Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
Word Mercenary Category
On my tax forms every year, I carefully enter “WRITER” as my occupation. Is it a sham? Do I actually write anything other than self-indulgent online musings? You be the judge. This is where I post links and thoughts on my writings that have been published elsewhere.
Flutter
4
May
2004
In: Word Mercenary
Today I my hair is being dyed in the comfort of my own home. I am terrified, but I’ve learned more than I ever knew I needed to know about picking a dye color. If you’re lightening, you need to go for a cool, ashy tone. If you’re darkening, you need to go for something with a warm, golden tone. Isn’t this facinating? I’ve got a lot of notes, iff’n you’re interested.
Thursday I have a phone conference with my literary agent and her boss, the head of the agency. I think we’re going to be talking about what comes next with my book proposal. Eep!
Update
The hair color project went well, and I cranked out a 2000 word article in 4 hours. I’ll post before and after shots when I get them from the photographer.
Guinea Pig
29
Apr
2004
In: Word Mercenary
I’m working on my second article for Figure Magazine, and it involves me acting as a guinea pig for an at-home hair color experiment.
It’s a little nerve wracking, but I have a consumate professional (Victoria Gentry, founder of my favorite salon ever, Vain) to help me with the process, so I’m trying to keep from getting too nervous. Plus, my editor has promised that if I’m really unhappy with the results, they’ll pay to have my hair redone.
The suffering I’m willing to endure for my craft!*
*Just kidding. It’s totally fun.
Attention Women Readers…
22
Apr
2004
In: Word Mercenary
I’m working on an article and I need some pull quotes.
So, women readers: what movie affected your life the most, and how? ie, what movie changed your perspective, inspired you, taught you things, helped you realize something about yourself or a life situation?
I’m on deadline with this one, so quick answers win the love.
Copywriting FAQ
19
Mar
2004
In: Word Mercenary
Who wants a little peek into my industry? You? Maybe not, but here it is anyway…a few common questions about copywriting, answered by me.
What does a copywriter do?
A copywriter writes words that sell things. Sometimes this aim to sell is evident (catalog descriptions, print or online advertisements, spam, junk mail) and sometimes it’s more understated (company newsletters, press releases, “marketorial” product reviews). Basically, a copywriter is a word whore. Pay a copywriter enough money, and they will write anything. Another important aspect of copywriting is that the client’s name (not the writer’s) is associated with the words. This protects the careers of writers who moonlight as copywriters, and who don’t want to be associated with things like Easy digital photo editing is as close as one click, and one smile. (I actually wrote those words once.)
How does a copywriter know what to say?
A good client will provide the copywriter with plenty of background material. A good copywriter can write without background material, crafting compelling copy out of thin air.
How does one become a copywriter?
I have no idea. In my case, I think the University of Washington taught me my most valuable copywriter job skill — the ability to bullshit. If you can write an essay about a book you’ve never read, you might be well-poised for a career in copywriting.
Is a copywriter like a copyeditor?
No. Copywriters write marketing or advertising material. Copyeditors proofread newspapers, magazines, books, and other documents for errors. The jobs use very different skills. Sadly most copywriters don’t have the luxury of working with copyeditors, which is why you so often see typos in marketing writing.
Is a copywriter like a technical writer?
No. Copywriters write marketing or advertising material. Technical writers write technical documentation like help files, manuals, and other “how to”-type stuff. Technical writers work with programmers and other technical types to translate technical information into laymen speak. Copywriters work with marketing managers, product managers, and advertising directors to achieve sales and marketing goals. Technical writers get paid much more than copywriters, because what they do is really really difficult.
Are copywriters sell-outs?
In a word, yes. For me at least, after four years in the magazine industry I realized that most magazine content is a form of veiled copywriting, as the relationships between advertiser and editor are very interconnected. I figured that if I was going to be at the whim of advertisers, I might as well drop the facade (and the miserable wages) of magazine “journalism” and just be a copywriter. I’m all for whoredom if you’re up front about it. As a magazine editor, I felt like I was fighting a constant uphill battle to uphold ethics. As a copywriter, I still fight some ethical battles (there are some companies I won’t write for, like herbalife and x10.com), but they’re battles about just who I will and won’t sell out to, instead of editorial battles over whether it’s right to sell out at all. Plus, as I mentioned before: my name doesn’t appear by much of my copywriting. I’m a quiet sell-out.
