As a full-time freelance writer and blogger in Vancouver, British Columbia, I’m living proof that dreams do come true if you don’t mind bleeding, sweating, and crying a little…or a lot! I always wanted to earn a living as a writer, and am grateful for my work and life.

I’ve contributed to magazines such as Reader’s Digest, Writer’s Digest, Health, Woman’s Day, Spirituality & Health, alive, MSN Health and sometimes More.

I also enjoy writing health articles, newsletters, profiles, etc for clients such as BC Women’s Hospital and Health Match BC. I teach a Make Money Blogging course through Simon Fraser University, at the Vancouver campus. And, as an experienced teacher, I’m available to teach writing workshops, sit on blogging panels, etc.

My degrees are in Psychology and Education, from the University of Alberta in Edmonton; I live on Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada (a 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver).

Quips and Tips is my main focus these days — I created and manage five blogs that weave quotations with practical life tips. Though I happily accept assignments from editors and other clients, my dream is to build my blog empire and write a series of Quips and Tips e-books. I want to inspire people to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals — and I love the feedback and questions I get from readers!

See Jane Soar is my sixth blog; there, I offer life lessons inspired by quotations from successful woman. It’s based on a book project I’m working on.

That’s me, in a nutshell! Do you have any questions or thoughts? Just make a comment below. If you’d prefer to contact me directly, my email address is on my Education & Work History page.

And if you have a question about writing or blogging, ask me on Questions (and Answers) About Writing.

Go well, my friends…

Laurie

First, advice from Ray Bradbury for writers:

“To sum it all up, if you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling.

You must write every single day of your life.

You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next.

You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. 

I wish for you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime.

I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you.

May you live with hysteria, and out of it make fine stories—science fiction or otherwise.

Which finally means, may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”

Thanks, Mr Bradbury — this is wonderful advice for writers.

Okay, here’s a roundup of my new articles on my four blogs…

New Article on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers

• Writing Careers – Jobs for Magazine Staff Writers and Editors – I quoted Rona Maynard in this article – she was the editor of the fabulously successful Chatelaine magazine for 10 years. Canadian! 

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals

• Leaving Your Husband or Wife – 4 Ways to File for Divorce – if you’re getting a divorce, here are four options (I’d go with mediation – but I’m not getting divorced!).
• How to Save Christmas Money Before the Holiday Season – this is a great list of ways to save money, from Ethan Ewing of Bills.com.
• Signs of Eating Disorders in Teenagers – because too many girls struggle with body image and body confidence issues.
• 8 Thanksgiving Gift Ideas for Turkey Day – Thanksgiving is just ‘round the corner for Canadians…what are you taking for the cooker of the turkey?
• Invited to a Potluck on Turkey Day? Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas – if you’re invited to a turkey day potluck, you’ll find some great ideas for gifts and dishes here.
• How to Find the Right Brain Games and Brain Exercises – from Alex Colket, creator of PlayWithYourMind.com.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility

• Infertility and Divorce – How to Know if You Can Save Your Marriage – I tell ya, I picked up A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go by Susan Pease Gadoua because I thought it’d trigger an article idea…and I wrote three articles about divorce. 
• Ways to Cope With Infertility Depression on Thanksgiving Day – because infertility depression is worse over the holidays, unless you can get out of town or something.

New Articles on See Jane Soar

• Women Considering Divorce – Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Husband – it can be hard to know if you can save your marriage, but sometimes the signs say go go go!!
• What Halloween Costumes Reveal About Personality Traits – Halloween is just ‘round the corner for everyone (not just Canadians!) – what does your costume say about you? 

If you want to read more about relationships, go to Popular Articles About Love, Relationships, and Infidelity – there’s lots of info there! 

Oh, yes, and I also wrote How to Decide About Getting Divorced: 4 Options for Married Couples in Unhappy Marriages on my Psychology topic on Suite101, where I’m a Feature Writer. Mustn’t forget about Suite!

What I’m Reading This Week – Book Recommendation

As I said, I’m reading Contemplating Divorce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go by Susan Pease Gadoua. Even if you aren’t considering divorce, this book shows how to build a happy marriage – or how to reconnect with your spouse. And since so many readers ask questions about love and relationships on my Quips & Tips blogs, I think this information will help me help them!

