People complain about their Facebook friends posting photos of food, babies and other things that they don’t find interesting. For a time, I was one of those people. I can’t count how many times I’ve rolled my eyes when someone posts 200 photos of their trip/event/gadget/child, when I don’t even have time to reach the bottom of my news feed. Really, who has time to click through 200 photos of something/someone no matter how awesome? At least, that’s how I felt. I’m not totally ignoring the fact that there are people who don’t mind clicking through those photos, because they have the time and they care enough about that person to get to know them.

I read a lot of articles online (and Facebook posts) about what not to post in Facebook, or some list that classifies Facebook users into different categories. I don’t think this is fair — for anyone to dictate what you can or can’t post on your own page. The purpose of a social network is to share things that matter to you, regardless if other people feel the same way about it. Where else can we rant on and on about our needs/wants/obsessions freely than our own Facebook page? So your friends don’t understand why you constantly keep complaining about working from home, or why you love that TV show so much. Big deal. It’s their problem, not yours.

If we keep worrying about what others might think of what we post in Facebook, then this place stops being an honest, spontaneous place for sharing what’s really going on in our lives. Instead, it becomes a filtered view devoid of any “quirks” that we fear might offend others. People’s priorities and what they hold important can not be aligned with yours. If your single friends keep posting portraits of themselves in different hairstyles, then so be it — they’re happy, you should be too. Besides, they’re probably not too keen on you posting the 800th photo of your toddler playing with yet another toy.

Facebook is a tricky world. If you want to be in it, then know that not everything may be to your liking, and you just have to be at least be tolerant of your friends. They are your friends, right?

Know your stuff

This goes for all other kinds of writing, but the requirement to know what you’re writing about is even higher when you’re writing for technology. Tech readers are ruthless, and sometimes may even be more knowledgeable and updated than you. If there’s a particular area about your article that’s not quite clear to you, do a thorough research. Not a quick read in Wikipedia. Read news clips, reports and other blogs that have covered it in the past. Leave no stone unturned, and you’ll thank yourself for it.

Have an opinion

Facts become more relevant when supplemented with insight. If you explain a smartphone’s features from processor to its user interface, you’ll need to tell your readers what you think about it. Otherwise, your piece will read like a spec sheet rather than an article worthy of anyone’s time. It’s great to let readers know that a smartphone sports a 1.5 Ghz processor, but it’s even better if you tell them what makes that so damn impressive, and how that can benefit a user in real life.

Always, always read the news

Technology is an ever changing world. Companies change management or shut down almost overnight, acquisitions happen more often, and a dozen apps get updated on a daily basis. It’s important to keep track of major events that affect your area of expertise. I used to think this didn’t matter, but as I later found out, keeping tabs on the latest tech news should be part of my daily routine. News blogs in tech often publish a hot item ASAP, and you just might be the one to help them do that.

Choose your words

There are a million ways you can call a gizmo/gadget/device in the tech world, one more confusing than the next. If you’re not sure whether to write about a pen drive, a thumb drive or a USB key, your best bet would be to choose a term that might be generally acceptable — like “removable storage device”. But to avoid being vague, you can site and example of such. For instance, you can write: “Use a removable storage device, like a thumb drive, to store files and take it with you.” This way, people will know exactly what you mean, regardless if they know a little or a lot about the subject.

Be real

We obviously are hooked into some form of technology more than we care to admit. When writing a how-to guide, an app review or general technology news, give it a personal touch. Mention how an app has helped you study for a big exam, or what this particular news item will mean to ordinary people like you, or how your kids wanted to watch Indiana Jones by playing Temple Run. These factors are essential to make a connection to readers, and how it might affect their own lives.

Being a tech writer is fun yet demanding, but it truly pays for writing about what you love. Above all, you should have the passion for all things tech. If you’re naturally inclined towards this niche, then these things should be second nature to you over time. If not, then you now know where to start. Are you new to writing for tech or have you been at it since Windows 95? Your own advice is welcome in the comments below!

