Jan
31
Is it possible to write for art and money?
Filed Under Art vs. Money | Comments Off
Art & Money. University of Chicago Press, 1995
There is no doubt about it, in the twentieth century if you are to come to be writing really writing you cannot make a living at it no not by writing. - Gertrude Stein
Sir, no man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money. - Samuel Johnson
—
I write everyday.
Every morning I say goodbye to my family and the goldfish and head-off to my office, to write.
But I’ve noticed two very different experiences when I write.
The first is what happens to me when I’m writing ART.
This is when I write to say something that means a lot to me, or what I’m writing gives me goose-bumps. This happens when I’m writing humor. Poets and novelists describe the same experience.
I wrote comic routines for a stand-up comedian, humorous lines which appeared in a national daily and a number of episodes for a comic strip series.
But for all that fun and clever writing (my ART), I didn’t get paid a penny (the comedian skipped out on our agreement, but that’s another story).
The other kind of writing however, the kind that pays the bills (writing for MONEY), my emotions are not engaged. I’m just explaining topics that I’m employed to write about, whether I like the topic or not. I have to meet the specification by the deadline.
I rarely get the same butterflies-in-the-stomach sensation when I write on these projects. I wouldn’t call writing for money always boring, there are times when I’m pleased by a turn of phrase I come up with which explains a complex topic simply and with brevity, but nothing tingles! I don’t get that same flow.
And I know which I prefer – writing what I LOVE.
So, to get paid MONEY for my ART, that’s the dream.
That’s what this web site will explore – writing what you love and getting paid for it.
Jan
28
Online Writing Goal for 2009
Filed Under Copywriting | Comments Off
I first met Bill Hibbler online years ago when I started investigating online marketing resources.
Bill had written some reviews about expensive software and courses that I was interested in at the time.
His inexpensive e-book saved me a lot of time and wasted effort.
In addition to saving me lots of heartache, Bill was happy to answer my additional questions as it related to a project I was working on at the time, and his willingness to help a stranger was definitely unusual!
Since that time I always kept up with what Bill was working on because I knew he was a genuine guy and he didn’t hide behind some slick marketing machine.
In December, Bill launched AffiliateU to help train people to begin doing business online as affiliates of other products and services, which is how he got started. As you learn the ropes, you can start developing and selling your own products.
To be sure, I was already familiar with many of the topics he has inside his ‘university,’ but the clincher for me was the bonus of all the material from his intensive ‘e-book mastermind class’, which he conducted as recently as last year for about $1300.
This material is FREE as a bonus when joining AffiliateU, for the small amount of $97.
I’m the first one who will use free or inexpensive resources, and what Bill is offering is definitely value for money.
In fact, this web site writersmojo.com was inspired by the material at AffiliateU and is the first step towards my online writing goals for 2009.
I will continue to go through Bill’s material at AffiliateU and will report on any new things I implement as the year progresses.
Jan
28
Creative Writing Goal for 2009
Filed Under Creative Writing | 1 Comment
During the holidays I reflected on what I’d like to achieve this year, and for a long time I’ve had this story idea mulling about in my mind but I never really had the confidence to commit it to paper. But this year I’m determined to do it.
When I got started in technical writing back in the mid-nineties, I had the good fortune of having an experienced technical writer mentor me into the business.
He gave me plenty of samples of his work and the work of others to look at and I got a feel for what was involved. I even picked up on his healthy cynicism about working with engineers, and to this day that has helped me not get emotionally attached to specifications. Nothing is ever as initially promised!
But for fiction writing however, I haven’t had that same regular exposure to someone working in the business, apart from the occasional seminar when I’ve sought inspiration.
Last year I discovered one full-time fiction writer who has created what looks like a comprehensive mentorship program into living day by day as a fiction writer. This is just like what I had on the job when I became a technical writer. So maybe this course well work for me as well.
I considered doing an MA in creative writing at a local university, but the costs are exorbitant and I’m not sure if it would really give me what I’m after.
Holly Lisle on the other hand is a full-time novelist (her books are everywhere) and the cost of her program is peanuts compared to other writing programs.
My plan is work through her course at my own pace as the year progresses and attempt to develop the story-telling side of my writing.
Check back to see how I progress and find out if maybe this course can help you too.