fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Re:Happy New Year(s) 🎉
Tags: Digital Nomads, Freelancer, Self Development, Life, Side Hustle

Re:Happy New Year(s) 🎉

Learning what to say yes to means learning what to say no to EJordanill Jan 3, 2020·2 min read

Re:Happy New Year(s).

Every moment is a new moment to say no what needs to be left behind and to say yes to your wildest fears.

Click play to listen to this post

You know what’s scary, being broke, mad, sad, stressed, tired and underpaid as an employee.

But peep it, you know who can change that?

You.

Yup.

And guess, when you can change.

Naw, I’ll wait…

Now. Not now but right now.

Like instantly.

So if you can change what you’ve been saying yes to, the thangs that don’t serve you well, why don’t you?

CAUSE IT’S SCARY.

But it’s necessary.

Say yes to what you want to do.

Say yes to that idea you been had but never really moved on.

We think it’s scary to start a business and we may lose money, friends, time, effort and if it doesn’t work, what will the people, family. lovers and followers think.

Yea, that’s a lil scary.

But remember what I said earlier, it’s scary to be broke, mad, sad, stressed, tired and underpaid as an employee, so why not be all that but en route to your own riches to alleviate that pain and take the risk of success?

Do it. Fail at it. Win at it and do all that again and again.

Start that business or side hustle, build that second and third stream of income. It will be worth the fear. It will be worth saying yes to.

Do that and hindsight 20/20 will be real strong.

Happy Hustling.

Ready to start your thing? I’ll help you. Check out my new resource course Freedom from the iPhone.
Find & Hire the most talented freelancers in the Middle East & Turkey
By: Giggzy Llc
Tags: Freelancing, Freelancers, Middle East, Freelance, Freelancing Websites

Find & Hire the most talented freelancers in the Middle East & Turkey Giggzy LLC Feb 9·1 min read

Is your company overloaded with projects that your staff cannot complete on a specific deadline? You cannot afford to expand your team on a full time basis contracts.

Save money by hiring experienced freelancers at giggzy!

Giggzy is an online platform that connects Clients to Freelancers in the Middle East & Turkey in the easiest way possible.

As a company, you can search among hundreds of talented freelancers on our platform and filter by country, city, price per hour, and rating of the freelancer. You can also check the full portfolio of the freelancer and the reviews of his clients.

Find freelancers among 20 different categories, such as Web Designers, Translators, Graphic Designers, Social Media Marketers, Photographers, Voice-Over Artists, Journalists, Personal Trainers and many others.

What makes us special?

No job posting: clients do not post any job vacancy on giggzy

Direct contact between clients and freelancers via email or phone

This service is FREE of charge for you as a client. No commission fee is applicable.

If you hire a freelancer at giggzy, kindly leave a rating and review on the freelancer’s profile to help us evaluate our freelancers.

Our freelancers are looking to share their experiences and creativity with you!

Website : giggzy.com/
Introduction To What I Do
By: Scott Cunningham
Tags: Marketing, Social Media, Introduction, Freelancer, Freelance

Recently someone asked me what I do and wanted me to explain it in-depth in a vlog and or blog so I figured I would do just that to give people a better introduction to what I’m talking about and what I do for a living. I dive into my social media marketing career and then onto blockchain technology which I got into about a year ago while still keeping a focus on the social aspect of it. I end off talking about what I offer currently and what I will be focused on for this year going forward. You can always inquire and I am able to send you much more information with visuals as needed. Just know I am here to help!

I am a social blockchain enthusiast that blogs and vlogs on all the major platforms! I’ve also just started podcasting. I’m working to help teach people on there more about it. I also spend a great deal of time helping people grow their online presence and social media base. I’m enthusiastic about cryptocurrency and try to use my social media marketing skills to help better projects I believe in. I believe blockchain social media is the next frontier and opportunity to capitalize on. The main blockchain socials I use today are Lit, Minds, SOLA, Whaleshares, Weku, and Steem and want to work on more on-boarding for social agencies, brands, and influencers

I am also a big believer in motivation, entrepreneurship, and philosophy. The main subjects I will cover are philosophy, cryptocurrency, blockchain, social media, and alternative news. Stay tuned!

I hope this gives some good insight into what I’ve done and been doing as well as serves an introduction to how I operate as an entrepreneur in general.
All About Words
By: Amit Ghosh
Tags: Freelancing, Freelancers, Writing, Freelance, Content Marketing

Words are precious.

Hello Everyone — from a toddler to a Ph.D. holder graduates with words.

On the other hand, a writer is someone who nurtures the experience and the understanding on how when, and where to integrate thoughts, emotions, and information so as to best suit the reader.

All the known words and the phrases have evolved with us as humans. The journey of words is a beautiful and fulfilling experience; it leaves behind distinct and often inextricable trail marks, similar to technology and science.

We have been parented, guided, taught, coached and inspired by the influence of words.

From sunlight to moonlight, senseless or meaningful –everything tends to greet us with words, only if we have ears to hear it.

