Month: December 2022

Dreams, Stories, and Publication

 

Photo by JK Park on Unsplash

by Jennifer Ward

I have some exciting news to share! About a month ago, I received the message that my essay, “The Courage to Rekindle a Dream,” would be published in The Penman Review. And, sure enough, on December 23rd, it was on their front page! I cannot begin to describe how I feel right now because I am still in shock (in a good way, of course!)—being published two days before Christmas makes it even better!

I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to write about how I overcame college and career-changing obstacles, but I never got around to it. Until last summer when I couldn’t do anything but write.

After being diagnosed with COVID and another common virus, I began writing this essay. Having both illnesses at the same time hit me very hard. Last June, I was in the hospital and missed nearly three weeks of work. Since then, I’ve spent the second half of 2022 recovering from lung and heart inflammation, among other complications. I spent months in bed, barely able to walk to my mailbox or cook for myself. What else is a bedridden writer to do? Write, of course.

This essay is not only a story of my early adult life struggles but also a piece of work I poured my heart into while in bed, very sick. And it happens to be my first officially published piece of writing too! This is a huge accomplishment, but it also means everything to me to share my life with the world. It’s been a long journey to get to where I am today. In my twenties and early thirties, I had dreams of teaching and writing, and now, here I am. Dreams, stories, and publication, in that order!

Last Friday, one of my students gave me a Christmas card. Inside the card, she wrote: “Dear Ms. Ward, I hope your holidays are amazing and healthy! I do hope to continue to thrive in your class. I really believe you can fulfill your dream to be a writer!” I haven’t told my student yet, but I was published the same day she gave me that card. It is so incredibly important for others to support us, and I’m glad she already knows that. And that’s what my essay is all about—dreams, determination, and believing the impossible is possible. So, with all that said, have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2023!

To read the entire essay, click here.

Hey there! Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this blog post, please let me know by sending a like or comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can also subscribe to future blog posts at the top of the sidebar to your right. Connect with me on Twitter: @jennwardwrites.

Thank you again for your support!

Three Essential Steps to Starting a Freelancing Business

Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@retrosupply?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">RetroSupply</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/writing?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>
Photo by RetroSupply on Unsplash

by Jennifer Ward

If you want to get your freelance writing business off the ground but aren’t sure where to start, you aren’t alone. Starting a business can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. There’s a lot of flexibility that comes with working for yourself, but with that freedom comes many strange twists and turns. Like venturing into any unfamiliar area, it can be tricky. Where does someone begin? Well, the first thing is to have an idea of your goals and where you would like to end up. With that said, I suggest taking three essential steps to establish your freelance business.

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

Determining a Business Structure

Understanding how your business will operate is crucial to establishing a freelance business. Will you find someone to partner with? Will you work alone? Those seem like basic questions, but they are big decisions that will significantly impact your business’ labor, profits, and other aspects. Sara Horowitz, the author of The Freelancer’s Bible, urges readers to consider that the choices we make about business structure will affect record keeping, tax procedures, and personal liability, among other things…(262). Seeing which model also fits best with your vision (sole proprietor, partnership, or LLC) will help you figure out what makes the most sense in terms of time, finances, maintenance, and taxes. Whether you are just beginning to establish this business or reconsidering your current model, a business structure will not only influence everything you do in the first few months, but it will also have a significant long-term impact.

Some questions to consider:

  • Will you work alone?
  • Will you work with a partner?
  • Will you establish yourself as a sole proprietor or LLC (Limited Liability Company)?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of registering as an LLC?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of registering as a sole proprietor?
  • Will you use your name as your business name?
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Writing a Micro Business Plan

Writing a micro business plan is basically a small business plan. This will outline what your business will offer, how it will make you money, and who your customers will be. Sara Horowitz mentions determining the tactical things you’ll do in the first year or two (261). That means making sure to include a list of target clients, knowing how you will communicate with them, building a portfolio of work or writing samples, and the professional goals you hope to achieve. As you learn about the industry, other aspects of business can always be added later. But writing out a rough outline of what you will be doing in the first couple of years will be a solid place to start.

Some questions to consider:

  • Who will be my target audience or consumers?
  • How will I communicate with my consumers (email, phone, etc.)?
  • What will be my hours of operation?
  • How will I secure the funds to start this business?
  • How will I charge clients for my work? In other words, will you establish an hourly rate or request a specific amount for the entire project?
  • What will I include in my writing portfolio?
  • How will I market and brand myself?
  • What do I hope to achieve in the first three months of operating my business?
  • What do I hope to achieve within the first year of operating my business?
Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash

Understanding How You Will Support Your Business 

Supporting yourself financially is another crucial step toward starting a freelance business. If you are working full-time, perhaps your income from your day job will provide enough support to pursue your freelancing business before it takes off. I teach English and Drama classes, Monday through Friday. I am a public school teacher and do not earn a high salary. However, my teaching job has provided me with a steady income, which counts for a lot. For me, it made the most sense to continue teaching and let this be my primary source of income—supporting me personally and funding my freelance business. Having multiple income streams is an excellent approach if you can manage it. You will survive the dry spells when you have less freelance work or no work at all. Having multiple income streams means having security and something to fall back on.

