April 2016

Out of the blue, the thought occurred to me the other day that it’s been 18 years – give or take a couple of weeks – since I set up my stall as a freelancer after working in-house for several years.

It’s really quite hard to believe that it’s been that long since I took the plunge to start my own business, first as a sole trader and now as a limited company.

Initially I offered translation services alongside copywriting, editing and proofreading, but I decided to drop the former after a couple of years in order to focus on the latter three offerings.

Do I have any regrets about making the leap to self-employment? Nope, none at all.

The highs and lows of being a freelancer

Don’t get me wrong as it’s not all been a bed of roses – the very nature of freelancing means that you’re on a permanent roller coaster ride with inevitable (yet unpredictable) peaks and troughs, twists and turns ­– but it’s certainly been a fun ride to date. I’d even go so far as to say it’s been exhilarating at times, whilst scary and frustrating at others!

Of course, the growth of technology means that my role as a freelancer and the nature of my work has changed considerably during that time, as covered in my previous blog posts Freelance copywriting: then and now and Freelance copywriting: then and now (part 2).

But the fundamental benefits of life as a freelancer remain the same: freedom, independence and variety. And I don’t see any of those changing in the near future.

So, I would say here’s to the next 18 years, but I’m rather hoping I’ll have retired by then! Meanwhile I fancy some cake to celebrate and what could be more fitting for a wordsmith than one of these 7 delicious ways to eat your words?!

(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Related

Out of the blue, the thought occurred to me the other day that it’s been 18 years – give or take a couple of weeks – since I set up my stall as a freelancer after working in-house for several years.

It’s really quite hard to believe that it’s been that long since I took the plunge to start my own business, first as a sole trader and now as a limited company.

Initially I offered translation services alongside copywriting, editing and proofreading, but I decided to drop the former after a couple of years in order to focus on the latter three offerings.

Do I have any regrets about making the leap to self-employment? Nope, none at all.

The highs and lows of being a freelancer

Don’t get me wrong as it’s not all been a bed of roses – the very nature of freelancing means that you’re on a permanent roller coaster ride with inevitable (yet unpredictable) peaks and troughs, twists and turns ­– but it’s certainly been a fun ride to date. I’d even go so far as to say it’s been exhilarating at times, whilst scary and frustrating at others!

Of course, the growth of technology means that my role as a freelancer and the nature of my work has changed considerably during that time, as covered in my previous blog posts Freelance copywriting: then and now and Freelance copywriting: then and now (part 2).

But the fundamental benefits of life as a freelancer remain the same: freedom, independence and variety. And I don’t see any of those changing in the near future.

So, I would say here’s to the next 18 years, but I’m rather hoping I’ll have retired by then! Meanwhile I fancy some cake to celebrate and what could be more fitting for a wordsmith than one of these 7 delicious ways to eat your words?!

(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Related

Like many others, I was recently glued to my TV wondering who was going to be crowned MasterChef 2015. As well as making me feel hungry, watching the contestants create culinary masterpieces got me thinking about common idioms and other phrases in English that are linked to cooking.

There are actually a lot more than I originally thought, so here’s a selection for your delectation…

Idioms about cooking to tickle your taste buds

Cooking on gas = making good progress and likely to succeed (gas being faster, easier and cleaner to cook with than a wood stove)

Cut and dried = a situation, issue or idea that’s completely settled or decided (the distinction was originally made between the ‘cut and dried’ herbs from herbalists’ shops and living herbs)

Flash in the pan = something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning

Half-baked ideas = ideas that haven’t been thought through properly

It (all) boils down to = reducing a problem to its basic elements (based on the fact that a boiling liquid reduces in volume and becomes more concentrated as it evaporates)

On a knife-edge = in a tense situation, especially one that’s finely balanced between success and failure

On a plate = with little or no effort from the person concerned (usually used in conjunction with to hand or give)

To boil over = when someone can’t control their anger and starts to argue or fight (opposite of Simmer down)

To cook the books = falsify a company’s financial accounts

To cook someone’s goose = ruin someone’s plans or cause someone’s downfall (a goose used to be cherished and fattened up for a special occasion, so cooking and eating it prematurely would spoil the planned feast)

To curry favour = attempt to ingratiate oneself with someone through flattery

To grill someone = question someone without letting up

To jump out of the frying pan into the fire = go from a bad situation to an even worse one

To simmer down = become calm (opposite of Boil over)

To stew or be in a stew = be mentally agitated

To stir the pot = deliberately raise tension/emotion

To turn up the heat = intensify pressure or criticism on somebody/something

Pay heed to these proverbs

As well as numerous idioms about cooking, there are also a few proverbs. Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that express a traditionally held truth. Usually metaphorical, they often offer advice.

