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WritersNotes.Net: Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement!
September 17th 2009 18:04
Reprints: A Great Way to Increase Your Writing Income
Writers are continually looking for new ways to maximize their influence, exposure, and income—or at least they should be! One great way to do this is by selling reprints of your already-published works. This is a relatively quick, easy way to leverage the time, energy, and effort you've expended in creating these works—turning them into even greater profits—and is one secret to ensuring an ongoing income stream for your writing business.
Normally, reprints will not command top dollar—though in isolated cases, they do pay well. Without question, you will need to generate a steady stream of new writing to keep your business thriving and your profits high; yet, the smartest, most savvy freelancers recognize and use every technique they can for building maximum profit. Reselling your work can fit nicely into your comprehensive publishing plan.
While many markets seek only "original works"—a misnomer, really, because all non-plagiarized works are original (what they actually mean is previously unpublished works)—many other markets are quite amenable to considering reprints. Some publishers have limitations, however; and many pay less for reprints than they do for previously unpublished pieces. All want to know where published works have appeared before.
A Few Reprint Facts to Keep in Mind
Before offering your work for republication, check to be sure that the market to which you originally sold the work doesn't have a policy (to which you agreed at the time of sale) that prevents publication elsewhere. Some publishers require notification of your intent to publish reprints, and many reserve the right to decide whether or not to grant you permission to do so. This is always true in cases where the publisher has purchased all rights. (However, most publications seem to be fairly reasonable in administering these policies.)
You should be aware, that even those markets which return publication rights to the author after running the piece often expect the courtesy of a notice of your intent to republish. Some return publication rights to an author with certain limitations, such as allowing the author to publish the work or excerpts from the work on his/her own website but not elsewhere. So, before offering reprint rights to your piece, double-check the policy of the original market to be sure you're on steady legal and ethical ground. And, while you're at it, read the current publisher's submission guidelines carefully (which you should be doing anyway for many reasons) to be sure you understand its reprint policy, relating to both past and future publication of the work in question.
In addition to accepting reprints, some markets also allow simultaneous submissions, which should make it that much easier to resell your work—though such companies generally require notification if the piece should be accepted elsewhere. Remember: simultaneous submission and simultaneous publication are not synonymous.
Some publications are only open to submissions during certain time periods, so be sure to check their guidelines for any time limitations before submitting your work. Otherwise, it will go unread and all your time and effort will be wasted.
Also, be sure to follow the formatting requirements of the publication to which you are currently submitting—even if your piece has been published elsewhere in its present format. Unfortunately, that fact alone is no reason to assume that the market you've chosen this time will look favorably on the previous format—particularly if its guidelines say otherwise.
By following the above guidelines, you can leverage your past work into welcome new earnings with minimal time and effort. And which of us couldn't use a little extra money right now—without having to create an entirely new article to get it!
To your reprint success!
Jeanne
Update On My Situation
Most of you are aware that, due to my mom's illness and my caregiving responsibilities, I've been unable to post much at Writer's Notes over the past few months. Some may also be aware of the latest development in my situation; but for those who aren't, I'd like to share an update: My dear, sweet, precious mother passed away Sunday, May 17th, at the age of 82, after a shockingly short, fierce battle with an unusually fast-progressing form of Alzheimer's, which devastated both mind and body before finally taking her life.
It's been a very sad time for my family and me and an extremely hard thing to watch this insidious disease wreak its devastation on a woman who was always so sharp, alert, detail-oriented, meticulous, and exacting before its onset--to watch her gradually (though rapidly) lose her ability to reason, communicate, walk, feed (or do anything else for) herself, and eventually even lose the ability to eat or drink (even through a straw) and even when fed by others.
I hope my description of the end-stages of this hellish disease isn't too graphic for my readers' sensibilities, but I believe that many (like me) were not previously aware of the true nature of Alzheimer's and just how devastating it can be. Prior to my own experience with this medical monster, I didn't know that it was a fatal disease and naively thought it always took years and years to develop and that its effects were limited to cognitive impairment, wandering and becoming lost, and other similar difficulties. I soon learned, though, that that isn't the half of it.
Dispelling the Widespread Myths About Alzheimer's
The following quote from the Alzheimer's Myths page of the Alzheimer's Association website addresses the reality of Alzheimer's--a reality of which most people are unaware:
Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.
Reality: Alzheimer's disease has no survivors. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person's identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk and find his or her way home.
I hope this eye-opening information won't be too shocking to my readers, but I do feel it very important to dispel the myths that lull us into complacency about this devastating disease--making us ill-equipped to face it when it enters our lives. (For the other seven myths listed on the website, along with their rebuttals, visit the above link.)
Knowledge Equals Power to Prepare
The truth is that many people live many years with Alzheimer's, and in its earlier stages it rarely, if ever, wreaks the devastation that its later stages bring. Many Alzheimer's patients live reasonably happy lives for years. Yet, it's also important to be aware that this isn't always the case and to be prepared in the eventuality that we or our loved ones face a more aggressive, faster-moving variety.
There are drugs that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's somewhat if taken early enough in the disease process, though their effect is temporary, they only work for about half the people who take them, and that effect only lasts on average about 6 to 12 months. These facts are also addressed on the Alzheimer's Myths page of the Association's website (found at the link presented earlier in this post.)
This insidious disease snuck up on me, and by the time I realized what was happening, so much ground had already been lost. Then, it progressed at super speed like a horror movie video set to "fast forward," never allowing me to achieve (or regain) my equilibrium as a daughter, companion, caregiver, "nurse," or friend. In short, it was a nightmare, and I would hate to see this same nightmare come upon you unawares.
Please educate yourself about Alzheimer's, because you simply never know when it might strike someone you know and love--and when it does, there's absolutely no way of knowing for certain how much (or how little) time you have left.
Thanks so much for reading!
Jeanne
P.S. I'd planned to provide a link to a writing-related website as part of this post (since this is, after all, a writing blog); but, due to the serious and emotional nature of the above message, I've decided to hold off and provide that link in a separate post. When I first began penning the above post, I wasn't absolutely certain how much I would reveal about my mom's death or the precise manner in which that revelation would evolve. But, since I felt it so important to share and prepare my readers for the possibility of meeting Alzheimer's head on in the future, it seemed inappropriate and anticlimactic to follow my appeal with something so mundane as a link to a freelancing website. I hope that no one minds and that all will be patient until I can get the next post up. Thanks so much for your understanding.
It's Official: My Writer's Notes' Blogapalooza Post is Now Up
On the last day that Robert is accepting submissions for his annual Blogapalooza group writing project, I finally finished and e-mailed my entry; and Robert informed me just a little while ago that my What I Learned From 2008 post is now up at MZM--along with the other 127 submissions to the project!
It's always a pleasure to participate in an MZM WILF (What I Learned From) project, since every project always has real substance and inspires a great deal of thought. Yet, Robert's annual Blogapalooza projects are always special, because, with them, bloggers are offered the singular honor of having their posts actually published at Middle Zone Musings, with links back to their best monthly blog posts, rather than publishing their posts on their own blogs with only a link roundup being displayed at MZM. So, Blogapalooza is really special!
Visit MZM and Read My Submission--Along with 127 Others
Stop by when you have the time and check out my submission. Perhaps you'll find a few Writer's Notes posts listed there that you've missed. Since this list of a dozen posts (one for each month of 2008) represents the posts I've found especially instructive to me, perhaps you'll find them particularly instructive or informative, as well. You might think of these as some of the best Writer's Notes content of 2008. In addition to listing this content, my Blogapalooza post gives a brief explanation of what I learned from each of the 12 posts I've chosen for the project.
You'll also want to check out some of the other Blogapalooza posts written by various bloggers and peruse the content they've written over the past year which they consider to be their best and most instructive. Drop over and take a look. You may just learn something--and be entertained in the bargain!
May reading these posts teach you as much as we've learned writing them!
Happy reading!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Which Writer's Notes posts highlighted in this project had you never read before? What value do you see in group writing projects such as this one? Do you enjoy having more meaningful posts resurrected from the archival abyss in this manner, or are you totally ready to move on to new things in the new year, without looking back? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Confident Writing's Year-End Group Writing Project
Joanna Young, at Confident Writing, is holding a year-end group writing project, in which bloggers select the post they believe to be Simply The Best post they've written during 2008 and describe why "in 30 words or less." Read all about this intriguing project in the following post: Simply The Best: Group Writing Project.
My Writer's Notes Entry
I've chosen the following article* as the Writer's Notes 2008 post that's Simply The Best:
Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?
In accordance with the rules Joanna has set for this writing project, I've described my reasons for choosing the above post--in exactly 30 words (not counting Joanna's "preamble"). Here they are:
This post is simply the best because...
• It explores an issue that's critical to every writer's success;
• It examines various methods for tapping several common motivational sources;
• It explains how to generate motivation when it eludes us.
Hope you'll enjoy revisiting this Writer's Notes "best" post of 2008 (first published as a guest post at Writing the Cyber Highway). I think that, in addition to a hefty dose of encouragement, you'll find an arsenal of useful techniques for achieving the motivation that's indispensable to your success in your chosen vocation.
Joanna's Roundup Post Will Link to All Entries
Be sure not to miss Joanna's Simply The Best roundup post (which will be published at Confident Writing on December 30th). It will feature links to some of the best blog content of 2008 (along with each blogger's 30-word or shorter description of why it's his/her best post of the year).
If you've had a busy year (as I have) and too often missed reading your favorite blogs, don't miss this "best of the blogosphere" collection! (You can even get a jump on reading these great entries by visiting Joanna's announcement post at the above writing project link and mining her Comments box for the links to all the entries.)
Happy reading!
Jeanne
* I've entered at the 11th hour (actually, later). Yet, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in such an inspiring project.
Did you enjoy this post? What would you consider your very best post of 2008? Would you have difficulty choosing? If so, stay tuned for another soon-to-be-held year-end group writing project which will include up to 12 of each blog's best posts of 2008: one for each month that the blogger has been blogging this year. Perhaps you'll even decide to participate!
Please note: If the StumbleUpon and other social bookmarking buttons aren't visible, please click the "Add Comments" link beneath this post. Thanks!
We Have a Great Deal Planned Today!
Dream or Destiny: A prize worth winning
Sit down, relax, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and join us for Lillie Ammann's second exciting stop at Writer's Notes, where you'll learn who won a copy of Dream or Destiny, read all about Lillie's road to publication, and ask this experienced author, who has published several books, all the pressing questions you've always wanted to ask about publishing your own work.
First Order of Business: Contest Winner
Drum roll, please! And, the lucky winner of an autographed copy of Dream or Destiny is...Mark Antony! Congratulations, Mark! I know you'll enjoy the book! Please e-mail me at writersnotes@gmail.com with your shipping info, which I'll pass on to Lillie so she can ship your book to you.
A big Thank You to all who participated in the drawing! I appreciate your comments and wish all of you could have won! Thanks, also, to those who commented without entering! It's always great to hear your thoughts!
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Next on the Agenda: My Exciting Interview With Lillie Ammann!
