The First Step to a Writing Career

Let me start by saying that I hadn't planned on posting two quotes in a row, but I read this today and just thought it was really relevant to my blog, especially considering my title -- Baby Steps.


“The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner’s humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.”

-Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way


Yesterday, I was thinking about how far I have come in creating my writing career, and it struck me that I am so happy that I had the guts to take that first step. Without doing that, I would still just be dreaming about the day when I would be "a real writer" instead of reaping the benefits of the writer's life.

So if you want to make a living as a writer, just take the first step...and before you know it, that first step of setting out on the path to becoming a writer will lead you closer and closer to the realization of your writing goals.

Importance of Daily Writing

"It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop." ~Vita Sackville-West

Writing Query Letters

I know, I know - I disappeared again. You're probably not surprised anymore, though, are you?

Well, if you're not getting sick of my occasional updates on the life of this particular writer mama, then please read on and don't give up on me yet. I promise that I will soon gain some consistency with blogging. It just might take a little while.

So where have I been?

Well, let me just say that this is definitely my most difficult pregnancy. You see, in addition to feeling just plain miserable due to all the medications I am taking every day, I also have to go to at least two doctor appointments every week. With two toddlers at home, it's been quite difficult to procure babysitters to fill in for me while I attend all of these appointments. Not to mention, I'm shelling out cash to cover my ever-rising co-pay for each appointment. However, I again must say how grateful I am that the baby seems to be developing just fine and everything is basically going pretty well. If the baby does not come sooner, I am scheduled for delivery on August 30th, so the end is in sight.

In addition, I have been taking Christina Katz's writing class, Pitching Practice, which has been a real learning process. In this six-week class, you write a query letter each week, which she reads and comments on (also providing two detailed critiques in Weeks 3 and 6), and you are given weekly workbooks to go through as well. I just turned in my Week 5 work, and feel like this class is a tough workout, but totally worth the cost and time-investment. In fact, I just wish that I had more time to spend on it, and I really don't want it to end anytime soon because I feel like I am finally starting to make some great strides.

Working on writing a query letter each week has been really good practice for me in sticking to a deadline. You see, when it comes to assigned articles and writing projects, I always turn them in early. But when it comes to marketing, it's much harder for me to stick to my self-imposed deadlines. I guess this is where I can see the importance of being disciplined if one wants to maintain a successful freelance writing business.

Am I the only one who has a hard time with staying on top of marketing? Can you offer me any insights or helpful advice for tackling this in a productive and efficient manner?

Business Cards for Writers

Hope you had a wonderful, long, relaxing weekend!

I certainly did. While I had originally intended to finish up some writing projects over the long weekend, I ended up just enjoying the time with my family. Taking the weekend off actually proved beneficial in more ways than one: I was able to have some real quality time with hubby and the kids AND came up with numerous ideas for query letters and fillers. Not to mention the fact that I caught up on some much-needed sleep and now feel ten times more refreshed.

Writing projects have been pretty steady for me lately, which is great. The only downside of it is that I am never able to get everything on my "To Do" list done because new projects pop up before I finish the old ones - but I guess that's really nothing to complain about. In fact, I am really grateful to have reached this point in my writing career.

Which brings me to my question: do you think it's important/necessary for writers to have business cards?

I have been in several situations recently where it would have been quite beneficial to have had some business cards for my freelance writing business on hand, but instead had to scribble out my website address on a piece of paper because I had put off designing and purchasing some cards for myself. After giving this some thought, I figured that it would be much more professional to have a business card on hand next time someone asked for information regarding my writing services. So I finally took the plunge and ordered my business cards tonight. And if I do say so myself, they look pretty darn good! I will try to post a pic when they arrive so that you can see firsthand.

But I guess that I just got side-tracked from my question. So, I will ask again: do you have business cards for your freelance writing business? If so, have they proved helpful in marketing your business?

Creating a Writing Career

Every week I look forward to receiving The Prosperous Writer in my inbox. I read it faithfully, and always finish with the intention to respond to the thought-provoking topics -- but obviously fail in that pursuit.

As I sit here on this beautiful, sunny, Saturday morning, I decided that I will finally blog about this week's topic: being or becoming self-producing.

In pursuing a writing career, I believe it is essential to assume full responsibility for that career -- because no one is going to hand it to you on a platter. This career, like any other, requires an investment -- an investment of time, money (if you should choose to take writing classses, which I highly recommend), dedication, and good old-fashioned hard work.

For most of us, a writing career does not happen overnight. It takes many steps, repeated, over time. We have to work hard, and slowly reap the fruits of our hard work. Of course, depending on one's determination and the amount of time spent writing and marketing, the process can definitely be quicker. It really depends on each individual -- what their goals are, how much time they are willing to spend working towards them, and how dedicated they are to writing as a career.

In my case, I have wholeheartedly embraced writing as my chosen path. I love it! It is thoroughly enjoyable, very fulfilling, and I am able to do it while caring for my two toddlers at home. In saying this, though, I must mention the many hours that I have put in to get to this point (where I am finally seeing my name in print more and more and receiving payment for those articles.) Doing some freelance writing for local businesses is also helping me to achieve my income goals with my pen.

So, yes, I do think that writers must be self-producing. In fact, I think that it is absolutely essential. After all, if you are not your biggest cheerleader, who will be?

After saying all this (my apologies for being so long-winded!), it is only right to tell you that I attribute my writing success, in large part, to Christina Katz. I picked up her book, Writer Mama, from a local Borders about a year and a half ago -- and before I finished the first chapter, I knew that I had found my calling. Since then, I have taken her classes, followed her advice, and put into practice what she recommends. And now, I am proud to say that I am a writer.

The Writing Life

Hiya Writers!

It's been too long again.

I know.

Instead of making excuses, I'm just going to 'fess up and say that I'm happy to be as busy as I have been lately. More work has definitely left me with less time to do some of the things I really enjoy, such as blogging, catching up with all my Twitter peeps, and having fun on Facebook. But, like I said, I really can't complain because I'm trying to get in as much writing as possible before the baby comes in August.

My portfolio has been growing steadily, I'm editing a book for someone and helping her craft a query letter for an agent, and also trying to spend some more time on copywriting projects. Crazy as it might sound, I really enjoy copywriting, which is definitely starting to increase my (much too small!) income.

I've been wondering: do many magazine writers also branch out to copywriting? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences in this regard!

I'm also considering adding a bit more to my plate soon by taking a couple classes. I am planning on signing up for Christina Katz's "Pitching Practice" class because I thinks it's time for me to start querying the glossies. I've met with some great successes writing for regional publications, but would love to see my byline in - and receive the check from - national magazines, too. Christina's class starts on May 12, and I am really looking forward to it. In addition to taking that class, I am also looking around for a good copywriting course. If you have any recommendations or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!

How has your workload been lately?

Working Away

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the sporadic postings, lately! I am trying to get on a better schedule so that I can be more consistent in posting.

I have been getting a lot of work done recently, which is great, but also means that it's taking up quite a bit of my time. So, again, I am finding a greater need to really manage my time better.

How has work been going for all of you? Are you still finding yourselves plenty busy -- even in this rough economy?