I’m an aspiring writer who is not working on nor has any plans to start writing a novel any time soon. What? How does that work? Haha. Good question. I’m still trying to figure that out.
Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of freelance work for my local paper. Here I’ve posted links to articles I’ve written. I am trying to get articles published in other mediums as well.
The Mountain Democrat, April 29, 2013
County Fire Safe Council aims to prevent fires
Birch Woodworks: Creating the antiques of the future today
Excel Tech: Experts in turf, weeds and trees
Smits Solar, Heating and Air provides energy solutions
Go Geothermal: The green way to stay comfortable
Artificial Turf: Your lawn made perfect
Home Safety means gutter, vent and chimney cleaning
Stoves ‘n Stuff supplies stoves, pellets and warmth
Jurgens Construction: All in the family
The Mountain Democrat, Jan. 30, 2013
The Mountain Democrat, Jan. 21, 2013
The Mountain Democrat, Dec. 31, 2012
Carbon Copy, Inc.: Care you can count on
Ned Carnett: “No. 1 in the No. 2 Business”
The Mountain Democrat, Nov. 12, 2012
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Thanks for reading!
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Dear Jessica, Wow! It seems like we have a lot in common. I was a journalist for 7 years before going to the mission field. Are your articles free-lance? Is it possible to make any money doing articles? I only do articles for my church. I guess I thought I wouldn’t be able to make any money doing them for a news outlet, or I was unsure how to make contact with them and offer my services. If you have any tips, thanks!
Also, I have studied Mandarin with the thoughts of maybe working in China. Were you born in the East?
Hi! Thanks so much for commenting. Alas, I truly am a novice–probably much more so than you! I was born in California. Three years ago, I got the opportunity to work at an English camp in Taiwan. I was there for two years and in Hong Kong for a year. Now, I want to go back. Currently I’m trying to get into graduate school and have been freelancing on the side. I simply contacted the editor of my local paper, pitched him an article, and voila: I guess he must have liked what I wrote because now he’s begun assigning me articles regularly.
I get paid per article but not much. Luckily, I’m not really doing it for the money. I haven’t written any religious or opinion-type articles for the paper, so I’m not sure what to tell you on that one…
Good luck with your Mandarin studies! Mandarin is HARD! And thanks again for your thoughts and for commenting!!!
Sounds like you are on the up-track! Kudos and keep up the good work! I’m trying to start over after 16 years on the mission field (after I was a journalist, I went to Guatemala to pastor and raise up a school). Crime forced us to return to the States, where, fortunately, my wife got back into engineering and I am teaching at a high school and trying to get my writing on track. I’ll pray for you, and please pray for me!
Definitely. Praying! Have you written about your experiences in Guatemala at all? I’d love to hear!
Scattered throughout my posts there are anecdotes. Sorry. I guess I’ll have to compile them all into a e-book.
No apology needed! My apologies for not having spent more time on your blog (yet) looking for them.
oh, plz don’t apologize. there are too many to be expected to read them all. at this stage in the game, it is time for me to organize them by sbject into ebooks. then a reader to read by theme of choice
No worries (re: your message). You can find a more extensive article on my website at wordpress.org which is http://thepointofthequill.com. Follow and comment if you wish. Just keep writing. Break it up into little pieces and cross it off your list. Then do the next thing. Rinse and repeat. ;)
Okay, great. Thanks!
Placerville: that’s near Sacramento, if I am correct. I did some construction work with these guys from Placerville last August up here in Cedarville, CA.
Yup, you got it. Small world!
Hi!
Good luck with your writings, I’m going to do the same soon.
Bogdan
Hi Bogdan? Really? You’re going to freelance? That’s wonderful! Keep me updated. ;)
Jessica, I wish you success in your literary career. Your work is competently written, which is more than I can say for many professional journalists. The articles are unremarkable, but this is down to the content, not the writing. We live in interesting times, so I’m sure you’ll soon get something juicy to write about.
Thank you very much, Peter. I know the article topics aren’t of much interest. As I’ve said (or tried to say), I know finding my literary path will take time. Thank you so much for your encouragement!