Click on the book cover for details. 

That’s it for this week!

You’re welcome to share your thoughts, questions, concerns, or jokes below…

First, a quip for writers:

“Failure is part of it. You will be rejected dozens and dozens of times. The best way to prepare for it is to have something else in the works by the time the rejection letter arrives. Invest your hope in the next project. Learning to cope with rejection is a good trait to develop.” – Po Bronson.

Learning to cope with rejection is a good trait for all people, not just writers. Bounce back and move forward, my friends! And, check out my newest articles…

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers

• Tips for Writing a Long or Short Author Bio for Magazine Articles – as requested by a fellow writer, through Twitter.
• 5 Tips to Make Your Sentences Flow – Good Writing Skills – because you can’t keep readers until the bitter end unless your sentences flow!
• 14 Tips for Successful Magazine Writers – a round up of tips from published authors, freelance writers, script writers, bloggers, and editors.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals

• Weight Loss for Teens – How to Lose Body Fat – because a teen asked for help on one of my Suite101 articles.
• 6 Ways to Create Long-Term Success – because a reader asked for help on one of my Suite101 articles!
• Solving Tax Problems Early – 9 Strategies for Income Taxes – because I think it’s smart to think about taxes midway through the year if you’re an entrepreneur.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility

• Reasons for Low Sperm Count and Male Infertility – interesting new research on the evolutionary causes of infertility.
• Dr Phil’s Tips for Women Obsessed With Having a Baby – I made a point to watch Dr Phil that day because he was featuring infertile couples who want to get pregnant — and was infuriated with Dr Phil’s advice!
• How to Overcome Infertility Depression  – because infertility is a drag, but it doesn’t have to ruin our lives.

New Articles on See Jane Soar

• Overcoming Shame and Guilt – Erica Jong – based on a wonderful reasearch study from the University of Alberta (my alma mater).
• Dealing With Different Money Personalities as a Couple – Suze Orman – are you a saver or a spender? What about your partner? This was fun to write
• Overcoming an Unexpected Relationship Breakup – Eleanor Roosevelt – not because my hubby and I suddenly split up! A reader asked a question on Quips & Tips, which prompted me to write this post.

What I’m Reading This Week – Book Recommendation

I’m reading Building Findable Websites: Web Standards SEO and Beyond by Aaron Walter, and think it’s the perfect balance between basic and technical information. He discusses everything from WordPress plugins to managing domain names – some of it is way too “computer program-y” for me, but most of it is accessible, practical, and helpful. He highlights best practices for creating websites and blogging, and explains the “how to” clearly.  I like this book much better than Blogging for Dummies.

The best part is that Walter’s tips will help readers find your website or blog, and encourage them to return! Click the book cover for more info on Amazon.

Your turn! If you have any thoughts, questions, concerns, or jokes, please share them below…

Here are my three most popular articles about love:

• How to Let Go of Someone You Love
• Love or Infatuation? 5 Ways to Tell If It Could Be True Love
• 15 Meaningful Ways to Say “I Love You”

And my three most popular articles about relationships:

• How to be a Great Husband
• 11 Tips for Fighting Fair in Marriage
• 10 Ways to Improve a Bad Relationship

And finally, my three most popular articles about infidelity:

• 6 Signs of Emotional Cheating
• Learning Why Men Cheat From Gary Neuman
• Tips for Surviving an Emotional Affair

About the Adventurous Writer website — which is “a work in progress”:

I can’t decide what I want this website to be! The site, The Adventurous Writer, is the hub of my other four blogs, so it should represent those sites. I did post a few weekly writing strategies, but found it’s too similar to Quips & Tips for Successful Writers.

So, now I”m playing with the idea of rounding up my most popular blog posts about topics ranging from love to successful freelance writing. Or, a weekly roundup of all the posts I published on my blogs.

Or maybe I should do a round up of my most recent articles on all my blogs…sort of a “snapshot of my week.” Above all, I want this website to be helpful to my readers!

What do you think? If you have any thoughts about this website or what you’d like to see, please share below! And — I’d love to hear about what you do on your website or blog…what works for you?