I’m always telling new freelance writers that they have to sit down and actually put words on paper or on their screen. Which is true.

Of course, I’m talking about getting a rough draft of the article or blog post or sales letter or web copy done.

Drafts are the first step in a writing project and it’s not by accident they are called rough drafts. And they are likely to be very rough – in fact, that’s the point.

Here are the reasons writing a rough draft works:

1. Let’s you dump your ideas about your topic on paper (or on screen) without the “help” of your internal editor.
2. Gets you actually writing rather than planning to write or wishing you had.
3. Done regularly will help you form the discipline of writing.

Writing A Draft Let’s You Dump

When you sit down and just write about something all sorts of things tend to appear on the paper. Generally I start with the first idea in my head, often the idea that sparked the writing in the first place.

This post occurred because I suddenly wondered, what at the grocery store, if my instructions to “write” was understood as a command or suggestion to draft something onto paper as the only way I know to get started. It was my rough draft that let me sort out what I really wanted to say and start to rewrite so my ideas are clear – both to me, and I hope to you.

Drafting is a way to get all the ideas on the paper – the good, the bad, etc. Writing a rough draft is usually done pretty quickly, although when you’re doing a draft of a big project, like a book, it will be done in multiple, many multiple shortish sessions.

When Your Drafting You’re Actually Writing

Writing a rough draft means you are actually writing. Drafting is a perfect way to get started instead of just thinking about it, or planning to do it.

Oh sure, you’ve got to think about what you’re going to write and planning a schedule so you have time to write are good things, if they don’t get in the way of putting words on paper.

When you know those words you’re putting on paper are a rough draft you’re not going to be trapped by some myth of perfection. Instead, you can just keep writing until you’ve got a complete draft reading for editing.

Writing A Draft Regularly Builds Writing Discipline

One way to look at the discipline of writing is as a habit. I know that I’m going to write every weekday morning. That knowledge helps my mind be ready to write.


Writing regularly, whatever your writing schedule is is the only way to get good enough to get paid. Or to get your book done or get your blog established or enough articles written and sold to make a living.

Knowing you’re writing a rough draft can make it easier to write regularly.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Every freelance writer I know has an inner editor. Often that inner voice is a problem, telling us that whatever we’ve written, it isn’t good enough. It’s that secret accuser that makesa writer rewrite a single sentence until we have no idea what we’re trying to say, or sends you off to do the dishes rather than write.

That infernal, internal editor can, however, turn into a valued friend for your freelance writing career.  The trick is to enroll it into supporting your efforts. Try these steps:

1. First, remember you are in charge, not that internal, critical editor voice.
2. Next, tell that internal editing voice that you appreciate its help, but only at the appropriate times.
3. Ask that voice for suggestions, not judgments.

Sound a bit wacky? Maybe, but it works for me and others. This sort of self-patterning is based, loosely, on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). The theory is we can reframe, among other things, our self-talk so we are better at supporting ourselves and our efforts. It works roughly as follows:

Remember, You ARE In Charge

Most of us do seem to have a committee in our head. It’s as if various aspects of ourself needs to speak up. Sometimes that voice is helpful, often not.

But you, the big YOU or Self is actually in charge of your thinking, or can be. It takes some practice but you can learn to ignore, or at least tone done those voices.

I do it by imagining all of them sitting a big conference table, with me at the head of it. I’ve got a great big gavel in my hand and when my mental committee members are chattering too much I bang that gavel down hard and remind them all I’m in charge. I’ve been doing this for years and rarely have to bang the gavel any more.

Appreciate Your Internal Editor

Okay, now that you know I talk to my self (selves), here’s the next step. I actually tell my internal editor that I appreciate her, that I know she’s trying to help and only wants the very best for me.


I then assure her that I will want her help later, and that if she can keep silent for the moment we’ll both be glad and the writing will get done.

Again, it took some time, but now that editor will usually be quiet until I call on her.

Ask Your Editor For Help

And I do call on her. Once I’ve written my draft and am ready to rewrite, I ask that internal editor for help.