Without further ado, I present to you my interview with Lillie--a fascinating exhange in which this experienced author offers a wealth of interesting, helpful, and encouraging information for aspiring and practicing writers! Plan to give it a thorough reading--and make sure you check out the valuable resource links Lillie provides for your benefit!
WN: What writing and/or life experiences sparked the idea for Dream or Destiny?
LA: I saw a television documentary about a woman who uses her psychic dreams to help the police solve crimes. Her dreams are after the fact and are generally about such things as the location of the body rather than about the crime itself. However, that sparked my imagination. I wondered, “What if someone dreamed about a murder before it happened?”
WN: How detailed was your plot line when you began writing Dream or Destiny, and how did your plot unfold?
LA: I knew little about the plot when I started writing. Characters come first for me. The characters bounce around in my head for awhile before I have any idea of the plot. I knew Marilee would dream about a murder, and that’s about all I knew at first. I got to know Marilee, then David appeared. I hadn’t consciously planned to write about domestic violence, but when I was getting acquainted with David, a long history of abuse came to light. It’s probably more accurate to say the characters told me the story than to say I wrote the story. I didn’t know what was going to happen until they told me. In fact, I didn’t even know who the murderer was until the very end!
WN: Dream or Destiny tackles a sensitive topic: domestic violence. What challenges did you face in weaving this issue into your story and still creating realistic character development?
LA: As I said earlier, the characters really told me their story. One of the best compliments I have received came from Bluestocking at The Bluestocking Guide. She asked me if I had personal experience with domestic violence and said when she read the book, she felt sure it was written by someone who had either experienced abuse personally or was close to a victim of domestic violence. Bluestocking is an attorney and domestic violence victims’ advocate, so I was pleased that she said the characters were true to life, unlike what she normally finds in fiction.
WN: What techniques have you found effective for strengthening motivation when working on a book-length project such as Dream or Destiny?
LA: While I was writing Dream or Destiny, I belonged to a critique group. Each member was expected to bring a chapter for critique to each weekly meeting. Having that accountability was a powerful motivator. I didn’t want to show up without my chapter, and I couldn’t just not show up—the meeting was at my house. The group no longer meets so when I start my next novel, I am going to give myself deadlines. If accounting to myself isn’t enough, I’ll partner with another writer to be accountable to each other.
WN: The tension between raw creativity and literary polish often plagues writers. How did you achieve (and how would you recommend that other aspiring writers achieve) the balance needed for creating an inspired yet polished piece of writing?
LA: I learned in an online writing class that first drafts are supposed to be “pure green dreck.” I separate the raw creativity/the inspiration from the literary polish. The purpose of the first draft is to get to know the characters and find out what happens. The only editing I permit myself at that stage is primarily getting back into the story after a break. I re-read the last few paragraphs from the work of the last writing session, whether that was the previous day or weeks ago. I allow myself to make minor revisions in those paragraphs, then it’s back to “pure green dreck.”
The only time I would consider making major revisions during the first draft would be if I found myself completely off-track. That’s never happened, though. After the “pure green dreck” is poured out onto the pages of the manuscript, I like to put it aside for days or weeks. Then I go back to edit … and edit … and edit … and edit again. One way to look at it is you can’t polish a gem unless you have a gem to polish. That “pure green dreck” is the diamond-in-the-rough that you will turn into a stunning jewel.
WN: Tell us a bit about your road to publishing Dream or Destiny.
LA: It was a long road with so many twists and turns I couldn’t see the end until I was almost there. My road to publishing this book should encourage any other writer who is discouraged that their manuscript hasn’t sold. As I wrote in How Things Change—Editing a Manuscript Ten Years Later, “The road to publication for Dream or Destiny was a long one—more than ten years, in fact. For much of that time, publication seemed like a dream that, unlike Marilee’s nightmare, didn’t come true. Representation by an agent for two years resulted in nothing more than a stack of rejections. I put the manuscript away and tried to forget it, but the characters wouldn’t let me forget. They seemed to call out to me, demanding publication, claiming it as their destiny.”
Several times I put the manuscript away to gather virtual dust on my computer, only to have the characters clamor out again. I signed a contract with one publisher, then before Dream or Destiny went into production, the company decided to focus on publishing erotica. They released me from the contract because my book would not be a good fit. After some more virtual-dust-gathering, I sold the book to GASLight. However, there were delays as a result of health issues and other circumstances. Finally Dream or Destiny has come to the end of that long road and is now a reality.
WN: I understand that much of your experience has been with small press and self-publishing. What have you found to be the main advantages of each? Are there any disadvantages to these publishing methods that other authors should be aware of?
LA: Both self-publishing and publishing with small press allow the author much more input into the publishing process than is possible with major traditional publishers. Self-publishing gives the author total control, but not all writers are comfortable with the responsibilities and risks of self-publishing.
Small presses assume the responsibilities and risks but don’t offer as much control as self-publishing. Neither self-published nor small press-published books have the distribution of the large publishers. Writers will generally sell fewer copies of small- or self-published books, although they will earn significantly more on each sale.
In general, I think self-publishing is more viable for nonfiction than for fiction because it’s easier to find customers through niche marketing to people interested in the subject of the nonfiction book. I’ve written about the pros and cons of various kinds of publishing in my free Self-Publishing Primer.
WN: What advice would you give writers whose manuscripts are sitting around gathering dust and who feel they have little hope of getting them published?
LA: Re-read the manuscript yourself. If it’s been sitting around for awhile, it will be fresher than it was when you were working on it constantly. Ask yourself honestly if you still believe in this story. Do you like what you read … or would you quit reading if the book had been written by someone else? If you still love your story, ask for input from other writers or readers that you trust.
This is something else I’ve discussed in other blog stops, especially Getting Published with a Little Help from my Friends. If the readers like the story, submit it again …and again … and again. If the readers make suggestions for improvements, evaluate their suggestions and decide which you agree with and which you don’t. Revise, then start submitting again.
WN: Where can we go to read an excerpt from Dream or Destiny?
LA: You can download a free excerpt from Dream or Destiny in a PDF file on my Web site.
WN: Where can we purchase Dream or Destiny, and what formats are available?
LA: You can buy the book in paperback and e-book formats from the publisher, GASLight Publishing. If you order the e-book, you will download a zip file with several different electronic formats so you can choose the one you prefer. You can also order the book in paperback or Kindle edition from Amazon.com.
WN: I believe Dream or Destiny is your second published book. Would you mind sharing a little about your first book and your inspiration for it?
LA: Dream or Destiny is my second published novel, but my fourth published book. My first book, Look beyond Tomorrow: The Carola Spencer Story, told of the courage, faith, hope, and love exhibited by my friend and her employees after a double-murder/suicide at their workplace. I wrote the story to raise money for Carola’s medical expenses, and we donated the rest of the books to a literacy organization. I also wrote a nonfiction book on network marketing. Both are out of print now.
As is the case with many first-time writers, my first novel, Stroke of Luck, is autobiographical. The heroine has a stroke like the one I had. During my recovery, my husband had to care for me. I wondered how someone who did not have that support system would cope with devastating illness. That wondering led to Stroke of Luck.
WN: Where can we read an excerpt from Stroke of Luck, where may we purchase it, and what format(s) are available?
LA: You can read a free excerpt from Stroke of Luck on the publisher’s Web site. The book is available only as an e-book (a zip file with four different electronic formats) from GASLight Publishing.
WN: Tell us a little about your blog and what it has to offer writers seeking publication of their own work.
LA: A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye covers writing, editing, and publishing; freelancing; and books and authors, along with occasional patriotic and Christian topics. I write about working on clients’ books as well as my own, and I’m planning to host several authors on blog book tours in the coming weeks. Writers will learn and be inspired by other writers’ stories. I also give practical advice on writing and publishing as well as related topics, such as rejection.
WN: Share with us, if you would, a few blog posts or series you’ve written that writers might find especially helpful in preparing and publishing their own work.
LA: Readers can go to my Series and Related Posts page and look through the categories. The most helpful posts in preparing and publishing your own work will be in the following categories: Critique and Other Groups, E-Books and E-Publishing, Editing, Life Lessons/Inspiration, Rejection, Self-Publishing/Publishing, and Writing and Self-Editing.
WN: What plans do you have for your next book?
LA: Characters for two different books are struggling for dominance in my brain right now. I know my next two books will be about secondary characters in Dream or Destiny. However, I’m not sure which of the books I’ll write first: Tess, “the crazy lady,” or Bonita, who was involved with a married man.
WN: Thanks so much, Lillie, for sharing your experiences with us and giving away a free, autographed copy of Dream or Destiny here at Writer's Notes today!
LA: I’m delighted to be here, Jeanne, and look forward to answering readers’ questions.
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Learn More at Lillie's Other Tour Stops
Be sure to visit the other stops on Lillie's tour and read her other fascinating interviews and guest posts. You'll find links to all of them on her Dream or Destiny tour schedule.
Have Your own Publishing Questions Answered Right Here: Leave a Comment for Lillie
Lillie is ready and willing to answer your questions about planning and writing your book, preparing your manuscript for publication, and doing exactly what it takes to get that book published and in print--with your byline on it! So, ask away! Bring your questions about all those small--or big--matters you've always been curious about and ask them with confidence of a writer who's been there. Leave a comment on this post, and Lillie will be happy to answer your questions.
Hope you've enjoyed this Writer's Notes interview with Lillie Ammann, author of Dream or Destiny. If reading Lillie's story has made you the least bit curious about her book, why not purchase a copy of Dream or Destiny at one of the above links. And be sure to invite everyone you know who enjoys a good mystery to visit this post, read my earlier review of Dream or Destiny, and get a copy of this entertaining book!
Enjoy!
Jeanne
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About Lillie:
Lillie Ammann does freelance writing and editing for authors, publishers, and business and nonprofit organizations. She is also Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Your Information Center, a publisher of short, practical, free online guides on a variety of subjects.
As a freelancer, Lillie works with authors and publishers to prepare manuscripts for publication. She also writes and edits business documents and helps families and individuals compile family histories and memoirs. She especially enjoys helping self-publishing authors navigate the publishing maze and likes to think of herself as a book midwife. She can design the interior of the book, negotiate and contract with cover designers and printers, create and maintain the author’s website, and help with promotional activities, such as writing and distributing press releases. Lillie is as proud of the published book as the author is.
Source: Lillie's website
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Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any questions for Lillie? Perhaps reading Lillie's story has inspired you to write and/or publish your own book. What do you need to do to make that happen? What do you need to know to make it happen? Would it help you to get a bit of encouragement from one who's "been there"? If so, ask away! Lillie is waiting to give you the advice and encouragement you need to go for it and make your dreams of publication come true. Perhaps you'll find, after learning from Lillie's quest to publish Dream or Destiny, that publication of your own book is both your dream and your destiny!
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Marilee Anderson dreams about a murder and wakes to find it really happened. She and David Nichols, the victim’s brother, become the prime suspects. Though they have their secrets and aren’t sure they can trust each other, Marilee and David team up to find the killer....Will Marilee and David find the killer? Or will they end up in jail—or dead?
