November 2012 - Men with Pens

The Secret to Becoming an Overnight Success

You know who I’m talking about – those people who suddenly burst out like instant celebrities. Sure, you’ve noticed these people from time to time before, but they didn’t seem like anyone special or important, so you moved on. Now they’re everywhere. More than that – they’re getting LOTS of attention. A-Listers are talking them up like they’re the next best thing to a great Shiraz. They’re getting comment after comment on their posts and seem to strike up a conversation with anyone they please. They’re IN the “in-crowd”. They own it. And yet, just

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How to Deal With Writing Criticism

Written by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt

Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. – Winston Churchill Dealing with criticism is one of the most important skills you have to develop to be successful in writing – and in life. I used to get really hurt and instantly defend myself if I received any type of hateful email. And in the beginning of my podcasting days, these weren’t uncommon. I remember being crushed every single time I read one. I

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Why Do You Write?

Written by Tom Bentley

Think of your favorite book. Better yet, go and get your favorite book, feel its heft in your hand, flip through its pages, smell its bookness. Read a passage or two to send that stream of sparks through your head, the alchemy that occurs when the written word collides with the chemicals of your consciousness: Delight is the fruit of that collision. When I was seven or eight years old, I’d walk to the nearby public library, and go into the section on dinosaurs. I would lie in the aisle for hours, surrounded by scattered

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Writing Tips from Blackbeard the Pirate

Written by Steff Metal

Edward Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard, is perhaps the most notorious pirate that ever lived. As pirates are a generally notorious bunch, that’s no mean feat. Blackheard captured a French merchant vessel, renamed her Queen Anne’s Revenge, and outfitted her with more than 40 guns. He set about terrorising merchant ships around the Caribbean and South Carolina. He plaited his long black beard and tied it with ribbons, then went into battle with a three brace of pistols hanging from a sling over his shoulders and lighted matches under his hat. Charles Johnson, author

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5 Common Mistakes that Even Great Writers Make

Written by Chris Banks

Writers make hundreds of mistakes, but most writers end up making the same mistakes over and over again – often without even noticing. These repeated stumbles leave your writing dull and lifeless, and they eventually cause your readers to think your work always sounds the same. So here are 6 ways you can avoid common writing mistakes – and what to do to really make your work shine:

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How to Achieve Your Freelancing Dream – Without Quitting Your Job

Written by Tommy Walker

Right now, you have one idea with the potential to change the world. You know the one I’m talking about – it’s the one you’ve been putting off. The one you don’t have time for. The one that’s too hard. The one they’re all going to laugh at you for trying. While you’re sleep, this idea lingers at the foot of your bed like a creepy 5-year-old, watching you shift, prodding you to get up and research. You succumb to the pressure – but we both know you’re not going to do anything about it,

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How to Hustle Your Way To Freelance Success

Written by Samar Owais

Every freelancer I’ve ever met started at the bottom of the barrel. I did. So did James . I’m willing to bet you started at the bottom too. Maybe you’re still stuck there. So how do you climb your way to the top? Insecurity can hold you back Figure out what’s keeping you at the bottom. Maybe you don’t think your work is good enough. Maybe your rates are low because you don’t think anyone will pay you more. Maybe you haven’t contacted your dream client because you don’t feel you’re “‘ready” yet. In short,

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The Writer’s Guide to Overcoming Insecurity

Written by Henri Junttila

“This is horrible.” “I’m just not cut out for this.” “Why do I even write?” Everyone who writes has that little voice in their head. It’s the voice of Mr. Insecurity – and if you aren’t careful, he’ll move in permanently with his annoying grandmother, Procrastination. Luckily, there are things you can do to overcome your writing insecurity and shut that voice up for good.

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Archives for November 2012

Blog Archives

The Secret to Becoming an Overnight Success

How to Deal With Writing Criticism

Why Do You Write?

Writing Tips from Blackbeard the Pirate

5 Common Mistakes that Even Great Writers Make

How to Achieve Your Freelancing Dream – Without Quitting Your Job

How to Hustle Your Way To Freelance Success

The Writer’s Guide to Overcoming Insecurity

Working with
us is easy

Archives for November 2012

Blog Archives

Working withus is easy

Working with
us is easy