Are Job Bidding Sites Really Worth It?

Freelance writers want to make money. We want that next big assignment, awesome client or well-paying gig. It's what we do! So you may have heard of bidding sites like Upwork (formerly Elance), Odesk, and other online freelance marketplaces. All of these sound like great resources, but is it really the best path?

As a freelance writer, I've done a lot and learned a lot over the years. From content mills, to independent service want ads, outsourcing, contract agreements, freelance gigs, copywriting work, and bidding, it seems I've done it all. Bid sites were particularly sticky for me. For writers who want to build a solid portfolio, further their career, and make serious money, I would not recommend it.

What are Job Bidding Sites?

If you step back and take a closer look, you'll notice that firms like media companies, ad agencies, and in-house agencies are not particularly posting jobs on these sites. Most of the folks on there are typically looking for the best copywriter at the cheapest rate. Add the fact that other writers are on there competing for that job and it's a recipe for disaster. 

Oftentimes, you have to lower your rates just to beat the next guy. Even then you may not even get the bid! Plus you've spent valuable time proposing your services to a job you may or may not get. Also, let us not forget that many of these sites may charge a "quote fee"  or "transaction fee" if you do get the job. Elance charges over 8% of your agreed upon fee payment.

Now What?

In my opinion it is best to market and promote yourself directly to prospective clients who are looking for quality copy, and are willing to pay you what it is worth. You don't want to market yourself to someone who is looking to get cheap copy for a cheap price. Now, not all clients on these sites may be doing this, but many people want that "best deal" and unfortunately that means other standards may have to be lowered, including how much money YOU make!

Food Kicks Makes a Debut

I've decided to do something I have been wanting to do forever...launch a foodie blog! Food Kicks is a blog all about food. I will share reviews, recipes, food hacks, and other great foodie news! The thought came to me years ago when I began recipe scrapbooking. I enjoyed collecting recipes and searching for new food hacks so much I said to myself I should make a foodie blog.

Nothing happened until I recently when I decided I should create my own place on the web where people could enjoy a variety of foodie related topics. So I decided I'd blog about it "for kicks." Thus Food Kicks was born! The page is still very new but I hope everyone will enjoy it and follow me to stay connected.

You can check it out HERE!

Water on Mars? Scientists are Hopeful

Photo courtesy Mars Reconnaissance orbiter/University of Arizona/JPL/NASA

Hi Everyone! It has been a while (far too long) since I've last posted. A combination of sharing the flu among family members and extra soccer practices will do that to you. (Okay, no more excuses!)
Something in the news today jolted me back into writer mode. The recent discovery of water on Mars!

It makes me think of the common phrases: "when pigs fly," or "when hell freezes over," but "when Mars has water," really? Hmmm. So now that I'm on the current events train, I might as well keep chugging along.

Mars. The red planet. The future planet. The planet portrayed with red clay mountains and eternally orange horizons. The dry planet. Or is it? NASA says that evidence of flowing water has been found on Mars, therefore there may be the possibility of life there as well-- perhaps even life for us there one day. Well, this is a jump from when we speculated if faces lived among the sand nearly 40 years ago.

A photo, taken over a small areas of the Cydonia region of Mars, on July 25, 1976, sparked controversy and fascination when NASA released the image, taken by the Viking 1 orbiter.

Photo courtesy NASA

Could evidence of water on Mars be yet another controversial phenomenon? Only time will tell. In the mean time I might be inspired to write a short story about life on Mars. Who knows, it might even include a few flying pigs. :)

5 Types of Writers. Which are You?

It's one thing to tell a person that you are a writer. But what about the kind of writer you are? I decided to do a little digging around and see what types of writers I could find out there. I've come up with the following five categories below. Most of the writers I came across seemed to fit into one of these categories or a combination of two or more. Here's a fun list of what I found out:

Type #1: The Literary Devotee:

This type of writer is the closest thing to a "born writer," leaving their mark as the most quintessential of writers. These folks tend to be very creative and imaginative, blending art and literature into one. These types of writers tend to primarily gravitate toward fiction writing. They are able to build worlds in their mind and an uncanny talent to breathe life into their characters with relative ease. They often work alone and are very possessive of their work. 

Type #2: The Entrepreneur:

This type of writer is extremely business minded. In fact, they view writing, all the way down to the physical act, as a necessary means to a greater end. These individuals tend to be very driven and straightforward, and analytical, often gravitating toward PR or Marketing with their savvy communication know-how. They also tend to be good critics and may be more prolific then their Literary Devotee counterpart. They are easily fascinated and have an innate desire to achieve. Writing is seen as a useful tool in the creation of projects--which Entrepreneurs do very well.

Type #3: The Eccentric:

These types of writers tend to be solitary and produce that more cutting edge, outside-the-box type works. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a unique and often memorable style that sets them apart from others and they tend to make a significant impact on others with their writing. These individuals tend to gravitate toward and epic stories, memoirs, or poetry, sharing their profound insights that challenge and stimulate readers.

Type #4: The Avenger:

Messages for the masses and delivering the truth to the people—that is the main objective of the avenger. Whether its an advocacy campaign, a call to action or an exposé, these writers are reporters of the trade. They tend to be opinionated and passionate, yet concise. These types of writes tend to gravitate toward journalism and newsworthy content. They thrive on energy and are often driven to share their reach out to people.

