Writing stories of life

NYT Best-Selling Author Taylor Stevens Follows Up Her Hit Novel With a New Thriller; Shares Her Secrets on Book #2 With Us

2012-01-31T13:37:00.000-05:00

When a writer of Taylor Stevens' caliber comes to visit my blog, I get happy. It's no small feat to have a book on the NYT Bestseller List, so I tend to listen and gleen what wisdom I can for my aspiring novelist readers. (The last interview I did with her still shows as one of my top most popular posts.) And for her to visit me again, with book #2? I'm beyond thrilled! Taylor sat down to answer my questions--how do you make the second book as good as the first? And she reveals the surprises--what she's learned since the success of the bestselling novel. Is it wine and roses and whirlwind press junkets? Here's our conversation:

Your follow up book to the NYT bestselling book "Informationist" was called "the best thriller of the year" and "master of the genre". Can you tell us about "The Innocent"?

What makes it so special and unique?

In THE INNOCENT, Vanessa Michael Munroe is approached by a group of cult survivors—each one harboring an ulterior motive—to infiltrate the environment in which they were born and raised, and rescue a kidnapped child. People ask me a lot about my childhood, and this was as close as I could get to writing about it in a fictional format. Although the characters and experiences in THE INNOCENT are not specifically mine, as far as I know, it’s the first mainstream thriller to invite the reader to see behind the closed doors of the same cultic environment in which the author grew up.

Can you tell us about writing and marketing the sequel to a bestseller? Did you feel more pressure to have it "perfect" and "top the charts"?

Because THE INNOCENT is a follow-up, I didn’t expect it to have the same level of commercial success as THE INFORMATIONIST, but I did feel immense pressure to meet reader expectations—especially because THE INNOCENT is a very different book from the first. That said, I feel that those who loved INFORMATIONIST because of Michael Munroe as a character will enjoy this story just as much, if not more, because ultimately, it’s a continuation of her journey.

The Austin Chronicle said this book was more autobiographical than the first--do you agree? How so? Was it "painful" to write?

I’ve come to terms and made my peace with my unusual childhood, so although drawing upon it wasn’t necessarily easy, it also wasn’t as difficult as it otherwise might have been.

Misinformation abounds in regards to my life, and The Children of God in general, so even though THE INNOCENT is fiction, it was important to me to keep as close to the truth as possible. But that created a problem, because a lot of real life is very mundane. Even in cults. And staying true in this sense can be limiting—especially when you’re trying to write an edge-of-the-knife thriller. This, combined with the very personal nature of the material, is what made writing THE INNOCENT difficult, but I’m happy with the end product. Now when people ask me about what it was like inside the Children of God, I can point to this book.

When do you write...do you have a schedule or whenever the muse shows up? What is your BIGGEST challenge in writing, and how have you come to terms with it?

I typically write on a schedule because my muse is pretty stubborn, and on most days just won’t show up. I have a tendency to procrastinate over hard stuff, and since creating in writing—the exact point where making stuff up crosses making it sound good on paper—is hard, I procrastinate a lot. A lot. I’m learning to understand my triggers so that I can find ways to deal with procrastination productively—ways that don’t involve burning hours reading random stuff on the Internet. It’s a work in progress.

What piece of advice would you like to give aspiring authors?

I figure most aspiring authors probably know more about the actual mechanics of writing than I do, but writing well is only half the equation in publishing. Understanding the industry is equally vital, and that’s the part I tend to point people toward.

What have you learned about the business SINCE the books have come out? What do you wish you had known beforehand?

I’d never read an online book review before THE INFORMATIONIST published. I had no idea how much viciousness is out there, or how often material is interpreted differently from author intent, or that much would be projected into it (or onto the author), or that the work could be deemed“contrived” when details fell outside the reader’s realm of possibility, and so forth. It made me a little gun shy for awhile, and I do tread more carefully now—explaining things that I’d previously assumed people would research if they questioned. This is the nature of the business, but if I’d had some awareness of it going in, I would have been better emotionally prepared.

Have you finished book 3 in the series? What stage are you at with that manuscript? Is it as good as the first two?

I am finished with book three—gratefully—it took me twice as long to write as I expected that it would. Those who’ve read it, and whose opinions I trust, tell me that THE DOLL is the best yet. The manuscript is currently in the hands of my editor and we’ll soon be going through the editorial process to make it as good as it can be.

Thank you so much Taylor for joining us. I wish you continued success! Thank you Kris, you too!

Business advice via a 9-year-old

2012-01-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

My little nine-year-old actress and singer decided to set up a spot in the house for autographs. You see, she's been short on funds, so she figured this would be a quick way to score some cash. She found a bin, put one of her favorite blankets on it as the tablecloth, and put up a sign that said, "Autographs: $1." And she sat. And waited. And waited. Her dad was busy taking down the outdoor Christmas lights, and her brothers breezed past her, laughing. Feeling sorry for her, I asked for an autograph.

With youthful optimism, she said, "Maybe another day I'll get more business."

"Awww, sweetie," I said. "It looks like you've learned a business lesson here. You need to create a product or service that there's demand for."

"Huh?" she said.

"Like remember when you and your friend painted me and her mom's nails? Every mom around wants pretty nails. You filled the need, and you made some money, if I recall."

VOILA. You know how many times our own answers to questions are right inside of us? This advice I gave my daughter was exactly the words I needed to hear, as I'm plotting 2012 business strategy.

Find the need. Find what editors really want for their publications. And then provide them your service.

Simple enough?

Writers Reveal 7 Top Goals for 2012

2012-01-03T11:45:00.000-05:00

What’s your #1 goal this year? Last year, I asked this questionto some of my favorite writers, and they answered. This year’s no different. I went to writing colleagues I trust and admire. What’s your top goal, I asked them. And as I anticipated, it’s a solid bunch of pros: they’re ready for 2012, and more focused than ever.

So, what are writers about this year?

No fear. “Something tells me I’m into something good…”

courtesy of Freephotobank.com

Cut and print. No surprise here, but many writers shared their main goal: to finish and publish.

Author Kelly James-Enger, whose book Six Figure Freelancing and blog are musts, says while she grows her ghostwriting and coauthoring business, she wants to finish and publish her latest novel and to work on developing more passive income, primarily through e-books. “If I had to choose my top goal, it would be to develop a series of e-books for readers.”

Freelance writer Steve Sears aims to finish the first draft of a personal memoir by mid-year. Author Debbie Alferio says she plans to “finish and hopefully publish the manuscript for the third book in my Forever Love series. I’ve kept my readers in suspense long enough!”

Diversify. We’re all about kicking it up a notch, and author and writing coach Christina Katz says she wants to “take my writing career to a whole new level, exactly what I teach others to do, and ignore critics, champion my students and other people I respect, and basically mind my own business so it can continue to grow my career skills.” Katz is excited about rolling out her best tools for writers and still keeping up with her free stuff, such as The Prosperous Writers newsletter, the Writer Mama Every Day in May Book Giveaway, and class scholarships. “Folks should watch my blog for less blah-blah and more informative posts that are quicker to read and easier to digest,” she adds.

Be a better writer. “A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist told me one time, ‘Get rid of the good stuff--keep only the best stuff,’ and that was really about the best writing advice I ever received. So, I guess my goal is to be more substantive and creative when I write,” says writer-blogger Dave Meyer.

Be selective and strategic, so you can wage the war on the elusive work-life balance. Freelance journalist and teacher Susan Johnston--whose site is another must for writers (and one I did a 2011 guest post on accountability partners) --says: “I have a tendency to over-commit and wind-up stressing myself out to meet all of my deadlines. Then something else comes up and instead of resting, I jump head-first into the next project. My goal is to think more strategically about the projects I accept and negotiate longer deadlines or higher rates where possible so if things come up, it’s not as stressful.”

“Rather than whipping out quick filler fluff articles,” says blogger and publicity pro Kim Urig, “I’m going to focus on spending more time sending out queries for better paying publications. I’d rather say that my efforts netted me more than coffee at a fancy coffee shop. No more penny ante writing.”

Watch the clock. The battle of procrastination was often cited, even by NYT bestselling author Taylor Stevens. As her novel The Informationist soared to the top of the charts in 2011, she knew her weak spots. “Surfing randomly through news articles is my favorite procrastination device, and I waste far too much time doing it. My top writing goal is to spend less time online, and more time writing.”

The art of promotion. C. Hope Clark, the editor of FundsforWriters.com, looks forward to her series of mystery novels being published. “The top goal for 2012? Promoting the mystery novels: that means marketing the first, editing the second, and completing the third. Since I have a publisher, I darn well better make the novels a priority,” she says.

Nurture not nature. Writer, blogger and young adult writing teacher Mary Jo Campbell named 2012 the “year of nurturing.” She commits to nurturing her mind, creativity, dreams, and setting clear and realistic goals to nurture her writing: “Writing.Every.Single.Day.”

As I head into my third year of fulltime freelancing, I'm still enjoying it, though I have experienced frustrations with some clients paying very late (who hasn't dealt with this?) But overall, I'm moving forward, though, and gaining momentum, as I am still doing what I love: award-winning work on feature articles for magazines. I also "won" Nanowrimo this year and had my 50,000 word manuscript certified. I also signed on to be a humor columnist for www.Sharewik.com this year, and it's been great fun, as I was even able to dodge an earthquake, and live to tell about it! In 2012, I plan to work more strategically, writing for national consumer and trade magazines, and I hope to cultivate my index card file full of story ideas, which beg to come out of the box and come to fruition. What about you?

May you have a productive new year, my writer friends. May you write well, listen, learn, cull, discover, nurture, teach, and... enjoy. All my best wishes!

Hearing the Person Next to Us in the Holiday Line

2011-12-12T15:33:00.001-05:00

National Christmas Tree, 2010, in Washington, DC

I was in a hurry. It’s 2 weeks to Christmas, I’m in the middle of an article assignment and a humor column, reading a client’s memoirs, editing my first draft of a novel, not to mention the need to check on about 5 queries to editors, and I was now in the obligatory holiday post office line. Read: I resented the errand none of us enjoy--the long line to mail the Christmas packages and cards.

I watched as the postal clerk totaled my packages and cards to $50. I sighed.

I asked her if I could I go first class instead of priority mail, to save me a few bucks? She said she’d retotal, but it wouldn’t amount to much difference. I debated what to do—send things cheaper, but not assured by Christmas, or faster?

The rest of the line sighed.

I chose the faster route, fearing a beheading.

I checked my phone for the time as she was swiping the Master Card. There was still a few minutes where I could pick up an item I had ordered as a Christmas present. But the holiday traffic on the main drag was bad, so I was calculating how long that errand would take?

Plus, I was now standing at the mail slot posting stamps on 80 cards.

It is then when she approached me. (Or rather, she approached the mail slot.)

Shuffling, elderly, with a raincoat on and a scarf wrapped around her head, wearing an intense look on her dark brown eyes, she yelled out to no one, “How am I supposed to know which slot these all go in?” She was clutching addressed cards.

“Pick any one,” I barely looked up.

“Well, the other day I stood here and put each one in the out of town slot or the local slot and it took forever,” she said.

“They’ve taken those labels down,” I said, as I pointed. “I think you’re good if you use any of them.”

She smiled at me, and instantly released her burdens. (For some reason, people tell me things. All the time. I suppose this is because I look approachable? I’m somewhat disappointed I don’t look like an intimidating Miss America, but whatever.)

The thing is, I didn’t want to be in a discussion at the moment. There is no time when you are just trying to be a good little holiday citizen.

“You know what happened to me?” she asked. I looked down at the stamps I was putting on the cards. I hope this isn’t too long, I told myself.

“In 1998 I broke my ankle in a million places and they put a screw in my ankle,” she said.

“Oh that’s terrible, I’m sorry,” I said. "Must've been painful."

“You think that’s terrible? Well it’s never been right since then. I have to use a cane.”

I couldn’t help it, but I had to ask a question here. “You’ve suffered that long?”

“Yes!” she said. “And I got arthritis now. And the arthritis filled up the hole where they put the screw!”

“That’s awful,” I said.

“And so I walked into the doctor’s office yesterday and asked for my Percocet and he wouldn’t give it to me. You know, it’s because of all those addicts.”

“Yeah,” I said. And though I had no time for it, I kept the conversation going. “I tried to get sinus pills the other day and they had to write down my ID, because of all the meth addicts who crush up the sinus pills.”

“Oh I know, honey, isn’t it awful!” I was now a honey. She continued to talk.

“That doctor has no idea what it’s been like for me, all this time. And I couldn’t get my cane today. Oh sweetie, things are just awful.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I sure hope the new year is better for you.”

“I do too. Merry Christmas sweetie, and you take care of yourself, will you? Happy new year.” And she was gone, as quickly as she came, leaving me with the inevitable questions: How can we help people in chronic pain? And at it's more basic level--was she addicted to Percocet?

Then, I put the questions aside. My envelopes were stamped. It was a good reminder that no matter how busy I am during the holidays, I've got to remember to validate the person next to me.

Let someone know you hear them. You hear their struggle. Because in validating another, we can unearth that part of ourselves that we need to open up. That could be us standing there one day with a cane and a hole filled with arthritis that only Percocet can fix. We're all just people trying to get through the post office lines.

Really, that’s the only kind of present we can offer year-round: the gift of our attention. If only for a moment.

Though if someone can give me the gift of a 25 hour day, I’ll take it….

When romanticism and reality intersect: 7 tips for surviving Christmas mobs in NYC

2011-12-05T16:44:00.003-05:00

The danger of being in the creative industry: what you visualize in your head is not the same thing as what exists. Writers fall prey to this hazard quite easily: remember the beach house in Maine where you planned to spend your days blissfully writing? Didn't quite materialize, did it?

So you've dreamt of a perfect New York City Christmas, the kind where you waltz down the street with your laptop after having written a story that your agent MUST. HAVE. NOW. AND. PUBLISHER. WILL.PAY. TOP. DOLLAR. FOR. Your senses are fully engaged at this time of the year-- you can smell the cut trees. They smell a heavenly form of evergreen, and you can hear Sleigh Bells in the distance.

Call it too-many-movies-set-in-NYC-itis, but the reality is, it's not going to be exactly what you pictured. Here are 7 tips when visiting the Big Apple at the busiest time of year.

1. "The 5 Cabbies You Will Meet." You know how characters in the Christmas movies quickly hail a cab? It's easy and pain-free depending on what languages you know. In reality, you will stand with your hand up for minutes with yellow cabs flying by you. Only a guy in an unmarked car will stop and ask you if you want to get in. This is a trick! He is either a vice cop looking for hookers and you shouldn't have worn heels, or he is a serial murderer. You will be wise and say no, you're waiting for a MARKED cab, one with taxicab looking stuff in it, but your tired mother and daughter will head in blindly, necessitating you to rescue them from an imminent Christmas kidnapping, the kind that can only occur on a Christmas Lifetime Channel movie. The cabbie will say, "Where you go, ladies?" They will tell him, and he will say, "No can do, sorry. You're too far. There's too much traffic." This is when he will kill you, but you are too busy wondering isn't this what cabbies are supposed to do--fight traffic? You will push your mother and your child out of the moving vehicle.

2. DVR/TiVo the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Tree. You will not be able to get near the Rock tree. It is mobbed. Your best bet is the television. Look closely at the Today Show and see if you can find it in the background. It is beautiful. It's just that you won't get close enough to touch it or smell it, and it's only available to you through zoom lens on the camera. 3D glasses are also suggested.

3. "People are strange, when you're a stranger." The romantic couples walking happily arm in arm, madly in love, have grown into old married couples bickering over who's supposed to put up the lights --and their precious little bundle of joy is pushing his own stroller, about to run you over. You will not enjoy having this family up against you as you attempt to move in the several-city-block stampede at all the tourist spots. People are coughing heavily and hacking on you. You will need antibacterial lotion as well as a can of Lysol.

4. Patience is a virtue. The women's bathroom line to Macy's is approximately 5,000 women long, or the wait of an average pregnancy. (If you are pregnant, though, you will not be able to move up in line. How do we know you don't have a basketball hidden under your top?) However, Macy's is beautifully decorated, which you will be able to note as you are suffering, er, waiting. Their holiday music is quite joyful. You can't hear it, though, because the sound of the flushing toilets will drown it out.

5. You will shell out money for things you didn't think possible. The mothers and daughters at American Girl getting the doll's hair done far exceeds the number of doll stylists, necessitating the line you will be standing in, pondering why you are spending $20 to get a DOLL's hair done, and another $15 to get the DOLL's ears pierced. You will be sure that your sons would have been happy to take a hammer and nails and pierce the doll themselves, free of charge.

6. Be careful of where that lap has been. The only Santa you will find in Times Square will be the creepy Freddy Krueger one you do not want your child around. Instead, you will find a life size bowling pin character, and ask your child to stand next to it and smile. After she does, you will note that the helper is telling your child that the nearby bowling alley is a great place to drink.

7. Travel with a porn slang dictionary. Please note that when you see the gigantic sign "PUPPIES," do NOT point this out to your child and lead them over to admire the window display. Apparently, it does not mean baby dogs. It is an adult establishment, and at deadline, this reporter has yet to figure out exactly what the sign meant.

And remember all of this is tempered by two things:
1. The look of joy on your daughter's face discovering Christmas in New York.
2. The feeling of satisfaction when you discover the perfect bagel really does exist, and is best enjoyed on an early Sunday morning on the upper East Side.#
Kristine Meldrum Denholm is the humor columnist for Sharewik.com. For her columns, see here.

What I learned from Nanowrimo: 4 words

2011-11-29T10:31:00.000-05:00

I did it! Coming in at roughly 52,000 words, I've written my 2nd novel. Of course, as it is my first draft, much re-writing, editing and revising needs to be done. But: I. did. it. The National Novel Writing Month (NanoWriMo) board certified my word count and gave me a certificate and this matching web badge.

More importantly, here's what I learned through 30 days of reckless writing abandon:

Perfectionism stops us cold.

How many times in your life have you said: "I'm going to write a book." And did you? Here's why you didn't. You may have sat down to write it, came up with a few chapters and then decided it wasn't good enough, and never continued with it. Re-reading it, you saw that the muse wasn't cooperating--the words were paltry and merely adequate.

Or maybe you wrote the story in your head, but you didn't want others seeing it, for fear they will mock you.

Or maybe you were on the losing end of a dysfunctional relationship: you gave all, but your best wasn't good enough. Your manuscript ate you alive. You hated it. You broke up with it.

Perfectionism keeps us from going forward. I can't tell you how many times I wrote a chapter, only to be horrified that the words weren't worthy, not "good enough."

That's not the point of Nanowrimo. Nano lets your art out of your head, and tells your inner editor to shut up, or you will never get this done. You write, and you keep on writing, until 50,000 words have been reached.

NOW is when the work starts. You may never want it to go anywhere, or you may decide you can turn this into a readable manuscript someday. The point is, the first draft is done. You were successful, a "winner." You didn't let the self-editor have her way with you. You wrote through it all: the days where you had nothing in your head but a need for a strong coffee. You wrote through those ugly first chapters, which you're convinced are so boring that you could cure anyone's insomnia. You wrote through the climactic scenes, only to realize that there are some serious logistical issues, like your main character needs to catch a ferry boat but it's 2 am (but you had a blast writing it anyways.)

Remember that Carly Simon anthem: "I haven't got time for the pain"? I haven't got time for the inner editor to destroy me. My friends, I got a novel written in 30 days, one that I can at least start to work with. No more excuses. No more "someday I'll write a novel."

And now it's time to let the inner critic out ("Someday I'll revise this novel...")

Goodbye perfectionism. There's no room at the inn today!

Writing a book in retirement: An interview with Susan Boyd on how she wrote Secrets of the Charles

2011-11-21T10:43:00.002-05:00

When I was with ATF's press office, I worked with some outstanding people in some extraordinary times. One of my colleagues, and later my supervisor, Susan McCarron (now Susan Boyd) was an intelligent, excellent professional, devoted to our bureau. When I recently heard she had written a novel, I got in touch with her to hear about her writing experience. Here's our interview.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background, and how you used your knowledge of law enforcement in this book? And of course, can you tell us a little bit about the book?
I retired after over thirty years with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), where I started as a field inspector. During my career, I held supervisory and management positions both in field offices and in headquarters, including ATF's Public Affairs Office through the aftermath of Waco and the investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing. Working in a law enforcement environment, the unique office atmosphere and interaction between employees can't help but rub off — the assertive personalities and office shenanigans to break tension. Interview techniques, including body language, are an integral part any investigation.

Secrets of the Charles is the story of three generations of women solving a cold case murder. The book starts when a teenage Jack O'Shea witnesses his mother, Julia's, corpse by the Charles River in Boston. Over fifty years later, Jack's high school sweetheart (Kate), their daughter (Lilith), and grand-daughter (Alexa) work with two police detectives to uncover the truth to murder. They follow the few clues left in a dusty evidence box, Kate's recollection of her young life with Jack, and Lilith's recurring nightmare to piece together the secrets, lies, and dreams of families intertwined in Julia's life and death.

What made you decide to write this book?
Like so many people, I felt the urge to write for years, but couldn't find the time until I retired. The story line emerged from an experience when I was 14. I was a volunteer with the Red Cross in Charleston, WV, when someone came up with the brilliant idea (note sarcasm here) to load a bunch of teenaged girls into a station wagon and take them to the state insane asylum to sponsor a picnic for the patients. After a tour of the first floor, we came across a teenaged boy sitting in a catatonic state on a side porch. One of the girls knew him from high school, and told us his story. He was by the Kanawha River in Charleston when he saw police activity. The police were pulling a body from the river — his mother. I never knew his name, the circumstances of his mother's death, or what happened to him. So, as writers will do, I made it up.

Did you plot out the storyline ahead time, or let the muse dictate?
I pretty much let the muse dictate my stories. In fact, I didn't figure out who committed the murder until I had written about half the book. Of course then I had to go back and amend the story line a bit.

Did you write everyday? Many writers stick to a schedule...did you feel this helped you?

I do not write every day — I'm just not that disciplined. But I do write whole chapters when I sit at the computer. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), my other activities and interests don't afford me the time to schedule specific times for writing.

Did you use an editor, good friends who served as readers, or a critique group to look at it and offer suggestions?

My cousins were the first to read the first draft of the book. They grew up in the Boston area, and gave me good insight into life there in the fifties and sixties. A few other friends and family members read drafts and gave me input. I belong to a critique group, and the comments and suggestions I received from them were very encouraging and helpful. Since it's so difficult for any writer to spot her own errors, I paid an editor to review the final draft for both grammar and content.

