The WMF Archives

By Angela Atkinson

In addition to writing gigs, The WM Freelance Connection will be providing information about writing contests. We feel they're a great way to get the creative juices flowing, and hey, if you win, prizes are always a good thing.

Writer's Digest Magazine is currently running three writing competitions. Click here for writer's guidelines and information.

Current Contest Details from the website:

Writer's Digest 10th Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition

Deadline: 12/1/2009

We're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant...but brief.

Send us your best in 1,500 words or fewer. Enter the 10th Annual Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win BIG $$$$ - including the $3000 First Prize!


Writer's Digest 9th Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition

Look for the winners of the 9th Annual Short Short Story Competition appearing in the May/June 2009 issue of Writer's Digest.

There is still time to order this collection which features the top 25 manuscripts in this year's competition.

Writer's Digest Pop Fiction Awards

Deadline: 11/2/2009

Writer's Digest is now accepting entries in the Pop Fiction Awards. Submit your entry (or entries!) now for your chance to win $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Compete and Win in 5 Categories!

* Romance
* Mystery/Crime Fiction
* Science Fiction/Fantasy
* Thriller/Suspense
* Horror


Writer's Digest Poetry Awards Competition

Deadline: 12/15/2009

Watch for details regarding the upcoming 5th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards Competition. Winners will be notified in March 2010 and will be announced in the August 2010 issue of Writer’s Digest.
It is not too late to order the new 2008 Competition Collection. The 1st- through 50th-place poems are printed in this special competition collection, published by Lulu.com.

Writing Competition Opportunity: Writer's Digest Short Story, Pop Fiction and Poetry Competitions

By Angela Atkinson A Cup of Comfort is seeking submissions for three anthologies this year. Click here for writer's guidelines. From the website: Call for Submissions

A Cup of Comfort® is a bestselling anthology (book) series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These slice-of-life stories are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths. We are currently accepting submissions for the following books. Please note that all three of these anthologies are for the secular (non-religious) inspirational nonfiction book category. We have no Christian Cup of Comfort volumes in development for which we are currently accepting submissions; when we do, the call-outs for those books will be posted on this page as well and will be clearly identified as having a Christian focus. A Cup of Comfort® for a Better World: Stories that celebrate generosity, compassion, and volunteerism To coin a phrase of President Barack Obama, Yes, we can! make a positive difference in the world. And this Cup of Comfort anthology will feature living examples of good Samaritans whose good deeds inspire others to do their part to make the world a better place or to just make life a little bit easier—for loved ones, neighbors, strangers, future generations, or any of God's creatures, great and small. Potential themes include (but are not limited to) charitable work, random acts of kindness, paying it forward, or lending a helping hand, a port in a storm, or a shoulder to lean on. Stories must be uplifting and personal, preferably narrative essays; we are not interested in journalistic articles or thinly disguised PR pieces for charitable organizations. Story length: 1000–2000 words. Submission Deadline: July 1, 2009 Finalist Notification: July 15, 2009 A Cup of Comfort® for Couples: Stories that celebrate what it means to be in love It is said that love works in mysterious ways. And this anthology will reveal the many mysteries as well as the inner workings of true love. Of course, being a "happy couple" involves more than being in love, and making a romantic relationship work takes more than romance. So this book will feature uplifting true stories with a balanced mix of tones—romantic, poignant, humorous—and on a wide range of topics: From falling in love to the secrets of lasting love. From celebrating special moments between you to overcoming bumps in your relationship. From experiences that brought you closer together to experiences that threatened to tear you apart. From endearing rituals to challenging changes. From sparkling new love to glorious golden love. Or any other topic that speaks to the joys, the challenges, and/or the nature of a romantic partnership that works for you. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words. Submission Deadline: October 1, 2009 Finalist Notification: October 15, 2009 A Cup of Comfort® for Golfers: Stories that celebrate the follies, the triumphs, and the joy of the game This anthology will feature upbeat, insightful, inspiring, and humorous true stories about learning, playing, and enjoying the uniquely challenging and satisfying game of golf. The book will include stories about golfers of every age and of every persuasion—amateur, pro, casual, recreational, hard-core, newbie. Most of the stories will be written by golfers, but the book will likely include stories written by golf "widows" (or widowers) or other loved ones of "golf nuts." Stories must be about personal experiences. We are not interested in articles on how to play the game, profiles/bios of professional golfers, etc. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words. Submission Deadline: December 15, 2009 Finalist Notification: December 31, 2009 Before submitting a story, please review the Writers Guidelines Deadlines are sometimes extended. Any submission-deadline extensions will be posted here and in the Cup of Comfort News forum.

Writing Opportunity: A Cup of Comfort Anthologies

Anyone whose ever studied any type of communication history knows that writing came about simply as a way to convey information. Those of us who do any type of writing know that writing itself has evolved into more than an information tool. Even in the days of hieroglyphics, stories were written on the walls of caves simply to entertain and document history.

A Writer's Purpose
Every story has its place. Every piece of writing is done to serve its own purpose. If you want to be an online writer then you need to make it your business to figure out where it is your writing goes. And as a writing mommy, it's my job to help you figure that out if I can. I'll do the best I can using what knowledge I have through my own experience. Any site that I ever write for serves a purpose whether it is increasing traffic to my own site or developing a following on existing articles.

Personal Writing
If you want to write about your own experiences on a day to day basis then you might want to start a blog or online journal. For me, I actually just feel better when I write, whether it's in my notepad or on my computer. You can monetize a blog easily using AdSense and simply write what you enjoy. My personal blog is the first thing I write in so I can get my personal stuff out of the way before moving onto business.

