Many writers – including myself – have big dreams. We want to top the bestseller lists and see our novels made into major movies. We yearn for bylines in “the big time”, hoping to see our articles teased on the cover of our favorite magazines. We dream of the day that we can earn our living through our words, something I have achieved after many years as a writer.
After my weekend of hell, waiting for my body to wage internal war in my gut while withdrawing from five weeks of antibiotics, I’m feeling much better. Still have some residual effects but I’m no longer homebound. Yea!!
Through WritersWeekly Whispers and Warnings, we publicize deadbeats, scams targeting writers, and even lowly spammers (who also target writers). The names of these jerks pop right up on google, through our Whispers and Warnings posts, and also through other websites, like ripoffreport.com. They are ripe for the picking by any writer willing to take the time to google a potential client’s name.
Sadly, I hear from writers all the time who type a varying version of this: “Aaarghh! I wish I’d googled that deadbeat’s name before working for/with him/her!”
This Week:
One of my favorite parts of magazines is the section that gives me an essay. I will even, on occasion, clip the really good ones for my folder and toss the magazine. A particularly charming one was in a recent AARP Bulletin. The writer recalls his childhood habit of eavesdropping on the adults in his life and learning much about how the real world works. Funny, I used to do the same thing. I learned many a great life lesson with my ear to the door, and that essay brought it all back to me. Clever, that writer.
I have magazine publishers/editors ask me for a manuscript after sending a query letter but then they never wrote back to say they wanted it or didn’t want it. Should I e-mail them and ask if they got it or wait? And how long should I wait? Are they being rude or am I being anxious?
Success is a relative term. I would rather be writing for magazines and my ultimate dream, writing best-selling novels. That’s the truth, but here’s the reality. I like to eat – not just once in a while – every day. Until my novel is finished, published and on the best-seller list, I must work to support my sushi habit.
Last Wednesday, after the new GI said he thought I had antibiotic induced diarrhea and gave me new meds (not antibiotics!), we decided to jump in the truck and race to Virginia, praying we’d get there in time for the big surprise.
This Week:
Most of us using the internet know the ins and outs of getting scammed. I’ve used desktop computers since they first became available and the internet since its birthing days with bulletin boards. So I’m very aware. Unfortunately for me, I just got caught in my first – and hopefully last – snare. It will probably cost me $50 after visiting a site for at-home freelance writers.
