The Super "Become Independent" Daily Journal Thread

[Matt Willard]

DAY 58 - JULY 31, 2009

With an easy day to get back into the grind, I did everything I set out to do-I wrote, made some plans, and did some simplification. Tomorrow I'll get a Weekly Progress Report and replan my goals, since they obviously weren't attended to this week. I also want to know more about productive networking-how exactly should I build relationships? Just posting blindly on forums doesn't feel effective. I want to see how I can do it better.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 59 - AUGUST 1, 2009

Figured out my new weekly goals, did some work on a video project, and learned some vital new information. A good day. I expect tomorrow will be spent doing some commentaries, so I'm not going to plan that day out so much. Tomorrow I'll figure out my latest progress and see what I can do to improve the next 90 days.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 60 - AUGUST 2, 2009

I mostly did some commentary work today for fun. Tomorrow I hope to get a lot of writing done, start building some relationships, and reschedule my college orientation for this Friday.

Someone suggested that I keep a running list of things I've accomplished to date, and doing a monthly review would be way easier if I had such a list. Well, I'll consider this month average, but with the new weekly goals, I feel next month will be even better.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 61 - AUGUST 3, 2009

I spent most of today finishing up my blog post for the week, skipping over working on my video project to do so. At 3:00 we went out for Steak and Shake, so I didn't get onto Facebook like I planned. Might do that later, though. But I did set up a list so I can record what I do every day for the monthly recap, which will help.

Tomorrow's a tossup. If Mom gets cancelled, I'm recording my script, but if not, I'll write for my video project. Otherwise, I plan to spend most of the day making social media connections.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 62 - AUGUST 4, 2009

I was going to write today, but with the morning free, I decided to record for one of my video projects, and I got the whole thing done, which I'm really pleased about. However, the rest of the day fell apart. When I don't know what to do for something or how something needs to be done, I get pretty sidetracked. I ended up going to the mall as a result, which, again, wasn't worth it.

Well, when I got back, I took care of my minor tasks, though tomorrow I'll have to try again to reschedule my college orientation. Tomorrow I'm also going to really focus on building connections like I should've done today. Now I've got a better idea of what to do.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 63 - AUGUST 5, 2009

Okay, this week isn't going that well :V I keep succumbing to distractions, ruining my networking efforts. Well, I'm going to keep going at it bullheaded until I'm satisfied.

Also, my script recording sucked, so I need to redo it when I have free time. Maybe this Friday, though I expect to go shopping then for stuff I've needed to replace in a while.

Tomorrow-script writing and some damn full-fledged networking. Yeesh, I'm frantic.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 64 - AUGUST 6, 2009

Much better day today. I did my writing and my networking as planned. Reschuedling that orientation seems to involve jumping through some hurdles, but one more call ought to seal the deal. I did waste too much time today with one certain online game, but eh, I'll live.

Tomorrow I'll re-record my script, write some more lines, improve my LinkedIn profile, reschedule that darn orientation, and post my blog post.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 65 - AUGUST 7, 2009

Today sucked and this week has sucked. A lot of the wind got shot out of my sails by clashing once again with Mom. Really, she is intolerable half of the time with her laziness and excessive nagging. I know there's some legitimate reasons behind this, but it is so amazingly irritating that I cannot stand it anymore. Tell me, how the hell can I tolerate her until I can move out? If I don't learn how I'm going to drive myself batshit insane.

Anyway, wrote some lines, recorded some stuff. Posted my latest post. I think tomorrow I'm going to deliberately do nothing. I need a break. This week sucked. Good day.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 66 - AUGUST 8, 2009

Much better. Only wrote some lines for my project, but above all, I relaxed. Watched some Steve Martin, played some video games, etc. Tomorrow it's back to business per usual, and the Weekly Progress Report.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 67 - AUGUST 9, 2009

Right. Today I worked on the blog and my video project, and did the Weekly Progress Report. I plan over the week to FINALLY get my college orientation set up, finish this week's post, and hopefully finish the video project script. If I can just get the orientation settled, I'll be able to move on and get closer to finishing the transfer.

Tomorrow I'm also looking into local writer's clubs and events. I need to get out of the house and assosciate with others, and this should help get my name out there.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 68 - AUGUST 10, 2009

Trying to get ahead on my blog posts, so not only did I finish my draft of the next post, I made notes for the one after that. I think I'll go without an update this week so I can get some room to catch up. I also found a bunch of interesting local events to hit up, so I can mix things up and make new connections.

Anyway, after some good advice on a writer's forum, I figure I need to quit pussyfooting around the things that are holding me back from developing my freelance career. Tomorrow I'm going full throttle-gonna hit up want ads, draft up a query, and find some new markets. When the next Weekly Progress Report rolls around, I'll revise my plan so I'm going for the balls.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 69 - AUGUST 11, 2009

Well, I've begun looking for some writing work in addition to revising the next blog post. I wanted to write a query, but going through the markets I already had in place, I was concerned that I didn't know the magazines well enough to submit to them. And I couldn't swing up to the library to do some research then and there-I had to go up to the UPS store and ship a package.

