tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351449022011-11-27T16:31:59.354-07:00Exploring the Freelance Writing World, one day at a time.Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-25104471020025421622009-05-29T15:19:00.001-06:002009-05-29T15:21:33.020-06:00

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-5332016980640777892009-01-06T15:09:00.004-07:002009-01-06T15:14:24.962-07:00

After an extremely long hiatus (of about a year and a half, maybe more) I am once again blogging here at The Writer Spot.At the moment, I'll be posting for and about my various classes as I close in on my diploma, but don't be surprised to see the occasional quote or link or commentary about anything else writing related.For the moment, however, a lot of my posting will be done to fulfill the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-46412044824615935562007-09-06T10:12:00.001-06:002007-09-06T10:12:48.156-06:00

After a long hiatus - all summer, actually - the WriterSpot is up and running once more. In the near future, watch closely for updates, articles, and all the regular features.-- Westover Freelance Writing 208.881.0634BrianWestover@gmail.comhttp://thewriterspot.blogspot.com/

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-48481323620910635962007-04-20T13:16:00.000-06:002007-04-20T13:33:05.249-06:00

Now that we've finished our look at Headshots and Author Photos, the Look Like a Pro! series turns it's attention to business cards. Listed here (in no particular order) are a variety of helpful links to learn more about why you need a business card, and how to get one.Marketing guru Scott Ginsburg on Business cards that suck The other day I was sifting through about 1000 business cards I've

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-59927145905134472312007-04-17T07:42:00.000-06:002007-04-17T08:17:10.690-06:00

After a crazy and hectic week between semesters (during which I got what I hope to be my last non-writing job) and a slight lag in posting, today's post actually isn't part of the Look Like a Pro! series. We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. The incomparable Susan Johnston over at The Urban Muse tagged me for the latest meme - "What's your favorite type of writing?"What's

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-67248532029740310772007-04-05T09:18:00.000-06:002007-04-05T09:25:51.016-06:00

This is professional:This is professional:This is not. Unless of course, you're a professional clown... an unappealing clown.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-72876275026341168372007-04-05T08:58:00.000-06:002007-04-05T09:16:02.298-06:00

Look Like a Pro! - Personal Makeover, Phase 1I've seen too many writers that look like professional hobos rather than writers. Everything I've been reading lately say that professionalism is in short supply in our industry, and that those who do deliver a professional image are the ones that land regular assignments, become favorites of editors, and make more money. As part of this series, I'm

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-71515385165879182812007-03-29T07:52:00.000-06:002007-03-29T17:40:36.186-06:00

As part of the Look Like a Pro! Series, I’m proud to present the very first (of hopefully many) Writer Spot Interview. I’ll probably come up with a catchier title than that, but that’s beside the point.Today’s interview features freelance writer Susan Johnston, better known to some blog readers as the Urban Muse. Her website was recently highlighted as an example in personal branding by

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-48861834510946021802007-03-28T15:09:00.000-06:002007-03-28T15:24:09.045-06:00

This picture perfectly sums up anything I could say about why you need a good headshot. Look at the two, and ask yourself the following four questions:Which picture is more professional?Which is more likely to land an assignment and get paid more money for it?Which one will have editors calling him with assignments?Which photo do you want to be?In a perfect world, you'd be judged solely on your

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-58899820886838919452007-03-27T09:17:00.000-06:002007-03-27T10:44:18.337-06:00

I’m going to take a one post break from the “Look Like a Pro” series to participate in the “Habits for Daily Success” meme. Carson Brackney, the copywriter extraordinaire over at Content Done Better has tagged me with the latest meme: “List the top 5 to 10 things you do almost every day that help you to be successful. They can be anything at all, but they have to be things you do at least 4 or 5

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-70413159719813078262007-03-22T15:51:00.000-06:002007-03-26T10:41:10.417-06:00

In the first post of the "Look Like a Pro!" series, I've rounded up some informative bits of advice from seasoned professionals, writers and non-writers alike. In addition to the talented and successful writers here, I've also found some useful information from real estate agents, publicists, entrepreneurs and web professionals. Enjoy! Photo via FlickrInkthinker's Kristen King looks at the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-38237627042568127662007-03-20T09:53:00.000-06:002007-03-21T18:02:50.006-06:00

