Teachable Moments - Lessons on Writing From Celebrity Apprentice

Guest Post by Karen Lange

The Celebrity Apprentice grabs me every year about midway through the season. It always surprises me a bit, as television viewing usually gets trumped (no pun intended!) by my first loves - reading and writing.

Pondering this, I realized that I enjoy watching the challenges play out between the celebrities. Their interaction is a fascinating study in human character. The tasks are interesting and provide ideas, as my mind is always on alert for a different angle for my writing. It is refreshing too, to see the importance placed on charitable giving in a world wrapped up in the “me, myself, and I” mentality.

If you aren’t familiar with the show, Donald Trump invites celebrities to compete and raise money for charity. Trump divides the group into two teams and assigns a task that focuses on product marketing. The teams choose a project manager and put together an advertising package. Mr. Trump and other professionals choose the winning team, whose manager wins money for their charity. A member of the losing team is fired. Teams are whittled down to two celebrities who face off in the final episode for the title of Celebrity Apprentice.


While contemplating my interest in the show, it struck me that there were parallels between The Celebrity Apprentice and writing. See if you agree.

1) It’s all about the angles. The week’s task is the same for both groups. Each group, however, pulls it off using a different approach. Similarly, we have the opportunity to put our unique spin on our work. Writing a piece on the Civil War? Why not write it through the eyes of the women and children left at home? Pitching a travel article? Highlight out of the way, yet fabulous destinations.

2) Don’t whine. Not only is it unbecoming, it is immature and unprofessional. When the limo whisks the newly fired celebrity away, who earns your respect, the celebrities who point fingers and complain? Or the ones who say they are grateful for TCA experience or comment on "how cool is it to be fired by Mr. Trump?” Editors and clients don’t want griping or excuses. Writers who talk and work like an adult get more work.

3) Be respectful. This should be a given, but when emotions run high, judgment can be impaired. Was NeNe Leakes’ angry tirade at Star Jones productive? On the contrary, it may have cost NeNe’s team the win. The old adage, “Do unto others…” goes a long way in business. Respect and good etiquette are professional. Period.

4) Learn from mistakes. To help determine which two make it to the finale, Trump has the 2008, 2009, and 2010 TCA winners interview the last four celebrities. Trump weighs his decision heavily on these interviews. The celebs who were cut may be rethinking what they said during this process. Once those words were launched, though, there was no taking them back. Real life offers few do-overs, but there’s valuable insight gained for next time around.

5) Everything’s better with editing. The creators of TCA wade through lengthy footage before an episode airs. Editing provides a balance for an appealing show. Thankfully, we can tap into good resources such as word processing programs, books and articles, editors, and critique partners to polish our work.

6) Aim high. The stars look to win challenges and ultimately the title of The Celebrity Apprentice. This year’s final two – Marlee Matlin and John Rich – made it that far because they set their eyes on the prize. Their determination and hard work paid off. We too, can set high, yet realistic goals by being teachable and polishing our skills to reap first-rate results.


We may never gain quite the fame as The Celebrity Apprentice gang but we can have a rewarding and successful writing career. Are you up for the challenge?

Thoughts? Which lesson resonates most for you?

BIO:
Karen Lange is a writer, blogger, and online writing instructor at the Coffeehouse for Writers. Her articles have appeared in parenting, educational, and writing publications. Visit her blog at karenelange.blogspot.com.

Image Michal Marcol

The Unwritten Rules of Writing-4 Things You Should Know!

When it comes to the writing life, advice abounds.
To illustrate my point, a recent Google search of the term “writing advice” produced over 800,000 entries.

There’s no disputing that some of what’s available is enriching and inspiring for writers of all levels and genres. Between books and online resources, there’s a wealth of wisdom to be had.

Still, it’s the “unwritten rules” that can keep you out of the game. In this business, ignorance is not bliss. What you don’t know can indeed hurt you.

With this in mind, here are four (undisclosed) cardinal rules about the writing life.

