Comments on: 10 Bad Freelance Writing Habits You Need to Break

By: Maddy

Maddy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:24:17 +0000

I think everyone is guilty of at least one of these!
Cheers

By: Back from beyond

Back from beyond — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:03:55 +0000

[...] have several of these bad writing habits. I won’t mention which ones, but I’m trying to break them. And have been for a while [...]

By: Dick Hurtz

Dick Hurtz — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:18:08 +0000

Once again, Deb is lecturing writers in her same whiny condescending style. How many times has she made us sit through the same old boring rants?

Judging from her writing, she’s not so great, in fact she’s mediocre and cliche.

Deb, spare us your mommy nagging, and direct it on your helpless children and long suffering husband, who has probably poked his eardrums out by now.

We don’t need your condescending lectures, your arrogant tone, your know it all attitude. You’re a corporate sellout, you have no credibility.

By: Nacie

Nacie — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:28:38 +0000

These are excellent points, and it is so easy to succumb to all of them! I think it is the crazy life of the freelancer, with high highs and low lows that makes it so easy to find yourself bad mouthing a client, procrastinating, or taking on too much work. Thanks so much for reminding me of these bad habits – sometimes when they are in front of your face all the time you don’t even notice!

By: Tee

Tee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:24:02 +0000

Deb,
Once again your advice is right on! I too (I hate to admit it) am a procrastinator, with 4 kids….I tend to put my writing last. “I’ll write when…….” I always say. And then something comes up. But this week actually, I made myself block out time for my writing. So far I’ve managed to stick to it this week. I also think alot of my procrastination is sometimes a lack of trust in my own writing skills, even though I’ve had the good fortune to have a paying gig now and then.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:59:02 +0000

I am guilty of #1 (Biting Off More Than You Can Chew) but so far I am not acquainted with Mr. Burnout. We have exchanged glances from across a crowded room, but so far I am keeping him from moving in any closer.

By: Valencia

Valencia — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:35:31 +0000

@Kreacher: I have two personal blogs that receive search engine traffic. I also joined Ehow’s Writer Compensation Program in September 2007. I submitted about 30 (250 word) how-to articles within a two-month time frame, and my monthly residual revenue from those articles is $3 to $4 (sometimes $5) a day.

By: All Freelance Writing: Your Freelance Writing Resource: » Freelance Friday - August 29, 2008

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:32:17 +0000

[...] 10 Bad Freelance Writing Habits You Need to Break [...]

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:32:08 +0000

Thanks for the tips, Deb. I appreciate the one about following-up with a client after applying for a gig. I’ve applied to dozens of jobs over the last few months and have only heard back from one. I’ve got another gig going, so it’s not the end of the world…but it IS disheartening. What do you consider a “reasonable length of time” before following up? A week, two weeks? Thank you!

By: Kreacher

Kreacher — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:28:14 +0000

Valencia — Do you mind sharing what your sites are? It is personally an avenue I am exploring and believe that more writers need to venture down that path. In fact, I think it would be an excellent topic for an article series by Deb (hint hint) or even the new blogger if s/he has experience in this pursuit.