In the next week or so, I will be in the process of reorganizing, revamping and otherwise sprucing up my personal marketing materials. As I do this, I’ll be detailing, step by step, what I’ve changed and how it’s better. I’ll be posting all of this information as a series, including all sorts of informational goodies for readers.Some of the topics I’ll cover:The Mug Shot - Why every writer needs

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-74120833969963835792007-03-20T09:32:00.000-06:002007-03-21T18:03:45.189-06:00

"When I’m...writing, I really have to think, and thinking is a rare commodity. It actually takes horsepower. It’s not just regurgitating information, which is just the computer stuff the brain does — it really is tapping the intuition, the intelligence, the creativity."- David Allen, author of Getting Things DoneSources: Quote, Photo

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-59535314304304714542007-03-14T17:26:00.000-06:002007-03-14T17:56:49.182-06:00

Dan Rather dropped by the new (and indie and web 2.0) media mega-conference known as South by Southwest (SXSW for those who have been confused by the omnipresence of this abbreviation). He was interviewed by Kate Weidaw, and there are both excerpts and video available online. Rather said he views the Internet as an important part of journalism and chooses to get his day's news online, as well as

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-76402589820075952502007-03-14T14:59:00.000-06:002007-03-14T18:13:38.582-06:00

The brain that doesn't feed itself, eats itself. Gore Vidal Sources: Quote, Picture

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-6512651973710656222007-03-14T09:35:00.000-06:002007-03-14T09:41:56.766-06:00

About the AuthorUsually a couple of paragraphs to one page describing relevant information about the author. Used for books, book proposals and sometimes articles. Written in the 3rd person.Source: http://www.writefromhome.com/writingtradearticles/197.htmUsually a few paragraphs to one page that describes the author. Written in 3rd person. Used for books, book proposals and sometimes

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-18381436864411075682007-03-14T08:56:00.000-06:002007-03-14T09:21:18.901-06:00

The issues of time management and organization are the twin demons that plague most writers. We generally have lots of papers, lots of great ideas and no time in which to get everything done that we'd like. So, to help us all out, we've got some great tips on each from Boston columnist Penelope Trunk and workflow consultant Matthew Cornell. (Found via Lifehack.org) 5 Ways to Stop Being Late,

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-53135332847684770002007-03-13T12:23:00.000-06:002007-03-13T12:55:32.531-06:00

Every new writer faces the rookie dilemma. Without experience and clips, many editors won't hire you. If editors won't hire you, you'll get no clips. It's an infuriating problem in circular logic, and it's one faced by new writers every day.How does one overcome this hurdle? What can the rookie do to land those first few assignments, the meager start of a truly professional portfolio?Here are

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-22727465731782566622007-03-13T11:22:00.000-06:002007-03-13T12:53:34.032-06:00

Sometimes, I just love the Internet. (Actually, that's most of the time.) One of my favorite things to watch of late has been how the occasional "new media" player (be it a blogger, YouTuber, whatever) will occasionally show such creativity that "old media" picks it up. The best example, of late? One of my favorite blogs, Indexed, has been offered a book deal, with Penguin's Viking Studio. For

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-49677947439201135972007-03-09T09:18:00.000-07:002007-03-09T09:30:13.811-07:00

Allison Winn Scotch has answered a question of mine that's been bugging me for a while.I've read (or think I've read) about new writers using letters to theeditor as published clips. What's your take on this? Is this a legitimatepractice, or one of those new writer pipe dreams?Noooooo!!! Don't do this.That's pretty much what I figured. It sounded fishy when I first heard of the idea, and because

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-74474491128748572862007-03-07T11:30:00.000-07:002007-03-07T11:37:59.308-07:00

“Either write something worth readingor do something worth writing.”– Ben Franklin

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-79589496058248287682007-03-07T10:56:00.000-07:002007-03-07T11:29:14.165-07:00

All writing involves three elements. Whether it’s scribbling in your journal, landing a byline in a major magazine, or writing for a TV show, these three elements are present and inescapable.ThoughtAll writing begins with thought. Words and sentences only have value because they represent ideas and concepts and do so in a way that many people understand. Without those ideas and concepts, language

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-3098756567567868132007-03-06T13:29:00.000-07:002007-03-06T17:18:47.051-07:00

Looking for a fun way to brainstorm? Are you lost in aggravation from a bad case of the block? Play a game! But not just any game – try one (or all) of these excellent Brainstorming Games. These games are designed to tickle your mind, to tease your intellect and to tap in to your brainpower.Scrabble The classic word game, Scrabble challenges you to find words using a limited number of letters