Well, I'll head to the library tomorrow and continue trying to get ahead on my blog posts. I don't expect to get everything done tomorrow either-since my constant attempts to get a college orientation schedule have failed, tomorrow I'm heading up there to get it done right then and there.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 70 - AUGUST 12, 2009

Ugh. Who knew this college transfer was going to be such tiring work? I FINALLY took care of my orientation online and went to the campus to get advising, but now there's so much else to do that I STILL feel like I'm getting nowhere. And I couldn't get to the library because of it-I had to wait an hour to get into advising. Yeesh.

Besides that, looked for work, made some blog notes. Since tomorrow will not be a good day for library adventures either, I'll just try to finish those notes and the next blog post.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 71 - AUGUST 13, 2009

This has been a bad week so far. I'm fed up with a lot of stuff right now, so I didn't accomplish much besides finishing more blog notes and working on my video project. Since I'm going over to my aunt's place on Saturday, Friday is my last chance this week to actually go to the library and look up the things I need.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 72 - AUGUST 14, 2009

Ah, a much better day. Everything went pretty well-got everything done and found a lot of good markets at the library. I lucked out and found that they had a 2010 edition of Writer's Market, so I rummaged through that and picked up more market ideas from magazines and small papers. (Okay, I still have to read the small papers, but I'm doing that tomorrow.)

Even better, I managed to set up a deal to write one-liners for a fan! It's not for much (and in fact, may be too little, I'll have to check with my writer friends) but it's a good start.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm heading to my aunt's (I'm not due to start the job til Monday, so this won't be so bad) so I'll take care of my last bit of stuff and use Sunday as a relax day. (Trust me, at my aunt's house I probably won't get any work done :V)

[free spirit]

Hi Matt,

Firstly, really well done on keeping going. Just posting your experiences on here every day is an achievement in itself by making yourself publically accountable AND it allows you time to reflect and analyse your achievements.

I would love you to post in respect of the key areas you have idnetified to helping you become independent, where you were, where you are right now and where you would like to be.

Keep going. I am rooting for you!

[kwicherbichen]

Wow, that is so good that you post this EVERYDAY. I am impressed.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by free spirit

Hi Matt,

Firstly, really well done on keeping going. Just posting your experiences on here every day is an achievement in itself by making yourself publically accountable AND it allows you time to reflect and analyse your achievements.

I would love you to post in respect of the key areas you have idnetified to helping you become independent, where you were, where you are right now and where you would like to be.

Keep going. I am rooting for you!

Yeah, this thread has been a real big help in keeping me on track towards my goals. I'll keep your idea in mind when I post my next monthly progress report, so I can identify the next directions I need to take to keep progress going.

Originally Posted by kwicherbichen

Wow, that is so good that you post this EVERYDAY. I am impressed.

Well, most of the time, I do :V But after such a busy weekend, I get back on track easily.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 75 - AUGUST 17, 2009

Busy weekend, but now I'm back. Got to hammer at my college registration this week, so I'll do that. I also want to read those papers I've been meaning to read and try to actively finish my video project this week. Haven't heard anything from the guy yet about what he wants me to write-I'll drop him a line tomorrow and see.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 76 - AUGUST 18, 2009

Whoo, man, I've been pretty tired lately. Maybe after my attempts to get rid of sugar from my diet, I should thinking about adding a walk to my daily routine, just to keep my energy up.

Anyway, I worked on my video (boy, it's taking a long time :V) and read up those papers I've been meaning to read since, like, Saturday. Now with that done, I can start tossing out some queries. I just hope I'll be able to land something. I also tried to make more progress on my college registration and got...well, nowhere. It's still hard to actually talk to a human being. I guess I'll try again tomorrow.

Otherwise, I guess I'll draft up a query and start throwing together some one-liners to sell for Reader's Digest and greeting cards.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 77 - AUGUST 19, 2009

I was going to write a query today, but I couldn't bring myself to do it-I haven't even read most of the prospective markets I have. (The ones I have read...eh, I was probably just lacking in courage.) Nonetheless, I need to read up on them, so I have to look into finding more free magazines besides the ones I already have.

So instead, I applied to more stuff today. Decided to spread out a bit and see what editing jobs I could pick up, but I completely boned one application when I forgot to send any writing samples >_< So, yeah, I kinda felt like a twit. Beyond that, I also wrote up some lines for Reader's Digest and sent them in. Here's to hoping one goes through!

Actually, since I have one gig lined up and potentially more by announcing that I was available to do edits on Facebook, I can anticipate some starter cash in which to invest in magazines. (At least, the cheapest ones I can find :V) So I'm not too concerned about that.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and figure out how to get to some of the local events in my area so I can socialize and stuff, among with the typical other stuff.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 78 - AUGUST 20, 2009

Found four good jobs to apply for today, and I'm just about finished with my video project. Methinks I might start working on that and the blog in the evenings while I attend to more important matters during the day. I also made some plans to attend a local expo at a nearby mall, so I can meet with others and network.

