eWriteLife Blog

(?) Question from Jill:

How much time should a person devote each day towards writing, and what basic things should be focused on?

(!) Answer from H.D. Lail:

There is no standard amount of time per day. It varies with the individual.

The most important thing to remember is that you are writing EVERY day.

Some people only have a few free minutes a day, while others write on a full-time basis. If you work WITH your particular schedule instead of AGAINST it, you will get more accomplished.

Rather than obsess over the amount of time spent writing, set a goal for the amount of words written. This way, you aren’t sitting there watching the minutes tick by.

Some people set goals by the page. Others do it by the word. Whatever you do, make sure these goals are realistic.

Continue reading ‘Writing Schedules: Writers Helping Out!’

(?) Question from H.D. Lail:

I’ve booked a unique European vacation for the spring, and it dawned on me that I should try to get a travel article or two out of the experience. Should I query my markets before I embark on the trip (in case some editors reimburse expenses or have specific ideas in mind)? Or should I wait until I return to the States, and then send my queries based on my actual experiences? Is either way more effective?

(!) Answer from debbi:

I spent the last year and a half living in Mexico City and had the great fortune of being the Mexico Correspondent for a travel webzine. I suggest querying several markets, both hardcopy and online. Better to get an idea of what a magazine/editor might
want before you go.

I did my stint sans pay, which some writers frown upon, but I gained valuable experience working with professional travel writers and editors and I now have clips. Good luck and Happy Travels!

(?) Question from Kelly Stilwell:

I know I need to send clips when I send query letters, but I don’t know exactly how to send them! Do I send a copy of a newspaper magazine article I had published? What about e-zines?

(!) Answer from Lynne:

For snail-mail queries, I think it’s safer to send photocopies of your published articles, instead of giving away your originals.

For e-mail queries, you can attach the body of your previously-published work as html, text, or word documents, as long as you mention where they first appeared.

Moira Allen of InkSpot also suggests building your own website as an online portfolio, so editors can just click on a link to see samples of your work.

(!) Answer from Morley Young:

I have started using 3 pages of my favorite clips, copied and reduced to fit on an 11×17 sheet. The type is small, but still legible. You get 3 articles in front of your prospect, and it only costs you a couple of cents, maybe a nickel. Good luck!

Hi Shai,

My name is Hannah [-*], I’m a budding freelance journalist in Singapore. I see that you’ve written for Singaporean publications & I would appreciate some tips on how to set my fees as a beginner freelance writer in my country.

I have a 1317-word feature for a new pet care magazine, roughly how much should I charge my article for?

I’m looking forward to your reply, hope you can be of assistance to me.

Kind regards,

Hannah

Continue reading ‘Setting Beginner Writer’s Fees in Singapore’