Excerpt from back cover, Dream or Destiny, by Lillie Ammann
Mark Your Calendar! Two WN Stops on Dream or Destiny Book Tour Start Monday
One week from today--Monday, November 10th--Writer's Notes will host the first of Lillie Ammann's two WN stops on her blog book tour for her newly released mystery-romance novel, Dream or Destiny. Two of Lillie's last stops (during the final week of her tour) will be spent at Writer's Notes (the second will be Friday, November 14th, the tour's final day) where she will share details about her book, her experience with the publishing industry, and a free print copy of her book (which will go to one lucky Writer's Notes reader).
So, please stay tuned for Monday's post, and plan to leave a comment so you'll be entered into the drawing for the free book. (The winner will be announced in Friday's post.)
Monday, November 10th: My Dream or Destiny Book Review/Book Giveaway
Monday's post will contain my review of Dream or Destiny, and, as mentioned above, everyone who leaves a comment on that post between posting time Monday and midnight U.S. PST Thursday will be entered into the drawing for a free copy of the book. (Both U.S. and international readers are encouraged to enter.)
Friday, November 14th: Interview with Lillie/Open Question Forum/Book Contest Winner Announcement
In Friday's post, aside from announcing the lucky winner, I will interview Lillie about her book and her experiences with book publishing and will offer readers the opportunity to ask Lillie questions about the ins and outs of getting a book published. So, bring your questions about your own novel or other book and plan to ask Lillie everything you've always wanted to know about getting your book into print.
While Lillie doesn't claim to be an expert on every area of publishing, she does have considerable experience in certain areas of book publishing and she'd be more than happy to help with any questions she's able to answer to help you get that much closer to publishing your own book-length manuscript.
Last Chance to Win a Free Copy of Dream or Destiny
Don't miss these two stops at the end of Lillie's blog book tour--and don't pass up your opportunity to win a free copy of her suspenseful murder mystery, Dream or Destiny! Be sure to visit Writer's Notes between Monday, November 10th and Friday, November 14th to learn what Lillie's book is all about and enter the drawing, and on November 14th to read some fascinating info about Lillie, her book, and book publishing in general, to have your questions about publishing your own book answered, and to find out whether you will soon be reading your own complimentary copy of Dream or Destiny!
Hope to see you here!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Do you have a novel or other book-length manuscript of your own sitting around gathering dust? Have you all but given up on getting it published? Do you have questions about the publishing process? What fictional genres do you prefer to read--or write? Or do you prefer non-fiction? How would YOU like to win a copy of Dream or Destiny?
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This post is a reprint of a piece I originally wrote as a guest post for Michele Tune at Writing the Cyber Highway. Some of you may remember that it first appeared there on June 2, 2008. Hope you'll enjoy it--and hope it will give you some helpful tools you can use to find--or generate--the motivation to write.
Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?
When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
How do you motivate yourself to write when you don’t feel like writing? How do you convince yourself to get down to business when you’d rather do anything but?
Have you ever had those days when you just can’t seem to face the prospect of writing that article that’s coming due, that query letter you know you should write, or that blog post that will remind your readers that you haven’t fallen off the face of the earth…that you’re not only still around but that you’re actually still interested in sharing your wit and wisdom with them? (I thought so!) You want to write, but you just can’t seem to make yourself do it.
Lack of Motivation: A Common Problem
Every writer struggles with these feelings from time to time—many of us quite often. And for bloggers and other online writers who work from home, life can be particularly distracting, as we’re continually bombarded not only with the household responsibilities that continually beckon, but also with the many available—and attractive—alternatives to working.
Such tempting activities as commenting on other blogs, visiting social media sites, checking our site stats, looking for nifty high-tech tools for our web pages, reading unrelated but interesting content during our online research, and any number of other enjoyable and otherwise productive activities often only serve to intensify our motivation problem and derail us from our efforts to fulfill our writing responsibilities.
What’s a Writer to Do?
The most important thing is to realize that motivation is a state of mind. It can come from many sources. Some of them follow.
The Writer’s Most Common Motivation Sources
Enthusiasm
When we’re feeling really enthusiastic about a project, don’t we find it so much easier to throw ourselves into completing it—even when the project itself is difficult or involved? If you can work up the enthusiasm to actually relish the prospect of writing about your topic, you will have won a great victory.
To do that, try taking your focus off the negative aspects of the project and focusing, instead, on something positive about the piece—something you can actually enjoy about it. If the subject matter itself doesn’t interest you, try focusing on a specific writing technique that you’ve mastered which you’re particularly proud of and which you plan to use for the piece.
If need be, you can even focus on a favorite writing tool, some physical part of the writing process that you enjoy, or the satisfaction you receive from your excellent spelling ability, extensive vocabulary, fantastic research skills, or even the way your well-formatted work looks on the page. A little enthusiasm will go a long way toward helping you thrive on the journey ahead, making it so much easier to reach your destination.
Interest
When we’re interested in our topic, writing about it grips our attention, draws us into our content, and keeps us going. It causes time to fly by, making us wonder where it could have gone. Interest can fuel the energy that helps us build momentum, spurring us on toward the realization of our writing goals.
If you’re able to pick and choose your projects so you’re only required to write about topics that interest you, great! You’ll have a much easier time motivating yourself to complete your writing assignments. But, if not, try finding something about the project that captures your interest—even if it takes a stretch of the imagination to discover it. It will be well worth the effort!
If the project itself doesn’t hold any fascination for you, try asking yourself a few questions. Will publishing this piece open your work up to a wider audience, giving you greater exposure? Will it place you before a new demographic or offer you a coveted spot in a brand new niche? Will it add to your credibility as a writer and/or as an expert in your current niche or genre? Will it allow you to showcase your work to prospective new clients? Will it open new doors of opportunity for you in other areas either related or unrelated to writing? These are all great reasons for feeling motivated about your writing project!
Inspiration
Inspiration sweeps us high above the mediocrity of our surroundings, activating our imaginations and infusing us with a power that makes expressing our thoughts via the written word practically effortless. Don’t we just adore the times when we’re fortunate enough to function under the tutelage of this most welcome influence? When it strikes, we see everything in a brand new light, and that helps us rise to bold new heights of creativity. Yet, when inspiration tarries, we often become discouraged.
At times like these, we need to generate a little inspiration of our own. One way we can do this is through the vehicle of high and noble thoughts. Focusing on our ideals and on the meaningful messages we hope to convey to our readers through our writing can jump-start the inspiration process. We can also inspire ourselves through the purposeful recall of vividly meaningful memories, of people we’ve known and loved or joys we’ve experienced. Or we can generate inspiration through the intentional act of surrounding ourselves with beauty. Stirring music, beautiful art, a lovely garden, a distinctively decorated writing nook—all these can help us create an atmosphere that’s conducive to inspiration. And all these can help us motivate ourselves to write.
Reward
The expectation of reward can be another excellent motivator. The reward might be a tangible one like money or an intangible one like recognition. It can even be something as simple—yet sensational—as the sense of satisfaction or feeling of fulfillment we derive from our writing. Just knowing that our work will help someone or that someone will enjoy it can bring its own reward, strengthening our motivation to complete a project.
And though money can often be a great motivator, we sometimes feel we aren’t receiving sufficient compensation for our work—particularly in the web-writing arena, where the going rates tend to be lower—and this can have a demotivating effect on us. That’s why it’s so important not to overlook the intangible rewards—to allow them to provide the impetus to keep us moving forward.
The Role of Attitude in Motivation
We need to realize that we are responsible for our own attitudes. We choose our own thoughts, as well as the lens through which we view the world. We can choose to see our project as a problem—a burden that’s been thrust upon us and one that we must grit our teeth and struggle through, hating every minute of it. Or we can decide to think differently about it—to remain positive and proactively seek ways to make it more than just another piece of writing.
Sometimes it takes sheer willpower to motivate ourselves to write, but I’m convinced that we can make a conscious decision to throw ourselves into our project. (In fact, I know we can, because I’ve proven it to myself again and again in my own writing.) We can make our writing a real extension of who we are, infusing it with that spark of personality, talent, expertise, imagination, and careful craftsmanship that only we can provide, making it a piece we can be proud to write—even if it’s a project that wouldn’t otherwise move us.
The Writer’s Last Resort
When all else fails, we may need to put a popular anti-procrastination technique to work and just do it, trusting that the motivation will follow as we gradually enter into our project. At times like these, it helps to remember that the ability to write when we don’t feel like it—when the intrinsic motivation, interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration escape us—is what separates the professional from the amateur.
And that knowledge alone can serve as our last-ditch motivator—because it’s a truth that carries its own reward.
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Note: I will resume my Guide to Polished Writing shortly.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any motivational techniques of your own you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear them!
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What Our Writing Is Made Of
Writing is a discipline that calls upon so many experiences, influences, facts, ideas, and emotions that it can be difficult to measure the effect of each of these on the literary whole. Because each of our lives, personalities, relationships, and outlooks differ so drastically, our own particular writing style, our tone, content, and insights tend quite naturally to reflect these personal values and combine to create the unique voice that is “us.”
Life Lessons Enrich Our Writing
Everyone and everything we encounter in life has a lesson in it—if we will only look for it. Sometimes that lesson will be glaringly obvious and sometimes buried a bit farther beneath the surface of our experience or our consciousness. Yet, it’s always there patiently waiting for us to discover its wisdom and apply it to our lives, increasing their richness. Only after we’ve done that can we apply that hard-won wisdom to our writing, one lesson at a time, and in that way pass it on to those for whom we write.
Some of My Own Lessons
Here are some lessons I’ve learned* during the course of my life:
School can be a place of real growth—yet not all learning happens there. Or perhaps it might be better said that “school” is everywhere.
Writing gives us the incredible privilege of speaking into the lives of other people. When our readers invite us in and attend to our words, it is we who receive the greater reward.
Children playing outside my window as I work remind me that laughter, simplicity, and chalk-pictures drawn all over the sidewalks of our lives bring a fresh, new perspective to an often inflexible grown-up world.
Television can be an insufferable distraction or a relaxing respite from overwork. At the same time, it can spark new ideas and increase knowledge. It’s up to each of us how we use it.
Recreation is an absolute necessity for a balanced life and an uninterrupted flow of inspiration. It rejuvenates us, recharges our batteries, replenishes our zeal, and renews our zest for life. Like the law of gravity, we ignore this truth to our own detriment.
Relatives shape our lives in so many ways; yet what we become is ultimately up to us. And the manner in which we use the lessons learned from our family ties determines who we will become and what we’ll have to offer those who later enter our lives.
Movies can affect us in powerful ways when artfully produced, touching our core, stirring noble emotions, and spurring us on to greater creativity. Classic movies often do this for me.
Friends help us feel better about ourselves than we think we should, building our confidence and helping us believe that we can accomplish our hearts’ desires—no matter what anyone else may think. They’re always in our corner, helping us fight the next round in the battle of life.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, colors, ages, and abilities—or disabilities. And the majority never receive the recognition they deserve. Yet, we are watching, and they profoundly affect our lives, giving us greater courage to face our own challenges and showing us that doing so is always well worth the effort.
