[cocotbo]

I'm a stay/work at home mom and do quite a bit of freelance writing. I was just wondering if there are any other freelance writers out there who might want to talk about what they do, what they specialize in, where they get published and just generally talk about writing. This would be a great way to share experiences, get critiques and maybe even network a little.

Is anybody out there?

[WordsAplenty]

Hi, cocotbo. I'm a freelance writer. In fact, I think you have beat me out on more than one bid! So far I mainly write keyword articles for the web-- you know, that mind-numbing writing that no "real writer" would admit to! Recently, though, I sold two articles to Woman's World, so I'm pretty excited about that. I'm trying to learn some copywriting techniques. I need something that pays pretty well and is a steady paycheck.
What kind of writing do you do? What kind do you want to do?
Misty

[mcmama]

Hey Misty, congratulations on selling the articles. I did a little bit of writing, mostly for early childhood newsletters and publications years ago. I think we have a few writers on this forum.
Has anyone tried blogging? Can you make a living at that? Does it pay you or just pay for itself?
Anyway, good stuff on the keyword articles. This is stuff I could never do. Good luck on the copywriting. Janet

[WordsAplenty]

Janet,
So you wrote for newsletters, huh? That sounds interesting. Is the pay decent? I've wondered about blogs myself. I was under the impression that the money comes from ads on the page... is that right?

[cocotbo]

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

I'm a freelance writer. In fact, I think you have beat me out on more than one bid! So far I mainly write keyword articles for the web-- you know, that mind-numbing writing that no "real writer" would admit to! Recently, though, I sold two articles to Woman's World, so I'm pretty excited about that. I'm trying to learn some copywriting techniques. I need something that pays pretty well and is a steady paycheck. What kind of writing do you do? What kind do you want to do?

Aw, shucks, Misty. Sorry about that. For what it's worth, I hadn't intended to go that low, but all my higher bids got shut down.

I wish I could manage to write those keyword articles but I have a motivational problem - if I don't love the topic I just keep putting it off. Congratulations on selling those articles to Woman's World! You'll have to let us know when they'll be published so we can pick it up!

The kind of writing I do is mainly nickle & dime right now. (Again, I have issues with deadlines...) I used to write for "Write for Cash" but since they shut down I've been selling to Fine Tuning and Associated Content. Having the freedom of time and topic are worth the underwhelming pay at this point. What I really want to do is fiction. I'm in the process of making some final edits to a novel I've written and I'm hoping to get an agent to take it on sometime in 2006. In the meantime, I'm in the application process for a position as the Terrorism Issues Guide at About.com. They pay well, it is great exposure and it is a topic I really enjoy.

Again, sorry about those bids. I owe you.
-Lisa

[cocotbo]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Has anyone tried blogging? Can you make a living at that? Does it pay you or just pay for itself?

I'm a research fiend and I have yet to discover how one can actually make a living blogging without really knocking themselves out. From what I've seen, Misty is right, you've got to get ads and affiliate programs to work for you. Then you have to be a promotion diva and promote the heck out of your blog just so that people will go there, hopefully read it and then...actually buy something from an ad or affiliate. I'm not saying it couldn't work. I just know it would never work for me.

Have you gals subscribed to "Funds for Writers"? It is a great, free, weekly newsletter with some excellent tips and information on markets. Their current home is at Zinester if you want to check it out.

[WordsAplenty]

Lisa,
Are you in Orientation at About.com? How is it? I started in Orientation to be the guide to Houston, but I dropped out. There were too many topics required in the Lifestyle section that I just didn't feel comfortable writing. On that subject, do y'all have topics you won't write about?
Misty

[cocotbo]

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

Are you in Orientation at About.com? How is it? I started in Orientation to be the guide to Houston, but I dropped out. There were too many topics required in the Lifestyle section that I just didn't feel comfortable writing. On that subject, do y'all have topics you won't write about?

Yes, I started the 17-day orientation on Friday. This is actually the third time I've tried to get this particular Guide slot. The first time, I got sick, my son got sick and our dog died a sudden death. There was no way I could finish and they gave the job to somebody else. When he didn't work out, I applied again. It took so long for them to start orientation that I was away on vacation when they did. Needless to say, that didn't happen for me. I'm hoping the third time will take but, just in case, I'm going great guns to get all of the requirements completed ASAP. Having had experience with their system of setting up the website, I'm actually really enjoying it this time. The fact that I love my topic and have already done a great deal of research on it helps too (my novel is about a counterterrorism task force that shuts down terrorist financing in very creative ways).