For example, I once was hired to take sermon transcriptions and turn them into readable prose booklets. The minister never got a Bible quote exactly right so I developed an internal editor called Mildred. She was about 80-years-old, lived in Iowa and knew her Bible! (Apologies to all the Mildreds, Iowans and 80-year-olds). Mildred caused me to buy a good concordance and spend, in some cases, several hours finding the intended quote and making sure it was accurate in the booklets. Mildred still helps me with fact checking, particularly when I get bored or really tired of checking up on my own work.

That’s the kind of internal editor every writer wants and needs.

Of course, the help you request doesn’t have to be that specific. A simply “how can I make this sentence work better,” or “what’s the word I really want?” works too.

It takes some practice to really learn to work with your inner editor, but it can be done and it’s worth the effort.

Who else talks to their internal editor?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Hi Anne,

Long-time reader of your site – love it!

I recently lost my job in a massive corporate layoff. I’ve been blogging about my job search over the last 2 weeks.

A person contacted me saying that he likes my writing and is interested in me blogging about his new job search site with the emphasis being on my true experience with his site.

Now, I want to be compensated for my work, but his “partner” wonders how they can pay me and still get readers to believe I am an unbiased opinion.

I have nothing to gain – or lose – from writing my true opinion I get paid the same (SMALL) amount. The blog would be posted on my personal site and cross-posted to their site.

Do you have any ideas about how to handle this?

Cheers,

SC

Hi SC,

Glad you like the blog.

Sounds to me like the “partner” is trying to get out of paying anything to anyone.

Although I’m tempted to suggest you shout “do you think the author’s of Consumer Reports write for free?” that’s probably not the best approach.

I doubt if there’s any logical case you can make that will work. You could, I suppose, point out that all the bloggers over at About.com get paid and many readers trust them. That might work if the “partner” trusts About.com. Not everyone does. Even my son doesn’t and didn’t when I was writing for them.

You could gently point out that both review magazines and review sites are often paid.


Stand pat with your fee. If they don’t hire you it’s probably just as well.

And btw, congratulations on getting attention with your blog. What’s the link?

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro - that's me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email and put Q&A in the subject line so I can sort it out from spam and I'll do my best. Meanwhile, you'll find some Q&A's here: Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Today we have 62  freelance writing jobs, blogging jobs, editing jobs, translation jobs and creative gigs today.

How To Find and Land Freelance Writing Gigs is an ever growing category listing articles about how to get freelance writing jobs and the article, How to land a writing job is aimed at helping you when you apply to one of the freelance writing jobs listed here.

Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! A must-read if you’re new to freelance writing, editing, blogging or translating or new to looking for gigs online.

1. Hiring Nonfiction Freelance Writers! Suite101 currently has openings for nonfiction freelance writers across all subject matters. With over 4,000 writers, 24 million monthly readers and lifelong advertising royalties, Suite101 offers a well-established platform for getting published, read and paid. Apply to write for us today!
2. Ghost Writer Needed
3. Looking 4 newbie ghost Editor/writer
4. Blog Writer (technology, SEO, home improvement, decorations)
5. Screenplay Writers Needed ASAP
6. Online Writing Tutors
   
7. Business Information Writers
8. Traffic School Blogger
9. Looking for bloggers!
10. Portuguese ELT Writers and Editors
11. Text Permissions Editor
12. Psychology Writer Needed
13. Wanted: Obsessive Dancing with the Stars Watcher and Writer
14. Editor of Consumer Website
15. Funny, Smart Blogger/Evangelist for Business Research Publisher
16. Need web content writer to Finish Swimming Pool site
17. Hiring Folks Interested In Stocks, Options or Forex




