06 Feb 10 What Freelance Writers Should Read?

My love for short and intriguing answer is pushing me to say “read anything that you can lay your hand on to”, but, my slightly more normal self asks my crazy mind to explain. So, here goes the explanation.

A freelance writer should read anything that succeeds in catching, holding, and retaining his attention. Because the more diverse your reading habit will be the better equipped you will be to handle the challenges posed by freelance writing. You should care less about following a genre through head to tail. Well, doing it will be make you an expert and may be better accomplished as a writer of that particular genre, but expertise in one and dumbness in rest of the subjects is not what you should eye for. You need to have sufficient control on as many genres as possible.

What did you say— you will be master of one and will research for the rest?

I know many freelancers doing that, and quite a few have attained some degrees of success while treading down this road. But more often than not an article written by a freelance writer who has no prior knowledge or intuitive understanding of the subject matter lacks depth. To add depth and texture to your writing, you need to learn various things.

Freelance writing poses unique challenge that is seldom faced by fiction or non-fiction writers. Therefore, the solution used by freelance writers should also be different.

Read as much as you can, and from as many genres as you feel comfortable in!

Learning is a complex process, and acquiring knowledge is even more complex. One never knows which piece of text or byte of media triggers what. Sometimes the knowledge gained is a direct result of the things you are reading, while at other times, it is gained because the things you are reading have activated some unknown part of the brain which has triggered something else then something else, and the end result of all this could be the new understanding you have developed.

So, to help your brain form new pattern and new understanding, you need to provide it as many types of fodders as possible.

Tags: Acquiring Knowledge, Byte, Challenges, Crazy Mind, Dumbness, End Result, Fiction Writers, Freelance Writer, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Freelancers, Genre, Genres, Love, Non Fiction, Part Of The Brain, Prior Knowledge, Reading Habit, Subject Matter, Texture

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26 Jan 10 Is the Worry About Loneliness Stopping Your From Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer?

Writing is a lonesome journey, freelance writing is doubly so. You need to know this before you embark on the freelance writing train. The feeling of being alone is not very welcomed by many people, and this is one of the reasons that not everyone opt for this profession. Even those who are comfortable with sitting alone staring at the glaring screen feel the compunction of choosing this career, at times. Such is the effect of loneliness.

But, there is a way out. You do not need to keep on staring on your computer screen, incessantly, for every waking hours; I understand that it cannot be avoided at times, but you can try. In the following paragraph you will see how you can add human interaction in the equation.

Talk to your client on phone

Occasionally, calling up your client is the first thing you need to do in order to break the loneliness. Your client may not entertain frequent calls, but occasional calls will get due respect. He will be happy to answer your questions on phone. Discussing issues on phone will help you understand client’s need more precisely, but never overdo it; no one goes to work just to be on call with service providers. Call only if you must, or at max twice a week, and for rest of the time, stick to emails.

Build an online network

You must have heard this umpteenth number of time, and you must have got frustrated listening to this networking s@#t, but let me emphasize it one more time because it is very, very important. Forming a network of freelance writers will not only help you secure more gigs, but it will also help you break the monotony of freelance writing life. You can use this network to talk and share ideas and discuss issues. This can be akin to chat near virtual water cooler.

Go to café to write

For long, coffee house has been used by writers to craft their literary work. Why do not you try this alternative? You will be midst people doing different things. Who knows, you may get an idea for your novel! Nevertheless, it will help break the loneliness.

What else do you think can be done to break the monotony of freelance writing? Let’s see what all comes on the table.

Tags: Coffee House, Compunction, Computer Screen, Different Things, Due Respect, Freelance Writer, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Human Interaction, Loneliness, Lonesome Journey, Midst, Monotony, Paragraph, Profession, Service Providers, Share Ideas, Virtual Water, Waking Hours, Water Cooler

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23 Dec 09 What Freelancer Writers are Afraid of

We all are afraid of something. Sometimes fear is good, it helps us from wandering off the track, but when it starts affecting our growth it becomes troublesome. This is true with freelance writers as well. They too are afraid, and this has nothing to do with their present condition. Even the experienced freelancer writers have these fears. The most common among them are described below.

Fear of unknown

Being afraid of things that we do not know is quite natural. It is human to be afraid of things that we do not have any knowledge about. Each one us has this fear. This fear is natural, but it tastes sour when it starts intimidating and thwarting our development. When a newbie faces this fear he freezes, but when a seasoned professional faces this fear he deals with it.

Fear of not earning much

This is the fear that has stopped many deserving men and women from achieving what they always wanted. Having a financially stable life is everyone’s desire, but if this desire is pushing you to get everything quick and now then you should stop to think. You will get what you deserve, but not now. It will take some time. We all have to start small.

Fear of not getting enough work

This fear is related to the fear we discussed above. Not having enough work to justify the career change freezes the new entrants. When starting out you may not get enough work, but as you establish yourself in the field, you start getting works.

Fear of not getting recognized

People in general seek recognition from family, friends, and neighbors. They want their jobs to be recognized and respected. For undeveloped mind, freelance writing may not be a career to respect, and sadly most of the people have that. This thing keeps many from opting for this career, despite all its lucrative benefits.

Tags: Career Change, Desire, Family Friends, Fear, Fears, Freelance Writers, freelancer, Friends And Neighbors, Jobs, Lucrative Benefits, Men And Women, Newbie, People, Stable Life, Will Take Some Time

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06 Feb 10 What Freelance Writers Should Read?

23 Dec 09 What Freelancer Writers are Afraid of

Fear of unknown

Fear of not earning much

Fear of not getting enough work

Fear of not getting recognized

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