Dana Sitar's Blog, page 9

What it Really Means to Love the Work You Do

This is a blog post about best laid plans. And how they go awry. And what you can learn from that.

Yesterday Stefan and I traveled from Wisconsin to Seattle to begin a twelve-day stint in the city. We planned to catch a ride to the airport in Madison, fly out, catch a ride from the airport in Seatac, stay a couple nights with friends in Bothel, travel to Medford, Oregon, for a two-night gig and a hotel this weekend, and return to Seattle next week.

With a network of 9-to-5ers in Wisconsin, we c...

Be Your Own Publicist: How To Promote Your Work Online

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Once you’ve completed a piece of writing and hit publish, your job as a content creator is far from done.

In fact, your work has just begun. Because once you publish something — now, more than ever — it’s your job to share it with the world and make sure it reaches your audience.

When I write a post for my own blog or guest article for another publication, I like to abide by the ‘rule of 3’ inspired by Theresa Overby: if you create a piece of content, you mu...

Careful Boldness (the Theme of 2014)

Photo by Oleg Klementiev (Creative Commons)

It’s been a while since I’ve written just to check in, hasn’t it?

The turn of the year becomes this weird, jam-packed time of reflection, planning, goal-setting, revelations and last-minute lessons; crammed in between family, food, and – once you get past your issues with both – fun. I’ve missed my selfish thinky times, where I spend way too much time writing things that will never be published, ruminating on what I could do next.

I’ve been too caught...

5 Ways Freelancing is Like an Elementary School Bully

Illustration by Ramiro Roman, Jr.

You’re probably already aware that freelance writing clients can sometimes be bullies. There are endless stories online of poor, unfortunate freelancers getting bossed around by unreasonable clients. It’s practically an epidemic!

But, did you know freelancing itself can be a bully, too?

It’s true! Freelancing can bully the hell outta you. But it doesn’t bully you quite the same way abusive clients do. Freelancing bullies “old school” style – it bullies you...

Entrepreneurship and a Writing Life for the Rest Of Us

I love anyone who encourages you to take control of your life, follow your dreams, buck convention, do what you love, etc.

But is anyone else kinda tired of hearing that encouragement ONLY from single thirty-somethings who left their lucrative corporate life to run a lucrative digital business and trot the globe?

Yeah, that’s inspiring — of course. Yes, a lot of the people in this creative space are dreaming of leaving behind a corporate job. A lot of them dream of seeing the world outsid...

Rediscovering My Comfort Zone (or Why I Think I’ll #GetGutsy a Little Less in 2014)

Getting gutsy is all about stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals. I’m participating inJessica Lawlor’s #GetGutsy Essay Contest. To get involved and share your own gutsy story, check outthis postfor contest details before January 5th!

I have been trying to write this post for the #GetGutsy Essay Contest for two weeks. I’ve turned it inside-out, upside-down, and sideways, and struggled to get it right more than I struggled with any single post I published in 2013.

(And I pub...

This Year, Don’t Just Set Goals; Make Plans

Are you tired of reading about New Year’s resolutions?

*raises hand*Me, too.

I think they’re kinda lame. We set goals we can achieve in six weeks (um, is itreally gonna take you 12 months to “start doing yoga more” or to have your first article published?) Then we wait an entire year to think about self-improvement again. This is no way to run your life — or your career.

New Year’s resolutions tend to lack two very important things:

Any semblance of a PLAN for actually getting them done, and...

8 Quotes to Inspire You to Write Today

Take a breather during this holiday week! Enjoy yourself, your family, and your time; and re-charge your creativity and inspiration for 2014! Here are some of our favorite writing quotes to stir your creative spirit:

Tennessee Williams

Ernest Hemingway

Need a boost to get writing in 2014? Here are 8 writing quotes to stir your creative spirit.
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Jeff Goins (goinswriter.com)

John Steinbeck

Anaïs Nin

Marc Maron (wtfpod.com)

Photo by Salo...

That Time I Met a Success Genie

Illustration by jimmyjaspers (Creative Commons)

This post is an entry to Build Creative Writing Ideas’ “1,000 Prompts, 1,000 Dollars” Writing Contest.

Writing Prompt (Theme: Success)- You have encountered a Success Genie who will grant you three wishes to make your life more successful. He won’t give you ten billion dollars or suddenly make you look super attractive, but he will add to the success of your life. What will your three wishes be and talk about your encounter with the genie as...

A “Getting Started” Checklist to Help You Start Freelancing

Illustration by Ramiro Roman, Jr.

It’s the time of the year when everyone’s making lists! Children (and optimistic adults) have their gift wish lists. Santa’s got his list of who’s been naughty or nice. A few of your *ahem* favorite bloggers have put together lists of useful resourcesfor their readers. And, in a couple weeks, you’ll probably be writing down a list of your goals for the coming year.

Aren’t lists fantastic? And, more importantly, is there anything lists can’t do?!

I’m a fan of lis...