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-31042044497960437622007-03-06T11:06:00.000-07:002007-03-06T13:09:43.583-07:00

You never know quite when an idea will pop into your mind, do you? Surely I’m not the only one that finds inspiration in the shower, am I? (Actually, I believe the shower was a favorite of Stan Freberg.) At any given moment, whether I’m pounding out a rough draft, researching a topic or just doing a bit of “mind grazing”, I may have an idea that strikes. Maybe it’s something I read that strikes

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-23756581482411392282007-03-01T15:52:00.000-07:002007-03-02T11:49:07.535-07:00

One of the beauties of the Hipster PDA (which I've been using religiously for months now) is that it offers an extremely portable note taking system. For writers, especially those who are always on the look out for article ideas, this thought capture is essential.Here's a wonderful video about a man who writes/designs crossword puzzles. I love everything he has to say, so just watch the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-50241814214523248792007-03-01T09:46:00.000-07:002007-03-01T09:58:45.393-07:00

You may want to check out Toasted Cheese, a website for writers that may just have the best name ever. More importantly, they have a calendar which includes a daily writing prompt - that's right, 365 days of writing prompts!http://www.toasted-cheese.com/webcal/webcal.cgi

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-50702456911890659372007-02-22T13:12:00.000-07:002007-02-24T12:52:53.400-07:00

Matthew Stibbe, over at the Bad Language Blog has posted a great essay explaining a few realities of the freelance writing world. I recommend reading the entire thing, but here's a favorite quote.Most business professionals shouldn’t have a problem with this, but don’t be fooled into thinking that a freelance writer lives in a mound of creative chaos and thrives on late nights, whiskey and hand

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-37324604115723864352007-02-21T09:45:00.000-07:002007-02-21T10:07:03.823-07:00

Have you seen Go2Web2.0? It's an entire listing of high quality online sites, each featuring the stereo typical funky names, slick designs and handy buttons. Among this list (which includes more than 800 internet based products and companies) are some powerful online tools for writers. Here are just a few:Calenders, like HipCal and 30BoxesTo Do Lists, like Nozbe and VitalistOnline Word Processors

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-47322489822599199102007-02-20T16:42:00.000-07:002007-02-20T17:24:00.712-07:00

Interview (N)A meeting or conversation in which a writer or reporter asks questions of one or more persons from whom material is sought for a newspaper story, television broadcast, etc.The report of such a conversation or meeting. Source: http://dictionary.reference.comInterview (V)To give or conduct an interview: to interview to fill job openings.Source: http://

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-15554180526072624542007-02-19T16:09:00.000-07:002007-02-19T16:20:12.122-07:00

"Kill the idea of the lone, suffering artist. We suffer anyway as human beings. Don't make it any harder on yourself." - Natalie GoldbergFrom: Writing Down the Bones

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-38907626708406336272007-02-16T09:40:00.000-07:002007-02-16T10:33:18.012-07:00

Looking to save a ton of money on office supplies? Electronics? Magazine subscriptions? If you know how to look, you can find some incredible deals on the things you need every day.60% off Office Productshttp://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?node=1064954&pct-off=60-This includes things like ink cartridges, binders, office chairs, lamps and a whole slew of other items.85% off Electronicshttp://

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-73523673951309600502007-02-12T16:41:00.000-07:002007-02-10T13:46:11.437-07:00

Allison Winn Scotch has recently witten some great posts about freelance writing, touching on important aspects that we all deal with.Learning to Let Go - When do you cut bait on a great article idea?Blogging for Money - Does blogging ever really pay the bills?A Total Noob Asks How To Break In - We all asked ourselves this question at some point.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-39735022531637857842007-02-09T10:33:00.000-07:002007-02-08T13:13:07.926-07:00

Masthead (N)A masthead is a list, usually found on the editorial page of a newspaper or magazine, of the members of the newspaper's editorial board. If no editorial board exists, the masthead will often feature a list of top news staff members. Some mastheads also include information such as the publication's founding date, slogan, logo and contact information.Online publications often have what

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-79569625145675156492007-02-07T14:13:00.000-07:002007-02-07T14:20:50.594-07:00

