The New Normal

We all know what's going on. It's not a great situation for anyone, and it's something that none of us have had to deal with before. The weird thing is that although I see globally daily life is being upended, I woke up today and did the exact same things I always do, keeping the exact same schedule. I've been working from home for most of my professional life. I feel weird that nothing changed, but I am very glad that it hasn't.

There are a lot of things that I could say about this pandemic, but I'll try to be brief and focus on the important topics that impact full-time writers like myself (and graphic designers, artists, web designers, and other freelancers in those creative spaces).

Don't Leave The Gig Economy Behind

There is a lot of talk--even proposed legislation--that will try and ease the pain of people who can no longer go to work and cannot work from home. There are provisions for employees and small businesses. Large corporations will even probably end up with a few dollars lining their deep pockets. But nothing yet has addressed the gig economy, of which many like myself belong. I would benefit from none of the proposed assistance so far. Luckily at the moment, I don't need it. No clients have cut ties, no freelancing platforms I use have had a significant drop in available work. But the longer this has to go on, the greater the chance people will stop using freelancers, because when the corporations don't hire out to small businesses, small businesses don't hire freelancers.

There are people looking out for us. This is a portion of the message sent out by the Freelancers Union yesterday:

However, if you know about this organization, you know it is New York-based and does a lot of great work to balance the scales for freelancers... in New York. They don't have a huge national impact, so it's hard to see what they can do for the gig economy outside of that state, unless they are part of the voice that advocates to Washington.

Even Mitt Romney is proposing a Yang-like solution. This is the only way that assistance could reach everyone who may need it (including freelancers), and I would support a move like this if daily life stayed interrupted for more than a month. But if you think about it for just a moment, there's no clear way of distribution without hiccups. How do you deliver this kind of aid? Does the government cut checks? Collect bank account information for those who want the payout? What databases do they access to get names and addresses without leaving anyone out? There are a lot of questions that solution would bring up. 

The key takeaway is for the businesses that hire freelancers: if you can keep providing projects, please do so. Remember that freelancers are the ones who already may not have health insurance, get no sick leave if they can't work, and teeter on the edge of financial frustration on a daily basis because they do what they love.

The Local Scene

Because I'm a writer that works from home, social distancing is my jam. I've been unknowingly practicing this for years. Yes, I live in a state that has cases of the virus (I think we all do now). Yes, I live in a county with known cases. As I mentioned earlier, daily life where I live didn't change until last Thursday evening when local school corporations announced closings. By Friday morning (only about 16 hours later) when I went shopping for a non-panic amount of groceries, that's when I saw that other people were panicking. I'm letting the world know that the local panic buyers are now fully stocked on toilet paper, ramen, and canned ravioli. Even though I know I'm taking the right steps to protect myself and those in my immediate social circle, you can't help but question whether you should start getting worried when you see those empty shelves. It's not worry about a virus, it's worry about the actions of others. People are crazy, and no amount of factual information is going to convince a crazy person otherwise.

And About Facebook (or social media in general)...

If you love misinformation, go for it. Delve into your newsfeed and roll around in those sweet, sweet lies. Find out that some of those acquaintances you've had for years are panic-buying and selling individual rolls of TP out of the trunk of their car. Learn which of your friends has completely misinterpreted the latest headlines. Read the faux desperation in your friend's post when they have to spend time with their spouse/children and already cracked open a bottle of wine because of it. Get annoyed by that one person who posts toilet paper memes every fifteen minutes.

Just be careful about what you share--don't be a part of the problem. I haven't been sharing any information, even from verified news sources on any platform because I know people are smart and don't need to hear the information from me. They know where trusted news sources are, and they can easily find those articles themselves. 

It's a new time in this world, but we'll see it through.

Useless Rant (and a Few Updates)

I have to shut off the TV.

