Writer Spotlight: Rachel Roderick
Tell us a little about yourself! Where do you operate from?
I work from my cozy home in Warwick, Rhode Island - which, by the way, is a real state. It may be the smallest of the 50, but it is most definitely not part of New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts. All of my work is carefully supervised by two dogs, Maggie and Boyd, who also serve as my home security system. They stand between me and the dangers of the world like our mail carrier, plastic bags blowing down the street, and rabbits running through the yard.
How long have you been with Scripted?
I have been with Scripted for just about seven years, or as I prefer to think of it, somewhere close to 2,000 posts.
How did you become a freelance writer?
Reading and writing are my favorite forms of entertainment, and I am always curious about new topics. Before freelance writing, I kept taking expensive college courses and getting degrees and certificates in areas I had no intention of pursuing as a career. My husband suggested instead of paying for the opportunity to read and write as a perpetual student, it might be better for all concerned if I found a way for people to pay me. Brilliant. Seven years later, here I am.
Are there any tools you're using to keep your quality so high?
For me, the most effective way to keep quality high is reading - a lot. I go through dozens of internet articles per week, along with a couple of high-quality fiction and non-fiction books a month. This gives me a solid sense of what good writing looks, sounds, and feels like. More importantly, I know what I don’t like.
That said, I still scan each piece through Grammarly before submitting, just to be on the safe side. I seem to be a little too free with commas, and Grammarly isn’t shy about pointing that out.
What is your approach to proposals? What have you found that works best?
I find the proposal process awkward, because it is hard to say what each client wants to learn about me through the pitch. Some are interested in experience, some want to understand whether I am qualified to write on the topic, and some just want assurance that my writing style fits their needs.
I typically begin as though I am writing the piece, and I put together a brief opening paragraph. In many cases, I am able to use this opening paragraph if I am selected for the job. Then, I include a few bullet points on how I expect the rest of the piece to flow based on the information provided by the client. Finally, I mention my experience with Scripted, as well as any specific expertise I have with the topic.
How have you been able to balance your work as a freelancer with the rest of your life and the current state of the world?
Well, to be honest, I am not sure that I have balance. Writing is my passion project, so while other well-rounded people are pursuing hobbies like music and sports, I am in front of the computer. Since I also have a “day job”, that’s a lot of computer time. It works in a pandemic, but there is no doubt I should go outside a little more - and maybe talk to people once in a while.
What tips would you recommend for writers who are new to the Scripted platform?
Writing is like anything else - skills develop with experience. Read a wide variety of blogs on all sorts of topics, including those from less-credible sources. You will quickly learn the difference between quality writing and… not quality writing… so you can adjust your own style to be more effective. Then write - both on the Scripted platform and off. Over time, this sort of practice will make it easier to communicate your thoughts and ideas clearly - which is, of course, the key to happy clients.