“Write what you know” is a very good starting point. But that’s all it is. It’s a place for you to go to get your feet wet, and a place to come back to when the tide gets too high. But it’s not a place to stay for very long.- Jenna GlatzerQuote found at Absolute Write.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-48378072904192535192007-02-06T17:53:00.000-07:002007-02-09T11:27:12.209-07:00

Steve Jobs has recently posted "Thoughts on Music", an 1,800 odd word discourse on music, DRM technology and the music industry. It raises some interesting and perplexing points about intellectual property and copyright. Here's one quote:Why would the big four music companies agree to let Apple and others distribute their music without using DRM systems to protect it? The simplest answer is

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-76849665059027075482007-02-06T11:47:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:57:07.129-07:00

I recently had the chance to sit down with some big names in the writing world, and get their thoughts about writer's block, which I'd just recently posted about. (Okay, so I've never met them, and these quotes were found online. They're still great.)Try a Different Approach"Try drawing or painting a scene you're working on. Often this will help free up you imagination." – Kevin HenkesBreak It

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-11995912782591153752007-02-05T16:29:00.000-07:002007-02-05T17:16:15.425-07:00

I think the Rolling Stones may have said it best - "You don't always get what you want." Nowhere is this more true than in the penny-pinching world of freelance writing. The ideal may be great, but it's just not always realistic. So, with all the regularity of ... uh, something irregular... here's a look at the Ideal and the Real.This week: NotebooksIdeal -Delicious Moleskine goodness. $9.95 for

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-68449454210786935492007-02-05T13:27:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:36:55.950-07:00

“The essence of professionalism is the focus upon the work and its demands, while we are doing it, to the exclusion of all else.”...“There’s no mystery to turning pro. It’s a decision brought about by an act of will. We make up our mind to view ourselves as pros and we do it. Simple as that.”- Steven PressfieldThe War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative BattlesPicked

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-69126676199646656892007-02-02T14:02:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:54:21.270-07:00

Query, Query Letter (N)(1) a one page letter to an editor pitching a proposed non-fiction article.(2) a pitch to a director for a screenplay.(3) a letter to an editor for a novel usually accompanied with a synopsis and sample chapters.Source: www.writefromhome.comA query letter "pitches" an article or book idea to an editor to see if that editor might be interested in purchasing the proposed or

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-37078347100865132672007-02-02T13:40:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:53:58.646-07:00

Vocabulary. Nonmenclature. Terminology. Jargon.Every profession and craft seems to develop its own unique collection of words. To the insider, these words are useful, even essential. They save time by allowing an entire concept to be conceyed in one simple word. They provide a sense of community with other insiders. They show editors that you understand the industry and how it works. When you

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-59552332349471472362007-02-01T09:58:00.000-07:002007-02-01T13:54:15.893-07:00

Writer's Block - that frozen up, blank minded state, very similar to a sneeze that won't quite sneeze, in which a writer cannot write. It's real, and we all deal with it sometimes. So, to help my fellow writers get the words flowing again, here are five ways to prime the pump and get back to work...1. Say 'Bollocks' to the Block!Honestly, don't even call it writer's block. Don't obsess over it,

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-73013054907798538722007-01-29T12:07:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:37:26.724-07:00

"Don't you wish you had a job like mine? All you have to do is think up a certain number of words! Plus, you can repeat words! And they don't even have to be true!" - Dave Barry

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-25375832145293714252007-01-26T10:26:00.000-07:002007-01-26T11:17:14.394-07:00

I've long been a big fan of the John Tesh Radio Show (which is weird, since I don't like John Tesh...) particularly the "Intelligence for Life" segments. They're full of, well, intellegent information for eveyday life. It's an aptly named segment. Needless to say, I like information that I can use, and as a writer I hoard information the way a squirrel gathers nuts - I pack as much into my head

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-28813689025402002412007-01-25T17:17:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:40:07.163-07:00

I've posted in the past about the joy of online mind mapping. The latest in this happy family is a site called bubbl.us.The beauty of those bubbliscious drag-and-drop boxes is fairly mesmerizing. I'm tempted to spend all day organizing thoughts, even those that didn't need organizing! Not only is this a handy tool for organizing information, I find it to be a fantastic brainstorming tool. In

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-83715307933587318022007-01-19T12:22:00.000-07:002007-01-19T13:02:23.520-07:00

