Archive for March, 2008
Writing about what you don’t know
We’ve all heard the adage only write about what you know. But why should you limit yourself? Why not branch out — not only can it be more interesting, it can also be more profitable. Wondering how to do it? Then read this post at Freelance Folder.
One of the things that I love about writing [...]
Where do you write?
Over at the Contented blog, Rachel McAlpine talks about her setup for writing. Her optimal writing area may surprise you.
But she does make a good point:
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you find you can’t get cracking on a writing project. There are genuine barriers, and one of them is finding the [...]
Write an ebook in a week
Ebooks can be great marketing tools. They showcase your knowledge and expertise, and (I hope) demonstrate that you can explain and express an idea clearly. Heck, a well-written ebook can also make you a few dollars if you pick the right subject and are able to draw in buyers.
But the problem is finding the time [...]
Don’t think about it, write it!
Over the years, I’ve met people who claimed to have wanted to become writers. But they wrote little or nothing. Their excuses were many and varied, ranging from “I’m waiting for the right inspiration to begin” to “I still need to do a little more research.” My response to those excuses was less than sympathetic, [...]
Writing with a wiki
Recently, I installed a wiki on my Web site. Why? I decided to try working on a few projects with a wiki rather than (or sometimes in conjunction with) Google Docs or Writeboard.
I tried that experiment a couple of years ago with a great wiki service called PBWiki. But, for some reason or another, various [...]
How to drive away readers
I don’t have to tell you that writing is a tough racket. What can help make or break your career is whether or not you can attract and keep readers. Not just to a blog or a Web site, but to an online or print publication, to corporate writing, and more.
There are a number of [...]
The 60 second writing challenge
When I started writing seriously (even before I went pro), I made myself write an op-ed type essay each day. I usually wrote each essay in one sitting, and gave myself an hour to complete them. I also gave myself the added challenge of a limited word count: between 300 and 500 words. So, I [...]
Make your writing clear and direct
We all like to think that our writing is clear, direct, and easy to understand. Sometimes, though, the reality is slight different. We use words and phrases that are either redundant or for which there are better substitutes.
Clear writing takes practice. And a bit of advice, like this blog post which examines three enemies of [...]
100 Web tools for freelancers
These days, using only desktop applications isn’t always enough. There will be times when you’re writing on the road or collaborating with others or just not at your own computer. In those (and other) cases, the Web becomes a very useful tool.
This list outlines 100 Web applications that you can use with your freelance writing [...]
Selling your content
A few weeks ago, I was talking with someone about the ebooks and reports that I have in the works, which I plan to sell off my Web site. This person, not a writer, gave me a quizzical look and said “Why would anyone buy that from you when they can get the same thing [...]