Inspired Freelancer

The "Free" in Freelancer

Instead of posting a factoid this Friday, I'd like to make some observations on my current situation. I was so worried a few weeks ago when I lost a large part of my regular magazine work. I had no idea what would happen - how would I keep my business afloat? Would I have to go full time? What would I do with all the extra time this month?

Here's the good news: I still have work! In the past few weeks I've worked on a bevy of interesting things including an e-marketing program for a coffee house, a multi-cultural travel guide, a logo design, a recital poster and a few ghostwritten articles for a CEO. While none of these are recurring or regular pieces of work, I'm still very excited to see that my business lumbers on without the big contracts I was relying on.

(If you happen to know someone who is looking for an experienced copywriter, here I am, with time to spare!)

Shameless self-promotion aside, one of the best parts about the last two weeks has been realizing what the "free" in freelancer really stands for. Even though I've kept busy, I've also utilized some of the extra time I've had to do fun things that I find personally enriching and rewarding. Here 10 of the unexpected and wonderful things I've been able to do because I'm a freelancer:

Factoid Friday: Travels

Time for another factoid Friday - on Sunday. I guess that just goes to show you that I'm really living the life of a freelancer. I have hardly any time to keep up with my fun weekly blog post... that I started last week. So here's this week's interesting fact about me:

I've visited Stonehenge: 

Almost, Maine

This past Saturday night Izzy and I met up with a few good friends (@kateeidam, @mikeschwabe, @shoesalwaysfit), and went out for dinner and a show. The show was Almost, Maine at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's River Street Playhouse. I must say we all enjoyed the show and the evening. If you didn't make it out to see Almost, Maine, I hope you will have a chance to see something by this director or featuring these actors in the future.

Closing night is always a very special night for any production. The actors have had a few runs to get the rhythm of the show under their belt, the lighting and set changes are fluid and easy. Any of the jitters that made opening night especially exciting have mellowed to an intense hum of energy that connects each solidly delivered scene. It’s both a last chance to breathe life into a character and a moment to say goodbye.

This poignant, closing night experience poured into the audience at the last performance of Chagrin Valley Little Theatre (CVLT)’s Almost, Maine. 

A romantic comedy by John Cariani, Almost, Maine asked its audience to suspend reality, well, only a little bit. Once our eyes adjusted to this quiet, remote little town, we could really begin to see the gorgeous Northern Lights that breathe magic into each scene. 

Friday Factoid: Performing Arts

After a wonderful lunch meeting today with John Ettorre, a fantastic freelancer, I realized that there is a lot that my clients and other readers don't know about me. Thus, I am introducing the "Friday Factoid," a post where I reveal some (hopefully) interesting and lesser-known factoids about little ol' me. We'll see how many Fridays I can come up with relatively interesting factoids for. When I start resorting to talking about my favorite color, I suppose it will have run its course.

So this Friday's factoid is:

I have performed in 5 countries.

Engagement Session: Heather & Keith

My first official engagement session was a major learning process. Full sunlight is certainly a challenge. I'm very happy with some of the results - so here are a few photos I'm proud to share.