A moment with Freelance Writer Harleena Singh

Harleena Singh is a professional freelance writer with a rich experience of ten years spent creating unique and impressive content on the web. She specializes in writing engaging articles and blogs, apart from compelling press releases and sales letters. Her vast depository of works could be accessed on her website, where she unfolds more about herself. You can also visit her blogs: Aha-NOW! A family blog and Freelance Writers’ Blog, which are her passionate attempt to help people.

As a freelance writer, where do you find most of your work?

The Internet has been a boon for me, as I developed long-term work relationships with many clients whom I met online. And I find my work from anywhere and everywhere!

As a freelance writer I have tried out everything, right from the awesome Craigslist, to the various job boards on freelancing sites, passive income sites, though not yet tried staffing agencies or joining paid sites where there are well paying jobs.

Amazingly, more work avenues are left untapped like offline magazine publications and revenue-sharing online websites.

Do you remember when your love for writing developed?

I’ve fond memories of observing my mother pen down her beautiful thoughts in her own words. I guess that is when I developed my love for writing. Of course, that time there was no Internet or blogs, but the beauty of her hand written words left a deep impression on my mind. Later, my sister also imbibed these qualities and is a flourishing writer. So, I think it runs in the genes!

I love penning my thoughts and have been at ease with writing, as the flow of words comes naturally to me; though I never intended to become a blogger per se! After I lost my mother, it was my father who encouraged me to use the blogs to express my thoughts, and it was only after a few articles were published that I realized I had the ability to reach the readers. It was then that my full-fledged love for writing developed.

What have you done to improve and master the skill of writing?

My habit to write a little daily has really helped me. Apart from that, I visit many blogs and read a lot, which definitely improved my writing, as good readers are known to make good writers!

Along the way I learnt many techniques that enabled me to master the skills of writing, and write appealing content for the readers. For example, I learnt to write shorter paragraphs that are a must for online reading, as readers have short attention spans, learnt to use the right words at the right place, besides learning to use various writing tools and resources.

I have always had the spark of curiosity and urge to learn new things. I developed my own voice and have written engaging and entertaining content, keeping my readers in mind. Learning is a continuous process for me, and I learn something new every single day!
My sole aim is to provide my readers the best, comprehensive, wholesome knowledge and quality content that they seek, when they visit my blogs.

How much & often should a writer be writing?

There is a vast difference of opinion about this question, so I would rather say each one to his or her preferred way! While some bloggers prefer to write and post content daily, others prefer to take their own time depending on the whims and fancies of their mood or availability of time! Some writers may write 10 pages in a day, but some don’t even write for a few days. So, it is all up to you, as every writer likes to go at their own pace and some even wait for inspiration to strike, but the fact is that the more you write, the better you become!

As for me, I believe new posts are imperative to keep your reader’s engaged; however, your readers do get used to the frequency with which you put up the post on your blogs. I make sure to write daily, either for my clients, magazines, or blogs, as that keeps my writing skills intact!

A lot depends on the time and project in hand or the client’s requirements, as there have been times when I have just sat for hours and written more than 3000 words also.

You have some spare time in your day to watch a movie. What do you choose?

I really wish I had that kind of time in hand to keep abreast with the latest movies, and have honestly wished at times that we were living in that golden period when there was no Internet! It’s not that I am obsessed with it, but the truth and reality of life remain that being a freelance writer is not an easy task, and you need to be online to remain updated or find work etc!

I do switch off at times and enjoy watching old romantic movies- like Roman Holiday, and Gone with the Wind, which tells about lives wasted when there could have been so much happiness. Few others include Love Story, Ghost, and Titanic etc.

What are some of your passions in life?

My hobbies include sketching and painting, while I am more aesthetically inclined and appreciate pictures, photographs, and quotes. In fact, anything that is creative and beautiful touches my heart! Besides reading and writing, I also love to cook and try out various dishes that my kids and family members relish!

I enjoy solving problems and reaching goals by working hard to attain them! As I can express myself well, I like sharing the experiences of my life to motivate, inspires, and help others, to improve their lives, or connect to them in some way.

What inspires you?

I get inspired by people, by reading about their work or even their smallest acts of kindness. The way people overcome the trials in their lives, work towards their goals, and finally find happiness is what really stirs my soul and fills me with hope, besides motivating and inspiring me.

Inspiration comes when your mind is open and you are able to acknowledge the surroundings. For me, it could be a piece of music, a sentence I read somewhere, someone’s blog post, attending a writer’s conference, or being with other writers to discuss a topic.

A sample of Harleena’s work.

From my blog Freelance Writers’ Blog post titled “How Freelance Writers can Use Google+”

“Writing comes more easily if you have something to say.” ~Sholem Asch

With this latest social media tool raking up in popularity, do you wonder how freelance writers can use Google+? As a freelance writer, I’ve been using this new social networking platform for a while now and thought to share my views about how freelance writers can use Google+. I have to admit that I love it, as it offers real advantages for freelance writers, or for that matter even authors, bloggers, journalists, or just about anyone!

Google+ is different from Facebook or Twitter, as neither is it a hyper-open network like Twitter, nor a closed network like Facebook. Instead, it has the best of both worlds and fits into the middle ground, which allows the user to maintain a vibrant public persona if they choose, and still keep information private for family and friends. Similar to Twitter, the “pulser” can follow as many people as they like, or decide to only share information with their “circles”, which can be divided into as many forms as the user desires, like family, friends, work, fellow writers, etc.