Sometimes we are so wedded to the idea of being always connected that we don't realize how much we can accomplish when offline. Here's a short article I wrote when I had to be offline for a while. It's a newsletter subscriber exclusive.

For the past three days, I have been working in a location with no internet connection. Youwould think that that might be a problem for someone who makes her living online, but it isn't. Even if you can't get online for most of the day, you can still meet your obligations to your clients. As with most writing jobs, thetrick is to be prepared. Here's what I did.

First ofall, I put a vacation message on to let clients know that responses to emails would be delayed. I also contacted those with imminent deadlines to let themknow there might be delays.

Next, I made sure that all my files were backed up to my online storage medium, and put a portable version of my browser on a USB stick, just in case I found I was able to connect. Finally, I completed the USB stick, by loading files I wanted to work on onto it. This involved some cutting and pasting. I mixed work between creative work (blog post and article outlines and titles) and administrative work, giving me a mix of potential activities for the day.

So far, it has gone well. While I am not quite as productive as I might be at my desk, Iam also working without distractions, so I've managed to turn out around 3,000 words of creative work over the last two days. I've also made some headway on preparations for the magazine work I have to do. And I did it without the usual social media distractions too.

Feel free to share your thoughts on working offline either through the comments or my contact form.

Dana Prince Joins Get Paid To Write Online

I'm happy to welcome Dana Prince as a contributing writer on Get Paid To Write Online. I've known Dana for several years and we have worked together in different ways. We have also formed part of each other's writing support network. Dana is the author of The Writer's Blog and many others. She will be posting on the blog once a week. Find out more about Dana here.

Figuring Out What Your Clients Want

It can be a bit frazzling to get an assignment and not know how to proceed. Not all web content buyers communicate precisely what they want so it's up to you as a professional writer to be a consultant of sorts and to help guide them and uncover their needs.

Different website owners have different desires for their content. Before you start a project, you need to figure out what your client wants. Never just assume. How do you find out? If there aren't any/enough specifications given to you in a project brief, ask. It'll save you time and frustration.

Are Writers' Networks Just For Newbies?

It's another exclusive for subcribers to Writing Lab News.

When you're starting your freelance writing career, it's easy to see the value of joining a freelance writing forum or getting the support of other writers through some sort of networking group, whether formal or informal. But what about when you're more established? Are those networks really worth your time?

My experience is mixed. When I started freelancing, I used writers' networks to get advice on freelance writing rates, to find sample contracts and to see good examples of writing portfolios. They also provided job leads. Most of all, they provided some reassurance that there was life after low-paid writing jobs,which I needed to keep motivated.

Once my client base expanded, I no longer used those networks for chasing every job lead. I never particularly needed advice on how to handle certain types of writing. Those are more important to new writers. These days, I look on forums to research potential clients and sometimes to find other writers who can take some of my overflow work.

My informal support networks have always been more important – and that hasn't changed. I have connected with writers by email, through online chats and through Twitter and that's a good way to get a new perspective on thorny issues or to talk to someone who understands the joy and occasional pain of the freelance writing business.

Whatever stage your writing career is at, I think every writer needs a network. Do you belong to a writer's forum or networking group? Share your favorites with me onTwitter.

Writing Talk - Location Independent

Being a location independent freelance writer has joys and pains. Check out the other Writing Talk strips here.

Diary Of A Working Writer - October 2009

I've spent most of the past month working away from home. First on a vacation in Florida,then from my sister's New Jersey apartment. That's the beauty of having a location independent business. The experience has validated my decision to keep many things in the cloud. When I got to New Jersey, I found that my laptop had taken a dislike to the cable internet connection – it just wouldn't recognize it. The upshot of that is that I am using my sister's laptop and accessing my essential files through Google Docs and Syncplicity. I'm also using a portable version of the Chrome browser which has all my bookmarks, saved passwords and so on.

I've lost track of how long I've been posting on PiggyBankPie, but I've written a batch of posts which will be published over the next month or so.

What's ahead? More of the nomadic lifestyle for me as I head to the UAE and then London. I'm fine tuning another free ebook and then hopefully getting back to work on mysecret project. Have a great month!

Share this newsletter with a friend (if they don't want it, all they have to do is ignore the signup email - no hassle, I promise.)

No Net Connection? No Problem!

Dana Prince Joins Get Paid To Write Online

Figuring Out What Your Clients Want

Are Writers' Networks Just For Newbies?

Writing Talk - Location Independent

Diary Of A Working Writer - October 2009