How have you been promoting your book, and how have sales been going?
I'll be the first to admit marketing is the difficult part of writing. The first thing I did after having the book published was send an email to everyone on my email list. I also joined Facebook and found some old college friends to inform. Friends have held two book signing parties for me so far. I've also been invited to four book club meetings. I purchased an ad in the program for the Florida Writers Association conference, but would not do it again (just not enough exposure). I sold a few books at a small book fair in town, and will have a table at a larger fair in February. I still need to put together a press package to send to various media outlets, both down here and in the Boston area. To be honest, I've resisted setting up a webpage or blog for fear of being tied to the computer more than I am now. Book sales have been okay — not stellar. But considering my mediocre marketing, I'm not displeased.
How did you find a publisher?

After receiving rejections from about 25 agents and publishers, I decided to take the self-publishing route. (Frankly, if I waited too long to find an agent or publisher, one of my main characters, Kate, would get too old.) I bought two books that rate the many companies in the business, and decided on Dog Ear Publishing. I've been pleased with them.
Where can people get your book?

The book is available in both paperback and ebook format from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles' website.

What is next on the horizon for you?

I'm about three-quarters of the way writing a sequel to Secrets of the Charles. I also continue to write short stories — an exercise I highly recommend to all writers for a sense of completion and to take a break from any novel.

Thank you for joining us, Susan!
It is my pleasure, Kris!

There's no Starbucks in the mountains

2011-11-14T10:35:00.002-05:00

My sons' baseball season has finally ended. (Yes, well after the World Series.) Translated, this means: while I love my children something fierce, thank you God I finally had a Saturday that was clear of chauffeuring duties. Seeing I'm in the middle of trying to write a novel during National Novel Writing Month, and I've only squeaked out about 20,000 words so far, I decided to devote Saturday to fiction writing.

Which means I could only crank more words if I got away from my office, since various family members usually come in every 2 minutes with various issues: "He breathed on me, Mom!" ( I can't help that, honey, deal with it) And "can I go to John's house?" (I have no idea who John is, so, um, no) "Will you give me $10 so I can go get a pizza?" (Do I look like I have $10?) Or, "The dog has something in her mouth!" (get it out) and "Did you pick up the stuff from the dry cleaner, hon?" (um, no, I forgot.)

I headed my car west towards the mountains, only a little over an hour away from the Washington DC area. I had lovely visions of the fall leaves cascading off the trees as I sat blissfully with my laptop, with brilliant prose careening off my fingertips.

But as I headed out the door with visions of sugarplum writing brilliance dancing in my head, my husband said, "Where art thou going, my lovely vision of beauty?" (Cliff Notes Shakespearean translation: Hey, where ya goin'? Don't tell me you're going to leave me with the kids today?")

I told him of my wonderful mountain plan! He urged me not to go.

"Why, are you afraid of me getting attacked by mountain lions or bears? Don't worry, I'm sure they're afraid of laptops!"

He, of being the protective sort both in business and in life, said: "No, serial rapists."

I figured he had a point. I should probably avoid rapists, killers AND bears and not sit outside alone on a mountaintop (this, and I have NO SURVIVAL SKILLS.)

"Good idea," I said. "I'm heading towards a town at the base of the mountains. I'll write at a Starbucks or something."

Hours later, while circling a Virginia town, in search of a writing place with an electrical outlet, I could find no Starbucks. I found only a Burger King. The first plug by the window with the mountain view did not work. The BK employee graciously steered me towards the back of the restaurant where the outlet worked. It was next to a foul-smelling restroom.

I ordered coffee and resigned myself to my new writing home for the afternoon.

The smell was horrendous, but within minutes, a kind employee came by and began cleaning. I watched him mop floors, open up the bathroom doors and clean, spray disinfectant, and try to freshen the place up.

I watched as people sat down at tables around me: the old woman who read the entire paper next to me. The kids who had come in on their skateboards, talking about the latest video game. A guy who told me he wished he had one of "them there things." (I'm guessing he meant the laptop.) And a sweet older man, wearing a veterans cap loaded with pins, shuffled past me with his cane.

I remembered it was Veterans Day weekend, so I stopped him.

"You a veteran?" I asked.

"Yes," he proudly said.

"Well, I just wanted to thank you for serving our country," I said. "How long did you serve?"

"28 years," he responded. "I was with the Air Force."

"I bet you moved everywhere," I said.

"Yes. But then I worked another 20 years for the Commonwealth of Virginia, so I didn't have to move anymore. I did security work."

"Thank you so much for your service," I said.

"Thank you very kindly, young miss," he said. (I loved him for calling me this!)

I went back to my work. Wrote about 2500 words, but it wasn't pretty. It was a powerful scene I was writing, and I had the gorgeous mountains next to me, but... the muse wasn't coming.

What I've learned from Nanowrimo is that sometimes the muse doesn't come when directed. In that case, you have to keep writing. No matter where you are, what you are doing or who is around you, you have to keep writing. There may not be a Starbucks with roaring fireplaces and leather couches and Skinny Caramel Macchiatos (highly recommended) nearby. There might only be a Burger King with a smelly restroom, a hardworking employee having to deal with said restroom, and a wonderful United States veteran who has served this country most of his life, but you've got to keep writing, my friends.

4 Blog Posts Writers Should Not Miss This Week

2011-11-09T14:53:00.001-05:00

Hi all, I'm busy with Nanowrimo (I'm up to 16,000 words, woohoo!) so I thought I'd direct you to some good blog posts I spotted this week:

Jen Roland reviewed a book of interest for those of us who aren't satisfied with their income, Overcoming Underearning: see her review here.

"The #1 Thing Successful Freelancers Do" is over at Freelance Switch. Interested? See here.

You're going to want to bookmark The Urban Muse's "12 Places to Find Freelance Gigs." As always, Susan Johnston deals in solid advice for newbies as well as seasoned writers.

And another solid peek into a good blog, Kelly James Enger's Dollars and Deadlines, offers some sound advice on business writing this week.

(If you've read all of that, consumed all back posts of my entire blog, you can always check out my latest humor column on www.Sharewik.com, or my cover story in NEO Family Magazine this month on your teen's Maddening Mood Swings.)

Hope you're having a reflective November...

National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) Begins!

2011-11-01T15:46:00.000-04:00

While I'm busy writing 50,000 words this month as part of NaNoWriMo, I encourage you to do the same. And stop the excuses, because I have plenty too...yes, I have real work to do, a house to run, appointments to schedule, teachers to email, holiday shopping to start, kids to love and an insane dog to pick up after. And while I know this "novel"--and I do use that word loosely--won't be rushed to the printer anytime soon, it's just the art of getting something down on paper. It's about creating fiction (as a journalist I dwell and am comfortable in the nonfiction world so this is a HUGE challenge for me) --with a beginning, middle and end--which inspires me .

Sounds good, until I remember what a struggle it is sometimes to get those words down. For me, the big problem is the self-edit button I have on a continual loop in my head. You know the one? The one that says, "What you just wrote is really stupid. That will NEVER be published!" So I'm battling my inner critic in an attempt to produce a Nano manuscript.

Because it's a real live manuscript then and not a fuzzy "someday I'll write a book" fantasy.

Other writers around the globe are trying it. Why don't you join us? Or at least use the time to produce something in 30 days. (Check out this great blog post by Christina Katz of 21 tips for any 30 day project. Or take a look back at when I attempted this in 2009, and my guest post on the Writer Inspired blog.) Let the reckless abandon of writing frenzy begin, writer friends!

Announcing my new gig as a humor columnist!

2011-10-25T11:44:00.000-04:00

I’ve joined the team at Sharewik.com, a website which means, literally, Share What I know. It’s a site that combines the latest health information from medical experts with health, spirit and well-being columnists. If you haven’t checked out Sharewik.com, founded and edited by Diana Keough, formerly a Cleveland Plain Dealer and NPR reporter and Pulitzer-Prize nominated writer, please do. Top-knotch experts from Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children’s Hospital and Emery University provide health advice, right alongside your girlfriends sharing their personal stories about certain diagnoses.

I'm taking a shot as their humor columnist-- two times a month. (I wonder when they were thinking of who to choose for this job, they said, her! She’s a fool! Tomfoolery, I tell you! Hijinx will ensue! If so, should I be insulted?) Really, I think it’s all about laughing at yourself. Self-deprecation is the key. There are so many serious things in life we all grapple with. Can we take a few moments to just poke fun at the ridiculousness of situations? (This week, I tell of a man planting a tree, the resulting traffic tie-up and call VDOT to discover why.)

I look forward to the challenge of trying to step back from our busy lives as women business owners, workers, helpers, leaders, volunteers, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, and trying to make us chuckle (often by using my life as an example!)

On their website, they say:

We’ll talk about what’s important to women, men, your children and your aging parents so you never have to feel alone when faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, when you’re waiting up all night for a teenager to come home or when you find out your father had a stroke.

A particular treatment didn’t work, or you experienced particular side effects? A surgery hurt like heck or a procedure you tried wasn’t all that it’s touted to be? Depression, anxiety, addiction stealing a family member’s life? Is your husband no longer interested in sex? Caring for an aging parent is exhausting, challenging, heartbreaking? What did you do? How did you handle it? Are there resources you discovered that may help someone else? Others want to know details, details and more details. The good, the bad, the nitty-gritty.

Pop in over there, my friends? It will be worth the click...

Check out the new nonprofit in town: Writers for a Cause-- "Spreading Good Will Through Good Reads"

2011-10-03T16:49:00.000-04:00

My writer friend Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt, an author and a writer for News and Messenger, is the brainchild behind "Writers for a Cause," a new nonprofit in Virginia. I caught up to this busy writer and asked her about this great idea--"spreading good works through good reads."

Katherine, author of Poems from the Battlefield, and the children's book Furbily Furld Takes On the World, and Casi McLean, author of the memoir Wingless Butterfly: Confessions of a Jerk Magnet.

What is it? Launched in July, 2011, Writers for a Cause is a non-profit that highlights books by authors who contribute to various charities. Authors sell their books and contribute to charities of their choices. Authors are invited to attend local events to promote their books as well as create their own events under the Writers for a Cause banner. In these ways, the authors, who might be less known, attract more attention, and the charities the authors support will receive increased donations, making a win-win-win for authors, charities and those served by the charities.

You are listed as a non-profit? We are a non-profit in the state of VA. We are NOT a 501(c)(3) because we don't take money in the name of Writers for a Cause. We do not have bank account. No one donates to "Writers for a Cause" and gets a tax write-off. People buy books from our authors and the authors donate proceeds. The point is that readers who want a good book get a good book and can feel good about the purchase because the money supports various charities.
What have you worked on so far? So far, we have marketed through the website, Facebook, Twitter and other online bulletin boards and through attending events such as the Manassas Latino Festival. We have also created our own events, such as a book signing at Cheeseburger in Paradise. The list of events is growing, as is the list of authors who are participating in the program. However, we need more authors to come to events to provide a variety of books being offered; more authors who wish to add their books to the website; and of course, more readers to buy books. Participating in the program is free.

Since many of my blog readers are in a completely different state, they can't participate in this? No...they CAN participate. We have authors from other states including CA, MD, PA.

If writers want to create events in their areas, they first have to sign up for the program. Then they will need marketing materials (costs about $50 for a banner and cards). Then they are free to set up readings, signings, etc. as they wish. That said, I would like to post all events on our main calendar so web visitors get the full spectrum of events planned--this requires good communication between events coordinators and me.

Thank you Katherine for filling in other writers on a great concept!

For more information, contact writersforacause@oath.com, or catch them on Twitter @writersforacause. #

Being, Nothingness, and "Thank You"

2011-09-26T11:28:00.001-04:00

Being, Nothingness, and “Thank You”

It was my 13-year-old who got me on my latest rant. (This is not unusual.)

“Mom,” my son asked, holding open a door for someone for the umpteenth time without even a nod, “Why don’t people say thank you?”

"Son," I said in my best Mike Brady voice, there’s an ugly lesson here. Keep holding the door for people. It is right. Just don’t expect the common kindness returned.

An alarming trend has made its way through the internet land of a few “professional communicators.” Let me speak about professionals who are not appreciating your help.

Look, I love to give advice (hence, a writer's blog.) It's goodwill-- I love to feel like I'm helping. And I've been on the lucky end of receiving some sound advice, and I made sure I thanked the people profusely.

But if you give over a period of years, and it's not returned, one tends to notice.

Maybe you’ve given them hours of your billable time explaining (read: free consulting) to a newbie about how to start freelancing, but they don’t like your advice. (Isn’t disliking your assessment of the biz a little like being invited over for dinner and telling the host you don’t like what’s on the menu?) Maybe you share or promote many of their blogs or articles and they don’t return the recognition. Maybe you’ve agreed to read a colleague’s book just to give feedback. Maybe your “friend” is pilfering your writer contacts and editors off your page without asking. (Use LinkedIn’s introduction feature, it works!)

At least these pros can do is acknowledge you. Sure, you don’t NEED a thank you. You don’t even expect it, but it would be a Sign. Of. Respect. For. Your. Being.

Writers are a great lot. By nature they’re kind-hearted and want to help. So if they’ve helped you, acknowledge the energy they’ve invested in you. Perhaps reciprocate at some point. Share what you’ve found. Recommend them to the editors you’ve found when you need a back-up.

I live in the DC area, and I get a little edgy in the rat race. Here, my sarcasm drips out, I tease myself more, feel more pressure. I dunno, perhaps it has to do with the 50 million people sharing the SAME ROAD. (I -95 and I-66, I CURSE YOU.) But even with the east coast edge, I say thank you, acknowledge them publicly, or introduce them around, or just generally share the goodwill. Once—this really happened once, on August 15, 2004—when I put on my blinker to change lanes and they---ready?—LET ME IN. (Seriously! True story!) Perhaps too heartily, and very Ohioan of me, and when I caught up to him later I was still waving, but it was important for me to acknowledge the act. (In DC, you do NOT acknowledge another driver’s being. EVER. He is nothingness. Unless he slams into you on the Beltway one day on your way to Philadelphia. But even then, he won’t show up to court and your insurance agent will chase him for years, but I digress…)

You know that Bible story where the workers who show up at 6 am get one deneiro just like the workers who show up at the end of the day? How can that be fair-- even right? But, we’re told it is. I asked my pastor friend Tom about this, and his answer? “Why do we always assume we’re the worker who started at 6 am?”

But we do. He points out, though, there’s always someone who works harder than you. There are always people behind you that have helped you get there, too.

So, again, thank you, people. I know I’ve told you, but thank you to: my husband, my kids, my mom and late dad and late grandparents, former teachers and bosses and editors, and my dear dear friends-- and—of course—my fellow writers. I’m so lucky to know such awesome people! EACH of your gifts are appreciated.

Thank you to some outstanding writers who I’ve learned from their books, blogs and classes: Hope Clark, Kelly James Enger, Wendy Burt Thomas, Linda Formichelli, Susan Johnston and the recent ASJA conference come to mind right away. Writers and communicators like John Ettorre, a brilliant networker, who I met on LinkedIn, who always have a very supportive thing to say. And thank you especially to the writers whose prose just moves me—whether it’s Diana Keough or Jeanne Marie Laskas or Ann Hood or Anita Diamant or Kathryn Stockett—you inspire me. And the writers who make me laugh while we are comparing notes on our daily escapades of writing: they could use a little shout out, because they’ve got a true heart for telling a story: Kim Urig, Katrina Masterson, Dave Meyer, Holly Bowne, Mary Jo Campbell, Julie Steed, Kristen Fife, Steve Sears, Jen Roland, Debbie Alferio, the Bitter Chicks, Kim Justice, John Crothall, and so many others (I can't list everyone, it would be too long, but just know that I adore you!)

Thank you to the editors who’ve responded to my queries and have hired me. You rock, and I’ll keep working hard for you.

And to the editors who don’t respond to queries? Thank you. You are making me find another market.

And to all the rude people? Thank you too. I’ve learned about my pain tolerance (and luckily, I’m a Cleveland fan, aka the City Lacking in Any Championships Since I’ve Been Alive, so I understand this principle). Thank you to the man from a LARGE WIRE SERVICE who told me fresh out of journalism school that I didn’t “deserve” to be sitting there with him. Thank you to the boss who never took a writing course, who put one little red comma in a perfect galley ready to go to the printer, and insisted, even though that comma didn’t belong there. (I still made my deadline!) To all the people I’ve never loved before, thank you for teaching me something.

Did I mention the random passer-by the other day in DC who--as I was attempting a parallel parking maneuver in a space the size of an ant-- halted his walk and kindly talked me through it?

Yeah, he did. Thanks, sir! You rock, too.#

I'm over at the Urban Muse today talking accountability...

2011-09-23T17:43:00.001-04:00

Ever consider having an accountability partner to help you boost productivity (and income)? When I heard about freelance writers using this method, I wanted to try. Why you should have a partner, too: my guest post on today's Urban Muse. Check in on me over there!

And be sure to let us know if your pals help you work!

Are you making a part-time income from full-time writing? How to switch that around: An interview

2011-09-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

I just had the opportunity to chat with journalist Gretchen Roberts, whose work has appeared in Cooking Light, Wine Enthusiast, and Better Homes and Gardens. She's the author of Full-Time Income in Part-Time Hours: 22 Secrets to Writing Success in Under 40 Hours a Week, and graciously sent me a copy of her e-book.

Her book was exactly what I'd been struggling with: how do I make a fulltime living from writing when I'm working fulltime at it, yet only pulling down a part time income in which I could probably make more selling Tupperware? Despite a journalism degree, continuing training classes, keeping up with the industry, awards, and many years of experience, the editors tell you they just can't pay more. Shrinking budgets and declining ad revenue for magazines and newspapers have caused a ripple effect to writers, and we're feeling the pinch.

Yet, she was very optimistic in her e-book.

And I couldn't turn away from the screen. Really.

Gretchen, I loved your e-book. It was clear, easy to digest the important points, and informative. Why did you feel compelled to write it? What had you heard writers saying about their income?

I wrote the book for a couple of reasons. First, I'd done a panel at the American Society of Journalists and Authors on this topic, and people seemed really interested. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this subject, and I just had a lot to say! Second, I think writers tend to underestimate the amount of money they're capable of making. I wanted to give writers the tools for calculating and setting goals for their incomes.

What is the MOST important point writers can take away from this book?

I'd say the most important point is that this income is, indeed, within reach. As a beginning freelancer, I never would have believed a writer could make six figures writing full-time when I myself was making $75 a story, if I hadn't been told by people who were doing it.

One of the things you talked about that I highlighted was "demand respect in the form of adequate compensation." This is a point I struggle with regularly, as with a journalism degree and a gazillion years experience writing, when I make little money from local publications, am I not getting respected? Isn't that just the state of the industry--the editors say they CAN'T pay more. Should we just abandon local clients?

I wouldn't necessarily simply abandon your current clients, but I would evaluate your goals. If a better income is a big goal, how can you segue from current clients to better-paying clients? Make a plan, and carry it out. When I was writing for local home and garden publications, I began pitching those same homes to Better Homes & Gardens. It worked. I didn't ditch the local paper, but I gradually moved away from it as other, better-paying home and garden projects began to gel.

I would also add that there are many wonderful editors in the world of local publications who simply can't pay more. They often do respect you and your work, perhaps more than national magazine editors, so don't be too quick to ditch them on the idea that they don't respect what you do. It's simply economics. My point is that YOU need to respect your work, and your own value, and seek out clients and projects that compensate in the form of a living, even a professional, wage.

In other words, what do you advise good writers who aren't pulling in enough to make it a full-time income, when they're spending fulltime on their work?

Some writers may be happy with this arrangement, and for them I'd advise no changes. But if you're not--if you resent the enormous amount of time you put in for so little return--I would tell you to work on a plan to change that. It won't happen overnight, but if you begin to set your sights higher and work hard, you'll begin to make inroads at better-paying publications. At first it feels as if you're doing no better than before, because for every higher-paying story you're spending hours and hours marketing, but eventually that will turn around, and you'll see the monetary benefits.

One of the things you talk about is ditching PITA clients. I think some brand new writers may need the "clips," but at what point are they ready to demand more income? What about seasoned writers...when's the point where they say adios?

From long experience, I'd say that the point at which to say goodbye is the point at which you aren't putting in 100 percent effort for that client, because you feel deep down that you're not being treated fairly. If you resent a client, it will show in your work. Time to move on, for both your sakes.

In this era of a poor economy where ad pages are shrinking, how can writers demand more income for their work and time....is it just a matter of switching clients, and finding better ones?

That's part of it, but you can certainly ask current clients for more money. My health insurance company, life insurance, groceries, electric, and a host of other bills didn't stay stagnant in this poor economy.

You advocate full time income for a part time work. Yet if you promote that you're working part time, perhaps some editors may not want to hire you. They may not think you're serious enough?

True enough. I don't actually advertise that I'm part-time for that reason. I know I'm professional, and I have no motivation to give others a reason to assume otherwise.

Many of us mom writers are freelancing as opposed to fulltime outside the home office because we need to be here when our kids get home from school or are home for sick or snow days. I hired a babysitter this summer so I could keep working hours in my home office, but that cut greatly into my income. I might as well been at the pool with the kids! What's your suggestion for mom or dad writers?

That's precisely why I work part-time as a mom. It's about maximizing ROI. I don't want to pay a sitter for the time I spend daydreaming, checking email, messing around on Facebook, "researching" a story (when honestly, I'm just jumping around on websites absorbing useless information). Instead, I really hunker down during my official working hours. That other stuff can happen in my "spare time" at the playground, in the carpool lane, after the kiddos are in bed, whenever.

If you truly love what you do for a living and would honestly work for free, then go ahead and break even. But if writing is even a little bit of a job, rather than just a hobby, then think hard about how to structure it so you can do better than break even. Otherwise, as you said, you might as well be at the pool...or taking a chance on that novel that's been in your head for six years...or playing tennis. I love writing, but if I knew I were going to just break even after the sitter, I'd definitely take a hard look at how to earn more. It's also important for personal satisfaction...a reward for your own hard work and perseverance in this profession.

Interested in learning more? Gretchen's book is available with your credit card or PayPal on the website http://writeparttime.com/buy-the-ebook/. You can also purchase in Amazon Kindle, iPhone, Barnes and Noble Nook formats. Writers, enter the Tales from the Trenches ebook launch contest (deadline: Sept. 30), where you get a chance to win some great prizes, including this ebook, just by sharing some of your stories of freelance writing!

A book of writing wisdom...for $2.99

2011-09-12T11:34:00.001-04:00

I downloaded "The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life" on my Kindle because, quite frankly, it was $2.99. But what I've found is a bargain hunter's gem!

