I had every intention of blogging about my first official day as a full time freelancer, but, well, I didn't have time. See, I was so determined to line up enough work for these first few weeks that now I am swimming in work. But this is a good thing, because it means I'm not twiddling my thumbs wondering what I was thinking. I'll leave you with a quick anecdote from the weekend...
Editor A from last week agreed to pay for a photographer (she would not want my photos in the magazine, trust me). I put the word out amongst my friends and coworkers that I needed a last minute photographer. They came through and I lined up a photo shoot for Saturday afternoon. We really only needed one or two shots of one particular cocktail, but of course, the cocktail has dots of herb oil floating on the top, making it almost impossible to shift the martini glass without ruining the effect.
The shoot takes two hours (and two drinks). The photographer tells me he'll burn them onto a CD, which I have to pick up the next day. It would have taken about two hours roundtrip for me, but I was willing to do it so I could get it done and move on with my life. Fortunately my boyfriend lives nearby and agrees to pick them up after his thirty-hour hospital shift (yes, I'm a lucky girl).
Sunday evening at 10pm, I go to email the photos to my editor and discover that they are too large to email (even individually). I download two different Zip programs, and it turns out that photos do not zip, because they are not vectors. Of course. I try to upload to Flickr, but again, the files are too large. I'm in the living room panicking, wondering if it's too late to find a 24-hour FedEx location so I can overnight the CD. My roommate has PhotoShop, so she reduces the file size (but not the resolution, of course) and emails the photos back to me. Crisis averted.
Showing posts with label creative life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative life. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Thursday, May 24, 2007
How Creatives Deal With Criticism
Lately I've been thinking about the different ways people internalize and externalize feedback. I know I tend to rationalize critiques. (Ex: "This is how my boss said to do it" or "I intended this to be more poetic than literal...") OK, I make excuses. BUT there's actually good reason for that... See what I mean?
I spent eight years studying singing, and for a long time I planned to pursue a career in musical theatre (yeah, I took acting and dancing too). But it was too hard for me to get criticism and not feel totally deflated. I'd spend hours and hours in my room perfecting each nuance of a song and working towards the interpretation that my director wanted, but sometimes in performance I'd go into auto-pilot and revert back to old, easy habits instead. And then I'd feel like a complete failure for not incorporating the director's notes. I still sing, but it's more fun now that it doesn't define me.
I know a lot of writers get those same failure feelings when someone critiques their work, but thankfully I don't. Writing is a healthier outlet for me than performing, because even though I consider myself a writer, I see my writing as external. It's something I do (and do well, in my opinion), not what I am. If someone enjoys it, great. If not, we can still be friends. Poets & Writers has a great article this month about evaluating criticism. It's geared towards (duh) poets and writers, but I think it applies to anyone in a creative pursuit. Enjoy, and as my Dad would say, "Don't let the bastards grind you down!"
I spent eight years studying singing, and for a long time I planned to pursue a career in musical theatre (yeah, I took acting and dancing too). But it was too hard for me to get criticism and not feel totally deflated. I'd spend hours and hours in my room perfecting each nuance of a song and working towards the interpretation that my director wanted, but sometimes in performance I'd go into auto-pilot and revert back to old, easy habits instead. And then I'd feel like a complete failure for not incorporating the director's notes. I still sing, but it's more fun now that it doesn't define me.
I know a lot of writers get those same failure feelings when someone critiques their work, but thankfully I don't. Writing is a healthier outlet for me than performing, because even though I consider myself a writer, I see my writing as external. It's something I do (and do well, in my opinion), not what I am. If someone enjoys it, great. If not, we can still be friends. Poets & Writers has a great article this month about evaluating criticism. It's geared towards (duh) poets and writers, but I think it applies to anyone in a creative pursuit. Enjoy, and as my Dad would say, "Don't let the bastards grind you down!"
Thursday, January 25, 2007
BONUS: 5 Q's with Kristen Fischer
I'd originally intended to post my 5 Q's feature twice a month. But after hearing about Kristen Fischer's upcoming book Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs, I just couldn't wait another week (plus, I'm taking a blogging break this weekend and wanted to leave everyone with some inspirational words of wisdom). I found Kristen when her editor and next week's 5 Q's subject Kristen King posted about Kristen F's second book, What College Didn't Prepare Me For (if my life were a show on the CW, that would be the title). Here's what Kristen F. had to say about the creative life:
Urban Muse: Could you tell us a bit about making the transition from science major to freelance writer?
Kristen: Mine was a natural progression. After graduating and realizing I didn't want to wade through mud, I tried to find a job working in communications for an environmental company, but they all wanted field technicians. I thought about what I was good at, which was always writing, and wound up taking a job at a small weekly newspaper. Later on, I did go back and work for an environmental company, which gave me great technical/corporate writing experience. Now I also realize that while I may not really do much work with environmental companies, I'm still getting use of my degree. I actually do some freelance work for a few environmental consultants. I love having a background in something different--plus, a lot of field technicians can't write reports to save their lives, so my environmental clients need me. I use that angle to market myself and it works!
UM: Most of us are familiar with the querying process for magazines and newspapers, but how do you find copywriting clients?
