The past few weeks, I've been adjusting to a new morning routine. Moving outside in the sunshine helps the body recalibrate to wake up earlier. But somehow the effort of actually putting on my socks and sneakers soon after waking up has seemed like waaaaay too much effort. At a conscious level I told myself: "It's no big deal. You'll be ready in a minute." And then I tried to Nike or Yoda my way: "Saying you'll try isn't good enough. Just do it. Go on, do it." But I still wasn't putting the sock...
Feb 17, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast If youve experienced something as difficult in the past, or know that a task is challenging for others, you may subconsciously make it harder for yourself because you believe the dominant narrative that it is hard. On the Writing Coach Podcast this week, we look at how different writers struggle with letting the things that are easy for them be easy without overcomplicating or overthinking. Let go of the habit of making things harder than they are by working with your brain instead of against it...
Feb 14, 2023•19 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast In the movie version of my writing life, theres a scene where I walk up and down the aisle of an airplane watching strangers open the inflight magazine with the Bonnie Raitt cover story I wrote. That really did happen: I wrote the story while a freelance newbie and then got to see people reading it IRL. Landing that assignment took persistence on my part. I tried numerous things to make it happen. When I try something spontaneously that turns out to be effective, I dont always recognize that it ...
Feb 10, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Please dont @ me, the title is correct. ;) TK (or a similar place holder, eg XX or writing a NOTE IN ALL CAPS) is a practical tool to take to remind yourself that after the current drafting phase youll need to come back and add some more content or context. Many writers implement TK when they want to stay on taskeg the words are flowing and they recognize its better to stay in writing modebut I want to encourage you to also try it when you DONT want to stay on task. Writing a draft without toggl...
Feb 07, 2023•18 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast Whats the importance and impact of seeking out original stories that nobody else is doing? In this conversation with freelance journalist Raymond Joseph, we examine how much a unique story and/or angle matters for you, your career, your editors, and society at large. Rays investigations into lottery corruption over the past four years have won him both journalism awards as well as threats. When you follow BIG money, people notice. In this episode, we discuss: Collaborating with colleagues Buildi...
Jan 31, 2023•32 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast Rebecca coaches a writer live who has worked on a number of pitches but keeps getting stuck in the same place. You might also like: WCP 174 Archives: 100 reasons not to pitch today WCP 82: Live coaching WCP 74: Why youre the one WCP 140 Archives: Portfolio shame WCP 1: Whats your problem? Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas , 5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell. www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream pub...
Jan 24, 2023•16 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast Table Mountain is the old school GPS. But heres what happened when I got a teeny bit lost in Cape Town, and how I found my way homeand how it applies to reorienting and evaluating our writing goals. Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have used the proven Bootcamp processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodors, Ms., Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeer...
Jan 20, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast My word of the year is flow. I began my inquiry asking, where do I already see this in my life? Where can I observe it when Im writing, and when Im not writing? What are the conditions that lead to my creating it? What research can I study to enhance my understanding of flow? You might also like: WCP 1: Whats your problem? Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have use...
Jan 18, 2023•21 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Do you expect somebody (eg an editor, a source) or something (an idea, an interview) to make you feel excited about the story youre going to pitch? If so, youd benefit from changing your relationship with pitching and learn to sell yourself on your story ideas. A similar dynamic is often in place with goals: If youre in an adversarial relationship with your goal, its time to learn to engage with them in a more fruitful way. This Tuesday, January 17, Im teaching an exclusive goal setting workshop...
Jan 14, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast When editors start saying YES YES YES to the ideas you send them, your freelance writing life becomes your own AND it becomes more collaborative. Apply now to master the art of the pitch at www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com I teach a 3-step pitching process in my group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp , that will make you and your future editors fall in love with your story ideas: 1. Learn what your dream pubs want and need before you pitch. Studying the publication before you start to ...
Jan 13, 2023•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dancing and writing pitches have some surprising similarities. Today we break down why understanding one choreographic sequence prepares you for learning the next one, and the takeaways for writers. Pitching often seems natural or intuitive *after the skills have been mastered. In Freelance Writer Bootcamp, youll learn the proven pitching processes that have helped writers break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodors, Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more. Apply for t...