Some questions to consider:

  • How will I support myself while building my business?
  • How much capital do I need?
  • How will I secure the funds?
  • Will I develop multiple income streams? If so, how?
  • Will I have enough money to advertise on social media and other platforms?
  • Where do I want to be financially five years from now?

I suggest diving deep into the big parts of your business, like money, structure, and a plan. The other smaller pieces can be figured out later on. What new business ventures will you embark on in 2023?

References

Horowitz, Sara. The Freelancer’s Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Career of Your Dreams on Your Terms. Workman Publishing Co., 2012.

Hey there! Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, please let me know by sending a like or comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can also subscribe to future blog posts at the top of the sidebar to your right. Connect with me on Twitter: @jennwardwrites.

Thank you again for your support!

The Softer Side of Tupac Shakur: Poetry, Life, & Wisdom

Photo by Trust “Tru” Katsande on Unsplash

by Jennifer Ward

When most of us hear the name Tupac Shakur, we think of 90s rap music, violence, and a rather tough exterior. But underneath that hard shell lies a much softer side of him that few people realize existed. After his death, some of his most intimate, hand-written poems, including a book of his childhood poetry and illustrations, were uncovered. His poetry, which is quite heartfelt and profound, offers a window into his personal life, allowing us to see far beyond his hip-hop persona. While the lyrics in some of his rap songs were offensive enough to insult most women and anyone he hated, his poetry is quite the contrast with his music and the image he portrayed.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The Rose that Grew from Concrete

By TUPAC SHAKUR

Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s law is wrong it
learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.

This is the first poem of his that I ever read. It quickly became my favorite because it is so relatable. There is a strong, inspirational message here when thinking about life’s hardships. The rose is likely a metaphor for Tupac’s struggles on his road to stardom and success. Flowers are enchanting, especially when they bloom, even more so when unexpected. What has resonated most with me here is his unwavering determination to become something, despite the low expectations of others and the odds stacked against him in a rather cold, hard, and overlooked place. His poem also reveals the importance of holding onto those dreams and not getting stuck on seeking validation from others. Nature is fleeting, and so are moments in life, don’t waste time. Know your worth, fight for your dreams, and keep moving forward. I love it.

After reading that poem, I bought a collection of his hand-written poetry bearing the same title, The Rose that Grew from Concrete. What I found was a book of thought-provoking poems with poignant themes.

“Under the Skies Above” is another poem in this collection that reveals his pain and inner strength when dealing with an unthinkable tragedy.

Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash

Under the Skies

By TUPAC SHAKUR

My child is out there somewhere
under the skies above
waiting anxiously 4 u and me
2 bless it with our love
A part of me a part of u
and a part of this love we share
will protect my unborn child
who lives dormant out there somewhere
Sometimes in my dreams
I imagine what it would be like
How could I properly guide him
when even I don’t know what’s right
Whether he is born in wealth or poverty
there will be no deficiency in love
I welcome this gift of life
given from GOD under the skies above

This poem is heartbreaking, showing the couple’s excitement, and then their devastating loss. But it’s more than just a sad poem. It reveals an incredible amount of faith and inner strength needed to cope with such an awful, life-changing tragedy. In the end, he reflects that although it wasn’t the outcome they had hoped for, he chooses to see it as a gift from God. I found this poem to be sensitive, inspirational, and positive. It isn’t always easy to communicate that when tackling heavy subjects like this.

This last poem I’m going to share was dedicated in memory of Vincent van Gogh, aptly titled “Starry Night.”

Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Starry Night

By TUPAC SHAKUR

a creative heart, obsessed with satisfying
This dormant and uncaring society
you have given them the stars at night
and u have given them Bountiful Bouquets of Sunflowers
But 4 u there is only contempt
and though u pour yourself into that frame
and present it so proudly                                                                                                      this world could not accept your masterpieces
from the heart

So on that starry night
u gave 2 us and
u took away from us
The one thing we never acknowledged
your life

Tupac understood the struggles of an artist. Through his poem “Starry Night,” he showed appreciation for the talented Vincent van Gogh, who no one significantly noticed until after his death. For many artists, including van Gogh and Tupac, it isn’t about making money; it’s about sharing your gifts with the world. Van Gogh’s gift was painting. Tupac’s gift was writing. Tupac had that incredible drive and passion for being creative. Through his poetry, he shared a hidden talent with us, revealing that he is truly one of a kind.

Hey there! Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, please let me know by sending a like or comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts! The original blog post was published on Vocal Media and featured as a top story in their Beat community. You can subscribe to future blog posts here at the top of the sidebar to your right. Connect with me on Twitter: @jennwardwrites. 

Thank you again for your support!

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