Topics I won't write about? Anything that doesn't inspire me. Right now, I'm energized by writing and inspired by the topics that I'm writing about. That makes it more pleasure than work. When it fails to energize and inspire then just becomes drudgery. It took 37 years for me to find a job that thrills me AND makes money. I just can't allow it to be reduced to "work".

[WordsAplenty]

Lisa,
Congrats on the About job. I hope it works this time. I would love to find a good fit at About. A steady income, a topic you love, working from home... what could possibly be better?
It took me awhile to find the right job, too. I always loved writing-- did the whole high school newspaper thing-- but, I thought you had to have a degree to make any money. But I got married and had kids instead of going to college. And then I wanted to stay home with my kids, so I wasn't exactly free to go out and make the big bucks. Instead I tried all kinds of home businesses-- candy wrappers, mother's bracelets, web design, and on and on. All of the businesses were good ideas for SOMEONE but not for me. I just didn't have the passion for them. Writing is my passion.
Now, I can't exactly say that keyword writing is my passion, but it's quick, easy, and somewhat steady. I will never get rich off that kind of writing but at least it's a paycheck while I'm working on bigger things.
I love the feature writing that I did in school and the narrative nonfiction that I did for Woman's World. THAT would be my ideal-- making great money writing true stories that touch people in some way. Some of the most popular books in recent years have been narrative nonfiction. My problem is, I have no idea how to even approach the topic of writing a book. It just seems so BIG!!! How did you get started? Do you have an agent? Have you already found a publisher? You're such a grown-up....

[cocotbo]

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

It took me awhile to find the right job, too. I always loved writing-- did the whole high school newspaper thing-- but, I thought you had to have a degree to make any money.

Not true these days. I thought so too. I spent a lot of money on a college education (in my 30's) and it hasn't done a thing for me except give my resume an extra line.

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

Instead I tried all kinds of home businesses-- candy wrappers, mother's bracelets, web design, and on and on. All of the businesses were good ideas for SOMEONE but not for me. I just didn't have the passion for them. Writing is my passion.

I know exactly where you're coming from! I did the same thing!

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

Now, I can't exactly say that keyword writing is my passion, but it's quick, easy, and somewhat steady. I will never get rich off that kind of writing but at least it's a paycheck while I'm working on bigger things.....

You know, this probably sounds cornball, but I think "getting rich" is overrated. Nobody ever really does it - no matter how much money you make, there is always more to be made. Now, doing something that you enjoy, having that passion in your life every day (and making some money while you're at it), that's something that not many people have. I'd rather have that than be rich anyday.

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

I love the feature writing that I did in school and the narrative nonfiction that I did for Woman's World. THAT would be my ideal-- making great money writing true stories that touch people in some way. Some of the most popular books in recent years have been narrative nonfiction. My problem is, I have no idea how to even approach the topic of writing a book. It just seems so BIG!!! How did you get started? Do you have an agent? Have you already found a publisher? You're such a grown-up....

It really isn't that big. Its just a matter of getting what is in your head down on paper. My typing is what really slows me down. If it weren't for my hunt & peck, I'd have 3 books done by now!

How did I get started?
I just wrote what was coming to me. Get it all down and don't worry about the flow. Just do it. You can edit later. Harlequin (yes, romance) has a section of their website dedicated to writers. They have a "Book in a Year" program that is absolutely free and really helps you to break it all down so that it isn't overwhelming. Of course, they are targeting romance writers, but the Book in a Year program can really be used by anyone who is writing about people. My book is actually an Action/Adventure but it still works. Check it out here: http://www.eharlequin.com/cms/learnt...OV3FLAUEAKCAOQ


Do I have an agent?
I sure don't, but I will. There is a particular agent that I want to deal with so I've done my research on her. I've read articles about her and transcripts of online chats/interviews so that I could get a feel for the sort of thing she wants to see. I figure that if I present something the way she wants to see it, my chances of having her take me on are much better.

Have I already found a publisher?
Nope. I'm going to leave that to my agent. One step at a time...

You're such a grown-up....
Not really