Sue White

Journalist. Copywriter. Travel Writer. Writing Coach.

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What journalism has taught me about simplicity

September 4, 2013 By Sue

Ahh, it's a complicated life. Or is it?  Well, yes and no.  Over the years I've come to the conclusion that it's easy to do something well as a one off.  But doing a good job in a sustained way, over months or years, takes a bit more of a strategy. After a while, some of these strategies - or, more simply, ways I get things done - become second … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Work smarter, Write better Tagged With: Simplicity, Writing

Nothing to write about? So write nothing.

August 30, 2013 By Sue

Last week, I had nothing to say. Okay, not nothing, but nothing I felt was going to add real value to your week. It wasn't that I ditched writing...oh no, there were story deadlines hitting me from every direction. But when it came to the blog, I felt exhausted. Nothing. Nada. Not one little slice of inspiration. So I decided to say … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Work smarter, Write better Tagged With: Writer's block, Writing

Why freelancers need friends (and how to find some!)

August 14, 2013 By Sue

It's a freelancing paradox. On one hand, if you're self employed, existing friends pop out of the woodwork at all hours of the (traditional) work day. "I'm having a day off, want to hang out?" or "Just heading to the beach with the kids, interested?" Sound familiar? All very nice, but usually those offers involve you reminding your dear friends … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Work smarter, Write better Tagged With: freelancing, friendships, networking

Interviewing tips from Ita Buttrose

July 24, 2013 By Sue

Recently, when I interviewed Australian media icon Ita Buttrose, for a story in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, I tacked on a few questions at the end just for you. (If you want to read that story, here you go.) Thanks to Ita for generously giving her advice on overcoming writer's block, some great interviewing tips and a reminder about … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Interviewing, Ita Buttrose, Writer's block

The secret to (re)finding your creative spark.

July 10, 2013 By Sue

Artists. Musicians. Writers. We’re all supposed to be creative types.  But it’s hard to be creative when life keeps butting up against you. The solution? Retreat.  The artist’s garret. The painter’s studio.  Both are forms of retreat tried and tested over time to help creative folks find focus and inspiration. I’m wondering, where’s your place of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Creativity, Retreat, Yoga retreats

The secrets behind having a ‘dream job’

July 3, 2013 By Sue

While I’m not sure if all writers have itchy feet, I know I do. (Clarification: I mean in the travelling sense, not the ‘too many scungy gym shower floors’ sense, naturally.) It’s one reason I started writing in the first place – and particularly travel writing. What better excuse to keep exploring the globe than ‘It’s for work’? Travel writing is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Life etc., Travel Writing, Work smarter, Write better Tagged With: Career, Dream job

5 simple steps for writers to make tax time (virtually) stress-free.

June 18, 2013 By Sue

"Time for sex?"  Sorry, I meant, "Time for tax?" It's amazing how changing a few letters can turn someone's attention span off or on.  Eeewww, TAX. There may be no bigger turn off. But as a freelancer, you're tasked with looking after your own tax, and given it's tax time here in Australia I thought I'd share a few of the simple systems I set … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Finances, Money, Tax

How I organise my stories

June 12, 2013 By Sue

Nice work - you've got a story on the go. Congrats! Now what? First, celebrate. Second, if it's your first commission, freak out (just a little, to get it over with).  Third, you're ready to write.  Actually, not quite yet...  Instead, you're ready to set up a few systems that will help you keep track of your writing.  The systems I use to keep … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Getting organised, Productivity

Why learning by stuffing things up is worth the red face

May 24, 2013 By Sue

Freaking out about something new? Not me. I worry about plenty of stuff. ("Will our new back lawn really take hold and not die off despite my tender loving care?" "How is it possible the list of things I want to change about my new house never gets any shorter?" "Do I really have the discipline to exercise every day, forever?") But for me, a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Work smarter Tagged With: Learning, Mistakes

3 ways to stop blowing your word count

May 22, 2013 By Sue

When I started out freelancing, I thought all editors had gone crazy.  They kept taking my stories (not the crazy bit), but giving me a tighter word count than I knew (yes, knew, from the bottom of my inexperienced writerly heart) the story required. Did they all go to a secret school where the curriculum skipped the bit about figuring out how long … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Editing, Helen Razer, Word count

How thinking like comedian Judith Lucy taught me to be a better writer

May 17, 2013 By Sue

I've been reading Judith Lucy's book Drink, Smoke, Pass out. It's good. She's funny. But I knew that before I started reading her book. What I didn't know is that Judith Lucy isn't obsessed with comedy. She likes comedy. In fact, she probably loves comedy compared to most folks. (In the book, there's a great description of her love/hate … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: Judith Lucy, Writing

5 ways to make writing pay

May 10, 2013 By Sue

When starting out in writing, everyone wants to know: "How do I get paid for this?" You definitely can.  But, at least when it comes to writing features for magazines and newspapers, or travel writing, I believe it's a ten-hour answer. That's why I teach this course and this course at the Australian Writers' Centre.  I know, who can wait that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Just starting out writing? Try these posts., Write better Tagged With: earn money from writing, Writing

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