W R I T E R S   O N   T H E   R I S E
Inspiration, Insight and Ideas For Emerging Freelance Writers
Volume Two, Issue Six -- June 2005 (View Our Masthead & Bios)

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Writers on the Rise is intended to revive your world-weary inner writer. Published and edited by Christina Katz, WOTR is a free monthly e-mail newsletter for up-and-coming writers of all experience levels. Each issue is designed to provide plenty of positive energy to spark your creativity, authenticity and sense of satisfaction.

“As a human being, you have the built-in power to be creative and writing, an important mode of expression, is first and foremost an act of self-definition. Relish it and use it and do it.”

June 21, 2005 ~ Summer Solstice

Dear Fellow Writers,

Welcome to the new, html version of Writers on the Rise! I have been working heartily on our new format and to create the WOTR web site and store. I have to say, it’s been a heck of a lot of work but I love it. And I’m just getting warmed up. Wait to you see what’s coming down the pipe in the upcoming months: more classes, resources, articles for reprint and an archive for past issues.

The intention of WOTR is to encourage writers of every stripe to follow their (writing) bliss. I put “writing” in parentheses because of the variation on a well-known phrase by noted mythologist Joseph Campbell, whom I deeply respect and admire. If you have never watched his Power of Myth series with Bill Moyers, available at most libraries and video stores, it is so worthwhile.

For me, Writers On The Rise is one of those callings, as Campbell might call it, that I might ignore if I only listened to my logical mind. But I don’t. I also trust my instincts. In many ways I trust them more than my logical mind. But if you know me, you already knew that…

So here she is, the little baby I started back in October of 2003 as “The Writer’s Companion,” a way to keep in touch with my former writing students. She’s getting all grown up and more independent, just like my own daughter Samantha Rose. It’s so cool. It reminds me of the thrill I get every time I hear that one of my former writing students is experiencing some new-found satisfaction or success with their writing. I just can’t get enough of it.

The summer solstice is a time to celebrate, to shine and to blossom into the fullest expression of who we already are. I hope this newsletter will inspire you to do more of these things in the coming months. I hope you enjoy the new Writers on the Rise newsletter, web site and store and do what you can to contribute.

In the writing spirit,

Christina Katz

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Ask Wendy Column: Answers to All Your Freelance Writing Questions from Wendy Burt

Poetry Appreciation Break: Listen to Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”
Feature Article: Get Outta The House: These Writers Did by Christina Katz

Fit to Write: Snack Healthier by Kelly James-Enger

The ‘View: Two Renegades, One Interview by Christina Katz
Internet Road Trip: Five Soulful Songs by Joshua Kadison

Writers with a Cause: Girls! Girls! Girls! by Kristin Bair
Cheers and Applause: Announce Your Writing Successes

Writers @ Home: Photo by Jimmy H. Butler

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Blissings and Thanks

ASK WENDY: Answers to all your freelance writing questions
By Wendy Burt

Question: I can't get the hang of this lead-time stuff. I'm supposed to be thinking about Xmas in spring and Mother's day in fall? I can only write about a season when I'm actually in the mood. How do you make this work?

Answer: Indeed, it’s tough to write about snowmen and hot cocoa when it’s 95 degrees outside your office window! But I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is, if you want to be a professional writer, you have to be ready to write about anything when you’re NOT in the mood. I’ve had hellish days where I wanted to climb back into bed but I had a batch of happy, cutesy, isn’t-life-PURRfect kitten greeting cards due. Was I in the mood? Heck no! Did I do the assignment? Heck yes!

I remember reading a quote by a writer (his name escapes me) who when asked how he got inspired responded, “Luckily, inspiration strikes at 9 a.m. every morning,” implying that real writers sit down and do the work – whether they’re in the mood or not. (Told you it was bad news!)

The good news is, there are plenty of markets out there that don’t require an 8-month lead time. As I’ve said before, in general, the “bigger” the publication, the longer the lead time. This means that while Family Circle might look for holiday pieces a year in advance, your local monthly parenting newspaper might buy that same holiday piece on November 15 – two weeks before they go to print – because they need filler. Sure, the smaller publications pay less, but A) You can build up your credentials faster because they’re easier to break into; B) There’s generally a lot less competition; and C) You’re generally selling more writer-friendly rights (i.e. one-time rights vs. all-rights).

