Comments on: Just Because You Can Type, It Doesn’t Mean You’re a Writer

By: Can you write for a living? « holli ronquillo’s freelance writing blog

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:35:52 +0000

[...] I‘ve seen several blog posts lately that talk about the fact that writing for a living is not for everyone. Deb Ng wrote that not everyone can do freelance writing. Freelance Parent posted a while back that the ability to type doesn’t make you a writer. [...]

By: This Week in Read-Worthy « Why I Hate Writing

This Week in Read-Worthy « Why I Hate Writing — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:45:18 +0000

[...] Filed under: Read-Worthy | Tags: Writing Tamara Berry over at Freelance Parent writes a blog (“Just Because You Can Type, It Doesn’t Mean You’re A Writer”) with a title that’s eerily similar to the last sentence of the first paragraph on my [...]

By: Lorna Doone Brewer

Lorna Doone Brewer — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:11:47 +0000

Deb – Reading has got to be one of the most important prerequisites for writing. I’ve spent so much time lately doing only “research” reading that I finally broke down and devoured a couple of novels that were basically brain candy.

By: --Deb

--Deb — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:38:13 +0000

And, of course, let’s not forget reading. It might not help you become a better writer directly, but it sure does help you recognize the good stuff when you see it–whether it’s on your own computer screen or not!

By: Web Writing Info » Can everyone write?

Web Writing Info » Can everyone write? — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:47:00 +0000

[...] at Freelance Writing Parent has some great insights on education (and the lack thereof) and [...]

By: Tamara Berry

Tamara Berry — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:01:35 +0000

Eric – I never count errors in blog comments. If we all took time to edit every word we type in blog comments, nobody would ever get anything done!

By: Freelance Advice from the Blogosphere, 8th Edition | Freelance Parent

Freelance Advice from the Blogosphere, 8th Edition | Freelance Parent — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:52:20 +0000

[...] talked a little this week about how “Just Because You Can Type, It Doesn’t Mean You’re a Writer.” For another take on the same topic (well, it’s a similar take), visit Freelance Writing [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:41:37 +0000

See what I mean…I can’t even spell in a comment! It should say unfortunately…sheesh

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:27:37 +0000

Unfotunately I am of the same mindset as Laura. I have become too accustomed to written errors (either in print or online). What is worse is that I have found myself beginning to make many of those errors in my own writing (and on my blog I am sure). But, hey, that was why I started “Journey of Words” to force myself back into writing more seriously after too many years without putting “pen to paper”.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:22:28 +0000

Good post!

Sadly, I’ve become somewhat accustomed to errors in online documents. I still hate to see them, though.

What really bothers me is to see a book or newspaper with a grammar error or typo.

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:00:57 +0000

Thank you for this and thank you for stopping by. Great minds and all that!

By: Tamara Berry

Tamara Berry — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:07:00 +0000

James – I like the Olympics analogy you had on your blog. Very appropriately put!

Allena – While I agree that writing in whatever format the client requests is the only way to go, I see no harm in having our own guidelines and standards. It’s a quick and easy reference guide that keeps us looking good!

Melissa – As always, thanks for the support.

Lis and Irreverent – English degrees be damned–you’re both excellent writers!

By: IrreverentFreelancer

IrreverentFreelancer — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:14:48 +0000

Amen to that! Every single word of it (this coming from one of those professional writers who is far removed from an English degree).

By: Lis Garrett ~ a writer's woolgatherings

Lis Garrett ~ a writer's woolgatherings — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:02:02 +0000

Excellent, well-written post!

I have to admit that I am somewhat reluctant to admit to others that I am pursuing freelance writing, as I feel that some may view it as the “popular” work-from-home career. Although I don’t have a degree in English, my intention is to go back to school and earn one when #3 enters elementary school. I have always had a love of grammar and punctuation, despite what I’m sure are obvious errors on my blog. I’m a huge fan of commas and semi-colons. And exclamation points. And fragmented sentences. I also end the occasional sentence with a preposition, although, like Lorna, that’s something that drives me crazy, too.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:52:51 +0000

Um, I was already subscribed. Heheh.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:52:11 +0000

Thank you for this! What a superbly written article on the craft and profession of writing.

I’m subscribing!

-Melissa Donovan
Writing FORWARD

By: Allena

Allena — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:34:10 +0000

I feel that making your own list is a bit like recreating the wheel. How about just going with APA or CMS guidelines depending on the client/genre/field?

I, too, am an English graduate and doing an MA in Professional Writing. It seems like it’s been a little popular lately to say “no degree needed!”- I even wrote the same thing on my About.com page. However, I do want to note that I’ve had several clients that specifically noted my education as a draw to them.

By: James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises

James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:51:44 +0000

Well done and well called. This was a great post to read, and I agree wholeheartedly with much of what you’ve written.

This doesn’t just happen on blogs, either. For examples of exactly what you’re voicing your opinion on, go to Elance and view some of the “professional writer” portfolios.

Skilled writers are the Olympic athletes of the written word. Almost anyone can run. That doesn’t mean everyone who can run is going to make it to the Olympics.

“Do I think that having a degree in Creative Writing or English is necessary to become a writer? Absolutely not. Some of the best writers I know are as removed from an English degree as I am from brain surgery”

YES. Thank you.