Dennis Miller

I hate to go off on a rant here, but what is the purpose of using a blog as a work reference for freelance writing work?

To preface - I have finally realized my life long dream of criticizing peoples use of the English language and started CunningLinguists as a side business. What do I do you may be asking yourself with bated breath....well, simple - editing, writing, proofreading and translating, though my translating is limited right now to Italian to English (and vice versa) and ESLglish to English...

One of my clients gave me access to a site www.freelanceswitch.com where I have been applying for contracts and the one thing that has struck me regarding all of this is that not only do some of these potential clients want writing samples, they want your blog too.

Now, to me, my blog is something personal which as I stated on my other blog (Adventures in Tuscany)in January I hoped to use to keep in touch with family and friends. Yes, I'm cheap. But more seriously, I write about things that the average person wouldn't know or even care about. I'm using the blog so I don't have to write the same email out multiple times and then worry that I missed someone when I send it.

I write about packing and I write about things my daughter is doing and I write about Alessio and even sometimes my feelings. Do I really want someone using my thoughts and feelings against me to determine whether I'm worth writing the copy for their website, or worse, that I couldn't edit theirs?

I wonder, should I start another blog and write strictly about business related things and how much I love to be part of the team but also cherish those moments I can work alone? Should I write about my hatred of office politics only to follow it up with a later blog stating that I finally understand the 'big picture' so that those potential clients who might be worried about my ability to blend in (albeit only with the written word) can breathe a sigh of relief when I sign their NDA? What does one do in this situation?

Maybe I should Google it......