So here’s one possible solution: write a summer-themed piece now and sell it to a local publication. Then submit the same piece to a big magazine that’s buying summer pieces for NEXT year!

~ ~ ~

Question: It seems like so many freelance writers do other things like teach, publish books, speak, etc but I'm still trying to get the hang of writing query letters. What and when do you think is a good time to start branching out?

Answer: Realistically, it’s difficult to get a book deal, a speaking gig or a regular workshop until you’ve got some credentials to back up your pursuits. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. For example, if you were a pet groomer for 10 years (in your pre-writer life!), you’d probably have enough experience to write a book about pet grooming. (Whether there’s a market for it is a whole other story!) Ditto with teaching a class on pet grooming or speaking to a conference. But in terms of being an expert on writing, there’s no set time or number of published pieces to have. I guess the question to ask yourself is, “Would I pay to take a class/hear me speak?” If the answer is no, then chances are neither will anyone else.

Of the three (teaching, publishing books, speaking), I’d say your best bet is the book. Every author has to have a first book and not all of them have previous (published) writing experience. Sure, agents and publishers want writing credentials (especially for nonfiction books), but you could sell a book based on A) A darn good book proposal; and B) Your marketing plan.

Then again, you might want to perfect a one-page query letter before you move on to 35-page book proposal, let alone a 250-page commitment!

~ ~ ~

Question: I just heard you have a class on CD for sale. How did that come about and what’s it about?

Answer: I started teaching “Breaking Into Freelance Writing” about seven years ago. What started off as a small class at Colorado Free University in Denver has now grown to a quarterly workshop averaging about 32 per class – almost entirely by word-of-mouth. I think the reason so many are interested in the workshop (besides the fact that everyone wants to be a writer!), is that it’s a class about how to SELL YOUR WORK, not how to write. There are plenty of classes, books and groups that can help you improve your writing; my workshop is geared to the beginning and intermediate writer who’s ready to make money doing it.

The packet that I’m offering is a 3-CD audio of my last class (slightly edited to cover about 3.25 hours of the 4-hour class) and the 32-page packet that I hand out in class. I cover the business side of writing, including: the different types of rights you can sell to a piece; cover letters vs. query letters; writing query letters; reslanting pieces for reprint; getting assignments; selling personal essays; writing, formatting and submitting greeting cards; finding an agent for your book; using an agent vs. submitting directly to a publisher; and writing a book proposal. I also give real numbers (like how much we made on our books’ advances and foreign rights), which a lot of authors are too embarrassed to discuss.

Right now I’m offering the entire package (3 CDs and 32-page class packet) for $29.99. (The class is normally $49.) You can order by writing to me at WendyBurt@aol.com or by ordering through the WOTR "Resources" page.

Wendy Burt is a full-time freelance writer and editor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Byline and Family Circle. Autographed copies of her two books, “Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick’s Guide to Fun for One” (April 2001, McGraw-Hill) and “Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick” (June 2003, McGraw-Hill) are available through BurtCreations.com.

POETRY APPRECIATION BREAK

Listen to Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” read by the Poet

At Poets.org: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717

FEATURE ARTICLE
Get Outta the House: These Writers Did
By Christina Katz

Lingering at the keyboard when you could be out enjoying the summer instead? In seeking inspiration for this month’s article, I thought I’d go straight to the words written by well-known writers. Did they get their best ideas sitting behind a typewriter all day long? I don’t think so.

I hope this matching game entices you to embark on an excursion ripe with literary promise for you, too.

Answers appear at the bottom of the newsletter. Enjoy!

Christina Katz is publisher and editor of Writers On The Rise. She teaches "Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Articles" and co-published and edited "Rhapsody in Writing," an eclectic collection of her former students' writing. She has written over 100 articles for national, regional and online publications and recently appeared on "Good Morning America" for her article "The Art of Making Time For Yourself." For more information, visit http://www.christinakatz.com.