Planes prove to us that we can do the impossible, that mankind—born without wings—can still soar high into the skies on wings powered by the science of aerodynamics, defying the laws of gravity, or by the magic of inspiration, defying the limits of mere logic.
Food of the physical, mental, and spiritual variety is necessary for health of body, mind, and spirit. Yet the single area where we seem to indulge most is the physical, though copious amounts of this type of food contribute the least of any of the three to our creativity.
Pets bring us pleasure and companionship and so often teach us the meaning of unconditional love, loyalty, and trust. Life with our pets is straightforward and uncomplicated, without the emotional complexity that so often plagues human relationships. When we bond with a beloved pet, we receive more than we give.
Trains are virtually unstoppable—as long as they remain on track. They teach us that we, too, will be unstoppable if we maintain our focus, build momentum, stay on track, and keep our eyes on the destination ahead.
Time marches incessantly forward, waiting for nothing, relentlessly passing, and quietly but powerfully leaving its mark on everything within its massive sphere of influence. It reminds us that nothing ever remains as it was, that life is dynamic, that we either grow or decay, improve or regress, move forward or backward with every passing day.
Space symbolizes freedom, the ability to move about without restraint—within as well as without. It represents our ability to break the self-imposed emotional bonds that constrain us and keep us imprisoned within their invisible yet powerful walls—and almost irresistibly beckons us to do so.
Automobiles represent convenience, mobility, “shorter” distances between people and between people and places. They narrow the gap that nature has placed in our path and help us to use the freedom of space to our greatest advantage. Our psychological “automobiles” are any of the things that minimize the relational “gaps” between people—things like understanding, respect, courtesy, love, and forgiveness.
Technology teaches us the vastness of human potential, promising not only future discoveries by the geniuses of the world for the improvement of our lives but also the virtually limitless nature of our own personal discoveries, our own as yet unrealized possibilities. It also connects us to people, products, information, and services in ways we’ve never connected before, enriching us in the process.
Mountains remind us that, though life isn’t always easy, it’s beautiful, glorious, majestic, and wholly worthwhile; and as long as we keep on climbing, we always have a chance of reaching the top.
Keep learning...climbing...and writing!
Jeanne
This post is my entry to the Middle Zone Musings What I Learned From…Mashing It Up! group writing project.
* Just to clarify: The 18 areas in which I've discussed my lessons learned were not chosen by me, but were the 18 fascinating topics Robert Hruzek dreamed up especially for this WILF mashup.
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A Few Comments Worth Repeating
The following information is adapted from a few comments I recently wrote here at Writer's Notes about online fraud. These comments expanded on the info presented in one of my earlier posts on the topic. I've decided to turn them into a post in their own right, because I believe this information is critical for everyone who uses the internet and e-mail to know--and since writers often use online payment processing services, such as PayPal, we must be particularly aware that we don't get scammed. (Many--if not most--people don't tend to read all the comments on a blog post, which means that most Writer's Notes readers have not had the benefit of reading this information.)
How to Tell When You're On a Spoof Website
Once on a website, if you right-click the webpage you're on and then click "Properties," you'll learn two things:
First, you'll learn the actual URL of the website--regardless of what they may have done to hide or manipulate it to make it seem like another site. (Note: The PayPal site's "Properties" window shows that the site is in fact PayPal, because it shows the authentic PayPal URL.)
Second, you'll learn whether or not the internet connection to the site is encrypted. If it isn't encrypted, it's not a secure site and therefore cannot be the real PayPal website. (Try this by right-clicking this Writer's Notes webpage. You'll see the exact URL--in this case the URL to this particular blog post--and you'll also see that this site's connection is not encrypted.)
Aside from the "Properties" window, another way to tell whether you're on a secure site is that the lock icon will appear in the status bar at the bottom of the web page. This is the only lock-icon location that indicates a secure site. If this icon is found anywhere else on the page, it means nothing. (Of course, it's possible that it could be found elsewhere on the page in ADDITION to the status bar--which is in fact the case with PayPal. But, if it's found ONLY on the web page and NOT in the status bar, the site is not secure.)
Apparently, some online con artists remove the status bar entirely to prevent visitors from noticing that the lock icon is missing. They then place an image of a lock somewhere on the web page to give the site a false air of legitimacy and security.
These things are so important for writers--and others--to know!
How to Avoid Phishing E-Mails
These cyber scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and it's definitely becoming more and more difficult to tell that their e-mails and websites are not the "real deal." But, there are ways to tell, and we can only do our best to educate others, hopefully helping to prevent them from becoming the prey of such dishonest individuals.
We must always be on our guard wherever online financial transactions are concerned--and of course, whenever we receive any e-mail that claims to relate to any type of financial transaction. It's absolutely crucial never to click a link in an e-mail that claims that it will take you to a website where you'll be able to complete any sort of "secure" financial transaction or where you're expected to "update" your personal information. I always pass my cursor over the link to see where it would have taken me before I DON'T click on it! Even if it appears legit, I visit the site via my web browser, instead of by clicking the link. If it doesn’t appear legit, I avoid it like the plague—and you should, too.
How to Tell When You’re About to Be Redirected to Another Website
In the case of unfamiliar web addresses that you type into your browser or copy and paste there, if you'll pass your cursor briefly over the "Go" button or arrow before clicking, you'll be shown the web address that you'll actually be taken to if you click "Go." (I learned this quite by mistake one day. I'd never noticed it before.) This is extremely valuable in cases where clicking a certain URL is actually designed to redirect you to an entirely different web address, hiding the fact that you aren't actually going to the website that you think you are.
(In the case just mentioned, I had actually been redirected to a site which supposedly sold cheap cigarettes. Maybe it was legit; maybe not. But I can't help but wonder why they would have needed to masquerade as an affiliate tool website in order to force traffic to their site if they were indeed honest businesspeople.)
There are many tools at our disposal that can help us to avoid being the victims of online fraud. But, we need to be informed that they exist and how we can best use them to protect ourselves and our vital personal information.
But, of course, knowing isn't enough. If we want to protect ourselves from online fraud, we have to take that knowledge and use it!
Stay safe,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any experiences to share? Any tips or tricks you know of for protecting ourselves from online fraud? We'd love to hear from you!
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Reprinted with permission by Brad Shorr, Word Sell, Inc.
Expectations, Expectations!
When you take on a writing assignment for a new client or begin a new contract-writing job for a company you haven't worked with before, do you sometimes feel the way the new hire in this cartoon must feel? Do you feel as if you're under pressure to perform, to shine, to live up to the client's (no doubt considerable) expectations for the piece or project you've signed on to? Though this feeling is very common, it does, thankfully, tend to decrease somewhat with time and experience. Yet, when it does strike, it can be very debilitating and not at all helpful to a writer's creativity.
From Triumph to Trepidation in 30 Seconds
When we're offered a writing assignment that we've taken the time, energy, and effort to pursue, the feeling can be exhilarating. Yet, often as not, that wonderful feeling of excitement and triumph over the accomplishment of successfully marketing ourselves and our writing skills immediately gives way to panic, as we suddenly realize that getting the assignment is only the beginning--that now we must actually deliver the goods. That can be a frightening thought!
The Vulnerability of the Writer's Psyche
As writers, our work is tied to our egos in a way that many other lines of work are not, because our writing represents us and it comes from within. To a great extent, we often feel that our personal value is tied up in our ability to write things that others will read, accept, enjoy, and gladly pay us for, which can place us in a very vulnerable position emotionally. It doesn't really matter what kind of writing we do--from short stories or novels, to article-writing, copywriting, SEO writing, or blogging--the effect is still the same. (Ghostwriting is one type in which this vulnerability may be slightly less potent, since no one but the client will know who wrote the piece. Yet, even then we can feel that twinge of fear that reminds us that perhaps the client won't think our creation worthy.)
What's a Writer to Do?
What can we do to overcome these debilitating emotions and help ourselves do the best job we can on every piece of writing we do--without turning into nervous wrecks?
Here are a few tips that might just help you the next time you're faced with these feelings:
1. Give yourself a pat on the back.
You got the assignment, contract, or project. That means the client believes in your ability to deliver a suitable and well-written finished product. It also says something about you: You were able to present yourself and your writing talents well enough--and likely in writing--to give the client confidence in you. This does represent a victory, so savor it. You have every right to. Don't spoil it by second-guessing your own ability to follow through on the promises made in your sales pitch. It's true that you have a great deal of work ahead of you, but that's only because you got the assignment!
2. Maintain confidence in your own ability.
You believed you could do the job when you applied for the assignment or contract. Don't let your faith in your writing ability waver now that the client agrees with you. Though you admittedly have a great responsibility ahead of you, you are a writer...this is what you do! Don't give in to doubt and fear. It's OK if a little fear is there; it can help motivate you for action. Just don't let it get out of hand, and determine to move forward and through it. A touch of doubt is acceptable, too, because it can help keep you humble, reminding you that, though you may be a good writer, you aren't the only good writer, and you were fortunate to receive this assignment. Again, don't let doubt get the better of you, though; instead, move beyond it.
3. Cheer yourself on.
Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself of all that you've accomplished in the past. Even if this is your first paid writing gig, you'll have some past (albeit unpaid) writing successes to remember--particularly if you're a blogger. Think about your natural skill set, and mentally list the traits that make you particularly suited for this job. Are you analytical, creative, research-oriented, prolific, expressive, engaging? This list will help prepare you for the project by reminding you of all that you have to offer, fueling your imagination, and motivating you for the task ahead. It will help get your mind off your doubts and fears and on the project, allowing you to focus your energies on developing a creative method for completing it.
4. Use your prep work to enter fully into your project.
Brainstorm, research, outline, visualize--in short, do whatever it takes to prepare yourself for the actual writing. Ponder your possible topic, angle, mood, tone, style, approach--all the things that will determine the form and direction of your piece. Seek inspiration anywhere you can find it. Search Google for ideas on what others have done with this topic. Visit blogs, article directories, or other websites with similar content. Look in books, magazines, or newspapers--either on- or off-line--and see what clicks. But remember that the important thing is that you fully enter into your project, that it engrosses all your mental faculties, including your imagination. You'll then have a firm foundation on which to create a real work of art--in whatever field, genre, or writing niche you may be targeting.
5. Jump right in...begin to write...and get in "the Zone."
If possible, tackle the project while motivation is high--in other words, soon after your pep talk. (There will, of course, be times when you'll be required, as a freelancer, to write whether you feel motivated or not; though even during those times, a positive attitude will go a long way toward building motivation for your required writing task.) The key here is to just get started. Once you've done your research, planning, organizing, outlining, brainstorming, or visualizing, it's time to get to work turning those raw materials into the beautiful piece of writing you know you can create. Often simply starting to write will begin creating a magic we couldn't have anticipated before we began. It helps to get us in "the Zone"--that creative place where nearly anything becomes possible.
6. Trust your instincts, and then craft the best piece you can.
Always do your best work--no matter how big or small the project or the client. Even when ghostwriting, always keep the quality of your work high. After all, though your ghost-written piece may not represent you to the world, it represents you to your client--and even more importantly, it represents your client to the world. If you're interested in a return engagement with this client, always make him or her look fantastic!
Instinct will tell you when you may be straying off the mark--and these instincts will grow and develop with time, practice, and experience. Always listen to the little inner voice that tells you something isn't right in your approach, because first instincts often turn out to be correct. (This doesn't mean you should listen to the voice that tries to tell you that you aren't good enough. That voice is counter-productive. It will never help you reach your writing goals and should always be ignored.) Create the best piece of writing you can, and then submit it to your client with confidence--and before deadline! (If asked for revisions, remember to always do them cheerfully.)
By following the above advice, you should have little trouble with the kind of feelings our friend in the above cartoon faces--because, for the writer, such feelings generally arise from insecurity, rather than reality.
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Acknowledgment: Many thanks to Brad Shorr, of Word Sell, Inc., for permission to use the above cartoon.
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My Entry to the Middle Zone Musings Group Writing Project
The following is my entry to the MZM "What I Learned From...People" group writing project. I thought this was a particularly appropriate time to post this story, since its topic is illness, which is something my family has become very intimately involved with of late. Be sure to check out the other entries to Robert's writing project once he posts the links tomorrow, Monday. (It's still Sunday here in America.) I'm sure you'll learn a great deal from everyone's shared wisdom!
A Great Concept to Explore
Though it's basically too late to enter the group project, you might nevertheless consider using Robert's "What I Learned From...People" concept as a writing prompt to exercise your writing "muscles." It's bound to foster some real insight as you explore the experience you choose to write about. And it goes without saying that this exercise would make a great blog post--even without entering it into the writing project. You might even use the idea as the basis for a magazine or online article about a person you've learned something from, and make a little money in the process.
My Entry
What I Learned From a Physician With an Atrocious Bedside Manner
People can be fantastic teachers—whether or not they actually intend to be!
A Very Sick Family
More years ago than I care to count, when my oldest child was about four years old or so, our entire family became very ill: Mom, Dad, and children numbers One, Two, and Three. That was a lot of sick people to have in one house, believe me! We had such bad coughs that we could barely sleep at night, and our stomach muscles were so sore from coughing that we thought we’d die if something wasn’t done about it soon.
We were too sick to go to the pharmacy, and being new in town, we didn’t have our own doctor yet. Well, between sneezes, wheezes, and coughing fits, I did a little research and managed to find a pharmacy that actually delivered. (That, in itself was a small miracle!) I then chose a doctor’s name from the phone book and called his office, prepared to beg, if need be, to get my family some much-needed medicine to help get us through this horrendous illness.
A Compassionate Medical Assistant
As it turned out, I didn’t have to beg. It was late in the day and apparently the good doctor had already left. But his friendly, helpful, and compassionate assistant happened to be working that afternoon. (And as I would later learn after actually meeting the doctor, that was, for us, a large miracle.) I explained our situation to him, and he was very concerned. He agreed to phone in a prescription to the pharmacy which would then deliver it to us. I thanked him profusely between sneezes. I could hardly believe our good fortune!
Soon we had our medicine and some much-needed relief. We were ecstatic (at least as ecstatic as you can be when you’re down for the count with the world’s worst cold.) But our joy was to be short-lived.
Complications
Soon, I noticed that my oldest son was developing an angry red rash all over his body, along with a frighteningly high fever. After putting him into the bathtub, splashing him with tepid water to bring down his temperature, and doing everything else humanly possible to make him comfortable, I consulted Dr. Benjamin Spock. (Well, not personally—but through his book, Baby and Child Care. While I never went in for his permissiveness “gospel,” his advice always did come in handy where my children’s physical health was concerned.)
Through that well-known paperback book, I soon discovered what was wrong with my son: he had scarlet fever! There was no question in my mind! It was obvious! At any rate, I knew we needed to visit the doctor. By that time, we’d used up all the cough medicine the doctor’s assistant had prescribed, and we were once again coughing uncontrollably and feeling quite miserable.
Doctor’s Visit
Who better to call than the doctor whose assistant had so kindly helped us, I thought. (It seemed to make sense at the time.) I was so naïve in those days that I even thought that carrying in the huge empty bottle that had once contained codeine cough syrup would somehow lend credence to our illness, since his assistant had seen fit to prescribe it for my terribly ill and suffering family. I couldn’t have been more wrong. (But I’m wiser today because of it.) However, I was hardly prepared for the reception and treatment I actually received when I arrived at this doctor’s office.
Contentious Diagnosis
On carrying my son into the examining room, I set him down on the examining table and said, “I think my son has scarlet fever,” to which the doctor unceremoniously replied something to the effect of, “I’ll be the one to tell you what he has.” (I was a bit taken aback by his unfriendly demeanor.) He seemed annoyed that I might actually know what was wrong with my son.
He examined him and guess what he had, folks: yes, it was scarlet fever; yet this doctor wasn’t about to leave it at that. He actually accused me of trying to tell him how to practice medicine. Can you believe it? (Now, mind you, I hadn’t walked in boldly declaring that I knew beyond any doubt what was wrong with my son—or what the doctor should do about it [other than bringing in the empty cough syrup bottle, foolish as that was]—but had actually quite meekly stated what I thought was wrong with him. And though I really was all but sure I was right, I didn’t come across that way—at least not to anyone with a normal-sized ego.)
Insult to Injury
To add insult to injury (and this physician epitomized that unpleasant offense), despite the fact that I was coughing right in front of him there in the office, he refused to refill the prescription for the cough syrup that actually worked and that would have saved us so much misery over the coming days, telling me in no uncertain terms that he was writing one for Robitussin, which would, of course, never work for a cough such as we had. (I know, it was partly my fault for handing him the empty cough syrup bottle; but I believe he should have known what medication was the correct one for the problem. And who writes a prescription for Robitussin, anyway?)
Attitude Is Everything
I also know something else: his attitude was uncalled for, and that wasn’t my fault. He was unfriendly, uncompassionate, judgmental, and (dare I say it?) unprofessional. That was a very stressful time for my family and me. I was concerned about my son and the rest of my still-sick family, I was still sick myself, and I didn’t even have enough money to take a cab back home (as I had on the way in) but would be spending the last of my money to catch the bus home with my very sick son, which promised to be a long and strenuous trip on the small-town bus system where the buses didn’t run very often. It was an ordeal I dreaded, as I sat there in his office, feeling quite forlorn. But, did he show any concern? None whatsoever.
Insult Number Two
Aside from all of the above, do you know what this doctor said to me, when I told him that I’d had to take a cab to his office—which was quite a distance from where we lived and which I certainly couldn’t afford. “Your son is worth it.” But this wasn't a compassionate statement spoken on behalf of my son; it was a judgmental barb meant to point out what a bad mother I must be for even mentioning it.
Perhaps I should say, in his defense, that he didn’t know that I couldn’t afford the cab fare I’d spent to get there or that I didn’t have enough money to take a cab back home and that I’d be spending my last few dollars to even return home on the bus. But somehow I don’t really think it would have mattered to him, because, you see, he’d already made up his mind about me; and for some reason that to this day I don’t really understand, he simply didn’t like me.
Painful Experiences Teach Us Lessons
This was a painful experience for me, in part because it’s always difficult to be misjudged and misunderstood by others and in part because it’s even more difficult to be mistreated, by them, as well. But I have learned a few things from the experience. Here they are:
1. First Impressions Count; Give Yours a Little Advance Thought
Think about the impression you will make upon a total stranger if you do or say the thing you’re planning. It may seem, from your perspective, to be fine. It may even seem to be the right thing. But it may not seem so right from the other person’s point of view, and may in fact cause the person—who, after all, doesn’t have the benefit of knowing you—to think less of you.
So, put yourself in the other person’s shoes and try to see the situation as that person would. The exercise could prove quite revealing—and could save you untold misery. (Case in point: If I’d thought ahead about what it might look like to a doctor who didn’t know me to see me walk in with a large, empty codeine cough medicine bottle—that he had neither prescribed nor okayed—asking for a refill, I likely would have left the bottle at home.)
2. People Will Misjudge Your Motives; Explain Yourself
Those who don’t know you have nothing on which to base a judgment which attributes pure motives to your words or actions. They haven’t had the opportunity to learn to trust you, and therefore they will judge the things you say and do in a vacuum—well, not a complete vacuum, since, as we know, we all evaluate everything we see and hear through the filter of our own personal beliefs, experiences, and/or prejudices.
So, be prepared when people misjudge and misunderstand you, and do your best to act and speak in ways that will help to dispel those myths about your malevolent motives. This might include speaking up when necessary to explain some things that the other person may not understand about you or your circumstances (as in my concern about having spent most of the last of my money on cab fare to get my son to the doctor.)
3. Many People Are Prepared to Think the Worst of You; Prove Them Wrong
There actually are people who are constantly on the lookout for every negative thing they can discover—or dream up—about you and completely prepared to make the most of it at your expense. They may be arrogant, insensitive individuals with inflexible ideas who think they have a monopoly on wisdom and therefore have the world and everyone in it—you included—figured out.
Once they’ve made up their mind about you, they’ll sometimes go out of their way to be rude, sarcastic, and demeaning in their treatment of you, and you’ll have a tough time trying to convince them that they are wrong about you. Do, try, though. But, if the person is so inflexible that you’re simply unable to succeed, don’t take it to heart. (Easier said than done, I know.) But do your best to ignore it and move on. (In this case, I definitely took it to heart—and to be honest, it still hurts today, if I let it get the better of me.)
4. Experts/Professionals Do Not Always Enjoy Being Told Something by Common Folks; Ask, Don't Tell
Many professionals have quite large egos and can’t handle having us lowly peons take the wind out of their sails by informing them that we already knew what they’d hoped to impress us with by telling us themselves. Many—though by no means all—professionals, including doctors and lawyers, seem to believe that all their patients/clients are ignorant and uninformed about medicine or law, simply because they don’t have “MD” or “Esquire” after their names. This is too bad, as many of us engage in extensive research to learn what we need to know about our situations and are actually quite well-informed about these matters.
There’s little we can do with the egotistical professional, except perhaps speak our minds in a confident yet humble manner, deferring to their greater expertise, possibly by expressing our thoughts and concerns but asking their opinions. Should we disagree with their opinions, it would probably be best to do so through the roundabout route of asking questions rather than declaring our disagreement. Be prepared for the fact that this will not always work, though, in which case you may simply need to make that visit your last visit. (In my case, my first visit to this doctor was indeed my last.)
5. Be Thankful that Truly Unfriendly People Are in the Minority, And Appreciate the Friendly Ones
Meeting people like these always brings a greater appreciation for those who aren’t that way—or at least it should. It’s important to remember that while dealing with such abrasive and uncaring individuals is highly unpleasant, they are, thankfully, in the minority and our bad experiences with them can always be balanced against the good experiences we’ve had with other, more caring people (like the esteemed doctor’s compassionate young assistant who had stepped forward to help us when we were so badly in need of his help.)
