Five Tips to Make Sure Your Greatest Ideas Don’t Get Lost

Doesn’t it seem like the best ideas come at the most inconvenient times? If your idea lightbulb likes to shine while your hands are tied, or when you’re away from your usual writing tools, then I have some tips for you.

1. Mini Notebooks. They’re cheap and small enough to stash anywhere: on your nightstand, in your purse, car, or at work. Keep a pen or pencil with each one. Just make sure you don’t jot anything down while driving. It only takes a couple of minutes to pull over, make your notes, and be back on your way.
2. Voice Recorder. Keeping a voice recorder on you at all times is another great way to make sure that no matter where you are, you have a way to record your thoughts. Perfect for the car, a recorder is an ideal way to get a little writing done, or capture your most brilliant thoughts. Traditional mini-cassette recorders have been used by writers for years, but now digital recorders are plentiful and affordable. Plus, many cell phones and mp3 players now come with voice recording capabilities. Speaking of cell phones…
3. Voice Mail. If you’re stuck somewhere without a notebook, then just give yourself a call. As long as you have access to a phone, you can leave yourself a voice mail and make sure that a great idea does not disappear among the millions of thoughts you’re having during any given day. Plus, you can call your mobile phone, home phone, or work phone!
4. Bulletin Boards, Baskets, and Boxes. If you’re one of those people who tend to jot down notes on scrap paper and napkins, this is the perfect way to collect your thoughts. By setting aside a bulletin board, basket, box, or other container, you will have a place to deposit your scraps and scribbles. This will help you stay organized and you’ll always know where to look when you’re trying to dig up one of your latest greatest ideas.
5. Just a Pen. As long as we’re talking about napkins and notes, keep in mind that most of the time a pen is all you really need. There are materials to write on just about everywhere and in a pinch, even a square of toilet paper will do. If you have your trusty pen on your person, you probably won’t have to look too long or far for something to write on. You might want to go with a Sharpie though; it will open up a whole new world of writing surfaces, like thick cardboard boxes, but hey — stay away from bathroom walls!

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Deborah Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs

In May, 2005, Deborah Ng got sick and tired of seeing freelance writers settle for gigs that paid as little as $2 per project. Many writers are seduced into providing content at cheap rates, sometimes even for free, because they are convinced that this is the only way to build a portfolio and gain exposure. Instead of succumbing to her frustration, Deborah turned it into an opportunity and began to build a web site that would become a popular hangout for freelancers.

Freelance Writing Jobs is regularly updated and features great gigs for writers, but that’s not all. The site has become a community where freelance writers come to learn and discuss the issues they face, many of which are unique to writers and more specifically, freelance writers.

With its inviting design, user-friendly navigation, and healthy blogroll, Deborah’s web site is also a great model for writers who are looking to develop an internet presence to support their writing work.

“While I never expected FWJ to achieve this type of success, I’m so proud of what it’s become.” - Deborah Ng

The site is set up in blog format, and lists of freelance jobs are posted several times a week. Each posting is linked, making it quick and easy to access job descriptions and find out how to apply. Deborah also writes articles and shares information, often based on the questions that her readers are asking and debating.

Plus, there are several links in the main menu that lead to specific sections such as Discussions, Blogging Jobs, and Writing Gigs. This is incredibly helpful for writers who are in a hurry and need to quickly find their way to the information they are looking for.

Every post is followed by reader discussions that take place in the comments section. This allows Deborah’s readers to collectively tackle a wide variety of subjects pertaining to careers in freelancing. What a great way to find work, learn more about freelancing, and share information with others!

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Is It Plural or is it Possessed? When to Use an Apostrophe with an “S”

It’s one of those grammar glitches that makes English teachers twitch. Knowing how to use an apostrophe and when to use one with an “s” can be tricky but this grammar quickie provides all you need to know about plural versus possession when it comes to the “s.”

Pluralization

You can have one or you can have many. Do you have a dog or do you have dogs? Generally speaking when you’re using an “s” to indicate more than one, you simply add an “s” to the word. That’s it, you’re done.

Possession

Is it plural or is it owned? If you’re showing ownership, the “s” must be preceded by an apostrophe. You have a dog. Your dog has a collar. That is the dog’s collar. If something (collar) belongs to something else (dog), the thing that belongs is given the apostrophe-s to show possession.

Multiplicity

But what if you have more than one dog and they each have their own collar? You have dogs. They have collars. Those are the dogs’ collars. When you’re dealing with more than one owner, the plural “s” is added and the apostrophe follows.

The Exception to the Rule

One word in the English language stands out as an exception to the rule when it comes to plural versus possession. The word “it” is treated a bit differently. In fact, there is no plural possession at all because “it” is inherently singular. That’s a relief. But what about when “it” owns something?

When you are showing possession with the word “it” simply reverse the rules and lose the apostrophe. The car has wheels. There is the car. Its wheels are round. See? No apostrophe when something belongs to “it.”

What About “It’s?”

“It’s” is neither possessive nor plural. When the apostrophe-s is added to “it,” what you’re seeing is a contraction, or a shortening of two words. In short, the phrase “it is” is being shortened. If you have a hard time remembering this, try saying your sentence or phrase by replacing “its” or “it’s” with “it is.” If “it is” works, then you have a contraction and the apostrophe is required. If not, then just an “s” will do.

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