Gifts for Writers - LOOK >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes, I am an entrepreneurial monster. But, I am really happy with the designs I came up with to promote my business. DO check it out! I have t-shirts, journals, tote bags, caps and more with writing related info.

C'mon, check it out....
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Pay it Forward!

I always tell people that networking is the way to go, and by-crackity, I'm at it again. Deborah Ng, who posts all the freelancing writer jobs (God bless her) in one spot has started a concept called "Pay it Forward" which works like this: I'll plug your blog if you pay it forward by mentioning on your own blog the concept behind pay it forward Tuesday and plugging someone else.

Got it? Get to it! See the links to the right >>>>>>> pay them a visit and leave some nice comments. Then do yourself and see Deb's site: http://writersrow.com/deborahng/freelancewritingjobs.html

Look for a blurb each Tuesday, right here at Musings from a Writer.

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Jason Walker's Day to Shine!

I just had to put this link on my blog for everyone to see! Jason had an interview with his local TV news station and he got to talk about his book, "Missing My Body". Remember, you can purchase for $8 if you look to the side and click on the dropdown box. Click on this link to watch:

http://www.walb.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?LaunchPageAdTag=Homepage&ClipID1=1164821&h1=Quadriplegic%20releases%20his%20memoir&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=132567&activePane=playlist&playerVersion=9&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.walb.com/&rnd=55195946

You know, sometimes being a freelance writer/ghostwriter can be stressful looking for the next gig, but then sometimes.....well, sometimes it reminds you why you love to write.

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Blogginators!

Got a nice surprise over the weekend....I've been establishing a presence over at Writers Cafe.org due to some gentle nudging from a good friend and fellow writer, Debra Gordon. Man, am I glad that I did! I posted a poem I wrote eons ago and a short story as well as my e-books. I've heard nothing but encouragement, praise and a bunch of "atta-girl!'s".

How cool is that? If you're not familiar with it, look over to the side here>>>>>> and click on the black box. Lots and Lots of great writers all wanting to help each other and push the proverbial literary envelope.

Check it out, you won't be sorry. Oh, and visit "Blogginators" listed under groups. You'll be glad you did. Writers are a cool bunch of people, I must say.

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I'm Not Your Writer...

I'd never thought I would say those words to anyone, but I did today.

I had a potential client call me and he wanted me to ghost a blog for him. The topic was on HR. He wanted certain things discussed on this blog and was pretty open to most any subject, but it couldn't be negative toward employees or HR people's view of employees. Well, I don't know about any other HR person, but that is what is universal about being in this field. The fact of the matter is, some employees abuse policies (not all, but some) and that is the way it is.

When I asked him for an example of what he wanted....he gave me a ridiculous example as if I were stupid but then when I read his comments from people on his blogs....they had the same comments as I did.....He wanted me to start right away.....

After he asked me repeatedly to do the articles, All I could say was, "I'm not your writer."

To the Blogger Guy:

#1 - Don't patronize me, just tell me what you want or need.

#2 - If you can't do that, I'm not your writer.

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Notice anything different?

Yep, I have my ebooks on display to the right >>>>>>>>>>>>>
They look pretty good, if I do say so myself. I like to call it my "Virtual Garage Sale"....

Feel free to browse the titles and email if you're interested in buying one or all of them! (A girl can hope, right?)
Conversations with Pearl:

The true story of a woman I worked with via long distance and finally met before she succumbed to Cancer. She was the hootiest, (is that a word?) most bizarre and wonderfully wierd person I ever met! She was downright irreverant. It's a great read.....Project Greenlight gave me rave reviews on that script.

“...As a straight narrative it is touching and impressive…the action is small, personal and dramatic – the subject matter is serious and you have a flair for telling it in a readable conversational way…you have very obvious strengths…you have wit, humor, depth and perspective…”

Missing My Body:

The true story of a young man battling Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy and his journey through life as a quadriplegic. He's a remarkable young man....

The Underbelly of the HR Professional

Yep, I'm that insider's view....it's a funny yet disturbing look at how callous HR people tend to get in their jobs. I call them (cause I was one) "Underpaid Social Workers with a bad attitude".

Glittering Secrets

Good Lord, you must know by now I wrote this one too. I have it posted everywhere.

