The Urban Muse

Guest Post: Repetition is Redundant

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:12:00 +0000

By John Robert Marlow

If there were a heavyweight championship for writing mistakes, repetition would be a leading contender. As an editor of both fiction and nonfiction, I see this again and again and again. And again. The basic issue comes down to this: writers are expected—by agents, managers, editors, readers; everyone who matters, really—to have large vocabularies. Repetition indicates that the writer in question either: a) doesn’t know any better, or; b) can’t be bothered getting it right. The first screams “amateur;” the second, “lazy.” Neither is a word you want applied to you. Repetition can be deadly in any one of several, all-too-common forms:

Repeating Words
As a general rule, avoid using the same word (or similar words) multiple times in quick succession, as this makes for a poor read. Word repetition creeps up on the best of writers, who often don’t notice while lost in the throes of creative passion. Professional writers do, however, notice on their next pass—and correct the problem before anyone else sees the manuscript. Amateurs don’t notice, or correct.

Repeating Names
Names are among the most common repeat offenders. Frequently, this occurs when someone is quoted, and then mentioned in narration—or vice versa: “We have no suspects at this time,” Sheriff Bumble said. Sheriff Bumble declined to speculate as to why the dead clown was smiling.

The Dreaded Double
The worst repeating-word offender is the “double,” in which the same word appears twice in a row. That makes the error screamingly obvious—which, in the eyes of editors and agents, makes the writer that much less attentive for missing it. Often, doubles happen where sentences join, like this:

Bill handed the crocodile to Bob. Bob screamed when it bit his arm off at the shoulder. Shouldering his backpack, Bill bent down and picked Bob’s arm up off the street…

Overall, the “double” is the easiest type of repetition to spot and correct. Writers who fail to catch these most likely sent the manuscript out the moment they typed “The End,” without bothering to read and “proof” it from start to finish.

Always, always try to eliminate doubles.

Distant Replays
Repetition can also be a problem when a word repeats pages, even chapters after its last occurrence. The more unusual the word, the less frequently it should occur. No one’s going to notice that you used the word “man” or “woman” two pages ago—but throw in “hermaphrodite” on page 26, and you can be sure that readers who see “hermaphrodite” on page 347 will remember having seen it before. The same is true of…

Repeating Phrases
Pretty much the same logic applies here. Sometimes, our own favorite phrases—ones we use in daily conversation—will creep into the writing. Which is fine, so long as they’re appropriate and well-placed. But what often happens is this: we’ll use the same phrase two, three, or more times without realizing that we’re repeating ourselves. Or we’ll think up a cool phrase and put it in, not realizing that we’ve already used it.

To the reader, this looks—at best—like lazy writing. At worst, it comes off like the ramblings of an old-timer who can’t remember what he told you two minutes ago—and so proceeds to tell you the same thing all over again.

Exceptions must have a purpose, and usually appear in dialogue. Phrases can be repeated for comedic, ironic, or dramatic effect. The film A Perfect Murder makes wonderful use of the ironic turnaround: lines like “What if there were no tomorrow?” and “That’s not happiness to see me” are each voiced by Steven and Emily (to each other, at different times) in emotionally charged scenes dripping with tension. The movie300 has a magnificent turnaround line (three, actually) involving Queen Gorgo and Theron.

Each of these exceptions has one thing in common: in every case, the repetition is intentional.

He Said, She Said
One of the most common repeat offenders is the “He Said, She Said Syndrome,” in which every (or nearly every) line of dialogue is followed by “he said,” “she said,” or “[character name] said.” I once counted 34 of these in a row. Take it from an editor: few things get old faster than this.

Intentional Repetition
Intentional repetition—whether of words, phrases, or whole passages—rarely works. Any time you’re thinking of repeating something intentionally, ask yourself why. Then ask yourself whether the repetition has the intended effect. Then show it to someone else and ask them (without explaining your intended effect beforehand), because you’re biased.

Conclusion
Repetition is, well, repetitive. As an author, you’re expected to have a lot to say. You’re also expected to have an unusually large vocabulary with which to say it. Repetition flies in the face of both expectations. It’s like having two noses, when you should have only one: it makes you look bad bad bad.

So give your writing a facelift, and dump those doubles—along with your other repeats.

John Robert Marlow is a published novelist, optioned screenwriter, journalist, and professional editor. This article is excerpted from the Repeat Offenders post on John's Self Editing Blog, which contains free advice on editing your own novel, screenplay, or nonfiction work.

(Copyright © by John Robert Marlow)

Open Thread: Writing on Spec

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Writing on spec is not my favorite thing to do. But I'd be lying if I said I never did it. In fact, the first several articles I ever published were submitted on speculation (meaning without a contract or promise of publication), because I didn't know any better. Then as I built up more clips and learned how to query editors, I focused more on assigned articles, because that's how to build a steady income as a writer and protect yourself from getting screwed.

These days I only consider writing on spec under the following circumstances.

Personal essays. This is how most essay editors work and it's one of the reasons I don't write as many personal essays as I'd like. Still, there is a sense of personal satisfaction when I finish an essay I'm proud of and that almost makes up for the uncertainty of being able to sell it!
An editor expresses interest, and it's a topic with resale potential. It's one thing to send an editor an article out of the blue and another to have that editor express interest in a query and ask if you'll write it on spec. I'm still a little dubious about editors who refuse to offer a contract (especially to writers with plenty of clips to their name), but someones it's their policy that new-to-them writers work on spec the first time. I would only consider this if the article could work for another publication. If it's highly specific for a niche audience, then it's too much of a risk, in my opinion.
It's a publication I'm dying to write for, and I'm willing to eat that time if I need to. This is similar to #2. You're taking a calculated risk, and you have to be ready for it blow up in your face. But if it's a dream publication, then it might be worth the risk for the possible pay-off.

