Rx for Writers

Transcripts

Thursday, June 20, 2002

Moderator is Kristi Holl, web editor for this site and author of 24 books and 150+ articles. She also taught writing for children for 15 years.

Karen is Karen O'Connor, a keynote speaker, award-winning published writer, and writing instructor from San Diego, California. Karen's latest book, Help, Lord, I'm Having a Senior Moment was released in June, 2002 by Servant Publications.

Names color coded in blue are viewers who had questions.

Interviews are held on Thursday nights for two hours beginning [9 CANADA/Atlantic], 8 Eastern, 7 Central, 6 Mountain, and 5 Pacific.

Moderator: Good evening, everyone! Welcome to our first interview in our new chat room. I'm your moderator, Kristi Holl, and I want to introduce to you my friend, Karen O'Connor, who will be speaking with us on the topic "Earn While You Learn: Ideas for Staying Financially Afloat While Breaking in as a Writer." There can be a long period of time between that first sale and being financially solid. What do new writers do in the meantime? Karen is a much published author who has been writing for over 20 years and will be sharing her ideas with us on this subject. Welcome, Karen!

Karen: Hi!

Moderator: Karen, let's start with the whole issue of "making a living" as a writer. You hear people say "you can't make a living as a writer," but then you hear, "Yes, you can support yourself with your writing." Where do you think the truth lies for the majority of writers?

Karen: I think it is difficult for the average writer to make a living. John Grisham does pretty well and Stephen King, but most of us have to do other things to keep the bills paid.

Moderator: Have you ever personally had to support yourself with your writing--or support a family? (I know as a single mom that this adds a whole new set of pressures!)

Karen: When I was divorced I suddenly realized I was responsible for myself in a new way. I had some alimony for a little while and child support, but I couldn't rely on that regular paycheck that my husband had provided, so I needed to make plans to boost my career to a new level.

Saraj: What kind of plans did you make to boost your career to a new level?

Karen: I wrote a column for a magazine for $100 a month and I also took some workshops on the topic of finances. In addition, I read books on various ways I could explore more writing opportunities that I hadn't thought of, such as curriculum writing and educational films and local community newspaper writing, editing for others, etc.

Moderator: What can increase your chances of being one of those writers who "makes it" and is able to support yourself as a writer?

Karen: Education. By that I mean learn the craft, the marketing, the real-life world of writing. Some people focus on the art and the creativity but forget the importance of balancing the art with the practical side--the bottom line.

Larae: What, in your opinion, are the best resources to get that "education"?

Karen: Reading books has been my preferred way. I always turn to books first when I want to learn something new, and then I look for classes or a support group so I can stay focused on my goal.

Saraj: Do you remember any of the book titles you read for ideas?

Karen: Writing Down the Bones, Bird by Bird, The Artist's Way, Writing and Selling Personal Experience Articles. I don't have all the authors' names on the tip of my tongue, but you can locate most of these books through amazon.com by the title. They are all superb.

Moderator: Do you need extraordinary talent to make a living as a writer? If not, what combination of skills DO you need?

Karen: You need some talent but not extraordinary talent. I remember one student who had such ability but she lacked discipline and never reached her stated goal. On the other hand I've had students who had to work hard to learn the craft but their determination and discipline led them to their goal.

Mrspigglewiggle: How do you find a support group?

Karen: I was fortunate in that I attended the annual convention of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Los Angeles the year I began writing for children. After the conference the moderator suggested we sign up for support or critique groups in our areas. I did so and stayed with it for two years, then started my own. Later I held them in my home for a fee (that was after I became published and had some professional clout!)

Larae: Which ways, did you find, were the best at keeping you on track? How did you develop the discipline to write?

Karen: I stayed on track because I knew I had to earn a living and I did not want to take just any job. I wanted to use writing in some way. I haven't always done the kind of writing I love, but I have always found ways to earn. And when my writing income has been unpredictable for a variety of reasons, then I look for more teaching opportunities or places to speak on the subjects I write about.