Be sure to email me if you're interested in any of these books!

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Have I started my new Book? NOOOOOOoooooooo

That's ok. I've been busy trying to get all of my writing contracts signed and faxed, writing articles for clients, and so on. busy busy busy. That's the way I like it though!

I was really hoping to get started on my book, but I'm in the midst of writing 4 as we speak, and there isn't much time for me to stick my own work in there! I have to admit, I am really excited about 2007! I think it will be a fruitful year!

Followup news: I now have 3 corporate clients, in addition to individual clients. I've only heard back from 1 Literary agent in New York City: Her comments stated that she liked my writing, but she preferred a different style of suspense/thriller novel. Ahhh, such is life.

I promise, as soon as I get at least a paragraph down of my new book, I will write about it here. Happy Yule Y'all,
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Dreams that Define My Next Book...

If you're an author, or even an avid reader, I'm sure you have wondered...."How do other writers come up with book ideas?" Well, I have had major writer's block on coming up with a subject matter that was of interest.

I've had an idea for years on writing a book about the youngest child to be committed to an insane asylum....(fictional of course) and his journeys, breaking out of the hospital and so on. But the subject matter just seems too dark right now. Not so much when you give someone a brief synopsis of the idea, but when you sit down to really write it. So that one is on hold.

BUT....I dreamed last night what I SHOULD write about. (That is a new one for me). I am going to title it, "In My Skin", the same title as one of my poems. Once I copyright the idea, I will expand upon it here.

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What a Difference 4 days make...

Just 4 days ago....Nov 29, I insisted that "Failure is NOT a freaking option." How true that statement is if you believe it. Don't get me wrong, I haven't earned any cash in those 4 days, I don't even have a job lead for that matter.

BUT...in staying true with my new mantra, FINAFO, I did something that I did several years ago and after hearing the feedback, I decided that I should wait a very long time before doing it again. That is: Querying a literary agent. They usually say something like, "Don't call us, we'll call you.....we have plenty of clients at the moment, but thank you for your query.... etc. etc. etc.

Well......guess what? I have F-O-U-R , countem FOUR NYC literary agents requesting to see my work. I really love ghostwriting....so what did I do? Apply for a ghostwriting position with a book publisher. Guess what? I'M HIRED. They will contact me when a client needs a writer within my genre.

So remember those of you struggling with your craft out there: KEEP GOING, BECAUSE FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

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Failure is NOT an Option!

I have to admit...I was getting pretty antzy yesterday about the slow trickle of money that has been coming my way for writing gigs. I know, I know....we're are knee deep into the Holiday season and people aren't really thinking about needing a writer at this particular time. At least it's not number one on their list.

So, with the help of my trusty Virtual Assistant, I have her plowing through the Chamber of Commerce listings with an email template I gave her and I am DETERMINED to make this thing work. I've also been accepted as a ghostwriter for Arbor Books...but as the publisher said, "I'm way down the list".

I can do this. Failure is NOT a Freaking option.
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If You REALLY want to analyze my personality....

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion 50% Stability 60% Orderliness 53% Accommodation 30% Interdependence 43% Intellectual 63% Mystical 56% Artistic 90% Religious 76% Hedonism 70% Materialism 70% Narcissism 63% Adventurousness 70% Work ethic 43% Self absorbed 56% Conflict seeking 23% Need to dominate 36% Romantic 63% Avoidant 30% Anti-authority 83% Wealth 16% Dependency 10% Change averse 43% Cautiousness 63% Individuality 76% Sexuality 36% Peter pan complex 36% Physical security 83% Physical Fitness 10% Histrionic 16% Paranoia 50% Vanity 10% Hypersensitivity 56% Female cliche 10%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

How about those Titans?

Okay, they have sucked the majority of the season, but man, have they come a long way. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles for God's sake on Sunday! Not just eeking by, mind you. They gave them a good ole fashioned butt kicking.

I like my little stocky man, Travis Henry, my long drink of water quarterback, Vince Young and my run the kickoffs to at least the 30 yardline, Bobby Wade.

Pacman? Haynesworth? Sometimes I think Floyd Reese goes shopping for football players at "Thugs R Us". I wish they would get rid of Pacman.

