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Writing Etc. – June 1, 2006

ISSN: 1545-5580

Tips, Techniques, and Resources to Transform You From An Average Freelancer to A Highly Paid Professional.

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Notes from Minnesota

Writing and the Big D by Beth Ann Erickson

Paying Markets

You Speak Out: Q&A

~~~~~Highly Recommended~~~~~~~~~~

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• The hidden market most freelancers overlook that can boost your income to unbelievable levels
• The “quiet” magazine market that’s easy to break into and often pays very well
• How to ask for (and get) the fees you deserve
• How to use Bob’s “positioning” techniques to set you apart from your competition
• How to write a “bullet proof” book proposal
• 22 rules for successful self promotion
• Insider secrets to effectively use the Internet to reach your income goals
• How to do more... in less time

Bly goes on to list resources... books, websites, organizations and magazines... that are designed to help you succeed as a freelance writer.

Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success is an indispensable resource for the serious freelancer. Bly’s track record is impeccable. And now he’s spilling his secrets.

Buy your copy today: http://filbertpublishing.com/bob.htm

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Greetings from Minnesota!

This one’s gonna be tough.

It’s with the deepest sadness that I report that Lucy the Rat Terrier Wonder Dog, the Filbert Publishing muse, protector from pink elephants, and agility puppy extraordinaire, is dead.

While I attended a writing conference on the West Coast, Lucy (who was ultra-attached to me) was taking a walk with my parents and dear son. A neighbor boy rushed to greet her squealing, hands outstretched.

If you’ll remember, it’s been about a year since little Lu was viciously attacked by the instructor of our dog training school. You can read about it in the Writing Etc. archives. Horrid story.

Sadly, although her body healed from the “hanging”, she became fearful of people she didn’t know well.

Now, I’d told this boy countless times to not rush towards Lucy. “Please leave her alone,” I’d say, “she’s nervous around strangers.” “Please leave Lucy alone. She doesn’t like surprises.” “Don’t run to Lucy like that, she doesn’t like it.” But he never listened.

Finally, when I wasn’t there to scold him, he ran towards her and Lucy bit the tip of his ring finger. He needed stitches.

And for a myriad of reasons that I can’t get into here, the best option at that point was to put Lucy down.

So, my Lu’s gone.

Now, if you dislike dogs, that’s fine. But please don’t e-mail telling me what a waste of space this column was. If you think we made a stupid decision, please don’t e-mail either. I’ve cried buckets over this situation and have played “if only” until my head hurts.

Bottom line, she’s gone. I did the best I could with an impossible situation and would give my eye teeth to feel Lucy wiggle in my lap as I edit my latest manuscript.

In the mean time, I thought you should know about my dear Rat Terrier Wonder Dog. I truly loved her with all my heart.

I’m moving forward and have some great plans for Writing Etc… plans I’m sure you’ll find very profitable

My first wish is to honor her memory by nailing some of the stupid freelancing myths I’ve encountered lately. Sheesh… some of them are doozies.  After all, you’ve been so supportive of Lu so the least I can do is share some of the mucho-cool techniques I’ve unearthed to make your writing career as profitable as possible.

After all, Lu loved a hearty challenge. And I’m definitely up for it.

To your success always,

Beth

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~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Writing and the Big D

By Beth Ann Erickson

I grew up with death as a close companion. I probably look at the world through funky glasses because of it.

My little sister lived only six months, dying from a complication of spina bifida. Yet her short life welded a deep impact on my entire family’s mindset.

Our countless pets… rats, rabbits, cats, dogs, died along the way. In fact, my first writing partner died two weeks before my first book got accepted by a publisher.

When I was a young child, I contracted a fungus that caused my skin to erupt in an ugly rash from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. When the rash subsided, I was left with two bumps, one on my neck the other near my clavicle.

All went well until the bump on my neck continued to grow. Docs excised it and treated the area with radiation therapy.

Thing is, someone screwed up and I wound up with a nasty radiation burn on my neck.

