WritingThoughts

Do you compare yourself with other writers?

The Internet has made it easier than ever to compare ourselves with other freelance writers and bloggers easier than ever.

The question is: Is comparison with other writers healthy?
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Most experienced writers realize this claim is ridiculous, so normally I wouldn’t even mention it except for one sad fact: a few unfortunate companies have been taken in by the so-called writers who make this claim and the results have been less than desirable.

Let us take a look at this claim logically, shall we?

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A friend asked me recently how the economy was affecting my writing business.

My answer, surprisingly, was: “so far, not much.”

I have lost a few clients in the past year – but they were my lowest paying clients anyway. A few other low-paying clients have contacted me less frequently.

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Have you thought about what success means to you, as a writer?

Success means many different things to many different people:

• For some, success is fame.
• For others, success is power.
• For still others, success is obtaining wealth.

My take on success is a little bit different.

If you’re at all familiar with the story of how I became a freelance writer, then you may already know that I was drawn to freelancing in my quest to balance my life: specifically my attempt to achieve a balance between my professional life and my time with friend and family. For me, no amount of fame, power or fortune would be worth the loss of friends and family. [Read more →]

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There’s an old saying: what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Basically, it means that if something works for one person, it should also work for another.

It’s a nice saying – but it isn’t always true.

I’ve found it to be particularly not true when it comes to advice given out on the Internet.

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“Uh oh, it’s happening again.”

Even though it’s midnight and I’m exhausted I can’t sleep. I keep thinking of ideas for blog posts and articles.

“I wonder, should I keep staring at the clock and hope that I’ll fall asleep? Or, should I give in and get up?”

If you’re involved in a creative profession, then the previous scenario has probably already happened to you. Not only are you taking work home with you (I work from home so my work is alway here anyway), but you’re taking it to bed with you.

I think it’s an occupational hazard. How you deal with it depends on your personality.

For my part, I feel that there’s a high risk of making a mistake when I’m tired. For that reason I try to avoid doing client work late at night.

Blogging, on the other hand, is something that I might risk when I’m tired. Especially when it’s my own blog.

What about you? How are you sleeping?

Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Shh!

Don’t tell anyone. . .

I play favorites. I didn’t start out to do it, but that’s just that way that it has worked out.

You see, I try to visit as many different blogs about freelancing and about writing as I can. I’ve shared many of those visits with you, and I have to admit that there’s a lot of great blogs out there.

But over time some blogs have consistently stood out. I find myself looking forward to visiting these blogs each day and am impatient when the expected post doesn’t materialize.

The time has come, however, to share these favorites with you:

• Men With Pens – Witty, original, and amusing. Yet, I learn something each time I visit. Just when I think they can’t possibly come up with something new, the penmen manage to do it again. Don’t forget to visit the comments, which are a world in and of themself. There’s also a forum.
• Freelance Writing Jobs – Deb Ng started this site to help writers find better paying jobs. She still does that, but she evolved the site into something more when she turned it into a blogging network. Deb’s managed to attract some of the most talented writers to her site (while you are there, check out my guest post: Baby Steps to Paid Blogging).
• Freelance Folder. Alright, yes. I do write for this site so I might be a bit biased. However, I enjoy reading this blog even when I’m not the author of the most current post. The information is always on target. There’s also a forum and a job bank. The real strength of this site, in my opinion, is the way the readers pitch in to help each other, as seen in the comment.

Do you play favorites too! What blogs do you find indispensable?

Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Image Source: Laura Spencer

I’m often asked what it takes to become a freelance writer. There’s all kinds of answers that I could give to that question, but basically it boils down to one key factor: WORDS – I’m good with them.

In fact, without my writing ability everything else that I’ve learned would be relatively useless.

It’s always been this way . . . at least ever since I can remember.

In school the other kids dreaded written tests, but I welcomed them because I knew that I would get a better grade.

Whenever my friends needed to come up with a catchy saying, they’d turn to me because they knew that I would come up with something clever.

So, the most basic answer that I can give as to why I’m a writer is – it’s because of the words. The words are the key.

Are you a writer too? If so, how did you get there?

Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu

Is it possible for a freelance writer to get too comfortable?

I believe that it is. In fact, I think that’s where I’ve been recently.

My business is providing a comfortable income for me. I have some good clients who give me repeat business on a regular basis. I know how to do my work and I know how to do it well.

It sounds ideal, right?

Yet something has been missing.

Call it challenge, call it expansion, call it whatever you like. My recent review of the Unlimited Freelancer opened my eyes to a few areas within my business that I should address.

You’ve already seen that I’ve updated this blog. Here are a few other things that I hope to explore this year:

• Residual income
• E-book publishing
• Local writing

Have you also grown complacent in your freelance writing? Have you explored any of the previous areas?

Share your experience in the comments.

Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

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WritingThoughts is being remodeled! You’ll see several changes in the next few days, but the format that you see may not be the final one.

Feel free to leave a note and let me know what you think of the changes.