A Blog in the Life of a Writer

Lost Patience with Low-Paying Clients because of Attitude more than Anything

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 18:10:00 +0000

Ever since I took a step of faith toward trying to believe I'm worth at least minimum wage or higher as a writer, I've lost my patience with cheap clients. However, I'll explain that it's not because they don't want to pay much for the work they want done.

It's the Attitude that Matters

Sometimes I don't mind doing a little bit of goodwill for others, especially if it's to promote a cause in which I believe. I genuinely believe some affiliate marketers cannot afford more than they can pay for the articles they need for their sites. With that in mind, I can't blame them. Besides I've been there. I've paid only a few dollars for an article.

However, I don't expect it to be as high of quality as one for which I would pay $10, $20, or $100. Some people just need to stop having such unrealistic expectations regarding what kind of work they expect from people.

Will I Ever do Cheap Work Again?

I still do when I have time. However, I'm not going to make it my priority jobs. The exception might be is if the articles are super-easy and they want to fine-tune them on their own time. I probably from now on would do no more than two to three hours max of them per day.

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To Clients of Star Outsourcing -- Notice of Taking Ownership of Unpaid Work

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:11:00 +0000

Here's one thing I sometimes deal with as a writer: fraudulent clients. And, as far of content ownership, I'm going to take ownership because I never got paid. And, I can explain more later.

Concerning this, the matter is currently under investigation, so I have to provide an update later. However, if I do find out I just got scammed, I'm going to post every single piece of content that I wrote for the person on my own blogs with a message at the top: "This was originally written for..." and explain the situation just in case this writer/outsource company did sent the work off to someone else or posted it somewhere. I technically still own it because the client didn't pay me.

The Situation -- A Possible Fradulant Person and/or Employer

I'm still in the process of investigating a matter for which I don't have 100% proof, so I know I need to be careful what I say. I worked for a person who had a profile set up on Freelancer.com claiming to be "Eli Manings" and apparently works for a company called "Star Outsourcing."

My Main Issue -- Can't Even Find "Start Outsourcing" Or "Eli Manings" on Google

I'm waiting for a response on one of the major social networks to which I belong. Once I figure out if this person is "for real" or not, I probably will post an update on one of my review blogs. My main reason for thinking I just got scammed is because I can't even find this person anywhere online. Not even on LinkedIn.

Note -- Not Freelancer.com's Fault Just a Possibly Fraudulent Individual

I don't have as much proof as I'd like to have to warrant this as a definite fraud. However, I spoke with another individual on Freelancer.com about it and reported it to the site administration. I think this bidding website did a great job of responding quickly to my concerns. I don't know exactly what kind of compensation I will get for the work I did, but at least I know the will do their best.

In all of this, I will say that I don't think it's the website's fault. They can't control the fact that unscrupulous people join the site. In the end, the little bit of money I earned probably won't go very far anyway. However, I feel good in knowing that I might have the power to stop other people from getting ripped off like I possibly was.

About my Payment Policy

I don't trip out if a client doesn't pay immediately. I usually wait about 7 to 14 days for payment. In this case, I was mostly worried because I felt rushed by the client and I was expected to be online waiting for new assignments to come it. A 6 hour day turned into a 8 or 9 hour day as a result, and of course I only charged for 6, not 9 hours. Who can work like that?

Hibernating, Workaholic Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 21:08:00 +0000

I've been shut in for days. I am a hibernating, workaholic bear. What has become of me besides the fact that it is winter?

I can't believe that it's been over a month since I updated this blog! In my defense I am dedicated to the work I do for my clients. Therefore, you know I put my clients' needs over my own quite often.

I better stop eating or I might gain that writer's winter weight gain everyone is talking about. I feel bad by the way that I've neglected my readers for quite some time now.

What is it that I have to offer you today? Just some passionate winter nonsense is all. Don't know what else to say because I am knee deep in work for my clients.

(Wanted to say "mindless" work but I don't want to offend anyone. It's not mindless, just very easy for which right now I can be eternally grateful.)

Original Post Date: Jan 22, 2010

Writing is a State of Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 17:49:00 +0000

Writing is a state of mind in which I'd like to grow old. I want to live there all my life, despite the ups and downs and the hot and cold. It's never the same in this state from day to day. I could be scribing happy thoughts then sad thoughts, sometimes in little time as it takes for weather to change in Wisconsin (U.S.A.). By the way, it's been a cold one this year. Still, I carry on indoors even though outside presents us with bitter cold.

