Dr. Carla Goddard, click
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Blogs by Dr. Carla Goddard
Breathing 11/16/2007 1:10:08 PM
Another Day in the Life of a Writer Today I spent the day on the floor with my keyboard propped up by one of my large reference books. Odd position to work in I know. I have a bulging disk in my neck that has decided to flare up. Fun.
What I wanted to share today is a couple of new little tidbits that I learned.
1. If you are trying to break into the Free Lance Market - get some clips you can use to show you are a published writer. Sounds easy, but I know what your thinking - what do you think I have been trying to do. Most places in the United States have those free newspapers that are thrown on the end of your driveway. You know the ones - they always land in the biggest puddle they can find. Contact the editor (yes they too have an editor) and ask for submission guidelines. You will be surprised how easy it really is to get a short clip in the paper. Ta Dah there is your first clip to put in your portfolio.
2. Create a price list. Sounds silly since you have not had a job yet. Think about this - you have submitted to every magazine possible and one actually calls you to find out what your rate is for a press release. Is not the article they want, it is your writing ability. But if you have no pricing sheet they will not work with you (especially when you say ummm gee I don't know).
3. Generate a web site that shows In The Works - list every article, column, poem or filler you have submitted to a magazine. Don't list the magazine but just the article name. It makes you appear that you have more work than you can handle. Surprising how that entices even more work.
4. Be honest - if you promise something by a deadline and you can't get it done in time tell your client. When you don't communicate honestly and try to dance around answers - I can guarantee you that publication will not work with you again.
5. Promote Yourself - When I first started this was the absolute hardest thing in the world for me to do. But if you don't promote you - who will? Be excited with what you are doing. Hand out business cards to every person you come in contact with. Word of mouth is amazing when it comes to those free lance jobs that pay the bills while we pursue our real love - writing.
