Freelancing

  • Slapping wrists of those who write the news: journalists discuss First Amendment violations in Atlanta

      By Ellen Eldridge, President-Elect, SPJ Georgia     Atlanta, Georgia – John Ruch said he thought someone was being a jerk by waving a hand in front of his cell phone as he tried to take a picture of a protester’s arrest Nov. 26. The Creative Loafing freelance reporter said he had a great view through the crowd in Atlanta, and he was trying to take photographs for his assignment.   Moments later, Ruch realized the hand belonged to an Atlanta police officer. The officer grabbed Ruch’s arm from behind and another officer nodded an okay to arrest Ruch and a few others, who he said seemed randomly chosen…

  • furthur

    Staying creative as a writer, musician or maker

    This is day 29 of 30-day blog challenge. Read day 28: “This is the day I fail”   Bob weir is best known for playing guitar in The Grateful Dead (and Ratdog as I mentioned in my blog about proposing), but he also makes hot sauce. Maynard James Keenan may be best known as the frontman of Tool, but he also creates music for A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. Keenan makes not only music but also he makes wine.   The idea that a musician has to stay inspired to create outstanding single after amazing album doesn’t mean that that same musician can’t open new pathways into inspiration by creating…

  • Does your creativity keep you up at night or leave you blocked?

    Controlling creativity: 5 tips for managing inspiration

    Day 10 of 30-day blog challenge. Read day 9 “Social Media Limit”     We makers know that when inspiration strikes we might be dead asleep or butt-naked in the shower. Actually, I think the connecting theme for those two situations is the idea of relaxation. The mind reels when the body relaxes.  But, in an industry where freelancers and independent makers (from writers to photographers and anyone who creates something) struggle to constantly create and improve, how can we slow down enough to manage creativity?   I’m sure I’m not alone in having lists of great ideas for novels, plays and songs. I have half-written grocery lists and incomplete…

  • freelancers demand respect

    The most difficult task for a freelancer

      Though I’ve been in business for myself for nearly seven years with Target Audience Magazine, I haven’t invested enough time or money to make a sincere “go of it,” though I plan to change that this year. I started really building my freelance career managing social media and editing fairly recently. I just joined Twitter around the time I started this blog; about four months ago. Maybe five.   Many of my friends are self-employed, including my husband, so I know the speech: demand respect. I worked for a few years as the lesson coordinator for Ken Stanton Music, where my job involved interviewing and hiring independent contractors to…