Technical Writing
If you're into technical writing such as manuals or even lesson plans there is certainly a market for that. It can be kind of dry, but it pays the bills. Places like Bright Hub pay well but may be difficult to get into and have specific requirements to be met. Suite101 and eHow are paying sites, but the pay is based mostly on page views. These are the types of sites I do most of my writing at.

Life Skills
Whether it's parenting, homeschooling or mental health issues, people are on a constant search for useful information. The idea is to find your own niche using personal knowledge with a bit of research to back it up. Once you find a niche and develop a following you've got it made and all you have to do is keep providing information that people are searching for. Again Suite101 is a good place to do this as is Associated Content.

Stories
I personally don't write stories of fiction or nonfiction. Why? I'm chicken that's why! I write because I love to write and it pays the bills. When my small nest egg is built, I'll take time out to write what I really want to which is nonfiction and I may even get up the guts to try some fiction! Since writing for a living takes up so much time for me I really don't have the time to write what I really want to. If you have the time, kudos to you. I would have to recommend the Accentuate Services forum for some quality feedback and direction in this area.

Compiling
Whether you're ghost writing or compiling a collection of your own work, this takes some organization. For me, I am compiling a collection of Science Lesson Plans. My articles are published. Now I have to rewrite them using the same information with different words so that I don't violate the terms they were published under. But for now I put together information for my website and link to my articles as well as others' articles from there. While I'm not making much money on this venture, I am establishing my site and my name for having quality information with an interesting new service.

These are just some of the forms of online writing that are out there. In future articles I'll go into more depth about the types of writing and where specific types seem to do the best at. Remember that each site draws a different type of traffic. Putting an "A" article on the wrong website means you're losing page views...which means you're losing money and credibility that you would otherwise have. If you're just starting to write today than I would recommend you take a trip to Associated Content and try submitting there. It's a great place to warm up your writing skills while you're leaning SEO and other things you'll pick up along the way.

The Purpose of Writing

For our creative writing Canadian friends only:

Looking for a writing contest? This one is free to enter and offers cash prizes, among other benefits. Here's the contest info from the website:

2009 National Poetry Contest and
2009 National Short-Story Contest:
(for Canadian residents and citizens aged 14 to 99+)



Deadline: July 15th, 2009.

No entry fee! Cash prizes to be won!

Each spring we hold two contests, which are open to Canadian residents and citizens aged 14 to 99+. Over $2500 will be awarded in cash and other prizes. There is no entry fee and no obligation to purchase anything. As well as the opportunity to win cash prizes, there will be twenty honourable mentions and the top third (33%) or less of all entries received will be published in an inexpensive, keepsake, soft-cover anthology to be released in early December of each year. Entries must be post-marked by July 15th, 2009. Click here for an entry form or send your entry along with a cover page containing your full name and mailing address.

PRIZES

Each contest

First Prize--$500

Second Prize--$250

Third Prize--$100


and . . . ten honourable mentions!

Additionally, all first-, second-, and third-prize winners as well as those who receive honourable mentions will receive a free copy of the anthology featuring their entry.

RULES

* All work must be original and should not have been previously published!
* You may enter both contests, but only one entry please for each!
* Poems must be 48 lines or less.
* Short stories must be 750 words or less.
* Please fill out and complete an entry form or send your entry with a cover page containing your full name and mailing address.

Please retain a copy of all work submitted as we are unable to return anything. Any topic or style is acceptable.

WAYS TO ENTER

Please send entries

Via mail: Polar Expressions Publishing, PO Box 500 Stn Main, Maple Ridge BC V2X 3P2

Via fax: (604) 465-0756

Via e-mail: polarexpressions@shaw.ca

Hey Canadians, This One's For You

Staying Focused: Learn the Secret!

6 Freelance Writing Tips You Need to Know!

By Angela Atkinson

Please help us offer a warm welcome to Kat Foust, our newest Writing Mommy! Watch for her posts on Sundays. Want to know more about Kat? Check out her bio below.

Katharine Foust, commonly referred to as "Kat" and more commonly referred to as "Ma" by her 8 year old son, is a single mother working at home. In fact, she has almost become one with her precious..err laptop.

Kat writes lesson plans for all age groups, mental health articles and whatever else those holding the whip demand of her. For a more personal glimpse of Kat and her take on the world around her, read Life and Death. And don't forget to check out her Preschool Teacher Support or Creative Education sites.

Watch for a new "Writing Mommies" header.

Have questions for Kat? Post them here!

New Writing Mommy: Kat Foust

WM: Can you tell us about your publishing career?

J.R. Turner: In 1999, a move gave me the opportunity to abandon my career as a contract artist and begin seriously pursuing my true love—writing. Nearly six years and as many manuscripts later, the third book I had written was accepted by Echelon Press and became my first published novel. Great reviews for Stark Knight launched a sequel and Silent Knight followed. The third book, Good Knight, tied up the trilogy. The Knight before, a short story prologue is available as a download at Fictionwise, and in the charity anthology, Missing, the short story Knight’s Child is an epilogue to the series.

In between, two of my romantic suspense novels were published: Bulletproof Bride in e-book, and My Biker Bodyguard in both print and e-book.

In 2007 or so, my children began to bug me for books they “wanted to read.” My forte was high action though and I had a difficult time imagining third-graders with universal machine pistols or throwing a Land Rover at a helicopter. Then Quake came along and my publisher asked if I’d be interested in writing a Young Adult series.

I landed on the idea of horror, using the supernatural as a springboard for all sorts of thrills and chills, I got really excited and DFF: Dead Friends Forever was born. Lockers exploding, ghosts on a rampage, buildings burning down, hand-to-hand combat with a demon? What more could an author ask for?

I’m working on the second book in the Extreme Hauntings series now. Schools Out 4Ever takes place in a boarding school. Kaylee thought one ghost was bad, at Barclay Hall reformatory, there are classes full and I’m in writer heaven with this plot.