It's filled with nuggets of wisdom from writer Ann Patchett, author of novels (and winner of the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award) whose work has been published in New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post and Oprah magazine. Try on:

"It turns out the distance from head to hand....is achieved through regular, disciplined practice."
She goes on to say: "Why is it that we understand that playing the cello will require work but we relegate writing to the magic of inspiration?"

Amen, Ann! For years, people have asked how I can write "so easily." It's not easy, as I'm in a constant state of edit, but for me, attempting writing and putting words on paper is as natural as breathing. Why? Because I've done it practically every day of my life...from the time I could first put crayon to paper and wrote "books" and "newspapers" that I would sell to my neighbors (Mrs. Polly, I'm apologizing right now.) Then came college, where I studied journalism, and had to crank out copy regularly, with a professor throwing things at us, because he said that's how newsrooms really were (for the record, I never actually got injured by the crumpled up papers). Then I had internships where I had to write 30 second promos, which tested me to think and write clearly. And when I went into a press office for my first real job after college, I wrote every day. Press releases, speeches, question and answers for executives, newsletter stories, memos to employees, scripts, articles for trades: that was my life for 10 years. And at night? I reported and wrote my own copy for the stories I delivered on-air for Arlington Weekly News. And when I left full-time and part-time paid writing behind in favor of all-the-time motherhood, I still wrote. Whether it was a journal or a letter to the editor, I kept writing...whether a baby on my lap or interviewing a family for an article while I was 9 months pregnant (the grandmother kept telling me to "oh, please sit, honey.") Years later, with kids in school and my own office, I'm a fulltime freelance writer now, of articles and essays.

But that doesn't mean it's easy, it's just not waiting on "inspiration." Oh yes, some days I'm clearly more inspired than others. Some days the words flow. Some days I write better than others. But some days? It's as ugly as my son's middle school math problems. I write, but I don't want anyone to see it. And when it seems the story's boring and I don't have the gist right, it is then I put it away for the day.

Chalking it up to a random muse that will appear-- if you're lucky-- once a year isn't going to help you. Every day, spend 30 minutes writing. No one has to see it. Whether it's a journal or a card to a friend or a blog post, just empty your mind's contents.

That doesn't mean Hallelujah Chorus will sound and you'll suddenly be phenomenal. There are times when I want to wring the neck of a story I'm working on. And fiction? For me, that's the hardest, because I have so very little practice and education on the art of writing fiction. And I rarely work on fiction, so what's in my mind doesn't always translate to the page.

"Only a few of us are going to be willing to break our own hearts by trading in the living beauty of imagination for the stark disappointment of words. This is why we type a line or two and then hit the delete button or crumple up the page. Certainly that was not what I meant to say!" Patchett writes.

With a sense of humor, she talks of the day someone said to her: "Everyone has one great novel in them." Stunned, she responded: "Does everyone have one great floral arrangement in them? ...one algeabraic proof?"

Good writing, my friends, is simply practice and work.

I look forward to reading more of this memoir! What are you reading or writing right now?

How I've dodged the demise of the east coast, part II: Goodnight, Irene

2011-08-29T20:23:00.000-04:00

So after surviving the 5.8 earthquake the other day, I took my kids downtown DC 2 days later and got caught in a torrential downpour and lightning storm. Here it was, E Street, Thursday. 2 days before Irene:

We then decided to not go out of the house EVER AGAIN. We waited for Hurricane Irene to visit. After all, Fox and CNN and EVERY STATION starting with a W foretold her path. One panicked reporter pondered out loud the horrific destruction caused by hurricane winds on top of loosened structures due to the earthquake. This prompted my family and I to nail ourselves to our kitchen.

Then I did what other Washingtonians do: busted out and headed to the grocery store, breaking my self- imprisonment rule. C'mon, Irene (not to be confused with the classic '80s song C'mon Eileen), bring it. (Also, I got the LAST ROLL of toilet paper in the DC area! In fact, I got 24 of them.)

Here's what I bought. This was my entire hurricane preparedness strategy* (other than asking my husband and son to bring in the patio table.)

On Friday, I watched 400 hour coverage of Irene since this, apparently, was the week the east coast was going down. Mostly I watched Shepard Smith on Fox. He and I go way back: I slept with him during Hurricane Katrina. (Well, not actually 'slept with him,' but rather 'fell asleep to the sound of his strong yet slightly panicked voice while watching him every night'.) Shepard, I'm convinced, could tell me I WAS ABOUT TO BE HIT BY A METEOR IN 4.5 SECONDS and I would look up and cry. I ALWAYS share violent disasters with him. He speaks with authority and urgency...yes his voice alarms me, causes me a raise in blood pressure, but it's like a caffeine hit that you must have. (YOU WILL DIE TODAY FROM IRENE, I think I heard him say.)

Between Shep, and Govenor Christie in NJ, who so authoritatively said, "GET THE HELL OFF THE BEACH. IT'S WHAT, 4:30? YOU'VE MAXIMIXED YOUR TAN", (I loved this and replay it often) and Bloomberg, (who I think personally phoned me at 5:35pm to evacuate NYC, even if I was in DC, but it was a rambling phone message, so I'm really not sure it was him), I felt that these three men had things under control, and I should heed their warning and BE READY FOR MASSIVE NYC SHUTDOWNS. Or at least the shutdown of my coffee maker in DC.

At 7:40 pm, when I heard some rain, I looked up from my book, and decided I should investigate and perhaps take a picture. After all, editors were offering close to 25 CENTS a photo. With my handy camera phone, I took this pic of the skies swirling around our cul-de-sac. It was not bought.

We noted the strong winds and rain had picked up. But as I focused on Shep, I realized we were only hearing news of New York City's impending AT ANY MOMENT YOU WILL DIE disaster. I said to myself, self, what about Washington? Should we unwrap the new flashlight?

We turned to CNN, and Wolf Blitzer was talking about our area. So I listened. But I missed Shep and his urgent voice, scaring me calmly. (It's a dysfunctional relationship, I know. He talks, I panic.) Wolf was lulling me to sleep, even if he was in my city, but I felt he understood. As I switched back and forth between various reporters live on the coast, I was worried for their safety: Doug McElway in Ocean City was DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY A DOLPHIN.

So we hunkered down, waiting for news of our impending death. But I was now worried about Geraldo's safety. He told a couple that they had about 20 blocks to go until they were safe. What if they and he don't make it? What if they stop at an empty bar instead? Clearly a worrier like me does not need to think about the shutdown of Irish pubs.

Soon we fell asleep and woke up in the morning with power (Thank you Dominion) and all family members alive (thank you God), but I had an overwhelming urge to check on Shepard Smith. And Doug McElway. And Chris Christie. And the people who didn't "get the hell off the beach." And quite possibly Dr. Phil. They would tell me like it is.

I bolted to the TV, and they were all STILL THERE!

But their predictions of danger were correct; the east coast was now under water, roads washed away and trees were down in about a 1,000 mile radius. Except my suburb. Don't ask me why, but we dodged another disaster. I thanked God for sparing us again. We surely did not deserve this.

And now all I can think about is the people who woke up and have to vaccuum water out of their house. Or lift a tree off their roof. Or desperately need power for an oxygen tank to keep them alive. Or is holding their sick baby praying for power so that their humidifier works and he can breathe again.

I think about the road and power and water crews who will be shoveling, chopping and moving 24/7 for the next weeks, and the emergency personnel always there.

I think about all the travelers affected. (Which is apparently the entire country.)

I said a prayer for everyone, then shook my head as to why this stuff happens.

Then I investigated my neighborhood, looking for evidence of the earthquake and hurricane (and frogs and zombie apocalypse). The pond by my house looked just fine.

The landscaping we just put in the other day was just fine.

A street sign was on the ground, but Irene placed it exactly on the same corner it was supposed to be on. (It was either her or the Homeowners Association, who was looking for vicious mulching violations when they came across said sign and set it down.) More destruction in my 'hood: some siding coming loose.

My thoughts though are with the good people--in NC, VA, NJ, Long Island, VT, to name a few-- who woke up today facing massive floods and destruction of much more than a street sign.

And, I hold no illusions. Next natural disaster, I have a feeling I won't be so lucky. There's no way we can dodge one again.

I just hope it's Shep who whispers in my ear: "Oh darlin', YOU MUST GET OUT OF THIS PATH OF SWARMS OF LOCUST SEIZING CONTROL OF THE MID-ATLANTIC. RIGHT NOW, PLEASE."

Goodnight, Irene.#

*Hurricane preparedness strategy devised in a high-level planning session with the neighbor, who once spoke to someone who spoke to an intern of a former governor of Virginia.

Life in DC/Northern Virginia: My really fantastical earthquake story!

2011-08-24T09:58:00.004-04:00

The great Virginia earthquake of ’11 and I was in….the dog treat aisle.

When yesterday’s 5.8 earthquake rocked the East Coast and rattled Washington DC to its core, I was with my 3 kids at a Northern Virginia Wal-Mart, back to school shopping. We had bought a couple things for school at the front of the store, before I announced, “Wait, I must get detergent!” and zigzagged to the back of the store. My son remembered that our puppy had no treats left, so instead, we sidetracked to the dog aisle, and gathered around the MilkBones, weighing the merit of beef flavor? Or chicken flavor? Tofu mixed with pork and liver? Or the 99 cent kind?

Ah, Beggin’ Bacon Strips. That’ll do it. And Mother Nature even agreed, because the entire aisle began shaking. A roar came through the ground and tried to swallow us, but only succeeded in shaking the store around. I recognized it instantly as an earthquake. (As a person from Cleveland, I have no basis for this knowledge. Perhaps it was a guess.) I gathered my kids together in the center of the aisle to escape from falling Alpo. As all shelves for Walmart miles shook, I announced, “This is an earthquake!”

I grabbed my kids and pondered if we could actually get hurt by falling bacon, and then I remembered the ceiling beams above. Yep. That was infinitely more dangerous.

Then I said it again, louder, as the rattling continued. “This is an earthquake!”

I’m not sure why I turned into a television reporter at that moment, actually. I felt the need to confirm to a random, confused woman in my aisle who questioned me: “Is this really an earthquake?”

“Yes,” I said. Clearly, I was Diane Sawyer. And then my daughter cried hearing my pronouncement. And I felt really bad for confirming it to the world. (Or at least my aisle.)

The rattling subsided after 20 seconds or so; the jolly green giant had stopped shaking the store. I hugged the kids, reminded them they were safe and said thanks to God that we were OK and no beams fell on us. And no 300 pound bag of Puppy Chow did us in.*

The kids and I walked to the front of the store to pay for our things (if I was a looter, I suppose I would’ve said, hey I got a crapload of stuff here! And everyone’s pretty shaken! Make a break for it!)But for some reason, I was overcome with the need to pay for my stuff.**

But not before lapsing back into reporter mode. I snapped my one and only picture as I was passing aisles that had stuff everywhere.

And here it is, the unveiling of the photo of The Great Earthquake of ’11—Walmart Aisle Destruction.

Do not ask me why I picked an aisle with a fairly small amount of deodorant strewn about. I really can’t imagine any of you saying, “Geez, Kris, that deodorant looks really scary.” (No doubt the empty cart there was from someone who clearly bolted at the sight of Old Spices flying.)

You’d think I would’ve walked over to the TV aisle, and upon asking if anyone needed help, I could’ve at least taken a picture of some LCD 55”s shifting in their boxes.

But no, with my MamaBear instinct to escort my children out, and my Reporter instinct to tell the story, I took a picture of Speed Sticks. Worse, I posted to Facebook to horrify 309 people in the world of the massive destruction here.

The kids and I put our stuff on the belt, and kept saying, “I can’t believe we were just in an earthquake.” The cashier looked sad.

“I was in an earthquake in my country when I was a little girl, about her age,” she said softly, motioning towards my daughter.

And I felt bad again. This memory was clearly painful for her. I instantly thought of my dear friend Molly in Japan, who survived the true horrible devastation there.

“What country?” I asked.

“Venezuala. Scary. Very scary.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. And as a mom, I touched my daughter. And as a human being, I prayed silently for that woman, and all those affected by earthquakes. And I thought of Molly again.

As we walked out of the store, my son found a TV (just like a guy) in the credit union.

“5.8 earthquake hits the Nation’s Capital,” CNN was reporting.

Seriously? We just went through a 5.8? I called my husband, who works in DC. We could not get through.

Two hours later—at home—we finally reached his cell phone.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey,” he said.

“Wasn’t that wild?”

But he didn’t want to talk. He was now on a Metro train, crammed in with 35 million other Washingtonians, going 15 miles per hour.

We expect him home by mid-March.#

*I was pretty sure I did not want to be remembered as dying from falling Bacon Bits.

**Those looting in London be sure to take note of proper chaos-behavior.

Re-evaluating your writing income: How Writers Need To Be Like Plumbers...and Harlan Ellison

2011-08-19T14:42:00.001-04:00

I've re-evaluated things while on vacation in Florida.

Only my family goes to the ocean during Shark Week, but I digress.....

I spent an entire 13 hour drive thinking about my writing business. As any freelancer knows, it's feast or famine financially. One month, you've got several checks coming in, the next, nothing. And there's always the clients who promise payment, and it doesn't show up for months and months; or worse, the clients who ask you if you'll do just this one project for them, but they can't pay you--just offer you "exposure." (I always say no. Can I write "exposure" on my kid's orthodontist bill?) I'm always amazed, as I stand there when the plumber, appliance repairman, or heating/cooling guy shows up, fixes our stuff, and has me pay him right there for his labor--or at least sign a binding contract that I will pay---why some professional writers don't insist on the same set-up.

In my little self-imposed exile on the car trip, between breaking up fights by 13, 11 and 8 year olds, I decided it's time to re-evaluate my biz, my time, my experience and my income. In other words, it's my business sabbatical for these few weeks before the kids go back to school. I'm still evaluating, because I don't think this type of thing is figured out overnight, but...I'm going to have to dump a couple low-paying jobs, so I can focus more on what I want to do: magazine writing for custom and mainstream publications. Those publications not only pay fairly, but usually pay on acceptance; and they usually value professional journalists...and have professional editors eye-balling your material. In fact, dare I say professional editors make your stuff better.

As I clarify my business and my time, while shedding some low-payers, I started googling this practice. And the key advice out there? Re-evaluate. Every year. Turns out, I'm doing the right thing.

Check out this story: http://freelancefolder.com/17-sure-signs-that-your-freelancing-rates-really-are-too-low/

I urge you as a professional to do the same thing: look at your business, and truly study the numbers. Ask yourself:
-Is this project worth my time, education and experience, or am I working 60 hours a week with nothing or little to show for it?

And, I beg you, again, professional freelance journalists do NOT take projects on for free, because maybe the "exposure" will help their career. It will devalue you and your product and service.

Maybe it's time I trot out the ole Harlan Ellison clip, "Pay the Writer." He's animated, intense, passionate and fierce about the subject, and it charges me up every time. Take a peek--and fair warning, if there's little ears around, cover them. He uses strong language.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

And after you've watched it, come back and tell me how you're re-evaluating your writing biz....

What's Your Presentation IQ? How One Fed-Turned-Author Can Help You Speak Up

2011-07-25T16:30:00.003-04:00

Henry Lescault is a special agent and a liaison for Department of Justice's ATF, and the President and Founder of Zero In on Excellence LLC, but he can now add published author to his lengthy and impressive credentials.

With certifications and degrees in behavioral science, Henry is a great example of someone who has taken what he knows as a presenter, personal presence expert, and leadership coach, and, with co-author Arnold Sanow, turned it into a book to help those of us who quiver at the thought of a "presentation."
As a 21-year veteran special agent, he's served as a leader and
b rought some of the most violent criminals to justice. He's taught on individual and team interaction, and mastering change. He's had high tension leadership assignments ranging from undercover operations, tactical operations, complex criminal investigations of violent street gangs, firearm traffickers, to making countless expert presentations to Congress and government officials on behalf of their mission. (As a former public affairs person for ATF, I can attest to the intensity of work and the necessity of presentation skills, which Henry has mastered!)

His newly-released book is Present with Power, Punch and Pizazz: The Ultimate Guide to Delivering Presentations with Poise, Persuasion and Professionalism. I caught up to Henry to ask him about his experiences in publishing his first book.

Q: What is the book about?

A: The book is about how to deliver great presentations to any audience. Whether it's one person or 1000 people, how we present our topic and ourselves is critical to our success. Whether it's a job interview, a sales call, or a keynote speech, this book covers it all. Arnold (Arnold Sanow, my co-author) and I sought to write an easy to follow, easy to read, practical guide to making great presentations and to bringing your complete successful self to every situation. This book is a guide that you can pick up and immediately use to increase your presentation IQ and personal presence.

Q: Who would most enjoy and benefit from reading this book?

A: This is a great question because Arnold and I discussed this topic over and over again before committing it to paper. First, there was a great demand from the business world for a practical, easy to follow book about improving presentation skills. More and more, your presentation IQ and ability to express yourself and sell or relay information is critical to business success. Taking this into account, we also thought about everyday life. Through research and experience, we learned that EVERYONE is presenting themselves every day in some forum. One of the keys to remember about the principles in our book is that people are judging you the moment you walk into a room. Whether we like it or not, whether it's right or not, it's a fact. How you look, how you speak, what you say, and how you say it, are critical to your success in any situation. Whether you are speaking at a Board of Director's meeting, to a department store sales person, or 500 people at a conference, you have to put your best foot forward and be prepared. This book will get you there. The bottom line... it's for everyone.

Q: How long did it take you to write?

A: The book took us a year or so to write. We took our time, did the research, interviewed the right people, and made sure we were putting our best foot forward.

Q: Who is the publisher, and where is it available?

A: The publisher is iUniverse (Barnes & Noble). It's available on Amazon, Barnes &;Noble stores and web site, Borders stores--while they are still open-- and web site. It's also available in e-book and hard cover and soft cover formats.

Q: What most surprised you about the book process?

A: I don't feel like there were many surprises. The publishing company was very straightforward and communicated with us throughout the entire process. I think the legwork is always a challenge. Interviewing very successful and busy people for the book is challenging, but also very rewarding. As you know, the discipline of writing is also challenging at times, especially when you are working full time and dealing with other life issues along the way. I was a little surprised by the level of excitement I experienced when I held the book in my hands for the first time. I never dreamed it would feel so good. I'm the type of person who likes to see the results of my labor and when I held that book in my hands, it was so real. I thought to myself "I've actually created something that can help others live a better life". That feels great.

Q: How did you get a publishing deal?

A: My co-author and I self-published this book for a couple of reasons. It gave us more autonomy and control over the process, which we thoroughly enjoyed. My co-author has written and published many successful books throughout his consulting career and has experienced the methods of publishing. Receiving an advance and working through the requirement to pay it back through sales didn’t appeal to us once we did the research and spoke to those who have experienced both methods. It was so much easier to take care of it ourselves with the option to pitch the finished book, which looks better than a manuscript, to other publishing houses later IF we wanted to.

Q: What is your advice to others considering writing a non-fiction book?

A: My advice would be to know the market demand for your topic inside and out before you decide to write about it. Putting in all the work necessary to write, publish, and market your book should not be in vain. If you don’t know the market demand, then you are sort of writing in the blind, without a true direction to some extent. I’m not implying that you shouldn’t come up with new and creative ideas to write about. On the contrary, I believe that you should let your creativity flow and blend with the factual knowledge necessary to make your book desirable to your intended audience. Also, if you can, choose your topic, and try to apply it to the most general audience possible. For example, when we were getting a lot of requests for a book highlighting presentation skills from many companies, we first thought about focusing our book on the presentations skills necessary for those companies to be successful. We later broadened our scope and research to include presentation skills that could help a variety of people in a variety of business and even personal situations.

Q: How are you marketing the book?

A: Right now, we are using a couple of methods to market the book. First, we are testing the social media waters by marketing the book through outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Second, we are sending out free copies of the book to companies that market books and publications as well as to companies that could benefit from the skills taught in the book. The book really serves two very important financial purposes for my co-author and I. First, and most obvious, is the money made from book sales, which as most people who have published books know, can be fair to minimal, depending on a lot of factors. Second and more importantly, the books serves as a business card/training tool for our public speaking, consulting and coaching practices. It’s not uncommon for us to carry around copies of the book to hand out to people who may bring us into their companies to consult, coach or teach their employees the important skills contained within it. We have both also found that once we get out there and start using the book in accordance with our business goals, word of mouth does the rest.

So before we wrap up, Henry, can you tell us what we must know now in making a presentation?
I would recommend practicing a technique listed in the section "It's How You Say It-Not Just What You Say," that deals with increasing your approachability, likability, and trustworthiness during any presentation. Remember the acronym SOFTEN: Smile, Open Posture (to appear more open minded and approachable), Forward-leaning focus (to show interest), Territory (know your boundaries for personal space), Eye contact (helps establish trust) and Nodding (In the right context, it shows attentiveness and enthusiasm.)
Of course, there's more tips and tools in the book!

Thank you so much Henry for joining us, sharing your experience, and best of luck to you on your book! Thank you Kris, it's been my pleasure!

Does your business have a FB page?

2011-07-19T14:47:00.000-04:00

After reading an excellent article on how journalists can be helped by maintaining a professional Facebook page for their writing business, I made the leap. Some say that no one is blogging anymore, and that this is a form of micro-blogging: go where your audience is, and with 750 million Facebook users, I'd say people are checking in there more than anywhere else!

I do hope you'll join me for "writerly" discussions and links, and you'll be the first to know how it's working. And tell me, are you maintaining a separate Facebook account for your professional contacts, business, fellow writers, editors, and your readers? How is it working? https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Kristine-Meldrum-Denholm-Writer/133124833434825

Can you go home again?

2011-07-07T14:35:00.000-04:00

I had a wonderful 4th of July weekend: I went back home to Ohio.

I gazed at my favorite place in the world, Lake Erie...
(yes I took that blurry pic, it was from my phone, excuuuuuuuse me)

and saw fireworks in front of Mom's house...

And then had the traumatic experience of driving past my childhood home, where the new owners had trashed it...an unkempt yard, weeds, bushes with plastic or trash bags on them, dangling gold curtains in the garage, Christmas lights still up (or maybe they were 6 months early?)...it was depressing, when I think of all that it was: my dad had worked religiously on the yard and his garden, and my mom had made the inside neat and cozy, with geraniums always hanging from the front porch.

Aside from my old home, I enjoyed the good stuff of life over the 4th: my family and friends...a wonderful Italian dinner at the "Pope's table" at Buca di Beppo....my son getting to play in a baseball tournament with his beloved former team....the kids enjoying the hotel pool....the husband playing golf, taking our boys with him, so I could sneak in a little girl time with my daughter and my dear friend and her daughter....

