Author: joshpcreative

SmoothingIt.com Asks: Do You Look Back before You Look Ahead?

[In this series, Creative Blog Profiles, we take a peek at what other creative bloggers are writing about and profile them here. They don’t necessarily know it’s happening (although we do the pingback/trackback where we can), so we’re prepared to remove an entry if they get mad. Hopefully they won’t. We just want to find creative stuff to tell you about.]

Today, I ran across a blog post at SmoothingIt.com by someone who is, quite literally, out there in the blogging wilderness! His name is “Duncan,” and he is a woodsman and writer. He says his site is for folks to get information on outdoor living. Sounds good to me! And the pics on his site make me yearn for my days camping with my friends. The cool breeze. The sound of leaves. Ah, memories.

Anyway, Duncan put up an interesting post about his writing process. He says he doesn’s like to go back and read over drafts until he’s finished with the first run. I personally have a hard time doing that, but it seems to work for Duncan (although, he says he had to break his own rule recently!).

What do you think? You can let us know or head over to Duncan’s site and let him know. Come to think of it, just head over there anyway and look around.

His editing style is certainly something interesting to think about as you write. Thanks Duncan, for getting us thinking (and writing!) today!

How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer – An Interview with Suzanne Heyn

Portraits of the freelance writer.

There you are in front of the computer, your thumb resting gently on the space bar. The cursor blinking in a hypnotic rhythm. Perhaps you’re trying to come up with four more ideas for your “Top Ten Things to Avoid When Moving” article that you’re writing on spec for a random website. Or maybe you have one eye on a blog post you’re creating and one eye on your email account, waiting to see if that local dental practice that needs some marketing copy on gingivitis has gotten back to you.

Maybe this sounds familiar. Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure—if you are trying to make it as a freelance writer in this world, there is no direct path. No one “right” way. No instruction manual that can guarantee success and financial security. But there are clues. And there are people who have gone before and have made it in the freelance writing world!

With all that said, I want to welcome you to another installment in our series on freelance writing. Our previous article, featuring Nikki Steele, got some of you thinking and talking, so I decided to jump back in with a new feature on Phoenix-area freelance writer Suzanne Heyn.

I presented Suzanne with the same four questions, and have provided her answers below. Take a look and see what she has to say. Perhaps it can provide guidance as you navigate the freelance writing maze!

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What is your academic and professional background in the writing space?

I studied journalism at Temple University, and then went on to write for newspapers for four years. I probably learned more in the newsroom than during college. I learned how write fast, be accurate, meet deadlines and self-start. Then I worked in marketing communications for a small consulting firm and did the corporate thing for a while.

What were some key factors that got you thinking about a freelance writing career?

I hated my corporate job and wanted to quit. I missed the independent yet collegial atmosphere of the newsroom and decided I valued my independence more than a steady paycheck, so freelancing it was.

What steps did you take to get your freelance career off the ground?

I didn’t do an LLC. I’m a sole proprietor.

The first thing I did was set up my writer website. I had a .wordpress one at first, but had a high bounce rate, so then went ahead and bought my own domain name. I think that’s really important. You don’t need to have a super snazzy site, but it needs to look professional and like you’re committed.

Then I marketed my butt off. People always say not to answer Craigslist ads, but I’ve gotten some really good clients from that site. One of them I still work with today, and they’ve turned into my biggest client. I also cold called a lot of people and sent letters of interest. Cold calling didn’t really bring in a lot of results, but letters of interest turned out well. I landed a big trade magazine client that way, and the editor gave me a ton of work.

I was interested in pursuing magazine journalism initially, so I broke into some local magazines with pitches.

What are some key tips you can give to those considering a freelance writing career?

Have money saved up or a spouse willing to support you for a while. It takes a few months to get going, and you won’t have much money coming in at first. You don’t want to have to take low-paying work because then you won’t have time to market for better jobs.

Also, you need patience. The first few months are really hard and you’re pouring a lot of yourself into an enterprise that isn’t necessarily giving you anything back. So take care of yourself, get plenty of sleep, remember to exercise and hold out for clients who respect you and pay you well. They’re out there, it just takes work to find them.