WM: When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer? Was there a certain moment or event that inspired you?

J.R. Turner: On my thirteenth birthday I got one of those old ribbon typewriters and a dictionary. I had a host of poems and short stories written, but now I could type them. They came even faster. Yet, the family business was art and by 15, I could make over a hundred a week. Eventually I had my own clientele for children’s portraits and sign painting. More than a decade went by before I returned to the medium I truly loved.

A few bad books in a row prompted me to start writing again. An avid reader, I just had a stretch of bad luck when I’d read everything by my favorite writers. I figured why waste time reading books I didn’t like when I could spend time writing one I did? We moved at the end of that summer, which helped me decide to leave art completely and focus entirely on writing.

WM: What would you say was a defining moment in your career? Can you tell us about it?

J.R. Turner: For years I did all those things new writers do. I’d think I’d nailed it, and then get feedback from a more knowledgeable source and rewrite the whole darn thing. I’d enter contests, and never even placed. The rejection letters were piling up and I began to wonder why I kept going?

Then I took that old advice about writing what you know and wrote My Biker Bodyguard. I placed fourth in one contest, and then finally it happened. I won first place in romantic suspense—in an RWA contest. This validated my belief that with practice, patience and persistence, I could be a career author.

Not long after that, Stark Knight sold and I got to hold a novel with my name on the cover for the first time. I haven’t looked back since.

WM: Besides writing books, I have noticed you also have written articles. Do you have a preference when it comes to writing books or articles?

J.R. Turner: I prefer fiction to non-fiction, but every now and again I find I can help in some way. Many of my articles began as advice offered when a question was asked, so they would nearly all fall into the “how-to” section.

One of my favorite bits of non-fiction, though is my blog—but not because of the writing. I love to surf Google Images for fun and funny photos and pics. I’ve still got a bit of the visual artist in me and this satisfies that urge (some!)

WM: How do you stay on top of your writing? Do you set daily or weekly writing goals for yourself, or do you have another way to stay motivated?

J.R. Turner: I have deadlines!

Seriously, they are always looming. When I’m stuck or can’t seem to get immersed enough in a story to live in that universe during my writing time (early, early morning: 5:00 a.m. is my best time, ugh!) I do a 10K day. I designed this day when those in my (then) writing group wanted to know how I managed to write a book in three weeks.

A 10K Day allows me to put my ear buds in and let the rest of the world disappear until I’ve written 10,000 words—or more for an entire day. The most I ever wrote in one day was a little over 20K, but I had a great outline and already knew my characters well.

When I first began, I used to play “race the response.” I would write enough of a book to know I could finish and edit by the time an agent or editor requested more materials. I’d calculate the day (say in 3 months) then mark it on my calendar and write my little heart out. Great practice for my life now.

WM: What kind of advice would you give a new writer who was just starting out?

J.R. Turner: If you are very, very green to the writing world, be very, very careful about who you trust to advise you. There are those who will tear you down for no reason, often based on a faulty understanding of the industry or the craft (and sometimes both) and others who will offer praise simply because they don’t know there is anything wrong. Find as many respected writers as you can and seek their advice.

Join a good critique group. There are many affiliated with local, state and national writing organizations. Avoid random groups on the internet. They often aren’t worth the headache.

If you’ve been at this a while—don’t stop, just practice a different focus. You spent all that time learning how to be a great writer, now spend a lot of time learning how to be a great storyteller. Read widely and extensively, especially modern works (know your competition.)

WM: How do you balance being a mother and a writer? Have you learned in tips to help you along the way?

J.R. Turner: Oh, it’s a juggling act. My husband is a truck driver and before my youngest ones started school full time, I discovered that the pre-dawn hours were my best time to write, before the little energizer monkeys woke up. When they started school, I kept my time-table, only stopping to wake them up and send them off.

The biggest tip I would give a mommy writer is to wear your children out as often as you can. A trip to the park, where you get to relax with a good book and they run their little legs off, works very well. They come home and fall asleep and you feel all inspired by the good book you’re reading.

Buy a crock pot—a big one—and cook large amounts of meat. Freeze what you don’t finish at that meal, then make pulled-pork/beef sandwiches, cube it for a stir-fry or stew. The less time you have to spend on mundane meals, the more time you have to write. I recruit the kids and hubby to pick meals from my recipe books and magazines—saves me time trying to figure out the grocery list and then it’s easy to rope them into helping me make “their” meal.

WM: You have already accomplished a successful writing career, how do you hope to further your career?

J.R. Turner: Now that I’ve found my strengths and capitalized on those, overcome many of my weaknesses and learned what I’m really passionate about, the stories are pouring out of me. I plan to continue my career as a fiction author in every way possible, getting better and better and learning more and more.

Writing Mommies would like to say thank you to J.R. Turner for granting us this wonderful opportunity. If you would like to see more about J.R. Turner, you will enjoy these links.

J.R. Turner's Website

J.R. Turner's Blog

Echelon Press

Quake Me Link

Stark Knight

Silent Knight

Good Knight

My Biker Bodyguard

DFF: Dead Friends Forever

J.R. Turner's Articles

Follow J.R. Turner on Twitter

Photo Courtesy of J.R. Turner

Writers to Watch: J.R. Turner

By Angela Atkinson

Are you a bird watcher? Do you feel that birds should be left in their natural environment rather than caged as pets? Do you love wild birds?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, have I got a gig for you.

Birder's World Magazine is currently accepting submissions, and according to their website, the mag contains mostly unsolicited freelance articles.

Great news for you, my freelancing friend.

Here's a snippet from the website regarding the mag and the guidelines:

A bimonthly magazine for people with a broad interest in wild birds and
birdwatching.

