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

How to Use Search Terms for Blogging Success, by Yasmin Morais

My poetry blog has just passed the one-year mark, and I am pleased with the response from readers so far. Though they have been a bit shy on commenting, Blogger’s tracking feature does a comprehensive analysis of their geographic location as well as the keywords which led them to my blog. And the librarian in me has been paying close attention to those search terms. In fact, I am particularly excited about monitoring the search terms, because not only do they help me to respond to the readers’ information needs, search terms also provide me with numerous ideas for interesting blog posts that I would not have thought of.

One such post, which has turned out to be my most viewed, and commented on, was written after I noted that several visitors to my blog were searching for a list of Caribbean poets. I decided to create a draft list which readers would help me build, and I threw out the challenge for visitors to give feedback on poets not included on the list, or any errors noted. The response was very positive, and I received comments on the works of poets I had not been aware of, allowing me to refine the list in the process.

So, if you have not been doing so, and you have this feature, take a closer look at the search terms of your visitors. Are there specific, recurring themes that they are looking for? For example, I noted that Dutch Caribbean poetry has been popping up lately, so I have made a mental note to focus soon on that topic. Are the search terms in sync with your blog’s focus? If they are, then you have the perfect opportunity to use them to generate future posts.

And while you are at it, aim to make it as interactive and fun-filled as you can. It is an interesting way to involve your readers and allow for symbiosis. After all, there is always so much that we can learn from our readers.


Bio: Yasmin Morais is a librarian and poet. She blogs at Poets of the Caribbean (http://www.poetsofthecaribbean.blogspot.com), and is the author of From Cane Field to the Sea, and Mommy and Daddy are Soldiers.

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Anne Wayman on the 5 Biggest Mistakes Freelancers Make...

You’ve sold a book, or several articles, or you’ve worked inside publishing someplace and you long to declare yourself a freelance writer and go home and write. Or maybe you’ve already made the leap. Either way, here are the five biggest mistakes writers make when they transition to freelancing – avoid these and you increase your chances of success immeasurably.

1. Not treating your writing as a business.
The idea of freelancing may seem romantic, but the truth is you must treat your freelance writing like a business if you are to succeed. This means setting goals, tracking income and expenses, paying self-employment taxes and all the other things that go into making a business work. This isn’t glamorous but it’s necessary. And once you get the business side organized it’s not too onerous.

2. Not determining how much to charge.
Determining how much money you need to charge is imperative. If you don’t you won’t know how to answer the question, “how much do you charge?” The place to start is with your monthly expenses. Then add about a third and work that out to an hourly rate based on how many hours you can realistically expect to write five days a week. I can manage about four hours of real writing every day. The rest of my time is prep, marketing and the business stuff. It will take awhile to really know how much time writing jobs will actually take you, but knowing your hourly rate will help you not under charge. And yes, you’ll make mistakes – which is okay. Just learn from them.

3. Not insisting on a written agreement.
I can’t count the number of writers who have contacted me with what they call problem clients and it turns out there’s no contract or written agreement. It’s not the client that’s the problem; it’s the lack of a clear, written understanding between you and your client that causes most of the grief. Contracts (which can be simple but clear emails) need to describe the work, describe the deadlines, explain the method of payment and say what to do when there’s a problem. You don’t need a lawyer, just a clear agreement.

4. Not implementing a marketing plan.
Yes, you need to market your writing. The plan can be simple – like three queries a week, or five cold calls a day, or two blog posts on the blog that markets you, or developing your own website or ordering and using business cards. There are at least a gazillion things you can do to market yourself and your writing. Get one small one done a day and you’re sure to be a success.

5. Not respecting your time.
Folks, all of us have the same 24 hours in every day – if you don’t respect, even cherish, your time no one else will. Train yourself and your family and friends to honor your writing time. Don’t answer the door, turn off the phone – do what you have to so you can write and conduct your freelance writing business. One of my most successful writing friends hired a nanny just so she can write every day. Do what it takes and you’ll see positive results.
On the other hand, if you work out how to avoid each of these problem areas you’re likely to wake up one morning and realize you truly are a successful freelance writer.
What else would you add to this list?

BIO:
Anne Wayman is a writing coach, ghostwriter and blogger who has been writing longer than she now cares to admit. AboutFreelanceWriting is where she blogs about writing. She blogs about 12 Step recovery at PowerfullyRecovered.com, about money at DollarsandDebt.com and life at WhenGrandmotherSpeaks.com

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Freelance Writing Tips to Make the Most of Your Career-Guest Post

Freelance writing is a great way to make extra money, build an extensive portfolio of work, and create a flexible lifestyle. Unfortunately, it can also be an erratic line of work, with no guarantees of being able to find work or to produce a steady income. There are a few tricks that can help you become more successful in your freelance writing career, whether you are just starting out or have many years of experience.

Build Relationships
If you have the good fortune to land a client, don’t let that contact slip through your fingers once you are finished with the job. Take the time to build relationships with each client so that you can create steady income streams or “anchor” clients that provide steady work. When you are finished with a job, inquire about other writing or editing needs the client may have, or ask for a referral. If there is no work for you at that time, check back regularly over the following months.

Always Look for Work
Freelancing is usually feast or famine. Sometimes, you have more work than you know what to do with, and other times, you can’t find work even if you’re offering to do it for free. Don’t wait until you’re starving for work to look for it. Keep checking job boards and submitting query letters, even when your schedule is full. You are more likely to maintain a steady stream of work if you do so.

Be Flexible with Pay
Set a base hourly rate that satisfies your personal budget and reflects your experience and skill. But be prepared to sometimes take less – especially if you are still building your portfolio and your reputation. Sometimes, you need to start out at a lower rate so that you can build a relationship and earn credibility, then ask for a raise later. Different projects will also carry different rates of pay, sometimes much more than what you would usually charge. As long as you are not working for far less than you are worth on every project, your overall income should average out at an acceptable level.

