This may be a silly question, but I have to ask – what do you write with? Do you have a favorite tool to get your juices flowing?

It could be a pen or pencil, but some prefer typewriter or computer. I’ll admit that I’ve had somewhat of a fetish of pens and vintage typewriters lately. Yet, everything goes from notes on notepaper to words on my computer. When it comes to shorter prose, like poetry or an essay, putting pen to thoughts is the only way inspiration flows.

It was a golden pen etched with a floral design that got me feeling mature and serious as a writer in junior high and a fun one that makes me feel like a kid again now.

So in honor of my favorite writing tool, I’ve rounded up a basketful of fun pens for all you writers: Read the rest of this entry

photo by Dunechaser

What’s one airline safety guideline we could all listen to as freelance writers? Take care of yourself first, then help others. It’s a rule that needs repeating especially since there are a ton of scams out there. It’s hard enough working as a freelancer, marketing your skills, and defeating your inner demons to write, without having to deal with deadbeat clients.
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Yes the best things in life are free. If only we could still get things for free in this worsening economy. Well I’m making Monday a whole lot better by letting you in on my secret stash of free resources for writers. After spending last week scouring the web, I compiled this Christmas list of freebies: Read the rest of this entry

photo by: flyzipper

I promised a list filled with books that have helped me get a jump start into the field of freelance writing. This is a short list but I will expand as I get more books in my arsenal.

• Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer by Moira Anderson Allen. This book is one of my favorites. It’s fun to read, informative, and less textbooky in comparison to other how-to books. Great book to have on hand as you’re querying or writing your first draft.

Writer’s Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing edited by Michelle Ruberg. Chock full of expert information not only pertinent to beginning writers. While it’s less entertaining than others, it’s filled with really great information like things to do reduce risks when working with start-ups that I wish I had when I first started.

• The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner. Another one of my favorites. It’s less how-to and more how it is to be a writer. I pick this up when self-doubt creeps in and am instantly gratified by sayings like this, “…the degree of one’s perseverance is the best predictor of success. It is some combination of ability and ego, desire and discipline, that produces good work.”