Our readers are intellectually curious and well educated. They own many field guides and other books about birds, and they read widely.

To satisfy them, we strive to publish articles that enhance their enjoyment of the hobby and make them better birders — that is, we look for photos that make our readers say, “Wow!” and information that they can use to find birds, attract birds, identify birds, and understand how and why birds do what they do.

We solicit many articles from biologists, researchers, and nature writers with a special interest in birds, but we accept unsolicited work as well. If you have an article in mind, please bear in mind that we receive many more manuscripts and proposals than we have space to publish. (We print only six issues a year, and each contains four or five features, tops.) Please send us a proposal first, not a manuscript, along with samples of your published writing.

Please note: We do not accept poetry, fiction, puzzles, and product reviews. We don’t publish articles about rare bird sightings. We don’t think albino birds are newsworthy. And we scorn stories about native wild birds that have been fed, handled, “adopted,” or kept as pets by anyone other than licensed wildlife rehabilitators or other professionals.

Click here for full writer's guidelines.

Writing Opportunity: Birder's World Magazine

In order to become an effective writer, you must be able to determine the audience that your writing is targeting. Depending on the writing piece you are working on, can help you determine what type of audience you are trying to target. There are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you decide who your audience will be.

1. Is my reader going to use the piece for information, entertainment, or professional use?

2. Does me reader already know me?

3. Is my reader outside of my center of influence?

4. Does my reader have prior knowledge about my writing topic?

5. How receptive will my reader be with the information?

By asking yourself the 5 simple questions, you can easily establish the audience your writing piece will target. These questions can help you set your voice and tone of your writing as well. By setting your audience as a priority, you will receive a better outcome from your writing piece.

Improve your Writing: Determine your Audience

By Angela Atkinson

Whether you're a fiction writer or a journalist, today's post has something for you. Shades of Romance Magazine is currently accepting manuscripts.

Writer's Guidelines (From the SORMAG Website):



SORMAG is published bi-monthly. We are a magazine that caters to the readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. This is a great vehicle for getting exposure for your name, your web site and your books.
New writers are especially encouraged to submit their work. We also welcome submissions and inquiries from published authors.
2009 - 2010 THEMES
JAN – FAMILY LITERACY (ANNUAL ISSUE)
DEADLINE – December 1st


FEB - WRITING THE BOOK
DEADLINE – January 1st


MAR – RESOURCES ON THE NET (ANNUAL ISSUE)
DEADLINE – February 1st


APR - GETTING THE CALL
DEADLINE – March 1st


MAY – BOOK READERS
DEADLINE – April 1st


JUNE - REACHING YOUR GOALS
DEADLINE – May 1st


JULY - AGENT HUNTING
DEADLINE – June 1st


AUG – STAYING OUT OF THE SLUSH PILE
DEADLINE – June 1st


SEP – ONLINE MARKETING ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
DEADLINE – Aug 1st


OCT – THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
DEADLINE – Sep 1st


NOV- TIME MANAGEMENT
DEADLINE – Oct 1st


DEC – CHILDREN BOOKS
DEADLINE – Nov 1st

We will feature two articles based on the theme for the month

Themes are subject to change. Please check guidelines before submitting queries.

We are accepting submissions:

Devotionals: Inspirational thoughts on writing. (200 - 500wds
Articles on how to market your writing. (500-800wds)
Articles on the business of writing, promoting and selling fiction. (500-800wds)
Fillers: Tips on freelancing time management, writing exercises, etc. (200-500wds)
We will also consider humorous anecdotes, essays regarding writing, the writing life and articles that would be of interest to multi-cultural book readers. (200-500wds)
Short Story (Romance Stories (500-1500wds)
The short story must focus on the romance, and have an upbeat ending. All genres are considered, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, mystery, regency Futuristic, and Time-Travel. We do not publish erotica.
We are also accepting queries on other topics that you feel will fit this type of magazine.
Please take a moment to look at the current issue of the magazine to get a feel of what we look for. We are a multi-cultural magazine, submissions should be geared toward the multi-cultural reader/writer.

We do not publish erotica, horror, graphic sex or language.
NO UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONS. Please query before sending.
Please query: LaShaunda Hoffman, Editor, Shades Of Romance Magazine at sormag@yahoo.com. Please use an appropriate subject line. "Query: (subject)"


HOW TO SUBMIT: After we respond to your query, please submit the article, poetry or short story in a word doc attachment or inside an email. Double spaced. We will inform you which issue it will be published in.

RESPONSE TIME: 2-4 weeks

Writing Opportunity: Shades of Romance Magazine

I recently heard about an online site for writers to connect with one another called the Writers Cafe. This site is kind of like a myspace or facebook for writers, but allows you to do so much more. The sign up process is simple and you can quickly begin connecting with other writers of all types and genre's.

After you create a profile on the Writers Cafe, you can begin meeting other writers. This site allows you to share your work with other people for reviews. You are also able to review other writers work.

The Writers Cafe has multiple other writing groups you are able to join as well as many contests to enter. They provide daily writing topics to exercise your writing abilities.

This is a great site for writers of all kinds to meet new people, learn great tips, and receive feedback on their work.

Socializing Site for Writers

By Angela Atkinson


Most people have heard of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books--and most either love them or hate them. If you're one of the Soup's fans, check out this writing opportunity. We believe this gig pays about $200 USD for accepted work, but don't quote us on that one.


From the website:

Writing Opportunity: Chicken Soup for the Soul

By Angela Atkinson


We like to be a one-stop resource here at The WM Freelance Connection. As such, we will periodically be providing you with resource links to writing sites we dig. Here's today's list.


The Freelance Writing Jobs Network--This site offers regularly updated freelance writing job listings. You can subscribe for free and have the jobs and other writing tips emailed to you each day--or just surf the site for a ton of good info.


