The Writing Coach Podcast with Rebecca L. Weber

If you' know improving your pitch acceptance rate would uplevel your writing life, or you keep saying you want to work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp, but find the idea of filling in the application a stumbling block, this episode is for you. Freelance Writer Bootcamp alumni frequently cite confidence as their most useful outcome–alongside new clips from the Guardian, the New York Times, Bus...

I used to work at a homemade ice cream parlor. When someone came in and was unsure of what to order, I'd offer them a taste.   If they wanted multiple tastes, that was fine, but they didn't get mint chip and coffee oreo and strawberry all crammed onto one tiny taster spoon. When an assigning editor looks at pitches, they are in tasting mode, and ready to order.   🔗 Mentioned in this episode:   WC...

Ever wonder what "vulnerability" feels like? Try telling people you're about to shop your book proposal when you're worried maybe no one will ever buy said proposal.  The proposal (or pitch, or post, or whatever it is) doesn't actually make us vulnerable; neither does telling people about it. It's the way we think about these things—and in this case specifically what you think other people might t...

Some freelancers say they're writing for low paying, low circulating, low quality, or otherwise low satisfaction publications because they need to pay their dues. If working this way was a sure route to high paying, high circulating, high quality, highly meaningful work, I'd be all for it. But it's not. Those publications aren't suddenly going to become lucrative and prestigious. And editors at th...

Whether you're writing a short pitch or a lengthy feature, the urge to include more, more, more can be seductive. Succumb to this pull, and you'll see productivity, speed, and quite possibly you and your editor suffer. Deciding when enough is enough and knowing how to kill your darlings can help you enjoy each component of the writing process, while also making your entire orientation more streaml...

The past few weeks, I've been adjusting to a new morning routine. Moving outside in the sunshine helps the body recalibrate to wake up earlier. But somehow the effort of actually putting on my socks and sneakers soon after waking up has seemed like waaaaay too much effort. At a conscious level I told myself: "It's no big deal. You'll be ready in a minute." And then I tried to Nike or Yoda my way:...

If you've experienced something as difficult in the past, or know that a task is challenging for others, you may subconsciously make it harder for yourself because you believe the dominant narrative that it is hard. On the Writing Coach Podcast this week, we look at how different writers struggle with letting the things that are easy for them be easy without overcomplicating or overthinking. Let g...

In the movie version of my writing life, there's a scene where I walk up and down the aisle of an airplane watching strangers open the inflight magazine with the Bonnie Raitt cover story I wrote. That really did happen: I wrote the story while a freelance newbie and then got to see people reading it IRL. Landing that assignment took persistence on my part. I tried numerous things to make it happen...

Please don't @ me, the title is correct. ;) TK (or a similar place holder, eg "XX" or writing a NOTE IN ALL CAPS) is a practical tool to take to remind yourself that after the current drafting phase you'll need to come back and add some more content or context. Many writers implement TK when they want to stay on task–eg the words are flowing and they recognize it's better to stay in writing mode–b...

What's the importance and impact of seeking out original stories that nobody else is doing? In this conversation with freelance journalist Raymond Joseph, we examine how much a unique story and/or angle matters for you, your career, your editors, and society at large. Ray's investigations into lottery corruption over the past four years have won him both journalism awards as well as threats. When...

Rebecca coaches a writer live who has worked on a number of pitches but keeps getting stuck in the same place. 🔗 You might also like:   WCP 174 Archives: 100 reasons not to pitch today WCP 82: Live coaching WCP 74: Why you're the one WCP 140 Archives: Portfolio shame WCP 1: What's your problem? 🎁 Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas , "5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries...

Table Mountain is the old school GPS. But here's what happened when I got a teeny bit lost in Cape Town, and how I found my way home—and how it applies to reorienting and evaluating our writing goals. ✏️ Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have used the proven Bootcamp...