This was originally posted on July 25th, 2010 and I moved it to today's date.

Do Not "give it up" too Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:22:00 +0000

Writing is in many ways much like romantic relationships. Okay, so that may seem a little bit far fetched, but as I further explain you will understand. See, in the writing world if you "give it up" too soon you can be very easily taken advantage of.

In other words, you do not want your clients to take you for granted. Okay, now you might say that is a narcissistic thing to say as we are there to serve them. Yes, we are. However, each of us as a writer has the right to set our own boundaries and also have the right to hold back when necessary.

For instance, I may not hand my client in all files unless I receive at least partial payment. Sometimes I may not even hand them in until I have a chance to speak with them either online or on the phone.

Furthermore, I also sometimes hold back just to appear busy so that my clients do not think that they are the only one I am working for. Well, in all reality sometimes I really do have an overload of work to do so this is not a lie by any means.

More will be written pertaining to this topic in the future, as soon as I figure out a way to communicate all the thoughts swimming around in my head right now. Please check back at a later date, and for now I appreciate your blog visit!

Writing is like "Good" Bacteria

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:10:00 +0000

Have you ever heard of "probiotics?" It is a type of bacteria that is good for you. So what does this have to do with writing? That is a good question.

Writing is like "good" bacteria. It is like that substance that is very similar to the "bad" that can tear you down, in that you spend quite a bit of your time on this activity. Yet, as long as you have balance in other areas of your life (i.e. family, friends, housework) it is quite good for you.

It is quite a bit better for you than alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and even coffee. Although, like musicians often turn to the former, many writers are probably guilty of the latter (coffee). In fact I have written a post about being a coffee addict.

Well, I have nothing more to say about that other than no one is perfect. We all have our vices but we just try as hard as we can.

So, if you need a healthy outlet consider writing. It is like the "good bacteria" in your system.

No Writer (or Artist) Wants to Fail, But Success is not Everything

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:09:00 +0000

CONTENT WARNING: References to Death, Dying, and Suicide (I'm not suicidal, just talking about death and dying in general).

You might wonder why this post is in the "inspiration" category if I'm talking about death and dying. You'll see.
__

I have a lot on my mind this morning, probably because I just called a previous employer to find one of my former co-workers.

"She passed..." said the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Oh no! That sucks!" I responded in shock.

My mind began to race after I hung up the hone, and is still racing right now as I speak. Among all my other thoughts, some of them included flashbacks of facts I learned about famous writers and artists who are no longer living.

Take Ernest Hemingway, a famous American Novelist for instance. He was a famous writer who ended his life only about eight years after he won the Pulitzer Prize after his best-selling novella "Old Man in the Sea" was published. (Although the cynic in me wonders why three of his family members all supposedly left the earth by "suicide." Makes me wonder.)

Take also for example famous Painter Vincent Van Gogh. He committed suicide in a mental institution after creating over a 100 paintings, one of which includes the famous "Starry Night."

Success is definitely not everything. It should not be your only goal in life. It should also not be your most important goal. I believe that if you work hard to have a positive impact on others in some way that you will automatically gain success without trying.

And when I talk about "success" it may not always be financial. It may also not be great recognition. It may be just that you had the courage to stand up for what is right, for what you believe in, and that you were not afraid to follow your true calling in life.

For those who rely upon God this is probably a significant factor of your lives: Jesus had probably the most supreme calling of all yet he never one a Pulitzer Prize or lived in a mansion. (At least not here on earth.)

So what Are we Supposed to Learn From This?

Success matters, but it's not everything. I have to remember that myself. I'm reminded of that every time I hear of more people drying and trapped in places or otherwise lives are unexpectadly taken. We have to keep our craving for success in perspective.

Decide Whether Writing is Worth the Effort

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:06:00 +0000

You need a resume, you know that much. But at some point you really have to believe in yourself. That is what I am learning.

I realize I am at the point of no return. I want to go forward with my writing. I want to improve, grow, and change and I need that opportunity. I want to be a better person as well.

Writing is Hard Word Like Anything Else

Yes, writing is hard work. It is like any other profession, and at time it seems like a god eat dog world. However, it does not have to be. Just continue to do honest work and you will receive an honest pay.

It's Hard Work, but Will it Pay?

You need to work hard as a writer but eventually you will need to stop working for nothing. Working hard does not necessarily mean it will pay. You cannot write for ever for free, as I am learning.