18. Writer for A New Technology Website
19. Insurance agent needed to review manuscript
20. Gay & Lesbian Writers Wanted
21. Translators needed: Dari , Pashto, North Korean
22. Editor/writer wanted
23. Writers paid per article
24. Writers and editors for writing service
25. Health, Fitness and Nutrition Writers
26. Re-write content
27. Freelance Writer
28. Blogger/Social Networking Guru
29. Freelance Journalist
30. Experienced Writers Wanted
31. Super Creative Freelance Writers Sought: Education.com
32. News Writer/Editor with Radio and/or Office Background
33. Looking to hire Freelance Bloggers
34. Copy Editor Needed – Book/Magazine Experience
35. Wanted editor
36. Computer Security Bloggers Wanted
37. News Sub-Editor
38. Freelance Writers Wanted – Immediate Assignments Available
39. Freelance Legal Writer/Editor
40. Writer
41. Documents Editing
42. Massage Website Content
43. Grant writer with science/engineering background
44. Writer for web and marketing pieces
45. Need a Writer for a New Real Estate Website




46. Copywriting odd job, + future opportunities
47. Technology Writer w/ VC Knowledge
48. Looking for a writer/ editor to write a novel synopsis
49. Looking for Blog Writers to Write Quality Blog Posts on Their Blogs
50. Documentation Writer
51. Assistant Managing Editor
52. Write short articles about music education
53. Baseball Road Trip Authors
54. Proofreader Needed for Quick Turnaround
55. Proof reader Wanted
56. Bloggers – Must have own blog
57. Article Writers

Low Paying Gigs:

1. Poker Writer
2. Articles
3. Rotoinfo.com is looking For Aspiring And Experienced Fantasy Sports Wr

Might Be Worth Considering:

1. Educational Writer/Editor
2. Writer needed to help create a Novel

Canadian writing job seekers may find what they want at the Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs Blog.  Deb Ng publishes jobs at  FreelanceWritingGigs. Problogger also posts blogging jobs. Jennifer Mattern at All Freelance Writing.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Okay, earlier today I wrote about receiving criticism. Actually I whined a bit.

When I began to look closely at the comments I’d received on the piece that had come back causing me such anguish, nothing made sense. I kept thinking “but that’s not what I wrote… is it?”

I looked back through my files and sure enough I’d attached the wrong file.

Of course sending the wrong file is also a mistake, and it was all mine. As was the word I left out which Mike Liechty pointed out.

Both mistakes, however, when discovered, feel quite different inside me than what I felt at first.

Silly, really. But there you have it.

What I really regret is that I cost the editor some serious time editing the wrong document, and that I wasted a whole bunch of emotion.


On the other hand, if that’s the worst that ever happens I’m in pretty good shape actually.

Whew!

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Okay, you know I earn my living as a freelance writer – mostly through ghostwriting books.

Last week I took a totally different kind of freelance writing job because it offered the possibility of predicting income. In other words, if I did X pieces of freelance writing week I’d get $X – do more and I’d make more, etc.

Assuming I was successful, and I expected to be, I could control the income by the amount of work.

This morning the head of the company sent me an email indicating she didn’t really like some of what I’ve done.

You’d have thought she called me an awful person and made me believe it. I was crushed!

Then I was surprised at how I felt – like a rank beginner with my first writing rejection perhaps. (You can see I don’t always practice what I preach. See Rejection – The First Step To Successful Freelance Writing.)

Freelance Writer With Hurt Feelings

Honestly, I don’t know which was worse, the criticism or the tailspin over them I allowed myself to fall into.

Apparently these ego traps are simply part of being human. Of course, I had thought I was doing a decent, if not good job – but I wasn’t matching the owner’s expectations.

Now, she told me nicely and she pointed to what needed to be fixed. Didn’t matter. I was on the edge of a real pity party.

So I did what I do in a situation like that. I called a friend who I knew would listen first without judgement. Then, the friend asked me if I really believed someone else could make me feel badly about myself.

The answer of course is, at least in theory, no. I know I’m responsible for my own feelings, my own reactions.

Respond Rather Than React

I like to think I respond rather than react most of the time, and probably I do. That’s why I haven’t even attempted to reply to the owner yet.


I’m almost through this self-imposed storm. When I look at the email I see that she’s made a whole bunch of suggestions. In fact, I can tell she’d like me to succeed at this. Most people do want the people they hire to succeed. This gal is good at showing that; not everyone is.