Calling those more heartwarming experiences to mind more often, rather than dwelling on the heart-wrenching ones, can help renew our faith in our fellow man and counterbalance the great unpleasantness we’ve experienced in our dealings with the negative minority.
Hopefully, you've learned a few things along with me, as you've read my story of "What I Learned From...People".
Thanks so much for reading!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add or any of your own wisdom-inducing experiences with other people to share? We'd love to hear from you!
The Perfect Group Writing Project to Cap 2007
I just had to get in on Robert Hruzek's end-of-year WILF (What I Learned From) group writing project, Blogapalooza: What I Learned From 2007. One reason was that I needed to make up for all the WILFs that I've missed over at Middle Zone Musings due to excessive busy-ness. I've felt bad about missing them, and I wanted to show Robert that I really do care. Another reason: This is a really fantastic project, bringing together the lessons learned by a whole spectrum of bloggers over the past year: What a wealth of wisdom is there for the taking for those who take the time to read this group of posts!
What Blogapalooza Is All About
The best way to explain to you what Blogapalooza is all about is to let Robert do it! So, without further ado...he-e-e-e-re's Robert!
Looking back at your archives for the year 2007, choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging that best represents a lesson learned. And you don’t have to use your old (should you *ahem* have any) WILF entries; it’s your choice (you can, of course; but you don’t have to).
So what was the most amazing, profound, surprising, whacky, etc. thing you learned in the month of March? How about July? Anything in October? Hey, you get to choose something different from each month! Now that’s a blogapalooza!
Here’s all you have to do (please notice the procedure is a bit different than usual):
1. Choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging in 2007. (For example, if you’ve been blogging all year, you get to choose up to 12; if only since July, choose up to 6. Got it?) Use whatever criteria you like: your favorite post, most commented upon, the funniest, most outrageous, or “what you thought was your best work but ended up being a huge flop”, etc.; hey, knock yourself out!
2. Write a sentence or two describing each post you’ve chosen and why. Don’t forget to include the post title and imbed a link to it (you may laugh at that instruction; but if I don’t spell it out, well…). Compile it all into a single article. Please (and if you want to) also include a few sentences about yourself and your blog (and again, don’t forget the link).
3. Choose how your entry gets posted (here’s where it gets fun!)
3.1. The Blogapalooza Way (sound of crowd cheering): Instead of posting it at your blog – allow me to host it for you right here at Middle ZoneMusings! Here’s how:
3.1.1. Send your post to me anytime (in .doc or .rtf format only – please don’t send a .pdf!) at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net right up until the end (operators are ‘standing by’) and I’ll post it here at the Zone, including all the links. (NOTE: I will edit if necessary, but as little as possible, and only to make you look better.)
3.1.2. So your readers know how to find your entry, post a notice (write a teaser, summary, whatever) at your blog and point to your entry here at Middle Zone Musings (I’ll provide the link for you).
OR -
3.2. The (ho-hum) Usual Way: Post your entry at your own blog and send me the link as usual. Please include the phrase “What I Learned From…” in your post title.
My Entry Added at the Eleventh Hour
Well, I barely made it into the project, e-mailing my entry at pretty near the eleventh hour! But, as they say, "Woo-hoo, I'm in!" (Do they really say that?) At any rate, if you'd like to read it, you'll find my entry, What I Learned From 2007--Jeanne Dininni, at the Zone. I highly recommend you check out the other entries, as well--and while you're at it, bookmark Robert's site, because it's definitely one you'll want to visit again and again. Why that rascal is already planning his next WILF project, which you won't want to miss. Maybe you might even decide to join in the next time around! If you do, I guarantee you'll have a ball!
Here's to learning!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Sure hope so! Have you checked out Robert's Blogapalooza Extravaganza? (See, I told you it was fun!) We'd love to hear your thoughts about the project!
Freelancers' Holiday Visions
With both the holidays and the end of the tax year drawing nigh, freelancers tend to have a slightly different version of the line from the popular poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on their minds. For us, Christmas is the time when "visions of tax returns dance in our heads"!
Some Helpful Links to Lighten Our Mental Load
So, to help take a load off our minds this Christmas, I've listed links to some really helpful info on filing taxes for freelance writers. Some are lists of links to other resources about income taxes, and others are discussions of tax-related topics of interest to freelancers. (You'll find some very slight overlap in these offerings.) My hope is that knowing we have these great resources at our fingertips will help us to have a merrier Christmas this year, as well as an easier job filing when tax time rolls around in just a few short months.
Excellent Online Tax-Time Guidance
Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Tax Tips and Resources for Freelance Writers
Write Stuff's Tax Tips for Writers
Freelance Factor Tax Tips for Freelance Writers - Articles by Julian Block
Deborah Ng's Weekend Discussion: Tax Tips for Freelance Writers
Amy Derby's Blog Post: Don’t Sweat the Audit Threat
Chris Bibey's Blog Post: Health Insurance for Freelance Writers and Other Self-Employed Professionals
A Great Head Start
No doubt there are many other great online tax resources for freelancers; but these links ought to give us an excellent start in preparing for tax day 2008!
If you know of any great tax-related resources for freelancers, please feel free to share them with us in comments!
Here's to smooth sailing at tax time!
Jeanne
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have any of your own tax tips, techniques, experiences, or resources to share? We welcome your comments!
Feed Rinse Cleans Up Your Feeds
K-IntheHouse, over at ShanKri-la, wrote an excellent blog post a while back (which I just discovered today) called How to Overcome RSS Feed Overload? Just thought I'd share this really comprehensive introduction to and explanation of a fantastic free online tool that can help you organize your feeds, selectively filtering out the items you aren't interested in and "filtering in" the ones you are! This powerhouse of an RSS-feed organizer--which can be thought of as a spam filter for RSS feeds--is called Feed Rinse.
Too Many Great Blogs!
I don't know about you, but I know that I, for one, have not yet gotten a handle on my feeds; simply because it seems as though I'm always too busy to keep up with them. Lately, it's all I can do to visit and comment on my favorite blogs, much less go through all the posts of the significant number of other great blogs I've subscribed to so I wouldn't lose track of them. If you tend to have this problem, you might want to check out this free resource. It can help make a difference. Haven't tried it myself, yet, but K-IntheHouse has, and he seems to feel it's worthwhile.
I'm certainly thinking of checking it out. How about you?
To cleaner RSS feeds!
Jeanne
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Learn anything new? Have anything to add? Please feel free to comment!
Fraudulent E-Mail Received Today
Here's the latest fraudulent "PayPal" e-mail I've received. This e-mail shows one of the most recent schemes used by scammers to steal our identities and our money!
In particular, note the following:
~The blank "to" line
~The generic greeting of "Dear PayPal Member," instead of PayPal's usual "Dear Jeanne Dininni"
~The "encrypted" link. This link is supposedly encrypted to protect me--but in reality, it's encrypted so I won't realize that the link doesn't take me to the real PayPal website!
~The sly psychological tactic used to get me to click the link:
Note:
If you haven't authorized this charge ,click the link below to dispute transaction
and get full refund
~The scammer's clever attempt at gaining my confidence by including a description of the high-level encryption technique supposedly used to protect my confidential information
The Spoof Message
fromPayPal < dispute@paypal.com >*
reply-toservice@paypal.com,
to
dateDec 5, 2007 12:29 AM
subjectThanks for using your bank account!
hide details 12:29 AM (10 hours ago) Reply
Dear PayPal Member,
This email confirms that you have sent an eBay payment of $47.85 USD to
[undisclosed]@yahoo.com for an eBay item.
----------------------------- ------
Payment Details
----------------------------- ------
Amount: $47.85 USD
Transaction ID: 2LC956793J776333Y
Subject: Digimax 130
Note:
If you haven't authorized this charge ,click the link below to dispute transaction
and get full refund
Dispute transaction (Encrypted Link )
*SSL connection:
PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential information
in transit from your computer to ours using the Secure
Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length
of 128-bits (the highest level commercially available)
----------------------------- ------
Item Information
----------------------------- ------
eBay User ID: scratchandgnaw2
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
Edward Harrell's UNCONFIRMED Address
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
Edward Harrell
211 David St.
Springtown, TX 76082
United States
Important Note: Edward Harrell has provided an Unconfirmed Address. If
you are planning on shipping items to Edward Harrell, please check the
Transaction Details page of this payment to find out whether you will
be covered by the PayPal Seller Protection Policy.
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
This payment was sent using your bank account.
By using your bank account to send money, you just:
- Paid easily and securely
- Sent money faster than writing and mailing paper checks
- Paid instantly -- your purchase won't show up on bills at the end of
the month.
Thanks for using your bank account!
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
Thank you for using PayPal!
The PayPal Team
PayPal Email ID PP118
Forewarned Is Forearmed!
Beware! These scammers are all around us, and they are continuously dreaming up new schemes to fool us into giving away our critical personal information! Don't fall for their lies--or into their clutches! Read every official-looking e-mail very carefully and critically. If anything seems odd, don't respond! If the e-mail claims to be from PayPal, forward it to spoof@paypal.com. Forward other e-mails to the company they claim to have come from. Protect yourself! Don't let e-mail fraud catch you unawares!
To your safety,
Jeanne
* NOTE: I had to modify the formatting of this e-mail address to prevent Orble's software from turning the (opening) "<" and "d" into a smiley face icon. (This is why I've placed a space after the [opening] "<". For balance, I've also placed a corresponding space before the [closing] ">".)
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Learn anything new? Have any stories to share? Please feel free to comment!
A Trick that Can Save You Time and Work
While the month is young, I thought I'd share a little trick I came up with that can help those bloggers who like to prepare link posts recognizing their previous month's commenters each month. Though I've already shared much of this info in a response to a comment on my November link love post, I've decided to give the topic a post of its own to make sure everyone is able to read it, because it's really a very helpful technique, which can save a great deal of time, energy, and effort.
These link posts can be a bit of work; but I've discovered a way to make them practically a breeze:
Start Early!
Instead of waiting till the month is over, I begin preparing the post early in the month. First, I copy the links from the prior month into a new post, which I set to go live on the first of the next month. As readers begin leaving comments, I start moving their links up to the top of the page, leaving the others at the bottom to use later if they comment again during that month. If someone comments who didn't last month, I prepare a link and add it to the top list. (I leave a good-sized space between the top and bottom lists, to prevent confusion.)
Spread Your Work Out Over the Entire Month
Throughout the month, every time someone leaves a comment, I either move their link up or create a link for them and add it to the top list. Then, when the first of the month rolls around, I delete any links that remain at the bottom of the page (those who haven't commented during the past month), and I have all my links ready! All I need to do is write the rest of the post and click "Create Post" and I'm good to go with a minimum of work and hassle!
Save Yourself Two Big Jobs!
This month is the first time I've done it this way, and it has worked like a charm! No more big burden creating all those links at once on the first of the month--which is a really huge undertaking! It also saves me the trouble of having to go through an entire month's worth of posts to check and see who's left comments during the month, which is, in itself, a big job.