Presenting the greatest idea ever. This may be the most perfect strategy for overcoming procrastination I've run across. It's a simple concept, based on the theory of positive reinforcement.I picked this up here: http://www.badlanguage.net/?p=185

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-88694238952349201082007-01-18T14:32:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:41:01.944-07:00

I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off.If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it.- Ray Bradbury

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-11153549218125519842007-01-17T11:14:00.000-07:002007-01-18T09:11:32.438-07:00

Kristen King, over at ::inkthinker:: (a WriterSpot favorite) has posted a challenge to readers, inviting them to write 10 query letters a month. Sounds good to me! I particularly like the tagline she came up with.12 months + 120 queries = Imminent publishingsuccess

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-80134776010071362972007-01-17T10:33:00.000-07:002007-01-18T08:57:55.273-07:00

Blogging self-help guru Steve Pavlina has a post outlining how to maximize your creative output.He makes some great points in his post, and I just wanted to comment on how they apply specifically to writers. Listed below are his 7 Rules, followed by my thoughts on each.1. Define a clear purposeAs a writer, it's not always easy to say "I'm now going to write x number of pages on (insert topic here

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-86282947407647734192007-01-16T13:08:00.000-07:002007-01-16T13:12:11.986-07:00

I'd just like to point readers in the direction of Allison Winn Scotch, a freelance writer and avid blogger about the freelancing world. Her blog, Ask Allison, is a goldmine of straight to the point advice about professional freelancing. Her insights are a godsend to newbies like myself, and it's highly likely that a few of her posts will be mentioned and linked here.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-64123149457885158062007-01-16T12:15:00.000-07:002007-01-16T12:23:13.838-07:00

More coolness with the Scroll. In addition to being moved over to Campus (which is a wonderful place to be), I've already been given a killer opportunity. Last Thursday, I had the chance to sit down with our student body officers for a Q&A session, and it hit print today. It's a thing of beauty; once it's available online, I'll post a link.Speaking of links, I forgot to post the previously

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-14214287639108252692007-01-08T17:13:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:43:26.727-07:00

The Scroll just started up again for the new semester, and today was the day for new staff assignments. I was hoping to work somewhere other than News, and I got my wish. This semester, I'm writing for the Campus section - sweet!Not that I have anything against News. On the contrary, I loved writing for that section, because the staff was great. It also got me some experience with hard news,

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-59259142263791591392007-01-08T11:08:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:45:47.998-07:00

“A freelance writer is a man who is paid ..per piece .. or per word .. or perhaps.” – Robert Benchley

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-21624023149207388652006-12-02T11:33:00.000-07:002006-12-05T09:56:28.491-07:00

"Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending." - Yamamoto TsunetomoThe quote above is taken from Hagakure: The Book of the Samauri, Yamamoto Tsunetomo's master text on the ways of the samurai. The concept of his words are perfectly encapsulated in one word: Kaizen. Roughly translated, Kaizen means 'change for good', and

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-70849713873847919252006-11-29T11:08:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:46:00.115-07:00

“I writefor the same reasonI breathe -becauseif I didn’t,I would die.”- Isaac AsimovQuote picked up here.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-31802632278794359522006-11-28T10:46:00.000-07:002006-11-29T09:04:14.738-07:00

I just realized that, since my initial post on getting printed in the Scroll, I hadn't mentioned any of the articles I've done since then. They're looking great, and a good number are also offered online. To check them out, just follow the links:Element 118 Madison Memorial Ends Birth AnnouncementsBlack Friday bliss

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-87603530119141515072006-11-27T10:17:00.000-07:002006-11-27T10:33:39.077-07:00

In a recent post, I lamented about my need to tighten things up a bit in my life, and get more focused about what I'm doing and the goals I've set. Since then, mostly in the last week, I've been working on just that.First thing, I wrote up my personal mission statement. The section I'll share here deals specifically with writing, but I also did a similar statement for each area of my life - my

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-6831121588796280782006-11-21T10:46:00.000-07:002006-11-21T11:03:20.359-07:00

For those who are already familiar with the practice of mind mapping, I don't need to tell you how effective it can be as a way of generating and organizing your thoughts. You guys can skip to the link.For those of you who are new to mind mapping, listen up. If you're looking for a way to boost your brainstorming, mind mapping is for you. If you're looking for a way to organize an array of varied

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-59530923272219272922006-11-20T17:48:00.000-07:002006-11-20T18:02:56.663-07:00

