Read an entire Freelance writing book yesterday!

The book is called Getting Started as a Freelance Writer by Robert W. Bly.

It was well written, and kept my attention from beginning to end. I must admit there were a few paragraphs here and there that didn't really pertain to me so I breezed over them with a quick scan.

He starts with discussing what and how you need to set up your home office and your schedule. Goes on to money matters, fee negotiations and such. Then Bly talks alot about self-promotion throughout the book but Chapter 8 is devoted to it. It makes sense if your self-employed to self-promote. He gives great suggestions.

The hardest part for me, is probably what should be the easiest. He says early on that I need to pick specialties, things I know about or have experience in to write about. Bly says not to have more than three. I can't think of one good one. UGH! He has a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, there is one of his specialties, he worked in marketing and direct mail is another of his specialties.

I have always been the "jack of all trades and master of none" type of person. I've cooked in restraunts, raised and raising four kids, homeschooled for several years, opened and closed a business, I'm crafty, and I can sew clothes.

I keep coming back to homeschooling to write about I researched the idea before I homeschooled for a year and then I was very involved and researching things for several years as we were homeschooling. I have been out of the loop for a little while but I think it would be easy enough to get back into researching even if I'm not actually homeschooling at this time.

So, I am off to research the world of homeschooling.

Several wasted hours on Google

I jumped through so many hoops to create a site through Google. First I spent a day putting my documents on Google docs, then I spent a day creating the site. Finally I spent three hours last night attempting to verify the site to publish it. Finally, after hours of blog reading to try and figure out what to do, at midnight I drug my frustrated self to bed.

This morning I came to the determination that it was time to start over with a different web host. So after a short search I came across webs.com and it has been a breeze to use. Now I just have to finish putting all my documents on it to show what I can do. I'm very excited that this online portfolio could help me possibly get a writting job.

Last week disappeared

Okay so last week was a total wash as far as writing anything but cover letters and applications. I had a few interviews. So, the week wasn't wasted but no call backs. My biggest hurdle here in El Paso is that I don't speak Spanish. Or, at least I hope that is what it is because they all want to know if I can.

Anyway, we went to the Library on Dyer St. for the first time on Saturday. WOW, I'm liking it alot. I took out three books but at the rate I have been reading lately we'll see if I get through them.

Monday I figured out all the kinks from registering and getting my classes lined up for fall at Northeastern University. I am excited they have alot of classes I'd like to take and can online. I figured out that if I wanted to I could keep going till I had my Phd from them online. That is an idea anyway.

Tomorrow it will be back to the grindstone for me. I need to come up with an awesome post for my Handcrafted Mom blog.

Goodnight.

Friday - Cleaning, Blogging and Reading

I have no idea how Friday became my cleaning day once we moved here. We have only been here a month. Maybe, I still have time to change this habit. The chores could be divided up and I could do some on Tuesday and the rest on Thursday. Sweeping and mopping this entire house, cleaning two bathrooms, the kitchen and making the usual three meals for the family gave me no time to read or work on writing until after supper.

I did read several posts from the Ten Tips for writing a blog and a few from About Freelance Writing. I plan on catching up with the NYT and a few other news sources before I finally call it a night.

I did manage to get a nice post created for my Handcrafted Mom blog, this one came kind of easy because I wrote about one of my favorite things to do with the kids. Combining my memories, storytelling and a link to a good recipe. I ended with a couple of questions and hope that someone will respond to them.

Good night.

Cover letters and Handcrafted Mom Blog

Today has been full of cover letters and sending out resumes. I found a website through one of the blogs about freelance writing that hires freelancers. http://www.freelancejobopenings.com

I did manage to post an entry to the Handcrafted Mom Blog about making t-shirt quilts. I had actually started it last night.

I also did some transcriptions for applications and sent those for working freelance too.

Last night I opened my Google Reader and did a search for freelance writing and technical writing and have been reading from several different blogs and sites along with news sources such as the NYT and the Houston Chronicle.

I am hoping that Saturday we may be able to find our local branch of the library.

The only thing that scares me is the flicker of a thought in my head what if all these people call me and want me to work for them at once? What a wonderful and yet horrific thing that would be. I guess I would figure it out and take the best offers. :-)

Welcome

Hello! This is going to be where you can keep up with what I am learning about writing and the writing that I am doing.

Please let me know you were here. Thanks.