Schedule Your Link Listing to Suit Yourself
This needn't actually be done every single time someone comments, but can be done after a few comments or perhaps once-a-day--as long as you don't wait long enough to forget anyone who's commented since you've last added links to your list. If things begin getting a bit confusing and you're having trouble remembering who's commented, you've probably waited too long; and you might want to start adding links each time someone comments. Do whatever works best for you!
Create Easier Link Posts in 2008!
Hope this will save each of you a great deal of work when you write your next link love post--and maybe even inspire some of you to begin writing them for the first time in 2008! When done this way, they aren't hard to do, at all!
Happy linking!
Jeanne
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Was it helpful? Have any thoughts to share? Please feel free to comment!
A Thoughtful Post That Strikes a Chord
Successful Blog's Advice for a Successful Life
Liz Strauss has a new post on her blog today called Positively Me, and it positively struck a chord with...me. In fact, it got me thinking about the amazingly potent effect that mindset exerts on all of us and how daring to break the mold of our past self-limiting thought patterns can be incredibly freeing.
This post describes a journey from limiting thought to freeing thought—a journey that every one of us is free to take once we've made up our minds that the place where we are today is not the place we want to be—or rather not the place we're willing to stay—but we're ready to move on. As Liz asks, "Do I have to keep listening to those ideas? Do I have to keep believing them?" The answer, I think, is "No." Here's my journey:
My Journey to Becoming Positively Me
Choosing Hurtful Emotions
I used to believe that other people—through their attitudes, actions, emotions, and words—had the inalienable right to dictate my own. Where that belief came from, I can’t really say. But, thankfully, I’ve learned a lot since then. Yet, I needed to walk that road just long enough to begin to see, with gradually increasing clarity, that my own attitudes, actions, and words—as well as my very emotions—were largely mine to choose, and that I myself had chosen the hurtful, destructive, and limiting ones over the healthy, nurturing, life-affirming, and freeing ones.
Absorbing Negative Energy
Prior to my “awakening,” my emotions were at the beck and call of anyone who saw fit to wreak psychological havoc on the closest vulnerable individual—who usually happened to be me. In those days, my entire day could be ruined by an unkind word, an angry glance, an “intentional” slight, or a sullen silence. My calling in life seemed to be to absorb and internalize the negative energy that others sent my way. (As I think back on it now, I realize that much of that negative energy wasn’t even intended to wound, but was simply the other person’s reaction to his or her own internal struggles or problems.) Yet, it rarely occurred to me to question the reason for it; I was far too busy embracing and reacting to it—far too involved in making it my very own.
A Turning Point: Refusing Negativity
When it finally came, the wonderful realization that I could choose my own response, that I wasn’t required to become upset, depressed, or angry when a hurtful word—or even a whole barrage of them—was aimed my way, felt like a cool breeze on a stifling hot desert. It freed me to focus on growth instead of nurturing resentment, depression, and anger—those incredibly destructive forces that suck the life from our souls and cause our spirits to shrivel. It allowed me to refuse that bundle of negativity that had been so unceremoniously thrust upon me—granting me permission to return it unopened to the individual to whom it rightfully belonged, thereby maintaining my own equilibrium amid the threatening storm.
I learned that it was indeed possible to rise above the negativity—to stop allowing it to become my negativity. By stepping back and looking at the situation as it actually was—recognizing it as someone else’s problem fast threatening to become my own—I was able to refuse it, retain my dignity, and restore my self-respect.
Learning to Forgive
Another amazing result of my new perspective was my growing ability to empathize with the troubled souls who, in their own weakness and inability to properly handle their personal problems, try desperately to give them away. In time, it even helped me to forgive and eventually reach out to those who, as a result of their own emotional ineptitude, had lashed out in different ways. Forgiveness is life-changing, and in human relations, at least, can be far more beneficial to the forgiver than to the forgiven—though both often benefit.
A Shift of Focus
I now realize that, back then, my focus was turned totally inward on myself—on my own very vulnerable emotions. I walked around in a state of hyper-sensitivity, effectively daring everyone to probe for the chinks in my emotional armor—my all-too-numerous points of insecurity—and amply rewarding them whenever they did.
But I have since learned that, by shifting my focus to the other person and attempting to understand the real cause of his or her negative attitude, I can effectively take control of—and thereby protect—my own emotions. I've discovered that, by not aggressively defending my emotions, I have quite ironically become far better at protecting them. In this way, I've learned to take charge of a situation that previously had always threatened to spin wildly out of control. I now experience far fewer feelings of defensiveness, insecurity, and low self-esteem. And while I’ve by no means eliminated these feelings entirely, I’ve come a very long way…and I fully intend to continue improving…just a little bit more…every…single…day…
How about you?
Positively happy to be me,
Jeanne
P.S. Why not use Liz's post as your starting point for a writing exercise of your own in which you explore one way your thoughts have changed for the better over time, bringing you positive growth.
This is not a sponsored post.
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Please feel free to share your thoughts!
Another Attempt at Identity--Or Money--Theft via E-Mail
I received yet another fraudulent, or phishing, e-mail a few days ago that I thought I'd share with you to help you avoid being taken advantage of, as well as to expose the unscrupulous individuals who engage in these illegal internet activities. (I seriously entertained the thought of leaving the return e-mail address in but decided that that would be irresponsible on my part, since it could cause problems for anyone who might decide to send these con artists an e-mail; so I've instead reproduced their e-mail address as "[undisclosed]mail.com.")
An Unbelievably Poor Attempt at Separating Me from My Money
The text of the blatantly phishing-oriented e-mail follows:
From International Paying Bank ipbn2008@[undisclosed]mail.com Nov 9 (3 days ago)
reply-to ipbn2006@[undisclosed]mail.com,
to
date Nov 9, 2007 1:46 PM
subject CHEQUE REMITTANCE RESPONSE REQUIRED!!!
ATTN:
With reference to your yet to be transferred inheritance funds in the
STB/ETB Banks in Lagos, after due consideration of the fact that you had
not been able to claim your rightful inheritance which from our datas
gotten from the Central Bank of Nigeria is $750,000 an inheritance claim
before the end of the last quarter of the year 2005, the Federal Ministry
of Finance has decided that all beneficiaries who have not fulfilled all
paperwork request for the
release of his/her inheritance funds to his/her nominated account,
should be transferred to the International Paying Bank of Nigeria.
The IPBN has been advised to pay you instalmentally,through NATWEST
BANK UK PLC starting with the sum of $250,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFY THOUSAND US Dollars) strictly by certified cheque , which will be
debited from the Government's foriegn account with NatWest bank UK
clearable every 3month after drawn airmarked for payment in the Fourth
quarter of 2007.
The cheque will be sent to the contact address you will provide to us.
The check will be sent to you via our official courier,FEDEX, to your
designated contact address . As soon as we receive your response: a
confirmation that you have received this message and you are willing to
receive the cheque, the cheque will be sent to your contact address. We
will require the following information from you to prepare the cheque
immediately in your name:
Beneficiary Full Name:
Contact ADDRESS :
Telephone Number:
Your response will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Mrs Martha Kartaka
Depty. Remittance Director
E-MAIL: ipbn2006@[undisclosed]mail.com
International Paying Bank[IPBN] [SUBSIDIARY OF THE CBN]
When Greed Overcomes Common Sense, Potential Victims Benefit
The one good thing about most of the individuals who engage in this sort of identity-theft attempt is that they seem to be totally oblivious to some of the more ridiculous aspects of their scams, such as the following:
1. If they were writing to inform me of a legitimate inheritance that awaited me at their bank, they would most certainly know my name! The fact that they not only don't address me by name (see blank "ATTN" line), but that the e-mail isn't even addressed to me (see blank "to" line [more on this later]--and to a slightly lesser extent, the fact that they ask for my name along with the rest of my contact info near the bottom of the e-mail--are a dead giveaway that this e-mail is a scam, and a very poorly conceived one, at that.
2. As mentioned in point #1, the e-mail is not only not addressed to me, but the "to" line is completely blank. These people weren't even sophisticated enough to attempt to hide the fact that this e-mail was likely sent to an entire list of hidden e-mail addresses via BCCs (Blind Carbon Copies). More savvy fraudsters generally put an e-mail address in the "to" line as a cover, to lend the e-mail an air of legitimacy --though this is still a dead giveaway to those alert enough to notice that someone else's e-mail address is in the "to" line and who know that this isn't just an innocent mistake but a clue that fraud is the intent of the e-mail.
3. Not only is the e-mail atrociously written--note particularly the word "airmarked," which should be "earmarked"--but its formatting is also horrendous. This highly unprofessional--and equally embarrassing--presentation is a real indicator that the e-mail did not come from a legitimate banking entity.
4. It's extremely doubtful that any bank which had a $750,000 inheritance to deliver to me would ever contact me via e-mail. (That idea is actually almost laughable.) In fact, it's highly doubtful that the bank would contact me at all. I'd far more likely receive a letter from a legitimate law firm via snail mail--or perhaps international air mail, if from another country.
May Many Other Con Artists Follow their "Shining" Example!
No doubt there are other clues to the illegitimacy of this e-mail which I haven't had time to delve into yet. But these four certainly suffice to warn potential victims of the true nature of this message and others like it. Thankfully, these aspiring fraudsters have shot themselves in the foot in more ways than one with their sorry excuse for a scam. And we can only hope that many more e-mail con artists will follow in their footsteps and do as bad a job at phishing as they have done in attempting to hook their victims!
Don't Let Down Your Guard! Protect Your Identity--and Your Money!
Yet, the fact that many--if not most--scammers are very poor at what they do is not a good reason to let down your guard. Stay alert! Watch out for those unscrupulous individuals who seek every opportunity they can find or create to steal your identity so they can part you and your money! They are everywhere--and they aren't likely to give up any time soon!
We writers--along with many others--work very hard for our money; and we don't do it so we can give it away to those who have nothing better to do all day than sit around thinking up ways to steal other people's money!
Keep your identity--and your money--safe!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Learn anything? Have any insights to share? Please comment!
Problems With My PayPal Account?
A few days ago, I received a very official-sounding e-mail informing me that there were some problems with my PayPal account. Being the analytical type, I read it very carefully, and, while it was quite expertly written--and contained neither the spelling nor grammatical errors usually found in phishing e-mails--something about it didn't seem right, from the very beginning. And the more I read, the more I knew something wasn't right. I've reproduced the e-mail below. See whether you can figure out what's wrong with it--or what could possibly be wrong with it, based on whether or not certain actions had actually occurred. (There are several clues that this e-mail is not legit.)
From: Service PayPal <name@emailnet.com>
Date: Oct ##, #### #:## PM
Subject: Message from support, please Confirm your information!
To: othername@email.com
Dear PayPal Member,
As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the
PayPal system. We recently contacted you after noticing an issue on your
account.We requested information from you for the following reason:
We recently received a report of unauthorized credit card use
associated with this account. As a precaution, we have limited access to your
PayPal account in order to protect against future unauthorized
transactions.
Case ID Number: PP-###-###-###
This is a reminder to log in to PayPal as soon as possible.