My plan is to stretch, then read the email closely and decide if I want to give this another pass or not. My hunch is, however, I’ll see what she means, or at least know what questions to ask.

What do you do when you’re your writing is criticized?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/30268343@N00/292679211/

As a freelance writer you need to stay out of ruts. My father, years ago, passed along the bromide that “a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out.”

The best way to get out of a rut is to do something different. Reading different blogs is not only a way out of a rut, but can be plain fun and informative.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Successful (and outstanding) Blog(gers) – Liz Strauss is a hoot, and a heck of a business women who generously shares I think every single thing she knows and learns. Plus she’s fun.
2. WebWorkerDaily has a tag line of “rebooting the workforce.” I would say this blog is about business and technology. Although a lot of it is office based, they are careful to include freelancers quite often. You can pick up hints on all sorts of work related tech here.
3. jonathanfields – awake at the wheel – Jonathan is hard to define. Entrepreneur fits, so does father and husband.  He’s written a book called Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love which is certainly worth a read. The thing, however, I like most about him is his attitude of service. He truly wants to know how he can help and seems to have few preconceived ideas about how to do that.
4. IttyBiz –  Naomi Dunford is wonderfully fey about business and life. Her blog entries almost always make good sense; she offers lots of free stuff – what’s not to like?
5. DumbLittleMan – Started by Jay White who quickly added a nice handful of other writers, this is one of those blogs you’ll love part of the time and wonder why you bothered other times. I mean what can you really say about a blog that has both 10 Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn From Albert Einstein and 9 Great Reasons to Drink Water, and How to Form the Water Habit? Except that it’s worth following at least part of the time.
6. Seth Godin’s Blog – Why is he always looking up at his bald head? Never mind. Seth’s view of marketing and life can kick you out of any rut in a hurry. His books are good too.
7. Frog Blog is about marketing with a delightfully skewed or creative view. Is The American Dream Dead? isn’t exactly marketing, but worthwhile none-the-less; Creativity Is Messy | Creatives Can Be Cranky
8. ZenHabits – Creator Leo Babauta says this blog is about simple productivity. That seems limiting to me, although I suppose anything that helps us live simply and fully also is productive. In many ways, this is a blog I wish I’d thought of.

Whew. I usually only list four or five resources on Tuesday… got a bit carried away.

What’s your favorite non-writing website?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

On this International Women’s Day we have 66  freelance writing jobs, blogging jobs, editing jobs, translation jobs and creative gigs today.

Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! A must-read if you’re new to freelance writing, editing, blogging or translating or new to looking for gigs online.

How To Find and Land Freelance Writing Gigs is an ever growing category listing articles about how to get freelance writing jobs and the article, How to land a writing job is aimed at helping you when you apply to one of the freelance writing jobs listed here.

1. Hiring Nonfiction Freelance Writers! Suite101 currently has openings for nonfiction freelance writers across all subject matters. With over 4,000 writers, 24 million monthly readers and lifelong advertising royalties, Suite101 offers a well-established platform for getting published, read and paid. Apply to write for us today!
2. Psychologist to write on non-standard causes and cures for depression
3. Urgent need of qualified writer to conduct some writing projects
4. Writer for Short Marketing Presentation
5. Seeking creative spanish writer
6. Seeking Excellent Bloggers
7. Technical writer to update doc set for network core switches
   
