I don't think it does get better (warning: depressing self-pitying rant)

[dreaming.forever]

I think you are actually making this more complicated than necessary You don't need a Paypal link on your site to have people pay you with it. In fact, I would strongly advise against it. You can use paypal to invoice them directly where it sends them an email and then they can click the link to pay it, or most of the time, people who hire writers and editors know what the deal is and just ask you for your paypal email address.

Your portfolio site really only needs 1 page plus the pages where you include writing samples. I know you edit, but your writing will be the best way to showcase you have the skills. Introduce yourself and provide links to 3-4 articles you have written. Not fiction, short shorties, or poetry -  non-fiction articles like a business would want written for them. 

I could go on and on about all of this, but I will stop rambling. Let me know if you have questions.

I had no idea you could set it up like that. I thought the only option was to use one of those custom pricing setups where it automatically calculates the cost once a customer selects the project length and what they want done (editing, critiquing, etc.). How do I send PayPal invoices?

Since I don't have a degree or a fancy background, what sort of info should I include in my portfolio profile?

You are going to be looking at .01/word to begin with. That is a starting rate. It works out to about $12/hr - 1200 words an hour is not that bad. Once you have experience writing copy, you can get .05/word and up. You won't start there - it a process.  Go into elance expecting to write at .01/word.

Good to know. I must have just been looking in the wrong place (I don't remember what website I checked out, but it wasn't elance).

[dreaming.forever]

You could also go to a non-fic editor with a proposal. You may be able to get okayed before you even write the book.
And we could always use a "How to create a realistic trans* character" or "How to create a realistic character on the autism spectrum" guide...

That's a good idea. Thanks.

Yeah it drives me crazy when I see trans* people portrayed in movies or tv; it seems like it's almost always completely inaccurate. I had considered writing about it, but I hadn't thought of writing non-fiction. I think I'll do that.

As for the autism spectrum, I don't think I could be of much help since I only really see it from my point of view (i.e., I don't know how NT people perceive social situations, and their behavior often baffles me). I personally believe that if society got rid of about 85% of the things that are involved in social interaction (especially anything to do with being "polite"--I hate it when I think someone likes me, only to find out they were just being "polite" instead of bluntly stating that they aren't interested in being friends), the world would make a lot more sense!

[spacerace]

I had no idea you could set it up like that. I thought the only option was to use one of those custom pricing setups where it automatically calculates the cost once a customer selects the project length and what they want done (editing, critiquing, etc.). How do I send PayPal invoices?

Usually what happens is they will just send you the amount you agreed on after the project is complete - they will just ask you for paypal address and send it themselves without an invoice.  It is really just an email exchange. If you think the person may be sketchy, you can ask about half up front, or just avoid the job completely.

There is no automatic cost calculation in any of this. You agree on either a fixed price per project, or you say "my rate is X/word" and work it out that way. Then, if you want, you can create the invoice to send them using Paypal's interface.  Click the request money option, and then you will see a "create invoice" and it will walk you through it.

Elance has its own payment system that connects to your bank account.

Since I don't have a degree or a fancy background, what sort of info should I include in my portfolio profile?

Just list the services you can provide (make it up, basically) for example  - blog posts, landing page copy, keyword articles.  This is the type of content people with money want to buy.  Then - show you can write stuff like this by creating a sample of each. Learn how to write each type of content with some deep-googling. Look at elance to see what people want for examples of what is out there.

Honestly, the only way to make this work is to nickel and dime your way through the little small jobs you find on craigslist and elance, and then eventually you will find something that is fixed and longterm writing for a content marketing company at a higher rate.

[Soren]

As for the autism spectrum, I don't think I could be of much help since I only really see it from my point of view (i.e., I don't know how NT people perceive social situations, and their behavior often baffles me). I personally believe that if society got rid of about 85% of the things that are involved in social interaction (especially anything to do with being "polite"--I hate it when I think someone likes me, only to find out they were just being "polite" instead of bluntly stating that they aren't interested in being friends), the world would make a lot more sense!

Anyone reading that guide would already know how neurotypical people think. Most people off the spectrum think that everyone on the spectrum is like "rainman". Even mentioning the "I hate it when I think someone likes me, only to find out they were just being "polite" instead of bluntly stating that they aren't interested in being friends" thing or a brief description of sensory overload would give NT people something else to go off of instead of "And then Jason made a weird noise and said, '19931682 toothpicks are on the floor'".

[StellaB]

Thanks for the reply. It's not just that I feel ashamed of it (in my view, once I officially admit that I have a disability, I've essentially destroyed my self-worth; my self-esteem is largely based on what I can do, and if I apply for disability, I would feel as though I was worthless). It also goes against my own personal principles/beliefs. I agree that it's better that tax money goes to that sort of a cause rather than contributing to war and destruction, but it still doesn't feel "right" to me in my gut. I don't think it's bad for people in general to get that kind of assistance, but for me specifically, it just feels like the equivalent of publicly announcing, "Okay, I give up! I can't do anything, and now I need your pity to survive instead of working to contribute to society. I've always been worthless but I've been too stubborn to admit it until now." I would just be too uncomfortable with the whole situation, even if I knew for sure that it was all completely private (i.e., that nobody except one or two government workers would know I was on disability).