No, this isn't about wasting my time in front of it instead of writing. It's about not wanting to hear anything about football or politics (not that I don't stay informed of politics, I'm just sick of it). A few hours of music and a good book is probably all I need to recharge, so maybe by then I can safely resume consuming the news again.

Yeah, I know. Not likely. Politics is an endless cycle and this sports story will ebb and flow for awhile before finally (hopefully) disappearing. The only upside? Hiding dozens of Facebook posts so that I can remain blissfully ignorant about trending topics is therapeutic. No offense to any of my friends, of course. :-)

So let's get back to this real world of mine--the writing updates. In Another Life hasn't had an update on Write On in two weeks. Go ahead. Call me a slacker. I probably deserve it. :-) I'm going to try and get some more chapters up this week. And don't forget to come back to the blog at the end of the week for the details on my freebies coming up! Let's hope we all can have a very productive week. 

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday

Facebook has given me definitive proof that the only way to attract attention to my writing is to post photos of babies and puppies. Duly noted.

Starting the New Year Off Right

Some days it just hits me. There are so many ideas in my brain that they can't be contained any longer. Since the 1st I have written half of a short story, a new novel outline and I'm about ready to tackle another previously planned novel outline. I also managed to squeeze in a couple hours of revision. A lot is getting done, so I'm way more optimistic about this year than I thought I would be. Write on, people. Write on.

Since this is the first post on TSW of the New Year, it's also time to do a little roundup for those who are just joining us. First, I want to let everyone know that I love connecting with other writers and creative people all over social media. I know everyone has a favorite platform, and some of you already follow me on a few of them. I don't do a whole lot of cross-posting, so if you want to follow all of my accounts, here's a rundown of where I'm at:


Twitter:
My freelance life in 140 characters.

Facebook:
As you can see, a big 2015 goal of mine is to get more Facebook likes so I can access my analytics.

Google+:
I'm here, but not every day.

 

Instagram:
I love photography. Some are weird, some are fun and some are just me. Enjoy.

Tsu:
A relatively new social media site. If you are a writer, artist or musician I definitely recommend signing up. This is a great way to gain exposure and Tsu lets you earn ad revenue share off your posts.

And I may also have a little haiku book out there you may have heard of called Unfolding Life. If you don't already have a copy, check it out.

In the coming year I hope to publish more, so stay tuned of all of that good stuff.

Start The Countdown

If everything falls into place this week, my haiku collection, Unfolding Life, should be published by next week. how exciting is that?! If you haven't caught a glimpse of the cover on social media, here it is:

When it is available, you'll be able to purchase it from Amazon--don't worry, over the next few weeks I'll remind you endlessly how you can get your very own copy of it. I'm starting only with the ebook option, but a print edition should be available later in the year.

As always, if you want the latest news about Unfolding Life or any of my other writing projects, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

Fire Up the Back Burner

...because I've got something to simmer. I set out to finish two first draft manuscripts this month, and I'm halfway there. The novel that I started for NaNoWriMo last November (Verses and Vows) is now a complete first draft! It's a very rough first draft, but there's a distinct beginning, middle and end to work with. And since any good writer will tell you that you need a little space between writing and revising, that's exactly what I plan to do.

The other first draft (In Another Life) is still right in the middle of all the action. If I want to get both of these novels published before the end of the year, I really have to get this first draft finished by spring. This second novel is actually the one I want to put out first, simply because it is the novel I chose to have cover art done for when I won a contest last year. This novel process has actually been going completely backwards--I have the cover and a lot of the promotional work planned out, but I'm still lacking the actual novel. 

If I want to get anymore done, I better get back to it. ;-)





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P.S.: If you are curious about any of my current or upcoming work, you don't have to wait for the next blog post. Go ahead and follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. I'm also on LinkedIn if that's more your thing.

Well...

I must confess--I'm out of the retail world almost as fast as I jumped into it. While I liked many aspects of the job, there were just some I couldn't handle. I know I'm being vague, but that's nearly the same thing I said when I quit. Although I can't list all the things that were wrong, I just know that job wasn't the right fit for me.