Six months into my freelancing journey and I’m slowly learning to understand the challenges of working on your own. While there are no bosses, no strict office hours and no dress code, working from home demands something in return for skipping all the corporate crap. It also means managing your own time and being responsible for your own productivity — that, I realized, is harder than working with a boss.

No, seriously.

See, when you look to yourself for motivation, you don’t often find it. It’s easy to let yourself stray away from the pertinent goals of the day because you don’t feel like it. It won’t get you in any serious trouble — unlike when you worked in an office and you get a nice (or not so nice) pep talk from your boss.

Reading all articles about freelancing made me realize what I’m doing wrong, but I continue to do them anyway. This was fine until it’s the end of the month and I have little work accomplished and tons more I haven’t even started with. Just like the way a student crams the night before an exam, I find myself working late into the night to get that overdue task finally done and over with.

Today, I looked back and reflected on why I couldn’t quite hit my writing goals. There were a lot of reasons, but examining them closely made me realize they’re more of excuses. So I’ll list them all on this post and make a solution/workaround for it. That’s what this blog is, after all — to cheer myself on and share my journey towards freelance writing.

Here goes:

Excuse #1: I have other priorities at home that are more urgent.

Fix: When things require immediate attention, attend to them but delegate when needed.

I have child care help, but when it comes to my child, I want to be as hands-on as I can be. When I noticed that putting my little one to sleep takes longer than usual, I now turn him over to the helper so I can start the day’s work. Yes, my “working” day usually starts after lunch.

Excuse #2: Things aren’t working.

Fix: Make it work, no matter how much it costs, how long it takes, or how hard it is. I also learned that sometimes, you just have to settle for alternatives, even if it means it won’t work as good as you want it to.

One example would be when I was looking for several companies to provide internet connection in my new home. I was eyeing a reputable one that (according to most of my friends) had the best DSL service in the country. Unfortunately, their DSL speed doesn’t match their customer service, and after several unanswered email applications, I opted for a different company who was willing to come and install a modem the very next day. Not having the best internet connection is better than no internet at all. After all, freelance writing requires me to be online most of the time, so it’s essential to get anything done.

Excuse #3: I don’t feel like writing.

Fix: Two things: either write anyway, or do something else. Depending on the urgency of the work, choose which path to take.

This is a tough one. Sometimes the baby is asleep, you have all the time in the world and you face the computer screen, ready to write. Then — nothing. One thing I find effective so far, when hit with that inevitable wave of writer’s block (or laziness, I call it), is to just open a distraction-free writing software and start typing. Don’t stop until you have all your thoughts out. If all else fails, then it’s time to stop trying and try another time.

Excuse #4: I’m not good enough

Fix: Read past articles and see if you still feel the same way after.

This usually happens after given a bit of criticism from an editor or peer, or rude comments on a blog post. There are two things I get from reading my own articles: it reminds me why I write and why I continue to write, and it gives me fresh eyes to see what I can change or improve in my writing. Writing is a lonely job, and there isn’t anyone else to cheer you on except you. You’re also your toughest critic — which can only mean you’re sure to spot any past mistakes and remember to avoid them in the future.

There are probably lots more excuses that come up on a daily basis, but these are the most common ones that keep me from my writing goals. The trick How about you? Do you have excuses not to write? What solutions worked (or failed) for you?

That’s a good question. My first reaction was to ask myself: “Am I burned out?” My immediate answer was a definite “No, of course not”. My friend seemed to believe it, but I know he has his doubts.

He has his doubts as I have mine. I have to admit that his concern is not valid right this moment, because I still enjoy writing about Android and web tools, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s a limit to my passion. Would there come a time when I will stop loving what I do? Probably.