Do copywriters make a lot of money?
In a word, yes. Wages are competitive, starting at $20/hr and going up to $50/hr or more if you’re a swindler skilled. If you’re like me, you use this as an excuse not to work all the time, so there’s time to focus on unpaid projects like books and articles and Warmies and stuff.
…So is that why you’re a copywriter?
Not really. I’m a copywriter because it’s easy for me to write for other people, and I enjoy being paid to keep my writing muscles in shape.
- 8 Comments
- Tags: Career, copywriting, faq, marketing
Flaming Bridges
19
Feb
2004
In: Word Mercenary
Sometimes it feels like the best stories are the ones that burn the most bridges. It sucks, but isn’t surprising since the best writing is the kind with the least fear.
I have some great stories I could tell if I wasn’t afraid of Google and shoving my foot in my own mouth a few years down the road.
I am finishing up my book proposal today. You would think that all my years as a copywriter would have prepared me well for selling my ideas, but I’m still finding it a major challege to write about myself in third person. Unable (or unwilling) to escape her parents’ worldview, Ariel approaches each community with both idealism and cynicism, ultimately finding pieces of herself and her family hidden through-out the contemporary Left Coast landscape.
Writing a book proposal is akin to composing a personals ad for my brain. Ariel has ideas she’d like to share about culture and our search for community. ISO editor who isn’t afraid to dish out the constructive criticism and preferrably has good hair and dry sense of humor. If you are Geoff Kloske or just wish you were, please call! Also: bonus points for familiarity with weirdos. Ariel also likes her kung-fu Elvis action figure and walking on the beach.
I’m reminded though of this quote from Super Hero Blessings, sent to me by Paisley:
All of this waiting to feel ready, inspired, strong enough, smart enough. Maybe the writing of the book is in the end what will make us feel ready to write the book, and the blessing of others will make us feel blessed ourselves.
Oh wait. Did I ever actually mention that I’ve got an opportunity that’s encouraging me to move ahead with the first steps of writing a book? All very tentative, but the baby steps are being taken thanks to an old CPC classmate. Perhaps Columbia Publishing Course will pay off some day.
From a book called “Writers on Writing”
10
Dec
2003
In: Word Mercenary
“We write about our life, not to see it as it was, but to see it as we wish others might see it, so we may borrow their gaze and begin to see our life through their eyes, not ours.” –Andre Aciman
Plagiarism vs. Homage
3
Dec
2003
In: Word Mercenary
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but plagiarism is not: the best things in life are free. That’s a link to a blogger who’s posted “The Inspirers” as her own, changing a few dates and details here and there.
sigh
Here was the best way I could think to respond to the blogger in question, a young woman named Jen:
I tried emailing, and you didn’t respond. I tried leaving a comment, and you deleted it. But please, please listen: as I said before, if you want to use my essay as a launch point for your own writing, that’s cool…it’s flattering that you relate so deeply with the experience. Homages kick ass, but plagiarizing someone’s writing doesn’t…so please give credit where it’s due. We creatives have to stick together, and not crediting one other’s work isn’t an especially good way to foster artistic camradarie.
Memories
30
Sep
2003
In: Word Mercenary
Ah, debates about Lotus Magazine live on: NorthwestTekno - Whatever happened to…. The Lotus?
Oh, That’s Right
22
Apr
2003
In: Word Mercenary
Reading this book (recommended by the girls at EastWest.nu and gifted to me by the girl at MinJungKim.com), I am yet again struck by the thought, “Oh right. I could do this.”
I really need to be feeding all my essays into that document I have on my hard drive labeled “book.doc” I keep getting discouraged by the fact that the only tie that holds the essays together is “I WROTE THAT!” Books like What’s Not to Love?: The Adventures of a Mildly Perverted Young Writer remind me that in some instances (strength of the writer, weakness of the editor, pursuasiveness of the literary agent?), that’s the only tie needed.