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Suzanne provides some strong advice. First, decide if you value that steady paycheck or more independence—it’s a key threshold question to determine if the freelance life is right for you. Then, project a professional image and don’t be afraid to market yourself. And finally? Patience. Understand the ball may start rolling slowly, but that you will build up momentum over time.

If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, or even if you’re a freelance veteran, we’d like to hear your stories. How did you get started? How do you maintain success?

Suzanne Heyn is a freelance health and wellness writer, author, yoga teacher and mindfulness expert based in Phoenix. You can find her professional work at SuzanneHeyn.com, and tips for living a more peaceful, authentic life at ModernYogi.today and on Instagram @modern.yogi.

Be Mindful When You Create – Hey, it Works for Driving, Right?

Stop. Breathe. Create.

I find that formula to be effective when I sit down at my computer for a writing session. Even when I have an idea that I can’t wait to get down, I often find myself taking one second to gather myself before I start the fingers flying on the keyboard. Here’s why:

1. Stop. It’s never a good idea to rush into things. A ‘pause just because’ is a good way to make sure everything is in working order.

2. Breathe. In the time it takes for three small breaths, my mind focuses. It’s a form of being mindful, or being in the moment. Focus, focus, focus.

3. Create. Now, it’s time to move forward with the idea.

I don’t just jump in my car and zoom away. I get in, put on my seatbelt, open the garage door, adjust the mirror and radio, and back out slowly.

Why should my creative process be different? Being mindful and taking a minute to breathe can go a long way to helping creativity flow.

If Creativity Eludes You or Writer’s Block Finds You, Just Celebrate

If creativity eludes you today, or if you are suffering from the dreaded writer’s block, don’t worry too much about it. Go do something else and celebrate the fact that you are creative and have creativity in your bones. Period.

Your Innate Wisdom Is Your Key to Creativity

We are all wise. Right here. Right now. Did you know that?

Just by virtue of living your life, you express your wisdom. Now, it may not be a brand of wisdom that’ll earn you a place in a philosophy textbook, but it’s yours. You have a lifetime of achievements, successes, and failures, and they all mix together to form a wellspring of wisdom that’s all your own.

You are “one of the greats” of your life, just as you are. Right in this moment.

When you write or create, you are expressing that wisdom. Whether you write about chocolate chip cookies or zombies, do needlepoint, or sing in the shower, whenever you create, you express your innate wisdom.

I know, I know. This sounds like the corny ramblings of a naive Pollyanna, but trust me, it’s true. It HAS to be true, or you wouldn’t be able to create anything unique.

I want you to try something right now. Think of a character in a book you’d like to write. A male protagonist. Give him hair. Give him an eye color. Now, give him a secret that only he knows. Got all that?

Take a moment and make it really clear.

Now, give him a female love interest of your choosing. Picture her clearly.

Okay, take it to the next level and have the man tell the woman his deep, dark secret. I’ll give you a minute………….what was her reaction to the news? What emotion was she feeling? Now, consider how the male protagonist reacts to her reaction.

Sit with all of this for a second. Let it grow.

Good. Were you able to do that exercise? Were you able to take a skimpy set of prompts and create an entire story out of it? If you did, that’s a good indication of your innate wisdom.

How?

Because you were able to take two previously unknown characters and create them from prompts. Then, you were able to build a small scene for them. A day-in-the-life, if you will. You are able to do that because you have had days in your life. You’ve had a love interest. You have secrets.

And, you were able to take your regular life experiences and create characters from them.

To me, that’s a form of wisdom.

Here are three way to use your everyday wisdom to create!

1.  Acknowledge that you have a life! That’s right. You may not be George Clooney or Sandra Bullock, but you have a life. You have experiences. You have a relationship to money, a place to live, and perhaps a car. Or maybe you take the bus. You have secrets. Embarrassing moments. All of this is fodder. Clay from which to mold something. Use it.

2.  Acknowledge that others have a life! Yes, even others’ experiences are grist for the creative mill. That guy who cut in front of you at the Post Office today? Grist. The dog that chased you on your walk? Grist. The parent at the soccer game who talks on his cell phone AND chews out the ref at the same time? Grist. Wisdom isn’t just about using your own experiences, but paying attentions to others’ experiences as well.