So, I'm back to writing full time. At least for the moment. There are other jobs out there to be had, which are mostly seasonal now. That may actually benefit me in a way, so that I know there's an end in sight if I just can't deal with the next one.

And unfortunately, when I say I'm back to writing, it's only web copy. I haven't touched a piece of fiction since I started working outside of the home office. I really want to get back to it, but I'm having a hard time just clicking on the computer file. I don't know why, but as soon as I figure it out I know that the words will just start pouring out again.

While I'm picking up all the pieces, I'm really pushing to get the website and Facebook page launched. I was able to get a great deal on a site (at least for the first year), so I need to roll it out by the end of the week--hopefully sooner. And the only thing stopping me from publishing the Facebook page right now is getting the profile pic up. It's a hard decision, and I may have someone just go ahead and take a new one so I don't have to think about it anymore. As always, if anything is ready to launch, I'll make sure to let you all know.

Upgrading

Upgrading my phone to a Galaxy today was a bit of a nightmare (considering the process started yesterday), but now that it's over, I have a great new handheld distraction. While I'm still learning all the fun features, a few tasks have been pushed back to later this evening.

However, I didn't manage to sign up for Camp Nanwrimo so I can try and finish the novel next month. I set my word goal as 25,000 since I've already written three sections (don't know if they will officially become chapters until revision). I think if all goes well, I will surpass that goal and finish the first draft on time to still meet a late December release date.

I did start a Facebook page as well, though since I have absolutely no pictures, posts or another else of interest, I'll let all my readers know when they will actually want to like the page. Until then folks... keep writing on.

Quiet Weekends Always Welcome

I had a really quiet, relaxing weekend. It's usually not that way, so I was glad I had the time to reflect, unwind and work on the novel. If I had to measure the portion of it that is complete, I would say I have a solid 25% written and revised. That's a far cry from being done, but within the next six weeks, it should be completely written, even with my record of procrastination and very flexible scheduling.

I'm also still chugging away at all of the marketing issues I need to complete during the editing process and in the future. The first big step in the plan is to start a Facebook author page, followed by an actual website. While the website may take a little time to get up and running, I should have the Facebook page up very soon. I also have a little surprise planned for those who are itching to get a sneak peek at the story. Hopefully that will be accomplished within the coming weeks as well.

What are your writing plans for the week?

The Rules of Freelancing #6: Use Social Networking Responsibly

Social media can be a blessing and a curse for anyone—including those running a standard business or trying to sell their freelancing services. Social media through Twitter, Facebook and a variety of other platforms can help you connect with potential clients and existing customers. However, you may want to separate your personal life from your public life when it comes to posting on these sites. Sometimes potential clients can be turned off by the smallest things. Maybe they don't like cats and wouldn't want to see four posts about your cat everyday. More likely, they will be looking for posts you make about your business, issues that affect your business and your other clients. You should always tread lightly since a seemingly innocent post can turn off a client, such as telling them how hard you partied last weekend and now your hangover has you behind on your work. They may not like that. Another taboo post is badmouthing a client for whatever reason. Your potential clients want to know that you will deal with project issues in a private, professional manner instead of telling everyone how annoying your current client is, or how they are late on paying you.

You also don't want to rant about anything on social media. Political opinions, your parking ticket—unless all of your followers are your best friends, a constant stream of rants will turn off even your most dedicated followers—some of which could have been potential clients.

Do I rant on social media? Occasionally. Do I post all about my personal life, including my cats? Personal life—yes. Cats—no, I'm the one who is annoyed by the post of your cat in its Halloween costume. Send it to your mother--I'm allergic. And a dog person.

