What’s inspiring in our pursuits of passion? Sure, it’s awe-inspiring to look at the greats, the writers who matter, and soak in their awesomeness and quiet rebel-ness. Sure, it’s occasionally helpful to consult a rebellious resource or two for tips, tricks and treats on the way to creative success. Sometimes a skewed view or some Word Porn is all you need to get your ass moving. You know what else is inspiring? Looking at the writers who live and work around us. The freelancers. The bloggers. The aspiring novelists, published writers, and creative innovators. The folks that are making a career and a path for themselves unlike anyone else. The writers that inevitably break some rules along the way. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, our peers in this creative journey that we’ve embarked upon. And that’s why I profile them in this continuing series.

Anyone who’s taken a gander around the writing blogosphere will recognize the presence and contributions of John Hewitt of PoeWar. John has been a technical writer for much of his 20-year career, but has run the gamut of writing roles: newspaper editor, literary magazine editor, reporter, public/governmental relations writer, freelance writer, proposal writer, copywriter, web developer and paste-up artist. Whew! John first made himself a leader in the “writing on writing” web in 1993 (yeah, that’s right, all us newbies should scream a “We’re not worthy!” right about now), with the early version of what would become his indispensable site on writing tips, advice, job links, and much more.

John is inspiring because of his unwavering dedication to exploring and improving the craft of writing. His blog is a pleasure to read, a pleasure that rewards upon consistent and continual viewing. His community is a comfortable and energizing place, one in which experts and novices mingle and learn from one another.

I talked with John on the Saturday beginning NaNoWriMo month, covering career and blog longevity, marathon writing, and fitting a niche. A few excerpts and lessons learned: (Want the whole interview? Scroll down to click through)

On getting personal to a bunch of strangers:

My greatest success is what I’ve managed to do, over the past year, in connecting with readers. I’ve written a lot of articles that were very objective and devoid of personality. No one knew who I was. I’ve been trying to embrace that act of showing some of my personality, allowing myself to open up to readers. As a fairly private person, opening myself up to public criticism was a big move. My series about my technical writing career was an example. I opened up and was very blunt about my mistakes.

On the frustrating tendency for shit to sell:

What I hate about writing is a lot about the industry. I don’t like the fact that publishing is all about the next big hit. No one cares about actual literature. If everyone bought the really great literature it would sell better, but the book industry knows they can get Britney Spears to write crap and it will sell. The kind of book about a wandering traveler won’t. It’s fine with me. That’s why I love the internet. If I write this novel, and decide to share it, I can put it out as an ebook. I may not get the massive readership, but I will get more than banging my head against the wall trying to get a publisher.

On keeping it simple, stupid:

The site itself is its own goal. I created it because I enjoy it. If it never grew beyond where it is now, it won’t bother me because I make a really good living outside of it. PoeWar provides some nice extra money, and it would be great if it ever did pay the bills. But I don’t have a lot of high expectations.

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What’s inspiring in our pursuits of passion? Sure, it’s awe-inspiring to look at the greats, the writers who matter, and soak in their awesomeness and quiet rebel-ness. Sure, it’s occasionally helpful to consult a rebellious resource or two for tips, tricks and treats on the way to creative success. Sometimes a skewed view or some Word Porn is all you need to get your ass moving. You know what else is inspiring? Looking at the writers who live and work around us. The freelancers. The bloggers. The aspiring novelists, published writers, and creative innovators. The folks that are poised on the brink, making a career and a path for themselves unlike anyone else. The writers that inevitably break some rules along the way. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, our peers in this creative journey that we’ve embarked upon.

Today’s freelancer is a man who makes the interwebs his partner and plaything. Andrew Huff worked PR by day and freelanced by night for years after graduating from J-school. Jumping into the blog world in 2001, he wrote about his family, about his life, and about things that made him passionate outside the official work world. In 2003, his blog caught the eye of a fellow Chicago blogger and designer, Naz Hamid. The like-minded duo became friends and partners, creating the Chicago-centric Gapers Block, THE site for Chicago events, obscurities, intelligent conversation, and other goodies. Gaining an immediate audience and wide-spread acclaim, Andrew began blogging in innumerable side projects for companies and initiatives. Last year he finally cut the cord, and blogs professionally on a full-time basis.

Andrew is inspiring because of his determination and drive, and his refusal to live by anyone’s rules about writing or creativity but his own. His blogs are a pleasure to read, his constant creation of new projects astounding, and his thoughtfulness and encouragement of artistic folks refreshing. And his facial hair is consistently impressive.

