Seawoman's Caribbean Blogspot

Heya i am new here, I stumbled upon this chat boar...

2010-06-09T07:11:15.644-07:00

Heya i am new here, I stumbled upon this chat board I find It absolutely helpful & its helped me a great deal. I should be able to give something back and support others like its helped me.

Cheers, Catch You Later.

Dear Joanne: Thanks so much for taking the time t...

2010-06-07T04:18:39.670-07:00

Dear Joanne:

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and more importantly, your candor.

I think one of the things we Caribbean people often shy away from is being open about our struggles, even if it is about something/someone we love.

Like you, I "fired de wuk" for writing in '99(I LOVE that expression!) some years ago. It's been one of the craziest/greatest rides of my life and the ONE thing I've never given up on. (You should see my resume - all OVER the place! But that's another blog post altogether.)

While I derive great satisfaction out of being a freelancing writer/editor, I see myself as an artist. I also don't see doing other things - the odd voice over or theatre or mentoring young writers or storytelling or teaching creative writing or producing a spoken-word CD or co-ordinating/facilitating a poetry reading/writing workshop - as conflicts. I see them as enriching my growth. I hate being put in a box!

The conflict FOR ME would be making the choice to spend A LOT of time doing something else outside of not just writing, but the Arts.

But you know what? SOMETIMES it's (painful yes but) necessary. I want to reassure anyone else going through this that it's okay. There are different seasons in our lives. You're not selling out (even though you feel guilty). Just don't give up your dream altogether. STILL WRITE!

I actually have a piece on this "love affair" with writing, I think I'll submit to CLS. I submitted it somewhere else and they "promised" to publish it (even for $$) but you know what? They don't deserve it anymore and I will withdraw it!

BTW When are you coming to Barbados for your party I need to throw you?!!!

Power from the pen and much love,
Sandra

Thanks for this. These tips on writing and (very i...

2010-06-06T23:43:32.272-07:00

Thanks for this. These tips on writing and (very important) getting paid are must-read for every freelancer. We, freelancers, have got to hang together as we try to hang in there. And Lord knows it's not easy. I've been doing this full time since firing the full time 9 to 5 in 2002 and I never worked so hard for so few returns as I have since (and I hate the querying, and fee and terms of use negotiation process). But every time I think about packing it in for the security of a living wage something holds me back (the freedom, the variety of projects, the thrill of discovering new ways of stretching myself, the flexibility, the resistance to being a cog in the machine) and I hope it keeps pulling at me. I wasn't meant to clock in. But yes I do agree that combining it with other writing related but more stable pursuits can be a good compromise. By the way, I've just posted over at CLS about my experiences with staying the course both as a writer and freelancer; hope you'll check it out. I've also had to do a lot of research over the years on contracts and negotiations and querying that sort of thing...time allowing maybe I'll post down the road.

Dear Anouska, Thanks for being so open. The free...

2010-06-02T06:37:23.748-07:00

Dear Anouska,

Thanks for being so open.

The freelance writing world (especially from this part of the world) calls for serious discipline (I really, really need to top up in this area), time, doggedness, a bit of luck and yes, some bravado!

For anyone PURELY making a living by freelance writing/editing, please let me know and I'll throw a party for you! (You'll have to come to Barbados for it, though)

I've found that because of knowing my limitations (including a short attention span) that combining it with other activities usually related to writing seemed a better and more realistic fit.

The other thing is PLEASE don't feel at all guilty about giving it up full time, when you need to. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. Priorities in other areas of our life shift and being paid by project is NOT always ideal.

I've had to believe and accept for myself, that it doesn't make you any less a writer because you devote less time to it.

But stay involved-even if you can only commit to a couple articles/projects over the year.

Power from the pen!
Sandra

Excellent timing, this post! I just bartered fullt...

2010-06-01T19:34:39.253-07:00

Excellent timing, this post!
I just bartered fulltime freelancing for a steady paycheck back at the newspaper, but really miss the freedom of deciding my own words & schedule.
Freelancing is not easy, though, especially when you're on a small island. I know I should 'simply' branch out to international markets, but have been withheld by feelings of insecurity
Thanks for your insight and the links.
I need to do some strategizing..

Just want to say what a great blog you got here! ...

2010-05-28T20:00:25.325-07:00

Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I've been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!

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Cheers
Christian, iwspo.net

For those of you who left these comments and feedb...

2010-04-21T03:25:52.626-07:00

For those of you who left these comments and feedback, thank you SO MUCH!!! I will take it all onboard.

I apologize for being overdue in my response and look out for a new post soon.

S.

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2010-04-10T15:29:32.839-07:00

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2010-04-01T20:14:22.741-07:00

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2010-03-04T14:53:09.262-08:00

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2010-02-27T10:35:34.695-08:00

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2009-11-07T06:58:54.457-08:00

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Dear PPS aka Peter:

Thanks VERY much for yo...

2008-12-04T03:48:00.000-08:00

Dear PPS aka Peter:

Thanks VERY much for your comments interestingly arranged in a poem.

We need to let others know what's going on.

BTW How did you find my blog? Please check out Seawoman's Caribbean Writing Opps.(http://seawoman.wordpress.com) I'm sure you'll find something of interest there.

