How to Find Paying Telecommuting Writing Jobs Online

As a freelance writer, you probably spend hours scanning free job boards looking for telecommuting writing jobs -- in other words, freelance writing jobs you can do from home. With so many websites listing non-paying gigs amongst their paying job postings, it can take an hour or more each day to wade through the mess. Not to mention, just because a job is listed as a freelance job doesn't necessarily mean you can do the work from home. Many job posters are looking for freelance writers who will come to their place of business and do the writing work on-site. For those of us freelance writers who telecommute, this only complicates our job search.

My daily freelance writing job search on free job boards consists of the following: I pull up Indeed dot com and enter in several groups of search terms, such as "freelance writer" and "writer" "telecommute" -- there are at least a dozen keyword groups I search after these, but you get the idea. Then, I move on to the JournalismJobs dot com, WriteJobsdot com, and even Online-Writing-Jobs dot com. Then comes Craigslist, with its dreaded wade through the pools of non-paying gigs, gigs that pay in ad revenue only, and gigs that list "TBD" in the payment line. After much practice, I've honed my job searching system down to a half-hour process. Of course, this is just search time and doesn't include the time spent responding to ads, attaching resumes/writing samples, etc.

As seems to be the trend in the freelance writing world, most job posters never reply back. The few that do seem interested might ask for follow-up details and then disappear from the face of the earth, frequently because they find my rates not within their $3 per article budget. Let's face it -- the process of searching for telecommuting writing jobs on free job boards can be infuriating.

So, what are the alternatives to searching for telecommuting writing jobs on free job boards? Pay a membership fee to sites like GoFreelance dot comor JustMarkets dot com. Or, go with the job bidding sites like Elance dot com or Writerlance dot com. But, what about people who can't afford the fees? Chances are, if you're just starting out, your budget won't allow you the cost of such luxuries. Although membership sites may be considered legitimate business deductions for tax purposes (depending on where you live), the bottom line is that the money will come out of your pocket initially, even if you do deduct the cost on your taxes later.

Of course, there are the traditional methods for finding telecommuting writing jobs, like creating a website to advertise your freelance writing services, and visiting job sites that allow you to post your freelance writing resume free. Posting in freelance writing forums and networking with other writers can help you get clients. Starting a blog is another route many freelance writers take to get noticed. Paying for pay-per-click advertisements and even writing articles to submit to free directories can also help. Still, for the bulk of freelance writers, most jobs still come from taking the time to search for telecommuting writing jobs online.

Unfortunately, there is no path to finding telecommuting writing jobs that won't take some time or money. However, by getting into a regular job-search routine and using bookmarks and job feeds to your advantage, you can speed up the process and make things a little less frustrating for yourself.

How to Find a Publisher for Your First Book

Finding a publisher can be very strenuous. In fact, it may even be harder than actually writing the book itself.

There are three things to remember when finding a publisher for your book:

1. These things take time, even Stephen King was not signed the first night. Be patient, book publishers are quite busy and may take a while to get back to you. Just keep positive, if your book is good a publisher will sign you.

2. Start big and work down. Submit your book to the largest publisher first, then work yourself downward. Chances are, if a large publisher signs you the more money you will see in return. However, don't get too stressed when the first notice comes and says you are not signed, there are many other publishers who would love to see a new book come their way.

3. An easy way to get started yourself, if you do not wish to mess with publishers, is to find a publishing company who will do it for free without the advertising. A great place to start looking is at cafepress.com. They have a great selection of book styles and offer a great pricing for self publishing.

The most important thing to remember while looking for a publisher is to stay positive and keep trying. There are many publishers in this world and at least one is bound to sign you.

How To Build A Story From The Foundation Up

My husband and I just purchased our first home, and we are so excited about finally “putting down roots.” We came upon the house when it was still just a skeleton; and we watched as they slowly added the ceiling and walls, plumbing, electricity, flooring, windows, and doors. We had the opportunity to select the color of paint for the walls, the style of countertops, and the tile and carpeting for our floors. What a different look for our home when we added on to the foundation and filled in the skeleton!

Writing a story, whether it is a short story or a novel, is just like building a house. You must first start with a foundation. This is, of course, the idea stage. What story do you want to tell? If you are experiencing writer’s block, try to write about what you know. If you have never been to Spain, then don’t try to write a story about Spain unless you plan to do extensive research on the country.

Once you have set up your foundation, you will need to build a skeleton. Jot down your thoughts and ideas in an outline and build on them. This stage is an excellent time to create your characters for your story and to develop their attributes. Are they tall? Do they have brown hair? What is their position in your story? As you create your outline, you should also be thinking about the setting of your story and how you characters fit into that setting.

Now it is finally time to start adding your walls and ceiling. Begin to put your characters and settings together to tell your story. A good story usually includes a protagonist and an antagonist meeting in a controversial moment. Think of your story like a roller coaster ride. Start rolling your story uphill to the climactic event, and then fly downhill to end your story.