I talked with Andrew over IM one blustery October morning in Chicago, covering circuitous routes to professional passion, ideas and ideals, and success in writing and blogging. A few excerpts and lessons learned: (Want the whole interview? Scroll down to click through)

On the tendency for corporate work to turn into a horror flick:

I love playing with words — I can’t resist a good turn of phrase or a punny headline. On the other side, the thing that killed me about PR was having to write the same things over and over again. I used to call it “chuck key PR.” I had a power tool client who’d ask us to put out a news release on every new product. That’s totally fair, except that sometimes the only difference between an old drill and the new one was a new chuck key, or slightly different amperage. The drudgery was soul-sucking.

On the bitch that is the freelancer’s schedule:

The biggest trouble I’ve had adjusting to the freelance lifestyle has been getting out of the habit of working at night. I spent so many years working on this stuff after my day job that I have a tendency to get active in the evening instead of during the day. Which means I spend far too much time working in front of the TV or writing after midnight because I had an event I had to go to, rather than getting work done during the day. I’m slowly turning that around, but it’s been tough.

On the (thin) distinction between personal and professional work:

A lot of the projects I do aren’t about making money. Even Gapers Block was conceived as a labor of love, something to do as a fun side project. But as it grew in popularity — and the staff ballooned to more than 70 contributors, as it is now — I realized I needed to make it part of my job. I’m the only full-time employee, and I also often do double the number of posts that the next highest contributor does. But I love collaboration, so the only project that I think of as strictly personal is me3dia, my own blog. Almost everything else has been partnered with other people, most often my partner Naz.

On the crack-like qualities of these internets:

I spend far too much time reading blogs and other websites that have absolutely nothing to do with what I’m working on. It keeps me connected to the blogosphere, but it’s also just a procrastination tool. I often have difficulty getting work done without deadline pressure, so it’s a (naughty) way to eat up some of the time before I really have to get working.

Discover the coolness of Andrew Huff at:
Gapers Block
Me3dia
Out of 5
Twitter
(And far too many others to list - check his Me3dia page for more)

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Welcome, artists and artistes, writers and bloggers, creatives and crafters, to our Thursday series focusing on the coolest and creative-est freelancers around!

What’s inspiring in our pursuits of passion? Sure, it’s awe-inspiring to look at the greats, the writers who matter, and soak in their awesomeness and quiet rebel-ness. Sure, it’s occasionally helpful to consult a rebellious resource or two for tips, tricks and treats on the way to creative success. Sometimes a skewed view or some Word Porn is all you need to get your ass moving. You know what else is inspiring? Looking at the writers who live and work around us, the folks that may not have hit it big (yet) but are making a career, pursuing some outlandish dreams, and putting po’ boys and pudding on the table. The writers that inevitably break some rules along the way. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, our peers in this creative journey that we’ve embarked upon.

Today’s freelancer is inspiring. And hilarious. And naughty. She’s a whirlwind of fresh air in the writing blogosphere, and a gutsy, ballsy, boobsy lass who has a ridiculously cool first name.

Amy Derby was a paralegal until the daily grind of the work world nearly made her batshit crazy. In 2004 she broke the biggest rule of all by quitting the “corporate American suckfest” to make a freelance career, focusing on writing and researching in the legal field. Today she concentrates primarily on legal blogging. In addition to her burgeoning career, Amy also writes the Write From Home blog, a site named to Michael Stelzner’s list of Top 10 Blogs for Writers in 2007/2008 (and a finalist in 2008/2009). At Write From Home, Amy takes on the excitement and frustration of being a writer and blogger, offers real tips (like her Punk Duck series), calls out stupid rules in the field, and creates a thriving, boisterous and rule-breaking community.

I talked with Amy through the magical powers of the interwebs, covering suckiness, snark, and satisfaction in writing and blogging. A few excerpts and lessons learned: (Want the whole interview? Scroll down to click through)

On the lure of freelancing:

Unfortunately, most of my time in office life was spent trying to remember billing codes and attending videoconferences. And wearing pantyhose. I was working about 80 hours a week and commuting three hours each day. At some point in 2004 I went mad and quit. Then I had to figure out what to do next. Freelancing sounded good. I was told I could wear pajamas…

On the love of words:

My favorite word today is suckfest. Former favorites include dumbfuckage and bullshitedness. Oh, did you want real words? Lovely is nice. I use lovely a lot. Words I hate: anything I can’t type properly on the first try. Like fascinating or consciousness.

On creating a community:

I decided to turn write-from-home.com into a blog. And it’s evolved a lot. Into what, I’m not sure. But it’s not a serious site anymore. It’s just kind of my own personal snarkfest where other writer-types hang out. It’s a nice gathering of folks I would invite over to drink coffee and rock the world with if they lived in my hood.