For the First-Time Blogger – “How do I Correct the Spacing in my Blog Post?”

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:18:00 +0000

If you’re a first-time blogger who’s reading this, you probably can’t figure out why your blog post looks so perfect in draft form before publication. Then, you view the live version and feel betrayed because it doesn’t look the same. More specifically, you see no spaces before and after your headings. Other times, you might see too many.

An Example Blog Formatting Issue

Here it has just the right amount of spacing you need before and after the headings:

However, here you notice it looks terrible (view after you publish the blog post):

So what do you do about not enough spaces?

You follow the instructions as seen in this slide show we provided for you:

How to Resolve one Very Annoying Blog Spacing Issue from Julie Anne

The Worst Sentence I Wrote All Day

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 23:19:00 +0000

Just for the fun of it, here's an excellent example of bad writing. This is the worst sentence I wrote yesterday:

Can you see what's wrong with that picture? To give you a clue, this is the revised version:

My Explanation

1.) I used the word "help" twice, and 2.) I also decided using "insurance" twice was redundant in spite of the fact that the first time I used it was in a proper noun (name of a company).

Thankfully, I caught these mistakes in time. Too bad I missed other ones before I submitted my work! I'm learning, though. I meant this for humor's sake, but still you could learn from this.

About My Transperancy as a Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 02:46:00 +0000

I originally posted this on my company blog. However, I felt it was more appropriate for Blog in the life of a Writer, so I moved here:

I've been Called a lot of Things as a Writer

I've been called a lot of things in my life including psycho or crazy, mainly because I have a tendency to be "too honest." However, my main reason for being so transparent when writing about my life and relationships is because I don't want anyone to think I'm better than them. I want to be able to be equal to people. I have struggles too. On the other hand, some of my personal blog posts may seem a bit harsh, because I vent about others who hurt me.

The Downside of Being an "Open Book"

My openness as a person even when not writing publicly often leaves me wide open to criticism I don't want. For instance my mother ones told me I need to "get some assistance." I also had a friend say to me "J*s*s Chr*st get over yourself!" just because I admitted to her I don't like the way she talks to me sometime!

Thank goodness my mom no longer puts me down, but that friend of mine and me may never be friends again. I can only take so much negativity before I just crack, and I don't need to feel judged if I have a bad day once in a while. Not only that, but I also don't like it when people act fake.

Seriously, some of the things people said to me in my personal life where cruel and harsh. However, when it comes down to it, we all have issues. We all have skeletons in our closet we don't want revealed. I've told most of my own secrets but not all of them. I don't want to be exposed any more than the next person does.

However, I sometimes feel the need to express myself on my blogs not only as a writer but also as a person. I use as much respect as possible yet always try to tell as much of the truth about my life as I can.

How Writers Will Survive in an Infographic World

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 09:28:00 +0000

Introducing J.A.B.'s Freelance World's First Infogram Ever

Times are changing and people need to find new ways to keep people's attention. Infographics is doing just that. For now, this form of information seems to work quite well. My only complaint is that some of them are as ugly as "H" to me. Can't they be both pretty and informative? I sure hope so. That's what I'm hoping mine are.

Sources

http://www.brafton.com/blog/how-infographic-marketing-builds-relationships-and-links-infographic

http://www.globalmarketingops.com/blog/2013/07/16/the-power-of-an-effective-marketing-infographic/

So You Made a Writing Mistake – Get Over It!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 18:41:00 +0000

So you made some writing mistakes and the world has just seen them live. Now what do you do? Crawl into a cave and hide? No, you just get over it.

Grammar blunders might temporarily set you back, especially if you just submitted the sample to a new editor.

However, the damage done probably won’t be much more than running out of gas, stalling on the side of a city street near a gas station, and having to wait for someone to help you refill your tank.

To recover from writing mistakes, get what you need to get going again and don’t look back.

Keep your head up high and remember that all writers had to start somewhere. Some of them even still have errors in their text after years of freelance writing. Don’t be so down on yourself and persistently look for your next high-paying gig.

If you're feeling depressed because you were turned down because of writing mistakes, you also might want to read stories of successful bloggers. Some of them made over $5,000 a month, and didn't even get more than a C in English class! When you read these stories, really does cheer you up. Does this mean you can get away with writing sloppy content? No, of course it doesn't!

