Cheers

You can’t talk about what you don’t know. And you also need to know what you are trying to accomplish and what you are capable of providing, on a freelance basis. If you don’t understand those aspects of your career then no one else will either.

If you have success, then you can give others advice on what they can do to follow in your footsteps. Frankly, some advice on how not to follow your footsteps to your failures would be welcome as well.

Experience is closely related to success only it comes more from memory. Something along the lines of, “I’ve seen this before, and this is where it always ends.”

Knowledge is having a skill and sharing it. If you are a terrible freelance writer who has never made a penny, but you know how to use an em dash, or a comma, then feel free to give advice to those who don’t.

I’ve started writing Adventures in AP Style just to hopefully get some writers (and clients) to understand exactly what is actually in the Stylebook because I get stuff all the time that obviously comes from someone who has never seen the cover, let alone read it.

I can get direct advice on how to get writing jobs. Works for me.

Yani

If you have those elements then a lack of vast personal ‘hands on’ experience should not prevent you from producing excellent, well-written advice that people would be interested in reading. Make up where your own experience falls short to interview others, discuss other posts, and round out what you can offer overall.

Is writing about freelance writing different than any other niche? Many writers start with a personal interest and limited experience on a topic, then go on to a research and knowledge phase to really learn the topic well, and then become an expert and write it.

I would say that even if you don’t have oodles of freelance writing experience and a stream of published works under your belt you can be qualified to offer freelance writers advice, provided you have replaced your own lack of experience with a heavy dose of real-world knowledge.

Another reason why there are so few useful blogs about writing written by writers is so simple, it is frequently overlooked: they are busy writing for clients.

Many blogs by writers, be they newbies or vets, are boring with little graphic appeal and no “stickiness.” Why? Because they are written by writers and they include information other writers are not seeking.

Writers, like most people, seek out information they need and they aren’t able to find close at hand. That’s why the latest writing jobs, “math for writers,” or “tax tips for writers” draw a crowd while language or skill-based articles frequently fall flat.

The one exception to the previous rule is when other specialists touch on writing. For instance, I’ve found articles about “how to write a killer lede” from a marketer often entertaining.

In the end, if you want a useful blog for writers, jettison the tips and focus on the “I’ve been there” insights and a writers’ bread-and-butter: job leads. Whether you’ve been writing for two weeks or two years doesn’t matter.

I remember asking my doctor about how I would *really* know it was time to go to the hospital before I had our oldest daughter. He started telling me what labor would feel like, and a part of me wondered how many babies *he* had given birth to. When he was finished, he assured me that no one had ever missed her own labor. He laughed out loud when I volunteered to be the first!

With my first pregnancy (1992), I had a woman doctor. I lost that baby during the 4th month of pregnancy. After it happened, she had to do a D&C because I was hemmoraging. When the procedure was over, her comment was “At least you didn’t have this baby. He probably would have been retarded.” I was horrified that she said that and filed a complaint with the state.

My next pregnancy (93). I had another woman doctor. She was good, but when I’d get over emotional, she’d tell me to tone it down or I might risk the baby’s health by being so anxious. So still wasn’t happy.

With my daughter a couple years later, I had a man. He was fantastic. He’d call up every week just to make sure I didn’t have questions and to check and see how I was doing. When my daughter was born, he gave my husband and I a gift for the baby. It was a totally different experience.

I left the class that night and asked for my money back. I was there to learn from someone who could tell me (from experience) how to get to where I wanted to go, and I think that’s what most writers who are seeking publication desire in a blog–help in how to get there.

I hope that’s what my blog (www.xanga.com/writeonwriteon) offers.

But, this brings me to one of my biggest pet peeves. During my years reviewing books, I was sent three in a row that were how-to guides on marriage. My husband and I are nearing our 20th anniversary, so I think I have a little more insight than others on staying happily married. I still wouldn’t call myself an expert though.

After some research, I found that all three authors were single. One had been married and went through a divorce about 10 years earlier. The other two, completely single and had never met “Mr./Mrs. Right” but one had a psychology degree and the other based her insight on her dating experiences.

You can give advice using your experiences, but that still doesn’t make you an expert.

And therefore, I’ll go forth and opine! I think Marjorie’s right when she writes, “I think there’s a clear distinction between writing advice and business advice. You don’t need professional recognition and success to be a talented writer who knows his or her craft, but I, personally, wouldn’t take business advice from someone who’s just starting out as a freelancer.” That’s exactly right. I want advice on the business side of things from someone who’s been freelancing for awhile, but I’d rather have writing advice from someone who’s been writing (successfully) for a long time. Ideally, of course, we’d be able to get advice on both from people who manage to combine the two.

I know

I was actually referring to people who write thoughtless posts just to advertise their e-books! They try to make it sound like advice but it typically goes like this: “You have to market to be a successful writer…. Buy this e-book and I will tell you how!” I won’t name any names though.

Each of us has our own path to success. We shouldn’t feel that we need to walk in each others footsteps to gain experience and fulfillment.

I always think of what Baz Lurhmann said in that song about sunscreen: “Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.”

Therefore, while I’ve been known to blog from a soapbox a time or two, or try to communicate what I’ve learned… I almost never take advice, so why would I give it?