I didn’t start out as a writer who wrote about just one thing. It was many things, really — anything that I was into at that point in my life. When I was eight, I wrote poems about trees and mythical creatures. When I was a teenager, I wrote on my diary to record everything that happens, no matter how mundane. When I started blogging, I blogged mostly about my personal life.

Finally, when I wrote about tech stuff, I started getting paid. When I decided it was something I wanted to do full time, I sent applications to more clients who might need a tech writer. Since my published work online was mostly for the technology niche, I decided I had a better chance of getting hired if I pitched to editors of technology web sites. My efforts paid off, and today I write for five tech blogs.

So what’s so bad about this? Most of these sites leave me to come up with an idea for an article. Because these sites are mostly similar in topic, it’s not uncommon for me to run out of things to write about. Sure, I love Android and using web apps, but I don’t really spend all day installing and playing with them. I have a life outside writing, a home to manage and a child to care for. As much as I would love to share my enthusiasm for my niche, there simply is not enough hours in a day.

I can see where my friend is coming from. There is a risk of getting tired with writing about the same thing day in and day out. I’m starting to see how things might lead to the dreaded burn-out stage. So how do I stop it?

I love writing — I will never get tired of it. Writing about one thing only, however, may have its limits. The only way I can avoid getting burned out is to branch out. I decided to expand my writing to other things that interest me. I’ll probably start from scratch and write unpaid for a new, unexplored niche. That’s fine. I’m actually excited and looking forward to it.

Have you ever felt your passion for writing fade? What did you do to get it back?

This may seem like an extreme comparison — after all, freelancers are not really held responsible for the fate of an entire realm. All the same, I can relate to the sense of loneliness Frodo must have felt at such incredible task. A freelancer is the opposite of a full time, corporate employee — he works alone. He works the same as everyone else — except he has no one to guide him, no one to offer immediate help and is often times left to fend for himself in difficult times. Who wouldn’t feel alone?

It’s a scary thought to be alone, yet it was what drew me towards becoming a full time freelance writer. The idea of not having a boss appealed to me greatly, and I foolishly thought this would be the best thing in the world. To work and be my own boss sounded absolutely blissful. Two months later, I realized I’m not a very good boss. I allowed myself to get sidetracked and wandered off the goal I set for myself, knowing I wasn’t accountable to anyone.

Unlike Frodo, the world didn’t end because of  the way I handled (or mishandled) my freelance work. My earnings, however, nearly came to a blinding halt — and that’s about as close to an apocalypse as I will allow myself to be in. This snapped me out of my novice freelancer daze and vowed to do better next time. This is also the first hard lesson I learned as someone who is new to freelancing.

So if you are ever thinking of leaving a corporate job and becoming a full time freelancer,  remember that having the perks of freelancing has its price. To be successful, you need to be a good boss to yourself — set goals, motivate and give yourself focus no matter what. Middle Earth may not depend on you, but your household will.

Image Credit: Frodo by OSW of deviantart.com

Most people think writing is an inherent talent, and that good writers do their best work effortlessly. This may be true for some, but most of us struggling writers don’t have such a gift. We don’t have an endless stream of ideas we can just tap on anytime we want. Most of the time, we put a lot of effort in coming up with ideas — not just any idea, a great one at that. It isn’t easy. Inspiration is as scarce as it is elusive.

I’ve found that adjusting where I am at any time of day makes it easier for me to be inspired. As a professional writer, I don’t have the luxury of waiting when my next big idea will come. I have deadlines to meet, clients to impress. I can’t afford to wait until inspiration finds me, I have to look for it myself. Here are some places I usually go to get inspiration.

1. A moving vehicle

Other freelancers who work from home might not agree with me when I say I like the daily commute when working in an office. When I used to work full time in a 9-5 job, I took the train everyday. It’s a 30-minute trip, long enough for me to come up with one or more ideas for my blog at that time. Not all of them were extraordinary, but there were a few times that were “A-ha!” moments. I think it’s the movement of the train while seeing things around you that does the trick. Watching other people helps, too — but you need to be a bit careful with that.