But did you ever go home again and it isn't exactly what you remembered? Maybe the childhood house is gone...or worse, maybe everyone you used to visit is gone? Check out my story in this month's Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine, where I reminisce about days gone by at a summer vacation spot my family and I used to visit every year: Skaneateles, New York....and what happened when I finally went back with my own family.

What happens when what you remember isn't there anymore? When the town is there, but the people aren't? Do you still go and reminisce...or is it too bittersweet for you? My story rests safely on p. 89, and I do hope you'll read it and tell me your story. Can you go home again?

The Winner of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Dog's Life" is....

2011-06-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

I tried to get my puppy to pick the winner of the contest for the Chicken Soup dog book that my story is in.

It was an #epicfail.

Oh, sure, she looks cute, but that's because I was holding a treat so she would sit still for .37 seconds to take a picture. Based on the fuzziness of the picture, you could see how well that worked.

So I put all the entries into Buckeye's duct tape bowl that my son made.

OK, you can see the entries weren't exactly overflowing, but there were 11 of you I believe! If we only had this good of chances for the lottery!

Buckeye was going to eat each and every one of your names, so I called in a pro. The luckiest pro ever. My 8-year-old, who wins every contest known to man (seriously--we once had a call at dinner from Toys R Us telling her she had won a beautiful bike. She was 4 and the bike was for an 8 year old. We took it anyways, and she's now riding it!) and asked her to pick the winner.

And the winner is....

Holly Bowne!!! Congratulations, Holly! Please email me your address and I'll get your free copy of My Dog's Life out to you! (And of course, please go to p. 303 first:) )

And, if you're a writer-mom, please check out Holly's blog, Write Expressions...I love it! She's a talented writer with a gift for telling those everyday family stories---everything from the scary noises in her house, family vacations, to the loss of her friend, told so eloquently. You'll laugh and cry right along with her as she navigates her family life.

Thank you all for entering... and congrats Holly!

I'm giving away one copy of the brand new "Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life" !

2011-06-07T11:45:00.001-04:00

We're celebrating here at the ole KMD blog today! Celebrating what, you ask? My story on p. 303 of the latest Chicken Soup book? No, we are celebrating my 2nd anniversary of being a full-time freelance writer! And, we are trying to make my publicist happy by getting this book OUT THERE and buzzed up!

Did you catch that? I just said 'my publicist.' When my story was published, Simon & Schuster informed me that I have a PUBLICIST! So, I'm dropping this in conversations very often! Examples:

My puppy trainer: Can you come for a training session at 3 pm?
Me: I'll have to check my schedule. Not only do I work fulltime writing--with a book out about dogs available for $14.95--- but I have to be available for interviews that my publicist may set up.

Editor: Can you get this done by Friday?
Me: Yes, but my publicist MAYBE MIGHT POSSIBLY CALL ME on Thursday, so it will be Friday afternoon as opposed to Friday morning.

Child's teacher: Mrs. Denholm, you need to make sure your child is turning in all work. Some assignments are missing.
Me: I accidentally gave one of those homeworks to my publicist! It is easy to switch paperwork around here, especially with all the contracts I get for books by well-established publishing companies in New York and the books that are available for $14.95.

And so it goes. So in honor of me actually having a publicist, and my bewilderment about what to do with an actual live publicist, and in honor of all the ups and downs of a life of freelance writing, and in honor of my insane puppy Buckeye (she did NOT take any tattoos from anyone at Ohio State, she has assured me; and if she did, she was not aware that they were Ohio State boosters; furthermore, she would like to now distance herself from the other players and is asking for you to respect her privacy at this time), I am GIVING AWAY ONE FREE COPY OF THIS AWESOME BOOK.

All you have to do to be entered? You need to be a follower of this blog (go to "follow/followers" on left side and sign up), and you need to leave a comment about...this book....or writing....or your dog. (Or, have your publicist leave the comment. If you don't have one, I'm so, so sorry. I really feel bad for you.)

Then, I will draw the name of one lucky winner. Drawing will take place COB June 17, 2011.

Now, if you will excuse me, I must go IMMEDIATELY EMAIL my publicist and tell her there is a BIG BLOG CONTEST about my book this VERY MOMENT! And people are clamoring to leave a comment!!! Hang in there, people, I hear ya....

Battling the Beast: How we took our message to Capitol Hill

2011-05-26T14:41:00.001-04:00

I had a fantastic opportunity yesterday…on behalf of the Melanoma Research Foundation, www.melanoma.org, several of us blanketed Capitol Hill, meeting with our Members of Congress to share with them about a vicious, deadly beast: melanoma.

Did you know:

-every hour someone dies of melanoma.

-it’s the SECOND leading cause of death for young people, ages 15-30.

-if you’re using tanning beds before age 30, your risk of contracting melanoma increases 75%.

-it only takes ONE blistering sunburn, especially when you’re young, to more than double a person’s chance of developing a melanoma later in life.

-melanoma is most common in men over the age of 50: even in front of colon, prostrate and lung cancer.

-one in 58 people will develop melanoma.

There’s an urgent need to research melanoma: some people never find the original site of the melanoma. It can show up in your eye, nose, scalp, genitals, or gastrointestinal tract.

We never discovered my dad’s original melanoma site. It had already metastacized thoughout his body.

It stole my dad from us tragically and quickly, but it’s not too late for the melanoma fighters who are battling this beast right now. I met some awesome survivors who helped lobby yesterday: people like a 21-year-old girl who used tanning beds and now has melanoma; a dad of three—a healthy, active runner who has a wonderful foundation, TeamM4M, Miles for Melanoma—who’s been battling this illness for 11 years.

I felt heard, but we’ve got a ways to go. Research needs to be done to save lives. Melanoma-specific language needs to be written into appropriations. (Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Charles Dent (R-PA) have introduced HR 1676 to prevent tanning bed cancers.) Tanning beds need to be regulated: don’t we regulate alcohol and tobacco and warn about its’ dangers? The World Health Organization says tanning beds are a known carcinogen---we’re talking on the same level as nerve gas, here, people—yet they’re only regulated by the FDA on the same level as BANDAIDS?

I urge you to take your pleas to your Congressional representative and/or Senator. You’ll get a chance to be heard…and see government in action.

And maybe, just maybe, you can make a difference for someone you haven’t yet met.#

When the story haunts you

2011-05-16T13:24:00.000-04:00

There are times you write a story and it weighs on your mind...your heart...your soul. You think about it when you're away from your office. You think about it when you're with your family.

Such is the case with the story I wrote in this month's Northeast Ohio Family Magazine: "When Kids are Violated," about preventing childhood sexual abuse.

A brave father-- of a 13- year- old girl who was raped by a family "friend"-- shared his story with me. He was willing to go public so his cries could be heard: another family maybe could be spared through his warnings. Unfortunately for the pain and agony of this girl and her family, the defendant was found not guilty; editorially, my editor and I could not share his name.

But whether it's legalities or not, he's still out there. He can be volunteering at your child's school. Or coaching your child's team. Or helping your son fix his bike.

That's why parents need to know what to look out for, because chances are, it's not that unknown boogie-man lurking in the shadows. You may already know him.

A sincere thank you to the dad in this story for letting other parents know what a sad reality this is and bringing light to what's considered by many to be a "taboo subject." Kudos to my editor, Terri Nighswonger, and publisher Todd Nighswonger, for helping keep parents informed and letting this subject get attention. Kudos to Dan Clark, former Lakewood PD and now trainer at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, who shared what parents need to know, and thank you to the therapists who also spoke to me. My biggest regret is I only got 750 words to share the information.

I was interviewing a sheriff the other day on a separate subject. He spoke of a stalker who tried to kill people, and he said he hopes the only way the suspect gets out of prison is through a pine box. I think many of us would say the same about child abusers. Well said, sheriff, well said.

Parents, we need to know.
Please come back, and tell me what you think. How we can save the innocence of the children?

Social Media: A "Like" Story (Or, "3 Reasons Why Writers and the Self-Employed Must Facebook or Tweet")

2011-05-11T16:38:00.002-04:00

The other day I heard someone--who is running their own business--say they didn't have the time to devote to social media (who does?) They wondered how I was able to make it work and continue to make my real deadlines? They wanted to know why and how I was using a site where people post Jerry Seinfeld-esque comments? (Because I love humor and the randomness of life.)

Easy: If you give, you get. I post a status update everyday on Facebook, and I comment on people's posts. I let people know their worlds are important to me. This takes less than 15 minutes, and I've benefitted.

Why? Three reasons:
It's about building relationships. (And what business doesn't need this?) This, my friend, is the key. You build relationships with people by commenting and interacting:"liking" their pictures, whether it's their family or a song or where they're going or their new job. Heck, maybe you like their choice in American Idol contestant. You've got something in common. Show interest. It may lead to more business, it may lead to an exchange of information, or it may cement a friendship that supposedly died years ago...but now you're back in touch. (Or, it may make you realize there's a reason why that friendship died!) The point: when you're on there, USE it. There is no point of being on there to collect friends and colleagues and NEVER ACTUALLY TALK TO THEM. (Are you waiting for when you die to make an announcement? To have your spouse post: 'Joey is dead' ?) You must give and let your guard down enough to make a comment; you WILL get back.

If you're self-employed or running your own business-- you need to be building your brand. That means, every once in a while, post your latest article or who you've interviewed or what you're doing in your biz. Your name becomes associated with your field over time, and you WILL find more potential clients contacting you: ("How much would you charge if....?") They know you've valued them because you're interacting with them, and they may have already learned to trust you. Many people on my lists have become great sources for stories, calling my attention to subjects I perhaps wouldn't have covered. (Hint: make use of creating 'lists' on social media: not all my updates go to everyone on Facebook; I have created groups for 'funny friends', 'college chums', 'writers,' etc. Of course, sometimes I forget and accidentally post to all, but if you know Aunt Bertha doesn't want to read your writer's blog, place her on the 'relatives' list and she'll get updates instead on your next family reunion.

(Disclaimer: it's not always a love story. Sometimes it is a fully functional dysfunctional relationship: People can abuse this whole branding/platforming concept and go too far in creating an online identity. You must really BE yourself for this thing to work. If you've got too many 'friends,' there is no way you can truly build a genuine relationship with that many people. You can't be on it all day! Choose carefully and interact with those people you want. It's quality, not quantity of friends. There's also risk of saying the wrong thing. Also, not EVERYONE will want to hear from you. I also stay away from posting about politics, because I feel we're on there to connect, NOT disconnect. It IS possible to get too distracted, so you must find a way to STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER and NO ONE WILL BE HURT.

Comraderie: it's the stuff life is made of. Sometimes something happens big, and we see how we're all in this world together. It's a good way to get the news from people you care about: from the filter of their world. The stories that unfold really can be poignant :I've seen pregnancy announcements, wedding pictures and the horiffic news of the loss of a child. And, who needs the Weather Channel when you watch the blizzard updates from all the people in the northeast? You've learned what the weather patterns are throughout the country! I've read news links, listened to political debates and found out about Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson's deaths. I've taken movie, restaurant and book recommendations and hopefully saved a soul from eating at the Chinese place I did last night. I've cracked up hard at people who have me ROTFLOL.

I was at a conference recently where a writer continually said into a microphone: "Twitter works."
Social media works...for finding sources, clients, assignments, links, and mostly for friendships...if you use it. Everyone's at your fingertips. Converse. Let people know they mean something to you. (And follow me @writerandmom and I'll follow you!)

What is your social media strategy and how do you make the time spent on it work for you? Has it worked for you and your business?

How a Writers Conference in NYC Will Revitalize You...Even If You're Not as Important as the Beef and Pickle Kebab

2011-05-02T13:10:00.002-04:00

What an exciting weekend in New York City!

Writers--looking to get your mojo back? Want more motivation for when editors are not responding to your killer query? Want to meet the people you bug?

Invest in your career and go to a writers conference.

What a whirlwind! Hundreds of editors, journalists and authors converged upon New York City's Roosevelt Hotel this weekend for the 40th annual American Society of Journalists and Authors conference, sharing tips, cautionary tales, advice as well as email addresses and Twitter handles. And I was lucky enough to be there! (Apparently, you're supposed to DO something with a Twitter handle.)

Looking at the stack of business cards I received, I genuinely liked the people I met. I can't wait to touch base with these interesting, lively writers. (TIP: write down things on each card to help you associate their names with who they are, for when you approach them later! "He covered Lebron" (LeBRONEDICT, in my book, but I digress) and "Ohioan" and "Detroit Tigers fan" and "our mothers live in the same town!" are scrawled on the cards I received.)

If you haven't been to one before, it turns out most writers and editors at these conferences ARE nice. They can NOT HURT YOU. They will NOT use their butter knife at lunch to stab you in the carotid artery! (If they do, there is hotel security. I think. I never saw them. But I'm sure they were there, sneaking, looking for rogue, abusive writers.) I was surprised at how willing people were to share. Editors know they're going to be bugged when they're there (you're not hitting them up while they're on deadline.) While independent writers often vie at the same time for assignments, one speaker deemed it "coopetition." We can compare notes on contracts...on getting assignments...which markets work well with writers and pay them fairly.

(Well, not EVERYONE is 100% friendly. One woman walked away from me AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE, but I'd like to think it was because she noticed the waiter with the food tray. However, when she never came back but was standing by herself, I realized perhaps, maybe, possibly, my 30 second elevator speech apparently was 10 seconds too slow? Note to self: don't actually do the elevator speech if the person's eyes are on a toothpick with a pickle stuffed in a mini beef kebab. And you're not on an elevator.)

Editors gave advice on breaking into writing for the competitive women's magazines, as well as health and fitness markets, and more. Other sessions included the importance of marketing yourself in social media, blogs, and the words you must have on your website. The sessions were jammed packed with information...and there were really fun panels, too, like the comedy writers (think writers who've penned jokes for SNL, Letterman and Leno, essays for GQ, and the hilarious blog Lost in Suburbia) who led one on humor writing. Loved that one! (Bonus: they didn't mock me! Because I didn't actually tell them I secretly write humor columns and they might secretly tell the entire flippin' world that I'M. NOT. THAT. HILARIOUS! (I am, though, of course. I am a legend in my own mind.)

Aside from the panels, there's the chance to meet other writers and editors at breakfast, lunch, dinner and the cocktail receptions. And that alone is worth the cost of the hotel, travel and registration.
{Hats off to Gina Roberts-Grey, the ASJA conference chair and writer extraordinaire, and her team, who organized the event! WOW!}

The weekend was topped off with an email I got in the back of a NYC taxicab. The message from my editor at Police Magazine was short and sweet: my feature story "Chasing Ghosts" had just won a Maggie Award for Best Feature in a Trade Magazine. We were up against some serious competition! (I did a little scream and danced a happy jig in the back of the cab, but cabbie's seen worse. Also, I did not achieve my lifelong dream of finding the Cash Cab. But I digress.)

And when I got home, the overused words "breaking news" crawled across the screen (I still hold my breath when I hear "breaking" and "news." I believe the terror level has JUST BEEN ELEVATED! I MUST BUY TOILET PAPER AND GAS MASKS AND UNDERWEAR FOR THE KIDS AND THEN SEEK BASEMENT COVER! ) But this time: the terrorists lost. Osama Bin Laden has been killed. The war on terror has rooted out more evil. Thank you CIA and Special Forces.

Does it get any better than this? There's hope, my friend.

Even for just a moment, good can triumph over evil.

People want to help.

Some writers will help each other, and yes, some will blow you off in favor of a pickle wedged into a .00079 lb piece of beef, which is frankly more exciting than your entire career.#

The latest Chicken Soup book--and yes, I'll sign p. 303 for you! (I thought you'd never ask.)

2011-04-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

You know that little four-legged creature at your feet? Yes, your dog...the one who's snoring--or in my case, chewing the rug? Wouldn't he like a nice long walk right now...to the nearest bookstore? (Or if you prefer to order books online, my friend, manager Ann Kardos at Kent Logos bookstore, takes orders over the 'net...free shipping on orders over $20.)

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life has just been released. My story, "Saving Grace," can be found on p. 303, but there's dozens of other touching stories about our canine companions. In future blog posts, I'll be interviewing some of the other authors of the essays. (This should make my publicist very happy. I LOVE the sound of that--"my publicist." Yes, I got an email the other day telling me I have a publicist for this book. So now everytime anyone asks me a question, I tell them, "I'm sorry, you'll have to run that through my publicist." Even tried it with the hub and the kids, but it didn't seem to impress them.)

I know I'm biased, but the stories in the book are awesome. And yes, make sure you have a Kleenex.

Self-employed? Home-based writing business? Tax Info from an IRS Spokesperson

2011-04-12T10:48:00.006-04:00

My good friend Jenny Jenkins has a tough gig: the media relations rep in Ohio for the IRS. Of course, as I was once a media relations rep for another federal agency, I know this is a tough job. So I was thrilled when I asked her for some tax tips for the self-employed writers who read this blog, she leapt to the task: this is such a busy time for her, but she made time for us! (Because that's the kind of friend and professional she is.)

She seeks to help us understand taxes, which have been around for years but still continue to confound and confuse us...

(Photo of 1920 tax filing from Wikimedia under creative commons)

But there's good news this year: you've still got a few days. The deadline for most taxpayers to file their individual federal income tax returns is Monday, April 18th this year. That's because of observance of Emancipation Day in D.C. on Friday, April 15th; so, because offices are closed in the D.C. on the normal filing deadline date, taxpayers nationwide get an extra three days to prepare and file their returns.

From the IRS' Jenkins:

You consider yourself self-employed if you’re in business for yourself or if you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or independent contractor. Here's some self-employment tax basics:

· Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work done at home or in addition to a regular job.

· If you are self-employed, you generally have to pay Self-Employment Tax, which is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who are their own boss. Use Form 1040 Schedule SE to figure your tax, and deduct half of your Self-Employment Tax in figuring your adjusted gross income.

· If you are self-employed, you generally have to make estimated tax payments -- even if your employer from another job withholds taxes from your wages. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding, and you should make quarterly payments to avoid a penalty for underpayment at the end of the tax year.

· Certain business expenses – the cost of running your business – can be deducted. These are costs you do not have to capitalize or include in the cost of goods sold, but can deduct in the current year. To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. Ordinary expenses are common and accepted in your business field. Necessary expenses are helpful and appropriate for your business – they do not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

· Those who consider themselves self-employed should file Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, or Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit From Business, along with Form 1040.

For more information see IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses, and Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, available at www.irs.gov or from 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Whatever the stage of your small business – start-up, growth, maturity, or decline – resources and important information are available for you at the online home of the IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center: http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz .

The Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop is an interactive resource to help small business owners learn about their federal tax rights and responsibilities. The workshop contains nine stand-alone lessons that can be selected and viewed in any sequence. Link to the workshop from the IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center.

Small business owners and self-employed can also use the Subscribe to e-News link on http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz to sign on to the Small Business/Self-Employed mailing list, a nationwide list server that emails up-to-date information about IRS small business and self-employed outreach products and programs.

Use the website’s search feature to link to Publication 1518, The Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed. This 12-month calendar has information on general business taxes, IRS and Social Security Administration customer assistance, electronic filing and paying options, retirement plans, and common tax filing dates.
Next, good information for home-based businesses at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=204169,00.html
"My recommendation is this: err on the side of caution, and don't be afraid to over-document! In the event of an audit, be prepared to answer questions, such as: How large is the home (square feet)? and How many square feet is the dedicated office space? and What percentage of home is actually dedicated to business use?

-If you have a personal cell phone that you also need for business use, keep records of the calls placed for business-specific purposes, to be able to break out clearly the dollar amount to be allocated as a business-related expense.

-Keep records of expenses, income, schedules etc. ... when in doubt, don't throw the document out, file it away in the event that it might serve an important purpose (eg, help you verify a business expense such as a legitimate business lunch or dinner). Be able to provide a paper trail -- simply stating to an auditor that business expenses were directly paid with cash received from income doesn't leave a lot of proof of transactions.

Avoid extravagant expenses -- don't expect to be able to write off the total cost of a lavish meal or entertainment event as a business expense.

Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish. If your education and work experience is outside the business/law field, you may be jeopardizing the success of your new business by trying to handle all your accounting and tax efforts yourself. It may cost a little more up front to consult with a professional, but in the long run, establishing proper business procedures and processes from the start can go a long way to promoting the long-term health and growth potential for your business, and avoid some of the problems that non-professionals experience when handling complicated aspects of finance and tax law."#

Are you reading and living The Wealthy Freelancer?

2011-04-04T09:01:00.000-04:00

Picked up a copy of The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle last week. I had first heard of the book when I attended International Freelancers Day---back-to- back webinars on the business of freelancing---last fall.

The book, by Steve Slaunwhite, Pete Savage, and Ed Gandia, is most likely intended for freelance marketing and sales professionals, but isn't that the point for writers--aren't we supposed to be thinking of our work as a business, which means marketing and selling our business regularly, pitching editors and clients?

Though I just started the book--along with my ten books I am currently reading (I suffer from stacked-up-book-syndrome!)--it seems to be full of ideas and tips and a few worksheets for refining your biz plan. The advice "write it down, make it happen" seems simple enough, but how many of us have written down our goals about the type of projects we want? Or do we accept any paying assignment that comes our way? How many of us are writing down our financial goals with our writing business?

Another paragraph caught my eye: writing standards. Have you written down your writing standards for your business? "I will not accept an assignment that doesn't pay" or "I will not accept anything that is advertising and not journalism" or "I will not do copwriting assignments" or whatever your parameters are?

When I ordered the book from one of the authors, I asked him to autograph his book with his most important advice to me. He told me to never stop marketing my solo business. Even if I'm busy with jobs.

It makes sense.

What are you doing to market, to write down goals, to clarify and streamline your business? Have you written your elevator pitch yet?

Get to work. Ironically, I just heard an infomercial for an 80's CD, and George Michael and Aretha Franklin were belting out: "I knew you were waiting for me..." Success IS waiting for you. Don't be one of those people who think you don't deserve it. Work hard...and it will be waiting for you.

Stop to smell the roses--er, cherry blossoms...

2011-03-28T10:15:00.000-04:00

It's easy in this age of being connected 24/7 to obsess about your work, your network, your contacts. Want to see if that editor's replied to you? Check the email on your phone while at line at the post office. At the grocery store and the cell phone rings and it's that source you've been needing to talk to? Answer your cell right there in aisle 5. Want to get your name out there? Whip up a guest post on your laptop at Starbucks before you dash off to your next errand.