Create an Online Portfolio
The days of sending in a query letter and a packet of clips with a self-addressed, stamped envelope are slowly dying. More employers expect to be able to review your work online – preferably in real time, published on the site or blog for which you wrote the piece. Creating an online portfolio need not be complicated or expensive. Many Web hosts are available that are free or reasonably priced and that come with user-friendly templates for creating a page. When you contact prospective clients, you can refer them to your site, making the process easier for you both.

Network
It’s the number one rule of thumb in every job search for good reason. Networking helps you build relationships, develop your skills, and find your next job. There are numerous blogs and online forums for freelance writers that offer industry tips and post job opportunities. Take the time to become familiar with these, and visit them often.

Building a successful freelance career can take time, and writers will face many obstacles along the way. Consistency and perseverance are key to finding success. What other tips have helped you to build success in your freelance writing career?

Bio:
Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and recent graduate of Elon University. She is currently a resident blogger at Accelerated online degrees, where recently she’s been researching different online physical therapy assistant classes and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Overcome Your Fear-Put it Out There!

GUEST POST BY GERALYN MAGRADY

When the president of the Chicago Writers Association, Randy Richardson, asked if he could use my “Thanks CWA” email on the testimonial page of the organization’s website, I was delighted. But what was more exciting, was the title he gave me: Writer, Blogger, CWA member.

Really? It was exhilarating to see my name followed by such titles, to know that anyone who visited the website would see them, too, and suddenly the fear of sharing my words and works was replaced with a desire to write well, write more often, and write with a newfound purpose.

Okay, so I’m not a professional scribe. I’m an English teacher by profession, and honestly, I never thought of myself as anything more than a person who loved writing, that is, until I joined the Chicago Writers Association and learned a crucial lesson: YOU HAVE TO PUT IT OUT THERE!

For years I’d been researching my ancestry as well as reading everything associated with Chicago history. It didn’t take long before these two past-times merged with a passion for storytelling, and the result turned into a 50,000+ word manuscript of historical fiction, but I knew it wasn’t polished.

If this piece was ever going to feel complete, I needed to do something I had never done... share it. Surprising myself, I did, in fact, share it; I sent off the manuscript to a publisher who specialized in Chicago history, and I waited for the critique.

While waiting, I came across two interesting contests. I scanned the submission guidelines and immediately generated ideas for both, but I was nervous because I never entered contests before. I liked the essay I created for the “My Kind of Town” competition sponsored by the CWA. It was a welcomed change to write about childhood memories, rather than the characters to whom I’d been dedicated for so long. The result: third place!

Then there was the Trazzler.com contest where my usual long-winded prose needed to be honed to a 150-word travel blurb. I was a semi-finalist! I entered a dialogue-only (no place) and poetry contest (still waiting to hear). I realized right away that contests were a good way to practice and improve specific writing skills.

Once I got past the initial anxiety of holding my breath while clicking “send,” I understood that, no matter the outcome, I was putting my work out there while becoming a better, stronger writer. However, in order to discipline myself to write more often, I applied what I’d learned through an online group discussion, the big “put it out there” concept... I created a blog.

Setting up a blog was a piece of cake. Within an hour’s time I was already authoring my first posts at www.therolesofwriting.blogspot.com, but it took me a couple of weeks before I felt confident enough to make the blog public. Sure, I was getting used to sharing by entering contests, but I still hadn’t gotten any feedback about the manuscript (my REAL writing, I told myself), and I was still anxious about what others might think.

My Facebook friends were the only people to which I publicized, and three months / 800+ views later, I’m finally accepting my role as a writer/blogger. I now have an outlet for my writing, so it’s easier to develop the discipline of writing on a regular basis. Readers tell me they connect with my topics; they’ve been touched, humored, educated.

When the publisher returned my manuscript with critical feedback, I quickly posted my personal response to the rejection, without fear! Most recently, I even opened up to public critiquing of my first revisions for the novel-in-progress. I posted a rough opening and encouraged comments. After receiving some constructive criticism, I edited accordingly, reposted the revision, and went through this process a second time.

The permanent post is “Sneak Peek: Revision #2.” An interactive introduction is what I’m calling it, and I’m thrilled with the outcome.
It astounds me, really, to think back to less than a year ago, when I found it impossible to share my work.

The bottom line is that you have to share, put it out there. I may not be getting paid to write (yet), but the rewards have been immense as I journey along this written path.

Shared by: Geralyn Magrady (Writer, Blogger, CWA Member)


Image Andrea Brill

Guest Post

CHECK THOSE GUIDELINES!
by
Noelle Sterne

BIO: Noelle Sterne holds a doctorate degree from Columbia University. She is an accomplished book author who has also published more than 250 pieces in print and online publications.

When, in a market listing, I read the invitation for contributions to an upcoming anthology, I knew my story was perfect. I labored with repeated drafts to get it down to the 2,000 words specified in the guidelines. Finally, two days before the deadline, my auto-word count proudly proclaimed “1,993.”

Ready to send out the story, I went to the anthology website to check the spelling of the editor’s name. To my horror, an updated announcement proclaimed 1,400 words! I’d performed microsurgery to get down to 1,993. How would I ever cut more?
At first. I thought of calling the editor to bark a dozen reasons why my brilliant but now way too long entry should be accepted anyway. But I knew that (a) this would do no good (he probably wouldn’t answer the phone), and (b) the publisher must have dictated the reduction for cost considerations.

So instead, although I had a date to meet a friend for lunch, I phoned her and screamed out my editing emergency. A writer, she understood. Then I turned off the phone, breathed a prayer, scrubbed up, and started excising.

