Dirtbag Writer

New Beginnings: The First 3-Months

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by Writer in On Writing

Welcome to Dirtbag Writer.  For those of you who are new here, I am yet another cubicle fleeing freelance travel writing yearner.  I hope to document my journey, gory and unattractive details and all, from comfortably employed to wandering, self-employed, semi-successful nomad.  With just days left of employment I am finally starting to feel the reality of my decisions settling in.  While trying to avoid a full-scale freak out – I am making lists instead.  Here are my goals for the first 3-months of full-time writing bliss:

(1) Magazine Internship

Get experience working in the magazine field and hopefully make some super valuable connections. Try to avoid paying rent for as long as possible in uber-expensive Colorado mountain town.

(2) Matador U

I just signed up to participate in Matador Network’s travel writing program.  Matador U is a 12-week course delivered online that teaches the techniques of travel writing and the technical and organizational aspects of the field.

The course fee did set me back $225 (regularly $350) but I thought it would be a worthwhile investment.  I feel like I need the structure to keep me motivated for these first few months.  I also like the idea that ‘students’ get access to a market leads board and forums where you can get feedback on your work.  The course fee comes with a 3-week money guarantee – so basically if I am not learning anything new and resourceful in the first few weeks I can get my money back no questions asked.  I am just about to delve into lesson one and will definitely review the course as I go.

(3) 3-4 blog posts a week for 2 blogs

It has been a bit difficult to update 2 blogs 3-4 times a week while working full-time, trying to teach myself the basics of HTML and WordPress design, and scheduling enough leisure time to keep me happy.  I look forward to spending time refining and narrowing the focus of Dirtbagger Guide and contributing frequently to this blog.

(4) One query letter a week

I think submitting one query letter a week is a reasonable goal.  I have a lot to learn about writing attention-grabbing pitch letters.

(5) Make $200/week

According to Six Figure Freelancing, it is helpful to set financial goals.  $200/week actually sounds like a pretty lofty goal but I do think it is attainable.  If I am able to reach that I will be able to pay all my bills (except for rent in uber-expensive mountain town) and keep from draining my savings in the first 3-months.

(6) Travel Starts at Home

Supposedly you don’t have to be a round-the-world traveler in order to be a travel writer.  Start researching local publications for potential contributions and brainstorm article ideas.

(7) Random

• Attend a Writing Conference – Women’s Adventure Creative Conference
• Live Crazy Cheaply – Budget Budget Budget
• Learn Spanish – Rosetta Stone?
• Read Read Read

Tags: Plans