WRITING AND PUBLISHING NONFICITON ARTICLES CLASS STARTS JULY 20TH

Want to write and publish essays, articles and interviews? In this e-mail course, you will develop confidence by writing and submitting an article at the end of our six weeks together. You can try your pen at the three most marketable types of nonfiction articles--personal essays, how-to articles and interviews--and polish and submit one of your drafts at the end of the class. The new workbook is 60-pages long, including weekly questionnaires, check-ins, resources, inspiration and assignments to advance your writing career. Two detailed reviews of your draft-in-progress are included at weeks three and six. Classes start Wednesdays in 2005 on July 20th or September 7th. Visit http://www.christinakatz.com for more information and to sign up.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE: ANNOUNCE YOUR SUCCESS STORIES HERE

LAURAL RINGLER published "Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival: New Championships & Concerts" in the June issue of Entertainment News Northwest.

JOANNA NESBIT has an article titled “Music in the Park” coming out in the July issue of Entertainment News Northwest.

KELLI WATCHERSON published her second travel article in the Oregonian. “Going Out to the Country” was published on Sunday, June 19th along with four photos.

CHRISTINA KATZ has a retailer profile of Sleighbells of Sherwood in the July issue of Country Business magazine. She reprinted an interview with Elaura Niles in the July issue of the Willamette Writer.

Success happens in clusters, writers! Keep the stories coming and keep inspiring each other. Corrections, Omissions, News? Keep us posted.

FIT TO WRITE: Snack Healthier

By Kelly James-Enger

Writing is great for the soul, but it can be hard on your body. Each month, successful fulltime freelancer and certified personal trainer Kelly James-Enger will offer advice on staying fit to write.

Working from home offers a number of benefits, but for most of us, proximity to the refrigerator isn’t one of them. When you’re struggling with a lead or a particularly challenging short story, it’s easy to distract yourself with food—often of the junk variety. If this sounds familiar, give these tips a try:

• Don’t eat at your desk. Take a real break so you enjoy your food—and you won’t have to worry about crumbs in your keyboard, either.
• Keep a selection of fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. I usually have apples, bananas, grapes, and baby carrots on hand—all make quick, healthy snacks.
• Don’t short yourself on protein and fat. Peanut butter toast will keep you sated much longer than pretzels or a fat-free muffin.
• Drink plenty of water! Thirst often masquerades as hunger, so you’ll snack less, and you’ll probably feel better, too.

THE 'VIEW:

Two Renegades: One Interview

By Christina Katz

The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell is a fun read that makes a good addition to any summer reading list. The tone is straight-shooting, yet friendly—like chatting with a friend over coffee. I caught up with the authors and asked for a second helping of radical advice for the road.

If you were to describe one quality you have that fits the bill of a "renegade writer" what would it be?

Linda: I'd have to say persistence. So many writers get a rejection and give up. If I get a rejection, I try to find a way to turn that rejection into a sale, even if it means breaking the rules.

Diana: I don’t take rejection personally. Moreover, I tend not to focus on rejections in general. One big reason why is because I used to work in advertising and marketing. Clients would come right out and tell you to your face your ideas weren’t very good--and if you got too many of those kinds of answers, you lost billings and then you got fired.  So working in that environment was a blessing, although I hated it at the time.  I’m a very sensitive person by nature, so if I hadn’t learned to handle this aspect of work, I’d be a basket-case today.

When you were first getting your pen moving as a freelance writer, what was the one most important lesson you learned right away?

Linda: I learned that it's not how much you make per word, but how much you make per hour. I was so psyched to break into a well-known woman's magazine that paid $1.75/word, but the research, writing and revises took so long that I might as well have been working for minimum wage. On the other hand, I've had assignments that paid $.25 per word where I ended up making $250 per hour.

Diana: I think I knew this before I put pen to paper (or rather thoughts to pixel), but the most important lesson I learned is to behave like a professional.  My mother worked in publishing, and I also had friends who were editors, so I heard a lot of “flaky freelancer” stories. From the get-go, I vowed never to turn into a flake. If something was due on the 30th, I turned it in on the 29th. I went out of my way to help my editor solve problems--I didn’t want to become a problem. On the other hand, I also knew from the beginning it was important for me to work with people I like and respect. That was and still is an ironclad rule. If it’s not working out with an editor, I try to get out of the relationship as quickly as possible and move on. If I find an editor I love, I will move heaven and earth for them. 

