Nonfiction Writing Versus Wishful Thinking

I wrote an ebook called Write Where the Money Is. If you haven’t purchased it yet, you really should. But I’ll give its plot away right now: The money is in nonfiction writing. I’m saying this as a guy who loves poetry, fiction, drama, and film. If you have fire in your belly for writing [...]

More good stuff →

Bad Lede = Bad Story

I know a good lead when I see one. So do you. How do we know a lede is good? We keep reading. (“Lede,” by the way, is journalismspeak so you don’t confuse the opening of a story with the stuff of sinkers and bullets. Either is fine, but I’ll stick with the lingo here.) [...]

More good stuff →

What the Golden Globes Taught Writers About How Not to Write a Query Letter

I watched some of the Golden Globes the other night. Good thing the honorees weren’t trying to get writing assignments. Have you ever seen so many displays of BS? Such unbridled pretentiousness? I admire actors. When they’re acting. When they’re acting well. What they do is amazing. But when they can’t stop acting, when they [...]

More good stuff →

Why I’m Attending John Carlton’s Action 2010

I’ve been to my share of writers conferences. They can be good for getting a recharge, gaining inspiration, or for commiserating with my brethren. Rarely, though, do I come away feeling like what I gained will directly repay the cost of attending. And that’s okay. I go for less-measurable reasons. But I’m planning to attend [...]

More good stuff →

Thinking About Writing an Ebook? Why Not?

I’ve just created a new website that I think you’ll be interested in. It’s called EBook Secrets Rated: www.ebooksecretsrated.com. In it I’ve reviewed what I think are the three best books on the market about writing and marketing an ebook. If you haven’t considered writing an ebook, you should. Ebooks can be hugely profitable for [...]

More good stuff →

Time Management for Freelancers: A Blessedly Short Course

How do I fit 25 hours into a 24-hour day? Selena Templeton asked me that, essentially, in a recent comment. I’m no paragon, but I’ve been freelancing successfully for nearly three decades. I’ve developed some approaches that I know work. Initially, they were survival mechanisms. Now I truly enjoy them. Above all else, rid yourself [...]

More good stuff →

Carol Tice Says Freelance Writers Should Make $100/Hour

Meet fellow writer, blogger, and blogger about writing, Carol Tice. Carol irrepressibly contends, as do I, that freelance writers can and should make very good money doing what we do. Thinking small gets us nowhere. Here she not only addresses the dicey subject of freelance rates, she trots out a figure of $100 an hour—not [...]

More good stuff →

Freelance Writing’s New Model—Fortunate or Unfortunate?

Another doom-and-gloom piece on the appalling state of freelance writing. This one’s by James Rainey in the Los Angeles Times… Here’s how I responded: “Freelance writing has always been a tough business, but hustle and ability have always paid off. That will continue to be the case….”

More good stuff →

Freelance Writers—Ten Things to Do When Your Best Client Goes Away

My best editorial client, National Geographic Adventure magazine, folded last month. I was the editor at large and a regular contributor. When I got the news, I spent time commiserating with the staff. It was a great magazine, loved by 625,000 readers. Beautifully produced. Super high quality editorial. I was proud to be a part [...]

More good stuff →

Meet the Grammar Ranter—He Just May Save Your Writerly Butt

Who loves a grammar zealot? Holier-than-thou, self-appointed guardians of the High Church of English can be obnoxious. I’m much too kind and tolerant to be one myself. But I have this alter ego—Grammar Ranter—who contends that our language needs some sacred conventions.

More good stuff →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →