How I Earned $5,950 from My Last Three Assignments
The sun is creating an impossible glare on my laptop screen here in the front seat of our 2005 Toyota Sienna minivan. Behind me, strapped into their car seats, my three boys have their heads tilted to the left or right, eyes closed. Three hours ago, we put them gingerly -- and still in their [...]
Rule 240 might save you hours when you travel.
On one side, folks argue that if you're stranded at an airport for any reason other than weather, you can ask your airline to invoke Rule 240, which states that they'll fly you on the next available flight (whether that flight is through their airline or another). On the other side, however, airline employees, reporters, [...]
How to Create a Sacred Bond with Editors
Wouldn't it be great if you had a cadre of editors who accept your articles for every one of their issues? Realistically, though, freelance writing isn't always that stable. However, you can settle for second best -- getting your work into their magazines as frequently as possible. Since September 1, 2007, I've had over 70 [...]
Please Don't Utilize This Writing Tip
Today's eletter is short and sweet. It's inspired by the flight attendant on our flight into San Diego yesterday. Here it is... The word "utilize" means to use something in a way that it was not originally intended. For example, you utilize a knife to open a paint can... you utilize a shoe to kill [...]
9 Hometown Things You Can Get Paid to Write About...
When you're trolling for story ideas near home, it pays to look past the obvious. Sure, you can sell articles about the best restaurants to eat in or the best hotels to stay in. But you'll be going head-to-head with similar pieces submitted by other writers.
Editors are always in the market for articles that focus on subjects a little less-obvious. For instance, you could get paid to write about any of these more-unusual topics:
An Old Spy Trick...
Today's holiday tip is an old spy trick I picked up from freelance travel writer, Jennifer Stevens... Most travel writers depend on their trusty notebooks to remember specific details for their stories. But sometimes notebooks aren't an option (like when you're snorkeling or when you're traveling with kids and you need even more hands than [...]
Four Key Writing Tips from an Airline Magazine Editor
Writing for airline in-flight magazines is not only fun and rather glamorous (I mean, you should see the look on people's faces when you tell them you write for these magazines -- they're genuinely impressed)... But it can be really lucrative, too... Here are four tips I gleaned from Ann Silva, editor of ExpressLane Magazine [...]
3 Myths about In-flight Magazines
In-flight magazines represent the Holy Grail for a lot of travel writers. They pay well. They provide beautiful clips. And getting your by-line in one immediately elevates you to pro.
Don't Hesitate: Little clips lead to big clips
I'm a procrastinator. I'm also a nervous person... contacting an editor -- even by email -- makes my palms sweat. But that hasn't stopped me from convincing editors to pay me for articles. And it shouldn't stop you, either. If you like to write, but you hesitate -- maybe because you're nervous, like me... or [...]
Picking An Editor's Brains
Today: *** Picking the Brain of an In-Flight Editor *** Write for In-Flights -- The Hidden, Lucrative Market *** Practical Writing Prompt of the Week: Pairing Photos with Articles *** Reader Feedback: A Press Trip with Accommodations, Food and Transportation Included *** More Opportunities and Resources for Writers Dear Reader, I wonder if Ann Silva [...]