I sweated and groaned, revised and retyped, and almost sobbed to discard what I’d been sure were essentials. But my desire not to be disqualified for length was stronger than love of my lucid prose. After much brutal hacking, repositioning, regrafting, and binding up my psychic wounds, the word count shaped up, miraculously with essence preserved. The night before the deadline, I sent the piece out.

I’d like to report that my story was accepted. It wasn’t. But even though I didn’t make this anthology, I nevertheless learned two important writing lessons that have stuck with me through many other submissions, accepted and not.

First, although I’d been sure the story had been trimmed originally to perfection, when exclusion threatened I found even more places to prune. As I painfully extracted my beautiful adjectives, Walt Whitman’s observation consoled: “The best writing has no lace on its sleeves.” Later, reviewing this piece for another market, I had to admit that the excess wasn’t missed.

Second, publication guidelines can change quickly. Last year’s, last month’s, or even last week’s specifications may not hold today. If you don’t revisit the specifications frequently—and revise accordingly—you’ll risk instant rejection. So, as you get close to submitting to your carefully chosen markets, check, double check, and recheck those guidelines!


Visit Noelle's site and learn about her book at Trustyourlifenow.com

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4 Ways Google Plus Has Improved Image Sharing

GUEST POST BY JAMES MARTELL

Good things come to those who wait, right?
Of course, some of us will be waiting longer than others.. More on that later.

Google has been trying very hard to provide a reasonable alternative to Facebook, and it appears that Google Plus might just be the platform.

Charlie Sorrel was writing in the Gadget Lab at Wired.com and offered his opinion on Google’s new adventure in social networking; “It has been said that the biggest feature of Google Plus is that it’s not Facebook. However, there’s another feature that may be of interest to all you Gadget Lab photo nerds out there: the photo integration. It turns out that G+ is a pretty sweet way to manage and view your shared photos.”

It’s obvious why Google is likely to do well with a platform that seems to cater to image sharing. The photo gallery is one of Facebook’s most widely used features, so if Google can create a better photo gallery, they’ll get a better response from the legions of Facebook faithful.

What isn’t obvious, though, is why Google chose such a restrictive method for launching their new platform.

Google Plus is available by invitation only, and while it is very smartphone friendly, the only smartphone with the appropriate app is Google’s Android. Consequently, if you have the right invitation and the right phone, you can see for yourself how incredibly cool the new Google Plus is. If not, you’ll just have to wait for the actual launch like the rest of us. Yes, I said “us”… more on that later.

For now, let’s talk about four ways that Google has improved the art of photo sharing.

Improvement #1: Google Plus Offers More Convenient Image Sharing

There are several ways in which Google has made image sharing more convenient, but perhaps the most obvious one is the way in which you can load your photos. You click the photo, and it loads. Really. No configuring, toggling, cropping or translating.

Depending on your current hardware/software combination, this could only translate into one or two less keystrokes than your current process, but it could make a difference.

Imagine the number of keystrokes you could save the next time you upload someone’s wedding photos!

Improvement #2: Google Plus Offers Better Looking Image Sharing

Facebook never advertised itself as a showcase for photography buffs; Flickr and 500px were designed for that. However, Google Plus can load higher resolution photos, offers larger, more detailed thumbnails and provides a very nice-looking lightbox background.

The result is a professional-looking gallery for snapshots as well as a proper venue for high speed, high resolution or infrared photography.

Improvement #3: Google Plus Offers Immediate Image Sharing (From The Right Phone)

It’s now later, so I get to talk about “us” who will be waiting slightly longer than “they” will. If you happen to have an Android, you will be pleased to know that you can load photos directly from your phone onto the Google Plus website.

My friend Vinny has an Android, and he uploaded some great 4th of July fireworks photos onto his Google Plus gallery before he even got home. He also had the option of loading the pictures into a private album, giving him the option of deciding later on who actually needs to see them. My son Justin also has an Android, and is really having a great time with both the phone and the new website.

I, on the other hand, am an iPhone owner. Like many of you, I can only enjoy the full benefits of Google Plus from an actual computer. Being surrounded by happy Android owners, however, has helped me to make one certain decision; my next phone will be an
Android. I’m tired of being left out.

Improvement #4: Google Plus Offers Better Organized Image Sharing

Once your photos are loaded and properly displayed, it’s time to share them, and this is where Google Plus really shines. Facebook offers you two options; share with your friends, or share with everybody.

Life isn’t like that, though.

Some of your friends really want to see your son’s graduation photos. That same group of friends, however, might not really care what your new rain garden looks like. And,

Naturally, only select friends need to see the “before” and “after” photos from your latest trip to the tattoo parlor.

Rather than offering you the option of showing the world or showing all 172 of your closest friends, Google offers you the option of categorizing your 172 friends into distinct circles. You’ll be able to choose which circles you share images and other information with, which makes a lot more sense.

So, What Does The Future Look Like for Facebook?

That’s up to Facebook.

David Seaman from BusinessInsider.com explains it simply; Google Plus “… will be a huge success, and Facebook is in trouble – although by no means obsolete.”

It’s unlikely that Google Plus will completely replace Facebook, and perhaps Facebook doesn’t need to be replaced.

What is likely, though, is that Google will give people who use phone cameras, movie cameras and digital infrared cameras a viable alternative to their current image sharing options. Ideally, Facebook will respond by improving their own site, and then Google will in turn raise the bar with more upgrades or innovations.

There’s no way to know for sure who will ultimately “win” the social networking wars, but I do feel certain of one thing. It’s going to be quite a show.

About the Author

Internet pioneer James Martell discovered the rewarding world of affiliate marketing in 1999 and has been mentoring other Internet entrepreneurs for the last decade. In 2003, James launched Affiliate Buzz, a highly popular affiliate marketing podcast which is still running today.