Our day starts with “words” and we will be remembered for the words we share and live by.

We have learned every word in utter patience, but somehow stopped learning new words the moment our “hunger”, “goal” and “achievements” get prioritized. We express our days, moments, and instances with words.

The three magical words “I love you” can make or break a relationship and family tree. Words are the pillars of any agreement whether it’s between two nations or penned by a freelancer.

Writers realize the importance of words only when they are asked to write 500 words for Re 1 per word for which some are even satisfied. We, as God’s creature, matured with word counts, delays in payments and unspoken words.

Real change will happen when we are paid decent and don’t accept low paid gigs — but justice is scarce.To be precise, it has always been the survival instinct for a freelance writer in this marketplace to win a fair opportunity as a freelance content writer.

The issue is to be understood down from the roots rather than ranting just because some have surrendered their soul. There’s always a chance to speak up.

If not today, then when?

Our mind hibernates once we are selected even for the undesirable amount in this Marketplace of “jugaad”.

We use the power of prediction, the instinct of persuasion and the cycle of connection to filter around a humongous chunk of offers just to foot our bills.

Sometimes we overdo and at other times, we become the underdog — but in doing so, we should not forget to focus and breathe in the “pure air” in times when white Rhinos’ are on the verge of extinction and the glaciers are about to touch the seashores.

This situation is worrying, no longer amusing — but it is avoidable only when we “Unite as freelance writers and surmount our inner conflicts.”

Pretending not to give up and still having “peanuts” at breakfast, lunch, and dinner is the real problem.

The market is not absolute nor is the trend. We know our common goals, but compromise with our wisdom which haunts us on every project that we agree to do for “peanuts.”

If you get your protein supplements and minerals by consuming peanuts, then continue doing it else “Unite” and say “No”, thereby bringing solace into your life and network.
The Why of Becoming a Freelancer
Tags: Freelancing, Work, Work Life Balance, Freelancers, Benefits

Many of us have heard about freelancing, but what benefits does it have? If you feel frustrated with your office life, here are some benefits about freelancing that a regular desk jobs don’t have.

· Almost everyone can become a freelancer because nearly every type of service needed by businesses could be provided by a freelancer. It can go from accounting to teaching and graphic design.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/294234/POLITICAN-DIVERSITY.jpg

· Be your own boss: you are in control of any decision-making.

· Time flexibility: you operate on your own terms, no more being attached to the 9 to 5 schedule, unless you want to. You decide when to start working and for how long. As long as you meet the deadlines, everything is ok!

· Location independent: become a digital nomad. It doesn’t matter where you work, as long as you get the job done.

https://www.worldtravelguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Think-Lone-Backpack-616890352-artoleshko-copy.jpg

· Get paid what you’re worth: you control your earnings and adjust your rates according to your services, your experience and the quality of your service.

· It is easy and affordable to get started: besides the tools you need to provide the service, you don’t have to deal with costs like a startup.

· Pay less tax: depending on where you are, freelancers are considered independent contractors and these might be treated differently as the employees.

· Freedom: you can choose the projects you want to work on and for whom you are doing the project. It is hard to constantly work on the perfect job, but it is always going to be your choice. This also helps you to get creative and show your talents.

· Live your life the way you want: this doesn’t mean to neglect your responsibilities, but freelancing gives you the freedom to spend time with the people you love or to travel to any place you want to go.

· It’s a learning process: everyday you are going to face new challenges and you can learn from each and every one of them. You will learn how to manage your business and your money. You will learn which projects fit you best, where your strengths and weaknesses are. Freelancing can also open up new career options. Freelancers are more willing to learn a new skill to broaden their services. Not only you can do what you love, but also adapt to your surroundings.

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/554451-Charlie-Munger-Quote-Those-who-keep-learning-will-keep-rising-in.jpg

· Become a better version of yourself: dealing with different clients and with every day challenges is going to boost your confidence and help you become a better person.
Should I hire a Nigerian Freelancer?
By: Newton Ukeh
Tags: Gig Economy, Freelancers

Working with a Nigerian freelancer is not a bad idea after all, and you will find out why as you read this piece.

Quite true, the Nigerian identity has been dented by some 'bad eggs' over the years, from members of its corrupt government to some unscrupulous youths who know nothing about hard work.

You probably have heard of the buzzword "Nigerian Prince" when people talk about catfish scams. But then understand this- corrupt government officials and con artists are a world problem, not just a Nigerian problem. So it's unfair to prejudge anyone from anywhere because of the behaviors of others.

We can at least take a chance on them. Talking about taking a chance on them, some people have done that, and they have been blown away by the extraordinary talents they discovered.

Here below is a tweet from Ross Simmonds on February 11, 2021

Below his tweets were several others who have enjoyed working with talents from Nigeria.

Find some of them below:

So if you have been sitting on the fence about working with a Nigerian freelancer, there you have it- people have been tapping the country's best talents while you linger.