Once you have created your story, you can start painting the walls and choosing the type of carpet you want. Read your story again and add extra meat to your characters or to the theme. Consider creating more dialogue or changing the ending. Ask for someone you trust to read your story and offer constructive criticism.

Now that you have built your story, start selling to prospective buyers. Send your manuscript out to a wide variety of publishers, remembering to not be discouraged by the number of rejection notices you will receive. There is someone out there looking for your story if you will be consistent in your search. Remember to follow these tips, and you are well on your way to becoming a writing success!

How to Become a Motivational Speaker

Steps:

   1. Evaluate your special message. Consider what it is that you have to say that would be of value to others--have you experienced great adversity, or received some special education? In order to succeed as a motivational speaker, you must have something special to deliver.

   2. Carve out your niche. Motivational speaking is, in many ways, a product that must be sold. Why should someone pay to hear you impart your message? Be able to articulate your unique experiences and explain exactly how you can inspire others.

   3. Create an outline of your presentation. This will be used not only to provide a framework for your talk but also as a marketing piece for potential clients. Furthermore, many people are visual learners and can gain more from a visual representation than a spoken one.

   4. Contact large, not-for-profit corporations and professional groups and make it clear you are available. While there is nothing wrong with directly asking for a gig, announcing your availability will let them feel privileged to work with you.

   5. Contact speakers' bureaus and notify them of your availability. Some speakers' bureaus charge you to list your services, others charge nothing. Most bureaus take a percentage for acting as your agent. Search for "speakers' bureaus" on the Internet.

   6. Be willing to work for free to get your name out. Once others hear your interesting story or experience, they may want to hire you. Inform everyone you know that you are looking for organizations who want a good motivational speaker. Volunteer to speak at service clubs in your area.

   7. Write and publish articles or books if possible, in order to establish yourself as an authority in your subject. You do not need to publish a book people will find in the local bookstore. Post to websites like wikiHow and submit to on-line magazines and blogs.

   8. Draw up a written agreement, or contract, for all engagements. The written agreement should contain, among other matters, how the fees will be paid (e.g., cash, check, over time), how long you are expected to speak, whether you will be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the time and date. This will help to avoid any disputes at a later time.

Tips

    - Join a local Toastmasters Club. You will learn and practice everything you need to know when presenting a Motivational Speech, as well as any other type of speech.

    - Dress consistent with the perception you wish to convey. If you want to convey professionalism and success, business attire is probably best. Some motivational speakers use clothing to make a point in their presentation.

    - Speak clearly and repeat your main messages at least three times.

    - Keep it fun and lively. Audience participation is a great way for adults to learn, and you can do this in any number of ways. For example, one speaker handed out raisins and slowly took the audience through the life of that raisin and all that had to happen for that raisin to be in their hands. This kind of activity makes the audience feel part of the speech and facilitates learning. Remember that any activities must be relevant to the topic you are speaking on.

Warnings

    - If you forget what to say or begin to get nervous in front of a large crowd, stop, take a deep breath, and speak from the heart. Your audience will be happy to hear your honest experiences.

    - One of the best ways to overcome nervousness is to focus on how you can serve your audience instead of worrying about what they are thinking about you.

How Can You Become A Better Writer?

I have been writing professionally for more than two decades and teaching writing nearly that long. Every conference, every writing staff, and every class has always included some writer who asks: "How Can I Become A Better Writer?"

They don't usually like my answer. "Practice writing every day and read to study the writing of others every day."

They don't like the answer for one of two reasons usually. Some people are looking for some quick fix, magic formula that will make them a good writer in three easy steps. Although my suggestion involves only two steps it is pretty obvious that it is a long-term project. The other group of people will sneer at the first because they consider themselves "real writers" but they don't like the answer any more than the others. They believe they have a gift that simply needs to be unlocked by the magic key that published, successful writers possess.

The simple truth is that there is no way to improve your writing other than to continually practice your craft. Write every day. Experiment, plan, revise, and revisit. Make challenges, deadlines, and competitions. Push yourself and your writing will reward you. I promise. Write something inspired by a writer you admire and then write something completely your own.

However it is not enough to simply write in a vacuum -- or an ivory tower. You must also read the writing of others. Read far and wide. Read fiction, nonfiction, poetry and song lyrics. Read argument and persuasion, read informative and biographical, read science and fantasy. Read talented and skilled professionals and read those who are still finding their writing feet.

You are reading to gain inspiration and confidence. You are reading to build your vocabulary and your stockpile of writing tricks. You are reading to learn more about the rhythms and patterns of language. You are reading so that as you write you will be able to develop your own unique voice.

Learning to be a better writer is not the work of a weekend or even a semester. Learning to be a better writer is a life's work. If you really are a writer then you will never consider your work done. I don't know a professional writer who sits back and says "I'm done learning now, I'm as good as I'm going to get". Certainly it need not take a lifetime to reach professional status but you shouldn't make that your goal. Thinking in those terms can hold you back from becoming the best writer you can be.

