Writer-Reminders
.... the
weekly ezine for sidetracked writers.
May 17, 2005 -
Six-Figure Freelancing / Writing by Hand
Thought for the Week -
Review of Six-Figure Freelancing by Kelly James-Enger
Do you have authors where you read everything they
write? One of my favorite authors on writing is Kelly
James-Enger, and guess what? She has a new book called
Six-Figure Freelancing, and it is perfect for those of
you who want to take your freelancing career to the next
level.
Kelly explains how she went from zero to six figures,
and then takes you by the hand and shows you how to do
it, too. In the beginning, she has you assess your money
mindset and freelancing mindset to see if you are
actually ready to be a successful full-time freelancer.
She gets into the logistics of making it work -- and
uses profiles of several other successful freelancers to
give you more than one opinion. Chapter 6 is one of my
favorites because it includes 40 pages of how-tos with
actual queries, follow up letters, cover letters and
proposals that worked.
You'll learn how to use re-slanting and reprints to
write less and earn more. Don't forget to check out
chapter 8 which has a combination of tips to help you
better manage your time. My favorites were the tips on
interviewing and the formula for writing profile pieces.
It's incredibly inspiring to hear exactly how people
have made their writing careers work. If you're shooting
for a six-figure writing career, be sure to order this
new book:
Finally, let me say thanks for being the best subscribers
on the planet. I am very lucky to have such wonderful
readers! Thank you!
P.P.S. I'm doing a short,
two-question survey on book marketing. Could you
help me by answering it anonymously? (If you want to
include your email, I'll make sure you are the first to
hear about this new project):
Wouldn't it help to be mentored by a really successful freelance writer?
Linda Formichelli, magazine writer and co-author of The Renegade Writer, is
starting an 8-week e-course on breaking into magazines.
Each lesson will walk you through one part of the publishing process -- from
thinking up salable ideas to sending out a winning query letter -- and include
an assignment. The course, which costs $99 per month for two months, includes
unlimited e-mail support and starts June 5th.
Tech Help: Writing by Hand vs. Using a
Handheld Computer
This week, I received a very good question from a reader (thanks, Anne!)
about using a portable handheld computer/PDA and keyboard combination if you
currently do most of your writing by hand with a paper and pen.
If you are considering switching, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1)How much time do I spend retyping my handwritten notes? Is this a big
time-eater for me, and does it prevent me from finishing some of my writing?
(I type fast so having an easy way to go to a meeting/go to a coffee shop/be
anywhere and whip out my little keyboard is a huge time-saver).
2) When and where do you currently write? Are there a lot of other situations
where you would write if it were easier?
For example, let's say you work full-time and could write during your lunch
hour. Being able to whip out a handheld computer and keyboard would take one of
the steps out of the process -- when you get home that evening, you'd just hit
the hot sync button and your document would be on your regular computer.
Could you write by hand and then retype it later? Yes. Would it take longer than
typing directly in the computer? Absolutely.
The other thing to consider is whether the physical act of writing on paper
feeds your creativity.
For a few things, I need pen and paper (journaling) but for most stuff, I don't,
and the extra step of writing and retyping was frustrating to the point that I
wouldn't do it, and I just end up with piles of ideas on paper. But when I can
get it directly in the computer, it looks more ready-to-go, it's easier to edit
and I can save my writing in a computer folder where I can easily find it back
later.
If you are a paper person, before you buy a handheld computer and keyboard, I'd
experiment with typing directly on your regular computer to make sure that with
a little practice, you will write the same way even when you are typing instead
of writing.
If you are a hunt-and-peck typist, the handheld/keyboard combination probably
isn't the solution for you.
But you have two other options.
The handheld computers also have an onscreen keyboard you can tap (which I like) and
handwriting recognition software (which I don't like). Many people I've worked
with, including my husband, love the handwriting recognition software called
Graffiti on the Palm(R) handheld computers. You can see a sample here: http://www.palmone.com/us/products/input/graffiti2_alphabet.pdf
When you write the characters in this special way, the computer automatically
converts them into typed characters. It drove me crazy but a lot of people I
know use Graffiti and love it.
Here's a link to my favorite inexpensive handheld computer model
and the collapsible keyboard:
I hope that helps you decide if a handheld computer is for you!
Happy organizing! Julie
Like Organized
Writer.com? You'll love the ebook.....
"Julie, I am sending a quick note to thank you for your well measured and extra-ordinary website. You have
a tremendous amount of information at a very reasonable cost. I subscribed to your free site and, for the
first time in forty years of writing, found a planner that works for me.
I felt so guilty for receiving so much information free from your
site that I have now ordered and downloaded the e book. I have found that you have struck a cord among so
many writers regarding procrastination and simple organization. Keep up the good work.
-- Raymond Freeman
M T W T F S S
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. Declutter (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. Read (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Assess (30 seconds to 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. Write (at least 5 minutes)
Weekly Checklist
For freelance writers: Use this weekly checklist to find, write and send a query every week of
2005!
Monday
__ Make notes on a new idea.
Tuesday: Accounting Day
__ Post your accounting records.
__ Pay bills.
__ Follow up on outstanding invoices and queries.
Wednesday
__ Find a new market using links below.
Thursday: Errand Day
__ Make copies.
__ Return books to library.
__ Make deposit at bank.
Friday
__ Finish query and submit.
__ Match your query to the market.
Saturday Weekly Review
__ How was this week?
__ What's up next week?
__ Review your Projects list in your planner and check the
status.
__ Jot the next action steps for your projects on next week's
calendar.
__ Backup your computer files.
__ Virus scan your computer.
__ Update windows software at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
__ Update Microsoft(R) office software at http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx
Sunday
__ Relax and enjoy!
__ Do something fun today!
Thanks for visiting Writer-Reminders! If you have comments,
success stories, or suggestions, reply to this message or e-mail
me at :julie@writer-reminders.com
Your privacy is very important to me. Your email address will never be
sold by Writer-Reminders. For more on Yahoo's privacy policy, visit http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/
Copyright 2002-2005 Finally Organized LLC. All rights reserved worldwide. This
newsletter is provided with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other
professional services. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be
sought.
Writer-Reminders and OrganizedWriter.com provide links to other Internet
sites solely as a convenience to its users.
Writer-Reminders and OrganizedWriter.com do not guarantee, approve or
endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a
link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to
Writer-Reminders and
OrganizedWriter.com.