Choosing to write on spec (or not) is a complex and personal decision. There are many more factors than the ones I've mentioned above. So, how do you know if you should write on spec? And if you're experienced freelancer, when did you start saying no? I'd love to read your thoughts on the topic!

What's in a (Blog) Name?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:43:00 +0000

There's a lot to think about during the beginning stages of a new blog. What platform will you use? What will you blog about? Who will want to read it? And what will you name your new masterpiece?

Coming up with a compelling blog name is pretty important. In fact, I'd argue that in the beginning it's even more important to find a good name than to write good posts. Your content will improve over time (and the old posts will get buried in your archives). But if you have an awful, uninspired name or you keep changing your blog name, then few people (except perhaps your mother or spouse) will bother to read your posts or check back for new ones.

Ideally, you'll find an awesome name and stick with it.

Unfortunately, that's not what I did. I originally dubbed this blog The Urban Redhead, which felt sassy and modern but had nothing to do with writing. A week or so later, I renamed it The Urban Muse. And while I love that name, there were other a couple of other considerations I failed to factor in. Read on to avoid my mistakes.

1. Alphabetical placement. It's worth thinking about, because most people's blogrolls are arranged alphabetically and many readers start clicking from the top down. I'm curious how much more traffic I might have gotten had I named it An American Muse or A Boston Writer Writes or something else closer to the beginning of the alphabet. Not that those are better names, but given a choice, I'd choose the one closer to the beginning of the alphabet.

2. Similarly named blogs or businesses. Much as I love the name I chose, it does create a bit of confusion, because there are a few other blogs with similar names, not to mention a day spa in New Jersey! Ideally, you'd choose a totally original name like Men with Pens or Copyblogger so that when someone googles your blog, all of the search results point to you. Of course, with so many blogs and websites already in existance, this can be tough. Jot down some keyboards relating to your topic and think about creative or unexpected combinations and variations that still communicate your blog's focus.

3. Extra words add confusion. When I started out on a Blogspot domain, UrbanMuse dot blogspot was already taken, so I chose theUrbanMuse instead. Most people forgot to include "the" when typing my URL, so I dropped "the" and added "writer" when I bought my own domain from Google. That's better because it includes "writer" as a keyword, which clues in readers and search engines. Avoid using "the" in your URL, because people usually forget it.

What about you? How did you arrive at the name for your blog? Would you have done anything differently?

Flickr photo courtesy of NatalieMaynor

6 Q's with Jessica Page Morrell

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Jessica Page Morrell is the author of several books, including Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches - How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction and the recently released Thanks, But This Isn't for Us: A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing Is Being Rejected. She also teaches writing and works as a developmental editor. Here's her advice on avoiding common mistakes in your manuscript.

Urban Muse: Your book contains a lot of advice on how to craft a compelling story that editors will want to publish. What would you say is the most important advice for aspiring writers who read your book?
Jessica: Learn the underpinnings of story structure. This works for memoir writers too. Too many writers start typing away without a sense of what a beginning, middle, and ending must deliver, and also don’t know what a scene contains. At first trying to incorporate these techniques will feel awkward, but eventually their timeless logic will be a huge help to your storytelling. Also use all elements of the story—setting, dialogue, subtext—to push the story forward creating narrative drive and tension.

UM: In your opinion, which authors do this very well?
J: This would be a long and eclectic list—but some of the books I recommend again and again are The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger, The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Wells, The Memory of Running, by Ron McLarty, The Ha Ha, by David King, The Mystic Art of Erasing all Signs of Death, by Charlie Huston, and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by Wroblewski, although it’s a story that could be tightened a bit

UM: Are there any examples of authors who've been successful despite breaking some of these rules?
J: Cormac McCarthy breaks almost every rule including punctuation, but pulls it off because his fugitive characters are sending messages from lost worlds and he’s simply a writing genius. Stephanie Meyers of the Twilight series and J.K.Rowling of Harry Potter fame break a lot of so-called rules. I agree with Stephen King that Meyers cannot write—she has a lot of purple prose, excess, and melodrama in her stories (not to mention weird messages about sexuality and emotional dependence) so I cannot read her stuff it’s just so cheesy and bad. Rowling overwrites, her stories are wordy and flabby, particularly her dialogue. She also uses adverbs which drive me crazy, but Rowling knows the basics of storytelling and structure, unlike Meyers. Rowling also compensates by creating a richly-imagined world and both writers take risks with characters and plotting, and know their characters intimately.

UM: You mention in the book that there's a difference between reading a manuscript and a story. Could you explain this difference?
J: That’s an interesting question. Sometimes when I’m reading a manuscript I’m swept up in the story, transported far from my ordinary world and into the story world and the characters’ lives. This doesn’t happen often because usually I’m aware of the writer’s mistakes, the missing elements, a murky or slow beginning, or other problems that don’t allow me to enter the story, participate in the dream. I’m always excited when it feels like a story instead of a series of problems that need solving, or missing puzzle pieces that I need to find. Or sometimes the writer is trying too hard and the story is drowned out under a lot of prose. Within the first sentences or paragraphs I can usually determine if the writing is polished, beautiful and compelling. The first element that pulls me into a story (this obviously works for nonfiction too) is the quality of the language.

