A few things you should ask yourself:

1. Have I been here before? If this isn’t the first time that fear and doubt has got you wrapped up in its little self-sabotaging web, then maybe it’s a sign you’re still in the game. Maybe this has more to do with faith than it does with reality. You’ve been here during the lows, but you’ve also risen above it. Sometimes we forget and only focus on our failures. Use your new downtime to get refocused and motivated by remembering that you’ve been here before and got through it successfully.
2. Is this fear calling? When fear calls, it’s hard not to answer. Writers already have lots of worries and vulnerabilities-more than I think the normal Joe. When there’s no one praising you or giving you feedback, it’s easy to jump from uncertainty to rejection. In this case, call your writer friends and ask them what they think. Meditate. Leave your computer for a bit and go outside. Do anything to take your mind off of the fear. Then get back to work.
3. Is this seasonal? Sometimes there are lulls according to season. Summer is when lots of clients take off on vacation. But so do other writers. There are things you can do to get ahead while everyone else is relaxing. This article gives a few tips on what you can do. But if this is the reason for your freelance writing blues, know that it’s not you.
4. Have I been marketing myself and working on my craft? You know that saying, “It’s not you. It’s me.?” Well maybe in this case, it is you. The reason why you’re not getting the business you so deserve is that you haven’t been getting your writing out there or maybe you haven’t taken the time to really focus on your writing. If this is the case, start marketing yourself and if you’re writing isn’t where it should be, go and find yourself a good class. There is a ridiculous amount of courses (online and offline) during the summer so take advantage of it while you can.
5. Are people relying on you for income? Can you support yourself financially? Regardless of what you answered above, sometimes you just can’t afford a freelance writing career. If your family is relying on you to make a living and no matter how hard you try, your work isn’t cutting it right now, then go out and find more work. This could mean doing something part-time that’s unrelated to writing or you may need to go back to full-time work. If that’s the scenario, don’t give up on your dreams entirely. Use your lunch break and after work time (evenings and weekends) to keep your freelance writing dreams going.

The thing is you might be feeling the freelance writing blues now, but this is a temporary phase. There are things you can do to get yourself out of the rut. Make sure to connect with other writers and your non-writing friends. Try not to be so hard on yourself and realize that all writers are either facing what you’re dealing with now or have so in the past. Take this as another opportunity for growth and learning. And when you’re up high again with tons of clients and lots of queries accepted, remember where you were and use that as strength for the next time you hit another valley.

I just joined this year and have been secretly blogging every day on this site as well as my other blogs (not2shabby and 2inspired), to fulfill the requirement. So far, I’ve learned that even when I feel uninspired at times, I can still push through and create a pretty good post.

True, it’s been less than a week. But I think the process has already given me confidence in my writing abilities. Forget about blogger’s block. Feeling a surge of strength and empowerment from the community of bloggers also on this trek (see the list on Michelle’s website) I feel like I can do anything.

Part of the reason is that it’s just like preparing for a marathon. You practice and train until writing as an exercise because a daily habit. Basically you take the fear out of the equation and you get results.

If you haven’t already signed up, it’s already too late to do so. But you still can benefit by blogging along on your own blogathon or write-athon.

How do you get to your writing goals of writing a book or article?

You start every day with an intention to take that first step. Those small, baby steps add up. Do it now and those daunting goals? You’ll get to them in no time!

This post will cover the five things you shouldn’t do (not including the basics like failing to do any work for a client or refusing to pay a freelancer) if you want a healthy, happy long-term and profitable business relationship.

Whether you’re a freelancer or a start-up looking to hire a freelancer, there are a few things you should know before you start something new. You wouldn’t marry the first person that you meet, so why jump blindly into a partnership with a client/freelancer you hardly know? To prevent lots of time wasted, money lost and bridges burned, read what not to do when beginning a new work relationship.