You need impeccable grammar, but you also need to know how to write with authority. If you express enthusiasm in your writing and express your message in a convincing tone, others will read your articles.

What You Need To Be a Good Writer Besides Good Grammar

Try to show people what you mean rather than just telling them. Share life examples to teach them and draw them in. When you do, you'll inspire them and they will become better people.

This is true whether or not you're trying to teach your audience how to be a better mother or how to put a spare tire on a car. If you're a good writer, you can make an ordinary, boring topic seem like something a person needs to know about right now. You can do it. Just make up your mind that you want to become a writer, and you will succeed -- writing mistakes and all!

A Pet Peeve As a Writer (And I Hope I Never Make This Mistake)

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 00:27:00 +0000

I don't know why, but my hugest pet peeve as a writer is for bloggers to make a mistake in the title of their posts. I can't say I've never made that kind of error, but lately it's been irritating me a lot more!

I can forgive a small typo about four paragraphs into reading a seven-paragraph post. After all, if I hadn't used wording one hundred percent right in this entry, I would hope to receive a little bit of grace in return. But seriously, what's the deal with making a mistake in the title of a blog entry? For instance, it's sometimes so obvious someone means "CEO" and instead I see "CFO." Who the heck would overlook that?

If I ever do, I swear I probably shouldn't be a writer either. On the other hand, if I do make a mistake other than the grammar rules I intentionally broke when writing this post, I would hope someone corrects me. Therefore, I urge anyone who uses "CFO" by accident to change it back to CEO. That's a mistake I myself could've make, but I hope I never get something like that wrong.

The "317 Power Words" Blog Post I Read Today Inspired Me (And Some Of My Own Favorite Words

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 21:00:00 +0000

This blog post revealing 317 power words inspired me, and it fits right in with my "word nerd" personality. Now I leave you with some of my favorite words. I divided them into four categories. I include ones I use from the list and ones I use not on the list, and new words I might use in the future.

Oh, and when I commented with words I listed in response to that other writer's Power Words post, I apologized in advance if they're repeats. If you see some on this list, please let me know.

Some of my favorite words:

From the 317 Power Words list (ones I use in writing)--

(Ignore the spaces for now. I just have to come back to finish editing this later because I have other work to do. Who thought it would take me over four hours just to formulate a list of words? LOL)

--Ones I also like to use that (as far as I know but could be a repeat) are not the "Power Words" article:

