Want to Write the Next Gone with the Wind?
If you dream of becoming a writer, start today. Learn the craft. Despite what some say about how easy it is, there are formats, rules, and methods to learn.
Do you dream of becoming a writer? If so, perhaps you should stop dreaming, sit down at the keyboard, and write. Fill the white space if you will. Then, use Grammarly to edit.
Get the free version here: https://grammarly.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=3&aff_id=10437
Sage Advice from Stephen King
“So write. One page at a time, or one word at a time. And consider: If you can turn out two pages a day for two years, you will have written 1,460 pages, a manuscript the length of Gone with the Wind. It may be a lousy 1,460-page manuscript, of course… But you will have surmounted that hurdle that so many who are trying to do the same job stumble on: You will have filled the white space.” — Stephen King.
This quote was taken from A Thank You to Stephen King’s Assistant by Sandra Ebejer here on Medium.
You can read it here. Be sure to leave her a clap, or 50 if you find her story worth it. I know I did.
I used three resources nearly every day when I first started writing, Stephen King’s On Writing, Kathy Krueger’s Fast Track to Freelance Success Online, and Michael Stover’s How to Write Well.
I used Contently to create a portfolio. This is a screenshot of my portfolio there.
(Mine is https://thewriteresults.contently.com/ if you want to take a look) I link everything I publish under my bio there.
I ask those I ghostwrite for directly if I can connect to the article from my portfolio. Some require that I state I am a ghostwriter for them, while others ask me not to do it at all. It is their choice. When you ghostwrite for someone, you must respect that they bought artistic rights to your work.
Linking from Contently to your blog or website creates a link for SEO purposes as well.
Comments about Content Mills
I would not discount Textbroker.com or any reputable content mill. Even though the pay is terrible, you can at least make some money. If you choose subjects you know about and can write fast, you could make $40 or $50 a day. It won’t make you rich, but it’s better than going hungry or not paying the rent.
Guru.com is good, but Upwork is much better. Make sure you have a complete profile with samples/portfolio and a professional-looking profile image.
There are lots of sources of freelance work out there. It’s up to you to find those that work for you. Find your niche and fill the white space.
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My Bio
Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. He is a freelance journalist currently living in the Philippines. You can see his portfolio here.
Email [email protected] to hire him to write for your website.
You can read more of his stories here: https://medium.com/@stephendalton