1. Jump in eyes closed. It might be a fun way to dive into the pool, but not so fun in business. I once had a potential client ask me, “What kind of education do you have anyway?” after he received my resume, samples and cover letter. His lack of research made me hesitant to work with him. It showed a lack of concern and care that I worried would lead to disaster down the road. This also works the other way around. Hire anyone without checking their samples and you’ll be in for a surprise. And not the good kind.
2. Be threatening. Never withhold money or copy, unless you want your relationship to crash and burn. Sometimes the fear of not getting paid or the fear of getting quality writing can cause people to act irrationally. Take a deep breath, have faith and let go. Trust that you’ll get what you want either way and you’ll have a better chance of restoring your relationship and getting what you need in the long-term.
3. React in anger. This goes alongside #2. Sometimes fear can make people erupt in anger. No matter what he or she says, it’s really not worth it to lose your cool and say something you’re going to regret. Take 5, walk around the block, meditate, do whatever it takes to let off steam without showing your anger to the other person. When you’re calm and collected, go back and see if you can work things out and salvage the relationship in a peaceful manner.
4. Be unclear. Give mixed messages about exactly what you want (e.g. “I want something good.” Or I think I can do this by that time, but I’m not sure.”) will get you down a path of miscommunication that will eventually lead to trouble. Get things in order in your mind first, then speak up and clearly about what you need. Make sure to communicate with one another as soon as misunderstanding starts to grow. Get it quick and you’ll prevent greater confusion and disappointment in the future.
5. Have unreachable and unreasonable expectations. Demand too much in a an unreasonable amount of time or expect clients to pay you more money without any legitimate reason to do so and you’re asking for disappointment and anger on both sides. If you’re not sure what to charge your client or what’s realistic to expect from your freelancer, then make sure to do your research beforehand. Network with other writers and business owners and find out what’s acceptable in the field.

If you did any one of the five on the list, all is not lost. You can still repair damages by either quickly and sincerely making amends with your partner. If things are really irreparable, keep things in mind for next time and be sure to do the opposite of items 1-5!

How about you? Any words of wisdom you’d like to share? Things you’ve done to repair a seemingly irreparable work relationship? I’d love to hear them!

It’s the end of another long week freelancers. And on this freelance Friday, I must ask, “What do you do to decompress?”

I know how it goes. You’re toiling away at your computer, making phone calls, coming up with creative queries, networking, marketing your services and spending the spare time you have left on Facebook or Twitter. With all of that and your ever growing to-do list, do you ever make time for yourself?

In Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance (Artist’s Way), author Julia Cameron suggests artists make a weekly date with themselves, write daily in a journal (what she calls morning pages) and take a walk. I try to do at least one of those a week and when I don’t, my writing libido falls and inspiration starts to wane.

As a fun Friday, please share your own experience on what you do to keep yourself motivated. As for me, I’ll let you in on my own little secret. When I’m feeling really uninspired, I do what I’ve done since I was in high school…I go straight to the car wash.

For just about under 6 bucks, I get an exciting amusement park ride, a 5 minute trip to the spa and a psychedelic trip all meshed into one. You might be surprised to know I’m just going to a regular, pretty ordinary car wash. What makes it exciting is my ability to transform the experience by concentrated, conscious focus on it.

By being present in the moment, the sounds of water splashed onto my car reminds me of a waterfall, the methodic rhythm of the brushes hitting against my window puts me in a meditative state and the colorful bubbles sprayed onto my car feels ethereal. It’s the reason why I get claustrophobic on a small plane, but being in my tiny two door car in a car wash makes me feel completely relaxed. Even the rude lady at the front fails to reckon with my mood.

I think it’s all about being aware of the ordinary moments around you. When you stop and pay attention to the little details of life, you’ll gain something greater than another check-mark off your to-do list, you’ll gain perspective, insight, and clarity. You might even give yourself the space to let more inspiration and ideas flow in.

So now it’s your turn: When life gets too overwhelming, what kinds of things do you do to bring back fun?

According to Dictionary.com, the word came from the 1820s meaning medieval mercenary warrior. And later referring to journalism in 1882. What a long way we’ve come from the original meaning. Or have we?