3.  Have the courage to let wisdom shine. It takes some bravery to step forth and let the world see inside. But you can do it. Start an anonymous blog. Open a Word document and type up a short story about a funny event from your past. In other words, let the collected wisdom of your life be something to share. Get brave and get it out there.

How have you tapped your inner wisdom and let it shine forth? Tell us how!

 

 

To Soar Creatively, Don’t Let What Others Think Clip Your Wings

You have ideas. You have stuff you want to get out there. You have stories to tell and things to share. In other words, you have the ability to think. And that thinking is what gives wings to all this wonderful inner-world beauty of yours.

However, there is this thing that happens. We start to share our fledgling inner beauty with others and they start to weigh in. Sometimes this can lead to great conversation and insight, but other times, there is negativity involved (rejection, doubt, and “suggestions” meant to hijack our thoughts).

We started to grow wings, yes, but then negativity clipped them and now we’re stuck on the ground.

See, I started considering all of this recently when I followed a thread on a popular social networking site. A well-meaning person asked a well-intentioned question, and she got all kinds of good advice. This person was thinking about something and other people shared their thoughts on her thought.

But then? Well, then the trolls stepped out from under the bridge and started to attack her thoughts. Violently. Angrily. As the comments scrolled on and on I could see that these negative attacks caused a slipping of momentum. A drag on progress. Just when this woman was starting to take flight, someone would try to pull her down.

Fortunately, the community was strong enough to overcome this, and success happened, but wow….

You see, the ability to think is what gives our ideas wings. The ability to tune out what others think gives us the power to soar. Consider that the next time you create. All the criticism in the world does not take us into the clouds. Taking on others’ thoughts and holding on to them only weighs us down.

Rather, it is our ability to hear, consider, and let go that keeps us light. Keeps us focused. Keeps us free.

Listen to those who have good advice on how to fly straight and true. Hear out those who want your journey’s success. But never ever be grounded by those who have the ability to criticize, but not the courage to fly.

How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer – An Interview with Nikki Steele

Ah, the freelance writer life:

  • Sitting at home
  • Eating chocolates
  • Watching TV

Actually, that doesn’t sound right. Let me try that again.

Ah, the freelance writer life.

  • Learning self-promotion and basic business principles
  • Scheduling meeting with clients
  • Networking, networking, networking
  • Maintaining a blog (or two or ten) and social media
  • Negotiating rates
  • Working longer hours than most of your 9-5 friends

That sounds more like it.

There is a great allure to the freelance writing life, starting with the idea of being your own boss. A successful freelance career can also mean having the freedom to pick and choose jobs and to take on clients you believe in. The idea of being your own boss can be daunting and overwhelming, but the rewards can be exhilarating.

So how do you start?

Fortunately, successful Phoenix-area freelance writer Nikki Steele agreed to answer some questions for us all on how she made it in the wide world of freelancing. I am providing her answers here, in her own words, so that you can get a snapshot of how one person made it. Read this carefully. Some of this information is absolutely essential. (Note: added emphases are mine.)

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What is your academic and professional background in the writing space?

I went to Arizona State University and got a bachelor’s degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. Nothing too crazy there.

Once I was out of school, however, I began freelancing with an academic textbook editing company. It was a good stepping-stone into the world of freelancing—I wasn’t responsible for finding new contracts or invoicing. I simply had to do the work (and do it well to be chosen for future projects). I worked with international publishing houses, on books ranging from ecology to health to education.

I then moved into a career in instructional design for a few years. In the same way as with my previous freelance work (which was still ongoing at that time), I worked with high-profile international brands from all different industries. I think this early exposure to huge brands made it much less intimidating to strike up conversations and deals with companies when I began my own business.

What were some key factors that got you thinking about a freelance writing career?

Independence, flexibility, and self-determination.

I’ve always been most comfortable when I’m in charge of (and accountable for) my own work and my own schedule. Working as a freelancer has its own unique challenges, but at any time, I can take a step back and figure out if the things I’m doing are leading me towards my eventual goals. I can also check in to see if I’m being as effective and true to myself as I need to be. You can’t do that as candidly when you’re not your own boss.

