Rebecca L. Weber | Freelance Writer

Modern Journalist Toolkit 17/Digital nomad: Freelancing on the road

Posted in backstory, behind the scenes, California, freelance, goals, idea generation, journalism, ModernJournalistToolkit, NYC, pitching, reporting, Uncategorized, USA, writing

When I saw this VW van in California a few weeks ago, I thought immediately about a recent article about #vanlife. Somebody who thought she could do her job remotely was surprised to find out that she couldn’t work on her computer during a bumpy ride, nor connect for calls in the middle of a […]

Takeaways from the ASJA writers conference

Posted in behind the scenes, books, coaching, freelance, journalism, NYC, reporting, USA, writing

A few years ago a freelance writer tried to persuade me to attend the ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) conference in New York City. I had lots of practical reasons why not to go: Me: It’s a 24-hour trip each way for me. I can’t afford to take off the days of the […]

Modern Journalist Toolkit 11: Freelancing in the era of Trump with Ray Joseph

Posted in backstory, behind the scenes, freelance, journalism, ModernJournalistToolkit, reporting, sources, South Africa, USA, Washington

“Alternative facts.” Real-time verification. Journalists arrested or alienated when covering the president. If the 45th U.S. president is in power for four years, we have 47 months to go. What does Donald Trump mean for us as freelance writers? Some important insights about working in the new now come from those who have worked in […]

Modern Journalist Toolkit 2: Getting paid electronically

Posted in business, freelance, journalism, ModernJournalistToolkit, money, USA

It continually surprises me that in the United States, one of the most technologically advanced countries, it’s still a widespread practice to send paper checks to freelance writers. This is true even at companies that have been paying staff via direct deposit for a decade. In most other countries, electronic funds transfers are secure and […]

What to watch: Movies for the media

Posted in backstory, California, Chicago, creativity, documentary, Europe, feature film, France, freelance, Hollywood, indie film, journalism, movies, NYC, photography, reporting, Russia, social justice, television, USA, WhatToWatch, writing

This trio of films have all found audiences with the general public, but may have particular resonance with journalists, photographers, and related members of the media. Finding Vivan Maier “Finding Vivan Maier” is both an introduction to the work of the prolific street photographer, as well as a dive into who she was and why […]

Best of 2014: What I read, listened to, and watched

Posted in books, creativity, journalism, reporting, television, USA

Most journalists will tell you that one of the best parts of the job is speaking with people whom you wouldn’t otherwise get to meet–and of course, ask them all sorts of questions. One that almost always elicits genuine, passionate responses from creatives is, “What artists from other genres inspire you?” Today’s post is my […]