Freelance Writer and Social Worker

A Freelance Writer's Guide to Dealing with Burnout

My pen flew across the room, narrowly missing my 14-year-old cat who had chosen that moment to stick his head out from behind the sofa following a long nap. I cursed. I was sick and tired of writing self-help articles. I'd been writing several such articles every day for two or three weeks. The tone of my writing was beginning to change from sympathetic to sarcastic, and I found myself having to self-edit more and more severely.

I was seriously burned out, but what to do about it? I needed the money. Since I had to keep writing, and I couldn't keep beaning my cats with pens, I had to find a way to deal with my burnout. Fast. Here are some ideas that worked for me.

Work on Something Different

Sure, it was a bit of a pinch, but I reduced the number of self-help articles I was writing and started working on some projects I wanted to publish on Kindle. I also took on some editing projects. Branching out didn't solve the problems entirely, but the variety did help take the tedium out of writing the self-help articles.

7 Healthy Activities That Won't Take Five Minutes of Your Time

Ah, yes, the glamorous life of the freelance writer. It you have a day job, like me, you stumble out of bed at the crack of dawn. Looking like something that escaped from Tales from the Crypt, you try to jolt yourself awake with caffeine while you commit a few hundred immortal (you hope) words to paper.

Eight and a half hours later, having spent your lunch break writing a query letter, you walk in the door, plop yourself down in front of your computer, and write until your eyes won't stay open another minute. The next day, you do it all over again.

This may be a productive lifestyle, but it's hardly a healthy one. However, all is not lost. There are several health-promoting activities you can engage in that won't take even five minutes of your valuable time.

Drink a glass of water. The average adult needs about eight glasses - or 64 ounces - of water each day. Staying hydrated will keep your joints loose, promote heart health, and help you stay alert and mentally sharp. 

Writing with Mania

During my struggles with bipolar disorder, my main challenge has been depression. I've found dozens of ways to force myself to write when I'm crying, stuck in the depths of despair, and even suicidal. 

Mania presents a whole new set of challenges. My thoughts whiz by in no discernible order. Sitting still to capture any of them is next to impossible. I'm cranky and anxious and I think everything I write sounds like crap.

But the work still has to be done, so I've developed a few techniques to help me write even in the throes of mania. If you deal with these issues, too, I hope you find these tips helpful.

Stay in Touch with Your Doctor or Psychiatrist

If you're manic, your medications probably need adjustment. Your doctor may want to changes the dosages or even try a different medicine altogether. Remember that new medications often take a few weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect. Don't give up on them too soon.

Coping with a Bad Review

"Writers fall into two groups: Those who bleed copiously and visibly at any bad review and those who bleed copiously and secretly at any bad review." - Isaac Asimov

Asimov is right. Bad reviews hurt. Even the ridiculous hatchet jobs with half the words misspelled. Even the reviews that totally miss the point of your story. Even those that try to be kind. They are all attacks on little pieces of your soul, and they all draw blood. 

So, how do you cope with bad reviews? Here are some ideas:

Resign yourself to them. Any time you put a piece of your work out in the world to be judged, someone is bound to find it lacking. Sometimes the reasons are solid; sometimes they're idiotic. But the naysayers will exist and they sometimes insist on voicing their opinions in the most obnoxious terms possible. Sometimes the best way to deal with this kind of criticism is just to expect it and accept it. Edward Albee, for instance, became so used to harsh criticism that he once quipped, "The only time I'll get good reviews is if I kill myself."

10 Writing Goals I want to Meet in 2016

OMG. It seems like just yesterday that I was watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and anticipating a nice afternoon of football. Now we're finished with Christmas and it's almost time to think about those pesky New Year's Resolutions. Maybe I'm masochistic to make them at all, since they often fall by the wayside along about February, but somehow I just can't seem to resist. So, anyway, here they are, the 10 things I want to accomplish as a writer in 2016.