What steps did you take to get your freelance career off the ground?

Once I went completely freelance, I began the work of putting together a business. That included setting up an LLC, talking to an accountant so I could better figure out taxes and expenses, and portioning off an area of our house that was designated solely as my office.

Beyond the nuts-and-bolts work of it, I dove into a lot of marketing groups at the beginning. For young female entrepreneurs specifically, there are many supportive communities to help you get started. These may be online or at community events.

Dive into those when you start out. But then, take a step back from them.

Take the lessons online and community organizations give you and make sure they align with why you went into freelancing. Learn everything you possibly can at first, so you can decide what’s best for you after the lessons have settled.

I found that, for me, marketing and self-promotion became a chore. Some people thrive on the constant marketing and networking and you’ll see that there’s a constant push to do so within freelancing circles. That didn’t feed me, or as I found out, my business.

After a year freelancing, I realized that my best clients came from my referral network—the people who I had already worked with, who referred me for new projects, and who brought me new work when they had it. Instead of spending time marketing, I transferred that energy towards nurturing the relationships I already had, thinking of how they could be made better, and actively asking for referrals. I really haven’t had to do much marketing since.

What are some key tips you can give to those considering a freelance writing career?

Hit your deadlines

Seriously. You’ll be surprised to find how many people don’t hit their deadlines. Do that, especially if you want to turn it into a referral-based business. Set deadlines that give you some wiggle room and then wow your clients when you get the work done faster. If you can’t hit a deadline because of some unforeseen circumstance, let your client know before the deadline has passed. Always be proactive and communicative.

Expect that your career will change over time

I started freelancing primarily in the publishing field, but over the last few years, slowly shifted towards medical writing and vendor management. It’s been fun to look back at the small, random projects I did before and see how they all fed into what I’m focusing on now. It will likely be the same for you. Be open to new and exciting possibilities.

Besides those, a few miscellaneous tips that have really helped me include:

  • Get an accountant to help you figure out taxes and business expenses and home deductions.
  • Find technology that makes you more effective. The ones that I need every day are FreshBooks (for accounting and invoicing) and Remember the Milk (for task management and time tracking).
  • Practice self-care, even when you don’t feel like you have the time.
  • Be kind. Be somebody who people want to work with. Care about the people you work with and the projects that you do. Thank people for the help they’ve given you. You don’t have to be nice and get walked all over, but you do have to be kind.

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No matter your background, it would seem that Nikki’s keys to freelance success are clear: understand your motivations, be prepared and proactive, and find a rhythm, formula, and vision that works for you—and stick to it.

The point of a freelance career for so many folks is independence. So why not make your freelance path to freedom your own?

You can find Nikki Steele on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. She’s a contributor on Book Riot, the largest independent book website, content manager at Boost Medical, and blog manager for the Tucson Festival of Books.

How To Be Creative With Less Karma

Just One Talk on Karma

I was listening to a talk the other day about karma by a teacher named Paramahamsa Nithyananda (Paramahamsa is a Sanskrit-language honorific title for one who’s achieved enlightenment; I can’t verify Nithyanandaji’s status, but am only reporting on the content of the talk).

It was quite interesting, actually. Nithyananda said that our karma is not really about our actions, but our thoughts. So, as he says, if you fight with someone, it’s not the actual fight that counts karmically. It’s the fact that you engaged the thought of fighting (that brings about fights).

Karma Is All in Your Head

In other words, it’s all in your head folks! That runs counter to a lot of schools of thinking on karma that suggest it’s your actions that bring future consequences (not thoughts). According to Nithyananda, we surf thought currents, and these currents of thought (not action) bring consequences.

For instance, we have some thoughts and thought currents that create nothing in our reality (or just make us miserable in endless loops). These could be considered “bad” karma. Sometimes, however, we have thoughts that create some positive in our reality. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, that could be considered “good” karma.

However, he went on to say that even the things that create some of our reality, and could be “good” karma, can actually have unintended consequences for us down the line. Things that can bind us. He uses an interesting analogy: say you put your thought energy into getting a house. And you get it! You made it! But now, you’ve bound yourself to a mortgage and other issues. So, you achieved something and made it a reality, but now there could be other issues (busted plumbing, loud neighbors, expensive insurance, leaky roof, the need to move, etc.).