For example, perhaps the reason your particular project was rejected had nothing at all to do with your writing but was in fact due to your topic, the particular needs of that publisher, or even the mood of the editor when your submission came across their desk. The truth is that you cannot control when you become a published, professional writer, but you can control your progress toward improving your writing. Believe me, the stronger your writing becomes then the easier it will be to achieve that other goal. When you reach the point that you regularly deliver quality writing then you will find a market. If you write it, the rest will come.

Hassle-Free Barcodes For Authors

When it comes to book publishing, there are many things to think about. The content, which is most important, is on the forefront of most writers minds. Next, the layout, front cover design and back cover synopsis will take precedent. For many writers, especially those new to the scene, finding a book publisher can be a daunting task. This is why self-publishing is the chosen route for many budding authors who are serious about getting their books into print.

Even with all of the determination in the world, the perfect layout and subject matter, one problem remains. How will potential readers learn about the book and ultimately choose to purchase it? In order to gain the appropriate amount of coverage and be taken serious as an author, you will need to have your book sold in major online and local bookstores. In order for this to occur, the author has to apply for an ISBN number and also a barcode, which is used to ring up the sale and determine the cost of any given book. Surprisingly to many, these numbers are not free and the paperwork is often more of a hassle than writing the actual book. In an effort to save writers from having to do all of the footwork and to help them concentrate on the actual business of writing, a number of POD (print on demand) publishers are offering the total package when it comes to getting your book into print.

One such publisher is iUniverse, who has been in business for a number of years and offers some of the most competitive publishing packages when compared to similar competitors. In exchange for a fee, iUniverse will design your book’s cover (both front and back), handle the process of obtaining barcodes and an ISBN number, print the books and fill orders. In addition, depending on the package that you choose, iUniverse will also submit your book to the major online bookstores. In a matter of months, your title will be available for purchase at any local or online bookstore because it will be properly cataloged with an ISBN number and the cost readable via the book’s barcode.

As a writer, your main concern is the content of your book. Although it is considered self-publishing because you are paying to have the book published, you will not have to deal with barcodes, ISBN numbers and the submission of your new title to online bookstores. Each of these takes time away from your career, which is why having a publisher can save you bundles of time. In addition, having your first few titles self-published will show future traditional publishing houses that you have what it takes to get the word out and generate success for yourself.

Handwriting Analysis

 

Graphology is the name given to the general subject of personality analysis based on handwriting analysis. Just as in Psychology there are various schools of Psychology – Behaviorist, Psychoanalytical, and so on - so too in Graphology.

Graphoanalysis is one such school and, from my experience, the most scientifically oriented reliable field of Graphology. Graphoanalysis is personality analysis based on handwriting analysis of the slant, size, measurement, pressure, spacing, and arrangement of letters and words on the page.

Graphoanalysis is used to analyze Latin lettering languages usually written in cursive handwriting (letters joined together). Printing can also provide information as to the writer’s personality. To a certain extent, an expert Graphoanalyist can analyze handwriting in languages written in letter forms other than Latin lettering.

Graphoanalyists are experts in handwriting analysis. The International Graphoanalysis Society (IGAS) is the full name of the school of Graphology to which the Graphoanalyist belongs.

A Quick Handwriting Analysis can be fun at a party or a get together. The Graphoanalyst will usually convey to the people whose handwriting is being analyzed the most outstanding features of their handwriting.

A Free Analysis is sometimes given to wet your appetite for more knowledge on the subject of graphology in general and graphoanalysis in particular.

In depth handwriting analysis requires many hours of measurement of letters and analysis of the combination of traits appearing in the handwriting and is used for more serious purposes such as determining a person’s job qualifications. Graphoanalysts are professionals who do this type of work.

Handwriting recognition by courts of law is a well known fact today. In court cases handwriting analysis is used to determine whether or not a signature on a document is valid. Graphoanalysts who have specialized in recognizing forgeries are called upon to give evidence in such cases and may have crucial influence on the final decision.

Great Literature: A Great Buy

There are many things in life to spend money on. From cars and bikes to clothes and computers, there is never a lack of things you can buy. Most people forget to spend money on one thing of great and lasting value: good literature.

Literature. You studied it in school. You had to read it and then write about it. You had to act out scenes of it or watch movies about it. Perhaps you have even seen movies based on great books. For some people, their relationship with good literature never makes it beyond graduation day. Oh, sure, they will read a few more books during college and maybe even start to enjoy it a little more, but once "the real world" hits very few people continue to buy and read books of real value.

Take a look at your bookshelves (if you have any). See what kinds of books you have collected over the years. Do you see any classic novels, any literature that has been highly praised? Do you have a volume of Steinbeck, Hawthorne, Dickens or Shakespeare? If not, you are definitely missing out. If your shelves are filled with too many how-to books or with the info on the latest fads, you may find that you read the book once and then have no reason to read it again. A benefit of filling your shelves with great literature is that you can read great books over and over and learn new things each time. You can discover greatly depth in the characterization or themes that good authors pen into literature.