1) Get a New Computer. I'm not saying that my computer is old, virus-ridden, and slow, but the "Original Property of Thomas Edison" welcome message must mean something. Seriously, my technology is so far out of date that I can't even Skype, and my memory is strained to the breaking point with out of date files and pictures I'll never use again. It's time to upgrade.

2) Publish. In this new world of online publishing, "publish or perish" isn't just a phrase for academics anymore. Right now I'm working on two books: one is a book of Halloween/horror stories for lesbians, and the other is a nonfiction compilation of lists for writers. My goal is to publish both of these books by the end of March. Then I'll start on two more.

9 Favorite Holiday Movies and Specials and How They Made Me a Better Writer

One of the things I love about the month of December is the chance to see some of my favorite Christmas movies and specials. These are programs I've enjoyed for years, often since childhood. In some cases, I can almost recite the dialogue along with the actors. All of them have influenced the way I view the world and, to a certain extent, the way I write.

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). Narrator: Burl Ives. In this sweet TV special, chock-full of my favorite holiday music, Rudolph is reviled and shunned for his glowing nose...until that very nose helps to save Christmas. Writing Lesson: Rudolph doesn't succeed in spite of his differences; he succeeds because of them. Don't be afraid to be unique.

The Ref (1994). Stars: Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, Dennis Leary. In this unlikely but clever tale, a burglar takes a feuding couple hostage on Christmas Eve and ends up saving their marriage. Writing Lesson: The dialogue in this movie is fantastic. I watch the Spacey/Davis scenes whenever I get blocked trying to right a particularly nasty argument.

How to Keep Your Muses Healthy

Let's be honest. My muses can be total bitches, especially when I'm already feeling depressed and they heap criticism on top of me. Never is their imagination more devilishly clever that when they're telling me all the things that are wrong with me and all the reasons this planet would be so much better off without me. "You're nothing," they whisper. "A talentless nobody. A pathetic creature. You do nothing but take up space and air. Somebody would probably throw a big party if you really did swallow all those pills. You couldn't be a bigger loser if you tried. If you tried even more than you do already, that is."

So, yes, my muses torture me when depressed thoughts take over my mind. But they're also the ones who come up with the perfect word or phrase I need when I'm writing an essay or a story. My muses suggest plotlines and then patiently rework them when I'm not happy with them the first time. And it's my muses who help introduce a theme and then tie it all together neatly at the end of the tale.

I need those creatures to write just like my body needs air to breathe. But how do I keep my muses focused on my writing rather than on  my real or imagined character flaws? Through careful care and feeding. And I do mean careful. I've often thought that Hagrid should have taught the Hogwarts students to care for muses in the Harry Potter series. At least then I'd have had a little more direction. In the meantime, the following techniques seem to work well for me in managing my muses.

7 Writing Books I Can't Do Without

I've been writing professionally for almost 15 years now. During that time, I've done many things right...and just about as many things wrong.

I've learned a lot of lessons. Some I've picked up the hard way by making mistakes and losing money or business. Others lessons, I've been fortunate enough to learn from other writers who were generous enough to share their experiences. 

I'm sure there are literally hundreds of books I've turned to over the years, but the following are my current top seven picks. Check them out. You may find that they help you as well.

1. Write. Publish. Repeat.: The No-Luck Guide to Self-Publishing Success by Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt. Finally, a book about self-publishing for fiction writers! As the authors themselves say, this is not the right book for "pure artists," but if you're ready to work like hell and delve deeply into the business side of writing, you'll find spot-on advice that can help you increase your chances of a long, successful fiction writing career.

2. How to Work for Yourself: 100 Ways to Make the Time, Energy, and Priorities to Start a Business, Book, or Blog by Bryan Cohen. Cohen has written many helpful books for writers, but this one happens to be my current favorite. By turns practical (learn how to take care of your body and set useful goals), philosophical (find things you like and respect about your adversaries), and creative (let yourself daydream, brainstorm new ways to market your product), Cohen offers all the tools you need to help make your writing and authoring dreams come true.