A watched pot never boils = time feels longer when you’re waiting for something to happen

If you can‘t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen = if you can’t cope, leave the work to someone who can

It’s no use crying over spilt milk = there’s no point being upset about something that happened in the past

Too many cooks spoil the broth = if too many people are involved in a task or activity, it may actually turn out worse

If this collection of idioms about cooking has whet your appetite for more, check out my other posts in the series. Meanwhile I’d love to know if I’ve missed out your favourite cooking idiom.

(chef image courtesy of Stuart Miles / curry image courtesy of tiramisustudio via Freedigitalphotos.net)

Related

Out of the blue, the thought occurred to me the other day that it’s been 18 years – give or take a couple of weeks – since I set up my stall as a freelancer after working in-house for several years.

It’s really quite hard to believe that it’s been that long since I took the plunge to start my own business, first as a sole trader and now as a limited company.

Initially I offered translation services alongside copywriting, editing and proofreading, but I decided to drop the former after a couple of years in order to focus on the latter three offerings.

Do I have any regrets about making the leap to self-employment? Nope, none at all.

The highs and lows of being a freelancer

Don’t get me wrong as it’s not all been a bed of roses – the very nature of freelancing means that you’re on a permanent roller coaster ride with inevitable (yet unpredictable) peaks and troughs, twists and turns ­– but it’s certainly been a fun ride to date. I’d even go so far as to say it’s been exhilarating at times, whilst scary and frustrating at others!

Of course, the growth of technology means that my role as a freelancer and the nature of my work has changed considerably during that time, as covered in my previous blog posts Freelance copywriting: then and now and Freelance copywriting: then and now (part 2).

But the fundamental benefits of life as a freelancer remain the same: freedom, independence and variety. And I don’t see any of those changing in the near future.

So, I would say here’s to the next 18 years, but I’m rather hoping I’ll have retired by then! Meanwhile I fancy some cake to celebrate and what could be more fitting for a wordsmith than one of these 7 delicious ways to eat your words?!

(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Related

Out of the blue, the thought occurred to me the other day that it’s been 18 years – give or take a couple of weeks – since I set up my stall as a freelancer after working in-house for several years.

It’s really quite hard to believe that it’s been that long since I took the plunge to start my own business, first as a sole trader and now as a limited company.

Initially I offered translation services alongside copywriting, editing and proofreading, but I decided to drop the former after a couple of years in order to focus on the latter three offerings.

Do I have any regrets about making the leap to self-employment? Nope, none at all.

The highs and lows of being a freelancer

Don’t get me wrong as it’s not all been a bed of roses – the very nature of freelancing means that you’re on a permanent roller coaster ride with inevitable (yet unpredictable) peaks and troughs, twists and turns ­– but it’s certainly been a fun ride to date. I’d even go so far as to say it’s been exhilarating at times, whilst scary and frustrating at others!

Of course, the growth of technology means that my role as a freelancer and the nature of my work has changed considerably during that time, as covered in my previous blog posts Freelance copywriting: then and now and Freelance copywriting: then and now (part 2).

But the fundamental benefits of life as a freelancer remain the same: freedom, independence and variety. And I don’t see any of those changing in the near future.

So, I would say here’s to the next 18 years, but I’m rather hoping I’ll have retired by then! Meanwhile I fancy some cake to celebrate and what could be more fitting for a wordsmith than one of these 7 delicious ways to eat your words?!

(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Related

Like many others, I was recently glued to my TV wondering who was going to be crowned MasterChef 2015. As well as making me feel hungry, watching the contestants create culinary masterpieces got me thinking about common idioms and other phrases in English that are linked to cooking.

There are actually a lot more than I originally thought, so here’s a selection for your delectation…

Idioms about cooking to tickle your taste buds

Cooking on gas = making good progress and likely to succeed (gas being faster, easier and cleaner to cook with than a wood stove)

Cut and dried = a situation, issue or idea that’s completely settled or decided (the distinction was originally made between the ‘cut and dried’ herbs from herbalists’ shops and living herbs)

Flash in the pan = something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning

Half-baked ideas = ideas that haven’t been thought through properly

It (all) boils down to = reducing a problem to its basic elements (based on the fact that a boiling liquid reduces in volume and becomes more concentrated as it evaporates)

On a knife-edge = in a tense situation, especially one that’s finely balanced between success and failure

On a plate = with little or no effort from the person concerned (usually used in conjunction with to hand or give)

To boil over = when someone can’t control their anger and starts to argue or fight (opposite of Simmer down)

To cook the books = falsify a company’s financial accounts

To cook someone’s goose = ruin someone’s plans or cause someone’s downfall (a goose used to be cherished and fattened up for a special occasion, so cooking and eating it prematurely would spoil the planned feast)

To curry favour = attempt to ingratiate oneself with someone through flattery

To grill someone = question someone without letting up

To jump out of the frying pan into the fire = go from a bad situation to an even worse one

To simmer down = become calm (opposite of Boil over)

To stew or be in a stew = be mentally agitated

To stir the pot = deliberately raise tension/emotion

To turn up the heat = intensify pressure or criticism on somebody/something

Pay heed to these proverbs

As well as numerous idioms about cooking, there are also a few proverbs. Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that express a traditionally held truth. Usually metaphorical, they often offer advice.

