freelancing

Read more about the article A look back, a look ahead

A look back, a look ahead

I've been thinking a lot about work these past few months. It's in the zeitgeist, as we collectively as a society realize we can't keep hustling at 125% day in and day out while the world goes up in flames around us and we pretend everything's fine. It's on the minds of several of my ghostwriting clients, who are coaching their own clients through burnout and trying to find meaning in their lives. And it's been on my mind as I juggle writing thoughtful posts about burnout for said clients — while kickstarting From Big Idea to Book, racing up…

Read more about the article What I Learned in my 7th Year as a Freelance Writer

What I Learned in my 7th Year as a Freelance Writer

Photo by Carl Cerstrand on Unsplash Seven years ago this week, I was snowed in, stir crazy, and fighting off the certainty that I'd just made a huge mistake. And now — sans snow — I'm struggling with that fear again. (But more on the changes afoot here in a minute.) That snowy January seven years ago, my husband and I had just moved to Portland, OR. I'd worked my last shift at the Elysian Brewing Company, said goodbye to all our friends, and hung my shingle as a full time freelance copywriter. I was terrified. One year earlier, I'd worked…

Read more about the article What I Learned in my 6th Year as a Freelance Writer

What I Learned in my 6th Year as a Freelance Writer

(Welcome to my annual post about what I learned as a freelance writer this year!) Six years! Six years of working full time as a freelance writer, folks. I can barely believe it — it doesn't seem like that long ago I was trying to figure out how to even find a client. Lately when I'm feeling frustrated with life, my husband likes to remind me that I literally made my own job, and have been doing it successfully for longer than I've worked anywhere else. And I'm like, right. That is pretty badass. I'm saying that not to brag.…

Read more about the article On Medium: An Evernote Productivity System for Creatives

On Medium: An Evernote Productivity System for Creatives

I've had a few people ask about my to-do list/productivity system recently, so I decided to write an in-depth post about it. It's basically an Evernote notebook that I set up based on David Allen's Getting Things Done method – essentially, a digital version of his series of folders and notes. In it, I plan out my tasks for the week and keep track of all the bigger picture projects I have going on in my life. As a bonus, because it's in Evernote, I can link to other notes and subfolders within the program. (I love Evernote.) For a long time…

Read more about the article 9 Ways To Invest in Your Writing Business

9 Ways To Invest in Your Writing Business

(Fun fact!: 500,000 Venezuelan bolivares used to be worth about $300 USD. It is now worth $0 USD because they reissued their currency. Change your unstable currencies in the airport *before* you fly home, kids!) I like to set a theme for each year — particularly for my freelance writing business. This year’s theme? Pruning back the wrong opportunities, and investing in my business. Of course, I’ve been investing in my business all along. I joined the Freelance Writers Den. I took classes with people like Carol Tice and Ed Gandia. I invested in the software and tools, like Freshbooks…

Read more about the article Is Quitting Your Job to Pursue Your Passion BS? Yes and No.

Is Quitting Your Job to Pursue Your Passion BS? Yes and No.

A friend of mine posted an article on Facebook the other day and I can't quite get it out of my head: Quitting Your Job to Pursue Your Passion is Bullshit, by Janelle Quibuyen. Go take a read. It’s short. If you read the comments you’ll see that a lot of people missed Janelle’s point – which is that the freelance life is sold with a lot of fluffy words and romance, and that those romantic ideas tend to place higher value on a lifestyle which often comes with unexamined privilege. Her point is that when we romanticize “living your passion”…

Read more about the article Jessie and the Dictator—Increasing Productivity with Dragon Dictation

Jessie and the Dictator—Increasing Productivity with Dragon Dictation

About four months ago I finally bit the bullet and threw down the $150 for a copy of Dragon Dictation by Nuance. It seemed like every writing podcast I listened to was extolling the virtues of using dictation software. I was going to write 5,000 words an hour. I was going to be 1000% more productive. I would never have wrist pain again. I was going to lose weight, and probably live longer. It sounds like a lot to ask from a speech-to-text program, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably as skeptical as I was as I typed…

Read more about the article Three Brains Are Better than One: How Accountability Groups Keep Me On Track

Three Brains Are Better than One: How Accountability Groups Keep Me On Track

On Thursday, I fired up my computer at 8 AM to get on Skype. I’m normally working that early already – or at least putting the kettle on and checking email – but I try to avoid conversating with the outside world until later in the day. Thursday, I didn’t have a choice. It was already 11am Stephanie's time and 6 PM Ayelet's time in Israel. Plus, we had a special occasion to celebrate: our two-year "Grupoversary". Although we've never met in person, Stephanie and Ayelet have become an important part of my life over the last two years – they’re my freelance…

Read more about the article What I Learned In My 2nd Year As A Full-Time Writer

What I Learned In My 2nd Year As A Full-Time Writer

My most popular post on this blog was last year’s look back at being a full-time writer in 2014. My goal in writing that post – and this one – is to share my story with others who are just dipping their toes into making a living with their writing. And, of course, others like me who are managing to make it pay the bills, but aren’t at “guru” status just yet. :) At the end of every year, I like to do a client analysis that helps me get a grasp on where I’m spending my time, and what are…

Read more about the article The Zen of a Writer’s Finances: Cheating the Feast or Famine Cycle

The Zen of a Writer’s Finances: Cheating the Feast or Famine Cycle

Am I kidding? "Writer's finances" and "zen" in the same sentence? For most writers I know, talking about the financials of how we make a living is completely antithetical to feeling calm and zen-like. There's the stress of finding paying gigs. Of selling stories. Of late checks. Of deadbeat clients. Things are messy and complicated, and far too close to the edge of total ruin than most of us would like to admit. Maybe you've already seen this Salon article about writers who are sponsored by their well-off partners. If not, give it a read. It's thoughtful – and thought-provoking. I'm…