Hot Tips for Freelance Writers

We will all suffer some form of rejection at one point or another in our careers. It's how we respond to rejection that can make or break us.

It's normal to feel discouraged, disappointed and sad when something we've worked hard on is rejected. However, it's important to acknowledge your feelings and then quickly move on to bigger and better things.

Let rejection inspire you to create something even better.

This excellent article by Jennifer Minar talks about rejection and what you can do to deal with it.

Good luck!

Stuck in a writing rut? Check out the following list of writing prompts, courtesy of Georganna Hancock and her blog, "Writer's Edge."

Writing Prompts

As a writer, it's important to understand the basics when it comes to copyright. The following website will help you figure out what's legal and what isn't when it comes to U.S. Copyright law.

Follow the links on their website or search for information regarding copyright in your country if you are not from the U.S.

U.S.A. Copyright FAQS

I don't know if you're anything like me, but I tend to be overwhelmed with story ideas at times -- and many times, they end up striking at the most inopportune times!

So, I've taken to starting an "idea file." Every time a story idea comes to me, I write up a little blurb with the basic details and save it to my computer in a Word file.

When writers block strikes, I have an entire file to pick from! If you haven't, I recommend creating an idea file of your own. You never know - it just may come in handy.

Of course you want to make money from this freelance career. Perhaps you're not sure how to go about it? Perhaps, like many beginning writers, you've accepted those low-paying article gigs because you thought they would give you the exposure you needed to strike it rich in the freelance world.

Therein lies the problem many beginning writers face. You become stuck in a rut you can't get out of, leaving you no time to target higher paying markets for your work.

It doesn't have to be that way! Figure out what you need to make to earn a liveable wage. Then, don't accept any jobs that pay less than your bottom line! It will be a difficult transition if you've already been stuck in a rut -- so give you, and your clients, some time to adjust to your rate change.

You may lose some of your existing clients, or they may decide you're worth it to spend the extra money. Either way, the sooner you get out of low-paying jobs, the better off your career can be.

For more information, please check out the informative thread, Crunching the Numbers

If you haven't already, I highly recommend visiting the AllFreelancing Forum. A forum created by writers, for writers, you'll find a variety of helpful posts ranging from market listings to writing software and anything in between.

Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!

AllFreelancing Forum

Whether you're just starting out or have been a professional writer for years, learning new ways to improve your craft never stops.

Those writers who can take constructive criticism - whether they agree with it or not - will go far.

However, if you're the type of person who immediately goes on the defensive when someone comments about your work, hold your tongue for a moment!

Truly think about what they're saying and take from it what you will. If you don't agree with their feedback, that's fine. You have to at least be open to hearing what colleages have to say about your text.

Who knows? You may even learn something new from the experience!

As a freelance writer, there are some days where you probably don't want to write. All of us deal with it at some point -- some of us more than others.

Whether you're struggling towards paying the bills, finding jobs worth your time or any myriad of issues, you may want to just... quit. Quit writing, go back to a desk job, and work the rest of your life making someone else rich.

Hold it right there! Too many people are quick to give up on their dreams... but it doesn't have to be that way.

The following article illustrates 10 great reasons why you should stick with writing, and how to go about implementing those changes into your work.

So, the next time a nice pink rejection slip ends up in your mailbox, peek at this article and remember -- writing IS worth it!

10 Suggestions for Sticking with Writing

As writers, it's important to gain network contacts in order to further your career or open new avenues that you might not have found on your own.

The following article details several networking techniques and how they can benefit your career in the short and long-term. I hope it proves useful!

Networking Techniques

When you're writing an article, it can be very tempting to rely on Microsoft Word's spellchecker to make sure your content is ready to go.

Hold it right there!

Spellcheckers can only do so much for your writing, and yes, they can catch ordinary mistakes you may have passed over otherwise. That's why it's so important to proofread your work before sending it off to your client.

Nothing says "unprofessional" like a poorly edited manuscript. If you have to, take a break from the current project and work on something else. That way, you can come back to the article with fresh eyes.

Another helpful trick is to read your article out loud. This way, you can catch any sentences that sound "off" that you may not have noticed by simply reading the text.

Everyone makes mistakes, but thoroughly editing your work can mean the difference between a rough piece and a polished, professional manuscript.

If you're a little unsure how to file taxes as a freelance writer, the following link has great information regarding taxes for the self employed. Keep in mind that the information presented pertains only to United States residents. If you reside outside the US, please be sure to look into your particular situation regarding taxes.

Tax Information