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As a freelancer, writer and blogger, I am always looking for resources to help with my writing. Whether it is for grammar, general writing, motivation or blogging ideas I have many resources bookmarked. In order to get ahead in writing or any other area, you need to always keep learning.

The other day while I was on Twitter, I got a tweet on a great article on Smashing Magazine. The article lists resources to help with many different areas of writing.

You can find the article here:

50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills

As I said before, you should always keep learning everyday. I believe you should never stop learning. This article is a great resource for writers or anyone that uses writing in their daily lives.

Have any more writing resources that you use? Let us know by commenting on this post.

Quick Tip For June 4th 2009

George — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:04:31 +0000

A good way to keep track of those genius writing ideas:

Keep a notebook in different areas of your house and in your car to capture those writing ideas before you loose them.

A voice recorder is also a great way to capture these ideas.

Link Love For May 22, 2009

George — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:07:06 +0000

Would You Work for a Content Provider Company?

Paid to Tweet – How Much Should You Charge?

How Should Editors Respond?

Online Bookkeeping For Freelancers

Making Real Money Right From The Start Of Your Blogging Career

Why Content and Social Media are a Powerful Match

Freelance Resources

George — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:15:55 +0000

As a freelance writer and blogger, I understand the effort it takes to search for resources that will assist me.

Today, I would like to just share a few of the resources I have come across in my freelancing journey. As time goes on, I will post more links to resources that assist those that freelance write and blog on a daily basis.

Job Sites
BloggerJobs.biz
ProBlogger Job Board
Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing/Job Sites
About Freelance Writing
All Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing

Blogging Sites
ProBlogger
Copyblogger
Blogging Tips

Freelance Sites
Freelance Switch
Freelance Folder
The Anti 9-to-5

Have any sites you would like to share? Let me know.

How to Write To Keep Writing

George — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:32:56 +0000

You are sitting there wondering to write about and just can’t come up with something that will get you pounding away on those keys. We have all been there at one time or another. One way to get past that blank page or screen is this: just write.

Whether you use a pen and paper or pound away on the keyboard, if you just start writing, you will actually come to that light at the end of the tunnel. When you write, you are writing; it doesn’t matter what it is, just as long as you’re writing. Within an amount of time, you will not have only just written some ramblings, you have put down the puzzle pieces that can come together to form your next writing article, blog post or whatever you were working to create.

Free writing, as it’s called, has helped me on many an occasion where I was fighting with being one of the less then enlightened. When you start to free write you may ask, “What do I write about?” That’s the beauty of free writing, just write; it doesn’t matter what it is, just starting putting down words. I have actually started some of my free writing with things such as – I don’t know what to write but I am just here writing and writing down words on this paper.

Now there are other ways to jump start that idea factory in your head for your next writing project. Some things that come to mind include mind mapping and editorial calendars for generating writing ideas; however, I have not found a simpler and more proven method of getting my noggin working then doing some basic free writing.

So remember this, when you are struggling to find what to write on next, just start writing and see what you come up with. You will be amazed at what puzzle you can create and put together with such a simple thing as free writing.

Have something to say? Let me know.

New Freelance Site

George — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:00:29 +0000

I am a freelance writer and blogger. I write on multiple subjects ranging from technology to special education. My freelance business is building more and more everyday.

I just setup my new freelance site to showcase my writing and clips. I have more finishing touches to work on, but I have officially launched the site.

My new freelance copywriting site is located here:

Freelance Copywriting Services

Need Help With Ideas for a Headline?

George — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:51:38 +0000

From time to time, we all get a little off track and need assistance coming up with that next headline idea. I know I have been there and am sure I will be there again in the future. One of the great things I have found to combat this is to have a good swipe file.

So, you ask, what is a swipe file? A swipe file is a file of clippings from other writings. It can be magazine and newspaper articles clipped out or electronic files of web site and other electronic writings. I personally have a folder of magazine and newspaper clippings as well as an electronic version on my computer.

Whether you are writing a press release, article, copy or blog posts, you at one time have come up with interesting and engaging titles. Not everyone can do this on a consistent basis on their own and that’s where a swipe file comes into play. When you come to a sticking point in your next writing, open up your swipe file for some inspiration.

Having a physical or electronic swipe file doesn’t matter as long as you have one ready for you to activate. As I said before, I have both a file folder of clippings and an electronic version on my computer. You never know when that magazine your reading or web site you’re looking at or even that piece of direct mail could give you that next idea for your writing.

For a good swipe file, there is no maximum of clippings you should have. The more, the merrier I would say. I have always believed that you can never have too many good ideas. I like to keep at least five to ten clippings in my swipe file on a regular basis. I have seen some writers have as much as a thousand clippings in their swipe file.

I know there has been many a time that my swipe file has saved me time and effort in deciding on what to write on. I would say that if you don’t have a swipe file, go right now and start one up! It is never too late to gather good clippings and writings for your swipe file. There are words all around us and some should be saved more then others.

So, open up that swipe file the next time you need some inspiration and it will save you as it has saved me many a times.

Have some comments on this post? Let me know.

Personal Branding and Your Pigeonhole

George — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:00:18 +0000

As more and more makes names for themselves in writing, blogging and social media, personal branding is an ingredient to their success. How you present yourself will brand you out to your readers and fans. As in any type of promotion of your services, personal branding is key to success or failure.

Over on Zen Habits, Leo Babauta, wrote a great post on Personal Branding:

Personal Branding: Be Aware of Your Pigeonhole

Leo gives some great advice on personal branding and how others see you.

Have something to say? Let me know.

No related posts.

Quick Tip – 5 Ways to Help Your Creativity

George — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:07:14 +0000

We have all been there at one time or another. You need to get some writing done. So, you sit down at the keyboard or grab your notepad with pen; the thing is, your mind draws a blank on what to write. Well, usually, sitting there thinking and thinking will not bring any “aha” ideas to you.

Fresh ideas are treated as gold in our area and here are a few things to do to get those creative juices flowing.

1. Walk Away

This is good not only for coming up with the initial idea; it is also good for more ideas when you are at a sticking point in your writing. Get up and walk away for awhile. Go get a soda or something, and then come back to it.

2. Free Writing

Free writing is a process that I am sure that many of you are familiar with. I am adding it here since it is one of the great ways to start up your writing. Sit at your keyboard or grab your pen and notebook. Now just write without changing, editing or worrying about any mistakes. Just write, write, and write. When you have done about 5-10 minutes of this, go back and cleanup what you have outputted to your screen or notebook.

3. Play

Now, when I say play, that’s what I mean. Play a video game; watch a movie, read something you want to read for fun. Just go and have fun. You will be surprised how many ideas you can come up with just by having some fun.

4. Change Your Location

Changing your location is a good way of coming up with ideas. Changing scenery is usually one of the better ways to help creative thinking. If you are in your bedroom, go to the kitchen or go outside on the porch. Bring your laptop or notepad with pen and see how a change in location will help you with creating ideas.

5. Listen To Music

There have been studies that show listening to music can stimulate the brain for creative thinking. I personally listen to all kinds of music when I write. From rock to classical, it all puts me more in a creative atmosphere.

The next time you are having problems coming up with ideas for your writing, try some of the tips above. I know I have used all of them at one time or another for writing ideas. I hope these tips will help you in your writing too.

Do you have any other ways to help with creative thinking? Leave me a comment so that I and everyone else can benefit from it.