For You Hollywood types

Screenwriting is perhaps one of the strangest and most counter-intuitive careers in all of writing. Learning the ropes of that industry can be a challenge for anyone. John August, the screenwriter behind, Go, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish and Charlie’s Angels writes an excellent blog about screenwriting and the film industry. This week he gives advice to a relative newcomer who wants to know whether or not to direct his own script.
Should I direct my Spec?

Why can’t people follow the instructions?

The good folks over at Freelance Switch have put together a nice set of advice for people applying for freelance gigs. Their central pint is that most people don’t get the job because they don’t follow the rules. I’m not talking about the “unwritten rules” I’m talking about the guidelines the potential client has clearly laid out. As someone who has hired freelancers in the past, I completely agree. My requirements were relatively straightforward, about a half dozen clearly stated requirements, and inevitably the applicants would fail to follow these rules. This is one of the reasons there are so many unsuccessful; freelancers in the world, and the reason why anyone with a little common sense can succeed.
How NOT to Apply for a Freelance Position

The Ferris Effect

Marketer Alex Goad hasn’t Read The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich week yet, but he is seeing the effects. Two of his business partners abandoned a new project to stick to their more low-maintenance income, and one of them decided to live abroad. They’ve even put autoresponders on their email. If none of this makes any sense to you, then you should probably read the book. Paradigm Shift: Work Smart, Play Often