Words From The "317 Power List" I Use	Words From the Power List I'd Like To Use (Or Use More Often)	Other Words I Use Not On List	New Words I'd Like To Use (Or Use More Often)
Abuse	Annoying	@sshole	Minefield (but not with veritable, too oversued)
Agony	Apocalypse	Accurrate	Peering
Amazing	Argain (sounds cool)	Addict	Precarious
Anonymous	Armageddon	Aimlessly	Sentence
Arrogant	Backdoor	Anniliate	Veritable (not with minefield though)
Audacity	Brazen	Appropriate	Word nerd
Authentic	Buffoon	Balls	Sham
Backbone	Bully	Bloody freaking miracle (instead of f*cking miracle)	Plethora
Backstabbing	Cash	Boink, Bang, Screw, (instead of f*ck)
Banned	Cheap	Boss around
Beat down	Crooked	Calls for
Beating	Depraved	Cancer
Behind the Scenes	Discount	Cheap
Belief	Dollar	Cheesy
Best (used too much)	Double	Clueless
Best-selling	Endorsed	Committed
Billion (necessary word)	Explode	Complain
Blinded (usually blind for me)	Extra	Completely
Blissful (usually bliss)	Feast	Con (or con artist)
Bloody	Feeble	Control
Bravery (usually brave)	Fired	Cops
Breathtaking	Force-fed	Correct
Bullsh*t (usually censored)	Fortune	Cure
Catastrophe	Foul	De-habilitate
Caution	Free Freebie	Deceive
Certified	Frenzy	Delegate
Cheer	Frugal	Discouraged
Concealed	Gift	Disdain
Confessions	Greatest	Disease
Confidential	Guaranteed	Dismayed
Conquer	Hidden	Disrespect
Controversial	Hypnotic	Distressed
Courage	Illegal	Disturbed
Cover-up	Inexpensive	Do away with
Covert	Insider	Douchebag
Coward	Insidious	Drugs
Crave	Ironclad	Drunk
Crazy	Jackpot	Empowered
Crush	Jubilant	Eradicate
Danger	Lascivious	Examine
Daring (if you dare)	Lifetime	Exquisite
Deadly	Looming	Fat
Death	Lost	Fed up
Defiance (Defy)	Luxurious	Feign
Delight (Delighted)	Marked down	Floozy
Destroy	Massive	Fraud
Devastating	Maul	Freaking (instead of f*cking)
Devoted	Mired	Fresh lies from hell (or fresh hell)
Dirty	Money	Frick (instead of f*ck)
Disastrous	Money-grubbing (slightly cliche-ish though)	Full of crap (or it; or sh*t)
Disgusting	Off-limits	Futile
Drowning	Official	Get a Clue
Embarrass	Outlawed	Get rid of
Evil	Payback	Hell
Excited	Pitfall	Hypocrite
Exposed	Pommel	Ignite
Eye-opening (Eye-opener)	Preposterous	Impolite
Faith	Price	Impotent
Fearless	Privacy	Inappropriate
Fearmonger (found in text, not list)	Private	Incessant
Food	Profit	Inconsiderate
Fool	Protected	Inept
Forbidden	Proven	Inferior
Forgotten	Provocative	Intricate
Frantic	Recession-proof	Investigate
Frightening	Refund	Jerk (in place of @sshole)
Fulfill (or fulfilled)	Revolting	Justice
Gambling	Ruthless	Liar
Grateful	Savings	Lifeless
Guts	Scandalous	Ludicrous
Hack	Searing	Magestic
Happy	Secrets	Magnificant
Hate	Shellacking	Manipulation
Hazardous	Six-figure	Manners
Heart	Skyrocket	Meander
Hero	Smug	Nerve-Wracking
Hoax	Smuggled	Neverending
Holocaust	Sniveling	Non-stop
Hope	Soaring	Nonsense
Horrific	Spank	Obsessed
Hurricane	Steamy	Odor
Instant (found in text, not list)	Strange	Order
Invasion	Surge	Perpetual
IRS	Sweaty	Perturbed
Jail	Tailspin	Peruse
Jaw-dropping	Tantalizing	Piece of tail (instead of piece of @ss)
Jeopardy	Tawdry	Police
Know it all	Thrilling	Profuse
Lawsuit	Treasure	Prostitute
Lies	Triple	Protect
Loathsome (I loathe...)	Try before You Buy	Putrid
Loser	Unauthorized	R@pe
Lunatic	Uncensored	Rehab
Lurking	Unconditional	Relentless
Lying	Underhanded	Remarkable
Magic (Magically)	Verify	Respect
Meltdown	Volatile	Ridiculous
Mind-blowing	Wanton	Safeguard
Miracle	Whip	Scam
Nazi	Whopping	Scott free (as in getting away with murder, r@pe, etc.)
Nightmare	Withheld	Screwing
No Good	Zero	Scrupulous
Obnoxious		Self-righteous
Painful		Sheild
Pale		Sick of it
Panic		Sickness
Peril		Social skills
Pluck		Sociopath
Plummet		Stench
Plunge		Stink
Poison		Stroll
Poor		Study
Pound		Sugar
Prison		Superior
Punish		Sweet lies from Hell
Pus		Tail or booty (in place of @ss)
Reduced		Teasing
Research		Thoroughly
Results		Tired of it
Revenge		Totally
Rich		Toying
Riot (found in text, not list)		Trepidation
Risky		Two-bit
Scary		Uncalled for
Scream		Uncouth
Secure		Unfit
Sensational		Unscrupulous
Sensual		Unsuitable
Sex		Useless
Shameless		Vent
Shatter		Weight
Sick and Tired		Whore
Silly
Sinful
Smash
Snob
Snooty
Snotty
Spectacular
Spine
Spirit
Staggering
Strangle
Stuck up
Stunning
Stupid
Suck
Surprising
Targeted
Terror
Terrorist
Tested
Toxic
Trap
Triumph
Uplifting
Valor
Victim
Victory
Vulnerable
Warning
Wonderful
Wondrous
Worry
Wounded

This list is not done!

I'll probably have to create two or three more of these at the most. Maybe then I'll actually remember to use these favorite words and stop using the same ones over and over.

Grammar Rule of the Day: Use the Dash, Not the Hyphen

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 05:14:00 +0000

A few months ago, I realized my grammar still sucks – and I can say that mild swear word on this blog. I use a lot of colloquial on here. Anyway, some time ago I received a wake-up call that I was using the hyphen wrong.