Jan 10, 2023•22 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast We often notice that an article works on two levels: On an obvious level its about X, but what its *really* about is Y. Goals have a similar dynamic, especially when theyre well chosen and intentionally take us outside of our comfort zones. On one level, you identify a goal thats in line with your values and vision for yourself as a writer. And on another level, the pursuit and achievement of this goal shifts who you are. Your beliefs, your identify, your behaviors, all have to change to get the...
Jan 03, 2023•11 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Im kicking off 2023 with a free open coaching session for writers .This will help you start the year clear, creative, and powerful. If youre on my email list, check your inbox for details to join on Wednesday. Otherwise, sign up for my free guide on how to pitch and Ill send you the login info to join. www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch To prepare, simply choose one thing you want help with in your writing life. It might be a challenge you want to address. Or you might notice something in your wri...
Jan 02, 2023•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Live events like conferences, conventions, and trade shows can be a rich source of multiple story ideasor an overwhelming waste of time and energy. Plan ahead for 2023 by learning how to leave with a small notebook bursting with everything you need to write up pitches for feature ideas instead of a bunch of lousy brochures. You might also like Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist on Spotify WCP 25: Using juicy quotes in your pitches WCP 28: Listener Q&A Work with me in Freelance Writer B...
Dec 27, 2022•23 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Today youre hearing the interview I had with novelist Jo Buer on her podcast Alchemy for Authors. Jo and I discuss how as an author of fiction and nonfiction books you can take charge of your writing career through freelancing, writing articles to enhance your platform, and increase your social proof. This is valuable when submitting a book proposal/manuscript, when pub day approaches, and in ongoing promotion of your books. Invite me to be a guest on your podcast Are you looking for a podcast g...
Dec 20, 2022•47 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Should you pitch during the holiday season? Yes, if you want more assignments. No, if you want to take time off. There are two valid approaches to taking time off as a freelancer: 1. Take time off during conventional holidays. Editors and sources may be less available; family and friends may be off too. 2. Freelancers make their own schedules and dont need to conform to public holidays. If you want new assignments, pitch away. Many editors continue to check email and assign stories, and fewer fr...
Dec 13, 2022•32 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast For many freelancers, getting sick quickly becomes finding hours or days when youre able to push yourself to get things done vs. not getting paid, rather than taking actual time off. Today Im talking about my own experience contracting coronavirus, and discussing how to care for yourself and your freelance writing business when you get sick in general. We look at getting rest, saying no, prioritizing, and transitioning back to full days while respecting your limitations. You might also like Writ...
Dec 06, 2022•30 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Today were looking at how your mindset impacts your ability to implement strategy effectively. One tricky thing about mindset is that when we cant recognize that were believing something thats holding us back, we dont take action because it seems like a fixed reality. For example, if you believed that a story had no possible news hook, you probably wouldnt look for one. If you believed that the same story had multiple possible news hooks, youd almost certainly include one or moreand be far more ...
Nov 29, 2022•19 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast One of the participants in this discussion from the archives, Yolisa Qunta, passed away last year. Listening to this episode again reminds me of her heart, insight, and humor. Im thankful to have had her as a writer friend. In this episode, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for multilingual writers. We speak with freelancers from Brazil, Poland, and South Africa, who have all used their locations and language skills to build relationships with editors overseas. This is a fascinating ...
Nov 22, 2022•52 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast Allison B. Salernos award-winning writing and audio production has been featured on Southern Foodways Alliances Gravy podcast, Americas Test Kitchen podcast, Proof, on local NPR stations, and in The Washington Post, Ms. magazine, and Columbia Journalism Review, among others. Allisons audio news features haveearned her two Georgia AP awards and a Gabby from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. A former daily newspaper editor and writer, she has more than two decades of experience covering a w...
