Silly Kitty!

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How do you stay so brave?

Note to readers: For those of you who have just started following this blog, I started writing about my journey from terror to bravery in terms of putting myself “out there” as a writer and a creative. This blog post is a continuation of this series of writing that, as far as I can tell, is an on-going chronicle.

One of my dearest writing buddies sent me a message yesterday asking me, “How do you stay so brave?” My answer to her, “I have no idea how! I’m trying to do the ‘fake it until you make it’ thing until I can actually BE brave!”

Thinking back on that, I know that’s not the best answer I could have given her, but it’s the best answer I had at that time . . . which is a good thing because it provides fodder for writing this blog post. I decided to included some resource links for you to peruse, as well, to help aid you in your journey:

• Brave Writer 
• Speak up and be a brave writer 
• Everyday courage and the writer 
• Writers, YOU are courageous! 
• Be brave, write clearly 

Even though I’m not really faking it, I feel like I am . . . I feel like I have to put on a “brave face,” and get things done or else everything will crumble around me. I know I’m not alone in this because MANY freelance writers and authors discuss this with me frequently through DM’s on Twitter, PM’s on Facebook, IM chats, and email. The thing is, they don’t like coming forward about this reality because they’re afraid they’ll look weak, and like they can’t handle things.

I don’t view it as being weak at all. I view it as being REAL. Why do we have to pretend everything is rainbows and puppies all the time in this ever-evolving writing and publishing industry we’re all swirling through? There are REAL struggles, real let-down’s, real high moments, and real success. It’s a mix of imperfection, perfection, human nature, and flawless flaws . . . it makes sense while not making sense at all. Come go grips with THAT, and you’re on your way to being BRAVE.

Have you started YOUR journey toward what’s real, what’s true, and what’s YOUR personal success? If not, what’s holding you back? If so, how are you progressing?

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Mailbag Moments: More on #couponing

Now that I’ve gotten back into couponing again (after taking WAY too long out of the savings and thrifty living mix), I’m receiving more questions about my methods. Remember, I’m not an expert and I’ll do my best to answer questions each time they roll in.

Jenn, do you clip and/or print every coupon you see?

My couponing techniques differ from many extreme couponers out there explaining the necessity of clipping every coupon they find in Sunday newspapers, as well as in sales circulars coming into their households. Some of these extreme couponers have also noted their need to print every coupon they find, as well as use more than one computer so they can exceed the print limits per user.

I don’t do either of these things. What works best for my household is this:

• We purchase between one and four Sunday newspapers each week depending on what I see on this website: Sunday Coupon Preview.
• I print out only the coupons I’ll need, and nothing more. If that means I print out one coupon, that’s all I’ll print. I think it’s silly to print coupons out for products we don’t normally purchase.
• If I see something in a circular that will beat the prices I find in my grocery store, then I’ll make a special trip to that store using their sales circular coupon. Typically, I shop one store – sometimes two.

This couponing practice works best for our household, but you may find other methods work better for you. The best suggestion I can give, until I learn more about this and additional techniques, is to continue testing and experimenting what works best for you. Like with any experiment, there’s going to be a lot of trial and error involved. 

You have to be patient, and continue testing until you find what works best for you.

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Look at that face! What a cutie!

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You are your greatest inspiration

When is the last time you really took a long and hard look at your “self”? I don’t mean merely gazing (or staring, if you will) into a mirror for a long period of time. No. What I’m referring to is your inner workings – what makes you who you are. Do you know what makes you who you are? Are you still building yourself up?

I’m working on these inner pieces, and building them up bit by bit. For years, I had a difficult time really looking inwardly, and seeing what was there. I knew things needed to change about my “self,” but I wasn’t ready to face those changes – YET. Keep yet as your operative word, and you’ll get further during this journey.

See how I’m referring to the journey again? I’m a work in progress, much like my unfinished books. I need editing, I’ve faced harsh criticisms, I’ve heard negative reviews, I’ve faced rejections, and I’m frequently relegated to the slush pile. That’s all – ALL – part of being human. Once we accept this, and stop trying to fight it, we’ll get further down our path toward where we really need to be and should be.

Jenn, why are you talking about all this?

I could include that question in Mailbag Moments, but I’m just going to answer it here. I’ve heard this question on Twitter, Facebook, and through email . . . it’s a valid question considering I’ve really never discussed this part of my world. I’ve had no problem sharing how I organize, what I’m working on, where I find leads, how I save money, and things like that . . . however . . . sharing the struggles always seemed taboo.

I’m sharing this part of my journey because it’s real, and a lot of people are having difficulty with this aspect of the business. How do we prevent ourselves from losing our identity? How do we prevent becoming work-aholics? Why is implementing self-care such a guilt trigger? Why do we feel our professions are less valuable than our peer’s? These are just SOME of the questions I’ve asked myself – and I’ve heard other writers asking themselves – since I entered into this career.

Everyone has a different path, and everyone’s journey will take them to a different result. I’m sharing mine so my voice isn’t lost, so you can have a place for comfortable discussion, and so we all can support ourselves through various messes we may encounter. We’re not perfect, and we should never strive for such a thing. We can strive for better, though, and I’ll continue mentioning that over and over again. 

These are my attempts at not being afraid . . . have you started making your attempts yet?

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Mailbag Moments: Bidding Sites

This is a question that came in over the weekend. I’ve heard this question many times throughout the years from a wide variety of writers – some novice, and some seasoned.

Jenn, do you use bidding sites?

Personally, I don’t. I used them in 2002-ish (might have been 2000, my memory isn’t what it used to be anymore). Back then, the site I used was CreativeMoonlighting.com, and if I remember correctly, they either merged with or were bought out by eLance.com. I stopped using the site when everything changed over because I didn’t like the fee structure, and the influx of additional users made competition a bit too fierce for my blood.

Ever since, I’ve stayed away from bidding sites for a number of reasons. I’ve heard of others having excellent luck with bidding sites, but it just isn’t for me. I’ve heard of others having terrible luck because those seeking to hire will take the lowest bidder . . . which is often for pennies. That’s typically where I’ve fallen in the spectrum, but that’s just my own personal experience. I was just speaking to another writer during a Skype chat a few months ago about how busy they are with bidding sites, and they’ve been able to pull themselves out of financial dregs. I think that’s great, but it’s just not my experience.

So, my best advice is to test the waters yourself and make your own decision. Basing your decision on my experience might not make too much sense, particularly if you’re lucky enough to hit these sites just right and have a great experience. Get your feet wet, and see what happens. You never know, it might turn out to be exactly what you’re looking for. And, if it turns out to be something that isn’t your cup of tea, at least you’ll have a valid basis for your decision.

Feel free to share your stories and experiences about bidding sites in the comments.

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8 #Swagbucks from searching this afternoon

Have you started using Swagbucks.com yet?

This afternoon, my second Swagbucks.com search earned me 8 Swag bucks! My total for the day (so far) is:

• 8 Swag bucks from searching
• 1 Swag buck for using the toolbar
• 1 Swag buck for participating in the daily poll
• 2 Swag bucks for skipping through the NOSO section

I'm going to hunt around for additional codes throughout the day - still happy about getting 12 Swag bucks in all, though. I'm getting closer to another Amazon Gift Card! (I'm collecting gift cards so I can nab a free Kindle Fire!)

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