Now, take a look at the things you have purchased in the past few months. How much of your valuable money has been spent on things that are fleeting? It is amazing how much money can be used on eating out at restaurants or buying expensive specialty coffee drinks. It is fine to spend money on those things, but you should think about spending at least a portion of your money on things of value that will last beyond the time it takes you to eat or drink them. Good literature is one of those valuable things you should buy.

Wonder why you should spend money on a book? For starters, books last forever. Once you buy it, you have it. You can purchase a great volume when you see it on sale and leave it on your shelves for years before you get around to actually reading it. When you pick it up to read it you will find it is still just like new.

Buying great literature is smart because it makes you smarter. You can purchase a book and then use it to develop parts of your mind that may have been left dormat for a while. Leisure time can be spent in an enjoyable way that is productive and beneficial as well.

So, the next time your money is burning a hole in your pocket and you just have to make a purchase, consider adding a piece or two of great literature to your collection.

Going With "The Flow"

Flow state, that mysterious mental zone where time and the outside world seem to disappear, is one of the keys to peak performance. Frankly, your ability to harness the limits of your intelligence, creativity, education, or talents will be largely determined by your capacity to remain in flow while under stress.

Those who cannot suffer “stage fright,” “writer’s block” “flop sweat” and numerous other labels for the same phenomenon—inability to access the deepest wells of confidence and performance in the actual arena.

The key to unlocking this particular inner vault is to look at the phenomenon of flow itself, separate from any specific usage or application.

We all experience the “flow” phenomenon. The last moments before we fall asleep or the first after awakening (also known as the “hypnogogic state”) have this quality. Ever gotten on the freeway, lost yourself in thought, and only snapped out of it when your exit appeared? Flow. Gone running, dancing, or walking and found time dissolving, so that an hour felt like mere minutes? Flow. One exceptionally powerful “flow moment” would be the last few seconds leading up to orgasm, when it feels like the barriers between you and your lover are melting away.

All of these moments share something in common: they all deal with the dissolution of the subject-object relationship. The painter melts into the canvas. The writer disappears into the book, the reader into the magazine, the lover into the beloved, the martial artist into the flow of throw and punch. We stop being aware of “ourselves” and begin to sense a connection between all the disparate parts of the activity, as if we are simultaneously stepping back for a wider view, and sinking inwards to a place of almost impossible intimacy.

It is a path to genius. One might take the position that the ability to hold flow under stress is the single greatest key of all high-performing human beings in any arena of life. What is talent, separate from the focus required to manifest it?

There are many disciplines that address flow: meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, prayer, etc. And there are tools that work terrifically well for familiarizing you with this state: sixty beat per minute Largo rhythm string music (Vivaldi is great!), hot baths, incense, massage, etc. Distance running or rhythmic walking, dance, gardening or cooking (for some people), playing music, painting, and numerous other activities touch this space. Just look for the moments when time vanishes.

One core technique, used worldwide in thousands of disciplines, is breath control. This is key because breathing is the only physiological process both voluntary and autonomic, and is thus a key to the unconscious mind. Learning to breathe slowly and deeply even under stress will de-inhibit the flow response, allowing you to access your deeper wisdom and creativity even when a project is due by noon, or the baby is screaming in the next room.

To take advantage of this fact,

1. Learn to breathe deep in your belly. Lay on your back, and put a book on your tummy. As you inhale, it should rise. Exhale, it should fall. Your chest should move as little as possible.

2. Five times a day, at every hour divisible by three (9, 12, 3, 6, 9) concentrate on your breathing for sixty seconds. Learn to do this while driving, sitting in meetings, standing in elevators, or walking down the street.

3. Place (or catch) yourself under moderate stress, and practice this breathing. For instance, in the middle of an exercise class, while public speaking, in the middle of an argument, while caught in bad traffic, while experiencing an anxiety attack. Learn to breathe calmly and deeply in such situations, and you re-pattern your nervous system’s threat response, enabling you to calm yourself to enter flow.

There are certainly other methods, but this one, modification of breathing, has worked for thousands of year and hundreds of millions of people. It will work for you, as well.

Get Help With Invitation Wording

If you are trying to write an invitation to an important event or celebration, don't let yourself struggle with finding the perfect invitation wording all on your own. There are several great but perhaps unexpected sources you can use to help get the right invitation wording for your needs.

The first source of great invitation wording, although perhaps not the most practical for everyone, is to hire a professional writer to help you write the invitation wording. A professional writer is, obviously, a professional who is trained and able to help with all your writing needs. You should have no problems entrusting even the most serious and elegent invitation wording needs to a professional writer. You can find professional writers in your area in the phone book or by doing an iternet search.

Another great source of invitation wording is to talk to people who have done invitations like yours before. For example, if you are trying to come up with the right invitation wording for your wedding invitation, than you would do well to talk with other brides and grooms who have gone through the process of finding the right invitation wording for their own weddings. Think about people in your life who have already experienced the events that you are now walking through and utilize them as a resource. You will be so glad you did and they will most likely be so glad to help.

