How to Meet and Beat Deadlines

by Angela Booth

Developing your freelance writing career is both fun and profitable. As you target new markets, improve your writing skills and make contacts, your confidence will grow -- if you meet your deadlines. Deadlines are a challenge for many writers, and they're a challenge you must overcome for real writing success.

Here's the reason meeting your deadlines is vital: the buyers of your writing depend on you. A writer who meets and beats deadlines will get more ongoing writing work that a writer who doesn't.

Here are five tips to help you to meet deadlines.

1. Free Writing Eliminates Page Fright
Are you using free writing? Use it whenever you land a new commission. Spend five or ten minutes free writing on the topic, and you've conquered "page fright."

2. Use Mind Maps at the Start of Every Project
I enjoy lists too, but nothing beats mind maps for giving you a sense that you're in control of your writing topic. This sense of control leads to confidence, and this confidence will help you to meet your deadlines.

3. Researching Isn't Writing: Avoid Aimless Web Surfing
"Research" is just another word for "procrastination." When you research, act like a researcher. Write down your terms of reference -- what you want to know -- and write a report of the results of your research when you're done.

Get into the habit of writing a report on our discoveries. If you write for magazines, the fact checkers will love you. If you're writing a book, your reports give you instant ammunition for your editor's queries.

4. Revise, Don't Tinker With Words
Never be afraid to exceed your word count in your first draft. You can always cut. It's hard to bulk up text that's thin, however.

When it comes to revision, "re-vise." Try to look at what you've written with fresh eyes. What fits? What doesn't? When you revise, don't play with word choices. Take a macro view of the piece of writing.

5. Proofread by Reading It Aloud Onto Tape, then Read Again
You've done your revision, and you've written what you hope is your final draft. It's time to proofread.
Here's a tip: read your writing aloud. Not only does this help in proofing, it also helps you to catch awkward phrasing. Read the document onto tape, and then read it again.

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10 Most Common Mistakes Done by Freelance Article Writers

by Jitesh Arora

Freelance article writers often encounter a lot of mistakes while writing freelanced articles, and most of these mistakes are committed by novice writers. This article covers those concerns to give assistance to novice freelance writers. After reading this you should be able to avoid these mistakes and start looking for a brighter path with your writing career.

Fixing Reasonable Rates:

Estimation of the rate is as important as writing the article, but most fail to negotiate with a fair rate. Many writers settle for low rates thus, affecting the quality of their work. Understand that you must be paid with the proper rate to maintain quality and professionalism with your work. It is compulsory to evaluate the time, work, and money you spent for writing articles.

Grammatical Errors:

Article writing is more than just writing an essay in a school exam. Clients do not tolerate grammatical and spelling errors. They do not want to rewrite articles for which they paid with their hard earned money. In writing, avoid mistakes with your article. And if possible, have it proofread to assure quality.

Inappropriate Marketing:

Marketing is about advertising and attracting clients. A good freelance writer should be updated with all methods of marketing and must apply those according to his writings. In advertising, consider the needs of your clients. Some freelance writers accomplish there task without thinking of the best promotion for their clients. Improving the way you market means leveraging your income.

Irresponsibility:

I am a freelance writer now, no boss is there to control me; I will write article later, let me party first. This has become the attitude of novice freelance writers; neglecting the value of discipline. Freelance writers are self-employed, but that does not entitle them to be irresponsible. Responsible writers enjoy their career by earning referrals and bonuses.

Inability of Negotiation:

New freelance writers are bound to say “YES” to every client’s enquiry. While starting a freelance writing career, it is sometimes beneficial to be flexible with your client. When a client pays you well, provide him with high quality articles but do not allow him to dictate your working hours. You have other things to do with your time aside from writing his articles. Learn to say NO instead of being over committed.

Unorganized Environment:

Keeping records of your writings, client details and payments are sometimes omitted by most novice writers. Recorded details can be used to show your experience and be added to your portfolio. It can also be used to stay in contact with old clients for another business opportunity or referrals.

Skeptic in Investing For Promotion:

Although freelance job requires no investment, it is necessary to allocate a little cash for business cards and other web promotions. It is also necessary to invest for reliable equipment such as a good computer system to help keep track of your output and perform more tasks.

Distractions:

Writers find themselves trapped in researching more about a topic than what is required. They tend to forget about the time and the value of task. It is recommended that you should not write beyond what is asked. You may research more about the topic after accomplishing the task.

