See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. In previous posts in this series, I talked about what kind of background and training are necessary to be a full-time editor. Then I talked about building a resume and defined how a qualified editor can find work to do from home by citing my own editing journey. In this part I describe what day-to-day life is like for a work-at-home editor (my experience may not match everyone’s). Curious to know what my typical workday looks like? Here goes: A Day in a Life 5:30 a.m.—Alarm goes off. Shower and get dressed. 6-6:30 a.m.—Eat breakfast (favorite: organic oatmeal), make coffee in French press, and enjoy my “God and I time” (lately I’ve been studying the book of James). 6:30-7:30 a.m.—Head to basement home office and do some housekeeping (check/reply to e-mail, invoice clients, put clients in income spreadsheet [next article will deal…
In Part 1 we looked at the skills and education necessary to be a professional editor. In this article we look at where to go next. Let’s assume you’ve passed the test—you’ve got all the necessary skills. (1) You have excellent English skills, (2) you love writing and words, (3) you understand how words work together (that’s not the same thing as #2), (4) you have a colllege degree in communications, and (5) you are constantly learning more about writing, editing, or both to stay on top of your game. Now where this article goes next and how it applies to you depends on who you are: whether you are (1) someone fresh out of college who is looking for an editing job and is willing to relocate or (2) someone who feels he or she has the skills needed to be an editor from home. Because those are two…
Any writer would do well to reflect on those in the past who had a part in molding his or her understanding of the written word. After all, without teachers, where would any of us be? So today I wish to honor a special lady who made a tireless impact on a multitude of Michigan students in her English classes for forty-four years. When I look back at my youth and reflect on those who especially encouraged my early interest in being a writer, after my parents the next major influence was Delores Forsmark, who went home to be with the Lord on September 9th. I felt so sad when I heard the news, and then memories took over from there. “Mrs. Forsmark” taught me English and literature at Genesee Christian High School in Burton, Michigan, between 1983 and 1987 (she taught at GCS a total of twenty-two years). But that’s not…
I did it! I can now make long-distance phone calls to anyone in the US and Canada. Absolutely free! And I’m using a telephone to do it. Back in August I wrote about my new venture in pursuing free telephone service, thanks to the suggestion of a Facebook friend I’ve known since college (I won’t say how long ago). I was already aware of how to make and receive free phone calls using Google Voice, but I had to place calls from my computer. Now there’s a way to make a Google Voice call using a telephone instead of your computer—and that’s what I’m writing about today (and introduced in part 1). Here’s information about what you need and what you need to do as well as an update on what I’ve done so far on my journey to attain phone independence. Setting yourself up for free phone service is simple…