Daily Writing Tips--This site offers a daily writing tip. A free subscription sends it right to your email box.


Mike's Writing Workshop and Newsletter--We've said it before and we'll say it again. This guy knows what he's talking about. Watch for an upcoming exclusive Writing Mommies interview with Mike Geffner.


Freelance Folder--Another site packed with useful tips and info related to freelance writing.


About.com--Freelance Writing--This well-rounded site offers tips on everything related to freelance writing, from getting started to getting paid to getting paid more. Author Allena Tapia keeps the site regularly updated and full of good info.


What are your favorite writing sites?

Five Writing Sites We Love

By Alyssa Ast

Spellcheck is a convenient tool to use and most people are satisfied with their work after they have used it. But, there are a few things spellchecker can't do. Although it checks the spelling of words, it does not check to make sure the correct word it used. (Example: there vs their)


It is still a good idea to use spellchecker because it can catch many mistakes, but a dictionary and thesaurus are great tools to use as well.


Dictionaries
A very important tool to have as a writer is a good dictionary. Dictionaries not only tell you how to spell the word, but also the definition and examples of how the word can be used. By taking a few seconds to check a word you are unsure of in a dictionary, you can catch more mistakes. Plus, that word is likely to stick in your head so you don't need to look it up later on. Most computers have a dictionary you can use, or the Internet has many free online dictionaries. One site you can use is http://www.m-w.com/ This is the site for the Merriam-Webster dictionary.


Thesaurus
Thesauruses are great tools to have as well. You can increase your vocabulary skills by simply looking up words you normally use. By using a wider vocabulary in your writing, your work will be more interesting to read and keep your audience. You have to be careful when using a thesaurus though, because some words are similar in meaning but may not be exact. Therefore, it's important to check the new word you are using in the dictionary to make sure you will convey your message correctly.


If you are like me, I'm a horrible speller and spellcheck is my lifeline. I have my dictionary sitting right beside my computer for quick reference, as well as my thesaurus. Often, when I have nothing to do, I will pick up the thesaurus to learn a few new words. Spellcheck, a dictionary, and a thesaurus are the three most important tools you can have if you are a writer.

Going Beyond Spellcheck

By Angela Atkinson


You've probably heard the buzz about people being fired from their jobs for what they put up on their MySpace pages in the last few years. And, as a freelance writer, you probably felt a little bit safe from such a phenomenon.


After all, you happen to be tight with your 'boss' (that's you, Freelancer) and you're pretty sure that YOU won't fire yourself, at least most days.


So, it shouldn't matter if you go into various forums or groups and misbehave a little, right?


Wrong.


The fact is that even though you're not technically employed by your freelance clients and editors, your image matters.


So, if you simply must go into the Cafemom forums or the Facebook forums and shred other members of said forums for opinions which differ from your own (maybe it's how you relieve stress?), then consider creating an alias for your evil side. (Alternatively, start focusing on inner peace--just a thought.)


Is it just forums you need to watch? Nope. Putting suggestive (or otherwise inappropriate) photos of yourself (or others) on your MySpace or Facebook pages, for example, may not go over well if you decide to become a children's book writer.


Then again, if you're a sexpert author, the suggestive photos may be just the ticket. Point being, your image is what you make it. Google is a powerful tool--and everyone and their grandma knows how to use it these days.


Nothing on the internet is private. Be aware of it and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your career. So what kinds of precautions should one take? This article from Lifehack offers ten tips to help you get started.


Are you protecting your online image?

Freelance Writers and Online Image

By Loretta Snyder

It's amazing what we can find if we just look a little deeper.

I took this picture my backyard... At first glance it appears to be a bunch of trees, but if you look a little deeper, you will see a coyote.

Not something you see every day in the city.

What does this have to do with writing?


Just a friendly reminder that ideas for articles, stories and poetry are all around us-even in our own backyards.


Seeing this coyote led me to look up the spirit of meaning of coyotes. That inspired upon and gave me an idea for a short story.


This picture also inspired an article about wildlife in the city and of course, it inspired this blog.


So, take a close look at the world around you. Inspiration may be as close as your own backyard.

Inspiration in Your Own Back Yard

By Alyssa Ast


Life as a writer can often be a difficult journey expecially when you have to be a mommy as well. In my case, I'm a stay at home mother and a work from home mother. This can mean a day of chaos, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have learned a few tricks to make the work day and duties of a mother a little less stressfull. With less stress, you're more likely to accomplish more, not only as a writer, but a mother as well.


Prioritize
One thing I have learned, is you have to learn how to prioritize. Knowing what's most important to you can help a lot when trying to cram everything into a busy day. Decide what your family needs. Next, decide what needs done for work. Try and list these priorities in ascending order, from what's the absolute most important down to the least important. Evaluating your priorities visually makes it easier to get your day organized.


Organization
Organization is probably the most important part of being able to balance life as a mommy and writer. By looking at my desk, you would probably think I'm the most unorganized person in the world, but my daily life is organized from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. I look at my motherly duties, such as housework and errands, and look at my writing responsibilities every morning, then create a schedule. I fit everything I need to do during the day into a schedule- making sure I get everything done. Sometimes it seems like there's not enough time in the day to complete it all, but with strategic planning it can all be accomplished.


Making the Most of your Time
To balance out your life, you have to make the most of every minute during the day. This means using the time you are given during the day wisely. Extra minutes through out the day can be found if you look hard enough. Evaluate how much time you simply sit around an figure out what you could be doing instead. A huge benefit is the ability to multitask. By using this gift, you can surprise yourself at how much you can accomplish. For example, as I cook dinner I am also folding laundry in between stirring food. I am also doing the dishes and sweeping the floor. Finding moments like this throughout the day. When you can do more than one task at once, can increase your productivity level.