I do know that constantly offering political opinions, hating on websites and other harsh posts may not be great for business. And yes, I have complained about nonpayment by clients, but always kept at an anonymous level. They don't know I'm talking about them—of course, if they aren't paying me, then they should know exactly who they are! I have in recent weeks backed off posting about client issues. I do not get jobs through my social media accounts, but some of my jobs are in social media, so I know that clients are reading it. My political opinions and posting random pictures of food? Those may stay for awhile longer. I am human, after all.

New Facebook Integration... What Do You Think?

Facebook is trying a lot of new things lately. I use Facebook on a regular basis, though I tend to stay away from many of the outside apps and integrations that they currently offer. What I do use are things that share my interests with my friends, such as Goodreads.

According to a recent NY Times article, Facebook is considering an integration between Clicker. Clicker is a website geared toward tv shows where you can share what you're watching and find information about your favorite shows. With so many people on Facebook and also many more choosing to watch tv online, there is a good argument for the Facebook/Clicker integration. The biggest perk for users would be to have an outlet to share your television interests with your Facebook friends.

I don't think it's a bad idea. After all, there are many sites that have already chosen to integrate with Facebook. What do you think about it?

The Business Side of Writing: Branding, Part 4

Help Shape Your Word-of-Mouth Reputation

Writers know how to say things without really saying them. They can use metaphors to make the common seem spectacular. What a writer can't always do is control the messages being sent out about their brand. They can try with marketing techniques, but even the best branding strategies cannot control what is being said through word-of-mouth communication. And with the introduction of social media into all personal and business communications online, it is getting tougher to shape any brand's reputation.

You will also need to remember that social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter can also be your best chance when it comes to molding your brand. Being active with fans on these sites can broaden your outlook on your brand. Knowing what your followers are saying about you can help you fix any problems they may have spotted, address any issues that fans feel uncomfortable with and also have the ability to give you diehard fans something extra for following you and spreading the word about your brand. It will not only show that you care about them, but that you are constantly striving to do your best in order to meet your own goals as well as theirs.

What you will not want to do is get discouraged if you find that there are some negative comments about you and your work out there. You cannot choose for your readers (and potential readers) what opinions they should read, but you can easily use social media and traditional media to address any looming negative images being associated with your brand.

Check out some additional resources for working with a negative brand image:

From Keysplash Creative: Fight, Flight or Flood – How to Respond to a Negative Online Buzz about You or Your Business

The Buzz Saw by Bill Balderaz: Five Tips to Fight Negative Online Publicity

Early Start on the Holidays

This morning I was surfing the Internet while I was waiting for work (not always a good thing!). I don't know how I got on the idea to look up stuff about Christmas already, but once I started looking through photo Christmas cards, I was hooked! I can't remember the last time that I got a really good Christmas card – or gave one, for that matter. Since the introduction of email to practically everyone I know, people think that they can leave a short “Merry Xmas!” on my Facebook page and that's it. But with photo cards for Christmas, I get to see what my friends look like, how big their families are getting, and maybe even a cute snapshot of their pets.

This year I want to send out holiday photo cards, both online and through the mail. Even though I do not have a family of my own or even a pet to brag about, I am sure that someone in my extended family has not viewed a photograph of me since my high school days. Those days are quickly fading into the background! It will be a nice change of pace and maybe the trend will catch on.

A Mind Matter

Last week was one of those weeks where no matter where you are or what you're doing, there's something on your mind that just doesn't let you concentrate on the task at hand. Unfortunately, this is carrying over to this week. It's totally a personal issue, not professional, so I don't want it to affect my work in any way. So far, I haven't been able to help it. And my issues are all in my head. It's a long, complicated and confusing story, but let me just say that if Facebook and MySpace hadn't been invented, I wouldn't be having any issues at this point.

What bothers me the most is that I know that social media networks are not the be-all-end-all of friendships. But sometimes these things really let you know where you stand in the world. I have definitely been put in my place recently. I think the best therapy I can use to understand and resolve my feelings about this situation is to just write it out, or better yet, work on writing that totally distracts my mind away from my real life. That's the only way I'll probably be able to come to terms with a reconnection gone bad. It's just too bad that any of this had to happen in the first place.