By the time I married, that chunk of skin was fast growing into an ugly bout of cancer. “Severe Radiodermatitis,” they called it.

Again, docs excised it.  Today I have a 4+ inch gash on the side of my neck . (That’s the day my modeling career ended. J)

Thing is, they didn’t get it all. “We had to scrape diseased tissue off the major nerve,” the surgeon explained, “if we’d cut it out, you would have lost function in half your face.”

Yippee.

I proceeded through life knowing that those little cells could regroup any time they wanted. When and if that happens, I guess I’ll deal with it then.

So, what does this have to do with you and your writing career?

As usual, everything.

I didn’t expect to arrive home from one of the most useful writing seminars ever only to put Lucy the Rat Terrier Wonder Dog “down.”

Don’t worry. I’m not about to spew a ton of platitudes describing how much I miss Lucy.

Thing is, death crept up on me again. And of all people, I should be aware if its looming presence. But I didn’t anticipate its coming in any way shape or form.

One day I’m laughing, whale watching, and creating a kick-butt business plan, the next I’m retrieving my dog’s ashes at the vet’s office.

Totally out of the blue.

But that’s the nature of death. I think I’ve got all the time in the world to finish my book… write the article that’s heavy on my heart… mentor the struggling student who needs a little nudge in the right direction.

But time is fickle, life’s unfair, and death is almost always an uninvited surprise guest.

Which brings me to you.

The year has half passed. We’re sitting at June 1. Have you achieved what you wanted to so far this year? Is your writing career capable of supporting your family? Are you eking by or are you living life big? Are you earning the six figure income you hoped you would? If you aren’t, it’s time to seriously reassess your priorities and get moving.

The stories that lie within you cannot be told by anyone else. When you die, they die with you. Sad, but true.

You are the only person carrying the message you’re called to release. Don’t proclaim it, and it’s gone forever.

I miss my Rat Terrier Wonder Dog and figure the best way I can honor her memory is by ratcheting my writing to a whole new level.

It’s true. I’m guilty of lazy writing. My output isn’t near what it could and should be. I have a hunch you may be in the same boat.

I’ve forgotten that I’m just as vulnerable to “the big D” as everyone else, probably more vulnerable considering the funky cells living in my neck.

After all, if crazy Lu can meet her demise, anyone can. Seriously, with that attitude, I figured she’d live forever.

As I’m working through my grief, I’ve developed a revised vision for Writing Etc. And hopefully you’ll join me in kick-starting your writing career in new and exciting directions.

Forget $25 articles. I want you shooting for way bigger prey than that. Want to write the Great American Novel? I’ll show you how to easily earn enough to support your novel writing habit along with your family.

I’m looking forward to your joining me on this journey… I have so many new tips, tricks, and techniques I want to share with you.

So here’s to Lucy the Rat Terrier Wonder Dog. May her tiny soul rest in peace.

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of soon-defunct Jumpstart Your Writing Career (http://filbertpublishing.com/jumpstart.htm ) and the upcoming 101 No Cost and Low Cost Techniques To Promote Your Writing Biz. Keep your eye out for it in 2006. She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

P.S. You can use this article free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include the entire byline. Enjoy!

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Paying Markets – check ‘em out!

I’m re-evaluating this section.  What do you say? Keep it? Chuck it? Do you find it a useful tool in your writing arsenal?

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You Speak Out: Q&A

Hope you enjoyed our Q&A session last week! Keep an eye out for next week’s Q&A!

In the mean time, got questions? Send ‘em here:  http://www.filbertpublishing.com/tinc?key=TTjJjZfx&formname=question

We answer each and every freelance question in the order they come in. You get your answer in an upcoming issue of Writing Etc.

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We Recommend:

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Are your book sales in a slump? http://BethAnnErickson.com

E-Mag And Web Site Owners! Did you know that Filbert Publishing has an entire cache of articles you can use FREE. Just click the “Freebie” link to your left.

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Writing Etc.

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