Quotation for the Week of May 31

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."
-- Woody Allen

Social Media and Email Marketing Apps for Writers

I've been running across all sorts of interesting information about social media resources for writers. Here are just a few you might like.

50 Useful Twitter Tools for Writers and Researchers

Various links to or about literary agents on Twitter (with thanks to Anne Wayman at About Freelance Writing)

Top 40 Twitter Tools

And, of course, there's still blogging. Here are some apps you may find useful for converting blog posts into emailed newsletters, either for free or low cost (and it seems only fitting that I have a new LinkedIn connection to thank for providing these):

MailChimp

My Newsletter Builder

LetterPop

Silverpop

InfusionSoft

Got enough to keep you busy a while? I should think so.

Freelancers' Haggling Lament

Okay, this is a light-hearted look at client-vendor negotiations. But be honest--how many of your negotiations with clients resemble these?



There's a lesson in here somewhere. Figure out your value and charge accordingly. If people refuse to pay for that value, they need to go elsewhere. Perhaps to someone not quite as good as you.

This video may have been made for laughs. But there's a serious truth underneath the laughter. Clients get what they pay for. And if you come cheap, that's how they'll perceive you.

It's one thing to work within people's budgets, but if you give them a concession, expect to get something in return. That's why they call it negotiation.

Any negotiation stories you'd like to share? Any that are a bit too much like this video?

Quotation for the Week of May 24

"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."
-- Mark Twain

An Interview with The Freelance Survivor

Thought I'd take a moment to bask in the glow of a little recognition. I was recently interviewed on The Freelance Survivor. An aptly-named blog if there ever was one. (You freelancers know what I'm talking about here . . .)

Anyhow, reading through the interview, I couldn't quite believe how much I'd been doing in the past couple of years. (Not to brag or anything, but . . .) This has really been a time of great professional and personal growth. A time of overcoming a good deal of hardship--physical, mental and otherwise.

So when I say I'm a freelance survivor, I really mean it!

Freelancing is tough--no question. But it's also a highly satisfying endeavor. I shall say no more. Just read the interview. (I think it covers things pretty thoroughly.)

Ah, that glow really does feel good.

Quotation for the Week of May 17

"Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things."
-- Russell Baker

Want to Work as a Ghost? Ask Anne

I wanted to draw everyone's attention to a series of posts by Anne Wayman on tips for working as a ghostwriter. I know I've been approached more than a few times about writing a book for someone else. While I've ghostwritten articles, the books I've written have all been my own. (Fiction, that is. My one published mystery novel plus a few that are yet to be published--at least, so far. :) )*

Anne's blog About Freelance Writing has featured at least two posts so far that I've bookmarked for future reference. First, how she approaches a new project and, second, what terms to include in the contract (or "letter of agreement" as she calls it--same thing, sounds less ominous and legalistic).

If you're interested in ghostwriting (as I am), keep an eye on Anne's blog. It's one of my freelance favorites, anyhow.

*Just as a footnote, I should mention that my short story "A Woman Who Thinks" will be published as part of the CHESAPEAKE CRIMES 4 anthology to be published by Wildside Press in March 2010. Needless to say, I'm thrilled. :)

Quotation for the Week of May 10

"Setting a good example for children takes all the fun out of middle age."
-- William Feather

Review: 'Story' by Robert McKee

There are a lot of books about writing out there and they're great for various reasons. Anne LaMott's BIRD BY BIRD, for example, is a great book about what it's like to be a writer, as well as how to write (but mostly what the writing life is like). I've heard Stephen King's book ON WRITING is good, though I still haven't read it. And I found Carolyn Wheat's book, HOW TO WRITE KILLER FICTION particularly useful as a crime fiction author. And there are other books on writing that I've liked.

However, I just finished a book that taught me more, in greater detail, about storytelling than I've ever gotten from any other source. STORY by Robert McKee may be intended for screenwriters, but it has a lot to offer novelists.

The book analyzes the classic three-act story structure, explaining how each act is made up of a series of shots (like I said, it's intended for screenwriters) that create scenes, knit together into sequences. But it also covers the techniques for propelling a story along (no matter what the format). It discusses character and dialogue--again, with emphasis on the cinematic. But there's still something in the discussion for everyone. It even explores theme--and how it's expressed in all the visual details in a scene (among other things).

Let's put it this way--any book that can get endorsements from film and TV screenwriters AND a novelist must be something special. Although the book focuses on screenwriting, it also compares that form to prose fiction and plays. Understanding the differences gives you insight, as well.

And the bottom line is that no matter what kind of story you want to tell or media you want to use to tell it, this book will help.

I got a copy from the library. I intend to buy one for future reference. (Not something I do every day with a book like this.)

Quotation for the Week of May 3

"To avoid situations in which you might make mistakes may be the biggest mistake of all."
-- Peter McWilliams