1. A contract is not necessarily “gospel”.
How many times have you heard, “Get it in writing?” In theory, contractual agreements serve to protect all parties involved and outline in black and white conditions, payment terms to be honored, and designated due dates.
Expecting payment on the 15th of each month? Don’t be surprised if on the 20th, when you make a follow-up call to the A.P. department of your favorite publication, you’re told, “The check is in the mail.” In writing, as in life, “stuff happens.”

2. Talent is only part of the “success equation”.
If you thought you left politics behind when you left corporate America, think again. Editors, like bosses, have “favorites”. And though personal relationships and alliances should not compromise their judgment, sometimes their “pen pals“ get better assignments or more of them. Or they may be privy to “inside info.” Knowing this, you have two choices in times ahead: deal with it, or become one of them.

3. No matter how much advice you get, some things you’ll have to experience first-hand before you actually “get it“ and appreciate it.
Things like sacrifice and perseverance. It’s kinda’ like parenting. As I reflect on my many years as a scribe, in fact, the words of Charles Dickens come to mind, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

4. To stay grounded and stay in the black, you must learn to be your own worst critic and your biggest fan. It provides an important balance.
Confidence is needed to be able to withstand repeated rejection and scrutiny. While objectivity is needed to receive fewer rejections and to operate from a position of strength.

Equipped with these insider’s tips, you’ll be on the fast track to success, (minus the stress).

Any of these rules resonate with you?

Barriers to a Profitable Writing Career

(OR 5 Negative mindsets that keep you from making money)

If you study or read about the lives of many accomplished writers, inventors, or industry icons, you’ll find one thing in common.
Before they became successful, they had to overcome doubts and adopt a positive mindset to prepare them to prosper and achieve great heights.

Consider the words of motivational great, Zig Ziglar, who tells us, “You can if you think you can!” Or the writings of best selling author, Napoleon Hill, instructing us to “Think and Grow Rich.”

Of course, hard work has its place. But without the proper principles to support your efforts, you may be unknowingly sabotaging your own success.

With this is mind, here are five negative mindsets that keep most writers from making money, and how you can overcome them.

1. The Starving Artist mentality.
Okay, let’s be honest. How many of us love to write, but have college degrees in everything but writing, because we bought into the belief that writing was not “a real job”? Sure, we all know of poets that died in poverty, back in the day. However, in today’s publishing world, it’s possible to generate a pretty penny by penning words. Whether it’s through fictional works like Harry Potter, or tell-all bios by athletes and actresses, there is money to be made. Why not by you?

2. If I charge more, I’ll get fewer clients.
Not necessarily, unless you only get assignments through bidding sites. Writing is a service, much like a dentist, or a mechanic, or a counselor, or a chef. It’s important for you to recognize your value before others will. And by discounting your fees, ultimately you’ll feel overworked and underappreciated.

3. I’ll probably get rejected.
Newsflash: it comes with the territory! As someone who has written hundreds of articles and earned thousands of dollars, I can assure you that rejection never ends. Never. I still get them. But, keep in mind that a rejection is not to be personalized, as it is not a death sentence for one’s career, nor should it define you. Learn from it, then become better, not bitter.

4. I can never seem to find the time to write.
Time, like money, must be budgeted properly for the best results. Famous authors like John Grisham and Terry McMillan combined very demanding careers and the rigors of life, and managed to launch and maintain very profitable writing careers while moonlighting. And you can too. Keep in mind that prioritization and discipline are crucial. In fact, you might be surprised to discover how much more productivity you can out of your day with fewer hours devoted to TV, and a little less socializing on the Net.

5. I’m not as good as---------- (fill in the blank).
There you go again, with negative self-talk that compares your abilities with that of others. Truth is, there will always be competition, and we each have our unique talents, strengths, and gifts. Use yours to continue to hone your craft and to being the best you that you can be.

Pay attention to what you tell yourself as you pursue your creative career. Because your core beliefs today will shape tomorrow’s success. “As a man thinketh, so it is.”

Thoughts? Any pertain to you and your career?

Image Stock illustration

Stuff That "Made My Day" This Week!

Okay, come clean. No matter where you are on the freelance writing spectrum, chances are that some days you simply question your “success” and your sanity. True?