Although it's often very difficult to cram everything that needs to be done through out the day into a full schedule, it can be done. I even go to the extent of waking up at 4:00 in the morning to accomplish it. I figure, since I have to get up and make my husbands lunch, I might as well stay up and get some writing done before the kids wake up. By the time the kids get up, I am relaxed because I got a head start in my work and now have a few extra minuets spending time with my boys.


It's important to remember, a job can always be replaced, but your family cannot.

Balancing Life: Mommy vs. Writer

By Angela Atkinson

One of our goals at The WM Freelance Connection is to provide links and contact information for paying gigs.


The following is a list of a few websites which pay for accepted work (including articles and blog posts) or connect you with clients seeking freelance writers.


This list is not all inclusive and will be continued in future posts which will all be linked with the "get paid to write online" category.


Disclaimer: I have not personally written for all of these sites, so I can't vouch for their legitimacy. Even so, the list was collected from a number of other writers who say they've been paid.


If you have personal experience with any of these sites, please let us know what you think of them.


PayU2Blog.com


"We have all types of bloggers in our network some have been earning money with their blogs for years, others have just started. It makes no difference to us how long you have been blogging. If your blog meets our requirements then you can make money blogging in our system and you can count on Payu2blog to deliver that consistent steady income from advertising on your blog."


Smorty


"Get paid for publishing. Publish pay-per-click advertising on your blog to generate
residual income.


Get paid for blogging. Write your opinion about peoples products and services to turn your daily blog updates into money.


Smorty pays directly to your PayPal account. Apply with multiple blogs to generate higher income."


Online Writing Jobs


"Search 1000s of Help-Wanted-Ads Seeking Freelance Writers!"


SunOasis Jobs


"We aren't just about getting job leads. We want to provide the best job leads! We aren't just about providing a pool of eager job seekers. We are about providing an excellent resource base for those looking for writers, editors, and copywriters."


Journalism Jobs


"JournalismJobs.com was founded in August 1998 by Dan Rohn, a former copy editor and writer with The Washington Post, editor with America Online, and Washington, D.C.-based stringer for Money Magazine. JournalismJobs.com is the largest and most-visited resource for journalism jobs, and receives between 2.5 to 3 million page views a month."


PayPerPost


"This is a completely new version of PayPerPost. How different is it? Well for bloggers, there's no more busy dashboard, no more Advertiser-set prices, no more waiting for blog approval!"


Writing Bids


"Bid on Your Next Freelance Writing Project Here!"

Online Writing Gigs

Mike's 10 Commandments to Writing Success: A No-Fail Approach/Part 1

By Michael Geffner


These principles represent the best advice I can give anyone interested in making writing a career. Study them, learn them, and, most of all, do them. You'll be amazed by the results.


1) Be a letter writer, not a resume sender. Resumes get shoved into the bottomless pit of file cabinets or dumped into the black holes of wastebaskets. Learn instead to be an aggressive composer of letters, though not sending these so often to the same editor that you become increasingly annoying. There's a fine line between persistence and being a nuisance. Don't cross that line, lest you risk turning people off who control your fate in the industry. In your letters, sell yourself like a salesperson, with you, of course, being the valuable commodity: who you are, what makes you different and better, what passions you have, how eager you are to work hard, and why you-and not someone else--should be working for the publication. The stationery and envelope should be of the highest quality (first impressions count!) and smaller than standard letter size (the small size virtually guarantees you'll be put on the top of the pile by the secretary). The letter itself should be flawless and tightly constructed, and the envelope should always be marked "personal and confidential" (to pass the gatekeeper). Your singular theme should be this: I know I can make a difference at your publication. You need people like me. You must use me.


2) Come up with five solid ideas, things hopefully you're passionate about and expert in, and write a couple of paragraphs on each (exactly what the story is and how you'd be attacking it). Make sure these "pitch letters" are well written (the editor will be judging your writing talent every step of the way) and targeted at the appropriate publications, ones publishing similar type stories. Fitting your story to the right publication is key. It should be as natural as a hand slipping smoothly in a glove.


3) Timing is everything. Spot trends and hit publications quickly with story ideas based on these, before someone else beats you to the punch. The hot item of the day approached uniquely is always a great way to get into print. Believe me, a well-timed pitch is gold!


4) Establish as personal a contact as possible with editors. Try to establish a phone connection at the very least, but face time is infinitely better and should without question be your goal. It's harder to reject a real live breathing person than a faceless name at the top of another letter. In fact, in your letters to editors, write a sentence about how you'll be calling on a specific day to discuss your "wonderful" ideas. This opens the door for your phone call. It won't be easy. It's like telemarketing at this point. But remember: Every rejection puts you closer to a sale. Though you'll have to pass some gate keepers to get to the top editors, always be professional, polite but pleasantly forceful. And if anyone asks what your business is with this editor, say it's personal. I mean, let's face it, your career is personal. Also, as a way around secretaries and assistants, you can call before 9 AM and after 5 PM-when they aren't there. And be prepared what you'll say if the editor actually gets on the line. Don't ramble. Get to the point and get off. Less is better. Make contact and leave on a high note. You want editors liking you enough to take your phone calls, not dreading the next one.


5) Study and immerse yourself in the marketplace. You need to get in the game to win it. Read media columns and industry magazines, join writing clubs, scan the net for resource sites, buy market books, get insider newsletters. Know the business inside out. Talk the talk and walk the walk. Editor and peers will know a professional when they see one.


6) Read what the best writers in your particular genre are doing. If you're a magazine writer, get yourself a copy of the annual anthology Best American Magazine Writing. If you're a short story writer, pick up The Best American Short Stories. See how it's done at its best. It'll be a great guide for what YOU should be doing. And read not for enjoyment but to learn. Study the writer's art and craft, and even try to imitate it. In pop speak, this is called Modeling.


