I Got A Writing Job! Thanks To Stephen King

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Christine62

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
493
3,127
62
Oklahoma City
One of the things I love about reading Mr. King's work is it always makes me want to write. It's like I am bumbling along here on this strange planet not really sure if I should be here like ET and suddenly I get that phone from HOME. All of a sudden, I am reminded who I am and what my powers are and it's not so confusing. I come from the planet writing and that is what I am supposed to do and when I do it, things flow smoothly as a river and I am the happiest of campers. Problem is I forget this--a lot and I get distracted and start thinking I should be a heart monitor specialist or a circulation clerk a the local library.

As you know, I had a couple of very significant dreams about writing--specifically me writing. Had it been just one I would have said, okay it was the salt and vinegar chips and Hershey's chocolate bars but I had two dreams so similar and they said the same thing more or less: you come from the planet writing and why are you wasting time doing everything but?

So I decided to take it seriously and act in that direction. I changed my linkdin profile from pierogi maker/ESL tutor/Customer Service to writer, copywriter, screenwriter. I went to craigs list and started answering writing gig ads. I started thinking of myself as in my heart of hearts and deep within my being that I am from the planet writing and this is what I should do.

Well, all kinds of things have been happening. I am a finalist in a free copywriting contest (copyshoppy.com--free and loads of fun and you could win $$$ for coming up with ideas and concepts for businesses) I am now writing for blueflamingoproductions.com right now it is just blog posts but who knows? I am talking to a guy in Chicago about rewriting his book. And the best one of all I got a real job with a major upscale retailer on their email response team! Now it's still customer service but it WRITING emails all day long!

And all this because every time I read Stephen King, it's like he's calling me home. Thanks, Mr. King, I owe you one---again.
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
...excellent!...piece of advice though, keep a close eye on the fine print of these copywriting places...you want to retain rights to your material, don't let them strip you of that and next thing you know-it's a national campaign!...
I'm a copywriter for a major retailer and nothing I write, including national ad campaigns for a major player in the "domestic goddess" arena, is mine. Nil. Nada. When you sign on to work for major companies you also sign away the rights to your creative output.
Writing freelance and doing one-off campaigns for different places may be another story though. Worth checking out though.
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
One of the things I love about reading Mr. King's work is it always makes me want to write. It's like I am bumbling along here on this strange planet not really sure if I should be here like ET and suddenly I get that phone from HOME. All of a sudden, I am reminded who I am and what my powers are and it's not so confusing. I come from the planet writing and that is what I am supposed to do and when I do it, things flow smoothly as a river and I am the happiest of campers. Problem is I forget this--a lot and I get distracted and start thinking I should be a heart monitor specialist or a circulation clerk a the local library.

As you know, I had a couple of very significant dreams about writing--specifically me writing. Had it been just one I would have said, okay it was the salt and vinegar chips and Hershey's chocolate bars but I had two dreams so similar and they said the same thing more or less: you come from the planet writing and why are you wasting time doing everything but?

So I decided to take it seriously and act in that direction. I changed my linkdin profile from pierogi maker/ESL tutor/Customer Service to writer, copywriter, screenwriter. I went to craigs list and started answering writing gig ads. I started thinking of myself as in my heart of hearts and deep within my being that I am from the planet writing and this is what I should do.

Well, all kinds of things have been happening. I am a finalist in a free copywriting contest (copyshoppy.com--free and loads of fun and you could win $$$ for coming up with ideas and concepts for businesses) I am now writing for blueflamingoproductions.com right now it is just blog posts but who knows? I am talking to a guy in Chicago about rewriting his book. And the best one of all I got a real job with a major upscale retailer on their email response team! Now it's still customer service but it WRITING emails all day long!

And all this because every time I read Stephen King, it's like he's calling me home. Thanks, Mr. King, I owe you one---again.
Congratulations! I'm glad you're doing what you love. :)
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I'm a copywriter for a major retailer and nothing I write, including national ad campaigns for a major player in the "domestic goddess" arena, is mine. Nil. Nada. When you sign on to work for major companies you also sign away the rights to your creative output.
Writing freelance and doing one-off campaigns for different places may be another story though. Worth checking out though.
...and I should have been more clear, that's exactly what I was referring to...the freelance gig...I've done a boatload of radio and tv ad copy, which I've had a devil of a time claiming as mine once it left my sweaty little mitts...found out verbal agreements don't mean squat-get it in writing....pun intended...
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
...and I should have been more clear, that's exactly what I was referring to...the freelance gig...I've done a boatload of radio and tv ad copy, which I've had a devil of a time claiming as mine once it left my sweaty little mitts...found out verbal agreements don't mean squat-get it in writing....pun intended...
Ok. Got it and I absolutely agree!