Freelance Writing Opportunities

If you search from yahoo.com or google.com on "freelance writing opportunities", you will see that there are indeed opportunities [more than one writer can handle =) ], and that despite the worsening economic conditions--these online freelance writing services are in-demand.

Online work opportunities for writers:
1.) Articles for web content: you will have to deal with various topics or keywords here.
2.) Postings on blogs: a writer or blogger will usually be paid per post and posting is preferred daily.
3.) Research work and essays: these I think, are a level higher than the rest, since this involves a good amount of research; and you will have to do referencing, so knowledge on the different referencing styles are required.

Freelance writing opportunities are many. If we are qualified, we can always try and make some money from these.

With these online work opportunities for writers, it is thus to a writer's advantage, if he continues learning and improving his craft--so that when and if such opportunities come, we can get our share of the pie in earning money here.

Book: A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction

This is a book by Elizabeth Lyon (also the author of Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write).

I owned this book, a long time ago, but I only had the chance to really look at it now. I compared the various books (about writing) I have now, since I also bought new ones recently.

This book teaches how to make the Title of your article, the different ways to make your Lead, how to write the Middle part of your piece, and finally, how to End it well. Very Useful!

Also, the author encourages writers to think of the Purpose of your writing first, before you proceed. Then there is the formula: Subject of Writing + Purpose + Promise = Making a Difference. I really like this formula, and I pattern my writing from this.

Buy this book by Elizabeth Lyon, I highly recommend this.

Book: Opportunities in Writing Careers by E. Foote-Smith

Opportunities in Writing Careers
by Elizabeth Foote-Smith

Some info about the author (taken from the book):

She wore her first piece of fiction at the age of ten. She was a composer, musician, piano instructor, and a jazz pianist.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and a master's degree from the University of Chicago in English Language and Literature.

She had a stint (5 yrs) as a teacher for English in suburaban Illinois high schools, and literature & writing courses at the University of Wisconsin.

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Though the reviews at amazon.com are not quite positive, in my opinion, the book can hold its own. For my case, it is informative -- and has served its purpose.

It gives the reader what is expected in the freelance writing career, and what different types of writing work are available out there. She shares some tips for these different categories, elaborates on important points and recommends suggested readings.

I also like the book, since each chapter starts with some beautiful quotations from great writers/personalities. Some examples: "Don't ask a poet to explain himself. He cannot." by Plato; "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." by Richard Bach...

I recommend this book though -- as I always believe that each book has something of value it can offer. Let us learn from the perspectives of those who really are in the business of freelance writing -- and I consider Elizabeth Foote-Smith to be one.

The book,Opportunities in Writing Careers-- I recommend as a nice little book to have for your guide, in your freelance writing career.

It's Early in the Morning, and I'm Blogging

I have been quite active over the Internet this past few days -- and I have found myself blogging more than I did before.

Blogging is a good way for me to practice my writing skills; and sharing my ideas to the world.

I currently maintain around 4 to 5 blogs, though I like to do more--I guess, when I find the time. But for now, I will stick with these and update them regularly.

How to Write a Coherent Article

One quality of a good article is coherency.

My way of achieving this is by being straight to the point; and using only words and sentences within a paragraph that makes the thought complete.

I don't use flowery words, as I feel this will not add value to the article. As much as possible, eliminate such in your work or at least put it to a minimum. This advice has statistical basis as well: "the more you say, the greater the chances of error." Especially if you are not sure of what you are writing, writing less will be better.

It takes discipline to constantly examine your work, checking each and every word for the purpose it plays in the paragraph.

In the end, it will pay off. This will result to an article, where the paragraphs inside, will possess clarity. The message or points pursued by the article will be easily understood by the reader.

Your readers will appreciate an article that they don't have to read and re-read just to get the point.

A Reader First, A Writer Second

I admit, in many posts, that I am reader -- before I am a writer. Meaning my first love is not writing, it is reading books.

Ever since I had my first job, I always make it a point to buy books that could help me do well in my work. Since I am in the field of manufacturing and production, I have lots of operations research books, toyota books and lately six sigma books.

