triangleareafreelancers.org Blog » 2009

A Few Tips for Freelance Success

Don — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:38:23 +0000

Having spent three decades in the freelance trenches, I’ve learned a thing or two on what it takes to succeed in this crazy biz. Following are ten (hopefully) helpful tips for both journeyman and novice writers alike:
1. Find a niche. Establishing yourself as an expert on a particular topic is a great way to keep the assignments coming. Just make sure it’s a subject with a lot of common appeal, otherwise you may find yourself writing only for low-paying specialty publications.
2. Be a general freelancer. It’s a wonderful way to learn (and write) about a broad array of fascinating topics. In my case, I’ve written features on everything from Marine sniper training to how to bathe a kitten, and I’ve enjoyed them all.
3. Don’t be afraid of the quick turnaround. Writers capable of turning around assignments quickly are an editor’s best friend. Be that kind of writer and you’ll work a lot.
4. Always maintain a high degree of professionalism. There’s a lot of competition out there, and professionalism in every aspect of the job will go a long way toward keeping you at the head of the pack. This means listening to your editor and delivering clean, quality copy before your assigned deadline.
5. Learn to interview well. This is one of the most important tasks a freelance writer must learn to master. Do it poorly, and your work will certainly suffer.
6. Hang around with other writers. And editors. And agents. Face time with others in the profession is a great way to stay abreast of industry changes and – perhaps most importantly – get (or share) work.
7. Keep pitching, even when your plate is full. In freelancing, you’re only as good as your most recent sale. So even if you have plenty to keep you busy, continue to send out queries and make contact with editors. You may not get a new gig today, but you might tomorrow when you really need it.
8. Don’t fear negotiation. Contracts are seldom written in stone, so don’t hesitate to ask for better conditions when you feel you’re getting the short end of the stick. If your requests are reasonable, most editors will say yes, or at least offer to meet you half way.
9. Read, read, read! There’s a lot of great journalism out there, so try to expand your literary horizons beyond the daily newspaper and your favorite magazines. I encourage my students to subscribe to Esquire, GQ and Rolling Stone, all of which regularly feature writers they can learn from.
10. Learn to occasionally say no. It’s easy to say yes to every offer that crosses your desk, especially if you’re a beginning freelancer eager to bolster your portfolio. But the smart writer is at least a little bit picky. When considering an assignment, ask yourself a few questions, including “Is the fee worth the time and aggravation?”, “Will this assignment challenge me as a journalist?”, “Would the time I’ll spend on this assignment be better spent in some other pursuit?” and “Will this assignment lead to more and better work?”
– Don

Fool for Spring

Jenn Mercer — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:17:02 +0000

Fool for Spring

Many people describe themselves as “fools for Spring” in a metaphorical sense, but my meaning is fairly literal. Each Spring I act against my own best interests in a manner contradictory to good advice. It all started when I was 10 years old and my teacher declared that I was sniffling too much and needed to go to the doctor. Mrs. M (even now I am too terrified to type her whole name) disapproved of many of my habits and, to her mind, my sniffling was a deliberate attempt to drive her mad.

My doctor gave me a once-over, diagnosed me with allergies, and sent me away with a list of Do’s and Don’ts – mostly Don’ts. As I went over the list, Ì felt my world closing in on me. Stay inside. Keep windows closed. Get rid of pets. Get rid of any stuffed animals. Throw out old bedding (yes, even my Star Wars sheets).

Can I say that at 10 I was still not ready for this? I looked at my mom, she looked back, and I refolded the list and “forgot” it in the car.

I grew and my allergies receded to a large extent. Since that fateful doctor’s appointment, I had made a conscious attempt not to learn exactly what my allergy triggers were so that I would not be forced to remove them from my life. Then I moved to NC where Spring does not so come in so much like a lamb as like a blinding chorus of angels. When I say blinding, I mean that literally. And when I speak of angels, you must know that these angels are made of pollen. One of the most beautiful sights that I have ever seen is that of a 40 foot wall of yellow pollen blowing across the beltline. If I had not known that pollen was a possibility, I would have thought it a chemical attack.

In the time since I was first diagnosed with allergies, medical science has made great leaps. I take my antihistamines each night, and when things are really bad I take some real P-S-E-U-D-O-E-P-H-E-D-R-I-N- E. I expect the knock on my door from the meth-squad any day now, but it is worth it.

What is not worth it is the list. You see, the list is still around. It’s changed in a few small details, but the essence is the same. I offer a shortened version of the most modern advice for your convenience:

Sterilize the indoor environment.
Shut out the outdoor environment.

Here is what I do:

Open the windows as much as possible.
Sit outside as soon as the weather is suitable, or on sunny days.
Walks are good.
Gardening is better.
Smell flowers, lots of them.

My car is yellow, the window ledges are yellow, and the azaleas are popping off one by one. Today we have the Spider and Princess varieties as well as three other kinds whose names I have forgotten, and the traditional “big old pink” azalea. I have my blinds and windows open and I will be heading off to the garden store later today. I have a shopping list that can be summarized as “things to give me an excuse to stick a shovel in the dirt and inhale its rich sweetness.” I suspect that I shall get some pollen up the nose when I do that, but you won’t catch me crying about it – sniffling maybe, but not crying.

5 Great Reasons to attend Write Now! 2009

Don — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:29:34 +0000

TAF’s second annual nonfiction conference is just around the corner, and you may be wondering: Should I attend? The answer is yes, and here’s why:

1. If you’re new to freelancing, this conference offers a wonderful opportunity to learn from writers with years and even decades of national freelance experience.

2. You’ll have the opportunity to network with individuals who are in a position to advance your writing career.

3. Writing is a never-ending education. You may think you know it all, but you don’t.

4. You’ll be able to share your aspirations with others who have similar dreams. Learn from each other.

5. We’re offering some great door prizes this year, including books autographed by best-selling novelist Jodi Picoult, and the legendary Ray Bradbury.

If you haven’t registered, do so now. Write Now! 2009 is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

– Don

Write Now! 2009 Writers’ Conference

Elaine — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:35:55 +0000

It’s that time of year again! Time to sign up for the TAF writers’ conference. If you’re interested in freelance writing, or you’re already a freelancer but you’re not doing as well as you’d hoped, this conference is for you. With top notch instructors and two tracks of classes, you’ll find both the inspiration and the skills to take your writing (and your earnings!) to the next level. Last year’s participants enjoyed the conference so much, they predicted it would be a huge success going forward. And registrations are already pouring in. There are only 100 spaces available, so don’t wait! Sign up today. Here are the details:

NONFICTION WRITERS CONFERENCE
Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) will hold its second nonfiction symposium Write Now! 2009 Writers’ Conference at Wake Technical Community College’s Northern Wake Campus on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local novelist, nonfiction writer, and private editorial consultant Peggy Payne will deliver the keynote address. Her most recent novel Sister India is a New York Times Notable Book.

The conference classes, taught by nationally published writers and journalists, are presented in two tracks. “The Craft of Writing,” will include topics such as Finding and Developing Marketable Topics, When Being There Makes All the Difference, Breaking into Triangle Markets, and Avoiding Freelance Faux Pas. “The Business of Writing” will focus on Writing for the Web, Taxes and Other Boring (But Important) Stuff for Writers, The Legalities of Freelance Writing, and The Writer’s Life.

Registration information is available on the TAF website:
www.triangleareafreelancers.org. Online registration is available with payment made through PayPal. The cost of the conference is $59 ($49 for students with a valid ID and seniors 65 and over). Only 100 seats are available. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, box lunch, snacks and beverages. For more information, call Donald Vaughan at 919.873.9833.