When Are You a Writer?

"What do you do?" Whenever you meet someone new, you can expect this question to pop up early in the conversation.

Do you tell the people who ask you this question that you're a writer? If not, take a few minutes to think about why. What would it take to make you a "real" writer? There are many common reasons why even highly skilled writers are afraid to claim the title.

"I don't have a degree in English or creative writing."

Neither did Mark Twain, but that didn't stop him from writing some of the cleverest books in the English language. There's nothing wrong with studying writing, of course. If can help you learn new techniques and give you a basic knowledge of different styles and traditions. It is not necessary, though, to obtain a degree before calling yourself a writer. 

"I don't make my living as a writer."

Which are you the most passionate about, your writing or your day job? If you love them both, then claim them both. ("I'm a freelance writer and a hospice social worker.") Otherwise, simply tell people the truth that is in your heart. You are a writer.

"I haven't published anything yet."

Wait a minute. Are you sure you haven't published anything? What about an editorial in your local newspaper, an article for the PTA newsletter, or a blog post? Any of these things--and others like them--count as publications. And anyway, you don't have to be published to be a writer. As long as you have written something, the title is yours.

"I've never won a writing award."

It's nice to have your talent recognized by others, but you can't let your identity depend on the opinion of a panel of judges.

"People will ask me what I've written."

Some people assume that every writer pens novels, short stories or at the very least, magazine articles. If those items aren't your niche, just explain what you do write. ("I ghost write books on senior care." or "I write blog posts about sales and marketing.")

By now I suspect you're getting the idea. A writer is a person who writes. I was a writer from the moment I first scribbled a two- or three-sentence short story in first grade. I was a writer long before my first piece of work sold. (I was in high school. I got paid a few bucks for submitting a blooper I'd caught on my favorite soap opera.) I'm a writer now, and I fully expect to be a writer for the rest of my life.

What do you tell people when they ask what you do? 

5 Phrases You Don't Want to See in Freelance Writing Job Ads

Okay, I admit it. I look at the freelance writing job ads on Craigslist. While many of them offer ridiculous terms or are just flat out scams, I have actually found some petty decent gigs there, too. The trick to making it worthwhile is to avid spending too much of your valuable time separating the good from the not-so-good.

I, for instance, used to spend 15 or 20 minutes poring over each ad, trying to decide whether it was a) legitimate, and b) worth my time. 

I solved the problem by developing a short list of phrases that I look for in freelance writing job ads. The second I see one, I'm out of there and on to other prospects.

1. Gain exposure. This means that you get a byline and very little else. And please don't fall for this one even if you are a new writer looking for your first clips. There are better ways to get clips that will impress editors more. Look at it this way. Having your name written on the wall of the sleaziest bathroom in town is exposure, but probably not the type you're looking for. 

2. Student or intern preferred. This innocuous sounding little phrase all but guarantees that you will be unpaid or grossly underpaid for your expertise. Leave these jobs to the students and interns and apply for gigs that are seeking (and are willing to pay for) professional freelance writers.

3. No experience necessary. Make no mistake about it, the people who post these freelance writing job ads want experience. They just don't want to have to pay for that experience, hence the disclaimer.

4. Write about anything you like. I've gotten some pretty sweet deals from editors over the years, but I've never had one offer to pay me for writing about anything I wanted to. These gigs usually involve income share or revenue share. You write your heart out and end up getting a few tenths of a cent for each page view. Unless one of your articles really takes off and goes viral, it's a heck of a lot of work for some pretty small rewards.

5. Must be able to write multiple articles per day. This one adds insult to injury. You'll probably only get paid a couple of bucks per article, AND you'll be so busy churning out work for this company that you won't have time to look for a better gig.  

Do you look at online freelance writing job ads? If so, what are the phrases you hate to see?