So, the decision is final. I am a writer.
Actually, I have always been a person who writes, but I have never applied the term to myself in a professional sense. Having pushed aside my financial fears and gained the requisite self-confidence, I began to surf the net in earnest for information about how to begin a freelance writing career. The vast amount of information was daunting enough, but when I realized how much time and effort would go into an attempt to get published, I almost quit.
Several thoughts are keeping me going. A lot of it has to do with my personal history and the role that writing plays in my life. When I was 8, I left notes around the house asking my parents for an increase in my allowance. When I was in college, I was the nut who took three journalism classes and three literature classes in one semester. When I went to graduate school as an adult with two small children, my ability to write well saved my sanity.
I pushed on. My initial research told me that I first needed to learn about the business of writing because I knew nothing of queries, markets, or copyright. Once I learned what content should be included in a query, writing them was not difficult; however, researching the various markets has been incredibly time consuming. At first, I hit dead ends. I started searching the typical job sites, but most of them did not post freelance work.
Then I came across several subscription sites that claimed to connect freelancers with writing markets. I was concerned that some of these sites might be scams, but after spending several days exploring one site in particular, I had almost decided to subscribe. Before I took the leap, I came across an article which criticized the site. It did not appear to be a scam, but it was enough to validate my initial skepticism. I placed this market source on hold to explore other opportunities.
A few other market postings also begged caution. One in particular sounded like a great opportunity for new writers to get published. I started to complete their online application form until I arrived at the page that asked for my social security number. They claimed that they needed it in order to pay me, but they had not even seen my ideas or any of my writing samples. I cancelled the application and moved on.
Perhaps the biggest shock to my English teacher sensibilities was the listing for "academic writers." I thought: "Great! This I've done." I clicked the button that led to more information and realized that these "markets" were actually students trying to cheat their way through school. Again, I moved on.
Although my early attempts to find writing markets were clearly filled with concern, caution, and a certain degree of paranoia, my experiences thus far have been mainly positive. I found several sites that posted seemingly genuine paying markets. Even if the information does not lead to publication, many of these listings sparked ideas which I can pitch to other markets. Even more important, the generation of ideas has lifted my spirits by making writing for a living seem more realistic.
My biggest morale booster is no secret to most writers. Before purchasing Writer's Market, I knew that it contained market listings and informative articles. I did not know that it contained lists of contests and awards, some of which are designed to assist writers financially while they are writing. I may never win such an award, but somehow, knowing that such a thing exists makes my goals seem more attainable.
Finally, I am almost ready to start submitting queries. The queries are written and effectively target the appropriate markets, but I am still confused about copyright. I'm beginning to fear that my grasp of copyright law is going to become something like my grasp of the offside rule in soccer. My oldest son has just completed his second year playing travel soccer and each time I think I understand offside, something happens that makes me question my understanding. The same holds true for copyright. I understand the concept of first rights and I understand what it means to submit simultaneously. But when a market indicates that it buys first rights and also accepts simultaneous submissions, who gets first rights if two markets opt to purchase the same manuscript? If they both print the story, they can't both have first rights. Can they? Since I do not have the answer, I do not plan to submit queries simultaneously - yet.
The most important lesson I have learned during this journey is that the faith I have in myself and in my aspirations must rise above the confusion and chaos created by the pursuit of the dream.
Michele R. Acosta is a writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit articles.thewritingtutor.biz for more articles, articles.thewritingtutor.biz for professional writing and editing services, or articles.thewritingtutor.biz for other writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents.
Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor & Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carKallu was a tenant of Santosh Kumar Nayak. Santosh Kumar... Read More
Choosing the wrong words can have a poor effect on... Read More
Back in the mid to late 1980s I was a... Read More
In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
I've been in the communications business a long time?over 25... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
Do you want to publish something? An article, a non-fiction... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
Simply put, it is the art of writing scripts for... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline?Outlines... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?For a theme to work and the... Read More
No matter what you are writing, the first priority is... Read More
During my 25-year career in a variety of professional positions... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?When an idea comes to us for... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More
Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More
If you want happy customers to use your service or... Read More
When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More
The hardest part of nonfiction writing is finding a subject... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More
Mindmapping is better than linear outlining because authors can use... Read More
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More
More Tips For New Writers (Part I)Explain in your own... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
Weather posting a page to your Website, writing a letter... Read More
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
Peter Mayle was born in England in 1939.His fascination with... Read More
Writing |