You contemplate, meditate, cogitate, on Shakespeare’s infamous question---”to be or not to be?” That is the question.

Either you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or you start off great, but you get a biting rejection from an editor, who obviously didn’t get the memo that you are indeed a human being with feelings behind those words. Hello? :-)
Or maybe it’s a client that doesn’t pay on time. Or perhaps a sinking feeling that everybody else has more on the ball than you do when it comes to the freelancing game.

Anybody with me here? :-) “Don’t it make your brown eyes blue?”

Well, my week started off in that direction. Don’t know why exactly. But I felt I wasn’t “achieving” enough. That I didn’t have enough income based on my output. That I was overwhelmed and underappreciated. Yada, yada, yada. You get the script.

And though I admit that it doesn’t happen often, I too have days where I host my own pity party. Yep. I do, y’all. But that’ll be our little secret.

Anyhow, to make a long story short, without much effort on my part, things started shaping up like Kirstie Alley!

Here’s the stuff that made my day this week, turned my direction around, and merited mention!

1. I got a new Pen and Prosper follower. No matter how many I get, I’m always pleased and tickled pink to add to the mix. A special welcome and shout-out to all of you that joined recently. I appreciate your time, interest and support. Please feel free to jump in and comment. I dig the exchange and the energy!

2. Pen and Prosper was referenced in one of my favorite, popular sites for freelancers! And I quote: “When veterans like Jennifer Brown Banks speaks, I think we should listen.” See it all at : diaryofamadfreelancer.com/

3. I had some really good shopping days, where I scored some household and gift items dirt cheap! And what woman doesn’t love that? I also made some more lovely gift baskets that I'm thinking of donating to local charities.

4. I was able to bounce back and realize the benefits of a new virus protection computer membership program that I recently signed up for. I was surfing the Net, (actually Googling for some of my listings), when I accidentally clicked on a site that rendered the following warning: “this site contains files that may be harmful to your computer.” All of a sudden, all kinds of weird stuff started to pop up! But, luckily I didn’t have to sweat it, as the situation was rectified almost immediately through tech support. Yay!


Okay, that’s it for me for now. How about you? Anything you can relate to here? Anything that made your day this week? Do tell…

IMAGE Photographer domdeen

The Rebel Writer! 5 Ways to break the rules and break the bank

Most scribes I know adhere to the “cardinal rules” of writing more strictly than the 10 Commandments!
Because experts and how-to gurus often give the impression that it’s the only path to publication.

However, it’s not long before these wordsmiths discover that there are many roadblocks when venturing down the “traditional path.”

Perfectly crafted queries get them nowhere, and wild goose chases often leave them frustrated and questioning whether or not they have the talent to make it in this business.

Perhaps it’s even you.
Take it from someone who knows---there’s a better way.

When I became a freelance writer many years ago, there were many obstacles facing me. At the time, I had never taken a class in writing, I had no college degree, (I now have several), no contacts or connections, and I hadn’t discovered my passion until much later in life! What I did have was a business background and the realization that I had to be strategic in order to overcome what I viewed as potential setbacks. To compensate for lost time and less experience, I learned to be more creatively clever than the next person. And to work my "BIC" off. And it worked big time!

What I figured out along the way, is that sometimes“ rules were meant to be broken”.

Here are a few that can increase your productivity and enhance your bottom line!

1. DON’T QUERY, BE HAPPY! Would you believe that I’ve sold about 600 articles, commentary pieces, short stories, and poems without ever once having written a query? Not one. Nada. The trick here is to request writers’ guidelines, produce your best work, be unique, and know intimately the audience of the publications for which you target.

2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO “PUSH THE ENVELOPE” A LITTLE!
A few years ago, an anthology publisher posted guidelines on an online bulletin board for an upcoming book that really bowled me over. I feverishly went to work, and submitted what I thought was a fantastic piece. There was just one problem. No matter how much weeding and revising I did, I couldn’t stay within their specified word count. For me, to dissect my story any more would take away some of the essence of my work. To remedy the situation, I wrote a nice little cover letter to the editor explaining my dilemma. Guess what? The piece was purchased and was ultimately selected from out of more than 600 entries around the country.