Addressing the Articles:

Before submitting an article, it is recommended that a writer must be able to address it to the right audience. If you are writing articles about “Dieting and Exercise”, then your target audience should be those who are into dieting and fitness category.

Plagiarism:

Every client will look for unique and original articles. Plagiarism is a mortal sin in the world of writing. Formulate your own ideas by doing extensive research and replete yourself with the knowledge needed to write about the topic.

Do not be discouraged with these mistakes. Remember, perseverance in learning from your mistakes is the key to your success in writing. Everyone can make mistakes, but if it can be avoided then avoid it.

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The Protocol of Successfully Submitting Your Book

by Charles Jacobs

Modesty, integrity and professionalism are key to the successful submission of your manuscript to either a literary agent or directly to a publisher. That's not really very different from seeking success in any field, but for some reason far too many authors, especially start-ups, stumble because they allow their ego to bypass these very basic considerations. Then they rail about the obstacles to finding an agent or to landing a publisher.

What they fail to realize is that agents and editors are eager to discover new talent, but not talent self-proclaimed by the author or by relatives and friends whom the author selects in an effort to secure impressive comments for inclusion in their submission. You would be surprised to discover how many writers proudly proclaim their output is guaranteed to be a best seller. After all, brother Tommy and pal John both said it was superbly written. Aunt Susie, a retired English teacher, called it the next great American novel.

Editors and agents certainly expect authors to have a great deal of enthusiasm for their output. It would be sad if they, of all people, did not. That would be interpreted as a guarantee the book would fail, for it is the author who is the key to proper and widespread promotion once the book comes off the press.

Common Mistakes

The mistake that is so easily avoidable, yet underlies so many rejections is the lack of researching the targets of your submission. Agents constantly complain that authors submit manuscripts that aren't part of the agent's standard repertoire. By that I mean, they are subjects and genres the agent doesn't handle. This can be avoided simply by reviewing the agent's web site. Some specialize in fiction; others in non fiction. All list the categories they represent, and these can range from cookbooks to travel guides to literary novels.

Many agents point out very clearly on their sites that they do not represent a category, and yet submissions in that category arrive anyway, wasting the agent's time and the author's money and effort. Some accept simultaneous submission, while others insist upon exclusivity. All require a SASE or you will never receive a response.

When you are researching, don't forget that there are several agents that function in a single agency. Take the time to determine which of those handle the type of book you are submitting. Direct your submission and all related correspondence to that specific agent by name. That personalization distinguishes your submission from those that are sent randomly to a number of agencies and will guarantee you a faster and more careful review.

Ego Errors

The only opinions about your manuscript that agents or editors value are those you obtain from publishing professionals or well-respected experts in the topic you are writing about. Your own praise for your book is meaningless. In fact, it can be a turn off because you are in essence saying to the recipient, "Listen to me. I know better than you how good this book is."

Some authors neglect to do their homework when preparing the sections of their book proposal dealing with competition, marketing and promotion. They assume the quality of their manuscript is such that they don't need these special sections to gain acceptance. They foolishly overlook selling points that can make the difference between success and failure. The income of an agent or an editor depends on the success of your book. If the market is saturated with identical books and yours offers no special insight, chances are few will buy it.

If you haven't carefully analyzed your proposed market and planned a fairly extensive promotional program to reach it, no publisher would be foolish enough to accept your proposal because the chances of sales success have been undermined from the start.

A number of novices think they can draw attention to their submission by dressing it up with color and fancy typography and graphics, none of which impress
an agent or editor. They are interested in just three things: Is the book of a quality to attract readers? Are you qualified to write the book? Will the book sell? Publishing is a business and agents and publishers are astute businesspersons.

Lastly, if you are fortunate enough to find a qualified agent, listen to him/her. These folks have proved their understanding of the industry through long experience. Their criticism is always constructive and will help sell your book to a publisher and later to the public. They know what they are talking about. Listen to them carefully, and follow their recommendations.

With your awareness of these simple points, you will probably double your chances of success in your search for an agent or publisher.