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Weekend Announcements...

In the middle of the madness, I wanted to check in with you groovy folks to keep you updated with projects and progress here at Pen and Prosper and items of interest around the Net.

So, let's get started...

I'm pleased as punch to announce that I have a guest post over at Men with Pens! The topic? "6 Reasons Every Serious Blogger Should Blog for the Big Dogs!"
Do you think that strategy is important to blogging success?

If you have an opportunity, stop by and weigh in. I'd love to get your thoughts, and already there has been a pretty interesting exchange under way.

Coffeehouse for Writers will present its new line-up of fun, interactive online classes on August 1st. There are great offerings for writers of all levels and genres. Popular classes include: Blogging for Profit, Grammar Boot Camp, Social Media Savvy, How to Quit Your Day Job, and more. Enroll today for a more profitable and prosperous writing future! See Coffeehouseforwriters.com/ for details. Please note that the site is currently under construction, so if you are not able to register successfully, try back again on Tuesday, (which is the estimated time of completion).

New clients have brought about new projects. Though there is much to be said about the ecstasy of a byline, I'm also digging the dynamics of ghost writing these days. Look forward to a future post to recap my adventures over the last year or so.

Hope Clark is sponsoring her annual contest for writers. The theme is Diligence. Check out her site for more details at Fundsforwriters.com.

Anything interesting happening in your neck of the wood? Good news? Do share.

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7 Tips to Sell Yourself as an Expert Writer

Guest post by Sarah Grace V. Villaflor

Working online means financial and creative freedom for people who don’t want to be tied down to a nine-to-five job in some stifling, crappy office. Online jobs offer the greatest flexibility in terms of schedule, earnings, skills requirement and career growth.

The best thing about being an online freelance writer is that you can pick and choose which projects you want to work on. You deal with your clients and customers personally, and you work at your own pace and on your own terms (within designated deadlines, of course). You don’t have to think about having to get along with rude co-workers or trying to please your nasty supervisor.

Where to start?

Despite the obvious benefits of working online, however, not too many people are able to launch their online writing careers. Part of the problem lies in the inability to offer the right set of skills and competencies that online employers are seeking.

The even bigger issue that you have to address is learning how to sell your services as a reliable, ethical and professional expert writer. Since you’re going to work in a virtual office, you have to work hard to convince your potential employer that you can actually do the job. Unlike working in a physical office environment, your client won’t have the chance to personally and periodically check on your progress and the quality of your output.

The genuine article

Almost all online jobs require tons of trust from both you and your client. To build that trust, you need to sell yourself in just the right way—convincing but not too pushy, honest but still modest. There is nothing to be gained by lying about your credentials or passing off certain published articles as your own.

Here are seven tips to increase the odds of closing your first online writing deal:

1. Put up a website to advertise your services. If you’re not content with just creating profiles in different freelance marketplaces like oDesk.com, Guru.com and Elance.com, you can start crafting a simple website to promote your services online. You can use Blogger, LiveJournal or WordPress as your platform.

2. Provide ways for people to contact you across different media. Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter are just a couple of ideas for you to start spreading the word about your writing services. The more people you can reach, the higher your chances of getting hired.

3. Put together samples of your work, especially those that have been previously published online. The best way to impress your future clients is to gather all your sharpest written works into a great portfolio. Include the links to the places where your work was published so that potential clients can see your articles for themselves. You can also include referral letters and testimonials from previous clients to bolster your chances of getting more work in the future.

4. Be open to trial tasks and pre-employment interviews. Some clients will ask you to do a 500-word trial article to determine if your tone and style is what they are looking for. Don’t be stingy with your effort just because you won’t get paid—work with the same fervor and intensity as if the article will add money to your bank account. Talk to your clients before you accept a project so that you can find out if you can handle the work.

5. Write guest posts for other websites and blogs if you have time. Doing guest posts is a great way to build your reputation and gather contacts in different niches and markets. By writing for other bloggers, you get to showcase your talent as well as increase your exposure to your target audience. It will also help your portfolio if you are able to point potential clients to some guest posts you’ve already established.

6. Always be honest about what you can and cannot do. Don’t pretend to be good in both writing and graphic design unless you can truly deliver on your word. At the end of the day, it’s your reputation that will suffer if you don’t produce a good product for your client.

7. Work at competitive prices. Proper pricing is an important factor when it comes to deciding which online writer will get the job. Your clients want value for their money, but they also want good quality work that is submitted on time.

Sarah Grace V. Villaflor is part of the team that manages ACC, a blog based in Sydney, Australia that wrote about personal finance and small business credit card tips. Before she joined ACC, she was an assistant editor-in-chief of Sandigan.

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A Guest Post by Rebecca Kiel

Host's note:
Today we have joining us Rebecca Kiel.
Rebecca is a writer, blogger, former psychotherapist, and member of Chicago Writers Association.
Here she discusses how being "driven" has allowed her to achieve her creative and personal goals. Please welcome her. Enjoy!


Whenever we returned from a family roadtrip, as soon as the car was off, my dad would yell, "Run around the house!” My brother and I would clamber out of the car and set off running as hard and as fast as we could. We would fly around the house, chasing, racing, releasing any energy pent up from being trapped in the car.

There was only one problem: the bush.

At the front corner of the house grew an enormous dogwood bush as tall as the garage. To run around the house we'd have to run all the way around the bush. And running around the bush always slowed us down. One fateful day, while my parents worked in some other part of the yard, I decided to do something about that bush. I got the longest tool from the garage my nine year-old frame could manage, and began cutting. When I was done, I had made a spectacular tunnel.

Problem solved.

