Bread + butter = steak
November 30th, 2006
Most of my freelance friends focus on writing articles, blog posts, and books. I have far fewer freelance allies juggling creative pursuits with corporate bread-and-butter work, like I do. So it was refreshing to see the roster for the online course I’m teaching this month through the Editorial Freelancers Association. Many of the students are commercial writers and editors, too.
When I first ventured out into the workforce back in the Ice Age, I didn’t aspire to finesse marketing copy about computer software for a living. But I did aspire to be self-sufficient and leave room in my schedule to write feature stories, essays, and whatever other lower-paying prose my idealistic little heart desired. And my bread-and-butter commercial writing/editing work allows me to do both without much financial worry. Fact of the matter is, it’s infinitely harder to write a halfway decent humor essay when all you can think about is how you’re going to pay the rent tomorrow.
If you’re curious about the world of commercial writing (the bread-and-butter work that allows you to order steak once in a while, or donate a T-bone to a less-fortunate writer), check out the Well-Fed Writer, a website and book of the same name by author Peter Bowerman. The site is loaded with articles, e-books, and other nifty resources. You can also read an interview with Bowerman here, on The Renegade Writer blog. Maybe then you, too, will never again use the words “starving” and “writer” side by side in a sentence.
Entry Filed under: This freelance life, Creative process, Toolbox
3 Comments Add your own
1.
Ariel | November 30th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Wow, I love the *idea* of the well-fed writer (and of course I am one) but that site is SO UGLY and reads sort of scammy. Maybe he specializes in direct marketing? That’s how the site reads to me. I WANT to like it (and certainly the topic is one near ‘n’ dear to my heart) but ug…I can’t get past the design.
2.
Michelle Goodman | November 30th, 2006 at 10:53 am
i know it is fugly, but i’ve been impressed with his ideas and he’s been endorsed by people who’s books/opinions i value, like the women behind The Renegade Writer (http://www.renegadewriter.com) blog/books… just so you know i’m not trying to get you to check out some total cheeseball. i also have no affiliation with this dude or his books.
also, he is a self-publisher (but one who supported himself solely on his first book for FIVE YEARS!), so that might explain the funny-looking site. check out his new book/site (http://www.wellfedsp.com/), on self-publishing your book, which The Renegade Writer divas swear is rife with great marketing tips for authors with traditional publishers too. i was planning to pick up a copy because i really liked what he had to say in TRW interview (link in my post above).
3.
Michelle Goodman | November 30th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
ps, you can read sample chapters of the books on peter’s website, which is helpful. ok, over and out…
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