Nov 15, 2022•49 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast Once you start fact checking your mind, youll notice theres a lot of stuff youre telling yourself that isnt true AND that isnt helpful. This awareness doesnt mean that the faulty thought wont keep coming back. Its usually counterproductive to tell yourself, Dont think that! You can instead decide ahead of time what you do want to think and practice it to help build a new neural pathway in your mind. Todays episode looks at one of the most detrimental thoughts that a freelancer can have when pitc...
Nov 08, 2022•23 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast Knowing how to negotiate can be the difference between earning a part- or full-time income as a freelance writer. I dont want you to break into your dream publication only to have them pay you less than what they pay writers who know to ask for more. Asking for (and receiving!) more money on your first assignment with a new client literally pays off in two ways. First is the initial boost to your cash flow with the piece youve just successfully negotiated. It also establishes a better rate for y...
Nov 01, 2022•23 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast Repurposing thoughts, words, ideas, research, reporting, etc., are key to working effectively and efficiently as a freelance writer. Sometimes this means minor tweaks, such as adjusting a post from one text-based social media platform to another. Other times we can take a small bit of great stuff from one pitch or article and develop it into a whole new piece for another pub. This episode explores ways to do this strategically both before and after youve created something that can be repurposed ...
Oct 25, 2022•18 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast How ripe avocados help break an old narrative. What's one thing you did NOT procrastinate in the past 24 hours? Mentioned in this episode: WCP 1 Whats your writing problem? Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have used the proven Bootcamp processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodors, Ms., Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more....
Oct 21, 2022•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Iona Brannon is a writer and a photojournalist who deeply enjoys drawing out beauty in the mundane. Her upbringing in multiple countries has given her love for the nuances of culture and travel, and her passion is in uniting people from different backgrounds through the common threads of human pain and joy. Iona is a prolific freelancer who has written for Cond Nast Traveller, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, and other publications. Transitioning from full-time job and freelancing on th...
Oct 18, 2022•44 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast With apologies to Toni Morrison, the Writing Coach Podcast is the show I wanted to hear so I recorded a couple of hundred episodes of it. Today Im going behind the scenes: Why I started making this podcast (and why you might want to start or continue oneor choose to be on other peoples shows instead); my workflow, including content generation; and the mindset minefield I ran into and learned from. For me, the biggest mindset bugabear has been consistency. If youve been subscribed all along, you ...
Oct 11, 2022•31 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast We all need a few reliable go-to tools, apps, programs, books, and other stuff. In todays episode, I talk through a few of my own favorites, and why and how I use them. Be sure to check out one of my oldest blog posts that I keep updating, with all the links mentioned plus several more for you to explore. These are all affiliate-free. I hope you enjoy and share forward your faves too. Mentioned in this episode: The updated blog post with links to the resources mentioned in this podcast, plus som...
Oct 04, 2022•27 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast Listener Q&A returns! Here are the questions Ill be answering today: +Do I need to let key sources know when a story runs? +Im comparing myself to hard-hitting journalists I know, and it makes me think my story isnt that important. +The pub I want to write for has already done all the story ideas I want to pitch. How do I avoid overreporting my pitches? Want me to answer your question on the next edition of Listener Q&A? Email me at rebecca@freelancewriterbootcamp.com Mentioned in this episode: ...
Sep 27, 2022•24 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast Borrow from yourself. Borrow from what works. Borrow from the non-writing parts of your life to inform your writing and freelancing. We have a tendency to notice where weve failed or not figured things out, and then we continue down that pathway looking for examples to keep the pattern going. When we intentionally look for things weve done well or learned in one area of our lives, we can instead build an alternative pattern that reinforces a foundation of what works. Mentioned in this episode: O...
Sep 20, 2022•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast If youve been listening to the Writing Coach Podcast for a while, you already know I: Send emails to myself. Annotate ideas on paper/screen in one-minute bursts, or else forget them forever Direct my brain to solve something by asking one good question In the quest for the new, we tend to overlook the advantages of repetition. This week on the Writing Coach Podcast, we look at some of the most useful ways to incorporate repetition in your writing, workflow, questioning, and learning. Mentioned i...
Sep 13, 2022•24 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast 