UM: You discuss many of the reasons behind rejection, but do you have any suggestions on how writers can deal with the emotional side?
J: If you’re a fragile or easily-defeated person being a professional writer might not be your best career choice. It’s a tough business and you are a business person first, and an artist second. You don’t have room for a lot of ego or freak outs or tantrums. If a manuscript or piece gets rejected, you need to fix it or write something else. Too many writers hang on to the same project for years and years when they need to move on. Also, you cannot take things personally—if your writing doesn’t sell this doesn’t mean you’re incompetent—it just means on this particular day an editor said no to a particular story. Keep moving forward. Keep believing. Stay excited about things. Practice awareness. Take risks. Notice your loves and hates and passions. Then write about them. There’s a lot of competition out there, so bring your most grown up and alive self to the game. And affiliate with other writers so you can commiserate or at least share a beer when the going gets tough. Study the lives and career trajectories of published authors, especially those you want to emulate. Not many of them were whisked to success on fairy’s wings—they worked hard, persisted, and respected everyone they worked with.

UM: What's next for you?
J: I’ve written several books on craft and I want to step away from this focus for a while. Last year I was in a car accident and suffered head injuries. I was unable to read and write for awhile and had cognitive problems such as memory loss and this experience especially brought home the importance of my writing practice. My writing practice is what I center my days on and it’s also central to my spirituality and keeps me centered, focused, mindful, and grateful. It’s my Zen and homeland. So I’m writing a book proposal about this topic and will be passing it along to my agent in the next month or so. During my recovery I spent a lot of time in bed and felt isolated, so another project I’ve been working on is a series of essays about the healing power of nature, because these days walking in a garden or forest is pretty wonderful.

Thanks, Jessica! Check out The Writing Life for more on Jessica Page Morrell.

Open Thread: What Inspired You to Freelance?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Maybe it was the idea of working from home. Or the ability to pursue projects that interest you. Whatever the reason, most of us remember when and why we decided to freelance (even if we lose sight of it from time to time). Here's my story...

The summer I was 17, my mother announced that it was time for me to get a summer job.

"I really want to devote the summer to writing," I told her. "I'll finally have time for creative projects instead of all those AP English assignments."

"That's not a job," she told me. "You need to learn the value of work and money."

"I'll freelance," I countered, though at the time I wasn't sure what that meant.

Now, less than a decade later, I'm actually doing it! (And yes, I did find a job that summer, which inspired a one-woman play called Revenge of the Burger Babe. The manuscript disappeared when my parents bought a new computer but my distaste for raw beef lives on.) Sure, that conversation awakened my renegade side, but mostly my future freelance career grew out of a desire to have a creative outlet and earn extra money when I was slaving away in entry-level hell. I eventually burned out on working in an office, so that was a factor, too.

Your turn! What inspired you to freelance? Was it the flexibility? A dislike of office culture? A love for your creative projects? Or something else?

Recap of the Media Matters Writing Conference

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:45:00 +0000

I spent most of this morning and early afternoon volunteering as a workshop monitor for the Media Matters Writing Conference at UMass Boston. I've looked into volunteering with teens as a regular writing mentor or tutor, but all of the organizations I've found have required more of a time commitment than I can afford to give (usually one full day per week, which would make it difficult to meet deadlines and whatnot). So I figured volunteering for part of the day would be both personally and professionally fulfilling, because I could attend a bunch of free workshops and indirectly help students improve their writing.

During a morning workshop on brainstorming, the instructor asked students to describe an orange. Most of them used generic terms like "round" and "orange" (as in the color - tricky!). One boy pronounced the fruit "spherical and orange-tinted." Then the instructor pointed out that individual oranges have distinctive properties and if you spent long enough observing a single orange, you could pick it out among a bowl of other oranges because of little variations in shape and hue.

Then in the afternoon, I listened to Boston Globe's Sports Editor Joe Sullivan discuss the future of journalism. Considering how much upheaval the Globe has experienced in the last few years, Sullivan was remarkably upbeat (he clearly loves his job, which helps a lot). He predicted that newspapers will not become extinct in our lifetime, because "people still want to know things." Sullivan added that companies like the Globe need to think of themselves as "news organizations" rather than "newspapers" and journalists need to learn how to use the web effectively and create multimedia in addition to writing well.

But perhaps the most quotable moment of the day came when a middle schooler told the instructor of the brainstorming workshop she'd been "sort of published." To which the instructor asked, "Can you be sort of pregnant? How can you be sort of published?" Good point.

Open Thread: How Do You Handle Health Insurance?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:29:00 +0000

I'm fortunate to live in Massachusetts, which offers affordable insurance to the self-employed. Sure, it's not the most comprehensive coverage ever, but the one time a medication wasn't covered, my doctor agreed to send me a sample he had lying around his office. As long as I'm self-employed (and unattached), I'd think twice before moving out of state and giving up my Health Connector coverage.

Health coverage has come up in the news a lot lately, and it's a very touchy topic, especially for freelancers. I'm curious how other self-employed folks handle this issue. Do you take your chances and go without? Rely on a spouse or domestic partner for health coverage? Join a union and buy it through them? Perhaps your tips will be useful to another freelancer, so leave a comment and let us know!

The Great Debate: Flat Rates vs. Hourly Rates

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:06:00 +0000

A few people have emailed me asking about how to charge for copywriting work (magazine rates are usually set by the publication so there's less wiggle room). Some freelancers insist on billing by the hour or by the project. I do either one depending on the project specs.

Here's why.