8. Help Me Write A Business Plan
9. Seeking Superlative, Experienced Transcriptionists
10. Writer for A New Technology Website
11. Food writers needed
12. Need Copywriter for small web gig
13. Editor/writer wanted
14. 1 Web Site project
15. Looking for writers
16. Blogger/Social Networking Guru
17. Holistic Health Writer & Video Presenter
18. Book Proposal
19. Book of exercise for injuries
20. Technical Writer-Educational Materials in Accounting
21. Label Editor French Canadian
22. Freelance writer wanted
23. Online Web Content Producers
24. News & Politics – Freelance Writers
25. Consumer Review Bloggers Needed
26. Writing/research
27. Content Writers for Products & Services
28. Great writers and experts needed
29. Copywriter Wanted
30. Someone who can write an article with unique content
31. Medical marijuana news writers wanted
32. Write Press Releases for Fashion Brand
33. Video Game Reviews
34. Bloggers: Get Paid To Review
35. Writers-Style & Fashion Enthusiasts
36. Would you like to write about stocks, options or fx
37. Web Copy Editor for Publishing Technology Website
38. Writer for an established blog
39. Writer for Financial Website
40. Technical Writer with HTML skills
41. Fellow Soldier Needs a Soldier to Help write Combat Scenes
42. Food Service, Catering, Restaurant Business Blogger
43. Researcher/Writer For Upcoming Products & Technology
44. Looking for Blog Writers to Write Quality Blog Posts on Their Blogs
45. Music Bio Writer Wanted For Press Kit
46. Looking to hire a writer who can blog
47. Content Writer & Reviewer Needed
48. Business Writer / Technical Writer without entitlement complex
49. Portuguese Language Copywriter
50. Digital creative/producers/sales/marketing
51. Opportunity For Writers
52. Write short articles about music education
53. Call for Politically Progressive and Lefty Health and Food Bloggers
54. Writing help needed for Political help




55. Pet Loving Bloggers Needed
56. Need grant writer
57. Blogger
58. South American Explorers Online Magazine – 126 Indian Creek Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Email: magazine-at-saexplorers.org. Website: http://www.saexplorers.org/magazine Lucy Cousins, Editor. “SAE is a travel/research magazine that strives to publish weird and wonderful articles you won’t find anywhere else.” 80% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Quarterly. Publishes ms up to 6 months after acceptance. Responds 1 month. Sample available for download from their website. Subscription: membership to the organization ($60) includes a myriad of other travel related services. Guidelines by email. CURRENT NEEDS: “Articles about little known areas, histories or countries in Latin America.” Minimum 500 words, maximum 1600. Submit query by email. Pays $25 per article. PHOTOS/ART: Digital only. At least 3 photos per article. HINTS: “We love first person travel tales, and well researched destination articles.”
59. Writer for A New Technology Website!

Low Paying Gigs:

1. Seeking mobile phones junky to write reviews of the latest phones
2. I need Cooking Bloggers
3. Blog About Writing and Literature!

Might Be Worth Considering:

1. Marketing Coordinator
2. In Need of Sports Bloggers
3. Need Blog Writers
4. New Publisher Seeking Manuscripts – Not Vanity

Canadian writing job seekers may find what they want at the Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs Blog.  Deb Ng publishes jobs at  FreelanceWritingGigs. Problogger also posts blogging jobs. Jennifer Mattern at All Freelance Writing.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Once again we have a global day for women’s rights. Within the notion that women should have the same rights as men and within the history of struggle for those rights there are an amazing number of things a freelance writer might choose to explore and write about.

In the interests of full disclosure, in case anyone who reads this blog is in doubt, I support equality for women. So the links here support that position around the world and right here in the United States.

In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, activists against slavery, had a conference about women’s rights  that resulted in what’s known as the Seneca Falls Declaration.

In 1972 both houses of congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment which said in total:

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

It failed to be ratified by the states.

In 1979 the UN held The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The U.S., along with Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Nauru, Palau, and Tonga, has failed to ratify the convention. (1)

Eve Ensler’s (best known for the The Vagina Monologues) new book, I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World is a powerful celebration and lament about what it’s like to be female. An excerpt, which when read aloud becomes almost a rap song is worth a read.

To bring it back to what we mostly do here, any one of these and many more are possible writing topics.

What do you think?

(Added later) And if you think women are not so vulnerable in the US, read this.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

When you’re writing books, white papers, marketing collateral, or other project longer than a single article you’ll often be asked for a proposal.

Doug Stern, a marketing writer, tells you his six tips for successful proposal writing. Doug also has a nifty blog about on business writing and marketing strategy called Observed.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.