WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE


Everybody has pet projects. Lawyers have pro bono cases, chefs dabble with outlandish food combinations, and don't get your friend started on her golden doodle.

You should have a few things that are close to your heart, if not associated with huge paychecks. So, pick some topics you care about and pitch one such topic a week. It's how you can end up writing about your favorite food, volunteering time for a non-profit, or profiling a bizarre dating trend.

Also, often times your best writing comes from the things you feel most passionate about...I for one, can't get enough of marshmallow fluff. I'll work an angle into a pitch this week. What's your passion? What can you write about?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?



In an interview yesterday, I was asked what is my goal for writing. The first response (in my own head) was simply to write each and every day and get the pleasure that comes from that.

The glib and actual answer I gave the interviewer was that I want to be able to approach any publication and have them publish my work. Think along the lines of Stephen King on the back page of Entertainment Weekly or Po Bronson in this month's New York Magazine.

It's about the subtle shifting of power. You're not constantly pitching; instead you're just thinking about how to honor the requests of popular culture publications.

So at the end of the day, it's high school. We all just want to be popular.

KEEPING THE PIPELINE FULL



This week has been exceptionally flush with new projects and opportunities, as some weeks are in the life of a freelancer. Everyone calls at once and wants you to apply pen to paper for them. It's easy to get caught up in the workload, enjoying the pieces you're writing and making sure you hit your deadlines.

But here's the rub. It's very difficult to continue to search for work in the future or present at the same time as writing. What happens when these opportunities are finished in two weeks and my rent continues on it's regularly scheduled time and place? The answer lies in pitching and nudging. You have to keep jobs coming down the pipeline.

Every business that stays in business has a recurring stream of revenue. What's yours? If you don't have one, start thinking like a business and try to get clients to commit to regular work or just pitch them every first of the month. Because otherwise you'll end up like a donkey with your legs in the air.

Get In The Zone



Do you ever have days when you're in the zone? It's difficult as a freelancer to quantify the work you've accomplished in a given day at times. As research bleeds into internet surfing and checking e-mail turns into chatting, the divide between work and play becomes a fickle line. But then there are days, such as today, when queries flow, editors answer their phones, and sources become available like sweet free candy.

Today, the Determined Freelancer [this is the first and last time I'll refer to myself in the third person] was in the zone. This afternoon, four queries with strong sources, a clear knowledge of the publication, and a solid news hook were sent to editor's inboxes. In many ways, your query letter is a lot like asking for a date. You better show a lot of confidence and nail it right out of the box. If your opening line biffs it, you might as well pack up shop. That's why I think it never hurts to start with your name and then a quick explanation of why this query is awesome. After that, just write what would sound fun to write and read. The rest usually takes care of itself.

Are you a quantity or quality query letter writer? Should we all be both? Something to chew on, like delicious Kinder Suprise Eggs, which I credit for today's inspiration.