By the way, got a compliment (at least, I'm taking it that way) from a friend on Sunday. I usually go to her apartment and sit on her couch and root for my Titans. She is bored silly cause she is from Connecticut. She keeps silently wondering, What time do the New England Patriots come on? Anyway, I stayed home this past weekend and she told me she honestly missed my cursing and screaming while the Titans were on.

She said she actually watched the game and thought to herself, okay, if Taryn were sitting here, she would say &*(&&!!!! ###&*(((&%!!!!!!!!!!!

Awwwww, isn't that nice? GO TITANS (Can you tell I kinda like football?)

To Blog of Old, or to Blog in Beta, That is the Question.

How come I am the only blogger out there that hasn't gotten the "invite" to move my existing blogs over to the Beta Blogger? (Say it 3 times fast and it sounds like you are talking about a certain kind of high blood pressure medicine. I'm old, aren't I?)

Anyway, it seems my writer friends are just zippity doo-dahing over to the Beta Blogger and their profiles and links are posted where they are supposed to be. Mine, however, are SUPPOSED to be positioned at the side ----------> are really located at the end of all my posts. Somebody would have to be REALLY interested in what I have to say to scroll way down there and I'm not naive enough to believe that everyone is thinking to themselves, "Oooohhhh, I have to scroll down and see what links this sarcastic writer likes...." C'mon, I wasn't born yesterday.

Forget trying to post pictures.....it takes forever. Am I being punished by the Blogging gods?

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So You Want to Be A Freelance Writer?

If you enjoy articles such as this, please be sure to visit me on Ezine Articles. Vote for my article and leave a comment if you would be so kind.....

You're in Love with the idea of being a writer....
Sitting in front of your pc screen, watching the blinking cursor as your fingers lightly rest on the home keys of your keyboard. You imagine that your words will spill on to your document by the multitudes as your fingers dance across the keyboard. Inspiration is running high and concocting a first rate article or book is effortless.

Isn't that the way a freelance writer works? Hardly. Well, except for the part about watching the cursor blink. How do you know you have what it takes to be a professional writer? Is there any supernatural sign that signals destiny? Yes and no. Maybe your Aunt Trudy told you that your last short story was fantastic, but have you gotten feedback from writers? In any event, I have noticed that there are certain qualities and characteristics that successful writers have that enable them to be successful.

The Top 5 Successful Qualities and Traits of a Freelance Writer

5. Opportunistic - A good writer will seek out opportunities and act upon them without hesitation. Is there a writer's group starting up? or is the local java shop showcasing poets? You can bet the successful writer will be there to not only listen to other's work, but to meet other writers. There is always a networking opportunity for future writing gigs.

4. Analytical - That's not to say that writers are mathmeticians at heart. They are analytical in determining what needs work within their own writing. A good writer will try to use both sides of their brain, the creative side AND the logic/analytical side of the brain. They analyze their strengths and weaknesses and write accordingly.

3. Marketing - Writers worth their salt know that marketing themselves is crucial to building their name and reputation. They constantly are searching for ways to stand out in the crowd and gain recognition. They will be the first to scour the business section of the paper for business networking opportunities and practice their elevator speech relentlessly.

2. Determined - Writers are a determined bunch. This quality enables them to push forward when inspiration seems to have dried up, work to better themselves by attending seminars on writing skills or whatever skill needs honing. Some people call this trait, "Stubborn".

And Finally...
1. "No" is not in their vocabulary - A good writer will never accept one opinion as a reason to quit. There will be plenty of critics that will be frank and downright brutal in their analysis of your writing. Perhaps they suggest taking up basketweaving for a hobby. The writer will assume the critic had a bad day and should take up basketweaving.
The ultimate lesson is to be objective, learn from others and do not allow others to have more control over yourself than you.

Happy Writing!

Taryn Simpson is a published author and freelance writer with over 15 years of HR experience. Ms. Simpson owns her own writing company, Simpson - E Publishing which offers clients ghostwriting of novels/articles, web content, brochures, newsletters, press releases and more. Sign up to recieve her free newsletter for writer's tips and news on her website http://www.simpson-epublishing.com./ To learn more about this writer, feel free to visit her online presskit: http://www.tarynsimpson.com/

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I'm Taryn Simpson, and I approve this message.