I'm not sure how it happened, but even though I make a near-daily perusal of the Renegade Writer's Blog, I missed a veritable gem of advice. Judging by the lack of comments, so did everyone else.Linda Formichelli, co-author of the RW books, suggests using Amazon's search function to track down experts with recently published or soon-to-be published books. They're established experts, which is

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-64048109377051199892006-11-20T12:40:00.000-07:002006-11-20T12:49:30.792-07:00

While doing some poking around in the blogosphere, I found inkthinker, the blog of author Kristen King. She's a talented writer, a solid blogger and a source of some sound writing advice. This is definitely a blog for writers to keep an eye on.Some posts that particularly caught my eye:Her notes from the 2006 WIW Freelance Success Seminar (Parts 1 and 2 so far)Filled with gems of practical advice

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-32545031344649239182006-11-20T11:42:00.000-07:002006-11-20T12:05:37.636-07:00

Most people who are at all familiar with freeelance writing are familiar with Writer's Market, the big ol' honkin' book filled with contact info for magazines, publishing companies, literary agents and the like. For freelancers, it's a necessity, and I included it as a must-have book for any serious freelancer.That being said, I'm a college student, with a college student's budget. I've almost

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1163791359385110282006-11-17T12:20:00.000-07:002006-11-17T12:22:39.396-07:00

Angela Booth, over at Fab Freelance Writing, has posted a helpful article about the importance of a freelance writing business plan and how to simply put one together.Here's the link.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1163280007628889882006-11-11T14:00:00.000-07:002006-11-11T14:20:07.640-07:00

I know that one of the things I sometimes have trouble with is keeping a clear image of a character in my mind. Did that guy have a goatee, or was it a full beard? Didn't I just mention how that guy's nose was a bit hawkish?Othertimes, it helps to have the character looking at you in order to give them a name. But how could you do this without having access to a professional police sketch artist?

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1163119472391444802006-11-09T17:31:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:49:33.576-07:00

“Artists pursuemeaninglessnessuntil they can force itto mean something …They immerse themselves in chaos to give it form.”– Rollo May, from The Courage to Create"If you do not express your own original ideas,if you do not listen to your own being,you will have betrayed yourself.Also, you will have betrayed your communityin failing to make your contribution."– Rollo May

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1163019084812156452006-11-08T13:44:00.000-07:002006-11-08T13:51:24.830-07:00

While poking around at 43 Folders, Merlin Mann's site for GTD fans and hipster PDA addicts, I found this link in an older article. Listed here are 50 (yes 50!) strategies to blow past writer's block and get writing. Included in this cornucopia of advice are such hints as:Lighten up on yourself. Give yourself the freedom to write when the urgestrikes, and not write when you don't feel like it.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1163004833797108962006-11-08T09:10:00.000-07:002006-11-08T09:53:53.916-07:00

Let me start of by saying that the very use of the word "hip" is the surest sign of a complete and utter lack of coolness. It's lame, it's out of touch, and to put it in old person-speak, it's definitely not "hip".A few years back, after reading Anne Lamontt's Bird by Bird, I began carrying index cards with me. She suggests it as a great way to jot down notes, ideas, quotes, etc. and frankly, I

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162923638930943022006-11-07T11:10:00.000-07:002006-11-07T11:20:39.706-07:00

Well, I realized this morning that I need to tighten up my focus with school and writing. Like just about every other person to ever surf the web, I find myself often losing time to trivial things like aimless surfing, excessively in depth research into meaningless topics, and the like.Don't get me wrong; I understand that a bit of decompression is a necessary thing. As a writer the mental

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162835786293706832006-11-06T10:51:00.000-07:002007-02-08T12:50:28.407-07:00

My aimis to put down on paperwhat I seeandwhat I feelin the best and simplest way.- Ernest Hemingway

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162680467081523762006-11-04T15:35:00.000-07:002006-11-04T15:47:47.096-07:00

Well, the editor in cheif of the Voice responded to my request to do a column for them. Sadly, because I write for the Scroll, writing for the Voice would present a conflict of interest. Meaning, they can't use me while I'm a Scrollie.Because they're just a little rag-tag start-up pulled together by students, I don't think I'll be bailing on the award winning Scroll anytime soon, especially since

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162487076556145702006-11-02T09:56:00.000-07:002006-11-02T10:05:40.966-07:00

