Notes from Minnesota

Hey Freelancer!

Fast update today.

In case you're wondering, the Writing Etc. Radio Show is still in the works. If you applied to be a guest, sit tight. I'm not as far in the planning stages as I anticipated, but my scooter injury got me behind schedule on it. Sometimes life takes you unexpected places. :)

So hang tight. Things are moving along, just a little slower than I figured.

It's been a great writing week. I cleaned out my “Favorites” and have cut down on web surfing by a LOT. I took the time and actually FINISHED novel number three! I've got one more proofing, then it's off to the editor. It's a great feeling.

I've been watching the economic situation with mild interest, it's too easy to become depressed if I watch it too much. Since my worrying won't change anything, I opted to keep working and enjoy the sunny fall.

It's been fabulous. Golden leaves fill the streets, the wind has acquired an icy edge, and the sky's never looked so blue as it does today.

I highly suggest you head outside for a while and breathe in everything this beautiful world has to offer.

Onward and upward!

Beth

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link.

Mindset Moment

Hey Freelancer,

Many writers slog from Point A to Point B, slaving away at their computers while a tornado of life swirls right outside their door.

This week live life. Get outside. Allow nature to recharge your creative batteries. Grab your laptop and write outside.

Expand your tight boundaries. Strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. See the world through another's eyes. Eat something unfamiliar.

In a word? Wake up.

You're gonna love it....

(Mindset Moment)

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week

Beth Ann Erickson

I recently received this e-mail:

Hey Beth,

I’m going to quit writing. I’ve wanted to work as a professional writer for longer than I can remember. Thing is, I just can’t do it anymore. The competition is too stiff. Now, with the economy collapsing in on itself, I just can’t think of one reason to keep going.

I’m discouraged.

Pleas help.

Name withheld.

My response:

I appreciate your honesty. I’ve been wanting to mention this subject for quite some time, but hadn’t really found my opening. I appreciate your courage to contact me and mention this particular subject and I applaud you for it.

I’ve worked with thousands of freelance writers since 2001 (through this e-zine, Writing Etc.) and have noticed some interesting trends.

First, as writers we’re basically unable to “turn off” our abilities to put words to paper. We can get discouraged and threaten to “quit” but generally speaking, once a writer, always a writer.

I remember a professional songwriter (and dear friend) explaining it this way: It’s an illness. I can’t turn it off. If I try not to write, I become despondent, irritable. I need to write because it’s who I am. It’s not a profession. It’s pretty much a compulsion.

I totally agree with this very bright man.

This brings me to my second point.

Writers are one of the only professions where we deal exclusively with thought. Discouragement (and its ugly cousin, fear) corrupt the quality of these thoughts and render us immobile. Once we’re immobile, we slip into that despondent, and irritable place within ourselves where we become basically useless not only in our profession, but in our interpersonal lives as well.

It’s a vicious cycle. We don’t write so we become despondent… that despondence makes us unable to release the incredible message within us.

That’s why it’s so important to carefully guard your talent… in particular your emotions.

To guard my emotions, I surround myself with positive, forward thinking people.

For example, when I feel discouragement creeping up on me, I have a very small handful of talented, intuitive, writing friends I immediately contact to help me get back on track. Sometimes, just hearing their voices will snap me out of that stupid funk.

These dear friends are no-whining allowed, compassionate, mucho intelligent, fantastic writers. We speak regularly on the telephone and I always walk away from these calls empowered and even more focused.

Ironically, since we’ve connected at least twice a month, my progress has speeded significantly… and (although I can’t speak for them) I have a hunch theirs has also.

None of us dwells on what hasn’t worked, we don’t whine about the economy (after all, what’s the point, none of us can do anything about it at this point), we simply focus on what is working now and what may work in the future.

And that’s exactly what you need to do.

Lastly, discouragement is a virus that you absolutely positively must avoid if you’re going to excel in this profession.

You avoid discouragement by replacing it with hope.

You didn’t get a particular writing assignment. So what? Now you have time to work on something your totally passionate about.

You’re afraid to send that query? Call a writing friend and gather some encouragement. And keep yourself busy.

In between writing assignments, I’ve published six (soon to be seven) books. I maintain Writing Etc. and write new copy for FilbertPublishing.com. I fiddle with BethAnnErickson.com. I’ve developed products outside the writing genre under a pen name. I team with other writers on projects I’m passionate about… like 3Chix.com.

All these activities generate income… a lot of it passive.

So my advice? Banish discouragement. Ignite hope. Whip open your imagination and dream up new creative outlets, some generating an income outside of writing for clients.

After all, why sell your talents to the highest bidder when you can harness the incredible power of persuasion to build your own empire.

Surround yourself with positive, uplifting, writing friends.

Coolest part? Passion is contagious as well. Once you catch fire, it’s amazing to watch everyone around you catch the fever as well.

I’ve got some pretty cool adventures in store for this group of talented freelancers in the coming months. And this discussion segues perfectly with my plans. I’m always amazed at how the pieces of life form into a beautiful jig-saw puzzle. Truly amazing….

Just my thoughts on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

~~~

Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html   She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.

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