As freelance writers, we’re closer to a mercenary warrior (a courageous one who works for pay) then one that works for free, aren’t we?

Yet, I’m noticing more and more job ads requiring freelancers to write “on spec” (essentially for free) first.

MY CONFESSION:

I’ve been guilty of applying for several of these jobs. Jobs that ask me to write a blog or a short article for free. I’m always one of the top candidates when I’m asked to do yet another sample. And the end result? I typically don’t get the job.

WHaT Do YoU ThInK?

Have you ever written samples for free? What was the end result? And do you think it was worth the risk?

Surrounded by boxes of pizza and eager interns, I felt a shock of recognition listening to the communications manager who had agreed to speak to my charges. She said that finding and forging her career path was “simple.”

“I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was in high school and editor of the school paper. I studied journalism in college and got a job.” She had worked in corporate communications for an international travel outfit, a well-known natural beauty brand and a global coffee company, which is where we met. She added that she’d always been focused on writing and editing, even in high school.

I was, too, in high school. Like my guest speaker, I’d written for the school paper, plus I’d edited the yearbook and competed in journalism contests. So, why was she the head of a communications division and I was wrangling interns?

We made different decisions. I chose a school that didn’t offer a journalism degree, but did provide an independent, unique approach to learning. However, I lost focus and tried a variety of subjects and post-grad jobs, including managing a small business and recruiting. Employers would rave about my writing and find ways to use it, but I didn’t (and they didn’t) see me as a writer.

Inspired by my guest speaker, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my writing as well as my goals. Several weeks later, I approached her to be my mentor—and less than a year later, she hired me as a writer and editor for her team. Now she’s claimed the title of my “biggest fan.”

Between being the high school journalist, the corporate newsletter editor and the freelance writer I am today, these are the lessons I had to learn twice.

• Dream big. In the late 1980s, I wanted to be the editor-in-chief of Sassy magazine. When I was the fiction editor of my college’s literary magazine, I wanted to be a playwright. And, when I hit the real world, I wanted to pay my rent, so I took temp jobs and lost sight of the big dreams. Once I started focusing on my goals again, I refueled my writing dreams—and started pursuing them.

• Believe in yourself. I was so nervous the first time I turned in a writing assignment to my mentor—and I failed! She told me the style was unnatural, stiff and not at all what she expected from me. I’d used formal business language that I thought I should use. When I revised the assignment, using my gut instincts, my mentor loved it.

Much later, when I was applying for my first writing job, my current manager said, “But you can’t write!” It shocked me to hear those words, but I was determined and still applied. When I got the job, I learned from someone else in my former department that my manager just didn’t want to lose me. Good thing I believed in myself and didn’t let her stop me.

If you want to freelance, you have to believe in yourself. Your clients and prospective clients aren’t going to give you business if they suspect you’re unsure and timid.

• Fight limitations. Growing up in a small Texas town, the writing-related career options presented to me were newspaper editor and journalism teacher. The local newspaper editor even told us to find a better-paying occupation. I was determined to find more options for myself.

Once I worked in corporate communications, the prevailing mentality was that if you wrote for an internal audience, you couldn’t write for an external audience. Are you kidding me? I fought hard to earn assignments that included press releases and other marketing materials.

• Invest in your word skills. My high school journalism teacher enrolled me in contests my very first year—and I continued those contests until I graduated. I didn’t take many writing classes in college, but I certainly relied on those skills to get me good grades. But I took them for granted. It wasn’t until about six years ago that I realized I should keep pushing myself, not just relying on mentors or talent. I took creative writing classes as well as copywriting-related courses and was amazed at the leap my writing took. My clients noticed, too.

Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I’d followed a journalism or writing path from high school. Most likely, I’d be where I am today. But I’m glad I veered off course, picking up business skills, new subject matter expertise and a diversity of experience. It’s made me a much better freelancer, a more well-rounded writer—and it’s definitely provided me with plenty of juicy tales to tell.

