d really like, only to misplace it before you had the chance to really examine it?
Well, that happened to me with Rogue Ink. I found the site a few weeks ago and pasted the URL into notepad and minimized, thinking I would look at it later. Unfortunately, my computer locked up and I had to reboot and I lost the URL before I could look at the site.
That’s why I was delighted when I ran across Rogue Ink again today. Rogue Ink is the web home and personal blog of writer Taylor “Tei” Lindstrom.
Most of Taylor’s posts are written in a rambling conversational style that is both easy to read and interesting. Did I also mention that she includes a lot of humor?
In this recent post, for example, Taylor explains why she likes to work on weekends. And you’ve got to love a post titled Finding Your Client’s Voice. Hint: It is Not In the Fridge.
If you got the time and inclination to both learn something and be entertained, then this is the blog for you.
Last week’s blog “Of Note” was Swan’s Blog. You can read my review here.
Note: If you’re consistently posting great information and haven’t seen your blog featured in “Of Note†yet, I apologize. I’ll probably find you soon. I know there are a lot of great blogs out there; I discover more new ones each day. (So many blogs, so little time …)
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
Book Review: How To Say It, Business Writing That Works
That Works: The Simple, 10-Step Target Outline System to Help you Reach Your Bottom Line by Adina Rishe Gerwitz for this blog, naturally I said “yes.”
One question that I get asked a lot is: “how can I learn to write like you?”
Or a friend or family member will say to me, “I wish I could do what you do, I’m just not a very good writer.”
Until now, I haven’t really had a very good resource to send such people to for reference.
(Sure, I could send them to some of the textbooks and style guides I learned from in school, but chances are that they also used those same style guides and textbooks and didn’t pick up what they needed to know.)
How To Say It is the perfect writing resource for someone who needs to learn business writing skills. By teaching readers to apply a simple outline system of writing (the Target Outline System) to a variety of business writing needs, Adina equips her readers with the business writing skills that they will need to succeed.
The book is also a great resource for someone who has basic writing skills, but is unused to applying them in a business environment.
Some of the business writing projects that Adina teaches her readers to tackle include:
- Letters and E-mails
- Basic reports
- Performance evaluations
- General proposals
- Marketing Proposals
- How-To Manuals (coming from a technical writing background as I do, I read this chapter with particular interest and I would say that she’s on target here )
I especially like that the book concludes with a series of exercises. I think that writing in general, and business writing in particular, is one of those things that improves with practice.
If you are interested in pursuing business writing, then this book provides you with an effective writing system to help you succeed. The step-by-step approach makes learning business writing seem easy.
Have you read this book? What did you think?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
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