Type #5: The Optimist:

This type of writer is the one who has the gift of gab. They can word things just right and have a sort of "writing charisma" about them. These types of writers tend to gravitate toward non-fiction, educational content, or inspirational pieces designed to engage the reader. Their ability to pursue an audience is similar to the Entrepreneur and their message resonates well with the masses. These writers make great public speakers, social net-workers or life coaches.

Most days, I would consider myself a Literary Devotee because I am very creative and imaginative. Other days I feel more like an Eccentric, seeking to share my wisdom with others in an ekphrastic way. With writing, there are definitely plenty of avenues to travel down!

Which road(s) are yours?

What's in a Picture? Google's New Look!

Google. The staple search engine. The term used to refer to how to find something. People have been using the term around the dinner table for years and kids today have grown up with that infamous little G floating around them since the cradle. Google is everywhere and if you aren't on the Google bandwagon, well you've been left behind.

Today, Google changes the face of their logo, going from the classic Times-new-Romanish default look to a sleeker, more Arial-inspired font. What's with the modern and more contemporary look? A change in times m'dear! Simpler seems to go further. The new logo sports the same simple color palette but with cleaner lines and less "flourish" than the older style.

Google's New Look!

So you might be asking why Google has decided to do this now? Well they are no stranger to change. In fact, they have changed a lot over the past 17 years. Today, they like to call their updates a form of evolution. See more on Google's creative transformation here.

According to Google's official blog, they are introducing the new logo and identity family that reflects their versatility and the ability to utilize Google whenever and wherever you need it. They have also updated the Google logo and branding, "for a world of seamless computing across an endless number of devices and different kinds of inputs (such as tap, type and talk)."

Google's new multi-color icon!

Pretty exciting stuff right? I myself am a self-proclaimed Google-lover, so I am all for the positive change! It seems that the biggest take away from this change is in how the new look shows you how Google is working for you. It seems interaction and consistency are key. As you use Google across multiple platforms, you will never doubt that Google is with you. This is ever-present in the the replacement of the lower cased blue "g" that was Google's prior icon. Now it has been replaced with the four-color “G” to match the new logo.

In a word, Long Live Google!

Back to School... Yes Please!

For some, it has already started. For others, it's not for another week or so. However for me, today was the first day back to school for my daughter Amber! She was excited but I was ecstatic! As a writer, time alone to get work done is so important! And now I get to partake in the joys of quiet and uninterrupted time once again. Thank you Jesus! Not that I did not enjoy every moment of summertime with my young one but ahh.... do you hear that?

(insert long pause here)

Exactly! Enjoy the silence! Of course that doesn't mean I won't be blaring some of that Depeche Mode or Foster the People or Aretha Franklin or Luke Bryan as I write on (I enjoy a wide variety of music). For all my parents out there who have passed GO, collected $200 and sent their precious bundle(s) of joy off to school, give a shout out! 

I love to think of back-to-school time as a time to start a few new things of my own. I reflect on the year thus far, and bring things into perspective moving forward. It gives me some much needed clarity of mind before we get lost in the whirlwind of the holidays and end of year hurrahs. One of the things I like to do is make some writing goals for myself.

My writing goals for this fall are:

• Finish my current fiction novel and begin the submission process.
• Attend at least two writer's conferences.
• Organize my stockpile of poetry (wouldn't mind submitting that either :P).
• Networking with more great authors and writers. (I have met so many talented and wonderful folks so far!).

 If you have any new writing goals of your own, share below!

Amazing Books Worth Second Looks - Mark Z. Danielewski's "House of Leaves" and "The Familiar"

Recently, I heard about Mark Z. Danielewski's newest installment to his latest work The Familiar. Volume 1 released this past May and volume 2 is set to release in October. To say the least, Danielewski's work is nothing short of uniquely mind-blowing. In the past, Danielewski's work has been termed as a cutting edge form of art that cross the most progressive of literary thresholds.

Danielewski's The Familiar - Volume 1

A page from The Familiar - Volume 1

Danielewski has been categorized as a writer of ergodic literature and a major pioneer among postmodern sign-iconic literature. Known most notably for his work The House of Leaves, published in 2000, he uses his ability to breathe life into macabre and satirical style horror with poignantly gritty prose.

I first discovered Danielewski shortly after aptly falling in love with his sister Poe's 1995 debut album "Hello." There were references to the House of Leaves among eerie little audio "footnotes" located in the pregaps between some of  Poe's tracks. Her music is lulling, mesmerizing and addictive, the perfect companion to Danielewski's work. Her later album "Haunted" also offers more areas to explore and provides a better understanding of the novel The House of Leaves. 

Danielewski's House of Leaves

A page from House of Leaves

I remember holding The House of Leaves in my hands and finding myself fascinated by the seemingly odd layout and jarring imagery of the words (or lack there of) on the pages. The story revolved around a house presumed to be haunted and the significant impacts it has on the characters in the story. To this day it has never been revealed why Danielewski decides to color the word house in blue throughout the book, but it is among the many strange fascinations that live within this masterpiece.

As for Danielewski's latest work, I am thrilled and excited to delve into The Familiar, Vol. 1 - A Rainy Day in May and the upcoming Vol. 2 - Into the Woods. Danielewski is planning on publishing 27 installments in all. It seems we have much more to look forward to from this cult classic author! :)