If I weren't a Nigerian, I would probably be asking the same question. So believe me- I understand your fears.

However, there a Nigerian Freelancers and entrepreneurs who know what they're doing. Plus, a good majority of Nigerian youths are self-driven and ready to take on any opportunity.

Don't waste any more time. The next time you see a Nigerian freelancer bidding for your gig on Upwork, don't brush it off because of their nationality, cut them some slack, and give them a chance. If you find them a fit, hire them, and you will be surprised.

PS. If you are wondering where to find one, you can find them on Upwork. Newton also offers his freelance writing services on the platform. You can shoot him DM. He'd be glad to come on board.
Unique Fiverr Gig For Getting Your Business Noticed
By: David Peterson
Tags: Job Hunting, Jobs, Freelancers, Online, Fiverr

I have just released a new gig on Fiverr that will take your logo to the next level. You can have your cake and eat it with this $5 Gig. Your logo displayed in a variety of realistic-looking scenarios that will draw the eye and help make sure you get noticed above the competition.

https://www.fiverr.com/share/3lqYa

The Best Gig on Fiver for $5

Public Domain Photography has created some stunning images over the years, however, the hand of David Peterson has been used hundreds of thousands of times around the globe. The hand and famous wall are now available to give your branding some eye-catching appeal.

Blow up your social media with this epic gig from David Peterson, unique to Fiverr.

Fiverr’s Safest and Best Marketing Gig

The wall is in David Peterson’s house, they are this hands, Fiverr is a safe place, and you logo is in safe hands here. Stunning and highly marketable images for your business, stand out from the rest of the dross and grab yourself an iconic style, build your brand to the next level with these stunning images.

Also See : Bates Method — A Natural Way Of Vision Correction

Australia Must Invest in Defence Now — We Must Not Outsource Security
Background Image Overlay Opacity in Squarespace 7.1
By: Will Myers
Tags: Squarespace, Web Design, Freelancer, CSS, Websites For Startups

Background Image Overlay Opacity in Squarespace 7.1

Squarespace 7.1 is out and a ton of the things are new. In this tutorial, I’m going to walk you through changing the background overlay opacity of a section.

In the video above. I walk through an example of adding a background image overlay opacity to a section in Squarespace 7.1.

Here is the exact code I used in my example.

//OVERLAY OPACITY

#collection-5d6fe5b703b5ca000149463f{

section:nth-of-type(1){

.section-background-overlay {

opacity: .5;

}

}

}

//END OVERLAY OPACITY

Remember this won’t work on your website. Here are the elements you MUST change:

Collection ID (#collection-5d6fe5b703b5ca000149463f)

Pseudo Selector (section:nth-of-type(1))

Finding the Collection ID

Navigate to the page you want to change.

2. View » Developer » Developer Tools

3. Copying the “Collection ID” of your specific page.

Selecting the Section

In my example, I’ve used what’s called a pseudo-selector to only apply the change to a specific element (sign up for my newsletter for more advanced tips on things like pseudo selectors). The number 1 in the line section:nth-of-type(1) is the number that corresponds to the section on the page that you want to select (or change). So, if you'd like the change the opacity on the background image overlay only on the background image on the thrid section, put the number 3 instead of 1.

Let me know if I’m missing anything in here. These tutorials are for you to learn more about doing this on your own without having to seek help every time (although we’ll never fully be there).
University of Westminster students come together to network at the CEC’s Mixer event
By: Westminster Enterprise Network, Wenetwork
Tags: Startup, Networking, Students, Entrepreneurship, Freelancers

The Creative Enterprise Centre (CEC) recently held its first Mixer event this academic year. An exciting event designed to connect like-minded University of Westminster students and graduates from different courses across the university to foster collaboration and networking.

The free event was a resounding success, with more than 60 Westminster students filling the University’s London Gallery West on Thursday the 3rd of October.

The gathering kicked off with a presentation from the CEC team, showcasing the award-winning programme of events, workshops, competitions and support services available to those interested in start-ups and freelancing. All of which can be accessed through the Westminster Student Enterprise Journey.

This was then followed by a keynote presentation from Alumni and Founder of MyUniSquare, Mel Collins, who is also a fellow on the CEC’s Graduate Venture Accelerator Programme. MyUniSquare is an online platform that enables university students to collaborate on ideas, work on projects, network, team build and gain access to student-centred events.

Westminster graduate, Emma Stevenson, gave a final presentation on the university’s new FOLIO Platform. An online space where University of Westminster students can share their work, connect and collaborate with peers, as well as showcase their portfolio to industry experts.

Third year BA Journalism student, Mazvita Musendo, who attended the event said: “I really enjoyed the Mixer event. It was a simple and short event but I got a lot of information out of it. The event has been really beneficial for me because I had no idea about FOLIO or MyUniSquare. I have a lot of projects, for example with video and audio-related work, so now I know where to go if I need to reach out to other students for collaborating on these projects.”

The fun-filled event concluded with music, pizza and drinks, offering guests the chance to socialise and network.

