Writing & Editing at #TypeACon

I make my living writing and editing, but you can never stop improving your craft, so I’m here at the writing and editing intensive session with Allison McDonald, Susanna Barbee, and Jaime McKee.

Writing & Editing at #TypeACon

This is a very free form discussion. Our panelists are having us discuss topics in small groups before asking the questions we’ve come up with so they can tailor the conversation for us.

Where are you in your writing? What do you have down? What are you good at? Where are your strengths?

Where do you want to be with your writing?

Why aren’t you there?

Group discussion as we hash out our answers to these questions. For a lot of us, our stumbling block is time and/or energy. Getting back on a schedule would be helpful for someone. For me, I wish I could plug something into my brain and download everything I’ve composed up there.

But more importantly? Balancing the writing we do that pays the bills with the writing we want to do because we’re passionate about it.

We have to find ways to monetize the stuff we’re passionate about. Also, find a vehicle to pay for your passion writing. On your “I’m can do anything!” days, write the stuff that pays the bills. On your off days, write the stuff you want to write.

For those sponsored posts that seem to take forever to write, Allison writes it as if it’s just a chatty piece that isn’t being sponsored. Then she goes back to plug in the sponsor’s talking points and links. Then it doesn’t feel as much like work, and it doesn’t read like it’s sponsored content, even though it is all properly disclosed and what not.

Before accepting a sponsored post, read the pitch you were sent, but then pitch it to yourself in your own words so you know how you would go about it. This will help you find the best matches.

Children’s books are written by formula, so if you learn what that formula is, just write it down, then find a literary agent.

LinkedIn groups for writers are great for asking questions about engagement and strategies for certain types of writing.

Find your identity as a blogger/writer. Know what your space is. You don’t have to write about yourself, but people do appreciate when you write personally. Make sure you’re human in your writing.

If you don’t have a lot of writing clips, create a collection from things you’ve done: blog post snippets, a cover letter you wrote for a friend, if you’ve been quoted by a local newspaper, etc.

When you write a pitch, make sure you send it to the right person!

It’s okay to get personal, especially if it’s something that can help other people. (I do this a lot, especially with my chronic illness posts, my mental health posts, etc. It’s very personal, but it can reach other people who aren’t comfortable sharing their vulnerability with others.)

Remember storytelling. If it’s too dry, you’re losing people.

Write your booty off.

Christina Gleason (976 Posts)

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.


By Christina Gleason

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.

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