In case you're wondering exactly how to use it, I did use it right for the phrase “wake-up call” in the previous paragraph. It’s intended to make the adjective of the noun “call” less confusing. On the other hand, I’ve seen it other ways.

Therefore, I looked up how to use the hyphen in my online AP Style Handbook. I also looked up how to use dashes -- and any dashes you see in this post, I've used correctly as well.

(By the way, my title of this blog post is not AP style, but I used the dashes and hyphens in Associated Press format in this post to make a point.)

An Aside -- My Personal Writing Style

When it comes to punctuation and more formal writing, I’ll use whatever style the client requires.

However, for this blog as well as my other blogs, I purposely make them more casual. It's I like to write how I talk to make it easier for site visitors to feel at home.

Oh, but it also depends on whether I’m writing an editorial piece or a press release, academic paper or feature article. Still, when it comes to punctuation -- even on informal blogs like this one -- I try to be as picky as possible.

Therefore, just pay attention to how I use the dashes and hyphens in this post. It will help you use them correctly as well.

Grammar Rule Of The Day: What I Learned About The Dash (–)

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 04:40:00 +0000

Today, I realized something about the dash ( – ) that I never knew. In AP style, the dash requires a space before and after it – like this – when wanting to it for interruption.

It works in datelines placed before the first line of an Associate Press journalistic entry such as an online press release or news article. Who knew? For a long time I didn’t.

Now, guess what I learned about hyphens? You’ll find out soon enough.

When Writing, Is Switching Tenses Always Wrong?

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 19:06:00 +0000

When writing editorial-style essays I sometimes find it impossible to stick to one tense. I find it far too easy to switch from present to past point of view, and vice-versa.

Is Switching Tenses Always Wrong?

According to “5 Lessons For Mixing Past and Present Tense”, it's not always wrong. I'm quite relieved to find this out because I struggle with this problem from time to time. Sometimes, mixing tenses actually makes want I want to say less confusing. Furthermore, any time I revert to a quote, I can say what they actually said instead of trying to change it.

Sometimes changing tenses mid-sentence also helps me better describe a situation that already happened. <--this about.="" exactly="" i="" m="" nbsp="" sentence="" shows="" talking="" this--="" what="" you="">

“changing tense mid-sentence also helps me describe” is present, but “that already happened” is past. However, “that already happened” is a clause that further describes “helps” which is the action verb of this sentence.

To better understand tense switching, reading these examples helps me quite a bit. Of course, sometimes it's best to use my own judgment.

Next Blog Post: A Personal Example of Tense and Point Of View Switching

In my next post I will rewrite this as if I'm talking directly to you while sharing my own experience. I intend to show you how I can connect readers more by "speaking" to them in my writing directly.

Today's Blog In The Life Of A Writer: My Grammar Sucks

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 06:25:00 +0000

What A Day! I just found out how badly my grammar sucks, so I frantically reviewed familiar comma rules. Then I reviewed independent and dependent clauses. Aftet that, I posted a question about using reflexive pronouns. While asking my question on a forum, I realized I didn't want to appear totally ignorant. Therefore, I had to look up words in the dictionary and proofread my text over and over again.

This wasn't the first crash course for me, though. I've gone through this every few months for the past eight years. I discovered the reason--too many different stykes of writing! In fact, I just learned about "logical" quotation mark placement.

That's a topic for a time when my sleeping pill wears off. I'm going to bed now, though.

My Personal Style

Although I want to make sense, I really want to talk to people. I post on all my blogs as if I were speaking to readers face to face. However, for some clients, I might write in more formal tones. Sometimes I even write in third person.

I Will Explain Later

Only writers may get what I mean by this post. Therefor, a note to self: Explain some more about this stuff to beginners. I'll have to proofread this d#mned post tomorrow too.

When You Realize You're Still A Not Good Enough Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 20:02:00 +0000

As a professional writer, I fell into the trap of conceit. After all, I've gotten paid up to $50 per article. How dare anyone still tell me I'm not good enough? I thought. Now what?

What I Tell Others Who Want To Become A Writer

For me, my humbling experience of receiving a just "average" rating for my writing was after years of writing career ups and downs. I would on one hand read these encouraging posts on writing blogs telling me I'm good enough. Yet, I'd sign up to work for content mills who imply that my writing isn't even good enough to make a living wage. My writing was rated "average" all of the sudden--not excellent like in times past.