If you charge by the hour, your compensation is practically guaranteed to scale with the size of the project (I say practically because clients don't always pay us as agreed, but that's another story). If the client wants a million little revisions, then you can happily provide them knowing you will be paid accordingly. For some clients, this means they will be very clear about what they want up-front to minimize back and forth later on. Others don't seem to realize that their indecisiveness is costing them money.

When the project's scope is likely to evolve over time, I suggest billing by the hour and invoicing monthly so that I can get paid for the work I've done even if the project is awaiting revisions or gets postponed. (Some clients go for this, and some don't.)

BUT...

Billing by the hour also means there's no incentive to be efficient. Your income is limited by the number of hours you work, so you're essentially a wage slave.

Say I've written a million press releases and could write a killer release in less than two hours. But it might take another freelancer twice as long to write that same release. She would earn twice as much for something that theoretically has the same amount of value to the client. Sure, she might have taken her time to craft something really compelling and concise, but she might also be less efficient because she's not as experienced at writing press releases. And some clients don't like hourly rates because they don't really know how you're using your time.

So, for a project that has a very defined scope (such as a press release, a sales letter, or a blog post), I try to set a flat rate that is fair to the client and, if all goes smoothly, still allows me to earn more than my hourly rate. The client likes knowing they will stay within their budget and I like knowing exactly how much I'll earn from the project.

The thing to be careful about with flat rates is those clients who like to spend lots of time on the phone or email discussing the project or requesting endless revisions. This can seriously cut in to your income, so I try to be polite but not too indulgent. And usually the flat rate will include a set number of revisions, though I've been known to be lenient about that because I want the client to love the finished product.

What about you? Do you prefer to bill by the hour or by the project?

Flickr photo courtesy of suburbandollar

Handling Your #1 Freelance Fear - Going Broke

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Earlier this week, I asked readers to share their freelance fears. As I suspected, most readers fell into one of two camps. Either they feared not being able to pay their bills or not being good enough (which could eventually lead to not being able to pay the bills).

I've already written about handling a crisis of confidence recently, so this time I'll focus on fear of not being able to pay the bills.

Despite what FDR tells us above, this fear is actually very real. It would suck to lose your house or get the heat shut off in the dead of winter. And let's be honest, we've seen it happen to people we know in the last year or so.

What's a creative freelancer to do? Here's my $.02.

1. Live below your means. My parents did this, and while I used to roll my eyes at yard sales and coupons, they taught me well. They were not freelancers, but they understood that bad things can happen to good people (and they did). My freelance income is amorphous, so it's especially important to live frugally.

2. Diversify. I don't just pen magazine articles. I teach writing and blogging. I write product descriptions and brochures and website copy for small businesses. And if I needed to diversify further, I'd embrace it as a new creative challenge. Of course, diversification also means seeking out a range of clients rather than relying on one or two.

3. Have a healthy savings account. Hopefully you were able to save some cash before leaving your day job like I did. But if the circumstances made this impossible (for instance, you were laid off or had major expenses wipe out your bank balance), you can still get back on track if you commit to saving some money each and every month. Even when you have a steady flow of projects, it doesn't guarantee a steady flow of money, because invoices get lost, checks get delayed, clients go bankrupt, and so on. That's why it's so important!

Freelancers, how do you handle the fear of financial ups and downs? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!

And while we're on the topic of Halloween, check out this humorous post by Michelle Rafter on 10 things that scare freelancers.

Flickr photo courtesy of Banana Donuts ~ Half Baked Photography

Open Thread: What Are Your Freelance Fears?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:00 +0000

In honor of Halloween this weekend, this week's open thread focuses on fear. Not those scary feelings you get watching a horror film or walking through a haunted house. But the more practical fears that hold us back in our freelance lives. Like worrying that one day all of our clients will dry up and we'll be forced to sleep in a cardboard box and burn our beloved magazines to stay warm. Or that our college professor who told us that we had a way with words was totally off the mark.

What are your freelance fears?

I admit that the fear of inadequacy and fear of failing occasionally rear their ulgly heads in my own life. But I try to keep those fears in perspective. And on Friday I'll post more about working through fears as a freelancer. Leave a comment describing your own fears so I'll have more fodder for the post!

Flickr photo courtesy of Banana Donuts ~ Half Baked Photography

Guest Post: 5 Things to Do Before Submitting a Magazine Article

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

When I finish writing a magazine article, I usually can’t wait to send it to the editor. “Look what I did! Aren’t I bright and creative?!” But, hard cold experience has taught me that it’s better to put my articles through the paces before I file them as a “fait accompli.”

Here are five things to do before submitting magazine articles to editors…

1. Organize your transcripts or source list. Some editors require transcripts of all phone calls or email correspondence; others want nothing unless they ask for it. Either way, it’s a good idea to have your transcripts or source list finalized before you submit an article. Even if the editor doesn’t require it now, he or she may ask for it later – and there’s nothing worse than scrambling for your source list two or three months after you’ve written an article.

2. Double check your source’s credentials, names, and organizations. Misspelling a source’s name, getting the credentials wrong, or placing them with the wrong organization not only makes you look sloppy, it annoys the source and the magazine’s readers – which aggravates the editor.Make double (or triple) sure that you’re referring to your sources and experts accurately.

3. Browse the magazine or website. Yesterday I submitted an article to an editor I’ve never worked with before. But before I sent the article – and when I was halfway through writing it – I spent half an hour reading the articles on the publication’s website. This gave me a feel for the content and style of the writing. The more I “fit in” to what already exists, the easier the editor’s job is…and the more likely she’ll hire me again.