Co-organiser and CEC’s Employer Engagement Officer, Rumen Rachev, said: “It was a pleasure to talk to and see so many Westminster students at our first Mixer event of the semester, which is why we plan to host more of these events in the near future.

Our CEC Community Mixer is a great opportunity for Westminster students and graduates to network with peers over drinks and pizzas, while also learning more about the support and services available to them from the CEC and beyond.”

To book your place at the next CEC Mixer Event or other workshops, click here.
Building An App Using Freelancers
Tags: Startup, Software Development, Freelancers, App Development, Product Management

That being said, if you’re looking to test an idea or launch a product that you aren’t depending on, hiring freelancers to save some money is a great idea.

Assuming you can recruit a talented designer and developer to get your idea built, you’re likely looking at spending between $15,000 and $50,000 using freelancers.

Now, that range depends on whether you’re hiring local vs. abroad and beginner vs. expert. Like everything, you get what you pay for.

Local developers will be better at communicating, if at the least because of time zones, and will also likely have a better grasp of design practices.

Foreign developers are cheaper, and if you can effectively manage them, could be just as good an option.

When deciding between junior or senior developers, one overlooked factor is their efficiency. You may be choosing between $20 and $100 per hour, but when you factor in the time each takes to complete the project, their rates may be closer to one another than you would expect, with the expert causing significantly less stress for you.
Earning a Living in Entrepreneurial Journalism
By: Ariana Dimitrakis
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Freelancers, Media Entrepreneurship, Journalism

Entrepreneurial journalism is an ideal career path, but how realistic is it?

When reading Mel Snyder’s summary of the field, I realized that it is definitely possible, just in a different way than I had envisioned it.

He predicts the best fields to enter are healthcare and high-tech. I, personally, chose the journalism path to pursue a career writing what I am passionate about, which falls under the fashion, beauty and lifestyle categories. However, it is most realistic to work on several freelance projects at a time to make a living, so perhaps I can pursue both routes. One as a hobby and one as a main source of income.

One tip that stood out to me was to team up with students who have skillsets in other fields such as website design, multimedia and marketing. I am a journalism major with minors in marketing and graphic design, who also has experience with website design and coding, so this tip made me feel very well-rounded and capable of taking on a project. However, his advice to collaborate with others is very important.

I co-founded The Fit Magazine with five other women at Lehigh and we all brought our own skillsets to the table. Even if one person understands all aspects of a project, I’ve learned that it can be too difficult and time consuming to do everything on your own. Also, if you are working on a team more creative ideas can be shared.

Snyder pointed out interesting statistics when discussing the types of content millenials subscribe to. News apps being the highest at 19%, followed by newspapers, magazines and lastly email newsletters, all tied at 15%. Percentages are significantly higher for movie, music and cable streaming services. This shows me that millenials tend to prefer video content, as well as entertainment over news sources.

Snyder shared an interesting outlook on how to succeed in entrepreneurial journalism, which is “selling your communications skills to prospects who can see how what they pay you is an investment in generating more income for them, and/or protecting their current income stream.”

Advice that will help me if I choose to freelance in healthcare or high-tech is to establish my credentials, or build my own experience, in these fields. Snyder suggested to start by exploring regional client possibilities.

After reading his summary, I have the following questions.
My Friendly Musings
By: Nupur Lakhe
Tags: Writer, Writers On Medium, Writing, Writers Life, Musings

A few days back, I came across a piece in The New Yorker about how Covid has also affected friendships. It resurfaced the thoughts that I have often held locked up in my mind for years now. It reminded me of my half-written piece that lies in one of the folders on my laptop. And of all the pages, I have filled my notebooks talking about it. It brought back the questions that I have supposed: I must not be a good friend, Am I? Or if I am, then why wasn’t it reciprocated. I did manage to find some answers in due course of time, learning my lessons, carrying my wound as an exhibit of showing trust, or remembering when I was on the outside of the whole scenario that felt like friendship. I also recalled the short-tenured ones fondly that came to make a phase acceptable.

Picture by Nupur Lakhe

What also came to me were the books, their characters, and the movies that revolve around such friendly bonds. But then, there She was. In the corner of my mind making her way, pushing my untold thoughts as if the furniture, lying astray. Her expression, a jibe at my overthinking power. My forever friend. She knows what to say to bring me back, it hurts sometimes, but because she vouches to read anything that I write, I forgive her. No, that’s not entirely true! The half-written piece is her favorite. Sometimes we don’t speak for days or share everything, and yet when we talk, our conversations are not marred by those times of absences or untold. I sent her the New Yorker article, and I don’t know if she read it.

