The Writing Coach Podcast 7: Procrastinate later
http://writingcoachpodcast.libsyn.com/07-procrastinate-later Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or RSS. What does a wild animal have to do with procrastination? Your brain wants to protect you from danger–be it a baboon in the bedroom or the anxiety of writing your first draft. Oh, wait, writing that draft isn’t a threat to your survival? […]
Freelance Writer Bootcamp alumni discuss what the program’s really like
Bonus: FB Live with Freelance Writer Bootcamp alumni Wondering what it’s really like to go through Freelance Writer Bootcamp? Join me for a discussion with several Bootcamp alums about their experiences. Registration for Freelance Writer Bootcamp is open until Tuesday, October 2: https://www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com More info and show notes: https://www.rebeccalweber.com/podcastalum Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 5: Pitching is …
05: Pitching mindset The first thing most freelance writers need to do to improve their pitching isn’t some editorial magic trick. It’s not tips on including a news hook, or how to write a great subject line, or having the right clips in your portfolio. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 1: What’s your problem?
01: What’s your problem? Welcome to the first episode of The Writing Coach Podcast! 😀 In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing my coach approach with you to help you get out of your own way and move toward your freelance writing goals. Welcome to the first episode of The Writing Coach Podcast! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google […]
Introducing The Writing Coach Podcast
Rebecca L. Weber’s Writing Coach Podcast features the sustainable strategies, mindset management, and creative skills development she uses to help independent writers around the world. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | | Audible | Android | RSS | or click on an episode below to listen. Listen to the Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist […]
On choosing not to be an underearner
Recently I opened up my schedule to people interested in a free mini coaching session with me. It’s a shot of quickie clarity—just enough time for you to describe one writing issue you’re struggling with and for me to offer some advice about the one next step to take. A couple of people transitioning from other […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 25: Why freelance writers really procrastinate
I know a lot about procrastination. I spontaneously invented my own time management approach when I was in third grade. We’d get a homework assignment each week on Monday that was due on Friday. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, I’d think, “I don’t want to do that. I’d rather watch reruns or read Judy […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 24: The confident writer
Do you feel writing is your true creative, personal, or professional calling, one that brings meaning and depth to your life, and that lets you bring real value to the lives of readers … or at least has the potential to? If the answer is yes (or you’d like it to be), yet you struggle […]
Freelance Writer Breakthrough: A new mini course
Register for the Breakthrough mini course (free for a limited time). Want a behind-the-scenes look at the best strategies for reaching your freelance writing goals in 2018? Please join me for a new mini course, which includes some of my best tips to help you build and sustain the freelance writing career you want. We’ll […]
Most popular posts of 2017
It’s that time of year when many people, including myself, look back at the year that’s been. Instead of tallying up all the items on my to-do lists that didn’t get done, I’m looking for things I did do. I invite you to try this as well. In 2017 I hit 20 posts in the […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 20: Get your freelance clients to pay on time
Getting paid on time as a freelance writer isn’t luck of the draw. After more than a dozen years of freelancing full-time, I’ve had very few late-paying clients. Some of this is out of my control, but I’m quite diligent about a few things that most freelancers don’t bother doing. If you don’t think you have […]
The quarterback, the quiet friend, and “effortless” assignments
(Psst … Registration for Freelance Writer Bootcamp is OPEN. Click here to join the last session in 2017.) Recently I got an email from a new-to-me editor who works at a publication I’d never heard of. If magazines were high school archetypes in a teen movie, and the New York Times was the football quarterback […]
That thing you want to write
Early bird registration is now open for the Freelance Writer Retreat near Cape Town, South Africa. Visit www.rebeccalweber.com/retreat to register. In my own small way, I’ve taken the advice of Toni Morrison to heart: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” A […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 17/Digital nomad: Freelancing on the road
When I saw this VW van in California a few weeks ago, I thought immediately about a recent article about #vanlife. Somebody who thought she could do her job remotely was surprised to find out that she couldn’t work on her computer during a bumpy ride, nor connect for calls in the middle of a […]
She blinded me with science
Despite my lack of technical training, I’ve interviewed a fair number of scientists. Right at the start of our conversation, I tell them that I don’t have a science background, and ask them to please explain things to me in layperson’s terms. Usually they get it that I’m not a colleague and keep things simple; […]
Setting 2017 freelance writer goals
If you’ve already signed up for the 2017 goal-setting challenge for freelance writers, watch the video below to get yourself ready. Otherwise you can click here to register for the goal-setting challenge: www.rebeccalweber.com/2017goals If you’re not feeling like looking back at 2016, scroll below to read about my own resistance to this exercise. When it […]
Writers, what does 2017 have in store for you?
Press play to take a screenshot and find out. Happy new year! 2017 GOAL-SETTING CHALLENGE for FREELANCE WRITERS Join me in January when I share my annual process with freelance writers. Daily prompts (emails and videos) will help expand and refine your vision of writing success. + Clarify writing goals + Strategize your plan + […]
7 most popular posts of 2016
Would you be surprised to hear that this Backstory blog was originally conceived of as a place to post comics about what goes on behind the scenes when writing articles? A few years ago, I was not imagining that I would be making videos, teaching freelance writers how to pitch, leading goal-planning challenges, or even […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 10: Color Me Quick
One antidote to overresearching, overreporting, overthinking, and overwriting is a really tight deadline. This video offers some takeaway tips on quick reporting in the field: For many freelancers, breaking news is part of a mix that keeps things fresh and exciting. For writers who are used to working in isolation, there’s a satisfying sense of […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 9: Long-distance clients and time zones
Choosing to work with far-flung freelance clients typically requires two schedule modifications. The first is a flexible attitude, and the other is a system to manage the different time zones. Flexibility with your schedule Your existing commitments may mean that you can’t or don’t want to work in the mornings, evenings, weekends, local holidays, etc. If you […]