Freelancing Tips from Charlotte A. Cavatica

Just in case you’re wondering who Charlotte A. Cavatica is: She is the loyal arachnid friend of Wilbur (the pig) in Charlotte’s Web.

The first time Wilbur met Charlotte, he witnessed how Charlotte captured a fly, wrapped it with her silk, and injected it with an anesthetic fluid. He learned that spiders sucked the blood out of insects to feed. Wilbur couldn’t imagine having a bloodthirsty friend!

But Charlotte was quick to explain why she had to do such things to survive:

Nobody feeds me. I have to get my own living. I live by my wits. I have to be sharp and clever, lest I go hungry. I have to think things out, catch what I can, take what comes.

If you’re a freelance writer trying to survive the daily grind, take these freelancing tips from Charlotte:

Live by your wits.
Freelance writers need to practice ingenuity to keep those projects coming. Be resourceful and keep yourself well informed. If you know what’s going on in your industry or area of expertise, you’ll be able to generate more article ideas.

Be sharp and clever.
Use your skills and resources wisely and efficiently. If you’re passionate about a certain topic, explore it and write more articles about it. It pays to write things you enjoy.

Use the 80/20 rule. Familiar genres and format within your area of expertise should make up approximately 80% of your writing work. Use the 20% for new and different formats/genres.

Think things out.
Plan ahead. Plot marketing and promotional strategies. Make daily and long-term to-do lists. You shouldn’t run out of projects to work on. Remember, there are bills to pay!

Catch what you can, take what comes.
You don’t have to be a starving writer. If there’s a good offer, take it. When I was starting out as a freelance writer, I accepted ghostwriting, PR and profile writing projects because they paid more. As long as the writing gig doesn’t go against your values or principles, go for it.

** This article first appeared in Write Life Guide, a blog on freelance writing.

POLL: Which writing project lets you earn more?

We have a new poll! Hope you could take the time to participate. It'll help me list down future blog topics for Today's Writer.

Which writing project lets you earn more?

• Print writing
• Web writing
• Ghostwriting
• PR / Copywriting

The poll is right here on our side bar. Thanks!

The Writer is in the House

Excuse the long absence, please. Since our domestic helper has left about a month ago, I've been busy taking care of my baby girl and doing some housewifely chores. Whatever extra time I get, I spend on reading or on some writing projects. Such is the life of a writing mother!

I will update TW whenever time permits. Feel free to subscribe to our blog feed: http://todayswriter.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! :o)

Six-Word Memoir Writing Contest

Can you tell your story in six words or less? Smith Magazine is currently accepting really, really short memoirs for possible publication in its next six-word memoir book.

The first book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure collects almost 1,000 six-word memoirs, including additions from many celebrities including Stephen Colbert, Jane Goodall, Dave Eggers, and more.

You can enter the contest through the submission form on this page.

Designing the Work Area

I have recently gone back to freelance writing and have set up a small work area at home. All I have is a computer table and a laptop. I don't have what others call a "home office," although I'm looking forward to having one in the future. I imagine a room with office furniture like a writing desk, metal filing cabinets and wooden bookcases.

Metal filing cabinets seem to be the practical choice for paper storage, because where I live termites readily attack anything that's made of pulp or wood. A metal filing cabinet is definitely something they cannot sink their teeth into!

These steel executive filing cabinets (see picture) also have tough scratch resistant paintwork and come in different colors.

As for my books, upright wooden bookcases would be good enough. I spotted this glazed bookcase which comes with stylish sculptured metal handles. What I really like about it is that it's fitted with height adjusters to cope with uneven floors. What more, all the boards that make up this glazed bookcase come from sustainable resources.

So there, I'm done designing my future home office. Have you done yours?