Samantha Garner, Freelance Manuscript and Book Editor » links

Elements of productivity

Samantha — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:32:10 +0000

My friend Suzen recently wrote a blog post listing the elements that help her to be a productive artist. Artists often usually have more interesting lists like this, since their materials are often more varied – and cool – than writers’. That said, I was inspired by her post to write a list of my own elements of productivity. A couple of Suzen’s and my elements are the same, but we’ve been friends for a long time, so you know. It happens.

Earl Grey tea/instant espresso – I can’t start my day without drinking a cup of tea or an Americano made with instant espresso. I’m not one of those people who physically can’t function – I just don’t see the point not having a cup of tea first thing in the morning. I might as well not bother waking up! Suzen was actually the one to turn me on to the instant espresso. I sometimes feel like a freak because I often find coffee they serve in random office worker cafes to taste better than that of award-winning, ultra-famous coffeeshops. This could explain why I like instant espresso. It’s not fancy, it does the job and I don’t need extra equipment to make it happen.
CBC Radio One - I am such a nerd for the CBC, but I love their radio the best. I grew up listening to talk radio in general and am more naturally drawn to it than to music. And CBC Radio One is always so dependable and good. Though, I am still a bit sore over the fact that they changed the iconic intro music to the news that’s been a staple since I was at least in high school. It was so comforting and the new music is so bland.
My chair – I do a lot of writing in the office in my apartment, but there’s something about the chair in the living room that seems to increase my productivity. It’s one of those Poäng Ikea chairs, black leather with a matching footstool. It’s just so comfortable, and it’s right by the windows so I can look outside and daydream/plan.
A notebook – I am a hopeless collector of notebooks I fill only partway. Even so, I am always scribbling in one, whether it’s a list of article ideas or what I need to write that week. As a teenager, I was famous in my family for knowing exactly what each pile of junk in my room contained. Thankfully I’m not messy like that anymore, but I think that spirit has transferred into my collection of notebooks. I can’t throw any of them away now, because they all contain something necessary.
Other blogs – The list of blogs on the right are not all writing blogs, or freelancing blogs, but they all have one thing in common – they help me to be a better, more productive writer. The more prolific ones inspire me to increase my output. Other ones inspire me to look at things differently, often serving to increase my productivity as well!

I also wanted to take a minute to suggest everyone check out a new book that’s just been released – You Are Among Friends: Advice for the Little Sisters I Never Had by Lindsey Markel. I don’t have a little sister but I bought this book right away. I’ve known Lindsey online for a few years and she is truly one of the most intelligent, warm, funny, courageous people around. I honestly believe this book can inspire not just little sisters, but people of all ages. Lindsey has a way of doing that often and I’ve always admired that. Anyway, go have a look!

End of the work week reading

Samantha — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:29:24 +0000

Earlier this week, my husband and I attended the launch of GoForth Institute, a Canada-wide entrepreneurship education centre I am proud to say is also a client of mine. It was lots of fun and it was wonderful to see this project come together. Go check them out! They are a group of truly insightful and kind people.

Here are a couple of things I’ve been reading online lately:

How to Freelance the Specific, Smart Way at Men With Pens
Junot Diaz writes about Becoming a Writer, an article that resonated with me and I’m sure will sound familiar, even a little bit, to other writers.

Have a good end of the work week!

Author blogs his self-publishing journey

Samantha — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:27:44 +0000

This is really interesting. Writer Andrew Smith blogs about his quest to self-publish his novel, Edith’s War. He works as a book designer, so he’s no starry-eyed newbie to the world of publishing. It sounds like it’ll be a compelling read – best of luck, Andrew!

An update & things to read

Samantha — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

This week’s been weird for me, writing-wise. Earlier in the week, I printed out a short story of mine to review it. I’d only been doing so on the computer so far, but there’s something more productive-feeling about making notes on a sheet of paper. A different mental connection, maybe.

Anyway, I’ve been reworking some things, while trying not to fall victim to the trap of editing forever. Like I told my husband the other day, it has a beginning, middle and end but it doesn’t feel finished. I don’t know why, but I don’t usually consider my stories finished until I’ve submitted them to magazines. Maybe it’s because I don’t submit them until they’re finished? Oh, the circle of life.

Here are some things I’ve been reading between bouts of writing that you might enjoy:

I Will Not Read Your Fucking Script at the Village Voice. A bit heavy-handed for my tastes, but funny nonetheless.
7 Life Lessons My 1-Year-Old Taught Me While Backpacking Abroad from The Art of Nonconformity.
Social Media Revolution on YouTube.
Monty Python Talks About Writing from Freelance Writing Jobs.

(Image courtesy of stock.xchng user coniferine)

A good link for new freelance writers

Samantha — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Yes, I do often do “link love” posts, but I don’t usually link to only one article or blog post. However, I’m going to make an exception just this once. You’ll understand when you see the title of this link:

60 Tips for Getting Started in Your Freelancing Career - from the Freelance Writing Jobs Network.

That’s right. SIXTY. That’s a lot considering the attention span of us internet denizens! This is a good one to bookmark for quick reference.

In Wordscience news, I’m working on a post about the most important thing to include in your invoices, and I’ve started a new Twitter account devoted solely to Wordscience, skgarner.com in general and freelancing. You can follow me here if you are so inclined!

Long absences and things to read

Samantha — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Wow.

I’m sorry. I kind of let this blog get away from me, didn’t I? In my defense, this summer has been quite busy. I’ve been travelling to visit friends who live in other provinces, and found it difficult to blog during and in between. I’ve also been doing a lot of fiction writing (including in an idyllic setting of a train’s window seat going from Montreal to Toronto). But I promise I’ll be better! I’ve got a few post ideas so I won’t desert poor Wordscience again.

Here are some things you may be interested in reading in the meantime:

Frog Hollow Books in Halifax closing after 25 years, from CBC
Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs’ first post in a series on why you shouldn’t work for lower wages
Making your home office a more productive space at FreelanceSwitch
Social Media for Introverts at the Art of Nonconformity
“Fake Rocks, Salami Commanders, and Just Enough to Start” from 43 Folders (another interesting article sent to me by my husband!)

(Image courtesy of stock.xchng user rendo79)

What I’ve been reading online

Samantha — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I’m off to Edmonton this weekend with my husband to do some family stuff and to take what I hope will be a relaxing break from technology (though I fear my email & Twitter when I return!). While I’m gone, here are some things that I’ve been reading lately that I wanted to share. Some are kind of on the older side, but they were new to me so – they count!

Bizzia.com talks about 10 Unusual Places to Find Freelance Work
Seriously? It’s Cool To Not Use Twitter? from the Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs Blog
FreelanceSwitch has a great hourly rate calculator
Watch How I Spend My First 20 Minutes Online Every Morning from Problogger