A watched pot never boils = time feels longer when you’re waiting for something to happen

If you can‘t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen = if you can’t cope, leave the work to someone who can

It’s no use crying over spilt milk = there’s no point being upset about something that happened in the past

Too many cooks spoil the broth = if too many people are involved in a task or activity, it may actually turn out worse

If this collection of idioms about cooking has whet your appetite for more, check out my other posts in the series. Meanwhile I’d love to know if I’ve missed out your favourite cooking idiom.

(chef image courtesy of Stuart Miles / curry image courtesy of tiramisustudio via Freedigitalphotos.net)

Related

Like many others, I was recently glued to my TV wondering who was going to be crowned MasterChef 2015. As well as making me feel hungry, watching the contestants create culinary masterpieces got me thinking about common idioms and other phrases in English that are linked to cooking.

There are actually a lot more than I originally thought, so here’s a selection for your delectation…

Idioms about cooking to tickle your taste buds

Cooking on gas = making good progress and likely to succeed (gas being faster, easier and cleaner to cook with than a wood stove)

Cut and dried = a situation, issue or idea that’s completely settled or decided (the distinction was originally made between the ‘cut and dried’ herbs from herbalists’ shops and living herbs)

Flash in the pan = something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning

Half-baked ideas = ideas that haven’t been thought through properly

It (all) boils down to = reducing a problem to its basic elements (based on the fact that a boiling liquid reduces in volume and becomes more concentrated as it evaporates)

On a knife-edge = in a tense situation, especially one that’s finely balanced between success and failure

On a plate = with little or no effort from the person concerned (usually used in conjunction with to hand or give)

To boil over = when someone can’t control their anger and starts to argue or fight (opposite of Simmer down)

To cook the books = falsify a company’s financial accounts

To cook someone’s goose = ruin someone’s plans or cause someone’s downfall (a goose used to be cherished and fattened up for a special occasion, so cooking and eating it prematurely would spoil the planned feast)

To curry favour = attempt to ingratiate oneself with someone through flattery

To grill someone = question someone without letting up

To jump out of the frying pan into the fire = go from a bad situation to an even worse one

To simmer down = become calm (opposite of Boil over)

To stew or be in a stew = be mentally agitated

To stir the pot = deliberately raise tension/emotion

To turn up the heat = intensify pressure or criticism on somebody/something

Pay heed to these proverbs

As well as numerous idioms about cooking, there are also a few proverbs. Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that express a traditionally held truth. Usually metaphorical, they often offer advice.

A watched pot never boils = time feels longer when you’re waiting for something to happen

If you can‘t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen = if you can’t cope, leave the work to someone who can

It’s no use crying over spilt milk = there’s no point being upset about something that happened in the past

Too many cooks spoil the broth = if too many people are involved in a task or activity, it may actually turn out worse

If this collection of idioms about cooking has whet your appetite for more, check out my other posts in the series. Meanwhile I’d love to know if I’ve missed out your favourite cooking idiom.

(chef image courtesy of Stuart Miles / curry image courtesy of tiramisustudio via Freedigitalphotos.net)

Related

Do you ever wonder what job or profession you might be doing now if your career had taken a different direction?

Perhaps if you’d got better grades at school or had accepted job offer A versus job offer B?

From time to time, I’ve pondered what alternative career path I might have followed. After all, how much of it is about the choices we make and how much is down to destiny?

But what got me really thinking about it were two recent blog posts by Charlee Sully and Michelle Abrahall. In comparison to these two creative types, my ‘tried but didn’t like’ and ‘near misses’ seem somewhat pedestrian. But I thought I’d document them anyway, so here goes…

Travel agent

Like most 15/16 year olds today I had to do a week’s compulsory work experience. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I ‘grew up’ but as I’d chosen to study languages for ‘A’ levels I was set up with a placement at a local travel agency. However, a week spent tidying brochures, photocopying and making tea did nothing to inspire me to pursue a career in the travel industry.