Linda, I thought it was interesting that you and your husband are both freelance writers. Care to say a little bit about that for folks who haven't read the book yet? What’s it like to work in the exact same field as your spouse?

Linda: We love it. It can be hard because we have different work styles--I'm a go-getter and he's more laid back. But it really seems to inspire other writers to see that we can both freelance and still pay the mortgage, the car payments, for vacations and so on. Many aspiring writers assume that if one partner is a writer, the other must be a lawyer or a doctor or something.

Diana, I thought it was also interesting that your husband chooses to not be mentioned by name in your writing. How did that come about and is it tricky sometimes?

Diana: My husband is well known in his industry (think Bill Gates, only not as rich), so he values his private life. I, unfortunately, make money by exploiting my private life. So we agreed to keep our professional lives separate when we married. He doesn’t ask me to write code; I don’t ask him to play the hapless husband in my stories. As an extra layer of privacy, I write under my maiden name--luckily, my parents aren’t embarrassed by me. This also gives my little boy some privacy.

Linda, how do you keep new editors coming back with more assignments?

Linda: Well, first I do a really good job for them, which means writing within specification and on time. I also throw in little extras, like sidebars. Then, whenever my assignment list gets a little bare, I e-mail all my editors asking for work. Finally, I treat my editors like friends. I send them holiday cards, send then congrats cards when they get a promotion and so on.

Diana, how do you know when to drop an editor from the bottom of your priority list?

Diana: When I sense there’s no “love connection” between us, I’ll move on. I have such a limited amount of time to do magazine work that I only want to write for editors I like. I also don’t write for magazines that I wouldn’t read. For example, you wouldn’t catch me in Maxim or some hot-rodder magazine, although I wouldn’t turn down Playboy (I actually DO read the articles!).  I also know pretty quickly when to move on--I’m not one of these writers who keeps coming back for more abuse.

What was it like to collaborate on a book?

Linda: It was awesome. We have such similar writing styles that sometimes it's hard to remember who wrote what (although if you like a certain part, that means I wrote it.)

Diana: A lot of fun. Linda and I were friends before we started RW, and we’re even better friends now. The great thing about our partnership is that we have such complementary skills--everything Linda dislikes doing, I enjoy doing, and vice versa. We are both idea machines. Neither one of us has much ego--we spend a lot of time laughing at ourselves (and each other).  I wouldn’t say we think the same way, but we have similar sensibilities. We both have filthy mouths. I say things to Linda I would never say to a dog.  But seriously, collaborating was so much fun that we’re doing it again.

What's your next most exciting writing project?

Linda: I just got an assignment to write The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cleaning. I love cleaning, and was so excited to get this assignment. I can't wait to start writing it.

Diana: Linda and I are revising The Renegade Writer this spring. The revised edition will be out this fall. And then we’re off on another book in the RW series called The Renegade Writer’s Guide to Query Letters That Rock. We’re interviewing dozens of editors at national magazines and asking them to share with us a query letter that made them go, “Whoa! What’s this writer’s number?” We’re printing the letter, along with the editor’s comments--what was important to her, what impressed her, etc. Then we’re interviewing the writer to find out how she came up with the idea and what she did to write such a stellar proposal.

Christina Katz is publisher and editor of Writers On The Rise. She teaches "Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Articles" and co-published and edited "Rhapsody in Writing," an eclectic collection of her former students' writing. She has written over 100 articles for national, regional and online publications and recently appeared on "Good Morning America" for her article "The Art of Making Time For Yourself." For more information, visit http://www.christinakatz.com.

AUDIO INSPIRATION

Joshua Kadison
http://www.joshuakadison.com/

Joshua Kadison’s music is a good thing you can’t wait to share with all your friends. I followed the breadcrumbs from SARK’s June e-zine to Kadison’s website and I am never going to forget my way back. This guy is awesome; like Elton John and crackling with soul. I downloaded his five new songs for five bucks and listen to them all the time. You can listen for free, if you like, on his page called “New Songs.” Enjoy!

