Why Negativity is So Positive

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Here’s something to consider:
Many writers try to inspire or evoke emotion and fail miserably. If you write something and receive a negative reaction, you didn’t fail. You inspired others to act. Consider yourself a success.
How sad would it be if you wrote something and no one responded? Or if every one just said, “oh [...]

Why I Don’t Use Text Speak

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At my last full time job, everyone used Skype to communicate as we all worked at home. My mornings usually began with a chat with my boss that went something like this:
Him: hi how ru?
Me: Fine, and you?
Him: bsy
Me: What’s on tap for today?
Him: cn u cll ur client 2 find out what hppned?
Me: [...]

The Freelance Writing Club: It’s Not So Exclusive Any More

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I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about freelance writing and how it’s evolved over the last decade. The freelance writing club used to be a lot more exclusive, they didn’t just let anyone in. Back in the day, it wasn’t as easy to make a living as a writer. Nowadays, it’s a little [...]

A Tale of Two Opportunities: One Missed, One with Amazing Potential

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One of the reasons I enjoy going to conferences such as BlogWorld is the opportunity to give and receive feedback. I chatted with several members of the FWJ community at this year’s conference, and they gave me good food for thought. Feedback is good. Feedback is important. Even the stuff we don’t want to [...]

What is Success…and How Much Does it Cost?

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I got my name in lights with notcelebrity.co.uk
I’m inspired to write this post after reading Chris Brogan’s post about being an overnight success.
Success is something we all strive for, isn’t it? As writers we want that best selling novel or to find our bylines bedazzling a major magazine or website. Most of us don’t [...]

Free Content: It’s All in the Wording

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Every time we talk about writing for free, there’s outrage. Writers from all over the web chime in to discuss whether or not one should pay dues by writing for free and most agree that unless it’s for a meganame magazine or charity, the other party is taking advantage by trading content for exposure.
Enter [...]

How Transparent is Too Transparent?

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I dig transparency. I like when bloggers let me know they’re being paid to talk about something and I think it’s a good idea when businesses don’t try and gloss over the bad stuff to only paint a rosy picture. Because I think it’s important to be transparent, I discuss many details here that [...]

How Freelance Writing is Saving the World

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If you do a freelance writing related Twitter search, you’ll notice many people who aren’t, or weren’t, writers by trade using writing and blogging as a way to keep afloat after losing their day jobs. I left my job to become a freelance writer, but many in the business today didn’t. I know a [...]

Is Writer’s Block an Excuse for Procrastination?

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Everyone who owns a writing blog talks about writer’s block at one time or another. We all offer the same tips:

Take a walk
Keep an idea notebook
Talk to other writers
Make an outline
Make a list
etc.etc.

Lately I’ve been wondering if writer’s block is an excuse for procrastination. Is it that we truly can’t think of anything to [...]

What Does Your Twitter Name Say About Your Brand?

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I’ve been thinking a lot about my name as my brand lately. I’m not one who hides behind anonymous pen names because I feel I can’t build up my brand by being anonymous.  I have always been Deborah Ng or Deb Ng. My forum handles are always a variation of my name, usually “Deb [...]

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