Charles Jacobs' latest book The Writer Within You has been selected as one of the Best Books of the Year by seven publishing organizations. He is available for book coaching, shepherding and ghost writing. Contact him at charles@retirement-writing.com or visit his extensive web site http://www.retirement-writing.com

The Memoir - Easy to Write and Now Easy to Publish

by Charles Jacobs

What could be more rewarding to you and to your loved ones than writing a memoir? It makes little difference that you're not a celebrity or a high level politician. Whether you're a plumber, an engineer, a college professor, you have a history, a story, and your kids and grandkids will thrill to read it. For you, it's a chance to formalize on paper all of those tips and suggestions that have guided your own life and want to pass on to future generations. It's an opportunity to increase their pride in the history of the family and in your own accomplishments. For family member and close friends, it is a better chance to understand you, your underlying philosophy of life, the things that most mattered to you, the hopes and dreams that motivated you. It will long remain as a cherished reminder of your essence and those wonderful moments they spent with you.

New Technology Makes It Easy

For many years, it was extremely difficult and costly to publish those memories and convictions in an attractive book format. Not so today. Wondrous new printing technology has brought down the costs dramatically and for the first time made it possible to print short runs of books and not fill a garage with rotting unsold volumes as used to happen with vanity presses. For novice authors, even those interested in limited distribution to a small circle of intimates, there are companies and individual coaches who can guide you through all of the rigors of publishing. Book coaches are available at relatively modest fees to assist in the writing. Book shepherds, as they are called, can walk you through each step of the production process. Many of us offer a combination of these to clients. This new technology has given rise to a new publishing industry labeled Publishing on Demand or POD. These companies-and they are profit minded businesses-take the manuscript you submit and turn it into a finished and attractive book little different from the books you find in a bookstore. Of course there is a fee that the author must pay, but it is quite reasonable compared to the huge charges of the old vanities. Average production charges run from $500 to$1,500, depending on the reputation of the POD house and the bells and whistles that you request. Most of those additionals are promotion materials the company prints for you and mails out. I strongly recommend you bypass those offers. They are not terribly effective and you certainly don't need promotion if you are limiting distribution to just friends and family. Editing and rewriting, if you desire it, will also be an additional charge.

The Publishing Process

I have found when delivering speeches about writing that most newcomers fear the publishing process far more than the writing of a memoir. They find themselves lost in the maze of book publishing, and desperately cry for guidance. That was one of the principal reasons I wrote The Writer Within You. It breaks down and explains each step of the publishing process.

Once the POD house receives the manuscript, it must design and format it to the book page. A staff artist creates a professional cover. The ISBN, a global identification number, must be obtained, as well as barcodes. Libraries will not accept your book unless it is catalogued by the Library of Congress, another task completed by the POD house. Securing the copyright is next.

When all of this has been accomplished, the material moves to a printer selected by the POD house, and is shipped to you in whatever quantity you want. This can be as little as 20 or 25 books. However, you can continue to fill in as needed by calling the publisher and ordering another five or ten or whatever quantity you find you need. The POD house will charge you an additional amount for each book you buy, but the cost will be discounted well below the retail price.

Writing the Book

The memoir should be the easiest of the various genres to write. It does require some careful preparation, but the author is able to call upon personal experiences and call upon close friends and family members to validate memories and possibly to suggest others. Many families have genealogical family trees to review, and official documents are generally available through the city or county clerk's office.

So how does one begin? D.G. Fulford of familyhistories.com explains that "Our minds are filing systems...The merest cue can call up what we thought was lost." I always recommend a simple exercise when I am asked how to bring up those cues. For one week, devote one hour every day to recalling distant memories.

Clear your mind of all current distractions, and concentrate on recalling parties, special events, vacations, clothing that you loved wearing. In fact, anything and any event that had great meaning. Try to remember the first day of kindergarten, some of your teachers or classmates throughout your school years. Work experiences are important, as is your personal life as an adult. Any of these and many more thoughts will trigger meaningful memories that can fill your book.

Write these down at the end of each session. You will be amazed at how quickly they open the door to other facts or anecdotes. Before long, you will see a basic theme developing, based upon the things that mattered most to your throughout your years. Sort all of that into a logical sequence and voila! You've got your book.

Of course, I have over-simplified the process, but there are many fine books on writing a memoir that are available to you at the library or bookstore. What I have attempted to show you is that you can do it. You can write it and you can publish it. What a wonderful gift that will be to you and to those you care most about.

Author Charles Jacobs, winner of 7 Best Books of the Year awards for his book The Writer Within You coaches writers and shepherds books through the publishing process. He can be reached at carosbooks@gmail.com or view his informative web site http://www.retirement-writing.com His book is available at bookstores and on http://www.retireandwrite.com