Since that video project is so close to being done, I'll finish it off tomorrow, and maybe think of ways I can work quicker for the next installment. I'll also do some more blog notes to get further ahead on that. I also got linked to a very nice 31-day series on freelance marketing, and I want to read through that and take notes, figuring out some more things I can be doing to improve my marketing. This way I can also prepare for next week, when I'm planning to dedicate whole days to specific kinds of tasks-I want a day devoted to marketing.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 79 - AUGUST 21, 2009

Sometimes I have my good days, and sometimes-like today-I feel tired and old. It's a natural valley, so I'm not too concerned. Yet I just get weary of everything I'm trying to do. This is why I think I'll make Saturday an easy day, so I can take a bit of a break.

Anyway, I finally finished the script for my video project! (I really need a quicker way to write them in the future.) I also managed to take a lot of notes on this helpful blog series about freelance marketing. When I figure out plans for the coming week, I'll have an even better idea of how to really promote my stuff.

Besides that, no good jobs found today, and I really hate bureaucracy. I guess that's why Douglas Adams made a game about it!

As I said, tomorrow will be an easy day where I take care of minor tasks that have built up. I'll also try to clean my bathroom, if outside forces permit it.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 80 - AUGUST 22, 2009

I don't even know why I schedule anything for Saturday, I know I'm never gonna do anything except goof off :V The trick is to do stuff besides surf all day, which I will definitely have to devote attention to later.

Tomorrow I do my weekly progress report, work on some notes, and look into finding some copyediting resources-I can see myself doing that as well as writing humor, and I'd like to learn more about it. My plans for this week involve dedicating each day to a particular brand of tasks, so we'll try it out for a bit and see how it goes.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 81 - AUGUST 23, 2009

The bulk of today was used to clear out a chunk of minor tasks. I also figured out my plans for this week and made some more blog notes. I also realized that I'm going to need some hard copy reference if I want to pursue freelance copyediting, so since I plan to go to Books a Million on Wednesday to do some research, I'll also pick up a book on the subject.

I'm also dividing my tasks by certain days. We'll try it for a bit and see how rigid it is. Tomorrow is Monday, so that means I work on some marketing from my handy list. I've also got to refill out my FASFA and get it to FCCJ.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 82 - AUGUST 24, 2009

Found out I didn't have to do nearly as much work as I expected with sending the FASFA to my new school, so I used the extra time to draft out a new blog post. Since this was Monday, I worked on some stuff for marketing. I think I'm really beginning to understand the "unique selling proposition" freelancers toss around, and how it should be used to focus your marketing. Since I've decided I'm primarily a comedic writer who focuses on entertainment like games, cartoons, and tv shows, I can market that accordingly and narrow down what I apply for.

Since I now know what to shoot for, I'm going to take another look at those local papers again and craft a pitch that takes advantage of my unique selling proposition. Tomorrow is Tuesday, so that means I want to do some selling/networking stuff-this means I'll actually participate on those forums I've been meaning to go on for a while.

[Matt Willard]

DAY 83 - AUGUST 25, 2009

Drafted a query letter today, and man, is it horrible :V To be fair, it's a draft, so I'm gonna revise it anyway. But still, it feels really bad. I guess it's an art I need to get used to. Besides that, I spent some time on niche forums, as well as other standard stuff.

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Books a Million to read magazines and get more markets and story ideas. Besides that, I'll probably pick up a good copyediting book. The change left over should provide me the fare I need to attend the mall expo I'm going to on Saturday. Beyond that, I need to make a phone call about my loan, and I imagine that'll take longer than needed.

[nhaasch]

I just wanted to tell you I'm still lurking. ;-)

The messages from this thread are like 1 of 3 things I see in my email box every morning. *laughs* I'm impressed with the consistency. =)

[Aleksander Krstic]

I guess you're doing pretty well if you kept going this far.

Good luck for your next achievements!

[Matt Willard]

I'm still truckin', guys-it's been 84 days so far, and I'm not giving up yet!


DAY 84 - AUGUST 26, 2009

I read a lot of magazines today at Books A Million, taking a lot of notes about markets I can use. I also picked up The Copywriter's Handbook, by Robert Bly. See, I was given a pretty neat tip about selling my humor more efficently-if I could write persuasive, funny copy, then it could be a thing that set me apart from other copywriters. I've wrestled with learning the skill for a while, so I bought the handbook.

But I pop open the book, and in the first chapter, Bly slams me with his opinion about writing copy-it's designed to sell and should only be written as such. Ads that entertain just don't work in selling the product.

As first I felt kind of bummed-was there no place for funny ad copy after all? Then I thought:

"Screw it-I'll MAKE a place for it."

Sure, selling the product is good, but to do that AND make it memorable...that's a great challenge to strive for. That's what I want to do with the copy I write-make it sell and make people laugh.

I've read a chunk of it already, and so far, it doesn't look that hard. Time will tell if I can produce once I've gone through the book, though.

Tomorrow I need to make the call that I should've gotten today, as well as more blog writing.