3. KNOW THAT “NO” DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN NO. As an avid reader, I sometimes enjoy writing book reviews. A local magazine that previously did not accept book reviews bought mine. The reason? It was well written, fit the slant of the magazine, and I had established a good working relationship with the editor. Sometimes you never know until you try!

4. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT ALSO WRITE WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO DISCOVER. Never limit your creativity to things that you have prior knowledge of. You’ll miss out on some great fun and the opportunity to expand your knowledge base.

5. WRITE EVERYDAY? I wouldn’t dare dream of it! Truth is, sometimes my muse acts as rebellious as a teenager. The more I force, the more she holds out. Still, I do something each day to support my writing career. When I’m not crafting a piece, I read or research markets, or turn on the boob tube to be inspired. You should too!

Some rules were indeed meant to be broken. And my long,
successful, satisfying career is positive proof of it!

Thoughts? Break any "rules" in your writing career?
This piece was previously published by me @ Writing for Dollars and is dedicated today to Linda O'Connell.


Image: graur razvan ionut

The Gospel Truth**6 Things Writers Can Learn from Joel Osteen

I’m a big fan of Joel Osteen. Not because of his huge popularity as a T.V. personality and pastor of Lakewood Church, nor his role as a savvy businessman and best-selling author.

Each week I’m glued to the boob tube, because in addition to learning about the path to salvation---there’s a bonus. He epitomizes what it is to be an effective communicator. And as I see it, there’s a parallel of sorts: he delivers the “word” from the pulpit while writers deliver “the word” on paper.

Each role is a ministry, shaping the mindsets of the masses.
And every week his eloquence is reinforced time and time again.

Whether you write business letters, speeches, articles, or essays, here are six elements he embodies in his sermons that can improve your writing technique.

1. Presentation is important---This may seem a bit sacrilegious, but he’s gorgeous to look at and he dresses to impress; which explains why his fan base is primarily composed of women. When writing, the same principle applies. Make sure your work is “nice to look at,” free of typos, improperly spelled words and poor formatting.
2. An effective lead draws your audience in---Every Sunday he starts his program off with a joke. Some are pretty good, others are a bit corny, but either way this unorthodox approach grabs your attention.
3. Anecdotes help to illustrate key points---Whether he talks about his mom’s faith in her battle with cancer, or humorous accounts of how his wife Victoria really discovered a “gem” when he met her at a jewelry store, it makes an impact and makes things clearer.
4. Expert quotes give credibility---He cites biblical passages and chapters and their respective authors as a way to give guidance and authority to his messages.
5. The take away factor---It’s virtually impossible to watch his show and not come away with a deeper understanding of biblical principles, or encouragement to handle difficult times, or pointers on improving your life. Your work should also connect with readers and make them feel that they know more than they did before and that their time was well spent.
6. A call to action---“Put God first and get into a bible-based church” he tells viewers in closing. Remember that endings are just as important as opening statements to give your audience proper closure and to reestablish your purpose.

By following these six tips you’ll improve the effectiveness of your messages while improving the quality of life and the bottom line of your readers.
And that’s the “gospel” truth.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments.
Do you agree or disagree with this perspective?

3 Things Every Writer Can Learn From American Idol

Unless you've been living up under a rock lately, you've heard of the popular reality show called American Idol.

I admit that I'm a huge fan. Partly for the entertainment value, and partly because, (if truth be told), I'm a "shoulda been" singer and karaoke queen.
On stage, I do an impressive Shania Twain and a boastful Toni Braxton.:-)

Anyhow...

Though this program is primarily a singing competition, there are other benefits to viewers, particularly those that are writers.

Here are a few pointers I've picked up recently.

1. Talent alone will only take you so far. If you want to outshine the competition, you have to display your creative strengths and play to them. When performers present material that does not showcase their talents well, or display their originality, they sometimes lose their fan base and risk being eliminated from the competition. The same holds true for writers.

2. Heed the advice of industry experts.
How creative artists handle rejection will determine how far they'll travel in their careers. Those that don't listen or fail to implement the suggestions offered up by the "judges" do themselves a great disservice, and stunt their potential growth.