So it's good when you have a jammed packed first weekend of spring-- and decide to stop on late Sunday afternoon and smell the proverbial roses. In this case, I broke away for just two hours and took in the beautiful Cherry Blossoms near the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin in Washington DC.

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What a joy. Though spring is my least favorite season due to hay fever, I still love the sights, and feel grateful for the beauty.

What are you going to do this spring to "stop and smell the roses?"

From Cult to Crown: Interview with Taylor Stevens on How She Wrote A Hit Thriller

2011-03-08T11:49:00.000-05:00

TODAY is the release date for The Informationist (Crown/Random House), a thriller by debut author Taylor Stevens which will probably be topping the NYT best-seller list (yes, I've read it, and it's fantastic.) Taylor is the friend of a friend, so graciously agreed to stop by my blog and answer writing questions, like just how do you go from growing up in a cult to writing a smash thriller published by Crown, with foreign rights even purchased? Just how does that happen?

Q: The reviews on this book are amazing. Starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal. Feature stories galore--Associated Press, even Vogue! The results are in and you're a hit. What does that feel like?

A: Somewhat surreal, actually. My life and everything that led up to writing and getting published could have come straight out of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book—one of those things you read about happening to other people, but never consider happening to you.

Q: Taylor, your book is a compelling thriller set in Equatorial Guinea and the jungles, towns, beaches and forests of Africa. How were you able to write about such a mysterious place with such detail?

A: I’d lived in Equatorial Guinea for over two years and had also spent several months in Cameroon, so I had been quite immersed in the location. When writing THE INFORMATIONIST, my initial motive, even before I had characters or a plot, or any idea really of what I would write, was to bring this tiny country to life for readers who might never have the chance to visit.

Q: Family Circle magazine says: "Stevens' debut novel is as compelling as her actual back story." How much of the story--or Vanessa Munroe--is similar to you and your childhood?

A: Not a whole lot, although we do share some commonalities: The hijacked childhood, having no home to return to, and always being the outsider looking in.

Q: Were all the parts about the government structure, tribes, etc. accurate, or how much detail was fictionalized? How much research did you have to do, in other words?

Most of the Malabo scenes were drawn from real experience, and these were some of the most difficult parts of the book to construct: the issue wasn’t painting the landscape, but dampening it enough to avoid turning the book into a travelogue, and to keep the action moving. Considering that I’d lived in Equatorial Guinea for over two years, I had to do more research than one might suppose.

Q: Just how did you write such a strong book, with a strong character as your heroine? Did you outline, map, plot, or let it be character-driven? Any methods you used?

A: When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. I’d never taken a writing course or studied creative writing, and because the religious cult that I was born into and raised within didn’t believe in education, I hadn’t even managed to get through 6th grade English. I didn’t know how to plot or how to build characters, and I learned this through the experience of writing THE INFORMATIONIST.

Q: Did you write the first draft and then revise, or did you revise as you go along?

A: I had to revise more than I’d like to admit, and typically did this as the story progressed. Again, when I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no plot, no characters, only the location in which the bulk of the story would be set, and this meant learning as I went, which also meant a lot of re-writes just to keep the first parts of the book consistent with the latter parts as the quality improved.

Q: How long did this book take to write? Did you write everyday?

In all, it took about two years, while I juggled being a full-time mom. I didn’t always manage to write every day, but I tried to. (continued after pic)

(Crown photo)
Q: How did you go about finding a publisher and agent? How long did that take?

I searched for agents using the same process that had taught me about the publishing industry: The Internet. Through websites that listed literary agents, blogs, online Q&As, and so forth, I built a short list of names who were still seeking new clients, who preferred email submissions, who represented my genre and who were with reputable agencies. I wrote two query letters in drastically different styles, and unable to decide which one read better, queried five agents, alternating between the versions. I then waited two to three weeks before querying another five agents. I went through the same rite of passage that most people go through: the waiting, the silence, the nothing. But then, as the weeks went on and I was up to fifteen query letters sent, the responses started coming. I received a few rejections, but I also received four requests for partials, and from those, two offers of representation—one offer from each of the two versions of the query letter.

Q: You're working on book two about Vanessa Munroe. Any hints as to what the setting/plot will be here? Will you have Vanessa let down her guard a little bit this time...maybe make her a little more vulnerable or change a little bit of her character at all? I found her amazing because she was crazy-strong and found myself wondering if she could be more real, or if that's the allure--the mystery of the heroine.
A: THE INNOCENT, the second installment in the Michael Munroe series, draws heavily on my childhood of having been raised within The Children of God, an apocalyptic religious cult. Although the story is fiction, it’s based on truth and probably the closest I’ll ever get to writing an autobiography. As far as Munroe, herself, to me she has always been who she is as the natural result of her storied life, and I imagine that as the arc of her experiences develops in print, we will see parts of her that we haven’t yet seen and understand better what drives her choices.

Q: What's your advice to other writers? Any words of wisdom to share?

Don’t listen to the people who say you have to know someone or have connections in order to get published. I wasn’t in a position to attend writers’ conferences or meet agents in person to pitch a book. Neither was I well read enough to track down the agents of authors whose books I liked, and my one favorite author was already dead. I couldn’t even afford the postage to SASE. My only option, really, was to cold query agents by email, which, if you believe the naysayers, is impossible.

Q: And, how were you able to write this and still meet the demands of life as a mom?

It was certainly a juggle. Now that my kids are in school, writing is easier. I am my most productive at night and into the wee morning hours, but since I’m up early in the morning in order to get them off to school, and since I don’t function well without sleep, this also means I’m rarely able to access my most productive hours. Instead, I work around their schedule, and by work I mean mostly procrastinate until I realize that they’ll be home from school any minute, at which time the noise level will return to filled-stadium loud, so I’d better actually put some words down. Sometimes the words are even worth keeping.#

Show me your writing space

2011-02-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

When I'm sitting at my desk in my little office off the kitchen--this is the visual I get: cluttered.

All the things that should inspire me: a photo of our family, the photo of Cleveland, the photo of the Lincoln Memorial, my first few magazine cover stories...don't stand out in the midst of a busy desk. The calendar, the Rolodex, the computer, the index card box stuffed full of story ideas, the highlighter, the notebooks...all are a necessity; but my eyes are tired.

I look to my writer's bookshelf for inspiration. (I LOVE a good bookshelf!) The photos of me with former Attorney General Janet Reno when I wrote for ATF; the photo of me and Billy Joel--when I wrote a speech he used--is my favorite. (I look so happy; he can barely contain his enthusiasm.) These photos top my shelves lined with the writers' must-haves: On Writing Well by Stephen King. Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters by Wendy Burt Thomas; Six-Figure Freelancing by Kelly James Enger; the AP Stylebook; The Elements of Style by Strunk & White.

But it doesn't look...you know...pretty. I confess to lacking a HGTV design gene in my body.

How's your writing space? Do you love your office? I love mine...even if it's got that cozy-yet-cluttered look. I just wish I could make it look a little less... harmful to the eye?

Send me your photo of where you work, create, be brilliant (or suffer from writer's block.) I'd love to do a blog post dedicated to writing spaces and bookshelves!

Email me your photos at KristineMeldrumDenholm AT yahoo.com and say whether I can use your name or not. (After all, this might be the closest some of us come to ever being in Better Homes and Gardens....)

Thank you, Mom

2011-02-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

You know when those celebrities walk the red carpet and then act surprised when they get the Academy Award? They ramble through their speech, forgetting those who they love the most. "I'd like to thank the members of the foreign press, and my hairdresser... really, I couldn't have done it without you, Georgee," they gush.

Well, not quite on par with Academy Awards, but I wrote my first few pieces for Patch the other day. I did a couple of articles, and the editor asked if I could also start things off with a moms column. The subject I chose for the moms column was MOVING--having moved five times, it's become somewhat of an expertise for me, along with getting screwed by our relocation company, but I digress....

Anyways, I mentioned in this column how hard it was moving--I'd miss my friends and church. The kids would have to make new teams and settle into new schools. And I made a grave error: I FORGOT MOM!!

Mom, the woman who not only gave birth to me, but pretty much knows me... and still talks to me.

I didn't mean to forget you, Mom. I was focused on the part of the column about the kids' adjustment. So here, publicly, I'm acknowledging that YOU ARE THE GREATEST MOM EVER (well next to Mother Mary and Mother Theresa etc...).

Thank you for all you do, Mom. Thanks for being a regular reader and enthusiast for my articles, blogs, anthologies, and columns...even when I forget what's right in front of me.

And now, I hear one of your favorites, Barry Manilow, singing. "This one's for you..."

Oh, one more thing. I forgot to thank my hairdresser in Avon, Ohio. Trish, you're tops.#

How a little dog can remind us: Writers. Please. Get. Paid.

2011-01-31T12:31:00.000-05:00

So, I get this puppy. Adorable creature. Buckeye is her name. I wanted to name her "The Real Housewives of Orange County," because
a.) she's blonde
b.) people just come up and touch her head and smile without her actually doing anything for them
c.) she believes she is a reality star, worthy of sitting at the head of the table and looking down upon the minions
d.) she has descended us into chaos, but at least she'll look good in the process.
But the kids miss Ohio, thus: Buckeye.

I realize this, of course, at 3 am standing in the snow in 20 degrees, waiting for this dog to do her business. Then I praise her for going outside and not on my kitchen floor, so I begin thinking more about behaviorism, and Pavlov's dogs, and how I wish I could get her to stop chewing everything; namely, my feet. (The picture above shows the one foot I have left.)

Which brings me to how Buckeye got me thinking about the quest of writers to be professional (i.e., get paid.) You see, I stopped at Petsmart, where they offered training classes. Pick me! Pick my dog! I cried to the Trainer of All Puppies. (I didn't catch her name, but she looked like an Olga.) Olga asked me what was the biggest problem I had with the dog. Her biting, I said. Olga said, "Good reason. You. Come. To. Me."

I looked at the pricing sheet. One 6 week class for $125 or something--which would probably involve hours of homework. Or, one hour with PERSONAL TRAINING FROM OLGA, who I'm convinced could solve the uprising in Egypt, for $75. I want the one-stop shop.

But think: $75 for an hour. Not unlike $75 for a cleaning company to spend maybe an hour or two. $75 for the Sears guy to tell you that it was just a fuse, not your actual dryer, and sorry he'll have to charge you for the house call anyway. And $75 for a man to tell you sorry, your TV doesn't fall under warranty, but "I made a house call here." So why are writers writing for less than that?

Freelance writers, if you have spent hours researching, interviewing, and producing an excellent article and readable solid copy...isn't it worth something? Isn't your skill, experience, expertise, and/or education (journalism degree, ongoing Writers Digest classes, training seminars, etc.) worth what OLGA MAKES? Or what the lady makes who will empty your trash full of trashed copy?

Yes there are times you can give away your written work. Authors need to make appearances, keep up a blog, or platform and socially network their way to more book sales, yes; and maybe give a book away to blog contests or reviews for publicity purposes. Freelance writers might also want to give away work to your church or favorite non-profit cause, perhaps. Give work to your own blog, which can be for networking, platforming, etc. But should you give away hours worth of work for free...or for the 2 cents you make using AdWords or for five dollars you might get from a content mill?

I've posted this before in my call and commitment to writers. I like to advocate for writers, but Harlan Ellison's rant is one of the strongest, impassioned pleas that I've come across. (Be warned if you have small children next to you--language.)

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get my shoe back from my Buckeye. Olga, where are you?

Interview with Author, Pastor and Stage IV Melanoma Survivor Joe Fornear

2011-01-24T10:35:00.000-05:00

I never click on ads on Facebook. But when I saw the book written by a pastor who had Stage IV melanoma --and admitting his doubts with his faith--I had to check it out. My father died of melanoma, and I didn't think it was possible for anyone to survive Stage IV. Apparently, I'm wrong. So I set out to interview Joe Fornear, and he was more than willing to chat with me about almost dying from melanoma...and then writing about it. He wants to give hope to those facing cancer.

Here's our conversation:
Can you describe your story?

I had a fairly normal life, as normal as a pastor’s life can be. I was real healthy until age 44 when I felt a lump under my arm. I was misdiagnosed for months by my family doctor, allowing the melanoma cancer to spread rapidly past my lymph nodes. In May of 2003, doctors said I had just days to live, as the cancer had spread to 13 different sites, including several major organs - lung, kidney, stomach and pancreas. Today I have been totally cancer free for 7 years, a Stage IV metastatic melanoma cancer survivor. I experienced a miraculous healing, and now I want to share the lessons I learned at the brink of death. The lessons are on surrender; prayer; faith; weakness; and God’s desire to demonstrate compassion in a crisis. The book I wrote about the experience is called “My Stronghold, A Pastor’s Battle with Cancer and Doubts,” describing the ups and downs of my journey.

I love how you titled it "A Pastor's Struggle with doubt...". I think it's important to acknowledge how it tried your faith. When my father was dying of melanoma, I became angry with God, and I found many so-called religious people would become angry with me for admitting my anger when that's completely a normal emotion. Is this a central theme to your book? Was it hard to write? Did you feel like you needed an answer or meaning to what you went through, before you started to write?

Yes certainly anger is a normal emotion, and I felt some anger at points through my battle. Many great heroes of the Bible, including David and Moses and Jesus Christ, had times of anger, and were not told to stop by God. Throughout the ordeal I had a broad range of emotions, including fear, guilt and self-pity. I had cycles of deep struggle centering around these emotions. I would whip myself into a frenzy and then come to a breaking point. There were times I felt like I had lost my grip. Then the Lord would release me with some new perspective. The book lays out these cycles, so hopefully after reading, people won’t have to plunge as low if they catch what is happening sooner. It was very humbling though for me. I fancied myself a real example of faith and strength as a pastor for twelve years. I discovered more about my weaknesses than my strengths. My takeaway lesson is the theme and the title of this book: The Lord is my Stronghold in spite of my weaknesses.

The book was definitely hard to write, I cried consistently through every rewrite, but it was healing at the same time. Accurately describing the pain and struggle caused me to relive them. Yet I was able to step back enough to make sense of the big picture. I believe God wanted all along to leverage these experiences to help those fighting cancer today in my ministry to cancer patients, Stronghold Ministry.

How did you publish this book? Can you give us an idea of how long it took and what means you used to publish? Have you had to market it a lot? Success?

I self-published with Xulon Press. Early on I had two great opportunities to run a few raw chapters by a major Christian publisher, and also showed them to a ghost writer of a well known Christian author. Both encouraged me, but could not help much. I felt I had to get my story out, so I decided to put my own money down. Xulon was helpful and easy to work with. I bought the extra advertising package through them, but that only helped sell a few books. So I would never buy an extra advertising package from a self-publishing firm again.

We basically market the book through our ministry, Stronghold Ministry. It is a non-profit to cancer patients. The Board realizes that my story forms the backbone of our ministry. So they help promote it. As far as financial success, I certainly have not made any money yet. At one point I came close to breaking even, but then ran out of books, so I bought another shipment. Honestly, for me, getting the book into many hands is success, but only if I also break even.

Why did you feel so strongly about writing this book? Was it for your own memoirs or to reach out to others in the same boat? What do you want others to know about your book?

I was compelled to write, first, because it is an amazing story. I know you’ve seen the effects of late stage melanoma, so you know how devastating it can be. My father also died of Stage IV metastatic melanoma on the very day I was being released from the hospital after having 1/3 of my stomach removed because of cancer there. Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer and in Stage IV ranks among the worst cancers to contract. I had two masses on my pancreas, one growing from the head and one from the tail. One mass was very large. When cancer gets in one’s pancreas, there is little hope for survival. That is why pancreatic cancer is so bad. So you might say I had doubly impossible odds with melanoma all over my pancreas. I believe the Lord intervened to spare me. My doctor agrees.

My story gives hope to people who are given little odds to live. We all want hope, and most would rather die with hope than live without it. My wife and I searched far and wide for stories that would encourage us. So I felt I had a sort of an obligation to show what God can do.

I also felt that so many cancer patients and their well meaning caretakers often indirectly place the burden of “beating” the cancer on the patient. I feel like the patients and caretakers need set free from this mentality. We say, “So and so lost their battle with cancer…” That really bugs me. At this point cancer is still bigger than human ingenuity, but cancer is not bigger than God. You might compare it to people trying to overcome their alcoholism on their own rather than depending on God. I encourage people to look to God to help them overcome cancer.

My book is real. I’m not the hero of the book. I tell on myself a lot in hopes that people will be honest with themselves and others to admit their considerable limitations in the face of cancer. Because when we are weak, then God is strong.

What would you tell someone who's just been diagnosed with melanoma? The prognosis isn't good if it's caught too late...you seem to have defied the odds. What do you owe this to? Are you working with any melanoma groups such as Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) or AIM?

I would tell someone who is just diagnosed not to waste time. Get educated quickly. Get immediate treatment, and get second opinions early on. There are so many new, more promising treatments today than when I was battling eight years ago. Find people who have been through treatments recently and who are going through treatments now, and compare notes. Get closer to God; you will need Him more than ever. Cast your cares and burdens on the Lord daily, and take each step with much prayer. My oncologist doctor told me that of all the people he has treated who have beaten the odds, that I was the most amazing. The others, he said, were invariably praying people who sought God’s intervention and believed He could do it for them. So he connected beating the odds with faith filled prayers for miracles. He wasn't saying, nor do I believe, that fervent prayer guarantees healing. Rather that our chances are increased by believing prayers. I try to deal with more of these questions on healing, faith and prayer in my book, but I admit there is a lot that I don't understand. Seems like good advice in there from an oncologist who specializes in melanoma.

We have so many leads right now in helping patients and caretakers who find us that we would need to expand our operation to take on more clients. We are working on that but for now, we have not pushed hard to connect with other organizations. Stronghold Ministry has reached and helped people in 45 states and thirteen countries. So we are having some impact.

Finally, what would you say to a writer who's got an inspirational story to tell? How should they share it? Any tips for them? How do they write through the pain?

As far as tips, I think I will share a few of my guiding principles while writing the story.

-Avoid clichés as much as possible. Be unpredictable. Say as much as you can in a brand new way. Keep your reader off balance.

-My story is pretty brutal, so lacing in humor was paramount.

-Cut. Cut. Cut. Tighten up as much as you can. I wanted people to read my book all the way through, so I kept it short. I always think the longer the book is, the less chance it will be read to the end.

-Don’t allow someone to easily put the book down between chapters. Work on transitions to pique curiosity at the end of chapters.

-People love vulnerability, so be honest and give them a lot of it. If you don’t, they’ll fill in your vulnerability gaps for you.

Don’t be afraid of pain when you write. It is good therapy to unwrap thoughts and feelings, to step away and then reconsider why we are so tender, or why we are so moved. Pain can steer to a sort of healthy catharsis.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.
I enjoyed sharing, and I cried a couple times. Thanks for asking me!

Joe's website for Stronghold Ministry is http://mystronghold.org/My_Stronghold_Story-Joe_Fornear.html.

Guest post: The value of written words

2011-01-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

My friend and fellow freelance writer Kim Urig is a tireless advocate and gifted commentator. Her greatest cause? The environment. Combine that with a love of words, and she's got some things to say about writing and preserving for future generations. Here's her thoughtful guest post:

When Kristine invited me to guest post on her blog, I wondered how to combine my passion for green living with my advice to writers. We tossed around ideas like how eReaders are environmentally friendly, I even mentioned an article I read about how it would take someone with an eReader 30 books annually to equal the environmental impact of a paper book. I considered a showcase about the ways to creatively upcycle old books, the sort of thing I do frequently in my own blog, Our Daily Green.

But anything I share here in my friend’s space needs to be about words. While my expertise is about making environmentally friendly choices, my passion is words, the way I convey my expertise. Words are not assigned carbon footprints, but instead, they are a way to shape our letters into the way we express ourselves. In the overlaps of mine and Kristine’s writing worlds, our respective ways of organizing letters has helped us recognize not just a love of written word but also some strange coincidences. We graduated the same year from side by side rival high schools. As parents, we relocated to the same area far away from our familiar ground. Those same arrangements of letters have also led us to learn the areas of not so common ground. Everything we know about our worlds as writing colleagues is due to our ability to arrange letters into words and then paragraphs.

I wanted to showcase the ways that living in an earth friendly way and writing intersect. I thought about how e-publications are the way of the future and we as writers shouldn’t shun them. We should embrace words from electronic media and celebrate the unifying force of the World Wide Web. Such kernels of sage wisdom are akin to preaching to the choir. Of course we know that electronic media is the future. If we didn’t, we’d not be sharing this same space on the internet. Of course we know that paper and ink media are quickly becoming passé. That doesn’t mean words are passé. We may arrange those words on a different canvas, but we still are organizing them in a meaningful way. Words are the way we tie our past to our present and into our future.

When we write, when we put our words to paper or screen, we assign permanence. We assign a viable nature to what we say. We deny the fleeting, disposable nature of sound bites and instant communication. Writers, like scribes before us, understand that by carving our words into the world, whether on tablet, parchment, paper or screen, we proselytize a generation, promising a time capsule for the future. We invite mindfulness and commentary. We beg the world to slow down and pay attention. We are not producing disposable thoughts or ideas but instead, we build a monument out of letters; an idea not just for the moment, but for tomorrow and the day after and the day after that.

That is what green living is about; growing an appreciation for that which is sustainable, that which will last. Green is how we appreciate an effort enough to want it to last, to want it for the future.

Putting our words in permanence is like saving the planet, one letter and one word at a time. Eco-writing: how are you preserving today for future generations?

Kim Urig writes the blogs Our Daily Green and Fresh Daily Bread. She can also be found on Twitter @ FreshGreenKim. She has published freelance articles throughout the web on both literary and green living sites.

And the winner is....

2011-01-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

Mary Jo Campbell!! Mary Jo, I drew your name in the Brian P. Cleary book drawing, so please email me your address and you'll be receiving a children's book from Brian shortly! Enjoy!

He's Sold 2 Million Books and He's At My Blog Today! Meet Children's Book Author Brian P. Cleary and enter to win one of his books!

2011-01-11T11:52:00.000-05:00

When my kids were younger, I loved to read them books that rhymed. (Still do, in fact, with my youngest--a second grader.) It was fun to read aloud when snuggling, and even more fun if it actually taught them something along the way. A few years ago, I stumbled on "Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective" and "To Root, to Toot, to Parachute: What is a Verb?" for my kids. Years later, the books survived my move from Cleveland to Washington DC...which says a lot, because many books had to be donated due to space on the moving truck and an enormous desire to declutter!