When I went also into freelance writing, I have a good number of books about writing, like:
1.) A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction by Elizabeth Lyon,
2.) From Pen to Print by Ellen M. Kozak,
3.) The Right Way to Write Reports by Steve Gravett
4.) How to Punctuate by George Davidson
5.) Writing with a Purpose by McCrimmon
6.) many more...

But when I analyze though, the root of all my love for reading is my passion for learning. I think it all boils down to my hunger for knowledge, really.

I also have a good number of books about leadership, that is why I also do some blogging about it here: leading101.blogspot.com

There is so much to learn, and there are a lot of good books to read. The more I read, the more I become interested in various things. I think this is how my life will be until my last breath... when I'm very old, I picture myself with my wife on one hand, and a book on the other.. =)

The Joy of Freelance Writing -- Putting Your Strengths to Work

It is always a joy for me to write. And with some freelance writing work, when my schedule allows, my days [and nights =) ] are more enjoyable .

There is some degree of satisfaction I get when I write. Like reading, I love to write. I think it was in my elementary years that I discovered that I know a little about writing. It was also around grade 6, when I got 2nd place for an essay writing contest, "Quo Vadis Filipinas" -- meaning "Where are you going Philippines?"

I don't know--but even during those early times, I liked writing essays and even poems. When I grew up, my writing helped me a lot. My experience in writing (and love of it still), was an advantage when I made a report or a thesis. Writing a poem had its uses also: especially when you try to win over a girl's heart, hehe =)

Overall, I feel that writing is one of my strengths--among others, I hope. =)

Being one of my strengths: thus, the reason for some part-time freelance writing gigs.

Freelance Writer's Guide: You Need Focus when You Write

As a freelance writer over the web, we are paid to make articles on various topics. Good if we are familiar with the subjects we are writing about. If not, you will need to do some researching.

Writing will not always come naturally. At times, you may even feel you can't get a word out from your brain. This happens -- even to the more experienced writers.

You will need to focus on what you are doing. Concentrate on your task at hand. Sometimes, it just a matter of mindset.

Some call it writer's block -- others don't agree that there is such a thing. I don't know what to believe =) But I admit that there are times I seem not able to write -- whether that is writer's block or if it is just that I lack the will to write during that time, I am not sure.

So what do I do when this happens? I usually walk around, look outside my house, listen to good music, watch some t.v., or sleep -- with the last one being my favorite. But if the deadline is really near, I only have a small amount of time to get back on track, and start writing, no matter what.

On the most part, I would say, it is all in the mind (I just realized this now, hehe). Studies show that our minds are powerful -- and that we are using only a small percentage of it. So I am thinking, perhaps I am not using my brain as efficiently as I should.

So You Want to be a Freelance Writer

Yes, I want to be a freelance writer -- but wait, I am already one. =) But i do like to continue on with this all throughout my life (hopefully..).

I was able to buy this small book by Elizabeth P. Ong about the subject here -- "So You Want to be a Freelance Writer." For a small book, it is informative. There are tips you can get here.

You will also find some of her experiences amusing. There is a story in the book on how writers are often seen by some people--especially freelance writers. The look on other people's faces just seem to ask: "is freelance writing a real job?" -- I can relate. =)

Passion for Writing

I love writing. If you are here reading this blog, then you probably do too.

My purpose for this blog is to write about writing. =)

I claim to be no expert about writing, it's just it, I love to write -- so somebody stop me! :)

I find that writing about a topic will make me do research and read about it more. I find myself learning more in the process -- and thus, my writing about writing... (here we go again!)

I've been currently buying a lot of books I can find about writing. I want to learn as much as I can about it. I've been doing some freelance work here and there, but I feel I still have a lot to learn.

Here I will post what I think are important on the subject of writing, with the hope that it will also help others. If you happen to know more, then you can always correct me or place comments on my posts so that I would learn from you as well.

So here's to writing -- and my love for it. I hope this is my calling and my fate. I am a writer by heart -- and God knows this to be so. God bless me!!! and yes, yes, you included! =)

Contact me: bmrwriterph@gmail.com