How I use pinterest to come up with blog post ideas
On June 3, 2017 by Lauren ElkinsYou’re casually scanning through one of your favorite websites, jumping from article title to title when, bam! That article. That looks interesting. That could be a blog post on your site. But, you don’t have the time to sit down and write immediately. You don’t even have the time to read through the article right
How to rock at good content writing – tips from this freelance writer to you!
On February 22, 2017 by Lauren ElkinsMy first consistent job as a freelance writer was churning out social media content. I had never done this before, but I had been doing a lot of networking, created this website to serve as my resume, and picked up free or small paying articles to generate a modest portfolio. Thanks to a connection and
24 writing prompts to get you going on your memoir
On February 5, 2017 by Lauren ElkinsI meet with my writers’ group once a month; we share our writing, critique each other, laugh, eat, and love being together. We schedule and coordinate our monthly gatherings using a Facebook group where I’ve been dubbed honorary President. (It’s because I have computer skillz, yo.) For each month, I include some random writing prompts
How to overcome the curse of knowledge in your writing
On January 7, 2017 by Lauren ElkinsWe are plagued with information imbalances. Have you ever tried explaining a grammar concept to a non-writing friend and it just doesn’t stick? “Passive sentences start with the BE-VERBS. It’s the be-verbs!” “Bee verbs?” Confusion. “You should have used lay, not lie.” “All I did was put my purse down, geez.” When we know something,
Sweet Christmas gifts for the writer in your life!
On December 7, 2016 by Lauren ElkinsHooray for the holidays and finding just the perfect gift for that writer in your life whom you love so much. Here are some sweet gifts you can get them because that incredible, antique typewriter is crazy expensive and who can find one of those at a pawn shop anyway?! A sweet typewriter t-shirt: What
Creating an invoice as a freelance writer
On November 23, 2016 by Lauren ElkinsOnce I’ve finished some good, hard freelance work, it’s always satisfying to get to the final step: sending in the invoice. I’ve heard that for some, this step can be intimidating, but it shouldn’t be because you’ve already done these things: Agreed on your pay rate Kept track of your hours Your final work has
Three rad writing posts I read today
On November 16, 2016 by Lauren ElkinsShould writers blog? This post is nearly a year old so in the internet world, that’s ancient, yo. The two reasons why you should NOT blog were a good reminder of my lack of commitment. I promise, I am going to improve! I’m going to write the three reasons I SHOULD blog on a piece of
What’s killing your ability to focus?
On November 3, 2016 by Lauren ElkinsI have many distractions in my home office. As I am sitting here right this very second, the cat is on my lap (he moves constantly), there’s clutter on my desk, toys are all around me, and the task board on the wall keeps whispering to me, “I’m not up to date!” My daughter is
Finding your writers’ group
On April 18, 2016 by Lauren Elkins“The best way to handle the madness that is publishing is to join a gang.” What do you think? Interesting writing advice. When I read this in an article about writing advice, I nodded my head, smiling. Because I am in a gang! I am part of a gang of other writers. When I sit
Managing my online writer presence
On March 14, 2016 by Lauren ElkinsNot long after getting married, I bought laurenelkins.com. I could finally purchase my own name domain name. My maiden name was purchased years ago by somebody doing nothing with the site. Infuriating much? I mean, come on, laurencampbell.com owner. What a waste. But I’ve got my name now and that’s a big step for me