You must wonder why I speak of her. Because all through last year, some of these friendships faded. Some deepened. The ones that fizzled out surfaced rarely. I don’t know if they will ever again. But some managed to be present, like backing you up. Therefore, it is the gratitude that brings me to mention her. And specifically, because it’s a fellowship of more than 10 years. It is the ‘enduring’ kind Ralph Waldo Emerson talks about in his essay- Friendship. The article quotes meticulously from it, and I knew I had to get it when I read these lines in the piece:

‘Enduring friendships inhabit the contradiction between absence and immediacy- “the systole and diastole of the heart,” as Emerson puts it, or “the ebb and flow of love”’

The author of the piece describes his writing as lacking the sentimentality behind the flowery prose, and I crave it sometimes to curb mine. I no longer think of friendship as I did. I know better. But it takes only a few words to resurrect the remains of a past.
Loser. Winner.
By: Korikiye Teke
Tags: Writers Life

I stopped fighting.

My entire life I’ve spent being strong.

And no, I am not alone, of course. Life throws many battles at all of us. It would be selfish and self-centered to present myself as the bravest fighter, you’re fighting too, I see it. And you’ve fought many times before, we all have.

There were days when I felt like I didn’t want to fight anymore, days I didn’t want to be called strong, for strength. In its entirety is very tiresome, I should know. I’ve had only one option my whole life, and it was this. Strength. To be strong.

On those days I craved softness, I craved and hungered for the warmth of life, to enjoy the bliss of living even for the shortest time. On those days I hoped that strength would give way to relief, that strongness would ease up for softness, that I would look in the mirror and smile at the reflection of peace as I would see it in my eyes. That I would take off my clothes and regard my body with the acknowledgment of my softness.

This I thought was the circle.

That the fighter would give way and make room for ease, laughter, and softness. But you see, the fighter is gone now, not voluntarily. I didn’t choose to not fight this time. I lost, in the middle of my fighting I searched for strength and found none within. I searched for strength around me and found none. In my aloneness, I sought rest, that my empty reserve might be full when I awaken, but it didn’t, and the emptiness has traveled through my being, welcoming a new kind of numbness.

This isn’t softness, ease, or peace, this is different, it is a blank blandness, the tasteless taste of losing and failure, a taste that started lingering on my tongue welcomed by the aftertaste of salty tears, a taste that traveled through my buds conquering all of my organs one after the other until I could smell it, hear it, see it, breathe it in and exhale pure unadulterated exhaustion.

I have hugged my inner self in acknowledgment of my defeat, like all fighters I know when the battle is over, and this is it, the end.

No, Not in death. You see, to curate your death is to be strong, and as you know it, I have none of that left. As far as death goes, in all the many ways I romanticize my end, this is none.

•2021
My New Writing Buddy, Jeremy
By: Lisa Leblanc
Tags: Dreams, Alpacas, Siretona Creative, Writing Life, Writers Life

My New Writing Buddy, Jeremy

He faithfully stands on my desk and smiles at me, while nurturing a few happy little succulents on his back. Lisa LeBlanc Jun 17·2 min read

I have two collies that are also good writing buddies, but they are much higher maintenance. They need to be walked. They get bored. They want to play at the most inopportune times. They drool on the windows and bark at everyone passing by. When they aren’t passed out under my desk, that is.

Princess the rough collie, in her favorite nap spot under my desk.

Jeremy does none of these things. He does however, cheer me up. His cheeky little grin makes me smile. If he can grow succulents, I can surely grow an idea into a new blog post. He reminds me how he got his name to begin with.

Jeremy came to me in a dream.

I have some wild, crazy vivid dreams, and my dream starring Jeremy was no different.

In this dream, my husband Steve and I went grocery shopping at Superstore. Steve was playing on the shopping cart — balancing one foot on the bottom bar while pushing off with the other foot, riding the cart around the parking lot. I told him he should stop before he broke the big window in the front of the store. Which, of course, he did. He shattered the giant window and created mass panic for the customers unlucky enough to be checking out at that precise moment.

The security guard appeared and took us upstairs to the store manager’s office. Steve went into the manager’s office while Jeremy and I stayed in the waiting room. Jeremy did what bored Alpacas do — he ate all the office plants. Now I was in trouble too.

We received a life-time ban from Superstore, and now no one can shop with their Alpacas, ever again. And it’s all Steve’s fault.

My new Jeremy is very well behaved. I may even sneak him into Superstore next time I go, because that’s the kind of passive aggressive person I am.

Go ahead — tell me I’m not allowed to bring my Alpaca shopping.
What do I include in my author bio?
By: Giraffe Publishing
Tags: Publishing, Writing Tips, Books And Authors, Writers Life, Authors

Authors may be able to tap out a whole 80,000 word manuscript, but when it comes to a short paragraph about ourselves? Impossible!

If you have serious writers block trying to write an author bio, don’t worry. We have the easy three step process to write a bio worth reading.

Step 1: One line summary

Begin with a sentence that summaries who you are and what you do. For example, ‘Sarah Booker is a writer and illustrator living in Melbourne, Australia.’

Step 2: Add some credibility

This next step will depend on what kind of writer you are. For fiction authors, you may want to include any previous publications. For example, ‘Her short fiction has been published in anthologies and journals including Voiceworks, Litro and Above Water’. For non-fiction authors, mention your qualifications for writing this book. For example, if you have written a book on giraffes and you’re a zookeeper, you should definitely say that!