Jesaka Long is a freelance copywriter who’s helped companies craft their stories for nearly 14 years. Based in Denver, she’s known for creating outside-the-lines branding and marketing content for forward-thinking, entrepreneurial companies. She’s also been known to wield a mighty pen for Fortune 500 companies, including Starbucks Coffee Company, REI and Seattle’s favorite software industry leader. Jesaka is also a drama editor for Conclave: A Journal of Character. Connect with her on twitter @jesakalong and through her blog at www.jesakalong.com.

I’m of the more common variety. And after reading Julia Cameron’s Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance, I was relieved that even best-selling authors go through this too. It’s actually Cameron’s phrase “keep the faith” that inspired the title and content of this post.

I think it’s easy to get discouraged in this field. Like my husband often says, “You picked a very challenging career.” Although I’m not saving lives here, because writing is such a personal endeavor, I sometimes feel like the life I’m trying to save is my own.

Staying Positive

I have to work on keeping positive and optimistic so that I can get through the valleys and get on to the mountaintops. For me, this means going out of the house to meet with weekly groups (I just joined a professional work at home women’s club.), talking to other writers, and saying silly mantras in my head like, “I’m a successful writer.” I do this all to get through the lull and discouragement that is inevitable in this business.

All Rejection is Temporary Except Your Own

I remember reading somewhere that the only real and permanent rejection is your own. You may not get that seemingly perfect writing job or get your piece published in that national magazine, but those rejections are temporary. If you give up on yourself, then the journey is over.

No matter what stage you are in your writing, don’t give up yet. Keep the faith. And do whatever you must to keep pushing through. If you quit now, you’ll never know how close you were to success. You might have been just a day away…

I didn’t know much about Walt Disney except for the fact that he created 2 amazing amusement parks, one in California and the other where I got engaged in Florida. I also felt some kind of weird spiritual connection with the guy. In a way, I thought of him as a hero. Someone who aspired to create something magical in the world and was extremely successful in doing so.

What I learned from the museum was that Mr. Disney was a regular guy with a normal childhood. But he had a dream, a passion that fueled his actions. I learned a great deal about him from the exhibit but was surprised by the jewels of wisdom I garnered within myself.

Here are a few treasures I picked up from the museum, which I hope will inspire other writers, artists and creators to keep pursuing their passion and working on their craft.

1. “I lived on little things I could do on the side to pick up a little money here and there.” Disney started drawing as a child, and worked as a cartoonist for his high school. He continued to pursue drawing in his adult life. When times got tough, like it often does for creatives, he did everything he could to survive. Got to admire someone with that kind of gumption.
2. “Sometimes you’ve got to build yourself up and explode…And then begin to pick up the pieces and take stock.” I love this quote!! There are many times when mistakes and failure feel like the end. Disney, however, picked himself up after every fall and got better. His statement demonstrates to me that failure is a normal process in the pursuit of your dreams.
3. Disney learned from his mistakes. For example, he signed contracts before he read them and trusted people he shouldn’t have. Instead of beating himself up about it or blaming the other people involved, he quickly learned from his mistakes and moved on. As a freelancer, we’re bound to work with people who may not have our best interests at heart. Take a lesson from Disney and spend less time complaining and more time focusing on what you will do to avoid the same situation in the future.
4. He never let others get him down. Disney surrounded himself with people he liked to be around. He was optimistic and had a positive attitude. Several past employees and people who worked with him said he was a pleasure to be with, would talk to anyone, and never criticized those he worked with. Disney was professional and yet kind. What wonderful qualities to exhibit as a freelancer.
5. He kept getting better. At any time, Disney could have said okay I’ve done enough and stopped there. When one of the people he trusted took a year of his earnings he could have said, “That’s it! I’m done.” When he was poor, he could have given up and taken a better paying job. When he was rich, he could have said, “I’m done. Now I can retire.” But he didn’t. When he was successful as a cartoonist or as a film producer, he could have said, “That’s enough.” Instead he kept going.” It wasn’t the money that motivated him it was the dream. And I admire that. As writers we can and should always work on getting better. There’s really know limits for us if we can keep opening ourselves up to growth and possibility. Who knows where we will be a year from now? Hopefully twice as good as we are now!
6. Kindness does indeed pay off. There were a few greedy people in Disney’s past. But the people who helped him out were the ones who were the wealthiest. Those people who tried to take advantage of Disney may have swindled some money but in the end, they will forever be named as the people who tried to steal Disney’s money. On the other hand, one woman who helped him out when he was broke, is not only remembered by her kindness but was not forgotten by Disney who helped her with whatever she needed for the rest of her life. Love that karma.