Today, I was handed the first copy of Rexburg's independant student newspaper, The Voice. Though they try way to hard to have a controversial tone (this is Rexburg, Idaho. The most exciting thing they have to talk about is the booting of cars. Honestly.) it is a tad refreshing to see another publication come out for students. More importantly, it seems that they've got a solid base of

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162399929285128772006-11-01T09:42:00.000-07:002006-11-01T09:52:09.296-07:00

John Bash, the man behind the blog Overcoming Laziness has posted some great advice on overcoming witer's block. It's four simple rules, and it get's right to the heart of the problem without any of the "Wo is me" artistic whining that often accompanies the discussion of Writer's Block. And let's be honest, professionals don't always have the time for such drama.His rules are these:1. Stop

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1162234047672614412006-10-30T11:45:00.000-07:002006-10-30T11:47:27.690-07:00

As writers, we are always on the lookout for new ideas, fresh topics and original stories to tell. Effective writers are those who can not only find a topic, but determine if it will sell, to whom they should sell it and how to develop this idea to pitch to editors. There are several factors to consider, and some writers have trouble separating the salable topics from the rest. They’ll wonder

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1161616417500504472006-10-23T09:01:00.000-06:002006-10-23T09:13:37.536-06:00

For the average freelance writer, there is a common problem when looking at books that will enhance your writing career – you don’t have the money to buy them! Even a great investment is hard to justify when you’re between writing gigs, trying hard to make your last $5 buy a week’s worth of food! So for all of you folks that know a writer in just such a predicament, I’ve found the five best books

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1161123129466876552006-10-17T16:07:00.000-06:002006-10-17T16:12:09.483-06:00

Writers, students and anyone else will occasionally need an idea or two. While you may have times when ideas come with little or no effort, there will be times when the fountain of creativity seems to have dried up. Have no fear, however. Even if you’re not feeling particularly creative, you can still think and reason. By thinking clearly and using the following techniques, you’ll find an endless

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1160504105902122892006-10-10T12:13:00.000-06:002006-10-10T12:15:05.903-06:00

Author Angela Booth has posted an article about the basics of getting published.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1160503332611692052006-10-10T11:59:00.000-06:002006-10-10T12:04:11.200-06:00

I just thought I'd post a great little link to a whole mess of awesome resources: The Writer's Digest 101 Best Sites for Writers It's a quality listing, with a ton of excellent stuff. They're actually compiling the 2006 list now, so if you want to nominate or vote for WriterSpot, then be my guest.

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1160416180035813152006-10-09T11:44:00.000-06:002006-10-09T11:55:12.493-06:00

Plato and the Perfect Pitch – Elements of the Query LetterThe Greek philosopher Plato said that in any interaction in which we must appeal to someone else, there are three appeals we can use, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Each represents a separate element of appeal, and each one of these also corresponds to the elements of a successful query letter.Pathos – Appealing to the emotions and

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1160150372808585692006-10-06T09:56:00.000-06:002006-10-06T09:59:50.316-06:00

A writer writes, by definition. We often imagine that professional writers sit down and simply write, with beautiful strings of elegantly crafted words simply streaming onto the page or screen with an inhuman grace. Such a mental image couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality of it is that writing is real work, a labor of care and love and obsession, with anything remotely graceful coming

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1160064085730689892006-10-05T09:51:00.000-06:002007-02-05T13:40:31.231-07:00

In following the advice I received from the Renegade Writer's Blog, I'm posting my writing articles here, and will then be removing them from the site they're currently on. Enjoy the article, and feel free to comment!At one time or another, it will be helpful (if not essential) that every individual knows how to write. The ability to develop a message and present it to others in an understandable

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159993815330568632006-10-04T14:10:00.000-06:002006-10-05T09:43:06.510-06:00

The Renegade Writer's Blog has responded to my question!“I’m still new to freelance writing and am fairly inexperienced, and by inexperienced I mean lacking in clips. I’ve written a few things online, but only for article sites and websites that accept open submissions. While the articles themselves are done well, I’m worried that including these as clips would just scream ‘amateur!’ to any

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159900489685388272006-10-03T12:08:00.000-06:002006-10-03T12:34:49.696-06:00