So imagine my surprise when I looked at them again when moving, and the author is from....CLEVELAND! My hometown! You all know my love for all Cleveland nouns, so I thought I'd ask the highly successful author, Brian P. Cleary, who's also written other books like "Rhyme and PUNishment: Adventures in WordPlay" if he'd join us on the blog. He said YES! And, he'll give away a book to one lucky commenter (chosen at random--comment by Thursday 1/13 at noon EST)!

There aren't enough adjectives to describe how excited we are Brian joined us today. ("Adjectives help us describe when we're tired, or say when we're grumpy, or when we are wired. Without 'em we couldn't tell Mom how we feel, Like hungry or hurting, or ready to squeal.")

Brian, you have sold 2 million books for children. Why do you think they're so successful?

I think it's because they combine learning with a sense of adventure. There are usually a few laughs along the way, and that doesn't hurt either.

Can you tell us a little bit about how and when you first became published?

The book CHILDREN'S WRITER'S AND ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET, which is in most public libraries, listed which publishers were looking for what type of manuscripts, and I just sent mine around until I found a good home.

What is your usual process like for writing a children's book?

I usually "owe" several books per year, contractually. I receive notes from my editor about what needs to be covered in the text of a book about, say, Exercise or Amphibians, and I start by writing longhand, and eventually move to the computer to edit myself. I use a rhyming dictionary (that my mom bought me when I was 10), a regular dictionary, and Rodale's Synonym Finder.

Do you do a lot to promote and sell? Your website is tremendous, by the way.

Thanks! I do a fair amount of school visits, and that prompts sales.

You are also a senior editor on the Humor Staff at American Greetings. What's that like? How much time does that leave you for your books?

It's a great place to work, and the environment is creative and energetic, which is good for me. I'm usually there any day I'm not doing a classroom visit.

You've spoken to 85,000 students in 40 states. What do you tell them?

I talk about what my influences were at their age (Muhammad Ali, Mad Magazine, The Beatles, ee cummings, Ogden Nash, Dr. Seuss), and I do workshops with them that are grade-specific.

Your bio mentions that you were a struggling reader once. Since many of us writers and readers on this blog are also parents, what do you think helps children with reading? Is it back to basics--"making it fun" while educational?

I wasn't so much a struggling reader, as a struggling student. School always just felt like I was wearing somebody else's undershirt. My key was to find ONE THING I was good at (writing), and the confidence from that helped me (eventually) with everything else. For struggling readers, I developed the SOUNDS LIKE READING series.

Do you do or are planning any math books for kids?

I've written a whole series of math books called Math is CATegorical explaining everything from money to adding to the metric and english systems of measurement in rhymed verse.

Thank you for stopping at this writer's blog, Brian, and best wishes to you for a great new year!

Thanks -- and take care!

Leave a comment below and I will draw a name at random for a free children's book from Brian!
(Must have commented by Thursday, 1/13/11 at noon EST)

What We Want: 6 Goals Writers Have for 2011

2011-01-03T12:45:00.001-05:00

The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it. ~Jules Renard, "Diary," February 1895

It seems nothing has really changed since 1895 for writers and our need to grab that little piece of air and write it down. So what can we do to make 2011 ours...to claim it, to mold it out of the air?

Sure, there's the traditional and proverbial new year's resolutions: lose weight, be kinder and gentler with our families and friends. Exercise more. Drink more water. But what about your goals for your writing business? What say you?

If we share our goals, it makes us just a little more accountable for them. So, I approached some colleagues and asked them: what say you for 2011? And here's what writers wanted out of 2011:

Show me the money. We're focused on our business for our interviewing, researching, writing, editing, and revising; and we're concrete about goal-setting. Kelly James-Enger, author of several books including my personal writers bible Six Figure Freelancing, says she plans to make $60,000 working 15 hours a week, averaging $100 an hour. "I'm trying to streamline and work as efficiently as possible, reducing what I spend on my sitter and time away from kids." Kelly's blog, http://www.dollarsanddeadlines.blogspot.com/, is a must-read for all professional writers.

Freelancer Steve Sears thinks along the same lines: in his second year of fulltime freelancing (like me) he plans to triple his income, focusing on obtaining more $1.00 per word magazine clients and adding ghostwriting projects.

Book 'em, Danno! Writers are focused on producing their next books, whether it's non-fiction or fiction, part of a series or a first, penning your memoirs, or ghostwriting for a client. C. Hope Clark, the editor of another must-read for professionals, FundsForWriters, is covering new ground in 2011. She will handle a book release for her first mystery book, due out next winter, edit book two and complete book three. By the end of the year, she plans to start book four.

Releasing our Dysfunctional Relationship with Our Blog. We know we must spend more time with its success. We're getting over it--we love it; we hate it. We think, 'I really should blog to keep my name out there, it's a great marketing tool, it's a great way to keep writing,' but we continually seek new content, scratch our heads, and think 'now what?' Many of us are re-thinking the blog's direction in an attempt to gain more audience. Writer Alanna Klapp over at the Chipper Writer plans to launch an interview series "The Seven Questions Series," with writers for writers on her blog.

Market Madness. We've all realized the importance of marketing--whether you're a novice or a pro: we've seen how networking and creating our platform is essential for more business. So we're hitching up that blog post, we're Linking-In with editors and we're querying like mad. "I have a goal of marketing myself more consistently....I need to be marketing myself all the time, not just when it's slow," says Enger.

Another favorite writing teacher of mine, Linda Formichelli, over at http://www.therenegadewriter.com/, is planning a direct mail campaign in 2011 to increase the copywriting side of her business.

Lovin' every minute of it. Most of my colleagues--as I do-- seem to love their jobs. What's the point, if you don't absolutely love what you do? None of us got into writing because we thought we'd get rich. Writing is the simplest (and yet the hardest) of resolutions; we're seeking enjoyment from our profession. Writer Mary Jo Campbell, a writing teacher for young adults, blogs at http://www.writerinspired.wordpress.com/ that 2011 is the year of happiness, and she's posted a great archived list from Literary Mama that you should check out. "Where your mind goes, your energy flows," she posts.

Movin' On Up. And freelance writer Julie Steed says what we're all thinking. It really comes down to this: "My resolution is to continue moving forward."

While a writer in 1895 realized that writing is about taking something from the air and jotting it down in words, writers in 2011 want just a little bit more. May we all claim it, my friends. #

Photo courtesy of www.free-stockphotos.com.

So you want to be a journalist?

2010-12-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

So, journalism isn't what you thought it would be?

This video clip will make you laugh (but only if you know a little bit about the world of journalism first.)
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8045747/

Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season!

In Search of Wisdom: Advice from My 2010 Interviewees

2010-12-14T13:35:00.000-05:00

I think I secretly wanted to be Ann Landers when I grew up. I always read her column and imagined how I'd answer these people who needed to know what to do about their mother-in-law or who they should invite to their wedding. Nevermind that I was only 11. It was the melding of the writing and the psychology that fascinated me, turned me into a preteen aspiring advice-giver who dabbled in complex interpersonal relationship issues!

Fast forward a dozen more years, after studying -surprise!--journalism and psychology, I was sitting on the Washington DC subway, the Metro, heading into work as a public affairs adviser, and a woman began to unload her life's story to me. It didn't matter my head was buried in the Washington Post. Yep, people talked to me, confessed to me...and sometimes even sought my advice. Not that it was any good mind you--but she needed to know- what to do about her job cleaning toilets?

I mumbled something trite like 'do your best...someone will notice you.' She thanked me, and as she disembarked at the next stop, she looked like she was going to cry.

Fast forward another handful of years, and I still get asked for advice. I enjoy encouraging others, and letting the world know about their talents, strength and wisdom, or quite simply, sharing their advice. And I love to seek advice from others. I think everyone's got something to offer.

So I sought the advice of authors, freelancers, editors, and communications experts this year for this blog: to help you in your quest for knowledge about this business.

I interviewed dozens of award-winning authors and writers this year:

Joe Dungan (humor)--you can read his advice here and hear all about trying to be funny when you write.

John Tidyman (tales of the ole newspaper days)--read his interview here about how you put together a monumental amount of interviews and cull it into a readable, enjoyable book.

Phil Bolsta (interviews with well-known individuals on spirituality)--read his interview here and hear why 60 seconds is important.

Pat Bluth (memoir of losing her daughter to a drunk driver)--read her wisdom here about writing through the pain.

Rhonda Stapleton (YA author, Simon and Schuster imprint)--read her interview here about getting published by a major publishing house.

(Of course, interviews from '09 are always helpful too: interview with Debbie Alferio (romance) and Dana Townsend (children's non-fiction.) )

I also had the chance to talk with Ann Kardos, a Christian independent bookstore owner in Ohio about the market and what was selling; consultant and recruiter Kristen Fife about what you should know about LinkedIn; and Linda Formichelli, a hugely successful freelance writer and teacher, about her tips.

Along the way, we searched for wisdom in the words of these experts. Whether we found it or not, I can't be sure, but I know that sharing others' tips helps all of us. We're networking; we're comparing notes. We're helping each other--it's all good. It's all about encouragement.

Next time you have a bolt of wisdom--even if it's just a tip or a piece of advice you learned that helped you---would you mind sending me a note? I'd like to highlight your wisdom in 2011 so we can all learn.

Your turn. Time to tell me whose advice you would like to hear on this page in 2011! Which professionals can I interview for you? More authors, more freelancers, more communication information for small business owners? I'm listening....

Because I don't want you to be cleaning toilets forever (in the words of Seinfeld, "not that there's anything wrong with that"...if that's what you want to do, or that's what you need to do financially.) But it's time to get out of that stall! Submit that article, essay or manuscript and meet your writing goals for 2011!

Photo of Ann Landers is from Library of Congress, donated for use for public dissemination.

Writers who left us too early: John Lennon and Elizabeth Edwards

2010-12-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

Today is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death. He'll be forever 40 in our minds, of course, but he would've been 70. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you can see Lennon's handwritten lyrics of one of my favorite songs, "In My Life." The words he penned have stayed with me throughout mine: "Though I know I'll lever lose affection, for people and things who went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them..."
Yet while he wasn't a hero to me, he did have an acceptance of himself as an individual and what he was doing. You've got to respect a songwriter who has an understanding of themselves as a reflection of society, not as a preacher or a candidate for office. (One of the reasons I can't stand Hollywood types who get on soapboxes and tell us what to think.)

"My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all," Lennon is quoted as saying. Yes.

And last night we learned of Elizabeth Edwards' passing. Edwards, the estranged wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, died after a 6 year battle with breast cancer. Here is a woman who, to me, personified strength, grace and dignity. To deal with the things she did--her 16 year old son's death (how do you ever recover?), her discovery of a lump in 2004 while she was on the campaign trail, and to face her terminal cancer diagnosis (as a mother to young children, how do you do that?), while at the same time discovering her husband had cheated on her while she was receiving treatments for cancer? (Lennon said: "As usual there is a great woman behind every idiot.")

She held up her head and said she'd continue with the hope. And what else did she do? She reflected. She wrote. I read her first book; I plan on reading the second. She struggled; she expressed herself. And through it all, she kept loving. That's all you can do, isn't it? "All you need is love." Isn't that what Lennon said?

Because it could all be gone tomorrow. Elizabeth Edwards knew it could be taken away.

"But I had learned long ago that it was typically the most ordinary days that the careful pieces of life can break away and shatter," she wrote in her first book.

A discovery of a lump in the shower. A discovery of a life.

Life is too short. What can you write about--this very day--to express something? To make your contribution to the world? To leave your mark, your legacy, your Edwards--your Lennon? What can you do, this very day?

When life gives you the writing material...

2010-12-02T16:58:00.001-05:00

I wasn't quite sure what to write about today...and so life took care of that. I was just notified that my story, "Saving Grace," is going to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Dog's Life, due out April of 2011.

I can already see the cute promotions I can do with book signings...pet stores here I come.

Except I'm allergic to dogs and cats.

Make sure you bring some Kleenex with you if you stop by!

What story is in your computer that you've been meaning to submit?

Writing from Home: Haven or Hell?

2010-11-15T11:31:00.005-05:00

So, how do YOU work from home? Is it bliss? Is it distraction-free? Or...not? Read my article in this month's Women on Writing (WOW): "Your Home Office: Haven or Hell? 9 Tips on How to Get Some Peace and Quiet" and then hurry back and give us YOUR tip for working from home! A special thanks to blog readers/writer-friends who gave tips for the article!

(Here's another tip: WOW is a fantastic resource. I enjoy their publication every month, and they have a dynamic blog and network. Sign up if you don't follow them already...)

Writing the Terrible Tales

2010-11-01T08:18:00.015-04:00

I sent this op-ed to the New York Times and USA Today about an article I wrote-- they didn't publish it-- and because the Police Magazine story I wrote deserves more traffic for the widow's sake--because how can you wait for 45 years for someone to do the right thing?--I'm publishing the op-ed here about why law enforcement stories matter. One word: justice.

As a writer, I’ve always been on the periphery, an observer transfixed by stories, perhaps living vicariously. I write about others who are standing tall, probably why I majored in journalism and later joined the DC-based press office for ATF. And when motherhood called me away from writing about arsons, explosives and firearms, I joined the ranks of freelance journalists: a job that’s only in the periphery of the journalism business.

But I felt the periphery this time, a resonance echoing in my ear. I was an outsider on this assignment. Though I have black friends, I’m white. I’m conservative. I’m a northerner. You wouldn’t think I’d pick up the civil rights torch.

Until I read about Emmett Till. While researching a story for the October issue of Police Magazine about the reopened civil rights cold cases of the ‘50s and ‘60s, I heard Till’s name mentioned several times. An FBI spokesman mentioned him to me. A New York filmmaker who did a documentary, “The Untold Story of Emmett Till,” mentioned him to me. I Googled him. I read the Emmett Till Law. I saw a picture of his mutilated corpse. And then I cried.

I had never heard of the 14-year-old black boy, bludgeoned, brutally beaten to death in Mississippi in 1955, for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Grand juries never returned indictments even if suspects were known. Too many years? Too few witnesses?

Was justice served? “I feel it was,” the filmmaker, Keith Beauchamp, said. “It led to the [FBI cold cases] investigations, public awareness, FBI reviews, starting public dialogue. We now have museums, high schools, memorial highways named after Emmett Till. People did not know of him. I get emails everyday about Emmitt Till. It breathed new life into the next generation.”

As a mom, I pictured being the mother of Emmett Till. How do you bear that news? And never see the torturous mob pay? How do you survive the shearing pain of your baby’s lynching? She shared the picture of her son’s remains in Jet Magazine back then, so the world could see the reality of the brutal beating. Mrs. Till Mobley is now deceased.

I called a sweet grandma in the deep south to ask about another cold case. I reached Mrs. Maevella Moore, 75, in a small town in Louisiana.

At a time when she should be sharing her golden years with her husband, she is not. Her husband, O’Neal Moore, Washington Parish’s first black deputy sheriff along with David “Creed” Rogers, was ambushed while on patrol in 1965. Moore died, Rogers was injured from the hail of gunfire released. One suspect was arrested and later released for ‘lack of evidence.’ Accomplices, if still alive, are at large. It was likely the work of the Klan.

Yet I hear the gentleness in the lovely Mrs. Moore. She adores her grandkids.
To people who might know something about the murderous assault in 1965, she asks them to bring information forward now. “I want them to put their feet in my shoes. They’ll fit.”

She is jovial, patient, downright kind, to this writer who doesn’t know her story, who grew up in the Cleveland suburbs in a different era. She speaks with poise, as a woman of courage who endured death threats after her husband was killed. Here’s a woman who didn’t call me—I called her. Mrs. Moore didn’t seek the spotlight or the media calls asking her to relive the pain. She didn’t ask for her husband to be gunned down serving his own parish, either.

She would like closure. “It’s been 45 years,” she reminds me. My heart hurts again.
I can’t verify through my phone calls if the town or parish has a commemorative placard up for Deputy Moore, one of their own. An article on Southern Poverty Law Center’s website states for an area where major civil rights struggles took place, not one single marker of the era exists there.

I’ve written hundreds of stories. At ATF, I watched a world with hate, and some good people trying to do something about it. I learned of agents getting death threats from militias. I’ve seen the anguish on the agents who want to solve a senseless crime. I’ve written about explosive experts sifting through the ashes of Oklahoma City. I’ve talked to arson experts who worked the church fires. I’ve seen the young widows’ eyes at the Waco memorial ceremony when our 4 agents were killed and dozens wounded. I’ve fielded calls during abortion clinic bombings, assault weapons legislation, school shootings and hooked up reporters with experts. I’ve interviewed an agent whose baby went through dozens of surgeries and was saved by the brilliant (and black) neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson. I sat on the periphery of their stories of horror, but how could I make it better?

It’s time to say something more. I may not be journalistically “allowed” to get close, but I care. Shouldn’t writing be about helping the living, the Moores of the world, who are only asking for answers? Can the article make a phone ring at the FBI or ATF or a PD, with someone giving information that can lead to closure, an arrest, an answer? A woman’s buried her husband. Four girls grew up without their beloved daddy. Their kids didn’t know their grandpa. He served the people, got killed by the people. Can the people finally do the right thing?

I can only share Mrs. Moore’s story. I can also take responsibility that I never knew who Emmett Till was, a boy who was beaten to death for acting like a teenager, but whose greater crime was having darker skin.

I get it now. I get why law enforcement writing is so important. I get why people want to fix history books, and close those early chapters.

For Mrs. Moore, stories matter.#

Kristine Meldrum Denholm is a freelance journalist based in the periphery of Washington, DC. Photo of 1960s police car courtesy of http://www.freefoto.com/

Interview with Author Phil Bolsta: How 60 Seconds Changes Everything

2010-10-25T09:28:00.007-04:00

Tell me about your book, “Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything”.
Sure, Kristine. “Sixty Seconds” is a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people I interviewed. The roster of storytellers includes Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Caroline Myss, Larry Dossey, Rachel Naomi Remen, Bernie Siegel, Dean Ornish and Christiane Northrup.

What gave you the idea to write the book?
When I first started walking a spiritual path, I was excited about what I was learning and wanted to share this wisdom with others. I figured that inspiring stories from well-known people would be more likely to be read and have a greater impact than just me writing about abstract principles.

Frankly, I also wanted to connect with the authors and speakers I admired. Interviewing them and working with them to edit their stories was very enjoyable. Beginning in 2001, I wrote up their stories for Edge Life, a Minneapolis-based spiritual magazine. Before I knew it, I had built up an impressive collection of wonderfully uplifting stories.

How did you select the people you wanted to interview?
I began with my favorite authors and speakers in the spirituality arena. I then branched out into entertainment, sports, business, science, music, and every other field I could think of. I started by doing a lot of brainstorming, trying to think of people I’d like to talk to who would have something meaningful to say. And I kept my antennae up. When I read an insightful article by or about a prominent person in magazines or online, or heard someone interesting on a radio or TV show, I added their name to my wish list. I also sent an e-mail to friends and asked them to recommend people who they considered visionaries and thought leaders.

Did these well-known people write down their responses for you, or did you interview them?
I interviewed them all by phone except for Malidoma Patrice Some, Jean Houston, and Joseph Costa, whom I interviewed in person during their visits to Minneapolis, and Rachel Naomi Remen, whom I communicated with via e-mail.

How did you manage to arrange all of these interviews?
I started with the people whom I had previously established some sort of relationship with. For instance, I had interviewed Wayne Dyer for a magazine article, had met Larry Dossey at a seminar, and had had a song lyric published in one of Bernie Siegel's books.

Once I had written up their stories, I attached them as samples to the introductory e-mails I sent to people whom I had no previous connection with. Those initial stories gave me the credibility I needed to open more doors. And the more doors I opened, the more opportunities I had to open even more doors.

What was it like interviewing them, and how did you go about that work specifically?
It was truly a labor of love. I loved hearing all their stories. After interviewing each person, I wrote up their story and e-mailed it to them for revisions. We then went back and forth until the storyteller was happy with every word. It was a very satisfying and rewarding process.

How long did it take to compile the book?
I started writing the stories in 2001, took a couple years off to write another book (“The Big Book of Small Business”), then started up again. When I had nearly 20 stories, I began to seriously look at turning it into a book. Once the book deal was signed, I did stories whenever I was able to connect with a storyteller. The whole process was a lot of fun!

How did you publish it and who did you publish through? How did that process go? Did you use an agent?
“Sixty Seconds” is published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. When I started the process, I asked a well-known writer I knew if he could recommend an agent. He directed me to a woman who accepted my proposal right away. So that all went as smoothly as it could.

Tell us more about writing/editing an anthology? Was it difficult and did you have to deal with a lot of (legal) releases from the individuals?
Not difficult at all. In fact, it was smooth sailing. I did have everyone sign a simple release form but there were no hiccups along the way.

I enjoyed your post on your blog about publishing, where you share that 950,000 titles out of 1.2 million sold less than 99 copies. Do you still recommend people try to publish if they've got a great idea for a book? What do you recommend to writers?
I recommend to writers that they write—as often as possible. If they pay enough attention to the craft of writing, they will have opportunities that they can only dream of now. The best advice I have is to follow your inner guidance; I didn’t choose to write this book, it chose me.

I think you calculated that after all of your work and a $10,000 advance on your book, you made about 12 cents an hour. Still worth it?
Absolutely! I met so many wonderful people and had so many terrific experiences along the way. And since I wrote that post, I received a nice royalty check. “Sixty Seconds” is now published in four other languages: German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can you share a little bit about your other book too?
My next book is subtitled “Finding Peace and Purpose in a Chaotic World.” It’s a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life.

Oh, one more. What's your favorite Sixty Seconds story?
It’s difficult to just pick one! Joan Borysenko’s account of her deathbed vigil for her mother took my breath away. Gregg Braden’s story gave me wonderful insights into the mechanics of prayer, which I immediately applied to my own life. Frank Deford’s story about his daughter’s battle with cystic fibrosis touches me like no other. Stephen Simon’s tale of how his movie, What Dreams May Come, brought peace to a dying teenage girl is extraordinarily touching. And Mike Veeck’s story of his daughter’s valiant struggle with impending blindness is incredibly inspirational.

Is there a common theme to all the stories?
Only in the sense that they are without exception deeply personal and profound. Some stories are subtle and insightful while others are knock-your-socks-off amazing. Some of them may challenge readers to rethink perceptions about the way the world works. Others may inspire them to make better life choices. Cumulatively, they may motivate readers to live in a way that increases their awareness of the sacred moments that currently lie just beyond their vision.

What do you hope readers will take away from these stories?
A greater appreciation of the sacredness of life, a renewed commitment to become kinder and more compassionate, and a dedication to continual self-improvement.

Thank you for coming by, Phil!