A third possible source for help with invitation wording is to hire someone online. There are so many online sources of writers that are usually available within a day of making a request for their services. Do a search for the particular kind of invitation wording that you need and then hire the best writer for your needs. You can also look online for sources that may already have samples of invitation wording that will be perfect for your needs. If this is the case, you can often purchase already written invitation wording at a small charge.

The point is that invitation wording isn't something to be taken lightly especially when you are planning events that are important to you. No amount of time and effort is too much when you want your invitation wording to be just right. So take your time, think through your options and then make the best choice for yourself and your needs. Use the resources that are available to you and don't be afraid to check out several resources before choosing the one that is best for you.

Get Evaluations to Grow

You're speaking, so you know what you're saying. But, do you know what your audience is hearing?

Or perhaps you're writing. Do you know what your audience is reading?

I know many speakers who've been surprised when they discovered the distance between the message they sent and the message the audience received. That's not really unexpected. After all, we really can't gauge how our content or delivery comes across to others unless we've had the evaluations of others.

For example, I've learned from speaking evaluations that I'm often too serious, and that I should lighten up. That's not something that was obvious to me, but after several formal and informal evaluations, I now recognize the truth of that observation.

In the same way, I've learned to reduce the amount of content in my speeches. When I'm writing a speech, I now know I'm not writing a book. By that, I mean the listener can take in much less than a reader, and it's up to the speaker to make the content fit. That, too, I learned from the evaluations of others.

If you can get someone to evaluate your speech or presentation, ask for specific assessments on several criteria, rather than just general comments. These specific criteria might include: 

- content suitability for the audience
- vocal variety and pacing 
- posture and general bearing 
- gestures and body language 
- eye contact.

Make your list as long or as short as you wish, and remember that the more specific the criteria, the easier it will be to get information you can you use for improvement.

Much of what we've discussed about speaking works for writing as well. Again, ask for specific assessments rather than general comments. While it's nice to be told, "Your memo was great," it's much more useful to get feedback on specific criteria, such as: 

- writing style (too formal or too casual, for example)
- word usage 
- amount of content
- suitability of content
- overall readability by target audience.

Many friends and colleagues will happily give you feedback if you ask for it; now you need to approach the subject strategically, and make sure you get feedback you can use to improve your performance.

Geek Yourself Up And Out Of The “Bozone”

“What’s that,” you say? If you’re not quite sure what a “bozone” is, just keep reading. This Information-Aged world is spinning fast, and so is its vocabulary. Geek is no longer a euphemism for nerd or freak. It’s taking on the much more fashionable definition of a hi-tech-savvy person who speaks in the latest technical terms about the latest technical gadgets. If you want to understand what they have to say, you’re going to need to learn some new terms. If not, you might find yourself clueless when your colleagues have so much fun nicknaming your boss “a noisy seagull”, and you just stand there forcing a smile. So make friends with some new words even if they are just street terms, and spare yourself the rare occasion that ruins your day. Here are some terms with less than 10,000 hits from major search engines; you can expect them to catch on very soon:

1. Bozone: The persistent atmosphere around an intellectually challenged person, which prevents any technological information from penetrating and educating them.

2. A Seagull Manager: a manager who makes quick visits around the office, flusters everybody, makes a lot of noise, and then leaves just as suddenly.

3. Open-Collar Worker: or telecommuter, a person who works from home with his wireless computer.

4. Square-Headed Girlfriend or Square-Headed Boyfriend (less frequent): another term for a computer, especially when talking about computer addiction.

5. Computer Widow/Widower: the victim of a square-headed girlfriend, or a square-headed boyfriend.

6. The Elvis Year: the most successful year, or the peak of somebody or something.

7. Nickvoice and Nickface: coined by the media morphing Avnex, Inc. and widely used by the media morphing industry and community to refer to the anonymous vocal or visual identities provided by morphing programs (morphers), for the sake of their user’s safety.

8. Lullabouy: an idea that keeps floating in your head, and prevents you from falling sleep.

9. Blamestorming: a session in which a group discusses how to decide who gets blamed for a failure.

10. Xerox Subsidy: humorous term for using company photocopy machines for personal purposes.

My last geek term for you: Search Engines. Don’t laugh. You might master bug, backdoor, phishing, messengers, blogging, and lifestreaming. You might also have already heard some of the above ten words, as well as many other geeky terms listed in countless articles everywhere. But what the old friends Search Engines give you is far more valuable than just the words and their meanings. It’s the initiative they provide for the smart users that keeps you on the forefront of the geek language, and turns you into a pro at water cooler jokes and company parties, always ready to throw out the very latest terms.

Freelance Writing: A Career From Anywhere

An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The east coast of New Zealand. What do these locations have in common? A recent call for assistance from freelance writers elicited replies from every one of these locations. In each of these and in many other remote places, I know of writers who are freelancing with a fair degree of success.

Indeed it is possible for freelance writers to work from anywhere.

Consider my own recent experience. As the editor of the Worldwide Freelance Writer web site, I publish a newsletter that goes out to thousands of freelance writers around the world. I can recall one particular issue in the middle of 2002. I started planning the newsletter in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong. When the first draft came together I was in Indianapolis, in the United States. And by the time I completed the final copy and pushed the send button I was at a lakeside cottage in Ontario, Canada, with snow lightly falling outside.

