Accepting My Gift

I am getting more writing done than ever.

I am getting better at writing.

I'm loving writing.

I'm not shy to say I write.

I'm not shy to say I write and sell articles.

I'm comfortable with my gift at last.


One day back in around 2004, I was looking for my next significant calling in life beyond being an Executive Assistant and then an at-home mom.  I recall seeing a neighbour home during the day.  I had never met her, but I began to imagine what I thought she did for a living.  I can't explain why, but I imagined she was a writer.  I didn't narrow down who she wrote for or where she got projects.  I just imagined her life as a writer, if she indeed was one, must have been very fulfilling and high paying.  I was actually jealous.

That was before I realized just how hard it is to get writing gigs and make sales.  That was before I realized the publishing business was going into the dumper and writers were paid actually paid peanuts unless they were a major author.  That was before I actually considered myself a writer.  That was before I'd earned any money as a writer.

Well, as it turned out, this neighbour was not a writer.  She'd been laid off from a job and was in between work as--guess what?  An executive assistant!

What I find very funny is now I am that woman I imagined.  I am a writer who gets to drink coffee at a comfy desk in a home office.  I get to manage my workload and use my talent.  I get to find clients and try to sell my work.  I am a writer!
 

What Makes You a Writer?

What makes you a writer?  Every writer can write her own definition.  To say that I have the only definition of a writer would be completely contrary to the open and free less-ruled life today's generation of artists enjoy.  You see today, innovation is king.

Innovation changes the world.  It happens when someone takes a creative idea and puts it into trial.  As a writer you are free to try whatever your creative mind desires.

Is the outcome the measurement of whether or not you're a writer?  If you're putting out writing, then you are a writer.  If you have a piece to show, then you are a writer.  If you show a piece publicly, you are even more a writer.  If you sell a piece, you are truly a writer.  If you write a piece someone else reads or sings, you are a very creative writer.  If you write something that becomes a great and well-known hook, you're an acclaimed writer.

If the piece you put out is poorly written you are a writer who writes poorly.  If the piece you put out is too odd and unique for some, you may be a writer before your time or a niche writer.

A writer is not someone that takes writing courses, journalism classes, or is a member of a writers' guild, that is, not unless they are completing pieces and sharing them.  Just being part of a writing club does not make you a writer.  That is why I laugh when I see advertisements that require an applicant have a degree in journalism.  The question is, have they written anything since school?

Write and complete pieces.  Put your writing out there.  Proudly say you are a writer.

Wanting to Write a Book?

Be leary of self-publishing sites.  There are many.  Some merely want to make money off you and print a book that will never sell.  Why would they turn down someone who's willing to give them several hundreds of dollars to produce something that costs them little?

Read the small print.  Sometimes a publisher retains the rights to your material.  Some will only pay you a small royalty.  Some will restrict where and how you can sell. 

Do you want to make $0.10 or $1,000?

If you merely want a coffeetable book, or one to hand out for free at a special event, and you don't care about earning money and retaining full rights then it matters less. 

If you want to earn from your book, though, you will want a few things included:

• Good editing.  Don't believe publishing houses that tell you your book doesn't need editing.  Another set of eyes is always helpful. 
• A realistic deal that helps you profit from sales.
• A good marketing plan.

Get Your Agreement and Order Right

Agreement and order. 

As I wrote an article for a client wanting real estate articles for his publication, it dawned on me how easily we can skim over agreement and order.  I know there's probably a more official name for it, but I'm not an official type of writer, so forget it.

Here's an example of what I mean.  Look at this:

Rent or Buy Housing:  What is Better for You?  (title)

(body)
Rent or own, there are reasons for both...  (improper)
Rent or buy, there are reasons for both...(proper, notice it reflects the wording in the title.  Of course buy means the same thing as own, it just is better to use the same wording.)

...in their lifetime most will have both bought and rented... (improper)

...in their lifetime most will have both rented and bought... (proper, words are in same order as title)

 

...is a time to rent and a time to own...(improper)

...is a time to rent and a time to buy...(proper)

Now in this blog post, I could have said, "it's easy how we can skim over our order and agreement.."  but notice that would have the words "agreement" and "order" in reverse order.  Get it?