This is how I've always been. Oh, there's a bush in your way? Trim it, make a tunnel! That century-old dresser full of clothes needs moving? Then take your 5 feet 3 inches and move that sucker! My husband teases me for my “driver” quality. My response in always the same: "I get things done."

It's true, this “driver” quality of mine has allowed me to write 85,000 words in a year and a half despite raising two young children, and relocating ten days before Christmas. I get things done.

While the wise saying goes, the only way out is through, I don't think this is always meant to be taken literally. Sometimes this driver part of me ends up in the maiming of fine greenery, or in me missing that it really is important for my son to show me the dirt he dug, or in me hurting myself (because I really have no business trying to move that antique dresser).

Stepping back or slowing down is a challenge for a tree-trimming-make-things-happen kind of gal who really wants this novel ready to send. As a writer, being a “driver” doesn’t always work.

Good writing takes time. It needs time to rise like a warm ball of bread dough. We all know there are times that our writing, to be its best, needs fresh eyes. It is difficult to look at something with fresh eyes if you’ve been staring at it every night for three hours.

The point is, there are times we need to walk away from our writing. Consider a moment of writer’s block or a stuck point in the plot a sign that it is time to do something different, even if for a couple hours. Step back and give yourselves the perspective that might save your manuscript from looking like it belongs on the grounds of Disneyland with my crescent-shaped dogwood.


So what to do about the desire to finish a book, build a writing career, or get on to the next project that is waiting in the gates like a thoroughbred? What do we do with the part of ourselves that doesn’t want to wait a week to review that query letter, but send it off and send it off now?

Thoughts?
Visit her site at:
http://rebeccakielpages.blogspot.com/


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Blog "Hecklers"? 6 Ways to Show Class When Comments are Crass!

Guest Post by: Alexis Bonari

No one is immune to criticism. By the very nature of our occupations, bloggers, writers, and other creative types perhaps know this best of all. We hope that when we hit the publish button, something miraculous will happen and nobody—nobody—will hurl a single rotten tomato.

But when it hits, it hits hard. Every time.
So, in those moments we hear and feel nothing but our own pulse in our ears and the blood rushing to our cheeks, how do we deal with criticism?

1. Count to ten.
Mama was right about some things. Shut your eyes, step away from your computer, and walk away. Go walk the dog, take a shower while blasting angry music and belting the lyrics at the top of your lungs, and then chill out with some yoga.

2. Suspend the urge to get defensive. Remember that the same thing that made the critical remark so hurtful—that it was made publicly in a comment thread, a forum, or a blog post—is true for you, too. Your impulse to angrily respond, should you choose to act on it, will be public. This will reflect poorly on you. Even if your response is witty and snarky, someone will be unhappy to see it.

3. Remember that there’s a person behind the name "Anonymous". Nobody walks around with a digital blur for a face. Remember that there may be a reason why unhappy commenters are unhappy. Maybe they just got laid off from work. Maybe a friend of theirs was diagnosed with a serious illness. Think about the times you said things that were hurtful and the reasons you did it. Try to find a link between yourself and the critic.

4. Glean nuggets of truth from the criticism. We can either be victims or volunteers. Even if the criticism was made in poor taste, there might have been a point that stood to be made. Seize the opportunity to not only take the high road and maintain your poise, but also learn how to improve your craft.

5. Thank them for their criticism. The best thing to do when someone’s being nasty is to smile at them. It’s disarming. It’s humbling. It can be frustrating, but anything the other party does in poor taste afterward just comes across as unnecessary and mean-spirited. Few other critics will want to jump on that bandwagon. So, humbly thank them for the criticism and try to initiate a civil and honest dialogue. The second part is what keeps it feeling like you’re rolling over and showing your belly.

6. Some people just don’t want to play nice. That’s not your problem. It’s theirs. It’s best to ignore them at that point and move on with your day. More than likely, you have a hundred positive remarks on your blog for every random, nasty comment. If you’re still having trouble cooling off, force yourself to smile. Even a fake smile releases the same chemicals in your brain as a real one!

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching scholarships for returning students as well as scholarships for social workers. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Okay, spill the beans. Readers, how do you deal with negativity and name calling regarding your creative efforts? Anybody have any experience in this area?

Image:photographer photostock

What You Need to Know About Anchor Text...

Guest Post by Scott Spjut

Scott Spjut is a writer and editor who has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and websites - including Newsweek, the Washington Post, CBS News and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Scott currently works with Professional Marketing International helping people change their lives.


Without hyperlinks, the power and effect of the Internet would be greatly diminished. Often referred to just as “links,” hyperlinks are the text, image, or other feature which – when clicked on or otherwise accessed – directs the user to another place on the website, another website, or some other location.

In the instances where text is used as a hyperlink, the specific text utilized to display that link is called anchor text. The author is able to decide which text they would like highlighted or otherwise set apart in order to distinguish it is a link. Most often, a link will be underlined and will be a different color (usually blue) but most content management systems will allow you to customize those features.

There are several purposes to anchor text. Firstly, the anchor text should give the reader a good idea of what they’ll be seeing if they click the link. That highlighted text will give them a brief insight as to what they author wants them to see.
Secondly, from an SEO perspective, anchor text is one of the many factors which contribute to search engine results pages. If search engines see that various websites are each linking to the same website using the same anchor text, the search engine will likely rank that website higher when people search for that phrase.

Because of these factors, there is some strategy when selecting anchor text. The most important factor should always be the user’s experience. If they’re going to be confused or surprised when clicking on that specific link, it’s probably best to either place the link elsewhere or present it differently. Keep the SEO benefits in mind, but pay more attention to how it will affect your readers.

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The Secrets to Making Your EQuery Stand Out Amid the Clutter

This is a guest post by Nikola Hartmann

Email queries are fast replacing those sent by surface mail. While some editors still prefer the traditional approach, many publications, especially those online, only accept digital.

