So, the decision is final. I am a writer.
Actually, I have always been a person who writes, but I have never applied the term to myself in a professional sense. Having pushed aside my financial fears and gained the requisite self-confidence, I began to surf the net in earnest for information about how to begin a freelance writing career. The vast amount of information was daunting enough, but when I realized how much time and effort would go into an attempt to get published, I almost quit.
Several thoughts are keeping me going. A lot of it has to do with my personal history and the role that writing plays in my life. When I was 8, I left notes around the house asking my parents for an increase in my allowance. When I was in college, I was the nut who took three journalism classes and three literature classes in one semester. When I went to graduate school as an adult with two small children, my ability to write well saved my sanity.
I pushed on. My initial research told me that I first needed to learn about the business of writing because I knew nothing of queries, markets, or copyright. Once I learned what content should be included in a query, writing them was not difficult; however, researching the various markets has been incredibly time consuming. At first, I hit dead ends. I started searching the typical job sites, but most of them did not post freelance work.
Then I came across several subscription sites that claimed to connect freelancers with writing markets. I was concerned that some of these sites might be scams, but after spending several days exploring one site in particular, I had almost decided to subscribe. Before I took the leap, I came across an article which criticized the site. It did not appear to be a scam, but it was enough to validate my initial skepticism. I placed this market source on hold to explore other opportunities.
A few other market postings also begged caution. One in particular sounded like a great opportunity for new writers to get published. I started to complete their online application form until I arrived at the page that asked for my social security number. They claimed that they needed it in order to pay me, but they had not even seen my ideas or any of my writing samples. I cancelled the application and moved on.
Perhaps the biggest shock to my English teacher sensibilities was the listing for "academic writers." I thought: "Great! This I've done." I clicked the button that led to more information and realized that these "markets" were actually students trying to cheat their way through school. Again, I moved on.
Although my early attempts to find writing markets were clearly filled with concern, caution, and a certain degree of paranoia, my experiences thus far have been mainly positive. I found several sites that posted seemingly genuine paying markets. Even if the information does not lead to publication, many of these listings sparked ideas which I can pitch to other markets. Even more important, the generation of ideas has lifted my spirits by making writing for a living seem more realistic.
My biggest morale booster is no secret to most writers. Before purchasing Writer's Market, I knew that it contained market listings and informative articles. I did not know that it contained lists of contests and awards, some of which are designed to assist writers financially while they are writing. I may never win such an award, but somehow, knowing that such a thing exists makes my goals seem more attainable.
Finally, I am almost ready to start submitting queries. The queries are written and effectively target the appropriate markets, but I am still confused about copyright. I'm beginning to fear that my grasp of copyright law is going to become something like my grasp of the offside rule in soccer. My oldest son has just completed his second year playing travel soccer and each time I think I understand offside, something happens that makes me question my understanding. The same holds true for copyright. I understand the concept of first rights and I understand what it means to submit simultaneously. But when a market indicates that it buys first rights and also accepts simultaneous submissions, who gets first rights if two markets opt to purchase the same manuscript? If they both print the story, they can't both have first rights. Can they? Since I do not have the answer, I do not plan to submit queries simultaneously - yet.
The most important lesson I have learned during this journey is that the faith I have in myself and in my aspirations must rise above the confusion and chaos created by the pursuit of the dream.
Michele R. Acosta is a writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit articles.thewritingtutor.biz for more articles, articles.thewritingtutor.biz for professional writing and editing services, or articles.thewritingtutor.biz for other writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents.
Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor & Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
Working on my first humorous novel, I started with a... Read More
The writing community is a strong one, with many new... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Complete a character questionnaire for each of... Read More
Writer's forums are bustling with debate over whether or not... Read More
Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More
Kallu was a tenant of Santosh Kumar Nayak. Santosh Kumar... Read More
ESSAY 3Writing an autobiography involves a matching up of a... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
What is a prologue? When should you use one? Should... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
Here's everything I know about improving your writing, publishing it... Read More
List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used... Read More
Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial freelancers have turned... Read More
If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..You've finished your story, and you're pretty happy with it.... Read More
When you sit down to write a steamy romance, a... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More
The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More
In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More
Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact. It's... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More
Word processors are so widely used now that I tend... Read More
Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More
The short-short story has been likened by some as being... Read More
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More
Kallu was a tenant of Santosh Kumar Nayak. Santosh Kumar... Read More
Want to write a how-to article but can't come up... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories... Read More
----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute,... Read More
There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
Freewriting is a release from the prison of rules. It... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
Writing |