7) Networking is nearly as important as talent. This took me a long time to understand--and believe. I always felt that the talent alone would get me to where I wanted to go. Not true. I found that out the hard way. You need to know people. A lot of them. My advice: Write "networking letters" to major editors (at the top of the masthead), not asking for work (never do that in a networking letter!) but simply for advice on how to succeed as a writer. I mean, these are the industry leaders you'll be contacting. They know a ton of inside info you don't, as well as a ton of other influential people in the business. Try to arrange a face-to-face meeting, between 15 minutes to a half-hour long at THEIR convenience in their office. You'll not only likely get some wonderful advice but will also establish yourself with a power broker. If he or she likes you enough and believes in you, he or she will likely consider you for future or current work (without you ever asking), or might refer you to another power broker. In other words, it multiplies naturally. One contact could lead to six. And after every visit, write a thank you note for them both graciously giving you their precious time and imparting some great information. Networking can also include your friends and family, who may have contacts in the field. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. You'll be amazed how many people will reach right back.


8) Do something toward furthering your writing career every single day. Read a book on writing. Write a pitch letter. Apply for a writing job. Set up an interview for a writing job. Write a networking letter to an editor. Arrange a meeting with an editor. Read a book by a great writer (not so much for entertainment but analyzing what the author does to achieve a certain effect). Read magazines and newspaper articles about the industry in media/publishing sections (This is a wonderful way to find the names of top agents). The thing is, you need to be proactive and be it daily. Action breeds action! It also adds up: A single "positive" every day builds into 365 in a year!


9) Write every single day, no matter what. Your mind is like a muscle. It needs a regular workout to stay strong and sharp. It's like the man who asks someone on the street, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" And the other man says, "Simple. Practice, practice, practice."


10) Don't give up. The secret to ultimate success of any kind, I'm convinced, is persevering in the face of repeated rejection. If a newspaper/magazine/publishing house/literary agency doesn't accept you at first glance, try them again six months later. Editors, people, and philosophies change frequently. If you're not the cup of tea for one, you might be for another. The trick to succeeding as a writer, I feel, is having the strength and conviction to jump hurdles. Never take "no" for a final answer. Simply consider it the start for coming up with a more effective approach. Bottom-line is, if you write well, have great ideas and are well connected, success is definitely yours!


Article Reprinted with the Author's Permission

Coming Soon: Award-winning writer and mentor Michael Geffner granted Writing Mommies an exclusive interview. Get the scoop in an upcoming post!


More Writing Commandments: Due to the extreme popularity of Mike's 10 Commandments to Writing Success (including publication in national magazines and a book), Mike has written several follow-up articles which include even more insider information for writers. Find out more at Mike's Writing Workshop & Newsletter.

Mike's 10 Commandments to Writing Success

By Alyssa Ast

Keeping in spirit with our interview from yesterday, I though today would be the perfect time to discuss tips for conducting interviews. Interviews can be tricky to conduct if you do not have much experience. Luckily, if you remember a few tips, an interview can go much smoother and stress free.








Be Prepared


The most important tip for conducting an interview, is to be prepared. Prior to the interview, you should learn as much as possible about the person you are interviewing and the topics being discussed. You can gain useful information by visiting the company or person you are interviewing before hand and visiting any websites related to the interview.








Proper Preparation


Properly preparing the questions before the actual interview takes place, will allow the interview to be a success. Plan out ahead of time what you would like to ask the interviewee. Always prepare more questions than expected in case the interview lasts longer than first thought.








Have Courtesy


Maintaining a professional relationship with the interviewee is very important. This includes being courteous to the person you are interviewing. You should always dress appropriately when interviewing in person. Give your interviewee your name and contact information when you first introduce yourself. Because the person you are interviewing is taking time from their day to help you, they should be shown respect and their time should be valued.








Record the Interview


Before conducting the interview, it is a good idea to ask if you can record the session. You should never rely on you memory alone to remember the information gathered. By having the interview recorded, you can easily go back to the interview as many times as you need when preparing you final product. Not only should you record the interview, but have a pen and paper ready as well, to note the atmosphere in the room and to evaluate body language.








Clarify and Confirm


Confirming information gathered from the interview is key to the quality of the final product. This includes spelling of names, dates and times. If you do not understand a topic being discussed, ask for them to clarify so you have a complete understanding.








Remain on Friendly Terms


When you end the interview, make sure it ends on good terms. When transcribing the interview, you may need to make a follow up call or have more questions. For this reason, it is important to leave a good final impression. Before you end the interview, ask when would be a good time to contact them if you should have any other questions.





Transcribe the Interview


In order to have the best final product possible, you should transcribe your notes as soon as you get the chance. The sooner you do this the better, because facts and information will be fresh in your mind as well as their interviewee's body language and phrases they had used.








With practice, conducting interviews will become easier. If you follow these simple tips, you can conduct an interview to the best of your ability. Do you have any other tips you use to conduct an interview?

Tips for Conducting Interviews

By Angela Atkinson


She writes, she swears, she sings, she dances ... all from the front seat of her minivan.


Who, you ask? Our very first WM Writer to Watch, Ellen Meister, of course.


Aside from being one of our favorite writers, Ellen has been kind enough to grant the WM Freelance Connection an exclusive interview, sharing her mad sense of humor, some of her writing secrets, how she wrote three books (and counting) while raising her family and what she REALLY thinks of writer's block.


The Interview

WM Freelance Connection: Was there a specific time or event in your life when it occurred to you that you were finally a “real” writer?

Ellen Meister: In some sense, I always felt like a writer. At least, from the time I was a teenager and had an epiphany that I wanted to be a novelist when I grew up. And that didn't feel like a decision, but a discovery of something that was part of my DNA all along.