For Phil's EXCELLENT POST on "Why Your Book is Unpublished," see http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/unpublished/ . Phil Bolsta updates his blog daily at bolstablog.com. Phil can be reached at philbolsta@mac.com. Follow Phil on Twitter at twitter.com/philbolsta, Facebook at facebook.com/philbolsta.

How Getting Critiqued is Like a Hernia Operation by Dave Meyer, guest blogger

2010-10-20T14:22:00.009-04:00

My friend Dave is currently being "mentored" while writing his book of essays. He's taken a step many are fearful of: getting critiqued. I asked him if he would share what it is like from his point of view. Worth it? Here's his take:

Last year I had a hernia – I knew it, saw it and yes, felt it. Like any good American male, I ignored it and thought it would go away. When it didn’t, I went to a surgeon who told me, a) I did in fact have a hernia, and b) I needed surgery. My only thought was, “At least I will have access to pain killers.” When it was over and I was healed, aside from a two tiny scars, I felt great – and wondered why I didn’t take care of it sooner.

I was having the exact same feeling this year – about my writing. Getting words on a page was easy, but I knew something wasn’t quite right. I traded the laparoscope for a professional mentor and sent my writing off to get cut open.

Initially, I received mixed advice about this idea. First, this is usually not free. Second, many of us have peers who are happy to read for us. However, being the amateur, I felt like I needed a professional’s objective eye. Having a thick skin also helps because, my friends, it gets bloody.

Speaking of blood, when I opened the returned pieces from my mentor, it was a sea of red edit notes and mark-ups – like waking up in the middle of an operation to see the doctor covered in your blood while whistling a Johnny Cash tune.

Now the hard part, you have to settle in one evening, preferably with a strong drink, and read it. It turns out it is not all blood after all. The section of your manuscript you were unsure about? It does suck, your instincts were right. The transition that felt awkward even after your third draft? It doesn’t fit after all.

But in addition to the validation of what you may have already had brewing around, a good mentor will challenge your logic and question your motives. You may re-think paragraphs, you may re-think sections, you may re-think your whole premise. Or maybe not. Maybe you will carefully consider the comments, give them their due, and decide your work, your voice and your book is just as you want it. If a mentor causes you to step back, re-evaluate your work and move forward, they have also done their job.

Did I agree with everything? Nope. There were comments that I thought were off base and ones that in some ways I didn’t even understand. But other comments, well, they were damned interesting observations – maybe ones that I didn’t want to hear. But, if I didn’t think anything was wrong, I wouldn’t have signed on in the first place. But like that hernia, I knew something wasn’t right – and I knew it wasn’t going to fix itself.

Writing Through the Pain: Interview with Author Pat Bluth

2010-10-07T21:25:00.004-04:00

I recently "bumped" into Pat Bluth in a writer's group on Facebook, and because she's written about something so painful, I asked if I could interview her on my writer's blog. Pat's book, From Pain to Peace, A Journey From Rage to Forgiveness, is the story of her teen daughter's death because of a drunk driver.

Can you tell me about your book and if you self-published or traditionally published? When did your book come out?

From Pain to Peace-A Journey from Rage to Forgiveness is a non-fiction book. My 17-year old daughter, Tammy, was killed by a drunk driver. The book is tracing my journey from rage to forgiveness and healing. It is a story of tragedy, but it is also a story of great joy. I share my unique experience at an eight-day silent retreat where she finds a proven path to forgive resulting in spiritual healing and lasting peace. The book gives hope and inspiration to others grieving, dealing with anger, divorce, or other painful circumstances.

From Pain to Peace came out in November, 2008 and is published by Axiom Press as a print on demand book.

It must have been tremendously difficult to write. How did you write through the pain and grief?

For me the most difficult part of writing was not the reliving the story, but staying with the writing. At times the words would come easily, and then other times I would stare at a blank piece of paper. When I started to write I didn’t know how difficult it would be and how time consuming. For several years I had kept a journal and that helped tremendously in my writing. As I wrote it was evident of the progress I had made in the grieving process which was healing to recognize the growth. It took a long period of time for me to complete my book as at times it was too emotional and I had to put it away. Over time I had three different people edit for me. Over all it was a great experience.

When did you feel ready to write it, knowing you’d have to relive such pain as you wrote?

For several years as I counseled grieving people or when I facilitated grief groups, I would think I should write a book. Thinking I wasn’t a writer kept me from putting pen to paper. My gifts of listening, compassion, intuition and perception helped me understand others grieving. Knowing I had a story to tell that could be helpful to others was the impetus for writing From Pain to Peace. Because I shared my story many times as a speaker for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, I wasn’t afraid of reliving my pain. Understanding grief both personally and professionally helped me to relate to others grieving. Writing was a way to say I understand how difficult grieving is; I care, and to let others know healing is possible.

What kinds of advice do you have for other writers dealing with grief? Should you wait until you have more perspective on it? Or should you just write right away?

When you feel as if you are being drawn to write a book, trust your instinct. Don’t let anyone talk you out of fulfilling your dream of being a writer. Believe in yourself and don’t give up. Write from your heart and don’t be too critical of yourself and your writing. Persistence in taking time to write and finding a publisher is key. It is crucial to find a good editor to polish your work.

How have sales and promotion been going? Do you find that a very difficult part of things?

Marketing is something that takes time and was new to me. Having a book on Amazon, or in a book store is not enough. You must always be looking for ways to promote your book. This has been a learning curve for me. I have had book reviews in newspapers, book signings, interviewed on radio, internet radio, and have spoken to groups to share my story and promote my book. Now learning to market on the internet has been interesting and rewarding. As long as I continue to market, there will be sales.

Anything else you would like to share with other writers?

I invite you to my website: http://www.patbluth.com where you can find out more about me and my book. You can download and read the first chapter of the book, From Pain to Peace. You will be able to read testimonials in how reading the book has brought healing to others. Follow me at http://twitter.com/Patbluth or Become a friend on http://facebook.com/patbluth. A good editor is worth the price as they can make a bad manuscript into a good book. If your dream is to write, go for it.

Thank you Pat for taking time to talk to us!

Need a writing mentor? This contest looks good--

2010-09-29T11:39:00.002-04:00

Here's a link to a little contest I'm going to enter. Why don't you too, if you're looking for some feedback of your novel before it heads out? Can you use a mentor? Has anyone ever helped you?

Do authors make money on e-books?

2010-09-23T10:38:00.006-04:00

Are you an aspiring author wondering about what you would earn on your e-book? Kelly James Enger, author of one of my favorite writers' books--Six Figure Freelancing-- tells us.

Head over to Kelly's blog, "Dollars and Deadlines," to read her story about royalties on an e-book.

In the meantime, if you're an author, leave a comment as to how you've made more money: e-book or traditional? What has worked for you?

You know you haven't blogged in a while when you...

2010-09-06T12:27:00.004-04:00

forget your password!!!

No excuse, though! Bear with me, dear readers, as I'm in the process of moving a family of 5 to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Not an easy assignment, but I'm tackling it. The best way I can: One. Step. At. A. Time.

In the meantime, Debbie Alferio, author of the Forever Love series of books, was our contest winner. A copy of "Sell What You Write" is on its way to Debbie...enjoy the marketing and career tips, Debbie!

We'll get back on schedule soon. In the meantime, what ya writin'?

Writing Book giveaway!!

2010-08-23T09:58:00.005-04:00

Here's a copy of "Write What You Want and Sell What You Write" (Fall River Press, 2005) by Skip Press for you...IF you can tell me, in 75 words or less, the best piece of writing advice you ever received, and why. Make me believe how you use the advice today, and the book's yours.

Contest ends Wednesday, August 25, at 8pm EST. I declare the winner! :)

Photo courtesy of www.freephotobank.org

Why follow literary agents?

2010-08-16T12:37:00.003-04:00

If you haven't followed literary agent Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown Ltd., you may want to start. Try reading his blog. (It's why you should follow agents and editors on Facebook or Twitter or through their blogs--you really learn about them, how they think and what they buy.) His wisdom is worthwhile. Check out "Writers, Authority and the Keith Hernandez Rule," about why it's important for writers to KEEP WRITING: build your audience.

Perhaps you remember the movie Field of Dreams: "Build it, and he will come." #

My two latest articles

2010-08-09T20:27:00.004-04:00

Is your kid calendar chaotic? Or opposite, is your child a tv-addict? Check out my two new articles in this month's Cleveland, Akron and Lake Family magazines: "Please mom, just one more show" and "Chaos on the Kid Calendar?" Both stories deal with the little decisions parents make --TV? Activities? How much is too much?-- that add up to one big decision: what we want for our children.

I do hope you'll take a moment to read the stories and let me know what you think. And, what are you working on?

To Nook or Not to Nook, that is the question...

2010-07-28T12:41:00.004-04:00

Every time I go into Barnes & Noble, I see a display at the front of the store for the Nook, an e-reader device, letting you download books cheaper than buying the hardback edition. Do I want this? Sometimes I say yes, I do, because I can probably save money in the long haul by reading new releases (as well as old books) this way. On the other hand, working as a writer all day, every day, means I'm very tired of reading computer screens. Nothing beats curling up with a good book, ya know? I love books--not only reading them but the way they look, the way you can keep them forever, and the way they line your bookshelves, the world at your fingers-- tangible evidence that you've thought about something other than your own immediate bubble. And, I really don't want to see bookstores leave us. There's no place else I'd rather browse.

What do you think? Are you reading your books on a computer?

And the winner is....

2010-07-19T15:17:00.005-04:00

Marie Cauley! Marie, I drew your name from the commenters who entered our contest last week! Marie wins a copy of Christian Writer's Market 2010, courtesy of Ann Kardos of the Logos bookstore in Kent, Ohio!

Marie blogs over at "Getting Healthy and Loving Myself at Any Size," about health and wellness. She's also courageous enough to chronicle her attempt at losing weight, making her struggle (and success) public to hold herself accountable, and in the meantime, she's gained more than a few followers, readers and friends.

Congratulations, Marie! Enjoy the book!

What's selling in the Christian book market: tips from a bookseller...AND BOOK GIVE-AWAY!

2010-07-13T09:38:00.013-04:00

I’m excited to have my friend Ann Kardos hosting my blog today. Ann is the owner and manager of Logos Bookstore in Kent, Ohio, (photo on right) an independent, family-owned bookstore. She’s just back from the International Christian Retail Show, put on by the Christian Booksellers Association, held in St. Louis June 27-30. Ann wanted to share with us information that might help you if you're a Christian author: what are the Christian bookstores and publishers buying from writers? What’s selling in the Christian bookstores? What trends is she spotting? And at the end, you’ll see that Ann is graciously giving away a copy of Christian Writer’s Market Guide 2010 to one lucky commenter of this blog post!

Tips from a Christian Bookseller: the market
By Ann Kardos

The most important books in the Christian market seem to share the same heart at times. It's interesting to see the shift. The things you might expect to be "hits" might not be, and the "B-list" books may be the runaway best sellers. (Remember the self-published, smash, best-seller "The Shack"?)

The book themes this year seem to be:
• Get serious.
• Be prepared.
• Remember the basics.
• Take care of others.
• God is not your genie... (He loves you, but isn't going to give you everything you want.)
Believe me, as simple as some of this stuff may sound, it has not been very "trendy" in the Christian books field for quite a while. There have been years when it's all flash, self-focused, prosperity gospel, and dare I say... "crap." Jesus was nearly left out of the message entirely.

I'm pleased to say that things were different this year. Good.

As a bookseller, let me tell you what Christian books people are asking to read and where voids seem to be. Books (fiction & nonfiction) about:
• Caregiving (for aging parents & seriously ill loved ones)
• Sex education for their kids (with a traditional, Christian worldview)
• Devotionals & Bible studies for dating couples (not premarital devotionals)
• Apologetics (defending your faith in a culture that 'seems' disinterested)
• BOOKS for BOYS between the ages of 8-16 especially. Books that encourage their faith and aren't boring!
• 'Parenting' books for grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandkids.
• Books with strong messages of hope. People are worried and depressed right now.
• Church history and stories of martyrs and saints.

Themes I see as being overdone:
• Memoirs- don't just "work through you issues on paper", unless you can really engage others or offer them a reason to want to know your story.
• Amish fiction. (please mix it up, go Mennonite or Quaker or something, but Amish fiction is filled up.)
Tips from a bookseller who has to spend her money VERY carefully:
• Avoid self-publishing companies. (I know that's hard. The 'big boys' are hard to break into... but just write, write, write... and send, send, send!)
• If you do choose a self-publishing company, this is what you need to do to make sure that bookstores & readers buy your book: Keep the selling price (for paperbacks) at $14.99 or less. Negotiate with the publisher for this. Your goal is to sell books to readers, not buy them for yourself. Negotiate returns privileges for bookstores and you. I will buy more, if I have a guarantee that I can send them back if needed. (this is a huge deal!) Readers don't have much extra money right now. Think of the books you buy, do you risk $22 on a paperback by an author you've never heard of before? Most book lovers will go up to $14.99... more would like books for $9.99. I would love to buy a dozen copies of every book out there, but if my customers don't have extra cash, then I don't either. So I have to be very cautious. (I'm not trying to be mean, but I have to stay in business-- a tricky thing to do the last few years.)

I hope this inspires you & gives you direction as you write for the Christian book market. There are plenty of things to write; God is still speaking. I can't wait to read and sell your books! #

ATTENTION READERS!!! Ann is giving away a copy of Christian Writer’s Market Guide: The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer (2010, retail $24.99) to one lucky commenter! Leave a question or comment below about bookselling, Christian writing and books, and we’ll draw a name from the commenters! To enter, follow the Blogger prompt to follow this blog and become a "follower", and then leave your comment! Contest ends Friday at 9 am EST!

Free PR Advice!

2010-07-09T10:13:00.007-04:00

You know I'm a rabid Cleveland sports fan. My dad always had a game on while I was growing up. He dragged us to Indians games in the 70s when there was no one there but you and the vendor. He dragged us to the Richfield Coliseum, to watch the Cavs play 40 miles outside of Cleveland. And worse, he made us go to the Browns Stadium with him and sit in -50 degrees and eat hot dogs as our Kardiac Kids were playing. My dad even put a Cleveland Browns player figurine on top of our Christmas tree every year instead of a star.

The Cleveland Curse--no championships since 1964--the "Curse of Rocky Calavito" if you will-- continued through my years--Red Right 88. The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. The Choke. Modell absconding with the team to Baltimore. It seems Cleveland could never get its' act together to overcome NO CHAMPIONSHIPS for ANY of our teams.

Now this. Lebron "King" James, arguably one of the best players in the NBA, decides to bolt from Cleveland, a city which has given its mass adoration, a city desperate for any championship and so close to one.

Yes, he's "allowed." It's his life, and he does what he has to do. We all follow our dreams, right? Sad for Cleveland, though. I will probably not live long enough to see a championship in my lifetime at this point.

But here's the thing. Lebron creates what one columnist called a primetime "manufactured melodrama" from the ESPN studios. We spend an agonizing week here in Cleveland wondering where he's going, and he sucker punches us on live national television. (Sadly, we all watched it, didn't we?) But who was giving him public relations advice during this? After he announced he was going to Miami, couldn't he have THANKED Cleveland for how they've supported him? Couldn't he have empathized with the plight of the Cleveland fans who only want a championship? Couldn't he thank his TEAMMATES and COACHES? Couldn't he have acted like he cared? Donate a billion to foster care and group home programs for kids in Cleveland, besides the boys and girls club too? Heck, create jobs here by funding a few new programs?

No. Instead we all heard for over an hour about how he had to do what was right for himself. He talked of taking his talent and leaving. It was about him. But what about---shock, awe here--thanking your girlfriend and kids for supporting you? No mention of them. What about thanking Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert for building him $25 million dollar practice courts by his house? What about thanking Gilbert for signing those million dollar checks? What about thanking Gilbert for putting Shaq and quality players around him? Thanking former coach Mike Brown for coaching for the past several years? Thanking Z, Verajao, anyone from the team that helped you shine?

And to not give Gilbert a courtesy of a phone call beforehand? He told ESPN interviewers, "I haven't talked to him." Almost seemed surprised by the question. Seriously? Is your narcisissm that deep?

Look, it's not the end of the world, Cleveland fans. We recover, we always do. It's not cancer. No one has died. Who do I feel bad for though? My boys, who were to the point of tears and immediately tore down their LBJ posters. He was their hero. As an adult, we can rant or attempt comprehension, but kids don't have that ability fine-tuned. He was their favorite athlete, and one who jilted them. He had the chance to teach my kids loyalty; he did not. He had a chance to teach them about sticking with your teammates through ups and downs; he did not. He taught them about how you must win at all costs...or you're a loser. He taught them to be a follower. He taught them to not stick around and try to work on things with your team...get up and bolt when things don't go your way. He taught them that it's all about ME.

Whatever.

But Lebron, let me give you a little free PR advice for a future life: Don't talk about yourself in these conferences. It's not about just you. Cliche but true, there is no I in team. Do not create a frenzied-all-about-me manufactured prime-time report. When you announce your decision, have a little press conference in Cleveland, look fans in the eye and tell them how really sorry you are, that you know they have stood by you and loved you; how you love them, too; how they've given their heart over to you, as we always do in Cleveland. Give a couple of mil for group homes, foster care programs, yes the boys and girls clubs-- how about a fund for all real heroes--wounded warriors, oncology nurses, the firemen and policemen who ran up those stairs on 9/11, the rescue workers from Ohio...and give some dollars to Cleveland real heroes.

I saw a golf pro who just won a major tournament years ago. A reporter asked him about winning the big tournament and how he was a hero. The pro said, "I'm not the real hero! The heroes are the doctors, the nurses, the teachers, the police!" I'll never forget how endearing he seemed after that.

Cleveland will survive, but maybe, just maybe, Lebron, you can show a little public relations savvy if you don't feel it in your heart...maybe you can ignore your own insensitivity to Cleveland fans, and care about the city that built you up and shamefully crowned you King. #

The audacity of hoping to park

2010-07-05T22:20:00.009-04:00

If you follow my blog, you know that I like to point out strange signs I come across. What's wrong with this scene?

Let me give you the back story. It's July 4th, and my husband and I were going for a walk in a city park while we were visiting my mom. The crack journalist in me noticed right away that it was...um...practically deserted. But on July 4th, shouldn't the park be actually used? Shouldn't these tennis courts be full of sweaty Wimbledon wanna-bes? Shouldn't there be little league games going on the ball fields? What about the gazebo...shouldn't some poor average musician be putting on a show, complete with an audience that parked 10 feet away?

Nada.

Why? Because there's NO PARKING IN THIS PARK on July 4th. I was stunned when I saw the signs: "July 4th. NO PARKING." Seriously? How do people get to your park? I can see shutting down parts of the park where the fireworks will be going off. But this was at 2 pm, and the show doesn't start till 10. All of the parking lots were closed except a small area by the pool.

A brilliant plan to keep people away from the park, I'm guessing. I can see the executive meeting now: "Fellas, we do NOT NEED for people to be playing horseshoes and picnicing and good God, maybe even frolicking. There is no extra tax benefit to us that way, and that might cause some extra work. We'd rather take the taxpayers money but not provide them this service. But because we would cause an uproar if we banned the park on the 4th, let's ban parking!"

I saw a policeman sitting in his cruiser at the entrance to the park, no doubt ready to nab any violating parkgoers who attempted to DRIVE to the park that day, so they could ENJOY THE PARK. And I couldn't help it, the journalist in me just wanted out. I mustered the courage to ask him.

"Excuse me," I said, respectfully. "Why is there no parking this entire day? Why are all the lots here closed?"

"Because we need the spaces for handicap parking."

Huh? ALL spaces...so that no one else could use the park?

"Well, yes, all spaces are for handicap parking and...special 2010 permits."

Ah, now we're getting somewhere. My husband used to be an election law attorney, and I could hear his cynicism and my skepticism in my head: How does one get a special 2010 permit? Is this the only way I can actually come to the park, if I give a special 2010 campaign contribution?

"Special permits?"

The officer weighed the question. And right on cue, he "took a call." I knew that was my cue to cut the questions, hence I find myself handcuffed for asking too many questions on a sunny day. As I turned to leave, I saw a big SUV police cruiser pull up. I'm guessing that was his back-up, for the freelance journalist who was asking why.

And as I was walking away, I saw a desperate citizen--no doubt exasperated looking for somewhere to park for his family's day out-- jump out of his running SUV and--glancing right and left to make sure no one was looking--blatantly, illegally, MOVE AN ORANGE CONE and park in that spot. He needed to park, I'm sure of this. Crazy family guy.

I never got my answers as to why you couldn't go to the park on the 4th, but I hope you get your answers today. I hope that your days are sunny, your parks are filled with happy sounds of life, like the laughter of kids playing frisbee or the ping of a tennis ball being belted at its opponent.

What absurd things have you seen lately?

Advice of the day: Nab an unforgettable quote.

2010-06-29T10:46:00.007-04:00

Did you ever get a really good quote? One that just...sings? I love the quote in today's story of the Russian spy ring that was just busted in New York. The neighbor said, "She couldn't have been a spy. Look what she did with the hydrangeas." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/30/world/europe/30spy.html

When the source says it, you know it's perfect. It's what you need for your copy to stand out and give your readers a sense of the story here--in this case, not only the spy ring, but how the spies were doing their jobs, blending in perfectly in suburbia, so much that the neighbors had no clue, and still are in disbelief. Show, don't tell who your sources are. Show, don't tell what the story is. Show, don't tell what the neighbors really do think!

But your quotes are only as good as your interviews...and your subjects. I know I've had closed subjects who've barely had two words to say (and that was 'bye now.') I've also interviewed passionate people who believed in what they were saying. Who would you rather talk to?

What's your quote of the day and how did it make you understand the story?

Interview with Award-Winning Humor Writer Joe Dungan and Book Give-away!

2010-06-21T09:24:00.013-04:00

Meet Joe Dungan, author of L.A. Nuts, a humorous book of essays about living in L.A. The book recently won the Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards, humor genre, and thanks to my friend, writer Dave Meyer, who contacted him for me, he agreed to be interviewed by me about humor writing. And, he's even agreed to give away a signed copy of his book to a lucky commenter! (I will draw a name at random from any comments or questions left for him after the interview.)

So you think you can write humor? Here's his advice.

Joe, I've enjoyed some of your columns about how crazy L.A. can be. Like how, living there, you have knowledge of where Paris Hilton lives AGAINST YOUR WILL. When did you realize you had that gift of gabbing to an audience of readers?
It's been a slow realization. I suppose it began with creative writing assignments in grade school. Teachers gave me positive reinforcement, so I kept at it. There are plenty of things I suck at. Upon making those discoveries, I stopped trying those things. Luckily, as humans, we tend to enjoy the activities we're good at. As it is, I sometimes drink while I write. I'd hate to think how much alcohol I'd consume if I hated writing.

