Staying motivated is one of the hardest parts of freelance writing, in my opinion. Writer’s block. Inspiration. The desire to work and do well. Some days, the sun is shining and the pool is calling my name…and I don’t really care how many articles are left unfinished on my plate.

Image: sxc.hu

So, I want to know how you guys and gals stay motivated. If you have five minutes of time, I’d love to hear your answers to a little motivation and writer’s block questionnaire I’ve created. I’ll post responses here (along with links back to your website(s)) starting next month!

If you’re interested in answering the four questions, email me at allison-at-abcontentonline.com with “Writer’s Questions” in the subject line!

So I’m on the mend. I don’t ache any more and any fever is long gone. My nose is stuffy and I have a nasty cough that seems to be loosening up. I still, however, feel fuzzy this morning. Which means I don’t really have a good idea for “da d**n blog.”

So I’ll take the easy way out and present some oldie but goodies from way back when:

1. Getting Started in Freelance Writing with Community Newspapers
2. Reading Is So Much A Part Of Writing
3. After Rejection
4. When In Doubt, Just Start
5. Writing Clients Come and Go

Hmmmm, that’s five which is probably more than enough for a single morning. Nothing magic in any of them. You still have to put your behind in the chair and your hands on the keyboard and words on the screen, then paper if you want to be a 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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

I just posted some 63 freelance writing, editing and translation jobs. There are more, but one of the sites I count on was down. I’m sure it will be back up soon, but I’m going back to bed.

Apparently two or three hours at a time is all the last gasp of this flu will allow.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

http://aboutfreelancewriting.com/store/books.htm

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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

Sorry everyone, I got a flu shot last week and it put me down low… am better, but no way am I going to get jobs up today.

See you all Wednesday.

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.

Ugh! Some days it takes me longer to post freelance writing jobs than others… no real clue why.

Today, we end the week with 53 Freelance Writing, Editing and Translating Jobs.

That’s a total of 172 jobs you can do from home for you this week - not bad.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

Yesterday was Blog Action Day; the subject was poverty. One of our commenters, Nicole LaMarco, who blogs at Your Writing Career also blogs at Loving Liberty. Her entry there yesterday was called: 20,000 People Died Yesterday.

When I read that entry I realize I’ve never been hungry and probably won’t ever be no matter what I might say if my lunch is delayed.

Like Nicole I regularly donate stuff I don’t use. Sometimes I do it formally, like to Goodwill, sometimes I put it on the street where it’s always picked up by people who can use it.

And as she suggests, we can all do more, without a whole lot of effort.

Thanks Nicole!

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.

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)

If you had any doubt I have no understanding of the freelance job market, the fact that I just posted 73 Freelance Writing, Blogging, Editing and Translation Jobs should convince you I have absolutely no idea why or when there will be lots of jobs to post.

Good luck; there are some cool jobs on the list today.

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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

Yesterday I posted a video about Blog Action Day. If you missed it, it’s worth a look.

Today is the day. I work to make the goal of a world that works for everyone (the vision of The United Church of Religious Science). Part of what I’ve learned is that I haven’t got a clue about how to end poverty or create a world that works for everyone. Instead, I now ask “how can I help?” and then try to listen closely.

I contribute to Heifer because they listen and they do more than just give. They work to help the people they help become truly self-supporting.

Self-sufficiency combined with sustainability would seem to be one good place to start.

What’s your solution or poverty ending idea?

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 used with permission from http://site.blogactionday.org/

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Poverty is the topic of Blog Action Day 2008 which is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15th. The idea is to generate a world around conversation about solving poverty thought the power of blogs.

Visit the site, promote the event and tomorrow share your best ideas on how we can end poverty. You’ll be one of thousands so if you write about ending poverty tomorrow, come back here and post your blog’s link here. I’d love to know what you’re saying.

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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
I’m trying to put together a freelance writing career while raising my two kids. It dawned on me that I’ve got a bunch of tips I’d like to share with other mothers. I don’t know how to put together a query for a magazine, which is what I think I need to do first. Can you help me?

KP

Hi KP,

Thanks for the question. Let me unpack it a bit.

First of all, you can market a series of tips one at a time to magazines that like that sort of thing.

You can turn your tips into a full-length article.

A query letter could be used to see if you can get an assignment for either approach.

A query letter is a short sales letter that tells the prospective editor what you want to write and why you’re the best person to write it.

I usually start queries with the first sentence or two of the proposed article and I work hard to hook the editor just as I’d hook the reader into wanting to know more. Then I state why I’m the best one to write the article. This is followed with information about the proposed length, and experts I’ll be quoting if I am, how long after the assignment it will take me to get it written, etc.

Once I’m sure the query letter is as interesting and as perfect as I can make it, it goes by snail mail, addressed to the right editor and with an Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE). If the magazine accepts queries by email I follow their instructions which often means I’ll just email the query to them. When this is the case, I always email a copy to myself first to make as sure as I can everything looks good. I don’t send attachments unless specifically instructed to.

You can view a sample query letter here.

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro - that’s me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email to me at anne@annewayman.com 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 licensed by http://www.sxc.hu