Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs for Monday, February 4, 2008

By: Steve Amoia

Steve Amoia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:58:34 +0000

Candice:

Best wishes, and just stay positive.

Phil:

Btw, the quote is from “Ernest Hemingway on Writing” by Larry W. Phillips. It is a very interesting book that is available on Amazon.com.

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:25:14 +0000

Steve,

Let’s hear it for newspapers! (13 years on staff, plus 8 as a freelance columnist after I went on my own).

By: Erika K

Erika K — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:21:58 +0000

@ Candice

Getting your first one (when you had to apply and go up against others) is pretty exciting! I just got my first one a few weeks ago.
I wish you the best.

By: Steve Amoia

Steve Amoia — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:19:09 +0000

Erik:

I agree with you with regards to the educational requirement; however, it seemed like an interesting project.

Whenever I see formal educational requirements, I am reminded about one of the most influential American writers, Ernest Hemingway. As you probably know, he never attended college. His first job was at the Kansas City Star.

“On the Star you were forced to write a simple declarative sentence. This is useful to anyone. Newspaper work will not harm a young writer and could help him if gets out of it in time.”

By: Jodee

Jodee — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:56:08 +0000

@ Candice: Good luck to you! Hope you get it.

By: Candice

Candice — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:36:08 +0000

I have applied for the “Freelance Writers for Indian Cinema” gig.

This is my first time applying for a freelance job, so fingers crossed!

I’d like to say, great site here. Keep it up!

By: Jodee

Jodee — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:34:46 +0000

@ Erik: I get what you are saying about experience. I’ve always been a keen observer and I have worked in a number of different environments – which when you are a woman sounds better than saying that you have been around a bit .

I would have to agree with you that our culture does seem biased in that way. Maybe because it’s quicker to determine someone’s qualifications by looking at the training they have as opposed to sitting down with them and finding out what they know and what they can do? Just a thought.

By: Erik Hare

Erik Hare — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:24:45 +0000

I’d apply for that History gig if it didn’t specify “advanced degree”. Honestly, a compelling narrative about history doesn’t come from an advanced degree, it comes from experience. What they want is someone who’s been around a bit and learned off the street (like me). It’s obviously possible to have both, like Stephen Ambrose, but they’ve excluded a big part of their best writers straightaway.

I’ll never understand why our culture has such a bias in favor of school training over living life.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:52:57 +0000

@ Erika K: I hear you! You don’t know how often I think, “Dang, I wish I knew about that/lived near there” when I compile the listings. Glad you found something interesting this morning.

By: Erika K

Erika K — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:31:18 +0000

If I knew anything about history, I would SO apply to that $1 word gig! Great list, Jodee. I’m crossing my fingers for the proofreading position listed near the bottom.