4. Edit with different hats on. Do a full edit with your “grammar teacher’s” hat on. Then, do an edit with your “copywriter’s” hat on. Don’t forget to edit with your “assigning editor’s” hat on (I often compare my assignment sheet with my article, to make sure I’ve met his or her criteria). For more editing tips, read Editing Help – it’s my most recent article about editing, based on an amazing new resource for writing that I just found.

5. Sleep on it. After I sent Susan my last guest post – 5 Commonly Misused Words and Phrases – I had to make two or three changes after she published it. This created extra work for her and made me feel foolish. I didn’t sleep on that post, fellow scribes. Stephen King recommends letting your writing sit for six weeks, but most magazine writers don’t have the luxury of that much time! Before you submit an article, let it “gel” for at least one night…preferably three or four.

If you have any questions or thoughts on what to do before submitting an article, please comment below!

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.

5 Must-Read Posts for Writers

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Lately my RSS feed has been overflowing with so many posts that I can scarcely keep up. So today I thought I'd share of the best posts from the past week. Enjoy!

Are you a freelance writer or a journalist entrepreneur?: In this thought-provoking post, Michelle Rafter asks readers what's in a name? It's more a timely discussion of a topic I brought up on my this blog last year.

The internet has created a new generation of great writers: I'm sick of hearing how Gen Yers can't write, and in this post Penelope Trunk eloquently disputes that myth, showing how the web and social networking have actually improved writing skills.

The Writer's Best Friend? The Delete Key: In this post, NYT bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch explains why good writers are ruthless self-editors.

DIY Publishing: What's Worth Paying For?: Maria Schneider helps writers decide where to spend their money on self-publishing (hint: it's not where publishers tell you to spend it).

How to Be the Cool Kid (Even if You Weren't One in High School): With his usual dose of wit and humor, James Chartrand tells bloggers that the secret to being cool is not trying so hard (among other things).

What posts have you enjoyed recently?

Open Thread: Have You Dealt with Rude Readers?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

One of the interesting things about writing for the web is that it removes some of the barriers between writers and readers. That can be both a blessing and a curse. A few weeks ago, a post I wrote for another blog sparked a slew of nasty, mean-spirited comments. True, there was one inaccuracy that my editor fixed as soon as we discovered it (one word off, people, it happens!). But commenters kept writing things like "the author, who obviously has only a rudimentary understanding of spelling and gramar [sic]..." and "this is an abominable use of the English language!"

Frankly, I think they were more offended by the controversial subject of the post than my grammar (and I had to laugh at the irony of their own grammar and spelling), but it stung nonetheless. I kept rereading the post trying to figure out what other sections they were talking about and everything seemed clear and coherent.

If it were my own blog, I would have taken action by either 1) deleting comments that were mean-spirited and didn't add anything to the conversation or 2) defending myself by inviting commenters to elaborate if I thought it would be instructive for myself and my readers. But since it was a large media company's blog, I stayed mum and let them handle it. It would have been undignified for a contributor to jump down commenters' throats. And since that blog is highly visible, it attracts lots of commenters, many of them slightly crazy.

Another time, when I wrote a personal essay on a slightly political topic for The Christian Science Monitor, I got unsolicited emails from this uber-conservative who told me I was going to hell (to be fair, I got plenty of fan mail, too, and I wrote short thank you emails to those). Every week leading up to the election he forwarded me chain emails slandering Obama and his character. I never responded, but the emails kept coming, so eventually I started using the "report spam" button!

Your turn! How have you handled reader comments? Do you ever respond? Or just leave it alone?

Why I've Lost Faith in Creative Staffing Agencies

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Last week, I had a conversation about creative staffing agencies with two different freelancers. Both wanted to drum up more work, and I suggested that, among other ideas, they call a few agencies (and drop my name so I could get the referral bonus!).

"Have you had any luck with those? Because I haven't," they told me.

"Honestly, no," I admitted. "But I keep hearing about them, so I thought maybe they worked for other freelancers, and I just wasn't working the system correctly."

Turns out they'd had a similarly disappointing experience. Here's why I think creative staffing agencies aren't so hot.

Low pay. My rate is low compared to a lot of the freelancers I know, but it's pretty high by staffing agency standards, because the agency takes a big cut of every hour you work. I have worked as a subcontractor with more specialized advertising and copywriting firms, and they actually value the work I do, because they do similar projects themselves. They get that good writing is a craft, not a commodity.

Why earn $xx/hour at some staffing agency gig when I could cut out the middleman and earn almost twice as much on my own? Sure, there are certain benefits to having a staffing agency behind you (it's likely you'll get paid on time and in some cases, you might quality for health insurance), but really, you're just making money for the agency when you could be making more of it for yourself.

Experience over a quality portfolio. I've seen gigs posted on staffing agency websites that mirror my skill set. Then when I call to ask if they'll forward my portfolio to the client, my contact tells me, "they're not really looking for a junior copywriter." Well, actually, I'm not a junior copywriter. But when they pull up my file and see my graduation year, they automatically assume I need lots of hand-holding.

Most of my clients hire me based on my portfolio, not my resume, because they know that the quality of my work matters more than the number of years I've spent working. Some of the recruiters I've met at supposedly creative staffing firms don't even know how to evaulate creative professionals, so they categorize people based on how long they've been working. (This conundrum reminds me of Brazen Careerist's focus on ideas rather than resumes.)

Lots of on-site gigs. Last year, I met with recruiters at almost every creative staffing agency in the city. All of them said, "we do both on-site and work-from-home placements." Yet it seems like every time I get a call with a potential project, it requires schlepping out to the North Shore or Western Massachusetts five days a week. That's just not my style. Part of the reason I freelance is so that I don't have to get up super-early and commute to an office. I can spend that time getting more work done, working out, whatever I want. I'd hesitate to give that up.