3. Confidence should never come before competence. It doesn't even in the dictionary! Never let your ego get in the way of your excellence. Learn to be objective. Nurture your talent. Hone your craft. And always strive to let your "star" shine!

Do you agree or disagree? What lessons if any have you learned from this popular show?

How to "reboot" a stalled writing career!

Let's face it.
No matter how successful your writing career may be, there are times when you may simply feel “stuck”.
Whether you're afflicted with a serious bout of writer's block, fail to cultivate new clients, or can't seem to reach the next plateau to your publishing or financial goals.
It happens to the best of us.
But don't despair. You can move forward and make more money by mastering the following seven tips to kick your career in gear!
1. DISCONNECT---Pressure put upon us by life's daily demands can sometimes stress us out and stretch us to the limit. Balance is crucial. Seek a place of solitude, sip some tea, (or whatever helps you unwind), and escape the madness. Replenish your spiritual reservoir. As the expression goes, “you can't give from an empty cup.”

2. EXAMINE YOUR NET-WORK TO INCREASE YOUR NET WORTH---With all the social networking sites available like Facebook, My Space, and Linkedin, you're bound to make new friends and influence people. Tap into technology for optimal success.

3. REINVENT YOURSELF---Ever notice how every few years computers and associated software programs are updated for efficiency? So should your marketing strategies and creative goals. Got a Blog? Revamp it. Revisit your writer's resume and your promotional materials to make sure that they reflect any new products or services.

4. TROUBLESHOOT---What projects or clients proved to be unfruitful last month? Last year? How can you save more money or time in your business pursuits? Assess and act accordingly.

5. REPROGRAM---If you change your way of thinking you can change your life. Get rid of any negative self-talk and doubt. Think prosperity. “As a man thinketh, so it is.”

6. SEEK EXPERT ASSISTANCE--- No one knows everything. Sometimes outside help can provide solutions to plaguing problems. Why not hire a writing coach or seek a mentor to move forward?

7. HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN---To minimize the effects of “Murphy's Law,” make sure that you have systems and procedures in place for the worst case scenarios. For example, I recently had the misfortune of having my cell phone go out on me. Somehow the numbers that I had stored in my phone's database were completely gone somewhere to cell phone heaven. Many of those numbers were to key clients I had communicated with over the years. But, since I hadn't tossed out my little pink address book from
pre-cell phone days, I was able to stay connected.

By following these seven tips you'll be able to advance your career and stay ahead despite any tough times or “technical difficulties” you may encounter.

Being a Good Sport in the Writing Game!

When a client of mine contacted me to ask to do a feature “success story” for a prominent business Blog, I was tickled pink!
After all, no matter how widely you've been published, the opportunity to toot your horn never really gets old. Wouldn't you agree?
Not long after our initial contact, we conducted the interview by phone, and I anxiously awaited my “15 minutes of fame.”
Fast forward...
The day the piece appeared, I was, for the most part impressed. The problem?
The client misquoted me on a few things, and misspelled some key information. The perfectionist and teacher in me ached to point out these oversights and errors.
But instead, I thanked him and even gave him a token of my appreciation for his time, effort, and consideration.
The result?
He continuously brings me business and supports my many creative ventures.
The lesson?
In the words of Richard Carlson, P.h.D., “Don't sweat the small stuff.”
The lesson?
Sometimes you have to take a temporary loss for a long-term gain.
Let's face it, though being a writer and independent consultant offers many rewards, like any other profession, it has its hardships and headaches.
But, if we look at obstacles as opportunities to grow and improve our services, we can create win-win situations for all, and stay in the game!

Here are a few key points to remember:

Make sure to put everything in writing to avoid future misunderstandings or delays in pay.

Remember that creative partnerships require chemistry and compatibility much like personal relationships. If you don't “click” with a client, don't be afraid to decline their business, or refer them elsewhere.

Know that everything is not always about making money. Though we are in business to turn a profit, sometimes the relationships, networking, and future opportunities that can develop are equally rewarding.

As they say “adversity builds character”.