2. The bathroom

I read from some writers that they wish their bathroom wall had a whiteboard attached for jotting down ideas that hit them in the middle of a shower. I know exactly what they mean. Taking a shower calms you down and opens your mind to free-flowing thoughts. It’s too bad I don’t have that whiteboard, because there has been times I thought of something great and forget it by the time I stepped out of the shower. If this sounds like you, you are not alone.

3. Coffee shops

Coffee places are a pricey, but it’s a great way to settle down and be free from all the distractions at home. Of course, being a coffee lover (or addict) is a requirement. This is a pleasant way for me to push myself to focus on my writing. If I’m on a tight deadline, or just need to get away from home, I usually grab my stuff and head for the nearest Starbucks.

4. Waiting areas

Idle moments are not a shortage when you go to doctor’s appointments, banks, and other places where there are waiting areas. I don’t allow myself to get bored or upset, but seize it as an opportunity to do a quiet brainstorm for ideas. Having a smartphone is convenient for jotting down notes and lists — more convenient than the bathroom, less luxurious than a coffee shop.

5. The neighborhood

I like heading out to take long (sometimes short) walks around my apartment block. It’s free exercise for both mind and body. The ideas don’t come in a flash and served on a silver platter, but it helps speed up the creative process. Simply being outdoors puts your mind to work. If you’re home alone most of the time, this is also a good time to socialize with your neighbors, or even strangers — provided they’re receptive to your friendliness.

Working from home doesn’t mean you don’t have to go out anymore. Inspiration or no, there should be a time during the week that you’re not in your pajamas (or whatever dress code you have) and staring at your laptop screen at home. It’s good for you in many ways — especially if you’re out of ideas.

How about you? Is there a special place where you draw inspiration from?

Image Credit: Inspiration Road Sign On Sky Background, Grass Underneath by borysshevchuk

My first paid writing job was the biggest surprise of my writing life. I did not expect to get the job, but I applied anyway.

At that time, I had no fancy blog to show writing samples. I merely linked to a few sites I wrote in (for free). But I got hired anyway.

At that point, all I can think of was “Wow, I’m really lucky!”

I didn’t think I was qualified because of my inexperience. Most people would tell me I need to have relevant experience before I can even get considered for a paid writing post. It’s what the voices in my head told me, too. It’s a good thing I didn’t listen.

My approach to applying for writing jobs is simple. Give the employer the best image of yourself and how you will fit their requirement, and leave the rest to fate.

Yes, fate.

No matter how brilliant or mediocre you are, there is an element of luck in the way things turn out. I’m not talking about magical, fairy stuff. I’m referring to the series of events that lead into unexpected outcomes. In my case, getting my first paid writing gig for a reputable website in my niche.

Maybe the editor had no other better candidates than me. Maybe another writer bailed out and he needed a quick replacement. Heck, maybe he just wanted to give me a chance.

It’s not a way to downplay my talent as a writer. I knew I had it in me to write whatever it was I was supposed to write. I was confident that I deserve a paid writing job and that it will be a career for me in the future. The fact remained that I had little to show for it. And the fact that I still got hired clearly meant my humble credentials were not the only reason I got hired.

Fate happens to those who believe enough to take the leap.

We all have our own insecurities and fears. But if we’re bold enough to ignore them in finding new hopes, fate just might work to give you a nudge forward. The universe does not really conspire to give you what you want if you don’t go for it.

If you’re not confident about your abilities, or your chances of making it, then believe that luck just might be the ally you never knew you had.

I know I’m a great writer. I also know there are hundreds of other great writers out there and I was lucky to get picked. It was also because of this job that I became known to others and got hired by them, too.

If you can’t be awesome (yet), be lucky.

Take a chance. Throw caution to the wind. At the end of the day, lucky or not, nothing is lost but your doubts and inhibitions.