Some creative staffing agencies also place accountants, IT professionals, and other types that typically work in an office, so they buy into the notion of facetime. I don't. If I spent 40 hours a week working on-site, then I would have very little time to market myself and line up work for after the gig ended. Trust me, that is a terrible situation for a freelancer! We have to be masters of multi-tasking and you just can't do that if you're working on-site because you have to focus on one client's needs.

Your turn! Tell us about your experiences working with creative staffing firms. Have you had similar issues? Or the opposite?

PS If you're reading this and you happen to be a recruiter for an agency that places freelance copywriters, I'd love to hear why I'm wrong. Match me with a great gig, and I'll post an update singing your praises. Seriously, folks, bring it on. I'm ready!

Flickr photo courtesy of Marc Sebastian

Guest Post: The Benefits And Challenges Of Blogging For Business

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Win a free copy of Kelly's “Blogging For Business Blueprint” e-book and tutorial videos (a $29 value). Details are at the bottom of this post.

UPDATE: Congrats to our lucky winner, Vera Marie!

By Kelly Watson

When it comes to online marketing methods that are both affordable and effective, blogging ranks number one. Benefits include:

· Access to an educated, influential group of potential customers
· More opportunities to make sales
· Improved customer relationships
· Enhanced credibility and trust

You can download a PDF with even more blogging benefits. But benefits aside, blogging can be challenging. For some people, the challenges start at blog creation. Others have an easy time building their blog, but can’t seem to generate enough web traffic or sales.

That’s why I wrote the “Small Business Blogging Blueprint,” a 68-page e-book with six tutorial videos to help small business owners create and manage a successful blog. (The PDF above is from page 10, “How Blogging Can Benefit Your Business.”)

The book started out as a free PDF for my customers, but I kept thinking of new topics to cover and challenges I wanted to address. I also created a seven-page blogging workbook to help people set blogging goals and track their progress, because I wish I had one when I started blogging.

Not just for people who are considering starting a blog, the book also offers a bullet list of solutions to common blogging problems, like not having enough time to write new posts. If you find yourself in this situation, it may be helpful to ask the following questions:

Is this a phase? All business owners have busy times. That’s why it’s so important to have several blog posts written in advance. If you don’t see yourself having more time in the future, however, you need to either outsource the blog content or end the blog completely.

Am I budgeting my time wisely? The next time you create a blog post, pay attention to the time it takes to brainstorm the idea, write the content and load the post onto your site. Then see if you can delegate any of the tasks, or shave some time off the process.

Where does this blog fit into my priorities? As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities. If your blog isn’t one of your priorities, you’re not going to find time to do it. If blogging is a priority for you, you can always outsource the content. Remember that outsourcing doesn’t mean handing the entire blog over to someone else — you may just need someone to write one or two posts a month. (Check out Chapter Two, Do It Yourself Or Outsource?, for more details.)

Is it time to quit? Only you can answer this question. I do encourage you not to quit too soon — blogging is one marketing tool that pays off over time. If you’re still thinking about quitting, however, this case study from ProBlogger may shed some light on the situation.

Here's how to enter to the e-book giveaway!
What’s your biggest blogging challenge? (If you haven’t started a blog yet, perhaps it’s just finding the right point to dive in!) Leave a comment below with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win a free copy of the “Small Business Blogging Blueprint.” I’ll pick a winner at random on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. [Ed. note: please make this easy on Kelly and me by including your email address or a link to somewhere we can easily find it!]

If your name is chosen and you’ve already purchased “Blogging Blueprint,” you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price. So if you’re eager to check out the e-book but you still want to enter the giveaway, go ahead! Even if you don’t win, you’ll still get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Kelly Watson is a marketing consultant who specializes in marketing to women. She recently launched the e-book “Small Business Blogging Blueprint,” available for sale on her website Womenwise Marketing along with a blog, podcast and other resources for women in business.

Open Thread: What Happens When You Mess Up?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Last week, a reader requested an open thread about what happens when you mess up royally. I've already shared my experience with copy errors, but sometimes other stuff happens. Computers die. Voice recorders malfunction. Paper files get lost. Emails get sent to the wrong person.

Hopefully you're backing up your data and double checking the email address before you hit send, but like I said, happens. And when it does, it's usually best to take a deep breath and own up to it. Don't wait until deadline day, hoping maybe your computer might magically repair itself or that file you need will resurface.

Once you've confirmed that you have a problem, call your editor/source/client and offer up a solution ASAP. "My voice recorder malfunctioned but I'm available tomorrow if you're willing to offer me another interview." "Just wanted to you know that the original file is gone, but I'm borrowing a computer so I can recreate it." I know, easier said than done sometimes.

Have you had to handle a crisis? What did you do?

What Would Your Copy Wear?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

A few months ago, my brother asked for help proofreading cover letters. He was applying for jobs at several advertising agencies and wanted another set of eyes (he also knew I'd do it pro bono, which is a major plus for a soon-to-be graduating college senior). Honestly, there weren't many typos or grammar issues to point out.

But the words and sentence structure didn't feel right to me.

"Your tie is way too tight!" I told him. "Loosen up the collar and roll up those sleeves. You're a fun guy with lots of great ideas, but this sounds stuffy and formal."

He was writing as if he were wearing a scratchy wool suit and really ugly shoes (possibly a size or two too small). But the agencies where he was applying were the kinds of places where you could get away with wearing a vintage blazer and Steve Madden shoes. They didn't want corporate clones. (And fortunately for him, he's actually the kind of guy who looks great in a tweed blazer.)