Still, I had a choice to make. After getting over feeling offended that I'm a paid writer and supposedly my work isn't good enough, I had to "suck it up." I had to decide to take the free teaching given to me and apply it to my life. Then, I would impress the people who are willing to pay me a decent wage.

I Didn't Stay Discouraged For Long

Over the years, it always seemed that clients either loved my work or hated my work. They either hired me again or they didn't. In all those years of producing content I never any just "average" rating--not until I joined one site in particular. (I chose to keep the name concealed, because I still would do work for them when I'm desperate to make a quick dollar.)

After all that work I did on myself to try to stand out, I was rated as "average." That's all I was to this company. I was just another run-of-the-mill average writer. However, I didn't stay discouraged for long.

I decided to follow through with their free training. Then, I carried on. I knew even if they don't think my writing would be worth paying me a decent living wage other clients will.

Quiet-Every Writer's Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Quiet is every writer's dream. I have no idea how long this solitude will last. All I know is I'm the only one here on this Thanksgiving night. I spent a long day at my mom's house and it was fun, and even had a friend stop by who met me there.

I do want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, but soon I will be expecting my boyfriend and his grown kids to show back up. For now, I will bask in this silence while having no distractions. I'm almost not used to this, but it's a nice time.

Personal Challenges Professional Writers Must Face

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:40:00 +0000

Professional writers face many personal challenges when pursuing their
careers. For instance, many of them feel all alone and
misunderstood...>>>https://jabsfreelanceworlddotcom.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/freelance-writers-face-your-challenges-head-on/

Journaling Suggestion #3: Describe Your Favorite Food

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:08:00 +0000

What is your favorite food? Think for a minute, and when you have an answer write a paragraph about it. You might say, “What could I possibly say about pizza” or whatever is your choice. However, you can if you try.

There is only one rule: You have to keep writing and not think very much about what you write when you do this. Let your fingers just flow. You can check spelling and grammar later. However, do not make many changes if you can at least spell and construct a sentence.

My Example

My favorite food is chocolate. You might argue that it's not really a food, but I bed to differ. The cocoa from chocolate has antioxidants in it that actually fight cancer.

Of course, when savoring every last creamy bit of milk chocolate I think, I should have gotten the dark chocolate. I have had delicous dark chocolate, though. I feel less like I ate too much and am going to pack on the pounds when I eat dark chocolate. Now, I just wish they sold dark chocolate with almonds more often.

Journal Free Writing Suggestion #2: What was your First Trip Like?

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:07:00 +0000

I love to tell tales about places I've been, and I like to write about them. I personally loved visiting and l living in New York back in 1994. However, that was not my first trip so I will use another idea.

Pick a place you have been, but keep in mind it doesn't even have to be long distance. If you really cannot remember where you went on your very first trip out of town, just write about the first trip and the first destination you remember.

My Example

I would say my first trip was actually to the hospital. However, I don't remember much about it. I only heard about it, so it doesn't count.

Therefore, I am just thinking back to my first trip out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I am not sure where the first place was, but we did go up north quite a bit. My family and me used to rent a cabin in Suring, Wisconsin.

My dad once threw a shoe at me while we all laid on the bare, unfinished floor. The cabin was exactly that-four (or maybe five) walls and a roof. No plumbing or electricity, just a shell of a building.

Journal Free Write Suggestion #1: Write about your First Kiss

noreply@blogger.com (Julie U.S. Writer) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:02:00 +0000

You can take this exercise into any direction you want. For instance, you could talk about your first kiss as a child with your mom or dad kissing you on the cheek. Either that or you can talk about the first time you kissed someone you were in love with.

My Example

This may sound trite, but I have to say it. I consider it my first “real” kiss and I remember that first kiss like it was yesterday. Okay, actually I take that back. I do remember the kissing, and I do remember feeling the tingling down my spine and the rush of blood flowing through my body.

I remember more than just a first kiss. It was actually a series of first kisses with the same person I will never forget. It was so long ago so my memory just shows one-second slide shows of me sitting on your lap and you leaning towards me while holding me.

Then, I remember standing outside with him and me on my front porch. I wondered if my mom and dad were looking out the window at least on one occasion. However, we just kissed anyway.

Incidentially, there was a time later on when your kiss was after you smoked a cigarette. I just about gagged. However, I still remember the first time we kissed and your mouth was as sweet as strawberry jelly and as tasty as chocolate pie.