Discover the coolness of Amy Derby at:
Write From Home
Twitter

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What’s inspiring? Let me flip that. Here’s what doesn’t work for me. It’s not pat quotes and hammy thoughts on how our souls are speaking through our hands as we laboriously type or write away. It’s not idyllic pictures of nature or photographs of babies and rainbows. What’s inspiring to me, and I think to many other creatives, is learning from others who have made it work. Looking at the writers who live and work around us, the folks that may not have hit it big (yet) but are making a career, pursuing some typically outlandish dreams, and putting cheeseburgers and cupcakes on the table. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, our peers in this creative journey that we’ve embarked upon.

And with these words, we kicked off our Thursday series, focusing on the coolest and creative-est freelancers around. Today’s freelancer fits the profile with his combination of guts, talent, and constant surprises.

Keith Ecker is a freelancer new to the fold. A Chicagoan since 2004, he worked for three years at InsideCounsel magazine, a national trade publication for in-house counsel. In June of 2008 he started his freelancing business that focuses on a unique niche: white papers, bylined articles, case studies, PR, and other copy for the legal sector. His niche has translated to major clients and booming business, all on word of mouth and a stellar reputation. In addition to his burgeoning business, Keith is creating a presence in the Chicago comedy world, doing improv, writing sketches, and crafting ridiculously hilarious video bits.

I shared a captivating call with Keith, and talked freelancing, funny shit, and the freakin’ awesomeness of writing as a career. A few excerpts and lessons learned: (Want the whole interview? Scroll down to click through)

On long-held dreams come to fruition (sort of):

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I remember in 6th grade, for some time capsule project we were doing, we had to say what we wanted to do for careers. I said I wanted to be a writer in Las Vegas. Why Las Vegas? I have no idea. I was a strange 6th grader!

On chutzpah and self-made success:

I’m absolutely doing what I wanted to do. I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’m 26 and in a short amount of time I’ve started my own business. I consider that a big success, and I’m really happy and proud of where my career has gone thus far.

On the big comedy plunge:

I could have easily just shirked away from it, but I knew that wouldn’t make me happy. Eventually I decided I had to throw caution to winds, jump off that ledge, and whatever other writing cliché, and try it. No matter if it ever became or becomes a career, for me it’s an art form and self expression. I need to do it or I will explode.

On breaking rules that need to be broken:

I graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree, and it’s pounded in our heads that marketing and advertising are the dark side. Cross over, and you’ll never go back, ever! I thought for a while it was true. And maybe it is. But I broke that rule. I focus on marketing copy, which pays better than editorial work, takes less time and requires less interviews, and frankly, its often just as if not more informative as editorial work. I never did investigative journalism pieces, and I know many pieces like that are extremely useful. But some of the white papers I write convey just as much information for legal audiences as other editorial articles.

Want to contact Keith? Here’s a few ways to get in touch:

• Visit his blog, Writing From Both Sides of the Brain
• Email Keith keithecker[at]gmail[dot]com for work opportunities, conversation, and some comedic fun.

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That’s when it helps to find inspiration through other writers and creatives who have broken the rules, and lived to encourage others to do the same. Every week I profile some of our famous and groundbreaking Writers Who Matter here at QRW, and as the week wanes we look at the writers who live and work and break rules around us, the folks that may not have hit it big (yet) but are making a career, pursuing some outlandish dreams, and feeding their pets/kids/selves. I draw tremendous inspiration from these folks, and feel a little less lonely in this creative journey.

Happy Thursday, dear readers! Next week we return to our regularly scheduled program, in which we talk to some real life freelance writers, some freakin’ rock stars that are making their own rebellious paths. We’ll talk to a writer who’s carved out a unique specialization in legal writing and writers that have found a path speaking to audiences hungry for knowledge and community.

But here’s where I let you into the machinations behind QRW. See, I want this blog to be useful, hee-larious, and fire-under-the-ass motivational. To do that, I want to involve you, my delightful readers. So here’s where I ask for your input.

Do you know of a writer that gleefully breaks the rules and finds daily, monthly and yearly success as a result? Do you know a blogger, independent creative, or other muse that should and must be profiled? Think you would be a good subject? Then don’t be shy, kids. Tell me about them in the comments, or email me at amy [at] amylillard [dot] com.

In the meantime, I’ve got some ideas too. I’m a big fan of several writers/bloggers/creatives out there, and would love to pick their brains for all the world to see. So here’s my invitation to a select few of these frakkin cool folks to be profiled and revealed for the geniuses you are:

• John Hewitt, technical writer and blogger extraordinaire at PoeWar (Writer’s Resource Center)
• Amy Derby, freelancer and snarkster at Write From Home
• Erika Dreifus, writer, reviewer and essayist at Practicing Writing
• Linda Formichelli, original renegade freelancer, at Renegade Writer

As always, thanks for reading, and send in your suggestions for other writers to profile!

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