CFC Service Call: What do you need?

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

This community has a lot of talented members. If there's a service you need -- content submitted, fiction illustrated, writing edited, websites designed, etc. -- here's a chance to speak up. Maybe someone else in the community will have that skill. What do you need?

Comments

Re: Thoughts

[academichussy.livejournal.com]

It's a good idea to get in some practice before you try to make writing your day job. There is nothing wrong with writing as a part-time job. In fact, it's a lot easier to succeed if your standard is "boost the family budget" than "make the family budget."

Agreed. TheFiance and I talked about this pretty incessantly such as once I get closer to graduation and writing-work time becomes more abundant, that I'll start this project while looking for jobs and etc. He's also not going to count the writing while looking into jobs thing into that six month gap, which is awesome.

Then you should try it. Browse this community's "Memories" file for tips on how to start a crowdfunded project.
Also, TheFiance? Keep that one.

I'm not sure why I didn't think of that in the first place -- there are times when I'm slow on the uptake. ;) But yes! Will go through and see what other people are doing. And yes, I know he's a keeper, even if he does drive me crazy at times... :)

I often pitch in brainstorming and advice to help start new crowdfunding projecs. Some simple first steps: Read what other people are doing. Observe what audiences like. Pick a topic that you think is awesome and write about it. Offer some stuff for free, then perks for paying customers.

This is all fantastic stuff, thank you! I have a terrible cart before horse syndrome, such that I knew that I don't have the time for the next few weeks to a month to get going but saw the post and just rambled my way into!

Thank you so much for everything! I'm also on Twitter: @pnkrcklibrarian

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>I'm not sure why I didn't think of that in the first place -- there are times when I'm slow on the uptake. <<

It can take a while to identify where to start and what resources are available to you. That's okay. I will mention that the amount of preparation you do before launching a writing project is likely to have a direct impact on your chances of success.

Also consider the time-return factor. If you're good at what you do, a crowdfunding project is likely to start showing results after some-several months, but usually takes a year or so to really pick up steam. If you're submitting to conventional editors, there's usually a big time-lag between submission and acceptance, often followed by more months before the actual item hits print -- but if you're submitting to paying markets, you get the whole payout right then.

Getting a regular writing gig of any type is a lot more doable if you build up publication credits in a related area, so keep track of what you get printed or sold.

>> I have a terrible cart before horse syndrome, such that I knew that I don't have the time for the next few weeks to a month to get going but saw the post and just rambled my way into!<<

Cart before horse in writing can bite you on the ass. If what you have now is bits and scraps of free time, try reading around to see what other folks are doing. The publishing world is not stable right now; as a newcomer, you should look around and see if you can figure out what part(s) of it would be most useful to you given your own particular talents and interests. Grabbing the first thing you see could seriously point you in the wrong direction.

>>Thank you so much for everything! I'm also on Twitter:<<

Glad I could help! I'm not on Twitter myself, but some other writers are; if you sing out here, they may pick you up. Oh wait, some of my fans tweet about my Poetry Fishbowls with the hashtag #poetryfishbowl, so if you see that it's sort of me. However, I am on Facebook and a few blog network sites.