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72 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Do not waste your money on this book, August 15, 2005
This review is from: Writing for Quick Cash: Turn Your Way with Words into Real Money (Paperback)
This is a spectacularly bad book. I was hoping for a book that provided solid and useful advice on what kind of markets exist for freelance writers, with tips on how to enter those markets. Sadly, there is very little discussion about this. While there is some material about the market for laugh lines and content for greeting cards, the vast majority of this book includes filler that has nothing to do with writing for cash. Indeed, whole chapters are devoted to material that have nothing to do with writers' markets or even how to write. Examples: Chapter 2 is devoted on "how to organize yourself to write", where the advice includes a list of stocking supplies (the listed items include such things as paper, paper clips, pens and pencils... gee I never would have thought of those items... it also includes items such as scissors and glue, I thought we were writing for cash not doing a grade-school craft)... additional advice in this chapter includes how to lower expenses ("build your own furniture" is part of the advice list... page 30), advice on "keeping careful records", and advice on taxes. Again, what does all of this have to do with how to write for cash, or how to enter writers' markets? The book is filled with much more ridiculous "advice"... another example include page 141, when addressing the question of "where to find business and technical writing jobs", the answer given is to "... find these projects at small-, medium-, and large-size businesses"... my question is what other kinds of businesses are there???... the chapter on "photojournalism" includes advice on "how to pack for a trip", where the list on page 116 includes the all-important tips to remember items such as your "airline tickets, your credit cards, your sunscreen (???), and your appropriate and comfortable clothing", among other similarly obvious items. Again I ask, what does this have to do with writing for cash, and why do I need to purchase a book to tell me these things? I could go on and on with more examples. The bottom line: do not waste money on this book, it is of no help whatsoever for aspiring freelance writers.
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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Resource for Quick Writing Income, April 4, 2004
This review is from: Writing for Quick Cash: Turn Your Way with Words into Real Money (Paperback)
If you're a skilled writer but have little or no idea as to how to turn that talent into cash, then this book is for you. Oberlin devotes the chapters to many diferent kinds of writing opportunities--each with the potential of landing some cash in your pocket. Because of the wide variety of writing opportunties covered in the book, no one area of writing gets extended coverage but the book provides enough detail to whet your appetite and gives you potential areas to consider. Especially recommended for those who are "weekend writers" and want a quick way to earn money with their writing talent. Highly recommended for writers of all skill levels.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
answering reading turtle, April 18, 2006
This review is from: Writing for Quick Cash: Turn Your Way with Words into Real Money (Paperback)
I can appreciate that 'reading turtle' isn't pleased but after teaching from this approach for roughly 20 years, most recently with online classes, I can tell you it's far from 'an outright lie.' In fact, it works. It's worked for me and for many, many others.
Former students went onto sell successful books to commercial publishers and many dozens more used the course and text (this book) to sell fillers, greeting cards, short and longer feature articles, newspaper pieces, you name it. Others have used it to launch successful freelance endeavors in the business writing realm such as public relations projects, web design businesses, etc.
No where did I imply that by reading only one chapter you can get published, nor that the knowledge in the journalism chapter equals what you get with a bachelor's. It's merely to let the reader know that to get started, this is sufficient. Having more education/experience, of course, always helps but lack of it shouldn't deter any aspiring writer. There's a niche out there for most everyone who wishes to get published.
Most of turtle's complaining has been taken out of context so it makes me really wonder what the motive for offering such a negative review might actually be. Hmmm.
Indeed you can propose a non-credit course fairly quickly. In addition, you can write captions, fillers, and short material, and begin the makings of longer projects quickly as well.
The essence of the "quick cash" approach -- turtle missed this completely -- is that you start small and build your skills from the quicker writing assignments. Therefore, you invest most energy with the greatest opportunity toward getting published fast -- to boost self-esteem as writer AND to boost your bank account.
Turtle is entitled to an opinion, but since my courses have been quite popular, the diatribe seems to reflect the minority opinion. Those who would like to know more about this book are welcome to contact me through my website [...] and I'll be happy to answer any questions. -- Loriann Hoff Oberlin
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