For someone who likes writing, being a freelancer is a dream job. On paper. You have a flexible schedule. You get to pick and choose the jobs you do. You act as your own boss. Insert any number of the other advantages here. But I think that often, we all get too caught up in the advantages that we never really take our current happiness into account. Let me explain what I mean.
When someone asks me what I do, I usually spend more than a few minutes explaining my job. I noticed recently that I always end the explanation by …read more

Earlier today, I wrote about normal business hours and how it is my opinion that it isn’t necessarily better for every freelancer to work during the day. I work at night and, in fact, I’m writing this post well in advance and scheduling it to appear on Bizzia. As you’re reading this, I’m probably still sleeping.
Just because it isn’t perfect for every writer to keep traditional business hours doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t keep business hours at all. Let me tell you a short story:
A few years ago, I was dating someone with a schedule that was against every …read more

One of the best parts about my job is that I have a flexible schedule. It doesn’t mean that I work less – for every hour I take off, I have to work an hour when I’d normally be enjoying some free time. I had to actually explain that to my boyfriend, who didn’t really see that misplacing hours of work means that they just move, not completely disappear. But I digress. The point is, flexibility as a freelancer is definitely a bonus.
Could some people take flexibility too far, though?
If you have a family (especially one with children), chances are …read more

I’ve met writers who have been insulted when asked to write in plainer language. I can understand that, I suppose – working hard on something only to be told that it is too advanced in terms of reading level can be frustrating.
“Dumbing down” your article, however, doesn’t mean that you have to dumb down the content. You can still create an informative, even technical, article, even if you’re writing for a junior high reading level, rather than for a group of college professors. Here are some tips for making revisions that take your text to an easier reading level without …read more

This is one of the most commonly confused words that I see when I’m reading articles online. One means “not moving” and the other means “writing paper and related materials.” So, as I have been, I ask you – do you know which is which?

I went to the gym to ride a stationary bike.
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My grandmother gave me a custom stationery set for graduation.

When something is stationary, it is still. When you want to write a letter, you need stationery. This is a fairly easy set of words because there aren’t weird exceptions to the rule.
Most people, myself included, remember the …read more

After a week off, I’m back with contests and giveaway for you guys and gals. Don’t be too jealous – I wasn’t on vacation; I was dealing with the flu. Thank goodness that’s passed.
It’s time for this week’s edition of prizes for writers. There are some great contests to enter this week, so check them out.
If you entered all of the contests last week, the old listings are marked with an asterisk so you can avoid entering them again.
Just to be clear, you can’t enter any of these contests here (unless otherwise specified). You have to visit the blog sponsoring …read more

The words fewer and less are confused just as commonly as words that sound the same, which I think happens because we’re never taught the right one to use. At least, I wasn’t when I was in grade school. Fewer and less generally mean the same thing, but one is used in conjunction with countable items and the other is used with more abstract on uncountable items. Which is which?

John has fewer apples than Joe.
My glass has less water than yours.

In general, fewer should always be used if a number cab be associated with the statement. For example, I could …read more

I’m guilty of mixing up these two words. One means to have an influence on someone or something. The other means a result or outcome. Which is which?

Jane was visibly affected by the news that her dog had died.
There are side effects to most medications.

In short, affect is a verb and effect is a noun, in most cases. I remember this by thinking that affect is an action. 99% of the time, this will work to help you place the right word in your sentence.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Affect can be a noun if you’re describing …read more

Many people never even realize that there are two spellings of the word compliment/complement. One means a nice word you give to someone to flatter or praise them. It can be used as both a noun and a verb. The other refers to two things that go well together. It can also be used as both a noun and a verb. Which is which?

Jane complimented Joe on his new shirt.
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Jane and Joe are best friends. They complement one another well.

Here are two ways to remember the difference:

Complement, with an E, refers to two things that go together, like a couple. …read more

As freelance writers, we don’t punch a time clock or wear a uniform. We aren’t 9-to-5-ers, unless we want to be, of course. We have a beautiful job that encourages us to be creative. But it doesn’t always feel that way.
Sometimes, it can feel sluggish and boring and monotonous. Sometimes it feels like clients just want as many articles as possible, all about the same topic. Sometimes it feels like you can’t write fast enough. The beauty gets lost in our work because we’re too focused on the business of writing.
Anything you write, from the next chapter in your work-in-progress …read more