Step 3: Include some personality

Add a little flavour to your bio with some personal information about your hobbies, interests and more. Readers like to get a sense of the person behind a book, so include details like your love of baking, your interest in football, or your rescue greyhound.

What if it’s my first publication?

Don’t worry — everyone starts somewhere! If you feel like you have nothing to add to the credibility section, don’t sell yourself short. Maybe you’ve done a writing course or degree. Maybe you were writing short stories since you were six. You don’t need a distinguished writing career to write a bio!

Some other tips

Keep your bio short — about 200 words is usually enough. Always write in the third person as this feels more professional. List your achievements, but don’t feel you need to put down every publication, course and piece of writing history. Pick the top four and let them speak for themselves!
What I learned as a writer with Animal Crossing
By: Loreto Ml
Tags: Writers On Writing, Animal Crossing, Writing, Writing Life, Writers Life

The other day I was eating breakfast while playing Animal Crossing, as I have done every day since November, and I realized how much progress I had made in my game. The island was terraformed, about to have paid all the mortgages (I only need one) and with almost all the fossils in the museum. And all that was because I had been playing practically every day since November 23, my birthday. If I hadn’t, I’d still have a long way to go and maybe I wouldn’t have any of that. And then I realized that it looks a bit like writing.

I explain.

I have not been able to write very often for several years at the university and, when I did, what I wrote were stories. For a while, it was fatal to me to write them because I was used to somewhat longer works, but I have been improving with practice and it has brought me good things: I won an award and they have published one for me in an anthology. The problem came when I started writing a novel. I hadn’t done it for so long that I could tell when I was trying to weave the story together and when I finished it, I knew it was going to take a lot of revisions to make it decent.

And this is when we return to Animal Crossing. I realized that it is a good game to show you that effort and perseverance pay off. In the case of the game you have a beautiful island and a lot of achievements, in the case of writing what you get is quality. Because, even if we think not, bad writing can become very good if it is worked on and polished.

Many times we hear that it is necessary to write every day to improve, even if it is only ten minutes, but not everyone does or can do it. Sometimes you don’t do it because you think it is not worth taking time away from something else for it, especially because you see that your first attempts are not very good and it gives you the feeling that it is not worth it. Like when you make a ceramic object the first time or try to draw something without having a clue. But I assure you that, if you practice every day, you will end up seeing the results and you will know that it has been worth it.

As with Animal Crossing, it only takes a few minutes a day to practice your writing to get better and better.
10 Unusual Writing Tips for New Writers
By: Sudeshna Roy
Tags: Writers Block, Writing Tips, Overcoming Writers Block, Writing Challenge, Writers Life

“Painters love to paint. Writers love having a finished book.”

If you felt the truth in it, you’re probably a writer.

You’re also probably accustomed to the never-ending imposter syndrome, perfectionism, fear of bad writing, and fear of criticism. You already know that it’s impossible to lure yourself to write. And that self-loathing doesn’t get the job done either.

As an amateur, I spent tremendous time and energy finding a perfect writing system that works for me. Some methods worked for a few days but nothing helped with consistency.

Until one day I made a decision to publish one article daily on my blog.

It was a radical decision at that point considering I hadn’t posted a single article on my blog in the last 62 days! But I decided to post daily anyway.

I didn’t care if what I wrote was perfect. I didn’t care if those articles could be made better by days of editing and rewriting.

My mantra was simple —

“Don’t write because you have something amazing to say. Don’t publish because you wrote a masterpiece today. Write and publish because it’s a new day!”

Yes, I published many below average articles in the act of showing up daily. But in time, my daily practice became my greatest teacher and strongest motivation. In time, I learned to write well because I wrote every day.

Here are my top tips for becoming a better writer —

1. Stop waiting for original ideas to come to you to start writing. Just put your ideas on paper (or on screen). Ideas are formed over a period of time. If you keep going, you’ll find your unique voice.

2. Lower your standards for yourself. Perfection is an illusion. Don’t even set a daily word limit. Publish what you can on any given day.

Something average is better than a perfect nothing.

3. Write your first draft as it is in your mind. Set a timer and write until it beeps. Don’t overthink.

4. Edit voraciously. If possible, let it sit for a day or two. Then edit with a fresh mind. Omit anything that feels out of place.

