NOTE FROM LB: One picture is worth a thousand words, and this is one VERY BIG picture. So appreciate that you only have to read a few words. Thanks, Ms. Castellini.
MUNCHER’S NOTE: Hahahahahahahaha…. Bri said “Bris.”
NOTE FROM LB: >sigh<
Category: Productivity
The 5 missteps most new freelancers commit and how to avoid them
This is a general article on all freelance gigs, not just writing, but truth is truth, and the misstemps here are universal.
by Nancy Van Brunt
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to leave the corporate world to enjoy the flexibility and earnings potential of freelancing, you’re not alone. The “Freelancing in America: 2019” (FIA) study co-commissioned by Upwork and Freelancers Union found that, for the first time, half of the freelancer respondents said they view this way of working as a long-term career choice. The share of those who freelance full time increased from 17% in 2014 to 28% in 2019.
As the head of freelancer and agency success for Upwork, I see new independent professionals struggling with mistakes that limit their potential for finding satisfying, well-paying work. The good news is that you don’t have to fall prey to these missteps. Here’s how to start your freelance career on the right track.
12 Truths I Learned from Life and Writing
Anne Lamott does it all. She writes novels and nonfiction, speaks her progressive mind in public and private, and on the side she teaches the writing craft. We’re thrilled to be able to present her perspective.
by Anne Lamott
My seven-year-old grandson sleeps just down the hall from me, and he wakes up a lot of mornings and he says, “You know, this could be the best day ever.” And other times, in the middle of the night, he calls out in a tremulous voice, “Nana, will you ever get sick and die?”
I think this pretty much says it for me and for most of the people I know, that we’re a mixed grill of happy anticipation and dread. So I sat down a few days before my 61st birthday,and I decided to compile a list of everything I know for sure. There’s so little truth in the popular culture, and it’s good to be sure of a few things.
Bri Castellini Day Part 2 – @brisownworld
Today’s second article by award winning film maker, web series maker, film professor and all-around Brilliantly Talented Young Lady Bri Castellini. Enjoy!
NYR 2019: A Reflection
by Bri Castellini
- Write 5 new projects. Partial completion. I have a lot of valid excuses for not completing this resolution, but at the end of the day: I made too many non-writing commitments this year and didn’t make writing a priority like this FIRST RESOLUTION implied I wanted to. Next year, hopefully other things will get more stable.
- Host 3 table reads. Partial completion. If you’ll remember, this was on the list because I was allegedly “stepping back a bit from producing this year,” which absolutely did not turn out to be true. I directed Better With You, I released and promoted Sam and Pat season 2, I completed post-production on and began the festival run for Buy In (my latest award-winning project, coming soon!), and I produced and edited 2 podcasts (with 1 still ongoing, which I’m editing as I write this blog). Honestly, I’m glad I did these other things, so I’m not overly upset this one didn’t go to plan.
- Post one blog and one YouTube video a month. Failure. Listen.
- Cook dinner at least twice a week. Failure. I did better than could be expected, but I also didn’t live up to this. This year was… hectic.
- Start or end my day active at least three times a week. Failure. Listen.
- Release and submit for festivals both projects I have in post. Was done as of July!
- Leave New York at least 4 times. Final tally:
- January- Los Angeles (for family)
- January: Washington DC (to see my mom)
- March- Los Angeles (for Stareable)
- March- Oregon (for Stareable/visiting)
- April- Washington DC (for Stareable)
- April- Northhampton, MA (for Stareable)
- May- Utah (to shoot Better With You)
- June- Denver (for LIU-Brooklyn)
- July- New Jersey (for the Buy In premiere)
- August- Los Angeles (for Stephens College)
- September- Los Angeles (for Seed&Spark)
- September- Utah (for the Better With You premiere)
- September-October- Colorado (to watch my mom’s house)
- November- San Diego (for my cousin’s wedding)
- December- Los Angeles (for Seed&Spark again)
- December- Colorado (for Christmas)
- Save $2k. After my financial scare and my loss of income for a few months and my dipping into my savings to pay rent… I actually ended up managing to save $2760.74! Since Quinn and I are moving across the country in early 2021 and we’d also like to take at least one vacation, this is a huge success and one sorely needed. After a year of financial panic and insecurity, it feels good to have gotten back on track, prepared for whatever 2020 has to throw at me.
- Pick my battles. Based on my wording for this resolution, I think I did this. I’m still a person with zero chill to her name, but I like to think I’ve aimed my lack of chill better than I had previously.
- Be a better adult. Partial completion. I’m still dragging my feet on enough things that I can’t in good conscience call this a complete success, but I’m definitely better off than I was in January.
- Complete: 4
- Partial completion: 3
- Failed: 3
Not bad! Especially given the absolute insanity that was this year. I mean, just look at the travel tally! 2019 was not, by any means, a good year, but it was certainly an interesting one. Here’s to accountability
Bri Castellini Day Part 1 – @brisownworld
Award winning film maker, web series maker, film professor and all-around Brilliantly Talented Young Lady Bri Castellini has been absent from TVWriter™ (and her own blog, brisownworld.com, for way too long.
So it’s with great joy that we at TVWriter™ proclaim this day, “Bri Castellini Day” and present not one, not two, but her three most recent articles. All settled in, amigos? Then here we go:
