Afi’s posterous

July 20, 2008

The Hook Up

I've been thinking a lot about my (skeletal) music career of late - or rather, why I don't have a music career. I don't play in a band. I play for a church, a solo gig, and I come and I go.

I didn't become a full-time musician because I was, and still am, afraid of the lifestyle. But the hardest part for me was, and still is, hooking up: meeting with others, swapping ideas, playing off each other instead of by one's self.

Maybe that's why I'm really a writer at heart. It's a solitary life.

I'm crafting this posting because I'm just days away from Unity 2008. Unity 2008 is sponsored by all the minority journalism organization and is held every four years. In 2004, it was the largest journalism convention in the nation, and this year will probably be the same.

In 2004, I registered and got inspired. I came back and within month had started studying design and interactive media. This year, though, I need more than inspiration for my money. I'm going for a workshop. I'm going to stop through. Then I'm returning home to my gig - storytelling at the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo.

Interestingly enough, the hook-ups I'm now creating have been around this kind of alternative creativity: performing, storytelling, dancing, working as a teaching artist in Cleveland schools. I'm mystified by the way such mash-ups are created, but I'm optimistic. This year, I'm taking my skills to Chicago, to see what I can create.

What kind of hook up I'll fall into.

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July 15, 2008

Getting Things Done? I can't even get started

Fortunately, I've found help for my severe procrastination problem, courtesy of a posting on article that will help you overcome your creative block.
I like his suggestion to brainstorm on paper. Here's what he says:

"There are tactile-cerebral connections that start in your palms. Writing on paper seems to trigger these connections and spark creativity. The creative juices get flowing a lot sooner than if you plan only at the keyboard. (Until affordable electronic paper is ubiquitous, paper will have to do.)"

Writing on paper always ignited my creativity. Now I know why.

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July 12, 2008

Q: Why don't you have any pix on this blog?

A: Because I don't have the change to pay for them...yet. When I write for others, I charge. Therefore, if I use others' work, they should at least get credit, right?

So, the photos will come when I can pay for them or, better yet, when I get adept enough to shoot my own photos.

That day is on the horizon.

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July 09, 2008

Outsourcing the news

When I left daily journalism in 2001, I thought I was taking a hiatus. I figured having a couple years off to teach would re-ignite the spark that had burned so brightly when I entered the field in 1988.

Looking back, I see I left just as newspapers began collapsing. My appreciation for the importance of the medium grew as I repeatedly taught students - journalism majors - who didn't read the paper, didn't watch television, couldn't understand the difference between an opinion and a fact. (And didn't understand the importance of having an informed opinion.) I began to see that newspapers, the last medium serving a general audience, were endangered.

And then Knight-Ridder was dissected like a specimen in a high-school biology class.

Nevertheless, I clung to a dream: I'd return to newspaper one day. Well, I've released that fantasy. I call myself an independent journalist because I know I'll probably never get back into a newsroom.

Here's the story that convinced me  "Copyediting? Ship the Work Out to India? (Thanks to Romenesko for bringing this story to my attention.)

I'm not surprised: after all, I'm a freelancer who has been making a living from out-sourced journalism for the past two or three years.  Isn't it ironic, though: as newspapers/content companies tout hyper-local as a way to keep consumers, the powers-that-be  hire contract workers who are at least two continents away.

So I'm pondering the future of journalism. For me, it's become a collection of skills that apply to various tasks.  When I write curriculum for fifth-graders, I'm guided by the 5Ws and 1H I learned as a journalist. When I write adaptations of traditional folktales, I use the narrative techniques I learned as a reporter.

Yes, I blog. And I can blog hard or soft news. But I'm talking to what, dozens of folks if I'm lucky? News outlets reach hundreds of thousands - even now.

 (more to come)

 

 

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July 08, 2008

Freelancing: Six things I would have done differently now that I've been freelancing for a while

Reflection is the author of wisdom, and a friend wisely asked for some tips before launching iinto full-time freelancing.

These are my answers. Let me note that I did draft a business plan (tip #4), but the reality of freelancing was far different than I'd anticipated. I guess that's life, huh?

1) Line up a temporary job. Check with craigslist, kelly services, anything. The point is to have a check you can depend on so you can control cash flow.
2) Create a website (if you haven't already), or a blog (www.blogger.com) that has a bio and links to your writing. Use it as an online resume. You can also do the same with linkedin if you wish.
3) Send a group email to all your contacts before you make the jump. (I recommend about 3 months if you can do it that far in advance.) Tell them you'll be freelancing full time and are looking for assignments.
4) Of course, create a business plan. Check with the small business administration, or the service corps of retired executives for help. (In fact, do this first!!!)
5) Line up assignments that will have you working for about two to three months. That way, you won't have time to sit around the house and worry.
6) While you're working on your assignments, send out feelers for others. Always think at least 3 months ahead.

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