Only you're not worthless and deep down you know this (I hope). You're creative, and you do things which other people need and which supports them, but the bottom line is that you too also need support.

This is what welfare is all about - support. It isn't failure it's just an income provided for those for whom things don't work out by society until that time when things work out again.

People pay taxes for it and this is supported by corporates who pay taxes to ensure that nobody at the bottom goes without.

You're actually doing yourself and nobody else any favours by trying to survive without it. It's something you're entitled to and once that government worker decides you are entitled to it that's it, end of and it's nobody else's business where you get your income from.

[dreaming.forever]

Anyone reading that guide would already know how neurotypical people think. Most people off the spectrum think that everyone on the spectrum is like "rainman". Even mentioning the "I hate it when I think someone likes me, only to find out they were just being "polite" instead of bluntly stating that they aren't interested in being friends" thing or a brief description of sensory overload would give NT people something else to go off of instead of "And then Jason made a weird noise and said, '19931682 toothpicks are on the floor'".

Good point. But with some things, I'm not sure if it's because I have Asperger's or if it's just part of my personality. For instance, I'm not sure if I dislike small talk because I have Asperger's, or because I'm just one of those people who are bored with the mundane, predictable aspects of life (no matter what the weather is, how someone answers the "how are you?" inquiry, or what plans they have for the weekend, I just don't care--not because I don't like that person, but because it's as interesting as deciding whether to cook brown rice or white rice for dinner). So, I wouldn't want to write a guide that ends up being more like "The Official Guide to My Quirky Personality" than something like "Asperger's: The Official Guide."

[Soren]

Good point. But with some things, I'm not sure if it's because I have Asperger's or if it's just part of my personality. For instance, I'm not sure if I dislike small talk because I have Asperger's, or because I'm just one of those people who are bored with the mundane, predictable aspects of life (no matter what the weather is, how someone answers the "how are you?" inquiry, or what plans they have for the weekend, I just don't care--not because I don't like that person, but because it's as interesting as deciding whether to cook brown rice or white rice for dinner). So, I wouldn't want to write a guide that ends up being more like "The Official Guide to My Quirky Personality" than something like "Asperger's: The Official Guide."

You would still need to research, the same way you would if you were making a guide to writing about realistic trans people. There are online forums made for people on the spectrum (Wrong Planet, I believe, is one of them) as well as tumblogs with reader contributions (I'm rather partial to ->-bleeped-<-yeahaspiebot.tumblr.com) where you could find traits that many have in common. (From what I've seen, a dislike of small talk is quite pervasive among the spectrum).

[dreaming.forever]

You would still need to research, the same way you would if you were making a guide to writing about realistic trans people. There are online forums made for people on the spectrum (Wrong Planet, I believe, is one of them) as well as tumblogs with reader contributions (I'm rather partial to ->-bleeped-<-yeahaspiebot.tumblr.com) where you could find traits that many have in common. (From what I've seen, a dislike of small talk is quite pervasive among the spectrum).

Okay. Thanks for the link and forum suggestion.

[dreaming.forever]

@Edge: Sorry, I must have overlooked your reply. I didn't see it til today when I was trying to remember the DBT acronym (I've heard of CBT and ACT but I hadn't heard of DBT before).

There is a saying I've heard before: "You can't get water from an empty well." Essentially, you will be better at contributing to society once you get on your feet than where you are now. Getting help to reach that point is nothing to be ashamed of (although I know words aren't really that convincing and you can do what you like). Then again, I'm biased toward the whole "we're stronger if everyone is" kind of philosophy. Sorry if I make no sense.

I checked it out and it doesn't look like I'd meet the requirements to get disability benefits anyway.

Here's one I've found, but you could also google it. http://www.bipolarsjuk.se/pdf/Handbook%20in%20DBT%20Group.pdf
I should warn you it was developed specifically for BPD patients, but the skills are useful to anyone. There may also be books at your local library.

Thanks. I've just looked at the first couple of pages so far, but I think it's going to be helpful. I do have a tendency to engage in black-and-white thinking (usually involving "never" statements--"I'm never going to be okay," etc), so hopefully I can learn to change that.

That would make things difficult. If I ever figure out how to stop worrying, I'll let you know.

K. Same here.

My school counsellor keeps asking me stuff like that when I go talk to him. It tends to cheer me up because it makes me imagine it in detail and it doesn't seem so unattainable. That may just be me though.

Well, it cheered me up, so I'd say it was a success.

[insideontheoutside]

This article might have some useful bits:
http://www.biancamarieta.com/create-an-online-portfolio-for-writers/

[dreaming.forever]

This article might have some useful bits:
http://www.biancamarieta.com/create-an-online-portfolio-for-writers/

Thanks.