Babysitter / chambermaid / gift shop assistant

Between the age of 14 and 18 these were my part-time and holiday jobs. Although on paper the first two should have prepared me for becoming a mother and homeowner, the reality of doing it full time – and unpaid – is completely different. And working in a shop, even an upmarket gift shop in the centre of Bath, made me realise that I wasn’t cut out for a career in retail.

Librarian

As a child I was a real bookworm, so the idea of working in a library always appealed. Unfortunately I never got to try it out, but this unfulfilled wish is now being met once a fortnight through volunteering at the fabulous Tree House Bookshop in Kenilworth. Here I get to spend a whole morning tidying shelves and alphabetising secondhand books to my heart’s content. OCD, moi?

Archaeologist

This is, without doubt, the odd one out. For some bizarre reason – which completely escapes me now – I applied to study Archaeology with German and Swedish at the University of Surrey. But I didn’t get the required grades, so ended up studying Modern Languages at Coventry Polytechnic instead. Who knows what I’d be doing now if I’d got a degree in Archaeology…

Languages teacher / interpreter / translator

These were the most obvious career choices after graduation, but none of them particularly appealed. No way was (am) I tough enough to be a secondary school teacher, and I prefer writing than speaking foreign languages so that ruled out interpreting. Of the three, the only jobs I did apply for were in translation, but it’s probably as well that I didn’t get offered them because I’m not sure I’d want to be doing it day in, day out.

Marketing

As things turned out, my first ‘proper’ job was in Export Marketing. This then led to further in-house jobs in Marketing and Marketing Communications, which eventually resulted in me setting up shop as a freelance copywriter, editor and proofreader back in 1996.

So there you have it… my career path to date summarised in 500 words or so.

Over to you

Did you have any unusual or interesting jobs before the one you’re doing now? Is there an alternative career that you feel you missed out on? Or are yet to embark on perhaps? Do please share in the comments.

(image via and via)

Related

The hyphen may be small, but its presence – or absence – in a word can make an enormous difference to the meaning. The English language includes several instances of words where the decision to add or leave out a…

Do you ever wonder what job or profession you might be doing now if your career had taken a different direction?

Perhaps if you’d got better grades at school or had accepted job offer A versus job offer B?

From time to time, I’ve pondered what alternative career path I might have followed. After all, how much of it is about the choices we make and how much is down to destiny?

But what got me really thinking about it were two recent blog posts by Charlee Sully and Michelle Abrahall. In comparison to these two creative types, my ‘tried but didn’t like’ and ‘near misses’ seem somewhat pedestrian. But I thought I’d document them anyway, so here goes…

Travel agent

Like most 15/16 year olds today I had to do a week’s compulsory work experience. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I ‘grew up’ but as I’d chosen to study languages for ‘A’ levels I was set up with a placement at a local travel agency. However, a week spent tidying brochures, photocopying and making tea did nothing to inspire me to pursue a career in the travel industry.

Babysitter / chambermaid / gift shop assistant

Between the age of 14 and 18 these were my part-time and holiday jobs. Although on paper the first two should have prepared me for becoming a mother and homeowner, the reality of doing it full time – and unpaid – is completely different. And working in a shop, even an upmarket gift shop in the centre of Bath, made me realise that I wasn’t cut out for a career in retail.

Librarian

As a child I was a real bookworm, so the idea of working in a library always appealed. Unfortunately I never got to try it out, but this unfulfilled wish is now being met once a fortnight through volunteering at the fabulous Tree House Bookshop in Kenilworth. Here I get to spend a whole morning tidying shelves and alphabetising secondhand books to my heart’s content. OCD, moi?

Archaeologist

This is, without doubt, the odd one out. For some bizarre reason – which completely escapes me now – I applied to study Archaeology with German and Swedish at the University of Surrey. But I didn’t get the required grades, so ended up studying Modern Languages at Coventry Polytechnic instead. Who knows what I’d be doing now if I’d got a degree in Archaeology…

Languages teacher / interpreter / translator

These were the most obvious career choices after graduation, but none of them particularly appealed. No way was (am) I tough enough to be a secondary school teacher, and I prefer writing than speaking foreign languages so that ruled out interpreting. Of the three, the only jobs I did apply for were in translation, but it’s probably as well that I didn’t get offered them because I’m not sure I’d want to be doing it day in, day out.

Marketing

As things turned out, my first ‘proper’ job was in Export Marketing. This then led to further in-house jobs in Marketing and Marketing Communications, which eventually resulted in me setting up shop as a freelance copywriter, editor and proofreader back in 1996.

So there you have it… my career path to date summarised in 500 words or so.

Over to you

Did you have any unusual or interesting jobs before the one you’re doing now? Is there an alternative career that you feel you missed out on? Or are yet to embark on perhaps? Do please share in the comments.

(image via and via)

Related