Does my writing pass the inspiration test?
March 9, 2010
I have writing-induced hypochondria. Every time I write about a health problem, I become convinced I have it. Right now I’m battling a (real or imagined) vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer. A few months ago when I wrote about prostate cancer was a very confusing time for me.
Usually the wellness pieces I write give an informative overview of a health-related topic: some tips on prevention, interesting little “Did You Know…” nuggets, some statistics… my goals are to inspire readers to make healthy choices, and to show them a few easy ways to get the ball rolling.
When I write about a specific health problem, I aim for a sympathetic tone. For example, if I’m writing about quitting smoking, I don’t want to make the smoker feel bad about himself. After all, a lot of our lousy health choices are a result of feeling lousy about ourselves, right? And I don’t want to fuel a reader’s frustration with a loved one who smokes, either. I try for a tone of understanding and encouragement. I want my readers to feel good about themselves, so they care enough to actually do the things I’ve suggested. Go for a walk. Eat some broccoli. Go to bed earlier. Make that doctor appointment.
I like writing about wellness, because it inspires me to make better choices too. Not that I always follow through, but every time I manage to choose the healthier path is a small victory. I want my readers to see how their small victories add up.
So as much as I joke about my hypochondria, I’m glad about it. If I am obsessively checking for suspicious moles and stocking up on vitamin D, maybe my readers are too. If I don’t find myself moved to action, I probably haven’t pushed my readers either.
What I’m loving today… Freelance Folder: Turning around your freelance business with lead nurturing.
intro
March 5, 2010
I’ve freelanced off and on since I graduated from college. I made it my full-time career beginning in February 2007. I write elsewhere about parenting in general, and specifically about parenting twins, but building my business has become a passion of mine and I want a place to focus on it.
The more my business has grown, the more excited I’ve become. What began as a way to make a bit of extra money has grown into something that has the potential to support our entire family. I want to get better at writing, better at time management, better at marketing, and offer more to the clients I have.
My greatest challenge is that I work from home. This is less of an issue now than it has been in the past, but the kids are still learning to pretend I’m not home when I’m in my office with the door closed. And my husband and I are still learning to balance our time and responsibilities to maximize my productive hours and minimize interruptions. I work from 8-1:30, and then he leaves for work and I’m with the kids the rest of the day. I struggle to keep from checking email constantly — I need to focus more fully on them when I am with them, so I feel less guilty about turning them away when I’m working.
What I’m loving today… The Freelance Rant.