Research FirstAt the very least, you’ll do some measure of research before you send off a query, even if it’s only to look up the address. While you’re at it, increase your opportunities to get published by finding out what the publication’s submission guidelines are, which editor to send your work to, and determine before hand whether a topic is appropriate for the publication.What you’ll want

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159890845998072252006-10-03T09:26:00.000-06:002007-02-05T13:39:02.621-07:00

This semester at school, I joined the staff of the Scroll, BYU - Idaho's student paper. It's an excellent paper, one which frequently wins serious awards for everything from content to layout to business practices. As far as student papers go, it's one of the best there is, and I got to join the staff.I was excited about this all summer because, in addition to the invaluable experience I knew I'd

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159808564112188072006-10-02T10:42:00.000-06:002006-10-02T11:02:44.143-06:00

I've got a small confession to make. I Google myself. I'll search for my name, I'll search for my articles, my websites, my comments on other blogs, and anything else I can find out about myself. Maybe it's the result of insatiable curiosity with just a bit of ego thrown in. Maybe it's more like a handful of ego, with a pinch of curiosity. Either way, it's not a daily thing. Once in a while, just

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159803453107994882006-10-02T09:28:00.000-06:002006-10-02T09:37:33.136-06:00

I've just recently stumbled across a great little blog that seems to share a few aims with my own. Query-a-Day follows Donna, a freelance writer as she queries different publications. It's a great idea, and I'll shamelessly admit, it's one I'm going to use here as well. I hope she doesn't mind.Honestly, it's an idea I was already considering. The thought of blogging about my queries, the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159631103983748522006-09-30T09:36:00.000-06:002006-09-30T09:46:16.610-06:00

Alyice Edrich, who runs the Dabbling Mum (an excellent website for freelancers, BTW) presents in this article some important basic skills every freelancer needs. Among these, she mentions the need for a thick skin, some patience and at least a little humility. She also touches on query letter writing, invoicing and researching markets.All in all, it's a great article for anyone who is considering

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159576846070230472006-09-29T18:36:00.000-06:002006-09-29T18:40:46.093-06:00

Here's an excellent post by Diana Burrell, author of 'The Renegade Writer'. She reviews one of many 'Instant Query Letter' sites, which essentially are hightech MadLibs in basic query format.Instant Query - just add words

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159570822430703522006-09-29T16:59:00.000-06:002007-02-06T12:15:05.801-07:00

Writing Articles by Brian Westover12 Surefire Brainstorming Techniques - Are you stuck in a mental rut? Battling writer's block? Perhaps you're simply looking for new ideas. When your creativity flies the coop, these 12 techniques will snag your muse, bring it home and whip it into shape! If you can reason and write a list, you can brainstorm!10 Simple Steps - Basics of the Writing Process - Even

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159561289633885242006-09-29T14:08:00.000-06:002006-09-29T16:58:38.040-06:00

Back in August, I started a tiny little website to keep track of the cool websites I found about writing. There are so many articles and newsletters and free eBooks and eCourses and the like that it's almost impossible to quickly find what you need.So, to save myself the time of having to dig through all the searches and websites and links, I created WriterSpot. I then started listing all of the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159551486860590042006-09-29T11:03:00.000-06:002007-02-06T12:13:28.661-07:00

John Hughes is the editor and chief operating officer of the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City. He is former editor of The Christian Science Monitor. Before joining the Deseret Morning News he was a professor of journalism and director of the International Media Studies Program at Brigham Young University. He served as U.S assistant secretary of state, assistant secretary-general of the

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159452731814027282006-09-28T08:04:00.000-06:002006-09-28T08:12:11.826-06:00

My name is Brian Westover. I'm currently a college student at Brigham Young University - Idaho, studying Communications and Journalism. I'm a writer. Pleased to meet you.To learn more about me, check out my bio on my professional site.To learn more about WriterSpot, check it out here. Basically, this blog is an extension of WriterSpot, allowing me to post information on updates, provide more

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35144902.post-1159400946393548052006-09-27T17:47:00.000-06:002006-09-29T10:49:14.486-06:00

I am so excited, I could do a jig! In the next two days, I'll have the opportunity to meet with some seriously successful people in the writing world.Every Semester, our Communications Department holds a Communication Day, where a panel of top Comm. Professionals meet with students, hold seminars, answer questions, etc. Tomorrow is Comm. Day, which I was already excited for. However, I just found

Brian Westoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749687410139446427noreply@blogger.com0