But if "real writer" means someone who's made it, that's a different story. It feels like a moving target. I appreciate the success I've had and try to let that in as much as I can, but publishing is such a crazy, stressful business that I'm often focused on achieving the next goal. Still, there are moments when it hits me in great emotional waves and I think, "Yes! I've done it! I'm living my dream ..."


WM: Can you tell us a little about your earliest experiences in the publishing industry?

EM: My earliest experiences with publishing date back to my summer jobs during college, when I worked as a receptionist for a medical book publisher in New York City. After I got my degree, I went back to the company and got a job in their sales promotion department. There, I learned how very unglamorous publishing can be. That company had such a small margin of profit they couldn't afford enough trashcans for every desk. Since I didn't have seniority, I didn't get one. So I taped a large envelope to the side of my workstation and threw my garbage in there.


Now that I'm a published author, life is glam. I have my own trashcan.


WM: What kind of advice would you offer a new writer who has yet to be published?

EM: Read, read, read. That sounds so simple but I can't emphasize it enough. And if you're paying attention, every book has something to teach you.


WM: Do you ever struggle with writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with it?

EM: At the risk of sounding persnickety, I think writer's block is an indulgence. If you're really going to do this thing, you have to put your butt in the chair and focus, and not expect the muse to fall from the sky and hit you in the head.


Or, as artist Chuck Close once said, "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us show up and get to work."


But okay, I can appreciate that sometimes -- often, in fact -- your story hits a roadblock and it seems like there's no way around it. My way of dealing with this is to make stream-of-consciousness notes. I simply open up a blank document and start writing questions to myself about what could possibly happen next and what it might mean to the characters. After a while the answers start to emerge.


WM: Do you read a lot? Who are some of your favorite authors?

EM: I read every day, no matter how busy I am. Sometimes I can only spare a few minutes, but I always need my fix. My list of favorite writers is eclectic and constantly evolving. It usually includes Richard Russo, Richard Yates, Elinor Lipman, Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman, John Irving, Toni Morrison, J.D. Salinger, Jane Austen, Wally Lamb, Tom Perrotta, Dorothy Parker, Susan Isaacs ... etc. etc. etc.


WM: What are your favorite books on writing?

EM: Stephen King's ON WRITING, Betsy Lerner's THE FOREST FOR THE TREES and Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD.


WM: Do you schedule your writing time around your family? Can you offer advice or ideas for writers who are struggling with this issue?

EM: I know how hard it can be to balance all this stuff, but remember that if something is important to you, you'll find the time to do it. (I wrote my first novel between the hours of 5 and 7 am, while the family slept.)


Also, to hell with housework! No one's dying words have ever been, "I should have vacuumed more."


WM: Do you draw from your real-life experiences to create your characters and storylines?

EM: I think all authors do, to some extent. We go through life collecting moments and ideas that feel meaningful to us. For me, a novel emerges when one of those ideas keeps bursting through, forcing me to think about it.


For instance, THE SMART ONE started with a thought about siblings, and how our roles within the family shape how we deal with the world as adults. That morphed into the concept of three sisters wrestling with the childhood labels that impact their relationships and the decisions they make. Of course, that's not a plot. And when I focused on trying to find a story to drive the character arcs I wanted for these three women, I remembered a local news story about the macabre discovery of a body inside an industrial drum. It hit so close to home that it captured my attention, and inspired the storyline of the book.


At first, I thought it was going to be such a dark book, but then the voice emerged ... and then a comedy writer love interest. Before I knew it, I had written another comic novel with serious themes.

About Ellen's Work

THE SMART ONE (HarperCollins/Avon, August 2008)


THE SMART ONE is sister story with a bright voice, a dark crime and a barrel of wit. Labeled "the smart one" as a child, Bev Bloomrosen thinks she'll never live up to her family's expectations. Her sisters, "the pretty one" and "the wild one," also wrestle with the childhood labels that continue to define them. These three love each other but can't understand where their differences begin and their own destructive tendencies end. Then the sisters discover a dead body in an industrial drum under the house next door, and begin a bold, heartbreaking and often hilarious journey that will either bring them together ... or tear them apart for good.


SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA (Morrow/Avon, August 2006)


When a Hollywood location scout comes to Applewood, Long Island, and announces that the local elementary school might make the perfect backdrop for an upcoming George Clooney movie, the PTA's decorum crumbles. Enter Maddie, Ruth, and Lisa, three women who become the glue that holds the project together, forging a bond of friendship stronger than anyone could imagine. And not a moment too soon, as marriage woes, old flames, and family scandals threaten to tear each of them apart. Is their powerful alliance strong enough to overcome the obstacles to getting the movie made in their town? And will their friendship be enough to mend their hearts and homes?


ANOTHER DOOR OPENS (working title) (Putnam, coming in 2010)


Quinn Braverman is a suburban mom expecting her second child who discovers that she might be able to slip through a portal to the life she would have had if she never got married. When a routine sonogram reveals unexpected problems, her grief lures her to escape to the life that might have been—in which she discovers that she's stayed with her neurotic ex-boyfriend, and that her mother, who committed suicide several years before, is very much alive.


More About Ellen Meister


Ellen Meister is the author of two novels, THE SMART ONE (HarperCollins/Avon 2008) and SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA (Morrow/Avon 2006), as well as numerous short stories.


In addition to writing, she served as editor for an online literary magazine and currently curates for a literary series that airs on NPR.
Ellen also does public speaking about her books and related issues.


A former advertising copywriter, Ellen is a graduate of the University of Buffalo and lives on Long Island with her husband and three children. Her third novel will be published by Putnam in 2010. For more information visit her website at EllenMeister.com.

Writers to Watch: Ellen Meister