Kristy: Grant writing is creative writing in a technical fashion. You have to write a great deal of narrative (where you take the facts and make them compelling to the person with the money) without stretching the truth. It’s a GREAT field – although the government funds are beginning to dry up a little. Check with your local community college, state government or even local chamber of commerce for classes or grant writing courses.

Deb: I can say one thing for sure about this post – it got us talking TO each other .

I don’t know what the system capabilities of such a feat would be, but I think having that would definitely build a much stronger community. I’d love to get to know everyone here on a more personal level, learn what their niche is, how they got into writing, and share ideas. That, to me, is what community is all about.

@ Ansa – How do I learn grant writing? I’ve been wanting to get into that and I’d like to know how I go about looking up grants for various things. Can you give me some advice?

Blogging is tricky. Community building is tricky too. I strongly feel that Deb wants and needs a community that isn’t like Problogger’s bland section, where 200 commentators all talk to an empty room and where no one interacts with each other.

That’s what’s lacking here – visibly. Deb, you’ve come a long way. I know. I’ve seen it. But my thought is that it’s a good thing to look ahead and see how much better you can make it.

There are too many varied experiences and people with valuable knowledge to share right here in the comment section to pass up the opportunity. Tap into that.

I’m rambling. Someone stop me.

@ Ansa – Depending on your area and niche, I’d suggest testing the freelancing sites like Elance. If nothing else, those sites will teach you how to navigate many areas of doing business, not just writing – and that’s valuable for you to learn the skills you need to negotiate, hustle, stay calm, stand up for yourself, analyze others and more. It’s all part of being successful. Plus, the experience you do build up there stays with you in a clearly visible way.

I don’t promote one type of gaining experience over another. Craigslist is good. Volunteer work is another. Apprenticeships could be a third. There are all sorts of ways. Try them all, if you want!

#10, this post is well-written (as all of yours are!). I really don’t see how you would add anything new, though. Deb, Jodee, and Ugur already have experience, know-how, confidence, and the ability to stir up conversation. Deb and Jodee picked finalists for FWJ Idol who (I think) they thought already embodied all of those qualities. I see this post to mean that you would keep the status quo, basically (which is fine–there’s no denying this is a great Web site and it would be even greater with the expertise of someone like you).

(Deb–I don’t think #10 meant that the FWJ community wasn’t made up of nice writers when s/he said that “people talk at each other.” I think the meaning was more that everyone tends to leave separate comments without necessarily engaging in a dialogue with one another.)

If it’s for web copy, try getting in with an SEO company that subcontracts out article/web page work. You probably won’t make very much, but you’ll be able to get some solid samples during this time.

My last suggestion is — get familiar with a Desktop Publishing program (I use basic Microsoft Publisher) and create your own samples. Pick a subject that interests you (Exotic Cars, Real Estate, Home Improvement) and then write three or four articles and create your own samples.

Good luck to you, and hope to see you around the FWJ boards. This is definitely a friendly community that can help start you on the path to freelance success.

Best of Luck —

#6

Ansa,

Are you in school? If so, college paper is great starting point. If not, try community newspapers or non-profits. Pay is nearly what you’d get from a Craigslist gig (couldn’t resist, Deb and Jodee).