K: You want me to give up my secrets? Haha. Persistence is key. I try to reply to ads and approach companies that I'm interested in working for. There's no set way, but after reading books by Peter Bowerman and Bob Bly, I realized that I was on the right track in finding the bacon! Also with copywriting you have to market yourself. I have a brochure, a website and other handouts that I give prospective clients. Some in my industry make mini press kits. I also use direct mail. It's more like a business where you market your capabilities overall rather than offering one idea up. Still, I hope to pursue more magazine work once my books take off.
UM: Do you have any tips on handling rejection?
K: I used to let it destroy me, which is why I self-published Creatively Self-Employed. I still get upset when I don't get a gig. But that's negative energy and I try to refocus my efforts. But if you have to burn your rejection letters to releaseyour anger, do it! I think after a while you see that there are so many opportunities out there that one rejection can't define you.
UM: When you're dealing with the number of sources and subjects that you used for Creatively Self-Employed, how did you keep them all organized?
K: That's a really great question! I was good about putting the interviews directly into Word and then saving each file with the participants name. When I'd enter their information into the manuscript, I'd move the file into the "Used" folder. I also kept lists in-folders. My lists never originate in the same place (I have so many cute notebooks I write in) but I manage to use physical folders to make sure they stay put. Collecting releases was a nightmare. I have one phone line so when someone would fax I'd try to set up atime then switch the line over. The line would runacross my desk and then the regular phone would ringand it'd be a copywriting client or something like that. Then the person faxing would email about 10 times and tell me my fax machine wasn't working. I would get so agitated! I'm doing the same for my upcoming book, which is in a similar format. Thank goodness I have a publisher is collecting most of the releases for me.
UM: Last question... where is your favorite place to write and why?
K: My home office. I've made it a point to make it visually nurturing. I keep it clean and organized. I have a fabulous widescreen monitor. I hang up inspirational pictures and quotes. Burn candles and listen to XM Radio...that sort of thing. Otherwise, I love coffeehouses. Starbucks is cool if it's not super-busy. Otherwise, I go up the road to this little coffeehouse in town. They have a huge counter with barstools, where I penned most of my book.
UM: Thanks, Kristen. Good luck with your book!
Urban Muse: Could you tell us a bit about making the transition from science major to freelance writer?
Kristen: Mine was a natural progression. After graduating and realizing I didn't want to wade through mud, I tried to find a job working in communications for an environmental company, but they all wanted field technicians. I thought about what I was good at, which was always writing, and wound up taking a job at a small weekly newspaper. Later on, I did go back and work for an environmental company, which gave me great technical/corporate writing experience. Now I also realize that while I may not really do much work with environmental companies, I'm still getting use of my degree. I actually do some freelance work for a few environmental consultants. I love having a background in something different--plus, a lot of field technicians can't write reports to save their lives, so my environmental clients need me. I use that angle to market myself and it works!
UM: Most of us are familiar with the querying process for magazines and newspapers, but how do you find copywriting clients?
K: You want me to give up my secrets? Haha. Persistence is key. I try to reply to ads and approach companies that I'm interested in working for. There's no set way, but after reading books by Peter Bowerman and Bob Bly, I realized that I was on the right track in finding the bacon! Also with copywriting you have to market yourself. I have a brochure, a website and other handouts that I give prospective clients. Some in my industry make mini press kits. I also use direct mail. It's more like a business where you market your capabilities overall rather than offering one idea up. Still, I hope to pursue more magazine work once my books take off.
UM: Do you have any tips on handling rejection?
K: I used to let it destroy me, which is why I self-published Creatively Self-Employed. I still get upset when I don't get a gig. But that's negative energy and I try to refocus my efforts. But if you have to burn your rejection letters to releaseyour anger, do it! I think after a while you see that there are so many opportunities out there that one rejection can't define you.
UM: When you're dealing with the number of sources and subjects that you used for Creatively Self-Employed, how did you keep them all organized?
K: That's a really great question! I was good about putting the interviews directly into Word and then saving each file with the participants name. When I'd enter their information into the manuscript, I'd move the file into the "Used" folder. I also kept lists in-folders. My lists never originate in the same place (I have so many cute notebooks I write in) but I manage to use physical folders to make sure they stay put. Collecting releases was a nightmare. I have one phone line so when someone would fax I'd try to set up atime then switch the line over. The line would runacross my desk and then the regular phone would ringand it'd be a copywriting client or something like that. Then the person faxing would email about 10 times and tell me my fax machine wasn't working. I would get so agitated! I'm doing the same for my upcoming book, which is in a similar format. Thank goodness I have a publisher is collecting most of the releases for me.
UM: Last question... where is your favorite place to write and why?
K: My home office. I've made it a point to make it visually nurturing. I keep it clean and organized. I have a fabulous widescreen monitor. I hang up inspirational pictures and quotes. Burn candles and listen to XM Radio...that sort of thing. Otherwise, I love coffeehouses. Starbucks is cool if it's not super-busy. Otherwise, I go up the road to this little coffeehouse in town. They have a huge counter with barstools, where I penned most of my book.
UM: Thanks, Kristen. Good luck with your book!
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