There was a ton of things I learned from Walt Disney. I think hearing his struggle and success helped validate my own challenges. I realized the difficulties that I face as a freelance writer is not the end of the world. It is just one stepping stone toward my dreams. It also helped bring me perspective. If I can just put one foot in front of the other and rise above the negativity, difficulty and heartbreak that sometimes accompanies writing, I will one day be in the arena of my dreams. Just like Mr. Disney.

For me, business is a lot slower. I really want to focus on magazine and newspaper writing but the process is a lot longer than other writing gigs. There’s querying, waiting, writing and then waiting again. To make up for it, I do have a few clients that I do copywriting for. But even with that, I’m still a world’s away from my writer friend’s work load.

She’s at the other extreme with a diversity of clients from resume editing and blogging to writing for content sites. While she is busy working hard and making more money, she also has less time to query publications-something she’s also interested in doing.

The ideal scenario would lie somewhere in the middle, between working too much on non-writing things and too little where there’s not enough income coming in. The difficult part is deciding what to do when you’re at the beginning. When you need the money to survive and may need to sacrifice better paying writing gigs to keep your head above water.

What about you? What do you writers do to achieve a balance between the two?

There’s the fear of rejection, for example.

To the beginning writer, a letter of rejection sometimes feels like a Dear John letter. Our writing wasn’t good enough and in return we’re not good enough either.

Fear of going broke.

At times writing for a living feels like a lofty career. One that’s more for the rich and wealthy not the poor and desperate. At least that’s what our friends and family keep saying. Can we really make a living doing what we love? Although there are several writers and authors doing so, there are just as many struggling to get there foot in the door. And when you’re just at the beginning, the path between 0 to 100 feels like eternity.

Fear of being shamed.

Talk about putting it all out there. It’s a personal thing whether you are writing about home decor or your own personal struggles. The fear that people will snicker and roll their eyes at your work is the reason why several talented writers keep their writing in the closet. Who wants the weight of the world’s worst critics on your shoulder? And it’s not just about us. We’re worried we’ll unintentionally shame our family in a personal memoir about mom’s harsh words and dad’s emotional distance.

Fear of never accomplishing the dream.

It could be finishing that novel or getting published in a reputable magazine. But whatever it is, a lot of writers fear that they won’t ever be recognized for their craft. And that’s a real hard pill to swallow.

Fear that you’re crazy.

Crazy for believing that you have a one in a million shot of success. Once you tell people you’re starting your career as a writer, you’ll begin getting statements that make you feel crazy or at least wildly naive. They’ll say things like, “I have a friend who is a famous newspaper reporter and he just got laid off. If he can’t make it, how do you think you will?” And that crazy feeling will stay every time you ask someone for a pay rate you think you deserve or ask others for work. Because inside there’s a voice of self-doubt saying, “Maybe I am crazy. Maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe I’m stupid to even try.”

Fear of not trying.

This is what I think is the worst fear of all! Yes, there are times when the fear of rejection sinks down low. It ruffles my feathers and makes my stomach turn. But the fear of not trying, not writing hurts so much more. I might not be the next Stephanie Meyer, people may think I’m crazy and judge me, and I may never be a bestselling novelist or pulitzer prize writer, but you know what, that doesn’t make me any less as a writer. If you write, if you take in a deep breath and muster an ounce of courage to get to your computer or notebook or laptop every day, then you are a writer.

Best way to deal with those bag of beginner fears?

Keep at it, one word and one day at a time.