5. Read it aloud while editing.

6. Make sentences shorter and simpler.

7. No big, fancy words. Write like you talk. (Particularly for online articles)

8. Make sure your message is clear. You don’t have to sound smart. Being clear is enough.

9. Respect your reader’s time. Keep your article as short as possible (without compromising on the idea conveyed).

10. Trust your reader. Don’t spoon-feed ideas. Leave something for their own interpretation.
Wonderful advice here.
By: Rica Keenum
Tags: Becoming A Writer, How To Start Blogging, Freelance Writing, Writing Tips, Writers Life

Wonderful advice here. As a full-time writer and author, I often mentor newer writers. I know immediately who will succeed, and it’s often not the ones with the most natural talent. Being humble, as you mentioned, willing to listen to advice and apply it as needed, is super important. Also, what you said about reading good writing — spot on! When I started writing nonfiction, my editor told me to read 100 books in my genre. I thought that was ridiculous, but I quickly saw the value in her statement. I read as many books as possible. It helped me recognize good transitions and identify where the stories grabbed me and where my attention waned. Reading books, articles and essays, even listening to audiobooks, can be a vital tool to sharpen your skills and inspire creative thinking. Aside from the task of writing, reading is the best way for a newbie (and oldie) to improve (IMO). Finally, I will admit that I’m still learning after nearly two decades, and like you, I still read what I wrote years and even months ago and think — that sucks! 😃 ha ha. Thanks for sharing a great post!
I Have Ideas, But I’m Not Writing
By: Rebecka Vigus
Tags: Aspiring Writer, Fear Of Failure, Writers On Writing, Writing, Writers Life

I have ideas.

I Have Ideas, But I’m Not Writing

If you have ideas, why aren’t you writing? What is holding you back? Are you just procrastinating? Are you afraid of something?

I have millions of ideas. I don’t have enough hours to write them all. Writing for me is a compulsion. I have to get the ideas on paper or in my computer so I can work on them at another time.

You don’t have this drive? You might not be a writer. Writing is something you have to do. It’s not a choice. Put your ideas into a tape recorder, voice memo or some other device where you just need to talk. At least get them out of your head.

I cannot help you if you are procrastinating. There is no cure for procrastination. You just have to decide you are going to write. Schedule yourself writing time and put the ideas on paper.

Fear? If this is your issue, you need to know what it is you are afraid of. Failing? We have all failed at some point. You just get back up and try again. Fear your family won’t like what you write? So what? Are you writing for them or for you? Not everyone IS going to like what you write. You need to write for you. Are you going to have a bestseller? You won’t ever know if you don’t write it.

Writing is a solitary profession. You do it alone with your pen/pencil and paper or at your computer. (Typewriter if you want old fashioned). You need to meet with other like-minded people if you want to discuss writing. Attend a conference to network with other writers.

If you truly want to write, start now!!! Don’t wait. There won’t be a perfect time.

Happy writing!!!!

Rebecka

Additional resources: https://payhip.com/RebeckaVigusTheWriterWhisperer
Medium is killing indie writers!
By: Pratik Routray
Tags: Writers On Medium, Writers On Writing, Writing Tips, Writing, Writers Life

elyPhoto by Joseph Anson on Unsplash

Medium started out in autumn 2012, it was touted as the future of writing and it lived up to its reputation. Medium provided a one-stop solution to all writing needs of all kinds of writers. I heard about medium in 2018 thanks to Gary Vaynerchuk’s YouTube videos and since then I have been actively reading articles on medium.

I was inspired, learnt many new things and started my journey as a writer in January 2019 ,it has been three months into this wonderful journey and I can say I am pretty pleased with it so far!

I have one concern, that medium is slowly killing it’s independent writers who do not write under the clout of the metered paywall.

Even when we publish under established publications the stats are less than flattering and I am unhappy with this trend. Medium started out as a platform to provide quality content for readers, today I feel they have gone astray from their motto.

I genuinely feel most of the article hiding under the metered paywall cloud are click-bait bullshit and very few articles or posts are worth the time! secondly five dollars a month is not something everyone can afford and investing that sum for click-bait is not what your average reader wants.

I understand many writers would want to earn money through their work, but not everyone has common goals. Forcing everyone to conform to a certain norm is dictatorial!personally I write so that my words can reach the masses and provoke thoughts in their respective minds! I do not want to limit my audience.

Your words not reaching even your dedicated followers,thanks to this new algorithm can be disheartening.

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

On a concluding note I would like to request medium to rethink its policies and cater to the needs of different types of people and not the select few. Monetizing a platform is good,but going the Facebook road will ultimately lead to the demise of this wonderful platform!
I will start by saying I have first world problems.
By: Bonnie Mariconda
Tags: Writers Life, Night Owl

I will start by saying I have first world problems. For medical reasons (too long for this comment) I need 10 hours of sleep per night. I am a Night Owl. I usually stay up until at least 12 am and often to 2 am. My life revolves around booking no appointments before noon. While that is the antithesis of a 9–5 pm schedule, it works for me.

Are you suggesting that professionals who work swing/night shifts (think restaurant staff for example) are unproductive? I am disabled semi-retired and self-employed so admittedly I am not a “normal” person for whatever that means.

To illustrate what a Night Owl routine looks like:

I do my “morning” routines from 12–2 pm while others are out to lunch. Then I like to work out and have some coffee, maybe a nap. Then by 5 pm until 9 pm I am working on projects including volunteer work. Believe me, those volunteer projects involve the challenging task of motivating people to commit to a cause without monetary benefit. Then from 9–11 pm I take a break for my “dinner” and hang out with my 9–5 husband. From 11 pm-2 am I do research by reading non-fiction materials and books related to my passions and interests.