In his defense, a lot of people slip into their "stuffy, soulless corporate" voice when they write cover letters for jobs, but mine are bursting with personality (the ones I wrote while applying for full times jobs and the ones I use to apply for freelance gigs now). I think that's the way to go, especially if you're in a creative industry like writing or advertising. We went through a few more drafts and eventually found a good balance. He scored a killer job in DC doing social media and now he has former classmates come to him for job advice.

But this exercise isn't just for cover letters. Anytime you get stuck on a project or aren't sure what voice to use, ask yourself this simple question: "what would this copy wear?"

If your answer is lululemon yoga pants and a tank top, then your copy should read differently than if it's argyle socks and a lederhosen. (And if you're writing about clothes, then answer is pretty obvious!) Picture your copy persona and write in that character's voice. Often we do this for our readers or target demographic, but we don't think as much about who's speaking and how they relate to readers.

So, what would your copy wear? And what other tricks do you use to think about your writing style?

Flickr photo courtesy of ncyg46

5 Tips for Handling a Crisis of Confidence

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Earlier this week, I started a new project that was a bit of a stretch for me stylistically. For a few moments, I even wondered if I could pull it off.

As freelancers, our confidence is essential. If we don't believe in our abilities, then why should anyone else? Still, I know that many of us struggle with this from time to time, especially when we're tackling something new.

Here are five ways to handle a crisis of confidence.

1. Reread testimonials. Keep an email folder with praise from clients, editors, or readers, and refer back to it when you need a boost. You can also do this with the testimonials on your website or recommendations on LinkedIn.

2. Read for inspiration. I keep a stash of magazines and marketing materials for when I'm feeling low on inspiration. Sometimes reading great copy helps wake up my own muse!

3. Phone a friend. Ideally, you'd talk to a fellow freelancer who can attest to the fact that confidence issues are completely normal. But even if you call or email someone who doesn't know how freelancing works, at least they can remind you of your successes and what a kick-@$$ person you are.

4. Get some distance. Sometimes if you're really stuck, the best thing to do is step away (assuming your deadline allows for that). Last night I took a break from copywriting to make dinner and as soon as my food was in the oven, I sat down to pound out more copy. It totally worked!

5. Power through. If you're on deadline, then you may not have the luxury of calling a friend or reading other work for inspiration. If that's the case, then set a mini goal for yourself (say, two paragraphs or 400 words) and keep plugging along until you reach that goal. Then set another goal until you've worked through the entire document.

Oh, and that project I mentioned above? The client just approved the first round of copy this morning, so now I'm on to the next assignment.

What about you? Have you ever suffered a crisis of confidence? How did you handle it?

Flickr photo courtesy of Phoney Nickle

Open Thread: When Do You Do Your Best Work?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:10:00 +0000

Even though I've been freelancing full time for over a year now, I'm still figuring out what works for me in terms of scheduling. I thrive on to-do lists, yet I prefer not to create too rigid a schedule for my day. Inevitably, the phone rings with a new client or I get an email requesting last-minute rewrites or I find a fascinating article and decide to blog about it. I like to keep things flexible so that I can follow unexpected tangents without feeling guilty.

As long as I get through my to-do list, I don't worry too much about the order of tasks or if I spend two hours on something as opposed to three. Some days I jump out of bed and crank out an 800-word article before breakfast. Other times I find myself burning the midnight oil because I suddenly feel inspired. I'd love to be able to say "My best work happens between 10am and 2pm" or "I'm a night owl, so I feel most inspired after midnight" but I haven't found much rhyme or reason to how my work unfolds. I'm just glad it all gets done!

What about you? Have you noticed a pattern to when you're most productive? What's your best time of day?

The Writing Instructor's Toolkit

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:06:00 +0000

I'm in the midst of teaching another session of freelance writing at Boston Center for Adult Education, and I've been compiling a mental list of all the items I need to bring to class. Rather keeping it in my head (where I am apt to forget something), I thought I'd share it here:

1. Extra copies of handouts: Usually my handouts are waiting for me on the first day of class, but I always bring extras in case there's a mix-up and I need to photocopy them in a hurry.

2. Extra writing exercises/discussion points: Every class is different. Sometimes they ask a ton of questions so that I barely get through the topics I'd outlined beforehand, and other times I feel like Ben Stiller's character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off ("Ferris? Ferris...?"). That's why I always try to bring more material than I think I'll need. Just in case.

3. Water bottle: Water is a must when you're talking for almost two hours straight. Then again, I don't want to drink so much that I need a bathroom break before the midpoint of class.

4. A watch: Ever since I read The Time Paradox, I have chosen not to wear a watch so I can focus more on the present rather than stressing about time (still, I'm seldom late because I can look at my BlackBerry or the clock on my computer). But depending on which classroom I'm assigned to, it's hard to know if I'll have an easy view of a clock. And I don't want my students to see me constantly checking my BlackBerry. Bringing a watch ensures that I start and end class on time.

5. Pens: Despite the image above, I don't actually use a chalkboard. Instead, I try to get to class a few minutes early and double-check that the room has dry erase markers with plenty of ink. So far I haven't had much trouble with this, but I'd bring my own if I needed to. I also bring a few extra regular pens so I can jot down notes on paper when students bring up topics I'd like to explore in more depth later on.

OK, class, what am I missing? If you've taught (writing or another topic), is there anything you'd add to this list?