Out sick

The last couple of days I was temporarily out sick. It was just a cold, but I stayed away from anything that wasn't strictly work related: Twitter, Facebook, this blog, etc. But now I'm back! I can breathe out of my nose and I'm ready to pick up some of the slack. I have to get my little behind in gear -- Christmas is fast approaching and I need any extra money I can get. :)

Facebook Mishap

Okay... so I don't know what happened to all of my Facebook friends, but they all disappeared. If you were previously my friend on Facebook, don't despair! I didn't deleted your on purpose. Please come back to me... :D

I'm not complaining, but I totally know why The Daily Show and The Colbert Report were off all last week... Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert had appointments with their stylists!! Not kidding you, when I was watching both shows last night, the first thing I noticed was their hairtcuts. It takes a week?? Or do they give them a week so the audience won't notice that it's happened... I'm a kook. I know.

But it was great that the facebook group 1,000,000 Strong for Stephen T Colbert got a shout out on the show... I remember when I joined the group... it was only at 300,000 and something. Ah, how the days fly by....

Friday afternoon was a delightful experience. As soon as I finished my 2pm class, I went to stake my claim on a spot as close to the dedication cermony as I could get. But, I'll be honest, I didn't want to be up front (too many news crews could have captured my mug), so I hid behind the front row of student spectators. For over an hour I stood and waited (with my eight pound American lit book in my backpack), almost getting rained on a number of times. It was still fun though. I got my "Dave Came Back. I was There." pin (and one for the roommate as well). My only regret though was not buying a roll of film for my Nikon. Instead, I brought a camera that I got free from sending in UPC codes to Pop Tarts. When Letterman came onto the stage, I started taking pictures frantically, because I knew that people were going to get in my way once he sat down. Well, I must have been a little too frantic because the camera totally quit on me. I put it away, hoping I could salvage the film inside later... and that did NOT happen. The film had completely rolled out of the can and was useless because the light hit it.

But it was a good thing I didn't take my Nikon because I stood at the bus stop and got soaked trying to get home. Everyone will agree it's my fault for being anti-umbrella, but I say to you: "When the rain comes/they run and hide their heads/they might as well be dead." Throwing Beatles quotes out always helps strengthen my argument.

So anyway, I've been scouring Facebook for the past two days gathering up pictures that other people took of the event. I would post some pics on this entry, but they are not my property, and I want to respect the photographers (I did however get some prints for my scrapbook). It's sad, I know but had I had the proper equipment, I would have had similar pictures.... well, except for the lucky few who got a lot closer to Letterman than I did. But that's okay. It's still something to tell the grandkids one day, along with my Avril Lavigne/Bowling for Soup concert story and my Jason Mraz concert story... and I think that's it. Maybe not... I'm sure there must be more celebrities than that... but I'm sick (you'll say it's the rain, but I know it isn't) and my brain isn't working properly at the moment.

I'm really not happy with the new applications on Facebook. They would be great if they were actually reliable, but no. That's too easy. It didn't help that the 23-year-old Harvard educated creator of Facebook was on the Today Show the other day. There's a little too much ego there--to put it nicely.

Anyway... my favorite application is Last Songs Played. But it hadn't worked for more than a few hours since I added it. I thought that it would be a great way to let the one or two people that happen across my page to see what I'm listening to, but... first, I had to add them in myself. Now the songs automatically update because I signed up for things and downloaded more things that my computer really can't handle... but I did it. All for the love of music. Now I can't access the website, the program won't log on, and Facebook says it's working out the kinks. What a waste of free time... I could have been working on my script, which, by the way, is going. That's all I can say about it. 8038 with Friday's goal being 10k. I'll get there, but then what? The story is almost played out, so in the end, I don't think it'll be a full-length script. But it got me to write one, didn't it? Motivation is all I need.