 

 

Do You Have the Urge to Write?

Often a writer will know she loves to write, but jumps from there to asking what will I do with my writing?  Writers often want the reassurance that their writing isn't time wasted. 

When it comes to being a writer, the first person that needs to be convinced is often the writer herself.  If she is to fulfill her life call as a writer, though, she must resist the urge to view it as merely a  dream.  There are bigger reasons she loves to write.  There is a world to bless.

WHAT MAKES A WRITER A SUCCESS?

Successful writers include both those whose unpaid writing stirs, guides or blesses others as well as those who earn pay for their writing.  A writer needs to be convinced that she had been given the gift of writing for reasons beyond herself. 

If you're to fulfill your life calling and love to write, then write.  Then publish it online.  Try to sell it.  Publish in print.  Get it out there for eyes to see.


 

Don't Let What You Don't Know Stop You

Do you ever feel stupid when someone points out a grammar mistake you've made, say on your blog?  Ever feel stupid when you mispell a word or the name of a President or Prime Minister?  Do you feel you rely on Google Search too much as a writer?

Don't let grammar and mispellings stop you from writing.  I have sent in many articles only to have my editors use the harsh words "rejected" due to errors. I'm regularly surprised at errors I make and rules I never knew.

Here's the thing about writers that makes errors okay.  Writers are like meat grinding machines.  That's right, I said meat grinding machines.  I'm picturing the kind of little hand-powered tool my mother used to use to mince either ham or Spam with pickles to make the most delightful little crustless sandwiches for a church function. 

Writers do more than put out writing.  They take something--anything common in life--like ham or Spam--and somehow are able to make it into something more, something new, something spicy.  Writers can make a story or life lesson out of just about anything.  It's how their grinding tool--or rather noggin works.

If you're like me, your noggin is churning all the time, and that is what makes you a writer!  And for that you are forgiven of errors! 

What's Your Tone?

Tone varies from person to person, post to post, article to article.  There is a time and purpose for every tone.

Today, most online articles are written in a conversational tone, which is a giant leap from the "reporting" or "speech giving" tone of yesterday.

Even a conversational tone can vary.  You may chose to "converse" tongue-in-cheek, you may choose to use slang, you may choose to use sarcasm, you may use assertive or powerful words.

Practice a variety of styles and see what works for you. 

If you're trying to brand yourself, you will want to stay with one style.

Writing Online Content

It is imperative content writers learn to write quick and snappy paragraphs.  Most readers today are scanners.  The quicker they can absorb information, the quicker they can move on.

For this reason, many conventional writing rules are broken.  Today's writing requires more paragraph breaks so that paragraphs are short and easily readable.  No long explanations are needed.  Getting to the point quickly is key.

ONLINE CONTENT WRITING TIPS

The most popular ways to write successful content include:

1. Short snappy sentences.
2. Numbered lists.
3. Bolded headings.
4. Modern terminology.
5. Editing out unnecessary wording and explanations.

Adding a closing statement is still suggested.  End your article with a sentence or two that ties it all in together.  This way your reader isn't left hanging.  When you write your next piece of web content, see if you've included most these tips.

Where to Get Your Web Content

One of the places I sell articles, website blurbs, blog content, etc. is through Constant-Content.com.
 
Finding Constant-Content was really a miracle in the making for a writer like me.  It was even an answer to prayer!  One day I did some Google searching for places to sell articles.  I'd been registered with Elance as a writer for some time by then, but wasn't getting work.  During my search, I discovered a few places other places to try and one was Constant-Content.

I tried writing for Constant-Content and had three articles accepted right away.  They have a tough editing process where every article submitted is carefully scrutinized, so you can imagine how I felt getting those three articles pushed through so quickly.  I then sold my first article within the same month of starting to write and submit to them.  How energizing!

Who buys articles, blurbs and blog content from writers?  There are millions of people who need articles for their websites or online magazines.  They may want articles related to what services they offer or sell, fillers, or fresh content to keep their site optimized.

Writing articles is time consuming and it often makes sense for website owners to purchase the rights to use pre-written articles as they wish.    Some of these buyers spell out the details of what they need.  Others scroll through the extensive collection already written and still available.

Articles generally sell between $20 and $60.