WRITERS WITH A CAUSE: Girls! Girls! Girls!

By Kristin Bair

Located in Los Angeles, WriteGirl is a nonprofit organization for inner-city high school girls. Established in 2001 by Keren Taylor, WriteGirl utilizes the brilliant community of professional women writers in the Los Angeles area (including poets, songwriters, journalists, grant writers, novelists, and many other kinds of writers). Each writer is paired with a high school girl to serve as a mentor throughout the school year. Girls meet once a week with their mentors to work on creative writing, critical analysis skills, self-confidence, college applications and so much more.

In addition to weekly meetings with their mentors, girls involved in WriteGirl attend monthly creative writing workshops, give public readings of their own work, visit colleges and help to produce an annual anthology of their writing. (WriteGirl’s third anthology, Pieces of Me, is available on amazon.com.)

In 2005, just three years after its birth, WriteGirl has over 50 high school girls involved in the program each season. And according to the website, 100% of the girls in the program have graduated from high school and enrolled in college.

At WriteGirl, girls are encouraged to stand up and express themselves. “Here in the world of WriteGirl, we are all about giving girls and women the space, time, and permission to speak up, speak out, write it down, and let their unique voices loose,” says Taylor. Check her and it out at http://www.writegirl.org.

Kristin Bair is a writer, editor, and teacher of writing in Newburyport, Massachusetts. In recent years, she has taught at Columbia College Chicago, Boston College, University of New Hampshire, Endicott College and Montserrat College of Art. Her work has appeared in The Gettysburg Review, The Larcom Review, Permafrost and Hair Trigger. She is a regular contributor to The ELL Outlook and PortFolio magazine.

WOTR FUNDRAISING UPDATE
Help fund the Writers on the Rise website by making a donation today. [See below to contribute.]
Donations to date: $145.00
2005 Goal: $1,000.00
Dollars to go: $855.00
Thank you for helping Writers on the Rise encourage emerging writers.

WRITERS@HOME

BAD HAIR DAY??? Still shaky and a bit bewildered, two fawns start their second hour of life in my yard. The wide spread of the legs reflects lessons learned from maybe fifteen inglorious tumbles during the first hour. The very attentive mother tended, licked and loved her newborns. Each started out in the sand as a little dark lump with legs, ears, and a head sticking out at odd angles. In fewer than 3 hours, the pair had become fawns with the trademark white spots on a brown coat--that seemed a size or two too large.

Jimmie H. Butler is the author of three published novels that reflect his experiences as a combat pilot and career USAF officer. He founded the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs. Info about his writing and photography can be found at http://www.jimmiehbutler.com and http://www.ColoradoUrbanWildlifePics.com.

SUPPORT WRITERS ON THE RISE
There is no charge for Writers on the Rise, however, voluntary subscriptions or donations are cheerfully accepted.
To send a $25.00 voluntary subscription, please Click Here.
If you would like to send a personal check or money order, please drop Christina a note at: WOTR, c/o Christina Katz, P.O. Box 1354, Wilsonville, OR  97070. Even if you don't wish to send money, thanks for sending good vibes and encouragement!

BLISSINGS AND THANKS

• Special thanks to my husband Jason Katz for designing the WOTR logo.
• Thank you to all of those who donated money to afford the expansion of the WOTR dream. You know who you are…
• Many thanks to the generous spirits of Wendy Burt, Kelly James-Enger, Cathy Belben, Lauren Fritzen, Kristin Bair and all the past and future contributors to WOTR. More thanks to Gregory Kompes and Moira Allen for their web-spiration.
• Special thanks to everyone who sends fan mail, feedback, positive energy and encouragement.
• Thank YOU for sending your constructive feedback, leads and announcements to the e-mail below.

And remember, you are the only one who knows what your bliss is, so you are the only one who can follow it…

Answers to “Get Outta the House”: a-10, b-5, c-12, d-1, e-2, f-3, g-9, h-6, i-8, j-7, k-11, l-4.

Copyright 2005 by Christina Katz

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