Boot Camp for Freelancers

This annual event is put on by PWAC – the Professional Writers Association of Canada, Quebec Chapter – and as always, was chock full of interesting information useful for anybody who does it indie-style, or just would like to. This year’s incarnation, on April 5, was an intense afternoon workshop that covered ergonomics, tax tidbits, photography tips, and blogging for freelancer writers. Luckily there weren’t any push-ups required, though Remo Scappaticci, the accountant, steered us through the obstacle course that self-employed taxes can be. He opened the door onto the brave (old) world of mileage logs (as opposed to blogs), expenses claims, GST and TVQ (isn’t that a Quebec television station?). I didn’t get to hear the photography talk, but I learned something amazing from the ergonomics consultant, Bernie Shalinsky: Back in the days when we used typewriters, no one got carpal tunnel or tennis elbow! We have computers to thank for these ailments. (Anyone got a spare Remington?) Bernie then put us through our workplace exercise paces and had me sitting up straight(er) for the blogging talk. Matthew Forsythe’s session on blogging is what got me all the way out to Loyola Campus on a lovely spring afternoon, in the first place. Matt says blogging is indispensable for every writer/artist because it’s an investment in yourself, not to mention your future, a.k.a. your future networking connections. Sorta like a boomerang — toss it out there and you never know what will come back to you. Or, put another way: To give is to receive. It’s all very karmic! In short, Matt’s kinetic, ADD-esque talk had me so inspired I rushed home to write this blog. Ommm….