Be sure to log in securely by opening a new browser window and typing
the PayPal URL. Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to
restore your account access. We appreciate your understanding as we work to
ensure account safety.
Click here to restore your account access. [NOTE: Link deactivated. Basic URL formatting follows, but with extra spaces added to avoid creating an actual, albeit non-functional, link: "http:// ###.###.###.## / libsh.so / paypal / login.htm"]
In accordance with PayPal's User Agreement, your account access will
remain limited until the issue has been resolved. Unfortunately, if
access to your account remains limited for an extended period of time, it
may result in further limitations or eventual account closure. We
encourage you to log in to your PayPal account as soon as possible to help
avoid this.
To review your account and some or all of the information that PayPal
used to make its decision to limit your account access, please visit the
Resolution Center. If, after reviewing your account information, you
seek further clarification regarding your account access, please contact
PayPal by visiting the Help Center and clicking "Contact Us".
We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please
understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your
account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
PayPal Email ID PP###
What's Wrong With this E-Mail?
1. First of all, while it says that it's from "Service PayPal," the e-mail address isn't a PayPal e-mail address. (You won't always be able to go by this, however, since there are ways of making the e-mail address appear legit.) In this case, though, the e-mail address was a dead giveaway once I examined it. So, do pay attention to the e-mail address, since it can be one way of recognizing a phishing e-mail. (Notice, also, that the "From" e-mail address is in a pale gray font that doesn't really stand out, which they hoped would prevent me from noticing it.)
The e-mail also isn't addressed to me--a safe bet that it was sent to a "cover" e-mail address and "BCC'd"--distributed via Blind Carbon Copies, a practice which hides the copy recipients' e-mail addresses--to a group of different people at the same time. (Sounds exactly like a mass phishing expedition, to me.)
2. Next, the e-mail claims that the company has contacted me about an issue with my account and requested information from me about the matter. As you might well imagine, I was never actually contacted about any such matter. (I suppose they were hoping that, though I would realize that I hadn't had any previous contact about this matter, I would be very eager to clarify that fact, as well as to straighten out the "issue on my account" by contacting "PayPal" immediately.)
3. You'll notice that this particular phisherman actually cleverly advises me to be sure to "log in securely by opening a new browser window and typing the PayPal URL." This makes him sound very official and totally legit. Yet, after a few more reassuring sentences about how my account access will be restored and how they're working to ensure the safety of my account, the very next thing he does is provide a convenient link whereby I can "Click here to restore (my) account access." (He hopes that, by this time, he's built my trust sufficiently to actually get me to click the link--which, by the way, would not have taken me to the PayPal site.)
The next paragraph then very subtly tries to pressure me into acting now--before I've had a chance to give the matter sufficient thought--by threatening continued limitation of account access and eventual account closure.
4. Another clever move this individual makes is to deftly disguise the website URL, making it appear to be the PayPal login page. When I passed my cursor over the link to check it out, I saw that the URL consisted of an IP address made up of a series of numbers followed by "/(subdomain).so/paypal/login .htm". (Again, you won't always be able to tell this way, since there are apparently some rather sophisticated methods of making a website URL appear to belong to a site other than the one it actually belongs to.) But, in this case, I could see that the real domain was represented by the series of numbers, which, of course, I would have no way of recognizing. This person has likely done nothing more than name one or more pages on his website "paypal/login.htm"
This e-mail manages to match the business-like tone of a legitimate e-mail one might receive from PayPal, one's bank, or any other financial institution. This is what makes it so potentially dangerous. And this is why you need to be extremely careful to check such e-mails closely, rather than mindlessly following their instructions.
What Did I Do?
The first thing I did was log into my PayPal account (via my web browser rather than the link found in the e-mail) and check to see whether there was in fact any kind of hold on my account. And, guess what? No hold.
Next, I tracked down an e-mail address for PayPal that I could use to forward the fraudulent e-mail to the company. (This is one time I was glad I save and archive my e-mail.) It turned out that I had an e-mail from PayPal which discussed "spoof e-mail addresses" and "spoof websites." So I forwarded the e-mail to spoof@paypal.com, and this is the reply I received:
Dear Jeanne Dininni,
Thanks for taking an active role by reporting suspicious-looking emails.
The email you forwarded to us is a phishing email, and our security team
is working to disable it.
-------------------------
What is a phishing email?
-------------------------
Phishing emails attempt to steal your identity and will often ask you to
reveal your password or other personal or financial information. PayPal
will never ask for your password over the phone or in an email and will
always address you by your first and last name.
Take our Fight Phishing Challenge at
Really Long Link to learn 5 things you should know
about phishing. You'll also see what we're doing to help fight fraud
every day.
-------------------------
You've made a difference.
-------------------------
Every email counts. By forwarding a suspicious-looking email to
spoof@paypal.com, you've helped keep yourself and others safe from
identity theft.
Thanks,
The PayPal Team
What Should You Do?
First, you should take the Fight Phishing Challenge at PayPal. This is a five-question quiz that will test your knowledge of the subject, helping you learn some facts about phishing that can help you protect yourself. (Note: You won't need to log in to PayPal to access this quiz; so, even if you don't have a PayPal account, you'll be able to take the quiz and learn how to better protect yourself from online fraud.)
Next, you should read the following article to learn more about how to recognize spoof websites and find out how to further protect yourself from the fraudulent practice known as phishing: What is a "spoof site", what is "phishing" and why do I need to know about this stuff? (This article was posted back in 2004 but still contains extremely helpful information that goes deeper into the topic than I have here.) I should point out that this is an anti-PayPal site; but the information it contains about protecting yourself against online fraud is invaluable. (You'll also find an article on spyware here, which I haven't yet read, but which could also prove helpful.)
Then, you should be very alert and cautious whenever you receive an e-mail purporting to be from PayPal, your bank, or any other financial institution or website. Pore over it with a fine-toothed comb, looking for clues that would either confirm or deny its authenticity. Never click a link in an e-mail to get to a website where you need to perform a secure monetary transaction. Always use your web browser and preferably type in the URL yourself. (If you use the drop-down box beneath your browser window, confirm that the URL is correct before clicking it.)
Finally, you should report any such phishing e-mails to the company from which they claim to have come. Fraudulent PayPal e-mails may be sent to spoof@paypal.com. (Other reporting websites are listed in the article linked to above.)
Freelance writers often use PayPal to collect payment for their work. If this is one of your payment methods, be especially careful. Don't be the unwitting victim of one of these malicious phishing expeditions! Protect your information! (Remember: PayPal will never ask you for your password, Social Security number, credit card number, bank account details, or any other personal information in an e-mail [or during a phone call].) Be absolutely certain that you are on the legitimate--and therefore secure--PayPal website before revealing any of this information!
Also note that the individual who sent me the fraudulent "PayPal" e-mail didn't know my name. PayPal's legitimate e-mails always address me by name--though addressing me by name is not in itself proof that the e-mail is legitimate. It's always possible that a given internet scam artist has somehow managed to get hold of a potential victim's name--particularly if that potential victim happens to be someone who is rather high-profile, such as a blogger. So, beware! Check the e-mail for other clues, and if in doubt, don't respond to it.
Knowledge is power. Learn how to protect yourself from internet fraud!
Cautiously yours,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Learn anything? Have anything to add? Feel free to comment!
Many Thanks for Your Feedback!
I'd like to thank everyone for all your excellent feedback on feed-reading. It's been very helpful! You've given me some great ideas that will help make my feed management easier and more productive; and hopefully your comments have been helpful to other readers, who may have been experiencing some of the same issues, as well.
Feed Readers: Tools to Make Our Lives Easier
Feed reading is really a very convenient way to "visit" the blogs we enjoy--without having to surf all over the internet to find them. Having them all in one place is a great feature. When we look at feed readers as tools to help make our lives easier, we won't feel enslaved to them, but will use them in the ways that prove most helpful to us. If that means deleting posts that we haven't had time to read, so be it. If it means deleting entire blogs that we never read, we shouldn't feel guilty about doing so. The feed reader is there for us, after all.
Feed Readers and E-Mail: Both Benefit from Labelling
I still haven't tried labels in my feed reader, yet, but will do so as soon as I can find the time. Lately, I've been concentrating my energy and effort on labelling my e-mails in G-mail. I'd never used this feature before, and so organizing my saved e-mails has been pretty time-consuming. Just as my feed reader has become overrun with posts, my e-mail account has become overloaded with e-mails. Using my account for writing-related queries and submissions, church writing projects, and miscellaneous blog-related activities--in addition to everything else--has caused my inbox to be fairly inundated with mail; therefore, e-mail labelling was my area of concentration yesterday.
Labelling: A Big Job Once E-Mails Get Out of Hand!
So far I've only completed the e-mails that were in my inbox--though I spent a good part of the day doing it. (I told you my inbox was overloaded!) I have yet to tackle the ones in the archives. Since so many of my e-mails are writing-related, I really need to keep accurate records of my online correspondence, so I wouldn't want to delete those; though I'm sure there are some individual e-mails--and no doubt entire categories, as well--that I could probably live without. I'll have to give that a bit more thought.
Clear Out Your Inbox By Labelling and Archiving
I'd definitely like to begin keeping the number of messages in my inbox down to a manageable level, and I think labelling and archiving will help me do this--though I realize that I do need to rethink which e-mails I really need to save, as my archives continue to grow. All I can say is that it's a good thing G-mail offers close to 3,000 MB of storage. It's hard to believe, though, that with all the e-mails I've got archived, I'm only using 3% of that space! (This makes me realize that G-mail gives me plenty of space for letting things get out of hand--or should I say "plenty of rope to hang myself"?) So I'm the one who needs to decide when enough is enough--because G-mail certainly won't do it for me! (When G-mail was first launched, it offered 2,500 MB of storage space, and that amount has grown daily, until now it's over 2,900 MB!)
Minimize Archived E-Mails: Print/Delete Some of Them
One thing I've begun doing to get rid of excess e-mail is printing out the e-mails received from family members and then deleting them. This way, I have hard copies which I can keep, just as I would if a family member had sent me a letter via snail mail. This works well for me, since I generally bring them over to my mom's house to read them to her and share the latest family news.
I print out other select categories of e-mail, as well. This does, of course, use up more printer ink--not to mention paper--but that's simply the price one must pay for the added convenience of the practice. (No doubt most of us have quite a few e-mails we could simply delete--without printing--and we wouldn't really miss them. We all need to decide for ourselves which ones those are.)
What Are Your E-Mail Practices, Tips, or Techniques?
How do you handle your e-mail? Have you been able to tame the e-mail monster, or are you becoming buried in electronic messages? Are you an e-mail pack rat, or do you ruthlessly delete all but the most crucial communications? If you have any e-mail management tips or techniques you'd like to share with the rest of us, we're all ears!
RSS Feeds and E-Mail: Both Require Organization!
RSS feeds and e-mail accounts--with their many, many blog posts and e-mail messages--are formidable opponents. Yet, my plan is to vanquish both through organization! I fully intend to tame the RSS feed and e-mail monsters one way or another! How about you?
Eager for your input,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Learn anything? Have any tips to share? Please feel free to comment!
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