June 23, 2008
Obviously, I have been challenged by posting regularly to this blog. I love to write, but my time-management issue and full-time job keep getting in the way. I have so many thoughts that I wish to write down. Once again, I am making a comittment to posting at least twice weekly.
My writing is getting pushed further and further down on my list of priorities. Although my “job” is okay, it is not where I want to spend my life. I have been bitten by the freelancing bug and really do not want to work for anyone else.
Why am I still prioritizing working and not writing? Perhaps, I am lacking the confidence to know I really have the talent to write or the time to really learn the nuances of the craft. The prospect of no security scares me as well. I keep thinking I just am not ready to do what I really want.
So, I am taking small steps to reach my goals. I will focus more on writing regularly in shorter amounts of time. This should give me some time to make a plan to get me writing regularly.
May 9, 2008
The only reason I include this writing first is because it is what I have done as a day job for awhile. I do think it requires more skill than what I initially thought it would.
Resume writing requires a brief writing style. It is great for developing the ability to use action verbs and eliminate excess verbiage. Short and to the point is the rule. Filler is not a good idea, so it does develop the ability to write “tightly.”
Non-writing skills are important to resume writers, though. Interviewing and gathering information is a necessity. If a client is not able to voice what they do at work, it is the resume writer’s job to pull that information out if the client and put it on paper. This is a skill that benefits other writing, especially article writing that requires interviews.
Another crucial skill is the ability to format and layout words on the page. If a resume is not attractive, then it will not be noticed or worse. Learning how to format documents in a word processing software program is a must. I am hoping to learn more so I can use this skill to write brochures or something similar.
Is resume writing actually writing? I think it is. The results are not usually published, but a good resume requires a great deal of planning and and tight concise writing. Both of these skills are important to any form of writing.
Can I make a living at it? I already do to a point, although my current position requires much more of me than just the resume writing portion. Would I want to work only writing resumes? I don’t think so. Resume writing is a very narrow focus and I enjoy too many other areas of writing.
Soon, I hope to build my business and add resume writing to one of the services I provide, though.
May 3, 2008
Given that I have been reading quite a few conversations about types of writing on various blogs, I thought I would explore a few types of writing. I will try and do an entry on each one. I seem to be able to sort things out better on paper than other ways.
Here are the topics I would like to discuss: Resume Writing, Blogging, Article Writing for magazines, business writing/copy writing, fiction writing, poetry and web writing. Most of these overlap a bit, but these are some categories I want to think about.
What do you enjoy writing? Are your money makers the same?
April 11, 2008
Working full time and trying to write on the side stinks. I love to write and want to put my words out there. Some days, I just don’t have the energy to give the writing as much effort as I want. I am really discouraged, because I read way too much and write too little. I realize now how much goes into writing for income. It is such a mish mash of skill, marketing and hard work.
On the up side, I have completed one of my goals and read the book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer. It did give me a great deal of information. I just have to get my nerve up and start querying more. I have sent out a few queries, but not heard anything in reply. At least if I get rejections, I know I am not just sending letters into space.
I bit the bullet and tried paying for GURU. So far, it is a waste of my time. Perhaps I am bidding too high or I just don’t have the requisite stars beside my name, but nothing. I don’t think I will continue paying once my subscription runs out. It drives me mad, because I fight the tendancy to apply for everything that remotely might interest me just to see if I can get any result.
Now it is back to work, write, sleep…
March 19, 2008
I have not been writing, because I have been studying all that goes into writing. Do I have the ability to sort through all the information and do what I need to do?
I am on information overload. I have been reading about freelance writing, grammar, markets and just about anything else related to writing. My mind can not seem to wrap around all of it anymore.
My ideas on writing topics have disappeared relative to the amount of information I have stuffed in my brain. They seem to be gone. Now that I have a small grasp on the amount of information I need to know about freelance writing, I can’t seem to write anything.
I am terrified that I will never be able to sit down and write quality articles or work. I know I am capable of writing well, but I still can’t focus enough to start. There is still so much information I need to know.
On top of this, I believe I have shot myself in the foot on several potential jobs. This place makes it pretty clear that I am new to the whole writing world. The Internet allows any potential employers to know it as well. I am still trying to figure out the best course of action to follow.
I am learning, though. Learning a great deal.
