Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Wordsmith’s Creative Thursday – Creative versus Freelance Writing

March 17, 2022
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Photo by Andrea Davis on Pexels.com

When I initially, made the decision to branch out into freelance writing after a couple of paid gigs, I had no idea how it would affect my writing style. Obviously, it was interesting, but also gave it me another avenue to learn my writing skill.

When I write creatively, I am in control of what happens, where the story leads when I write and ultimately when I finish. However, with freelance projects I quickly learned to accommodate another person’s viewpoint, requirements and adhere to a deadline. Fulfilling another person’s vision for their project is about asking questions – lots of questions and then reiterating them to ensure you are both on the same wavelength. Among my past projects, I have written new bio’s, edited manuscripts, created blog and social media posts, written articles and information leaflets, mentoring and ghost written a hybrid marketing book to name a few.

Through this business I have gain experience and knowledge from each project, which allows me to hone my skill. I have also gained valuable insights into other styles of writing, which in turn have assisted me in my creative writing. You may think that cannot be the case, but all writing teaches us something. It can be as simple as writing to a deadline or writing to a specific style or tone to align with current literature or media. It also gives me great backstories for future characters, who work in environments I am writing and learning about so a win-win situation.

Have you broaden your writing into freelance? What has your experience been like?

You can find my freelance website, testimonials etc. here:

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – How Do You Choose Your Next Writing Project?

July 2, 2020
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With the final editing revisions sent to my publisher, I am thinking about my next story. As with many authors there is a never ending project pile. So how do you to choose the next one?

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There are several scenarios:

1. You have submitted one part of a series – your choice is reasonable clear – write the next book in the series. This can depend on when the manuscript has to be finished obviously but readers want the next one pretty quickly.

2. You are committed to writing a story for an anthology. Ensure you make the deadline.

3. A new idea has ‘popped’ into your head – it is always tempting to write the newest and brightest. However, can it wait? Maybe ask is it reflecting a current topic? Would it be best to get it published sooner rather than later?

4. You have several unfinished manuscripts pending. (This is my current quandary.) How do you choose?

The above options do give us guidance but if you are not committed to a deadline then what options are open to you?

a) Write the titles out and pick one out of a hat.

b) Ask your readers on social media to choose by voting.

c) Gauge the current ‘popular’ genre and write accordingly.

I have opted for b) and received a flurry of votes on Facebook and twitter, which was a pleasant surprise indeed.

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The choices were – A western romance or a suspense novel. The suspense won! So I will delve into The Giving Thief for this year and into next.

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Other News

I have gained a new freelance client for August. So I am looking forward to working with this author on her novel from August onward.

My steampunk novel, The Commodore’s Gift is now with my publisher and set for a September 2020 launch. Unsure at this point what that will actually look like or compose of but we will see.

Take care and stay well.

Celebrating A Decade of Writing

December 12, 2019
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This year I celebrate a decade of writing. It was not something my creative brain discovered until I came to Canada. Throughout my younger life art was my main creative outlet, whether it was painting, collage, pottery, sculpture, textiles, knitting, sewing, and many more. I would spend my lunch hours in the art room at school rather than in the playground, it was my happy place. From creating abstract art in a multiple of mediums to utilizing fabric remnants found at Liberty’s of London for summer tops, I indulged my creativity. 

This changed as I began adult life and my creative outlets ceased as I entered the workforce and socialized with my peers and then had children. I dappled in rug design without success and although I was gifted an easel one Christmas and attended an art class for a short time, I just didn’t have the time or motivation. It was only when I came to Canada and there was an opportunity to find a creative outlet that I made the decision to find one. I stumbled across the writing group, The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County (https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/ ) by pure chance on a trip to the local library and decided to attend a meeting. From that point on I found my ‘place’ and began to learn a new skill, one which has given me not just a group of firm and supportive friends but also allowed me to discover my new country, as well as attend numerous events and a connection to many other writers from home and further afield.

I blogged about my first writing experience here: https://mandyevebarnett.com/2010/08/17/discovering-a-passion/

Now I have eight published books and three work in progress manuscripts (and numerous ideas filed) and there is no slow down in sight for my writing passion. It has gripped me and I am so happy I ‘found’ my creative life again.

Not only have I written novels but also participated in National Novel Writing Month a total of ten times, attended numerous writing retreats and workshops, presented at workshops, started a freelance writing business (https://tailoredthemedtosuit.wordpress.com/ ) and became Secretary to my writers group. I am truly immersed in the writing life and am so glad I braved that first writing group meeting.

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Why not share your writing life experience?

Can You Give Up Your Day Job For A Writing Life ..?

July 4, 2014
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I found an interesting article today regarding the constant dilemma of many authors – stay in a job to pay the bills or leap into a writing life full-time. As some of you may know, I started a freelancing business, with a long term plan, this year. So far I have made headway but it is a steep learning curve. With a few regular clients already I am happy with my modest progress but more work is always welcome – any time.

There are numerous web sites pro-porting to assist the novice freelancer but tread carefully as many are only interested in selling you books, or other promotional items. Networking is the best way to find the answers to your questions so utilize your local and social media contacts.

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2014/06/11/how-authors-support-their-writing-dreams/

So are these tips helpful in making that decision?

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/10-questions-writers-must-ask-before-quitting-their-day-job

http://www.desertroserwa.org/writersguide/Romance-Writers’-Guide-Writing-Quit-Day-Job.php

Have you made the leap yet?

What plans do you have for a writing life?

Can you share tips on how to live by writing alone?

Quotes

If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. ―Jim Rohn

Believe in yourself. Have faith in your abilities. Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. ―Norman Vincent Peale

FunDay

Today’s prompt is to envisage your life as a full time writer. Where will you live? What will your writing space look like? What kind of writing will you do?

Give your vision as much detail as you can – then follow that desire. The power of suggestion is just that – powerful.

I would love to see your answers so feel free to share them here.

My ideal? Living between Italy, England and Canada. Writing all genres with many more published novels and articles covering numerous topics published in magazines, newspapers and on websites.

 

 

Utilizing Opportunities & The Editable Best List…

March 3, 2014
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Do you take advantage of opportunities sent your way?

One of the first lessons learnt in launching a freelance business is to identify and follow through with any and all opportunities given to you. Some might be poorly paid, others an exciting prospect but it is better to pick the ones that give value. However, the value does not always mean financial. I interviewed a local not-for-profit cafe owner over the weekend for a local e-zine.  I took the incentive and approached the owner for the interview knowing I could utilize my link as a regular contributor to the e-zine, Strathcona Connect (http://strathconaconnect.ca/)  and thus promote her cafe. There will be no financial benefit for me, but I will be promoting a worthwhile community driven business, for my extended neighborhood. The value is therefore, the addition of an article to my portfolio and my name on the article for other local businesses to see. The article will appear later this week. Link to follow.

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One other opportunity given to me over the weekend came from another source which was certainly not local. The new, exciting web site – http://www.wikibest.com  is an editable guide to the best of things.  As a collaborative project, it gives users the opportunity to write their own reviews on a plethora of subjects. Subjects include but are certainly not limited to movies, websites, electronics and hotels. With an easy to use format; once an account is created, users can write their own expert views on a free page, enabling them to share their knowledge of events, media, people and places with the world. It is truly a public forum.

Why not take a look and enter your own review of ‘the best of…?’ Get in early with this new site and share.

 
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