Why?
It’s easy, cheap, and convenient for you to instantly send your submissions to just about any editor’s desk. A process that use to take what seemed like an eternity, now takes mere seconds. Editors like it too because they quickly determine if you have potential.
The good news is that writing a first rate query is not difficult. Especially once you know the winning format…

Think of your query like a sales letter. You’re selling yourself and your work. Use these tips to make sure your first impression isn’t a disaster!

Check the Writer’s Guidelines. This may seem silly to mention, but … then again, maybe not. Remember, not all publications accept e-queries; those that do post where to send them. It won’t do much good to send your proposal to Mary Clark in sales, if Mary Clarkson is in charge of submissions.

Subject Matters. Don’t leave this section blank! Your email will be deleted, unread. It’s best to lead with the word, “Query” followed by a three to four word description of your proposal; e.g. Query: New Skin Cancer Threat.

Keep it Classy. Got to love those bouncy emoticons and phonetic spellings. But this is not the time to show your “fun” side. The number one complaint of editors is that writers submit work riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. Make your spell checker your BFF. :-) Also, stick with time honored greetings and closings: Mr., Ms., Sincerely, Respectfully. You’re a professional. Make sure your work shows it.

Editor’s Choice. Again, this is not the place to show your personality nor write your dissertation. Editors like short, simple, and tight. Grab their attention with a killer hook; tell how you’re going to write the article, and what it covers. Seal the deal with two links to your work, then close with your signature block (name, address, phone, Email address, website).
Cyberspace makes it super easy to send your queries all over the globe. Just remember to check, check, and re-check your work before you click “send.”

What are your thoughts on e-queries? Love them, like them, or hate them?

Guest Post *Dallas Woodburn* Makes A Difference-Will You?

Enrich Your Writing Life By Giving Back

I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, when I was in fifth grade. The teachers in my elementary school asked me to speak to their classes about how I pursued my dream of publishing a book. At the beginning of my talk, I asked the kids if any of them were interested in writing, and a few shy hands raised. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I asked the same question, nearly all the hands in the class shot up. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They didn’t think of writing as something that could be fun or empowering.

Writing and reading have opened the doors to so many amazing opportunities in my life: a scholarship to attend college, a semester studying abroad in England, a trip to New York City to be a guest on The CBS Early Show. Not only that, but writing gives me a healthy outlet to express my feelings and connect to other people.

I started "Write On! For Literacy" in 2001 to encourage kids to discover confidence, joy, a means of self-expression, and connection to others through reading and writing. My website writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I still frequently visit classrooms to speak to kids about my writing journey (another published collection of short stories and a novel followed There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose) and I teach a Youth Summer Writing Camp every year in my hometown of Ventura, California.

Perhaps my most rewarding project is an annual Holiday Book Drive that I started to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids who do not have many books of their own. More than 11,000 books have been donated to date.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that it is okay to start small. The first year, my Holiday Book Drive only donated 125 books to the local Boys & Girls Club. Still, even small acts make a difference, and small acts often snowball into amazing contributions bigger than you ever dreamed.

What is your passion? How can you use what you love to help others? Get friends involved. Spread the word to your community. Overwhelmingly, I have discovered that people very much want to help, but they don’t always know what they can do. If you can supply a meaningful avenue for people to help, they will join your cause.

One of my favorite quotes is by legendary basketball coach John Wooden: “Make each day your masterpiece.” Don’t wait until next week or month or year to make a difference. Start small. Start today. The most important thing you can do is begin!

BIO: Dallas Woodburn is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared in Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. For her volunteer work, she has been honored with a national Jackie Kennedy Onassis/Jefferson Award, a Congressional Award Gold Medal, and most recently a “Best of You” Award from Glamour Magazine. Learn more about Write On! For Literacy at www.writeonbooks.org.

Guest Post***The Roar Series** Poet Cop

VET COP
By: Gail Merriwether

Ever more life’s observer
Than participant
Master of evasive replies;
Effuses solid presence
With invasive edges
Upon entering any room.


Twenty years of bitter memories
Accrued like pension interest
Make the face
An irascible, authoritative frown
And
Eyes like Teflon-coated rounds
Force truth from evildoers.
Heart like a righteous rock
Ears that have Heard It All;
Twice.

BIO:
Gail Merriwether is a retired police officer who formerly covered various beats on Chicago's mean city streets. She is the author of Cop's Eyes, and a member of Poets United to Advance the Arts.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on her poetry or her former profession.

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Pamela Ferdinand

For years, I had succeeded at work as a journalist for leading daily newspapers – The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald. More importantly, I enjoyed it: the craft of writing, the adrenaline rush of covering deadline events from elections to hurricanes, and the hope of making a difference in someone’s life or the well-being of an entire community.

And yet, well into my 30s, I was a failure at love. Falling for men who either couldn’t commit or just couldn’t commit to me, I yearned for my soulmate even as girlfriends mocked me as a hopeless romantic. I also wanted a child and knew my time was running out. In each other’s down moments, my girlfriends and I reached into the Hat of Hopeful Stories—the coworker who met her husband on the commuter train, the neighbor who had her first child at 44. Finally, as I neared 40 and another relationship collapsed, I didn’t give up on love entirely but I decided to take motherhood into my own hands.

One of my friends, Carey, had already taken the bold step of buying donor sperm when she turned 40 and her own biological deadline for becoming a mother struck. What she found was not a father in a vial, but a sort of magic potion. She met a man, fell in love, and got pregnant the old-fashioned way. She passed the vials to our friend Beth, and it happened again. Beth met a man, fell in love, and got pregnant. Beth passed the vials to me. Magic struck again. There were setbacks and disappointments, but discovering love and becoming a mother ultimately meant for me that I had found happiness and success in my personal life as well as my work.

