December 2011

The Dime Novel

Affordable Writing of Yesteryear

Before the pulp magazines even existed, there was the dime novel, and there was even some overlap between the two because some of the dime novel publishers converted over to the pulp magazine format.

 

Dime novels were cheap, melodramatic stories featuring wildly inaccurate adventure stories about Western gunmen and other adventure heroes. The Old West wasn't mythologized after the fact, it was mythologized as it was happening, by the dime novel writers. Outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid had dime novels written about them while they were still alive and active. It must have been an odd and uncomfortable experience, seeing your life become a legend in front of your eyes.

Need Help Staying Focused? Write or Die

"The web version is free, so there is nothing to lose by trying it."

When I first began writing full time, I had a really hard time maintaining my focus.  Having not worked for three years, I had gotten used to the casual routine of a stay at home mom.  Projects that could be completed in two hours were stretched out to much longer because of my inability to focus and just get to work.

The Pulp Magazines

A Golden Age For Affordable Writers

As a writer who makes a living producing all kinds of copy very rapidly for not too much money, I have a vast nostalgia for the pulp magazine era. If I had the choice between writing a fifteen dollar article on how to fix a leaky faucet or writing a fifteen dollar story about a man from Earth battling six-armed green Martian warriors for the love of a red-skinned princess who gives birth by laying eggs, I know which one I would rather do.

If You Make Income Writing, You Need to Track It

Many people just starting out in a home business have questions about reporting income for taxes.  For the most part, you can count on Uncle Sam wanting a cut and if you make income, you should report it.  The IRS has specific guidelines on what counts as reportable income, but generally, if you treat your writing like a business and plan to profit it from it, you will need to report your income.

It's All About Attitude: Being Grateful

As humans, we are all too often tempted to look at the negative side of things.  As writers, this type of thinking can be detrimental to our business.  In one particular writing forum I frequent, there is one poster who seems to never add anything but negative comments to a thread.  I often wonder how she can be successful when she thinks of her clients and fellow writers in such a bad way.

Bloggers Beware: Clients Reviewing Writers Blogs When Considering Applications

Freelance writing is growing more competitive as private clients, and content mills, offer fewer assignments during the holiday season.  With more writers competing for the same opportunities, it is more important than ever to make a good impression when applying for a writing job.  Unfortunately, many writers do not consider how links to their blogs in email signatures, or on resumes, can influence a potential client’s final decision.

Freelancer Careers = Good Writing Opportunity

"They clearly state the only thing their writers need to worry about is the quality of work they deliver. "

If you are seeking more writing ventures, check out freelancercareers.com. They are a company who are seeking three specific types of freelance writers. The first are essay writers. These are people who have extensive knowledge in a certain fields. They’re also very analytical and have the grammar skills and proficiency to do in depth research on requested topics.

They are also seeking resume writers. These are professionals who have extensive experience designing resume templates, finding the best way to present an applicants’ educational and work history and general skills relevant to the job to a potential employer.

Fake Writing Jobs

Don't Be Conned

Today I want to talk about fake ads for nonexistent writing jobs. When you work as a freelance writer, every moment counts. Most writing jobs available in the internet age take a lot of time and don't pay all that well. At the same time, you can't afford to have only one stream of income if you can help it. So, you have to spend a certain amount of time every day checking out the ads for potential new writing jobs.

Don't Give Away Free Samples

As new writers, many of us struggle with how to interact with potential clients.  When you first start out, it is hard to have the confidence to know when you are being taken advantage of and when a client is making a reasonable request.  One area that many writers struggle with is the free writing sample.  While there are certainly times when a free sample should be included, there are times when it should be avoided like the plague.

Self-Publishing Vs Traditional Publishing

Advantages and Disadvantages

I've tried both self-publishing and traditional publishing, and they both have their ups and downs- especially when it comes to making a living as a writer. If your book is on a topic with a clear niche you can easily and inexpensively market to, you will almost certainly make more money by self-publishing. If your book needs a little more help with the marketing and you don't have the resources to do it yourself, you'd be better off with a traditional publisher.