Hi, welcome to author blog, #?... God only knows! What on
Earth does a maiden author, maiden blogger and an unknown writer have to blog
about you ask? The predictable answer is the moving journey from a vanilla
short story and poetry writer to illicit author. Aaaah, no! There will not be
any self-indulgent drivel here. This blog will attempt to tease and please as
well as being led, and dominated, by you the reader.
What do you want to know? Ask a question and I will
endeavour to answer, or have it answered for you. As my book is about the sex
industry all questions of a sexual nature are welcome, as are health,
emotional, and spiritual concerns. Expert opinions and advice will be sought
for each enquiry. Do you have unusually long labia, small penis, huge clitoris,
or giant testicles? Email your fears and concerns; no subject will be taboo.
A ‘Fascinating Facts’ file will be updated weekly and
contributions are invited. A place will be provided for professional sex
workers to post their own short stories – ‘non-pros’ are also invited to post
their fantasies and stories.
Most writers’ blogs appeal to other writers, whereas this
blog is intended for you the reader. All suggestions and requests for additions
will be considered.
PERSONAL RANT:
For freelancers and service providers.
To date there have been three graphic artists who
contributed to the delay of the creation of the book’s cover. Obviously, this
is holding up publication. Fingers are crossed for completion by next week,
although I won’t be holding my breath!
If nothing else, the hunt for a cover has been a deep
learning curve. The result of this frustrating experience is that all sourcing
requirements for future projects will be kept exclusively in Australia.
Free advice for freelancing professionals: Keep your
clients apprised of your progress. Regular communication is vital when dealing
with the ‘beloved’ endeavours of paying customers. Furthermore, keep your
emails polite and professional at least until you are familiar with your
client. Asking a question like, “Deal or no deal?” at the end of an initial
quote is off-putting. Yes, a graphic artist applying for a job actually wrote
that in his second email.
With the recent influx of Indy writers on the scene, jobs
for various freelancing professionals abound, as do the service providers
themselves. After a couple of attempts to employ editors and graphic designers,
I realised that talent and skill are not sufficient for a successful creative
coupling.
The key elements beyond skill and knowledge are superior
communications and listening. Without understanding the client’s requirements,
a successful outcome is almost impossible. As a freelancing service provider,
your creative talents will be better served by use in a controlled and firmly directed
manner. From the outset, ascertain your client’s preference for artistic
control to remain with them or be placed in your (undoubtedly) capable hands.
If you accept a job from a client with a firm vision of the
end-result, you must deliver the closest possible rendition of their brief that
you are capable of providing. Save the freewheeling creative out-put for
undecided clients or your private projects.