Although I am deliriously happy with my chosen lifestyle, it does have a major downside: Interacting with the world. The general pace of life means that I miss important opportunities that occur before noon. Breakfast sessions. Workshops. Appointments which professionals who stop seeing clients by noon. No Yoga or Zumba class because of the “Dead Zone” of no class offerings at the YMCA between 11 am-4 pm that I can do. Ad nausea.

So cheers and coffee for the night owls. We need some love too.
Connecting to your readers
By: Ivan Bačić
Tags: Writing, Newsletter, Email Marketing, Writers Life

I don’t know about you, but if I could get an email from my favorite author, I would throw parties in that name. And, I’m not just saying that because Hemingway has been dead for quiet some time.

Imagine getting an email from Stephen King, or Neil Gaiman, or whoever your favorite author might be. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

You can’t imagine that you can be somebody’s favorite author? Well, trust me, you can and you will.

Some authors have put sending a newsletter into practice but most of them are doing it wrong. They only send their emails when they have something to pitch or to sell and nobody likes these kinds of people.

Don’t think about your readers only when you need something from them. Instead, think what can you offer to them. Remember, they are living beings who care about you and your work, but if you treat them badly, they will return in the same manner.

The age of information and connection economy enabled us to reach almost anyone, at any time, and anyplace.

For a moment, let’s go back to Hemingway. He was well known correspondent with his friends and colleagues. As a matter of fact you can buy a huge collection of his letters which is a valuable resource for any writer.

In these letters, he was writing, his personal struggles, life in general. If he had the ability to email a newsletter, I bet he’d have done it and he’d have been successful at it.

Why not be opened to your readers? Why not treat them as your friends?

At least once a week, email your readers telling them how you were doing. Have you read something interesting? Seen something? Maybe met someone? Change something? You know, the things you would want to share with your friends.

You’re a writer. You are a public figure and let you readers to get to know you.

I know. You’re an introvert. I’m one, as well. But I run my Reader’s Group and I’m sharing stuff from my life with them which I only share with my friends. It doesn’t hurt and my readers love that. Sometimes, they even reply.

Show them you care. Ask for their opinion on your new cover design, a new website. Anything.

You’ll be surprised how good you’ll feel and how respected you will be by your readers.

Some won’t like that and they’ll unsubscribe from your list. That’s ok. It’s not for them.

But, there will be readers who will love you for what you do and that’s great!

Did you say that we have social media for that?

Well, social media isn’t as personal as email and the owners want you to pay for exposure. With email, everybody gets you message in their inbox.

Go out and send that email.
Up Close With: Monica Camara
By: Lauren Mcmenemy
Tags: Writers On Medium, Writing Community, London Writers Salon, Writing Life, Writers Life

Up Close With: Monica Camara

The Mistress of Mikes, the resident Tango Queen, and the one who takes us with her on her morning commute: we’re sure you’ve met our Open Mic Lead before. Let’s get to know Monica Camara a bit better.

Monica Camara

Early 40s

Based in London, UK

On what she writes: “I’m a newbie writer so I am still finding my voice. At the moment, I am inclined towards personal essays and monologues but would love to try short stories and fiction (even perhaps dip into fantasy).”

What are you working on right now?

Building my confidence as a writer to move from blogging into short story and novel writing. I have this magical protagonist who is sitting beside me, patiently waiting for me to write their story.

When and where do you write?

Mornings are reserved for journaling. Any other available writing sessions, usually in the evening, are dedicated to writing projects that I will be sharing with the world, universe, and anyone who cares to read/listen. Ideas come from being outdoors but most writing happens when I shut out the world, quietly scribbling and typing into the small hours.

How do you write?

Before words actually land on the page they live in my head, bouncing around as I move and make space for them to grow. When they finally materialise and come into their own existence, I write them by hand. I read the piece out loud several times to see how they dance and feel. As a social tango dancer, I like words to come to life and step on the beat, occasionally syncopating. Writing from the body, using those gestures of physicality helps me write. Typing up is usually the final step… and then it’s time to release those words and let them live out in the world.

Why do you write?

To fill the spaces in between, to make sense of the world, find beauty in all things — all in all, to make the world dance and smile

What inspires your creativity?

Body movement, dance, music, beauty in urban landscapes, colours and beautiful tango shoes (naturally).

Monica is the resident tango queen, and even showed us her moves during the 24-hour writing marathon!

What’s your favourite book?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?

It’s in our nature to create, so channel that inspiration and turn it into something beautiful. Dance, write, sing…whatever it is, create and liberate the magic!

What’s the one thing you would tell other or aspiring writers?

Done is better than perfect, so don’t overthink and don’t fear the publish button.

How can we discover more about you and your work?

Visit my blog at underthewaspnest.com.