I read a blog post over at Freelance Switch today that reminded me of the single most important thing that you'll need to make it in this field.

Tenacity.

I truly believe that tenacity, or lack of it, is the key to a lot of life, including the freelance writing life. One reason is the constance of rejection in the writing field. Journalists have to pitch and re-pitch, while B2B writers scour 20-30 jobs a day and are happy to get one of them in a week. Another reason is the fact that once the page is full, there's always another page waiting underneath it. You've just got to keep going.

I realize some may disagree with me. What do you think? Between talent and tenacity, which is the most important attribute for the freelance writer to have?

As I pushed the kids out the door to school this morning, I was glad I wasn't paying $3.89 per gallon to get to work. I walked the 10 steps to my desk and was able to retrieve a payment, a new assignment and a potential customer's email- all in a matter of mere keystrokes.

Here's a list of other reasons that I don't mind freelancing in the current economic times:

• Despite massive layoffs, someone still has to write copy or submit the articles. Freelancers are cheaper than regular employees, and companies often turn to them to fill the gap.
• Uncle Sam and the Small Business Administration may be a little more willing to help out a struggling business in the current economy, or to support new businesses while they find their sea legs. Please notice that I said "may be willing". Start your research at the SBA site.
• I opted out of the cut throat competition...to a degree. I know a lot of companies have had several rounds of layoffs. That's really nerve-racking, and I'm quite happy to have my destiny be in my control.

Of course, those of you out there who are looking to get published on the side are in a really good place, too. You've found a way to have and eat your proverbial cake. Meanwhile, the WAHMS in the writing world have found a way to negate the gas prices by contributing to their household income through their writing. I wish all freelance writers the best of luck!

In case you didn't read the comments in the post below titled "Jury's Still Out..." we did finally get to hear from Nichole of the new blog network Today.com. I also made contact via email. Nichole was able to answer the doubts that surfaced about the newish network. Write on..and thanks for getting back to me, Nichole.

Although I certainly don't mind fielding questions and was able to poke around for information, following are some ways that you can investigate a potential employer on your own.

• Read the contract. Keep a copy for your records, and don't work without one unless you are absolutely comfortable with client.
• Use the tools at your disposal. You can find out who owns a domain using tools like WhoIs and DomainInfo. You can also use your contacts in writing communities to see what the word on the street is. Message boards, blogs, and mailing groups are all valuable sources of information.
• Speak with past contractors. Ask for references. A legitimate employer will allow this with little resistance. Don't be shy!
• Don't make the call without all the info. You'll notice my blog post yesterday simply presented the facts I could locate and indicated that I had not come to a personal conclusion. You don't want to lose a client by hasty action. I've worked for start up magazines that certainly didn't have all their ducks in a row, and looked liked swindlers; they became some of my best clients. On the other hand, I've also sniffed out scams from square one. It could go either way in a virtual world.

Remember, whether you are a new writer or a 20-year veteran writer, your time is valuable.

Hi all. I got a couple emails this morning about the Today.com blogging gig that was posted at Performancing.com , Freelance Writing Gigs and Problogger. Althouth all of these are top notch sites, I'm not sure that they screen their job postings. There seems to be a question as to whether this is a legit opportunity.

So I asked around a bit and did some research:

Possible Positives:

• The post that they put up at Problogger does specify that the guaranteed amount is only for the first month.
• I have ran into two online people who have said they got paid. One has said she blogged for them for 2 months, another didn't say how long.
At least one blog has been up and active since March 4. This is also one of the writers who has been paid.
• The contract (which you "agree to" when you first apply) looks to be legitimate.

Possible Negatives:

My main issue is that they don't seem to be upfront about who they are or what they're doing. Trying to track down the owner of Today.com was like a wild goose chase. For example, their Wiki says its contact is Cat Internet Services. Wow. Google that name! However DomainTools says that Today.com is by the Amosely Corp of Canada, who owns over 12,000 other domain names. My IPNeighbor says that some of those other IPs include blogscam.com and boylove.info. Despite the multiple other locations that Domain Info et. al. revealed, I did notice that the contract cites Pennsylvania as it's governing region.

Maybe content or ownership isn't really your issue. Maybe you just want to make sure you're paid. I can understand that. Throughout the internet today, I've found ~35 people who were accepted within the past week and a half. Given the fact that they obviously hold many website domains, perhaps that's not "too many" as I originally thought.

In the course of my poking around today I have happened upon many other well-reputed web writers who have some of the same question marks as I do. Please feel free to leave comments if you can direct us to a real human to speak with and/or have been paid.

Meanwhile, I have left several phone calls and emails with a couple different offices/addresses that I've located, and am trying to get into contact with another writer that may have been paid by now. I'll let you know when I get these leads followed!

As a freelancer, I do like to work with the Matador network. Their assignments are easy, payment is quick, and they are just plain pleasant to work with. As a reader, though, Matador really tends to eat up my hours! I just can't pull myself away from the first person travel accounts, the far away places and all the features to play with. So whether you're a writer or a traveler, Matador may have something for you.

Some examples of the MatadorNetwork: MatadorStudy.com, MatadorNights.com, Matador.org, and BraveNewTraveler.com.

If these sites don't make you want to be a travel writer, I don't know what will!

Join me as I pick the brain of Erika-Marie Geiss, editor of the theWAHMmagazine.

Becoming a freelance writer was my first foray into being a WAHM (work at home mom) and WAH (working at home). It's an odd, interesting set up, and I've turned to Erika's great publication for support.

A reader with a huge story to pitch is wondering what's keeping an editor from stealing her idea and assigning it to a veteran writer. Would an editor really do such a thing? What do you think? Have you ever heard of this happening or had it happen to you?

Hi all, this came into my inbox from Dana Walker, a marketer at Quail Ridge. Please direct interest to her, not to me! Thanks.

"Quail Ridge Press, publisher of the Best of the Best State Cookbook Series, is looking for writers who are in need of stories to sell to newspapers and magazines. Here is my website for more information: www.quailridge.com, dwalker@quailridge.com."

Please read carefully, guys, Quail Ridge isn't hiring freelancers, they are looking to partner with freelancers for publicity. But, if this is one of you niche area, you may benefit, too.

I recently read somewhere that there is no such thing as writer's block- that it's simply a function of fear. Do you think that's true? I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever experienced writer's block specifically, but I will admit to suffering from writer's laziness, writer's fear and a whole host of other writer's issues! I feel that (for me) the act of writing takes discipline, just like any other job I have held. If I am disciplined, things happen, assignments go well. If not, then there is no flow. Simple as that.

What's your opinion on writer's block?

Anyway, I address writer's block, getting ready to write, and many other subjects in this new article: Ten Steps to Prepare For Your Freelance Magazine Assignment. Check it out!

I'm starting to feel a wee bit selfish. Here I am, running through the final proofread of the regional magazine that I edit, completely smug about what a gorgeous issue it's going to be- flawless, full of great articles, no typos, no mistakes- and I realized I just cannot wait to tell you about this tool!

ReadPlease is a lifesaver. I am full of typos. I know it. Some of you know it. I am constantly juggling, I have two loud children and many excuses. But this program saves me. It reads your work aloud while you follow along. Goodbye, typos- it really works!

I will be writing a full review ASAP, but until then, please do give the free trial version a try.