by Sondra Deuber

Created on: February 05, 2008

The question: can an artist be successful without "the formula." My initial response: Which formula?

I'm a fairly new freelance writer and have been a Heliumite for less than a month, so there's still much for me to learn. I have not yet learned about "the formula" or how I can be successful as an artist without it or, for that matter, with it.

I learned a lot about writing in college. Almost every class required one or more formal papers. Some involved analyzing play scripts or critiquing works of art. Others involved writing business proposals, team-building guidelines, or solutions to workforce problems. I had to write book reports too, in French. The subjects ran the gamut and each required a different approach. I rarely had a problem and don't remember many bad grades on my work. I have years of experience writing software documentation, training manuals, and developing training in a corporate environment.

Freelance commercial writing is a whole new ball game. College professors expect scholarly writing, and they definitely require proof of your knowledge of the subject, no matter what it may be.

Training materials in a corporate environment are different and require a different style to be effective. I write training materials the same way I talk, at least in the classroom. We won't discuss my personal conversation style; depending on the situation, I could really embarrass myself.

In my short career as a freelancer, I've found that I attract certain kinds of people and am less successful with others.

I currently have a contract for a book ghostwriting project. The employer immediately nicknamed me his angel. You'd have to ask him exactly why, though it may be my casual and empathetic style. His story, which he and I both believe is important to tell, is quite amazing. It's also quite amazing that he's still around to tell it.

Another client has provided me with another nickname. He wrote a biography some years ago that, by his own admission, is not all that he'd like it to be. Actually, he told me he hates it, wants it rewritten, and I'm the one he wants to write it. We'll hopefully complete contract negotiations this week and proceed with a project plan.

A web design client gave me yet another nickname (this could get really confusing over time). I generate the most work from people I connect with because of my style. The pet names seem to indicate a connection that isn't present with other clients.

They've all seen samples of my work and feel that my style

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