~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Greetings and salutations from the Great White North. (Actually, it’s pretty brown around here.)

I’m in a pickle.

Recently invited to take part in what could be an interesting writing event, I’m having second thoughts. Thing is, time is precious. This shin-dig would represent 24 hours of travel, a week away from the office, and uncertain benefits.

Plus, I’m a hermit. Also, I’ve been on a creativity jag that I’m loathe to lose. Oh… and I’m slated for what could possibly be my final cancer check-up shortly thereafter… assuming my lymph nodes have shrunk, every bumple cooperates, and the vitals check out. Traveling doesn’t do much for my blood pressure and strange foods muck up the blood numbers.

But it’s quite an honor… one I don’t feel enthusiastic about.

So… I figured, why not see what you think? How do you make decisions like this? Send me your thoughts. You can hit up the comment section or just hit “reply.”

OHHHHH… and be sure to check out the MP3 version of this emag. If you like it, I’ll continue this fun experiment in upcoming issues. You can find it here:

‘Til next time,

Beth 🙂

P.S. Check out our personal bestsellers!

1. Stuck: Transforming Everything You Think You Know About Creative Blocks

2. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success

3. *New Title!* Pocket Power: Become the Person You Were Born to Be

4. Advice to Freelancers: Make a Living Loving Your Job

5. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments

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Let’s talk shop!

This month in the Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter? We’re discussing advertising your writing, audience selection, and some hard truths when it comes to persuasion. Oh… and if you want to make a living writing, make sure you do one thing first. (How’s that for a teaser?)

Heck, it’s only 4.99 a month, the price of a mocha.

Freelancing is ever evolving… unrecognizable from when I began during the Internet stone ages.

So… let’s untangle these crazy, all important topics. We’ll gossip (just a little). Share the latest and greatest info. Perhaps we’ll have a little fun, too.

Let’s hang out at the Mocha Club.

Get more info here (and download a complementary issue of The Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter.

Just click here.

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Freelancing Like A Farmer

Beth Ann Erickson

I began my illustrious freelance career with visions of tweed coats, elbow patches, cigars, and pensive photos. My mind’s eye saw a cluttered office, checks strewn across my desk, and waking to one illuminating thought after another. I believed I’d tap at the keyboard, mail queries, read my articles on glossy paper, and assignments would flow like water.

Small problem with that scenario. Tweed coats don’t look good on me. I don’t smoke, never have. And I usually wind up looking goofy in photos, no matter how hard I try to strike a pensive pose.

Ah, but my desk is cluttered. I do occasionally find a stray check in amongst the mounds of papers. But illuminating thoughts? Bah.