Maybe you are interested in a freelance writing career but you worry about whether you live in a suitable location. Well, think again. Freelance writing is a job you can do from anywhere. It is true that if your home is near New York's editorial offices you may be able to use your proximity to some advantage. But many, many freelance writers are working successfully from more distant locations, and in many cases enjoying a better lifestyle in the places where they live.

Take Ron Irwin, for example. An American, Ron freelances from a small house on the beach in Cape Town, South Africa. The majority of his work is still for North American markets. Consider Vella Corinne, a native of Malta in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. From this island steeped in history - the Order of St John was based here and the temples are thought to be older than the pyramids - she writes travel and lifestyle features.

Writers in locations such as these, far from being at a serious disadvantage, can actually enjoy a number of benefits. For a start, these writers are in an excellent position to write about their own locations, the people and the culture. Also, the living costs are often less expensive than for writers in major cities. And if that is not enough, how about fresh, clean air?

Writers working from remote locations usually live in a cleaner, more peaceful environment, and may live closer to outdoor and recreational activities. Vella reveals how she enjoys the warmer days: "Once I pack up my computer, I just head to the beach. Distances are short and, the island being small, I'm always close to the center of whatever's happening here. I can control my own time in a way that I could not if I lived in a busy city."

Twenty years ago writers in remote locations were often frustrated by the slowness of communicating with editors on the other side of the world. It would always take months to receive a reply from an editor. Waiting for a response to a query was about as exciting as watching grass grow!

In recent years the availability of the Internet has made it easier than ever before for freelancers to communicate almost instantly with anyone, anywhere in the world. In my own example above I traveled through a few countries over a three-week period and managed to conduct my freelance work at the same time. Many of my clients didn't even know I was 'on the move'. Little did they know that between receiving and replying to their messages, I was fishing in the lake and hiking through the woods. I could easily keep in touch with important contacts, as well as write and send out my newsletter.

But do you know what was even more exciting? While I was traveling my web site was hard at work, the entire time, 'day and night'. Even while I was flying at thirty thousand feet, taking a nap, I was effectively selling a bunch of writing-related books and products. Now if that isn't a freelancer's dream becoming reality, I don't know what is! Such accomplishments were definitely not so attainable before the advent of email and the World Wide Web.

Kathy Crockett freelances from Gisborne, New Zealand, on the east coast of the North Island. She commented to me on the difference technology makes when working from such a location. "It's a city of 35,000", she explains, "the closest to the international dateline, and the first city in the world to see the sun each day. Its closest city-size neighbors are three hours drive on windy roads...the internet, mobile phones...technology lets me be wherever I want to be... and fool others into thinking I'm where they'd like me to be!"

Of course working remotely is not always easy and there are a number of challenges that writers typically face. Isolation is a common issue. Vella explained to me she has a way of dealing with it. "At times it feels like I have a totally atomized existence. I balance that by scheduling some 'face time' each day", she explains. I agree with her. Sometimes you must make a conscious effort to spend time with family, friends, or other writers.

Another challenge may be difficulties with technology. Finding a PC repair shop may be next to impossible. Internet access may be unavailable or unreliable. There are many, many places in the world that don't even have telephone lines yet, not to mention email access. You can still work as a freelance writer from these locations, but it will not be as convenient. If you have any choice where you live, always try to choose a town that has telephone lines with reliable Internet access.

And that goes for working while you are on holiday too. Check the available technology in advance. In the example of my trip above, I received a surprise. There was no telephone line or email access in the cottage. My initial panic subsided when I discovered a telephone not too far away. In freezing temperatures, I trudged up the road. When I pushed the button to send out my newsletter my notebook computer was plugged into a payphone.

Are writers in remote locations at a serious disadvantage? No way! I am sold on the concept that you can work as a freelance writer from anywhere. And while you will face some challenges, none of them will be insurmountable.

So if you're looking for a career you can do from anywhere, look no further. The writers I referred to and many others are working successfully right where they are. And so can you. Open up your notebook. Start writing. You can begin to build a rewarding career as a freelance writer today.

Forget About "Talent"!

How is a writer to access her deepest and most powerful wells of creativity? How do we tap into our talent, our genius, our greatest potential for success? Writing classes often tell us how to plot, or structure, or build characters, or create poetic images, but the question of accessing our excellence is a slippery and elusive one. It is possible we’ll need to go outside our usual sources to find an answer.

Many will merely say “be born with talent,” coldly suggesting that writers are “born” with a particular amount of potential, and that one either has this or not. And you know? There is a certain amount of truth to this. It is hard to argue with the idea that geniuses like Mozart or Shakespeare were gifted. But the nature versus nurture argument is both fascinating and, for the average person, irrelevant. After all, since we can’t go back and choose our grandparents, what are we to do? Just abandon our dreams of excellence if we don’t happen to be one of the gifted few?