My word of the year is flow. I began my inquiry asking, where do I already see this in my life? Where can I observe it when I'm writing, and when I'm not writing? What are the conditions that lead to my creating it? What research can I study to enhance my understanding of flow? 🔗 You might also like:   WCP 1: What's your problem? ✏️ Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream...

Do you expect somebody (eg an editor, a source) or something (an idea, an interview) to make you feel excited about the story you're going to pitch? If so, you'd benefit from changing your relationship with pitching and learn to sell yourself on your story ideas. A similar dynamic is often in place with goals: If you're in an adversarial relationship with your goal, it's time to learn to engage wi...

When editors start saying YES YES YES to the ideas you send them, your freelance writing life becomes your own AND it becomes more collaborative. Apply now to master the art of the pitch at www. FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com   I teach a 3-step pitching process in my group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp , that will make you and your future editors fall in love with your story ideas: 1. L...

Dancing and writing pitches have some surprising similarities. Today we break down why understanding one choreographic sequence prepares you for learning the next one, and the takeaways for writers. Pitching often seems natural or intuitive *after the skills have been mastered. In Freelance Writer Bootcamp, you'll learn the proven pitching processes that have helped writers break into the New York...

We often notice that an article works on two levels: On an obvious level it's about X, but what it's *really* about is Y. Goals have a similar dynamic, especially when they're well chosen and intentionally take us outside of our comfort zones.   On one level, you identify a goal that's in line with your values and vision for yourself as a writer. And on another level, the pursuit and achievement o...

I'm kicking off 2023 with a  free open coaching session for writers . This will help you start the year clear, creative, and powerful. If you're on my email list, check your inbox for details to join on Wednesday. Otherwise, sign up for my free guide on how to pitch and I'll send you the login info to join. www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch   To prepare, simply choose one thing you want help with i...

Live events like conferences, conventions, and trade shows can be a rich source of multiple story ideas—or an overwhelming waste of time and energy.   Plan ahead for 2023 by learning how to leave with a small notebook bursting with everything you need to write up pitches for feature ideas instead of a bunch of lousy brochures. 🔗 You might also like … Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist o...

Today you're hearing the interview I had with novelist Jo Buer on her podcast Alchemy for Authors. Jo and I discuss how as an author of fiction and nonfiction books you can take charge of your writing career through freelancing, writing articles to enhance your platform, and increase your social proof. This is valuable when submitting a book proposal/manuscript, when pub day approaches, and in ong...

Should you pitch during the holiday season? Yes, if you want more assignments. No, if you want to take time off. There are two valid approaches to taking time off as a freelancer: 1. Take time off during conventional holidays. Editors and sources may be less available; family and friends may be off too. 2. Freelancers make their own schedules and don't need to conform to public holidays. If you wa...

For many freelancers, getting sick quickly becomes finding hours or days when you're able to push yourself to get things done vs. not getting paid, rather than taking actual time off. Today I'm talking about my own experience contracting coronavirus, and discussing how to care for yourself and your freelance writing business when you get sick in general. We look at getting rest, saying no, priorit...

Today we're looking at how your mindset impacts your ability to implement strategy effectively.   One tricky thing about mindset is that when we can't recognize that we're believing something that's holding us back, we don't take action because it seems like a fixed reality. For example, if you believed that a story had no possible news hook, you probably wouldn't look for one. If you believed tha...

One of the participants in this discussion from the archives, Yolisa Qunta, passed away last year. Listening to this episode again reminds me of her heart, insight, and humor. I'm thankful to have had her as a writer friend.   In this episode, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for multilingual writers. We speak with freelancers from Brazil, Poland, and South Africa, who have all used t...

Allison B. Salerno's award-winning writing and audio production has been featured on Southern Foodways Alliance's Gravy podcast, America's Test Kitchen podcast, Proof, on local NPR stations, and in The Washington Post, Ms. magazine, and Columbia Journalism Review, among others. Allison's audio news features have earned her two Georgia AP awards and a Gabby from the Georgia Association of Broadcast...