Not only that, but I had done it in my own way, on my own terms, and with the unyielding support and encouragement of women friends.
BIO
Pamela Ferdinand is a Chicago-based journalist, mother, and co-author with Carey Goldberg and Beth Jones of the triple memoir “Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood,” published this April by Little, Brown & Co.
Links:
http://www.pamelaferdinand.com/blog/?cat_ID=4
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000531024929

Pen and Prosper welcomes(and encourages)your comments on this post.

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Cythia Clampitt

The Virtues of Writing Longhand

Reading recently that some schools have stopped teaching cursive writing, because almost no one writes longhand anymore, both saddened and alarmed me. There is more to writing by hand than just getting the information down, and there is much to be lost by eliminating this skill.

Of course, I readily acknowledge that using a computer has many virtues, especially for a busy writer, but in relying solely on computers we are forgetting one very important fact: we are physical beings, and certain physical tasks simply work better. For example, with note taking, the act of writing the information processes that information in a way that goes beyond merely copying. We must recognize the words, understand which ones are worth writing down, and then physically write those words on paper. Even if we never look again at what we have written, we are more likely to remember the information, because it has been processed and sorted by our brains and transmitted to our hands.

For writers, an equally important function of writing longhand is that it activates the right side of the brain—the creative side. If I’m staring at a blank computer screen and can’t think of where to start, I just grab a pad and pen and start writing, even if what I’m writing is, “I’m stuck and I have to do something to get unstuck.” Within a few minutes, the ideas begin to flow. (If I’ve taken notes longhand for a story, I may not get stuck at all, as the act of writing the notes will often have me ready to write by the time I reach my keyboard. However, I have had to rely on this time-tested trick more than a few times.)

I travel a great deal, and people are always surprised that I travel with a small, spiral-bound notebook and pens, rather than a laptop. I often simply explain that, if you’re camping in Mongolia, for example, the notebook has the advantage of not needing to be plugged in. A notebook is also easier if you’re in a 4WD bouncing along a rough track, and I’ve even jotted a few notes while perched on the back of a camel. However, I also know I will remember more and write more if I’m writing longhand. On average, for a three-week trip, I will return home with at least 150 pages of notes from the destination—and usually another ten pages of story ideas, poems, or character sketches that just come to me because I’m so locked into right-brain creativity while writing longhand.

So if you’ve stopped writing longhand, I urge you to consider starting again—and if you have children, make sure they know how to write longhand. It can be hugely satisfying, but even if you get no pleasure from the act of writing, at least know that you can use it tap into your creativity more quickly than with almost any other activity.

Brief Bio:
Cynthia Clampitt is a freelance writer specializing in food, travel, history, geography, and language arts. She is the author of the award-winning travel narrative Waltzing Australia, which recounts the six-month, 20,000-mile wander down under that marked her departure from the corporate world. Clampitt has written hundreds of articles for magazines and newsletters, including an award-winning food-history column, and has written history, geography, and language arts materials for every major educational publisher in the U.S., including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Pen & Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. Writers, do you find any benefits to writing longhand? Or do you find computers to be more efficient? What's your process of creating?

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Marla Beck Coaches Writers to Peak Performance

The Time-Management Trap that Keeps Women from their Writing

As a professional life coach for writers, I've peeked into the lives of many talented freelancers, academics and aspiring women writers who really want to finish a novel, book proposal or other writing project. Trouble is, they just can't seem to find the time they need to write!

If this sounds like you, read on to discover the biggest time-management trap that keeps women from their writing. With a simple shift in your perspective, you may be surprised to find how easy it is to begin writing again.

The Trap: "I've just gotta' catch up before I can sit down to write."

Are you the kind of writer who needs to empty the dishwasher, finish your paid writing assignments, return every phone call and fold the laundry before you give yourself permission to sit down and work on your own writing?

Got news for you, sister. You'll never be caught up with day-to-day tasks. Waiting until you're "all caught up" is your mind's brilliant tactic to keep you "busy," keep you safe...and keep you from your own writing. (Ask me how I know!)

The Solution: Pay Yourself First

It may seem paradoxical, but "paying yourself first" is the key to moving your writing forward and working more productively during the rest of your day.

Try using this strategy for one week. Get up half-hour earlier if you have to. Ignore your to-do list and turn off your phone. Let yourself write for just thirty to sixty minutes a day.

As you pay yourself first, you may notice your mind pipes up with a host of seemingly convincing reasons why you actually shouldn't be writing. The trick here is to observe, but not buy into, your resistance. Common scripts to watch out for include thoughts that tell you shouldn't be writing because:

• your writing "stinks,"
• you need to be working on paid writing assignments instead, or
• you aren't yet a good enough writer and don't "deserve" to take yourself seriously.

It's natural for your mind to try and derail you, so don't think that if you have these thoughts, you're doing something wrong. As you learn to pay yourself first, your job is simply to notice these scripts for what they are (derailing thoughts) and to persist in showing up for your writing anyways.

Try It!

"Pay yourself first" for one week and watch your word count add up (and your overall sense of happiness grow). If you're like many of my coaching clients, you'll find that this simple practice will energize you, help you experience a new sense of integrity, and create a solid foundation for creating even more time to write.

BIO
Professional Life Coach for Writers, Marla Beck, MFA, CTACC, helps seasoned freelancers and other writers to balance their lives and reach their writing goals. For more time management tips for writers, subscribe to The Relaxed Writer, a free monthly e-zine, at www.CoachMarla.com. Read more articles on productivity, creativity and life balance for writers at Coach Marla's blog, www.TheRelaxedWriter.com.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. What are your typical time management traps and how do you handle them? Do you have a system for approaching and completing your writing projects?