I often say something to students that is both deadly serious and a slight (and deliberate) exaggeration. It is this “I don’t believe in talent. Every time I’ve ever gotten close to an excellent performer in any discipline, all I’ve seen is a lifetime of hard, honest work.”

Why would I say something like this? Because it is the way I truly feel. The fact is that I’ve seen endless people fail due to lack of honest work. And given those years or decades of work, I’ve seen few fail for lack of talent.

The truth is that if “talent” exists, it seems to be the capacity for long, concentrated periods of tunnel-vision focus, combined with a unique capacity for digging into themselves to find truths most of us are reluctant to reveal. These phenomenal men and women sacrifice outside interests, relationships, and sometimes their health and sanity to focus on their divine obsession. And yes, if you find a group of these people, some will rise higher than others. But the primary gift of art is to be able to spend your life in the act of creation. And to do that, you don’t need to be “the best” (whatever THAT means). All you need to do is to get into the top twenty percent in your field, and you’ll do just fine.

And that is achievable with focus and honesty. But what exactly do I mean by that?

FOCUS

1. Can you write 500 words a day for twenty years?

2. Can you concentrate for an hour at a time without stopping for coffee, phone calls, or bathroom breaks?

3. Can you shut out the voices of doubt and failure? Then you have a chance. In my own life, writing was simply my only career goal. I would rather have failed as a writer than succeeded at anything else. I was willing to do ANYTHING ethical and healthy to reach that goal, and every single day I asked myself new questions about how I could do it, who I could ask, what I could read, what classes I might attend. Willingness to postpone gratification is essential, because your efforts simply won’t pay off rapidly unless you are in that incredibly lucky fraction of a percent. And there is good news: even if you believe in “talent,” in the real world, an absolutely driven “B” or “C” student will outperform a lazy “A” student almost every time.

HONESTY. This is where the rubber meets the road, the diamond path to excellence.

1. What is your actual current skill level? What is the skill level necessary to make it in your chosen field? Make no mistake: writing is one of the most competitive fields in the world. EVERYONE thinks they can write, and to a degree, they are correct. If you’re going to make your mark, you will have to bring everything you’ve got.

2. Who has the resources you need to bridge the gap between your current and desired skill levels? Remember that they have probably spent a lifetime gathering their knowledge. What can you offer them (that is ethical and healthy for you) to gain their help and support?

3. What do you fear most? Love most? What angers you most? Makes you laugh? Your ability to create memorable characters will be based on the depths of your self-understanding, and capacity to accurately observe the human condition. If you can dig deeply enough, you’ll find an incredible wealth of subject matter, more than enough to last a lifetime. But you must be honest. When writing to stimulate an emotion in your audience, first write to trigger that feeling in yourself. Write for yourself, or for an audience you respect.

4. What is your best effort? There is a great scene in “Walk The Line” where a music producer tells Johnny Cash to imagine he is dying in the street. He has one last song to sing to sum up the totality of his existence. What would that song be? Questions like this cut through the b.s. Don’t try to be clever. Just tell the truth.

5. What do you actually believe human beings are? At the core of us, under all of the ugly and pretty. What are we? How do you explain the differences and conflicts between human beings: black and white, gay and straight, male and female. What do you think love is? What causes war? Why do we dream? Your own unique answers to these questions will point you toward your personal “voice.”

6. What is the nature of the universe? Of God? Is there anything out there? Are we alone? While it is possible to write stories and screenplays from a variety of philosophical positions, the writer who knows herself and has a position on the nature of life will outperform a “brilliant” writer who has nothing to say. Dig deep.

These two aspects, (1) hard work, and (2) honesty, will keep you busy for a lifetime, and take you to the very edge of your potential as a writer. And after all, if you haven’t used up all the potential you were given at birth, it hardly makes sense to complain that you didn’t get more!

Finding A Literary Agent You Can Work With

So you have finally finished writing the book for which you toiled so hard and just like your newborn, is very close to your heart? And you thought that you have crossed the biggest hurdle? Well now comes the tougher part, which is to get your book printed and making it see the light of the day. For this, you would need the services of a book agent. Not just any book agent, but also someone who is good at his work. There are many kinds of literary agents and hence you have to be careful with who you choose to represent you.

To start with, do a background search on the area of specialization of the book agents. This is important since some agents work with fiction, some specialize in poetry whereas other love technical titles. Once you identify a list of agents who deal in your area of work, you would need to zero down on someone who can ensure that your interests are protected. This is difficult since finding agents who know their jobs is very difficult. It’s almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. Don’t be surprised if you keep bumping into scammers disguised as book agents. Though people like these are available in plenty, they are in it only for themselves and can be really terrible at their job.

A good book agent knows his job well, probably would have learnt it by working for some other reputed agent. That would have helped him learn the tricks of the trade by talking independently to the publishers as well as the authors. He would have the gone ahead and set up his own business. These agents toil hard and will be on your side without ever asking you for any monetary benefits. They will also do things like editing your books free of cost.