Houses and mortgages aren’t “bad.” I don’t think that’s the suggestion here. I think it’s part of a bigger warning about being careful what we wish for, and going in with our heads up. In other words, what we think may be good may have other issues, and we need to be aware and ready! We can get stuck in the quest for good as easily as we can get jammed up behind the desire to avoid bad.

Nithyananda suggests that instead of getting involved with thought currents of any kind (good or bad) the best we can do is stop engaging thinking! That’s right. Bring ourselves to a place where we don’t play endlessly with this thought or that thought. Strive for a quiet mind. In that space, all of our reality will be clear, and that is enlightenment.

It’s interesting to say the least. I can’t describe it all here. It’s too long. But you should check out the talk if you’re interested.

Karma and Creativity

Anyway, all of this talk on karma and thinking got me thinking (uh oh) about the question, “How does this relate to creativity?” We’ve been writing a lot here about writer’s block and busting through that, and then this talk on karma comes along.

I think a lot of what Nithyanandaji said, rings true. When I sit with a manuscript or other piece of creative work, and I get involved in thinking too much, I become paralyzed. Maybe the thought process goes like this:

“Will what I’m writing sell?”

“Will anyone want to read this?”

“Can I write fiction and non-fiction in the same lifetime?”

“Is this a waste of time?”

“Did I leave the iron on?”

“Do people iron anymore?”

You see, much like you, I surf waves of thought over and over until I have created nothing in my reality (or on my page). It’s a spiral. A completely counterprodutive spiral.

Perhaps the better approach is this:

“I’m going to write today, come what may.”

And leave it at that. You see? Instead of engaging the myriad of thoughts that threaten to derail me and pull me into a cycle of creative despair, I release myself to simply be present for whatever comes to mind. Instead of wishing and hoping for “good” to come of what I’m writing, I simply sit down to do it because it’s there to do.

I let the process be the process, and I don’t sprinkle in my doubts or hopes.

It just is.

It’s not about selling a manuscript or writing the perfect article. That’s the stuff of thought and karma. Instead, it’s about simply being available for whatever shows up so that I can create the one reality I prize above all: being creative in this moment.

That, my friends, is the most karma-free reality I can imagine.

 

In Creativity, as in Golf, Just Keep Swinging

A teacher once said to me, “Sometimes the best that people can give you is what they’re giving you in this moment. Don’t judge too harshly.”

That’s good advice, especially when wrestling with the creative muses. If you’re trying to make something beautiful happen, and you’re stumped, don’t be too hard on yourself. Realize that perhaps this is the best the creative gods can give you today.

And, realize you’re doing YOUR best.

Nobody sits down to write for example, with the thought, “Boy, today sure would be a good day to sit and stare at a cursor blinking on a blank page!” Sometimes, it’s just not your day.

But creating is a lot like golfing. See, in golf, you go out there on a crisp morning full of hope. You stretch, enjoy the smell of freshly mown grass, and drive up to that first tee filled with anticipation. You set the tee in the ground, place that new white ball ever so gently, waggle (yes, waggle), get firm in your stance, and…duff. Then swear. Then listen to the melodic sounds of friends laughing at your expense. Ah, the joys of sport!

This continues on for hours until you reach the 18th hole (it’s always on 18 where this happens). You find the groove. You hit the perfect shot right on the sweet spot. The ball sails into bar room legend, and you feel a rush of euphoria such that you’ve never felt before. Even your worst golfing critic in the group puts down his beer and says, “Nice shot!”

It’s that one moment that brings you back for more. That one sweet swing gives you the push you need, in order to remember why you love the game, even though the 90 previous shots drove you mad.

I think creativity is so much the same way. We can struggle for days to find something meaningful in the creative life, but when we get that one great photograph, write that one great paragraph, or sketch the perfect shape, it leaves us wanting more–no judgments and no doubts.

Because sometimes the best we can do is really our best.

In those other times? Well, all I can say is just keep swinging–and don’t judge too harshly.