Guest Post***The Roar Series** Amy Parmenter

As Pen and Prosper invites women to share success stories, we are reminded of the ‘brilliance’ of Helen Reddy’s hit song ‘I Am Woman Hear Me Roar’. Great tune and perhaps an appropriate call to action in its day but I, for one, think Helen Reddy got it wrong. As a woman, I don’t want to roar. I want to purr.

Let’s look at the definitions.

A roar is loud, intimidating and often used as an expression of ‘distress or rage.’ While a roaring lioness may be captivating to watch from afar, would you dare approach?

A purr on the other hand is the ultimate expression of satisfaction. The dictionary defines a purring cat as ‘content or pleased’. As exciting as a roar might sound, wouldn’t you prefer to listen to the lioness purr?

A year ago I was roaring. Roaring about everything and everybody.

- Though I had landed a dream job, I was unhappy in my work. ROAR!!!
- In order to be with my husband, I had to move away from family and friends. ROAR!!
- I lost a sweet, kind brother who had a difficult life and a tragic death. ROAR!!

I could go on, but roaring is exhausting. It’s exhausting to listen to and it’s exhausting to do.

No doubt you could be ‘known’ for your roar, but being known for something and being respected for it are two different things. Think of the people you respect. Do they roar?

So, one year later I am purring. I am purring so loud that I can barely hear others roar. In fact, I think I noticed some roarers stop to hear me purr – which of course only made me purr more.

Do you roar or purr?

If you are roaring, then the greatest thing you can do for yourself is to figure out what makes you purr.

For me, it’s been writing. And, I have to tell you, I’m shocked. Really. I’ve never thought of myself as a writer. I’ve been a daughter, a sister, a friend, an entrepreneur, and an award-winning reporter – but I never realized I was a writer - until I started to blog.

One of the goals of blogging is to make money, and I’m sure I will. But, in my opinion, the greatest measure of success – blogging or otherwise - is self-satisfaction, because so few are able to achieve it.

We live in a day and age where ‘success’ may come sooner to those who roar. So, everybody starts roaring and nobody is heard. Bloggers, writers and other artists are often encouraged to ‘find your voice’ - but roaring makes you lose your voice.

“Oh yes I am wise but it's wisdom born of pain. Yes, I've paid the price but look how much I gained. I am strong. I am invincible….”

I am woman. Hear me purr.

BIO
Amy Parmenter is a blogger (ParmFarm.com) and a longtime radio and television reporter. In addition to her blog, Amy currently works for NBC in Connecticut and KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia. Not only has she enjoyed success in the media, Amy brings to her work a broad range of experience in other fields as well.

During her early years at KYW, Amy was offered an opportunity to host a CBS radio talk show - and did so for more than two years. But ultimately, Amy says, she returned to her first love, once again delivering the news rather than just talking about it.

Prior to joining the news business, Amy spent several years running her own business, a successful clothing manufacturing company that sold to virtually every upscale store in the country. She has also enjoyed success in venture capital, playing matchmaker between entrepreneurs and investors.

Amy attended Temple University where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Sports Medicine. She now lives in the greater Hartford area with her husband and together they enjoy golfing, biking and all Connecticut has to offer!

See more of Amy Parmenter’s work at: www.parmfarm.com.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. Do you roar or purr? Is being a "strong" woman an asset or a liability for business or relational success today? What are your thoughts?

Guest Post: MARCIE HILL**6 Essential Tools For Writers

Six Essential Tools for a Writer’s Toolbox
Writers are peculiar creatures. We know not from where our inspiration will come. Conversations, observations, and contemplations can spark ideas at any time, and we have to be prepared. To reap the maximum benefits of documenting our thoughts, the following six tools should be in the possession of writers at all times.
1. Writing Instrument
2. Paper
3. Voice Recorder
4. Camera
5. Biz Cards
6. Bag or case

Writing Instrument
Writers should always have instruments to jot down their ideas. These tools could be pens, pencils, markers, chalk, highlighters, or crayons. It doesn’t matter which device is used as long as it can be seen and read on paper. It is advisable to NEVER leave home without at least one writing instrument.

Paper
When new ideas come to mind, writers tend to reach for objects to write on. Unfortunately, many
writers do not have paper in times of need. However, scratch paper, sticky notes, napkins, and toilet paper are practical as long as a few keywords to express thoughts can be recorded.

Voice Recorder
Voice recorders allow writers to record, erase, and playback thoughts with the push of one button. These handy little devices allow writers to be productive even when on the move. Most recorders are small enough to fit in pockets and pocketbooks without taking up much space. Some are equipped with mp3 players, so music can play while writing to keep inspiration flowing.

Camera
Cameras allow creators to take photos of objects that will enhance their story ideas. Writers may also
gain inspiration for a story by shots taken. Either way, a camera is a good tool to have because you just never know when you’ll need it. Photos included with articles will not only enhance your story, it will also increase your pay because publications pay extra for photos. If a camera is not your thing, use your camera phone. Just make sure to have it with you at all times.

Business Cards
Always have business cards with you even if you don’t think you need them. You just never know if the next person you meet will have writing needs. If they do not have needs, they may know someone who does. Just give them to everyone you encounter.

Bag or Case
A bag or case is needed to carry your writing instruments, paper, voice recorder, camera, and business cards. It allows you to organize and easily transport your tools. Just pick one that fits your needs and personal style.

The above six items should be in every writer’s toolbox. Having these tools will ensure that you are prepared for the job whenever inspiration hits.

BIO
Marcie Hill, MS, is a journalist, blogger and entrepreneur. She loves writing profile pieces, and had a huge interest in Chicago South Side and mainstream media practices. To read more of Marcie's creative works or to contact her directly visit: http://marciewrites.wordpress.com/