Flutter
4 May 2004 In: Word MercenaryToday I my hair is being dyed in the comfort of my own home. I am terrified, but I’ve learned more than I ever knew I needed to know about picking a dye color. If you’re lightening, you need to go for a cool, ashy tone. If you’re darkening, you need to go for something with a warm, golden tone. Isn’t this facinating? I’ve got a lot of notes, iff’n you’re interested.
Thursday I have a phone conference with my literary agent and her boss, the head of the agency. I think we’re going to be talking about what comes next with my book proposal. Eep!
Update
The hair color project went well, and I cranked out a 2000 word article in 4 hours. I’ll post before and after shots when I get them from the photographer.
Guinea Pig
29 Apr 2004 In: Word MercenaryI’m working on my second article for Figure Magazine, and it involves me acting as a guinea pig for an at-home hair color experiment.
It’s a little nerve wracking, but I have a consumate professional (Victoria Gentry, founder of my favorite salon ever, Vain) to help me with the process, so I’m trying to keep from getting too nervous. Plus, my editor has promised that if I’m really unhappy with the results, they’ll pay to have my hair redone.
The suffering I’m willing to endure for my craft!
*Just kidding. It’s totally fun.
Attention Women Readers…
22 Apr 2004 In: Word MercenaryI’m working on an article and I need some pull quotes.
So, women readers: what movie affected your life the most, and how? ie, what movie changed your perspective, inspired you, taught you things, helped you realize something about yourself or a life situation?
I’m on deadline with this one, so quick answers win the love.
Copywriting FAQ
19 Mar 2004 In: Word MercenaryWho wants a little peek into my industry? You? Maybe not, but here it is anyway…a few common questions about copywriting, answered by me.
What does a copywriter do?
A copywriter writes words that sell things. Sometimes this aim to sell is evident (catalog descriptions, print or online advertisements, spam, junk mail) and sometimes it’s more understated (company newsletters, press releases, “marketorial” product reviews). Basically, a copywriter is a word whore. Pay a copywriter enough money, and they will write anything. Another important aspect of copywriting is that the client’s name (not the writer’s) is associated with the words. This protects the careers of writers who moonlight as copywriters, and who don’t want to be associated with things like Easy digital photo editing is as close as one click, and one smile. (I actually wrote those words once.)
How does a copywriter know what to say?
A good client will provide the copywriter with plenty of background material. A good copywriter can write without background material, crafting compelling copy out of thin air.
How does one become a copywriter?
I have no idea. In my case, I think the University of Washington taught me my most valuable copywriter job skill — the ability to bullshit. If you can write an essay about a book you’ve never read, you might be well-poised for a career in copywriting.
Is a copywriter like a copyeditor?
No. Copywriters write marketing or advertising material. Copyeditors proofread newspapers, magazines, books, and other documents for errors. The jobs use very different skills. Sadly most copywriters don’t have the luxury of working with copyeditors, which is why you so often see typos in marketing writing.
Is a copywriter like a technical writer?
No. Copywriters write marketing or advertising material. Technical writers write technical documentation like help files, manuals, and other “how to”-type stuff. Technical writers work with programmers and other technical types to translate technical information into laymen speak. Copywriters work with marketing managers, product managers, and advertising directors to achieve sales and marketing goals. Technical writers get paid much more than copywriters, because what they do is really really difficult.
Are copywriters sell-outs?
In a word, yes. For me at least, after four years in the magazine industry I realized that most magazine content is a form of veiled copywriting, as the relationships between advertiser and editor are very interconnected. I figured that if I was going to be at the whim of advertisers, I might as well drop the facade (and the miserable wages) of magazine “journalism” and just be a copywriter. I’m all for whoredom if you’re up front about it. As a magazine editor, I felt like I was fighting a constant uphill battle to uphold ethics. As a copywriter, I still fight some ethical battles (there are some companies I won’t write for, like herbalife and x10.com), but they’re battles about just who I will and won’t sell out to, instead of editorial battles over whether it’s right to sell out at all. Plus, as I mentioned before: my name doesn’t appear by much of my copywriting. I’m a quiet sell-out.