Twyla Tharp and the Creative Habit

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:02:00 +0000

"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering." ~Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit

Earlier this week, I finished reading The Creative Habit: Learn It And Use It For Life by Twyla Tharp (hat tip to Lauren for the recommendation). Like Lauren, I'm not big on super-abstract theories about creating art. I'm much more practical than that. My approach is to do, not to pontificate about doing.

But The Creative Habit really got me thinking about the creative process.

Tharp says that the brilliant artists, writers, musicians, etc. are the ones who work their butts off, not necessarily the ones who are the most naturally gifted. And by making creativity a consistent habit, they achieve brilliance. But wait! Habits can become dull and repetitive, so the famed choreographer suggests ways to prevent creative ruts. For instance, she challenges herself by following a large-scale ballet with a modern dance commission for two dancers. Having different parameters each time keeps her on her toes (literally and figuratively), just like working with different writing clients keeps me from getting bored.

There's a beautiful lyricism and rhythm to The Creative Habit, and it made me wonder if Tharp hired a ghostwriter to collaborate with. Either way, she certainly understands the challenges of the creative life, and I'd recommend The Creative Habit to any writer, dancer, composer, musician, or other artistic type.

What about you? What books or other tools fuel your creative process?

Open Thread: What Groups Are Worth Their Dues?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Apologies for not posting earlier this week. I felt sick, so I opted to focus on sleep and urgent client work. I should have some drafts saved for situations like this, but... I didn't. Lesson learned.

Before I got sick, I submitted my application to join the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). When I first started freelancing, it seemed like all the "cool kids" were ASJA members and recently it occurred to me that I have enough clips now to qualify for membership. *fingers crossed*

While I'm waiting to hear from the application committee, I thought I'd open the floor to discuss writers' organizations and other freelance groups. I'm already a member of Freelance Success (FLX), and I've found some great gigs through FLX's forums and weekly newsletters. The $99 annual fee is nothing compared to the fantastic interactions I have with members both online and at the FLX conferences (some members are also editors, which is rather convenient).

What about you? Are you a member of any freelance organizations like ASJA or FLX? Which one(s) are worthwhile and which one(s) should we avoid?

Guest Post: 5 Commonly Misused Words and Phrases in Writing

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:02:00 +0000

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

The sentence, “Irregardless of the weather, we are bbq-ing tonight so take the beef out of the freezer so it can unthaw,” is one of my pet peeves – and it’s not just because I’m a vegetarian (flexitarian, really). Unthaw is not a real word, and neither is irregardless. When I see those, I go “Grrrr!!!” (which may or may not be a real word).

I taught Grade 8 Language Arts for three years, and am always amazed that the writing mistakes my students made are same mistakes I see adults make in business correspondence – or even published articles! It’s not because we’re dense; it’s because good writing takes practice. And, to learn something we have to be exposed to it regularly – and even when we have it down pat we still need to keep practicing.

These commonly misused words and phrases may just reinforce what you already know…or they may open up a whole new world of good writing…

“Could of” – When you say “She could’ve taken the beef out of the freezer”, it sounds like “could of.” However, the correct form is “could have.”

“Same exact thing” – If you’re writing tightly (and you should be!), avoid words that mean the exact same thing! Simply writing “the same” should do the trick – depending on context, of course. If your character is a teenager who is emphasizing what her frenemy wore to school, maybe you do want to say “She wore the same exact hat as I” (not me!).

“Peak/pique/peek” – “After eating my thawed beef, I peeked out of the window at the mountain peak, which piqued my interest in geological rock formations.” That works – but some writers don’t pay enough attention to the peak/pique/peek distinction.

“Out of the window” – in my above example about peeking out the window, I say “out of.” To clean up your writing, nix extra phrases like that. Redundant – even if you’re getting paid by the word!

“Affect/Effect” – I’ve never had a problem mixing up these two – I must’ve had a great English teacher! However, just this week I received a business email that misused “affective” (eg, “she was an affective teacher”). The next time you debate affect versus effect, remember that affect is emotion and effect is a result.

It’s your turn, fellow scribes: what are some of your word and phrase “pet peeves”? I welcome your thoughts and rants below!

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.

PS for more on this topic, check out my companion post over at Quips and Tips for Successful Writers: 5 Over-Used Words and Phrases for Writers to Avoid.

Open Thread: What Are You Working On?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:29:00 +0000

It's always interesting to talk to other freelancers and see what they're working on. There's usually a good mix of projects, some of which I'd never even thought of! And in this case, it will be useful for me to know what readers are working on so I can tailor blog posts to their interests.

I just finished up a project writing descriptions of home décor items. I'm also working on website copy for a law firm, a couple of assigned blog posts, and descriptions for a toy catalogue. I should be working on new queries and the ebook project I started a month ago, but somehow the paying projects with client deadlines seem to get in the way.

What about you? What's on your to-do list and what have you been meaning to write about but haven't?

Top 10 Blogs for Writers Announced!

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:21:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce that for the second year in a row, this blog was named to the Top 10 Blogs for Writers! Last year, I snagged the #10 spot, and this year The Urban Muse jumped up to #7. Community involvement is one of several factors considersed, so thanks to everyone who has commented and played a role in this blog's growth.

This is a fantastic roundup of blogs, so I hope you'll check out the full list:

1. Copyblogger
2. Men With Pens
3. Write to Done
4. Editor Unleashed
5. Freelance Writing Jobs
6. Confident Writing
7. The Urban Muse
8. WordCount
9. The Adventurous Writer
10. Fuel Your Writing

And if you're just joining us, you can read some of The Urban Muse's most popular posts and sign up for The Urban Museletter. Congrats to all the winners and nominees!