However, if you land up with a scammer, you will find that he will send you a bill even before the book hit the shelves. This is something that a genuine agent will not do. Once your book starts selling, he gets his money as a share of the amount you get from the proceeds. This can be a real-time filter of isolating a scammer from a genuine agent. Also, a scammer will make you get your revisions and editing done by a third party though it is supposed to be done by him for free. They are book agents after all and it is imperative that they should have editing skills.

In a nutshell, ensure that you do a thorough research on book agents. You should feel comfortable with them right through. However, if you feel that something is not right, switch to another one at the first opportunity. Don’t panic if you find yourself doing this often since it is important that you are working with the right person. After all it is a question of making your dream come true!

Finding A Book Report Example Is An Easy Task

If you have been assigned a book report and are a bit confused, frustrated, or hesitant, there is a huge temptation to dump the project.

This is understandable because the task seems complicated, which is further worsened by the fact that you've never seen a book report example, not to talk of a written one. The best way to go is to start searching for model book report examples, and your first step is to ASK PEOPLE.

One basic method of learning is by practicing what we've seen, which is different from copying. We learn by imitating how someone performed a task, the skills employed, the voice that best suits the job, and the length that got a good grade. And here are list of people you can consult for a book report example:

The best person to consult is the teacher who assigned you the book report job, or better still, you can ask someone you consider as a mentor.

Parents, siblings, and friends who have been there, and seen it all, are next on the rung of people to consult.

Librarians are also good sources of book report examples, but be sure to distinguish between the reports and the review from whomever you are consulting.

Use How-to-books. And below are books that will at the least contain one book report example, as well:

Elizabeth James' How to write a book report is a student survival guide that provides a description of a book report.

There are chapters on how to select books to read, using the library, and many more about how to put in place writing draft, and oral reports. The book capped it all with a four page sample of book reports.

Dawn B. Sova's How to write book report is a step by step approach about writing book reports, spotting the difference between reports and reviews, qualifications of reviewers, and note taking for reports. This book went a step further by adding sample reports and reviews.

The use of quality websites is also an important factor. Use good sites as you would for a school assignment to search for book report examples.

Ensure that you avoid sites that use illegal methods or those that offer inferior materials. Here are some lists of quality websites that provide book report examples and review samples:

Teenspoint.org, is a good site that has a section called "Reading Matters"

NancyMatson.com provides a recommendation of the best book in released in the last thirty days, this it calls book of the month.

harenet.ne/jp/waring/er/readreport.html provides examples of book reports. This site also gives a check list of points you will include in your book report.

Regardless of the path you tread, you must have it at the back of your mind that in the end you your own reporter, so you need to select a book you care about, so that you will find it easy not only to read, but to also write about.

Effective Networking For Writers

'Tis the season for conferences and seminars! Many of my friends have all been conference-hopping in recent weeks and we've been discussing how fruitful these gatherings can be when you can make great and lasting contacts. But how do you come away with something more substantial than a stack of business cards? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Speak Up! The Magic of Telling

"Isolation is a dream killer," says life coach Barbara Sher. One of the women in my mastermind group reminded me of that today. She recently attended an event where, for the first time, she came out of her shell and started telling people what she did. She was met with great enthusiasm and people asking her for samples and wanting to refer her to others. All because she spoke up. Now that doesn't mean you go up to someone and talk non-stop! It does mean that you go into a conversation with a clear description of who you are and what you do or write.

2. Be a Productive Networker

Your networking will not be productive if you are handing out business cards indiscriminately or asking someone who isn't the right person to read your work. Or maybe you're listening only partially to someone and then writing them off if they don't seem to have what you want. Productive networking is about building long-term relationships. Why long-term? Because it's highly unlikely that you or your contact have what the other wants at that very moment. The idea is to keep in touch until you do. In the meantime, you want to offer value or be of service so that the other person feels it'll be worthwhile to stay in touch with you.

3. Engage in Two-Way Conversations

When the other person is talking, listen up! Who is the person and what do they need? They've come to the event for their own reasons. What are they? Can you assist? Get a clear understanding of what the person does and respect it! For instance, don't push a science fiction novel on an agent who only handles non-fiction. Tell the other person what you're up to, but don't babble. Think attraction: be engaging, not desperate!

4. Maintain the Connection

Ask for permission to stay in touch--don't just add the person to your email list. Decide how you'll stay in touch. Occasional emails? A monthly newsletter? In "Making a Literary Life", author Carolyn See suggests writing notes to a different contact daily. Try to attend events where your most important contacts are involved, even if it means taking a trip. It's just one more thing that helps them take you seriously.

5. When the Time Comes, Be Specific!

Use your contact only when they can help you the most. "Ask early, ask often" doesn't apply here. Know exactly what you want from the person. Tell him or her, in detail, how they can help you. Make it easy for them! If you have developed the relationship well, the person will be more than happy to lend a hand. And when they've done so, be gracious--write thank you notes!

One Last Note: Be patient. Building a network takes consistent, persistent effort. If you truly believe in what you're doing, and it shows in your work, others will believe in you as well.