Do copywriters make a lot of money?
In a word, yes. Wages are competitive, starting at $20/hr and going up to $50/hr or more if you’re a swindler skilled. If you’re like me, you use this as an excuse not to work all the time, so there’s time to focus on unpaid projects like books and articles and Warmies and stuff.
…So is that why you’re a copywriter?
Not really. I’m a copywriter because it’s easy for me to write for other people, and I enjoy being paid to keep my writing muscles in shape.
- 8 Comments
- Tags: Career, copywriting, faq, marketing
Flaming Bridges
19 Feb 2004 In: Word MercenarySometimes it feels like the best stories are the ones that burn the most bridges. It sucks, but isn’t surprising since the best writing is the kind with the least fear.
I have some great stories I could tell if I wasn’t afraid of Google and shoving my foot in my own mouth a few years down the road.
I am finishing up my book proposal today. You would think that all my years as a copywriter would have prepared me well for selling my ideas, but I’m still finding it a major challege to write about myself in third person. Unable (or unwilling) to escape her parents’ worldview, Ariel approaches each community with both idealism and cynicism, ultimately finding pieces of herself and her family hidden through-out the contemporary Left Coast landscape.
Writing a book proposal is akin to composing a personals ad for my brain. Ariel has ideas she’d like to share about culture and our search for community. ISO editor who isn’t afraid to dish out the constructive criticism and preferrably has good hair and dry sense of humor. If you are Geoff Kloske or just wish you were, please call! Also: bonus points for familiarity with weirdos. Ariel also likes her kung-fu Elvis action figure and walking on the beach.
I’m reminded though of this quote from Super Hero Blessings, sent to me by Paisley:
All of this waiting to feel ready, inspired, strong enough, smart enough. Maybe the writing of the book is in the end what will make us feel ready to write the book, and the blessing of others will make us feel blessed ourselves.
Oh wait. Did I ever actually mention that I’ve got an opportunity that’s encouraging me to move ahead with the first steps of writing a book? All very tentative, but the baby steps are being taken thanks to an old CPC classmate. Perhaps Columbia Publishing Course will pay off some day.
From a book called “Writers on Writing”
10 Dec 2003 In: Word Mercenary“We write about our life, not to see it as it was, but to see it as we wish others might see it, so we may borrow their gaze and begin to see our life through their eyes, not ours.” –Andre Aciman
Plagiarism vs. Homage
3 Dec 2003 In: Word MercenaryImitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but plagiarism is not: the best things in life are free. That’s a link to a blogger who’s posted “The Inspirers” as her own, changing a few dates and details here and there.
sigh
Here was the best way I could think to respond to the blogger in question, a young woman named Jen:
I tried emailing, and you didn’t respond. I tried leaving a comment, and you deleted it. But please, please listen: as I said before, if you want to use my essay as a launch point for your own writing, that’s cool…it’s flattering that you relate so deeply with the experience. Homages kick ass, but plagiarizing someone’s writing doesn’t…so please give credit where it’s due. We creatives have to stick together, and not crediting one other’s work isn’t an especially good way to foster artistic camradarie.
Memories
30 Sep 2003 In: Word MercenaryAh, debates about Lotus Magazine live on: NorthwestTekno - Whatever happened to…. The Lotus?
Oh, That’s Right
22 Apr 2003 In: Word MercenaryReading this book (recommended by the girls at EastWest.nu and gifted to me by the girl at MinJungKim.com), I am yet again struck by the thought, “Oh right. I could do this.”
I really need to be feeding all my essays into that document I have on my hard drive labeled “book.doc” I keep getting discouraged by the fact that the only tie that holds the essays together is “I WROTE THAT!” Books like What’s Not to Love?: The Adventures of a Mildly Perverted Young Writer remind me that in some instances (strength of the writer, weakness of the editor, pursuasiveness of the literary agent?), that’s the only tie needed.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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