Seawoman

2008-12-03T19:17:00.000-08:00
Poetry Scam

There's a poetry scam on the internet entered It once, for a bet.
They mailed back quicker than rsvp exclaiming I'd won, huh who me?
Sent them one back, in the form of a Re: How Can This Be
Your the best as others agree, now in a book we published free
I mailed in haste, this time a ReRe: OmG Let Me See!
They mailed me back asap, of course just pay the fee.
Mailed them back, this time WTF: Free For A Buck?
I soon got one back, this time a Re: Free
Explaining the charges applied to a bonus recital cd!
For the last time I mailed, and finally Re: WTF Buck Listen To Me!
I don't want your book or damn recital cd not even a taster
Including for free!

Hey Seawoman,
Thought you might enjoy the topic of the poem, cool post making people aware of the various poetry scams around!

Dear Lionel,

Thanks so much for your valued...

2007-09-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Lionel,

Thanks so much for your valued contribution to this electronic discussion and your continued support.

You are absolutely right. While a few of us will hold out in the interest of US ALL (ironically enough) being treated fairly, there are a few that will still accept the crumbs.

That's fine because it's all about personal choice - whether motivated by fear, desperation, ignorance or indifference.

Hopefully, the few of us agitating will encourage at least ONE person to think or to draw on the encouragement and wealth of information gleaned from those of us who have travelled down the road already.

I view this as part of my responsibility. So, in my small way I will do what I can to elucidate 'our writes'.

Power to you from the pen,
Seawoman

Sandra,
Your are correct on several counts.Fact...

2007-09-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sandra,
Your are correct on several counts.Fact is that "culture" in Bim has been largely a hobby, probably because prior to independence they told us we had none! And even groups and individuals making money from the cultural services expect to enjoy our efforts gratis.Musicians are now breaking out of the rut but they had to fight a ding-dong battle and the tourism industry was a major catalyst in that breakout. But the reality is that if we hold out for a fair deal some other sister or brother will oblige and snap up the crumbs!Keep on talking, we may get a bright idea yet!
Lionel.

Dear 'Anonymous':

Thank you for your valued...

2007-09-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Dear 'Anonymous':

Thank you for your valued feedback.

BOOKSTORES: Yes, I was generalizing about our treatment BUT I also pointed out that we writers too must take ourselves seriously. Part and parcel of that is THE PRESENTATION OF YOUR PRODUCT I.E. BOOK. If you are in a hurry to PRINT (not even publish) something not edited, unattractive and not of a high standard, you will not project a good impression. So I am in agreement with you.

BTW, I will be doing a SEAWOMAN REVIEW OF BOOKSTORES and will take notes to be posted on this blog.

However, in my travels so far I have noted that the second hand books stores in Barbados like THE BOOK PLACE, THE BOOK DEN, HASANI & JOHN HOWELL'S SHOP (that's not the name but only BAOBAB is sticking in my frazzled memory) are ALWAYS quite supportive of local writers. I've also noted so far the excellent display of local books at Pages' in Sunset Crest.

GETTING PAID? - Good for you! I think alot of us are afraid and don't understand what we are worth. You're right. Asking for cash is a judgement call but that's what SHARING the information is all about-empowerment. When you are plugged in to the community AND you do your research, you'll find you are more prepared. ASK QUESTIONS!

In some cases, and you judge it to be a good cause, go ahead and do it GRATIS.

Otherwise, the way I might approach it is: "What is in your organization's budget for this service?" They generally will view what you do in a different light or start backpedalling.

As for being viewed as 'mercenary', it's a necessary evil. Fortunately, by now, I'm inured and don't give a damn what kind of names they call me! :-)

Sandra, first the bookstore comment. Talking for t...

2007-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Sandra, first the bookstore comment. Talking for the Book Place, we take them even when we feel that 'well, ok...'. But you can't leave them out on display forever, at some stage you have to file them on the shelf. When you do that, if the book don't got a spine then it is just something on the shelf and nobody knows what. So, if you publish, especially self-publish, make sure your book got the name on the spine.

As for the next part about not wanting to pay writers, some writers feel that they get exposure and it's like paying for advertisement. That can be a valid argument. But a lot also feel that they can't get away with it and therefore they agree to write for free. That means though that the rest of us who ask for the cold hard then look mercenary and people want to know who we think we are. We are in fact like carpenters, plumbers and the people who cut the grass around our houses - working people who need to be paid.

I always ask up front for money. When my sister wanted her thesis edited I asked for money. She laughed at me, mind you, but I retained my professional pride.

HEAR HEAR and Thank you Arsenic!

Spread the...

2007-08-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

HEAR HEAR and Thank you Arsenic!

Spread the Word and please invite others to comment.

Blessings and power from the pen,
Seawoman

Dear Seawoman,
I agree whole heartedly with y...

2007-08-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Seawoman,
I agree whole heartedly with your thoughts. We as writers need to stand up for ourselves in order to evoke change. Especially here in Barbados where we are more of a stepchild to the culural arts, we have to say NO MORE! to the constant abandonment.
We must rise up and be counted in our efforts for Literary Revolution. There were the Haitian Revolution of 1828, Barbadian Riots of 1937. Let us spark the 2007 Literary Revolt! Let's stand up for our writes!!!