Ok folks, is anyone as sick of the political barbing as I am? If I see one more dirty commercial, one more blond bimbo telling Harold Ford, Jr. "Harold, Call me!" I believe I will puke. Where's Ann Richards when you need her? (God Rest her Soul). She would have told you to kiss her *ss and smile while doing it. I miss Ann Richards.

It seems that the older I get, the dirtier and more vicious the races get. Lord, I am not looking forward to the presidential race coming up. Rest assured that when it comes time to vote, I will be one of the first in line to vote and then I will come home, turn off the news and watch some Cosby reruns. Heck, maybe I Love Lucy would be good.

Anything but politics. By the way, if I could vote Rush Limbaugh off radio, I would have done it.

I'm Taryn Simpson and I approve this blog.

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The Politics of Parkinson's Disease

Ok, let me pick my jaw up from the ground, please. Wait....I'm trying to compose myself.....Ok.

I am constantly amazed at he ignorance of Rush Limbaugh....just when you think he has fallen to an all time new low, he finds a way to go even lower. What is frightening, is that there are millions of people who are too lazy, busy whatever you want to call it, to think for themselves and take everything that Limbaugh has to say as the gospel. We are in deep trouble if that is the case.

I saw the clip of Fox, and as a fellow Young Onset Parkinson's Disease sufferer, I can tell you point blank, he took his meds. How do I know?

The awkward, involuntary movements he was making is called "Bradykinesia" which is caused from taking Sinemet(a common PD drug). If he hadn't taken his meds, you would see true tremors: head shaking, mouth shaking, arms, legs, hands.....everything.

What a cruel world Mr. Limbaugh lives in. I say he should take another blue pill and spend some quality time with himself and refrain from making fun of people with disabilities.

The way I see it.....he has the most dangerous disability of all: IGNORANCE. And, as Forrest Gump would say: That's all I got to say about that.

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When is Breaking News really Breaking News?

Last night I was at a restaurant enjoying a glass of wine, and noticed that the televisions were tuned to CNN and screaming the headline, "BREAKING NEWS" The crawl went on to say that there were "reports" that a series of dirty bombs were going to go off in several cities during the NFL football games.

Okay, I kept reading...."There are NO credible reports to support this report and people should plan on attending games if they want to...There is NO danger..."

Okay......so why was this "BREAKING NEWS"?????????

I don't get it.

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Rachael Ray's TV Show

I can't help it. She irritates me and I still watch her show! Why? What is wrong with me?

I saw her debut TV show last week, and I got exactly what I expected. A chunky, perky girl trying to be cutesy to the point where I feared she may hyperventilate due to her excessive giggling. Honestly.....NO ONE can be THAT perky. I refuse to believe it.

It was also announced that she is putting out a Christmas CD. Entitled.....are you ready for this? HOW COOL IS THAT? I swear to God. A Christmas CD named "How Cool is that?". I'm sure it will be hit after hit of classics sung in a hoarse, yet perky voice with giggles during the break.

Who knows? Maybe it will be a "killer, awesome" CD that even her "Daddy from Louisiana" will want to listen to and just "Hang out in the garbage bowl". Somehow I think the garbage bowl is where it belongs.

I'm not kidding....check this out: EVOO, Awesome! Garbage Bowl, Hang Out YUKKO

Ghostwriting

Yes, I am hooked. Out of all the various types of writing there are in this world, I have found that I LOVE ghostwriting for clients.

At times, it drives me crazy as I contemplate how to start a book. Will the client like it? I've developed a habit of sending 2 chapters to my clients just to make sure I'm on the right track. Revising or completely shifting gears isn't quite so painful as if I waited until the end of the book!

And yes, I am still loving being self employed. It's uncertain at times, even scary...especially if the bills come due and I run a little short on cash. Have I mentioned that savings is a wonderful thing?

Well, tomorrow is comprised of the gym first thing in the morning, then helping a friend bring her cat to the vet, then doing my quarterly taxes and finally, work on a novel for a client. I'm very busy.....and I love it. Finding your passion is a great thing.

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Ya wanna hear my voice?

You might have to turn down the sound if you're at the office.

Taryn's podcast of her bio

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