How did you get started doing this writing thing?
By necessity. First, teachers told me to. Then in that endless dimly lit, signpost-free carnival known as adulthood, I decided that writing was one of the few go-tos that made me happy.

Tell me about your book, and how long it took to write?
L.A. Nuts is a series of essays about crazy Angelenos and the extremes and ironies of Los Angeles. It began as an email exchange with a neighbor. She thought my characterization of one of our neighbors--whom I've named "Clyde Langtry" in the book--were so amusing that they deserved a wider audience. So I began a blog. Shortly thereafter, the editors of thesimon.com contacted me. I'd written essays for them before, and they thought this would make a great column on their site. So I jumped at it. They had a far wider audience than my unknown blog, and the regular deadlines would force me to create steady content.

After two years of that, I decided I'd had enough, so I stopped. It wasn't until about four months later that I looked into repackaging the essays in book form. I didn't want to slave away on a book proposal to send to the small handful of humor publishers in the country, and I'd read up on the virtues of self-publishing. So I decided to self-publish. A year later, I had books in hand. From the beginning of the blog to printed books took about three and a half years. I'm sure there are quicker ways to do it. I recommend those ways, whatever they are.

You were the winner in the Writer's Digest humor category for self-published books! Congratulations! Tell us about it!
Contests are a great way to get seen, gauge yourself against other books in your genre, and maybe even take home some money. I did some periodic research about book contests and was determined to enter some. The Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards was the first one I entered, then forgot about it. Then about five months later, I had a message on my voicemail telling me I'd won for the humor category. Simple as that -- along with spending four years writing and self-publishing, I mean.

Winning that in October was a nice confidence-booster, so I entered pretty much every book contest I could find. I even submitted it for a Pulitzer. I didn't even place in that, but you never know who might read it. Oprah Winfrey could be one of the judges, for all I know.

I didn't come in first in any others, but I placed in all but one contest that I entered, most of which had some kind of awards event last month in New York, coinciding with the Book Expo. The night before the Expo was great. I went to the Next Generation Indie Book awards reception at the Plaza Hotel to pick up a Finalist medal, had some drinks, met some nice folks, then wore my medal on a crosstown bus (that drew a few stares, even in New York City) to go to Independent Publisher's event at the Providence. There, I picked up the Silver Medal in the humor category, met more people, had more drinks. The next day, I walked around the Book Expo with these two medals clanging around my neck. It turned some heads, which is no small feat in a gigantic room full of people trying to get attention with their books.

What's your advice when writing humor? It can be hard--I know times I've been sarcastic in the written form, people don't always "get" that you're being sarcastic. How do you show this? Any suggestions?

Without having analyzed it at length, I think a lot of it boils down to extremes. For instance, finding the extreme absurdity or the extreme irony in a situation. If the situation isn't that absurd, then maybe the writing of it won't be that funny.

Then there's how you present it. You have to spell it out clearly enough for most readers to get it, but you can't be too obvious or else readers will feel like you're condescending. On that count, I say err on the side of only being as obvious in the telling as you want. Most readers appreciate absurdity and irony, but they vary widely on how they appreciate the presentation. So you'll have no way of figuring out how to reach everyone. That's good news, because you CAN'T reach everyone. Find your subject matter and find your style, and the slice of the reading public that can appreciate it will find you.

All the great comedians, whether they do stand-up and writing or just stand-up, know how to do this. I think one of the masters is Bill Maher--and his writing staff--on Real Time. First off, his subject matter (politics and current events) is loaded with absurdity and irony. Then, his bluntly presented observations not only play up extremes, but he often dresses up his shots at one target with metaphorical asides in which he'll take a shot at some other target. In doing all that, he's primed to alienate a lot of people: politics bores many people, his style is relentlessly unapologetic, and his targets are often things that people like. Lots of people hate him, I'm sure, but that's to be expected when you have a strong point of view. And for all that rancor directed at Bill Maher, he's one of the best-selling humorists of all time. He found his medium and found his voice, and his audience found him. (And I'm sure a few people who hate him have bought his books too.)

On that note, I'm not sure that the particular subject matter is that crucial. It certainly helps, because it's a way for authors to begin relating to readers right away. But if there's something relatable in the writing independent of its ostensible purpose, people will be drawn in. This is one challenge I've had with L.A. Nuts. A lot of people don't care about L.A. in any context. But when they realize there's more to it, that it involves a guy just trying to get by in life without being assaulted by crazies, then they see it's something they can relate to. People have sent me emails telling me they have a neighbor just like Clyde Langtry or a local sidewalk dweller who rants away worse than any Angeleno, that sort of thing.

That whole screed stems from one kind of humor writing. There are certainly other styles. Hunter S. Thompson, for example, wasn't exactly Oscar Wilde, but he wasn't trying to be. Nor is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas what I'd call relatable. How many people can possibly relate to living through something like that?? But his vivid, slash-and-burn attacks on everything within reach made for some of the most compelling and hilarious reading I know of.

Any advice for those who are writing manuscripts right now and putting humor in?
You can never be too funny, unless you're writing a religious book, maybe. In fact, I'd love to see a good book in the religion section that's also funny as hell. I'd read that -- but the author would alienate most of the religious book market.

In fact, I heard from a marketing expert recently that at every seminar he attends, speakers are going on about the importance of humor in sales calls. Apparently, we're in desperate need of humor. But anyone following current events could tell you that.

I'd also advise running manuscripts by peers who'll give you honest feedback. If you write in a vacuum long enough, you can convince yourself of anything. If something's not funny, make sure you have people to tell you so before you send it to an agent or publisher -- or worse, before you self-publish thousands of copies. And then if it is funny, DON'T CHANGE IT. There's this temptation to change funny things after a while because you've read it so many times that it's not funny anymore. Of course it's not funny anymore -- you've read it a hundred times! If it was funny the first time your peers read it, people who peruse or buy your book will feel the same way when they read it.

When you write something humorous, do you write for a specific market in mind?
Yes. People who can read. The ones who like it will tell their friends and buy my next book; the ones who don't, won't.

Do you always know where your humor is going to end up/be published?
Mostly. The one wild card is the whole re-posting thing on the Internet. I don't mind that at all. That's free marketing.

How did you get the well-known people to comment on your book for your book flap?
I asked them. Elaboration: Some of them I already knew. I'd worked with Peter Greenberg on a show on the Travel Channel a while back. I knew Russ Woody from my coffeehouse days. But I'd only met Sandra Tsing Loh once; same with D.J. Waldie. I simply hunted down mailing addresses or email addresses for them and asked.

I didn't have a 100% success rate. Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert (and/or their people) never replied. David Sedaris politely declined, but actually sent me a handwritten postcard saying as much. But you won't catch any fish if you don't drop a line in the water.

Do you have to do a lot of promoting for your book sales? How are sales, by the way? Any recommendation for authors on promoting?

I fear that, in the end, I'm going to spend more time promoting L.A. Nuts than I did writing and producing it. I'm trying every tactic I can think of. Some of them cost a lot of money; some don't. Truth is, even if I had gone the conventional publishing route, I'd be expected to do just as much promotion, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by any of this. Sales were slow at first, but they've been picking up; there's sometimes a huge lag effect in your efforts, and it's near impossible to tell which efforts produce sales and which don't.

As far as authors promoting, yes, I have advice: Do as much as you can until you are completely exhausted, then do more and more--and then more before you collapse. When you get up, repeat the process.

And try everything. Get postcards or bookmarks made, carry them around with you, and give them to everyone and put them everywhere. Do a blog. Make a facebook page and provide updates. Call independent bookstores and set up signings.

Also, call NON-bookstores and set up signings and/or sales. From an author's point of view, bookstores are terrible places to sell books. There's nothing but wall-to-wall competition! Find ANY other kind of retailer -- or even a non-retail business -- and see if you can find some tie-in there: selling books directly to consumers, selling in bulk to the business so they can give your book away as a premium,... whatever arrangement you can dream up may be worth pursuing. I read a story about a woman in one part of the country who wrote a handsome book about local history. She ended up connecting with a bank that was opening in the area. They bought something like 5,000 copies to give away to new customers!

Keep books handy because you never know who you'll meet. I had occasion to be on a plane with Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, etc.) recently on a flight from New Orleans to Los Angeles. I thought it would be a smart idea to give him a copy of L.A. Nuts, just because, well, you never know what he might want to do with it. Unfortunately, I didn't come up with the idea until the plane was landing. And since he was in first class and I was in row 197, he was probably on his living room couch by the time I got off the plane. But at least I had my marketing cap on, even if I did put it on a little late.

And solicit help anywhere. If you or any of your readers know Jason Segel, please convey this story to him and let him know there's a free book waiting for him.

And get your book banned. Anything forbidden is bound to draw curiosity. (Viagra sales in Italy, for instance, were huge--while it was illegal. As soon as it was legalized, sales went, shall we say, flaccid.) I was once in a used bookstore looking for a novel called The Passover Plot. As I followed this clerk down an aisle, I happened to mention to her that the book was banned when it came out. She stopped, turned very deliberately and said to me, "Any book worth its salt has been banned at one time or another." I'd love people to say that about my writing someday. Preferably someday soon.

And do every author interview, podcast, and the like that you can find.

Who are your favorite humor writers? I think you write like Dave Barry--self-deprecating--love that!
Dave Barry will be incredibly insulted when he hears this. I'd be insulted if I were Dave Barry. Then again, if I were Dave Barry, I wouldn't stoop to read Joe Dungan.

Honestly, I don't read nearly as much as I think I should. I'm sure all the hot humor writers these days are riotous. I would like to give a shout-out to my friend Russ Woody's The Wheel of Nuldoid. In addition to character, plot, and all that other stuff people want in a compelling novel, he's got a relentless sense of irony and ability to turn things on their heads. It's also that rare book that kids love and adults can get.

My favorite book of all time is Jim Bouton's Ball Four. He benefited from working in an industry--baseball--that was ripe with absurdity and ridiculousness. He also benefited from having never had those elements exposed by the baseball writers who'd worked in that world all those years, despite their inside knowledge of it. But he and his editor, Leonard Schechter, together had a terrific sense of capturing all of the game's pettiness, corruption, and humor, and they were both fearless enough to be the first to do it. The book is pretty tame by today's standards, but when it first came out, it was shocking. And it's actually still pretty funny as far as I'm concerned. There are just little ways Bouton and Schechter had of framing things that resonated with me.

Joe, where can any of your followers go to find you online?
L.A. Nuts can be found at http://www.lanutsbook.com/. Also, ask your retailer for it. When they look in their computer to see if it's in "the system," I'm proud to say it IS in the system, and they can order it. But if you order from lanutsbook.com, I'll personalize it to you.

L.A. Nuts is also available on that website that sells everything.... What's it called? Oh, hell... you know the one... named after that big river in Africa... Anyway, it's for sale there too.

Also, I have a blog: http://www.lanuts.blogspot.com/. And I have a facebook group page and the fan page, where I post allegedly humorous updates that you won't find anywhere else.

Thank you for joining us, Joe. Readers, leave your comments or questions! And please check back to see if you're the winner of his book!

Life's a beach

2010-06-14T15:02:00.005-04:00

Who isn't calmed by the beach? I took this picture in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in April. Weather was beautiful, and the scenery breathtaking.

(Of course.) Perfect, right?

But can you imagine vast waters being the source of pain? A drowning perhaps, or a Coast Guard rescue that didn't happen, or a shark attack, or hurricanes or the BP oil spill?

Now look at that same beach as a funny scene, real or imagined. Tell me about it. Make me laugh really hard and cause me to spit out my coffee and you'll win something. Don't know what yet, but you'll win something. Something, um...something small! Definitely.

(P.S. We'll be talking about humor writing next week.)

Writers: Please. Make. Money.

2010-06-07T16:45:00.005-04:00

I don’t know Tony Silber and Jason Fell, but they’re my new best friends. And yours, if you’re a professional journalist. Silbert, the GM of Folio:, a magazine for publishing professionals, and Fell, the senior editor at Folio:, recently posted some excellent editorials about content sites. Silbert’s piece, “**** Can Go to Hell,” (I’m not giving the company he names any free publicity) and Fell’s piece, “Value of Online Content: Practically Nothing,” discusses paying writers $15 an “article.”

I know I’ve said this before. Stop it, writers. Just stop it.

You’re killing the rest of us. How can we call ourselves professionals---research, report, interview, draft and revise copy, in many cases for days or weeks---and accept $15? (I’m not talking about your blog post or a promotional item for your platform, I’m talking about a well-researched, written and edited article.) Don’t tell me you’re turning in 10 of these a day. Is each one revised, researched, written for a editor who knows journalism? Silber and Fell say the copy editors are making $2.50 a story, fact checkers $1.

Seriously?

People, please. If you want to make more, refuse to write for these sites. Instead, use your time wisely and target markets that pay more. Research markets. Be a journalist: investigate, report, interview, draft, revise (and nowadays promote it, too) and demand that your time and experience means something.

Do not devalue yourself and your work. You are a professional.

A cleaning lady doesn’t have any trouble saying that she’s worth $50 an hour, does she?

But don’t listen to me. Listen to writer Harlan Ellison, “Pay the Writer” ( a little ‘language,’ so now is the time to turn on Sesame Street for any little ones playing near you right now.) But I love how animated and adamant he is, how confident he is that writers should get paid for their work, expertise and craft.

You can do this! You're worth it. Aren't you?

For Memorial Day: One Man Who Served

2010-05-31T10:23:00.009-04:00

My grandfather, Allen Harse, of Skaneateles, New York, was a World War II veteran. He died shortly after I graduated college, and I miss him. I miss the Planters Peanuts which seemed to magically appear on my grandparents coffee table at exactly 5 o'clock when we'd visit. I can still hear his announcement that it was coctail hour at the Harse's, while Frank Sinatra belted "My Way" from a record player.

When our family would make the 6 hour trek from Cleveland, we'd be greeted with such fanfare: Grandpa hit the A & P every day to make sure we had enough steaks for dinner; enough OJ and donuts and ice cream for the kids, and plenty o' drinks for the grown-ups. He knew everyone at the A & P too. I can still remember how warm it felt to go into a small-town grocery store and have everyone say hello to Grandpa, like he was the mayor or something. It was a hug.

"Hey Al, how are you?" they would say. "Are these your grandchildren from Ohio? Aren't you guys getting big? Have a great visit."

It was an era--and a town--where "everybody knows your name"... and they also knew what your latest report card said.

But there were times for Grandpa when he wasn't surrounded by family cocktail parties and a friendly A & P. World War II.

He never spoke of the horrors he lived through while serving the United States. Grandma did, though. She raised my mom for the first two years without Grandpa being there. What did Grandpa say? He didn't. He just served. He didn't broadcast his service. He stayed in close touch with his Army buddies, though, and Grandma continued going to the Army reunions even after he died in 1989. And when she died, hoping to see her Al again, in late 2003, it left me wondering how many people are at their WWII reunions anymore?

I wish Grandpa had told me about what life was like for him in WWII, and I wish I had some stories to tell my kids about that. At least some more specific information.

My kids prefer the stories about how Grandpa played basketball for Ohio State, anyways. And how he was in Jesse Owens' English class.

But I'll make sure they know he was a hero, as all our soldiers are. He fought for this country in a faraway land (I believe he was stationed in Africa), where there were no NY-family cocktail hours with enormous laughter, as Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby or Bob Newhart comedy records played in the background.

May our veterans rest in peace, dear God.

Who served in your family? I'd love to hear your stories in the comment section. Take whatever space you need. They served our country, after all.#

LinkedIn for Writers 101

2010-05-24T09:08:00.007-04:00

When I first joined LinkedIn, the professional networking site, I asked my writer-friend and former classmate Kristen Fife, a Seattle-based successful, top recruiter, HR blogger and fiction writer, how to use it. She has hundreds of connections, and is leveraging this thing pretty well.

"Make sure you form a network and also make use of the question and answer section," she advised. Months later, I can say I've done both, but the overall feeling is, Now what? How should I be using this daily--as a writer? So, I asked her if she'd appear on my blog, answering questions a lot of writers have about this tool. Luckily she said yes. Listen up, writers. It's not everyday you meet a LinkedIn mentor and expert who's got some great suggestions!

Kristen, tell us what you do and how you use LinkedIn successfully in your own career?
I use it in several different ways. As a recruiter it is an invaluable tool for locating top talent, forming strategic partnerships in my own industry, as well as keeping track of changes in my network. For example, someone I used to work with recently sent me a LI invitation. She is very high level, has been in the same company for many years, and has a narrower network than mine. I am assuming she is getting ready to look at other opportunities since I have an extremely diverse network. I'm happy to help her out as we had a good working relationship and I've known her for many years.

I use the Questions section to build my own credibility for my consulting business by answering questions in specific areas and also encouraging off-line discussions with people originating from those questions. I am getting ready to launch a series of classroom workshops in the Seattle area, and much of my time in the last couple of years has been spent on building my professional brand as a Recruiter and Resume Consultant. The workshops are a step toward a longer-term goal professionally.

As a writer, I am connecting with people in many facets of the publishing industry. As a result of one of my contacts, I am being considered for a PT blogging role at a leading newspaper in town.

How many connections do you have?
As of right now, 892 all built 1:1. I would like to add that I am somewhat picky on my acceptance of invitations. I am *not* a LION (Linked In Open Networker) who accepts every invitation. I will not accept anyone who says they are a "friend" if I have never met them, and it says so in my profile. If someone cannot take the time to read my profile, I don't want to have them in my network.

How can writers use LinkedIn successfully? Many of us get on, form a network, and then say "now what?" How can we optimize? Do you really think we can get assignments or an agent to notice your manuscript this way?
There are a couple of really important things LinkedIn can offer writers. I'd say the Groups section is a really good place to start. I belong to several writing-oriented groups. Not only can you build your own knowledge by asking, reading and answering questions but you can also get an idea of new trends, freelance gigs, etc. And the more time you spend building your professional brand, the more likely it will be that people will notice you; in this case, "people" equates to agents and editors.

It's also a great way to see what the (friendly) competition is doing. One thing I would definitely suggest is checking out people's profiles, and seeing what their *external* links are. If they use the TripIt feature, where are they going? Is there some conference that might be worth attending? What books are they currently reading? (And why?) What does their blog look like? It's the same idea of reading an author's acknowledgement section to research potential agents or editors by name rather than just a shot in the dark. Are there any new websites that are offering trial subscriptions for free that might help you market your work? You can also find warnings of scams and unethical business practices.

Do you think writers can use LI to "get assignments"?
Yes, with the caveat that it takes time and the point of spending that time is to gain recognition for yourself as a SME or prolific writer. Some savvy agents and publishers are using the "jobs" tabs to let writers (or other industry professionals) know about specific assignments.

Here's an example. I belong to the Science Fiction Readers and Writers Group. Last year someone published a "job" looking for an artist to work on backgrounds and potentially cover art. One of my close friends is an artist looking for just that sort of an opportunity. I sent her the information, and she ended up being shortlisted for their assignments.

There are also some fun exercises and ways of honing your writing skills on the groups. One of my writing groups has a monthly short story contest. On another list we had a collaborative writing exercise. One person wrote an opening sentence and everyone else was encouraged to write a few more. It was fun and got us out of our proverbial "box". Keep in mind that LI is about building communities, and the more people you get to know in your community, the more likely it will be that you have access to information and opportunities.

Make sure that if you have a website or blog that you include that on your profile, and if you have a Twitter account make use of the Update feed on your 'home' page to broaden your audience.

Freelance writers/authors often don't have "letters of recommendation" they can use to sell their work. Your portfolio and referrals are one of your mainstays in finding new opportunities. I suggest having satisfied editors or agents leave you a Recommendation, as detailed as possible, about your assignments. It's the equivalent of a professional reference on a resume.

Should we send link requests to editors and agents? It seems like some editors are open to it, and some will not accept you. Why wouldn't they--it's not like you're friending them on Fb socially; LinkedIn is keeping it professional?
It's been my observation that traditional publishing houses are slower to adopt new business models. Magazines, on the other hand, are a bit quicker. With as many newspapers going completely digital as there are, you are more likely to *find* them online as not. So the answer is, "it depends". My suggestion is check out their webpage. If they have a blog, chances are they would be open to a LI invitation. See how many connections they have (this is under the "public profile".) If they have a healthy number of connections, chances are that they will be more accepting of invites. Make sure, however, that you don't just send a generic invitation. Personalize it.

"John Doe" has sent you an LI invitation.
Ms. Smith, I was hoping you would accept the invitation to join me on LinkedIn. I read your blog, and saw that you are currently accepting submissions for articles on DIY home improvement projects. I was a professional carpenter for five years, and have had several articles on simple furniture weekend projects published in XYZ and GHI publications. Thank you for your time, John.

As to why they wouldn't, it's the same reason Recruiters are careful: they don't want to be sent a bunch of LI requests then get hit up for sales pitches. (IE an agent getting five indy editors trying to pitch their services).

What are some do's and don'ts as a writer (freelance, authors, copywriters, anyone seeking assignments) on LinkedIn? Any cyber-dangers we should be aware of lurking on LI?
As with any professional group, your reputation and your brand is your currency. Make sure that you are being wise about how you interact with others. If you choose to ask a question in the "Answers" section or in discussion groups, make sure that the question you are asking is something that you honestly cannot find on your own by doing some basic research on the internet; this brands you as incompetent, lazy and a "newbie". If you are answering questions or chiming in on discussions, be sure your answers are well-thought out and professional. Remember, too, that LinkedIn is an international site and there will be cultural differences in the way people interact.

Most importantly, if you do get a lead on an assignment, make sure that you get expectations and payment terms *in writing*. Don't ever do something for nothing unless it is explicitly agreed upon. Treat writing, be it freelance journalist or aspiring novelist as a *job*, and act accordingly as you would in any other pursuit of employment: professionally.

You're also a writer--what are you working on now?
Right now I'm working on non-fiction content for a newspaper submission based on my experiences as a recruiter, for local job seekers. Also, slowly but steadily working on my novel, and creating training cirriculum for Resume Worshops I'm starting in the Seattle area. Hopefully those will eventually become webinar series. And of course, my two professional blogs.
Resume, Job Search Tips and Info: http://kristen.fife.conquent.com/blog
My recruiting blog: http://community.ere.net/blogs/seattle-a-recruiters-perspective/

Thank you so much Kristen, and good luck to you.