Chief: Can you explain the curriculum writing?

Karen: Curriculum writing refers to textbooks, films, manuals, teacher materials, etc. that are used in classrooms. Generally publishers in this field are interested in hiring teachers or ex-teachers who are familiar with such materials. I believe Kristi hosted a guest on this topic a few weeks ago. Maybe you could look at the transcript of that interview for more info.

Moderator: The learning curve for writers varies a lot. First, can you explain the concept of a learning curve as applied to writers?

Karen: To me a learning curve refers to the rate at which you learn your craft. In other words, say you want to write articles for children's magazines--which was my immediate goal when I started my career. I knew it would take time to learn how to do that. One cannot predict how long the learning curve will be but you need to be realistic about it in your own case. One woman wanted to begin supporting her family with her writing but she had never taken even one class!! You can see she was not being realistic.

Moderator: What kinds of things influence how long your learning curve has to be?

Karen: Well, your own learning style, the amount of time you have to devote to the learning, your temperament. Some people move quickly. Others are slower or less motivated. It's a very personal thing.

Moderator: Are there things up-and-coming writers can do to shorten the learning curve?

Karen: I think a conference is an excellent way to do that. You meet people like yourself, who are eager to learn and grow. You meet editors who are looking for writers to work with and who speak on topics of interest to new writers. And you come away with motivation and inspiration to learn more. There are great writers' conferences all over the country each year. You can find them online.

Moderator: Do you have any suggestions for ways to supplement writing income when still on the learning curve?

Karen: Yes. I worked for an attorney part-time during my early years, doing some editing of his legal papers, proofreading his letters, etc. That way I was using my writing skills, but not under pressure to write a book! I also wrote a FREE humor column on a monthly basis for two years for a tennis club my family belonged to. This gave me practice, exposure, feedback and a lot of fun and I grew as a writer because I had to keep deadlines, hand in professional copy, and be willing to be edited.

Ducky: What are some good sources for your writing that won't take two or three years from acceptance to publication?

Karen: Local newspapers. I started with the Las Virgenes Enterprise, writing short lighthearted columns for $10 apiece, but I was thrilled to pieces to get a byline and a paycheck! I also took whatever came my way, such as a story for an educational publisher who was collecting fiction for a reader he was publishing. He happened to be the father of my daughter's friend so I introduced myself and got an assignment on speculation. When I succeeded with the story, he gave me more work and that led to other things over the years. I continue to keep my eyes and ears open for those kinds of leads.

Moderator: Is writing for a regional or community newspaper a viable option for a new writer?

Karen: Yes, I believe it is if you approach the editor with the right attitude and by that I mean, ask for a chance to prove yourself. Show a few articles that you've written (samples of your writing). Give him/her an idea for a column (travel, parenting, etc.) and see what response you get. You need to be a bit aggressive but in a nice way. However, it's also important not to approach an editor when you have nothing to show, no ideas, and absolutely no experience to point to. Some new writers think that an editor will come up with ideas for them. They don't generally do that. They're looking to work with people who are bright, assertive, and creative. One of my friends is a tech writer for a computer company but she really wanted to be a sports writer, so she approached our little community newspaper and asked if she could write a weekly column on the sports heroes at our local high school. She got the job and continued writing $20 columns for two years--while keeping her 'real' job so she could pay her bills.

Moderator: What types of things might a local paper be interested in seeing?

Karen: Maybe a humor column, interviews with local personalities, sports activities at local schools, interesting seniors in the community, parenting, you name it.

Moderator: How do you "break in" locally? What are the steps a new writer could take to land a writing job there?

Karen: Make an appointment, if possible, or send a letter of intro with samples of your writing and a good solid idea of what you can provide--preferably something that is not currently in the paper.

Mrspigglewiggle: Is there a place to learn of upcoming conferences?

Karen: As I mentioned, you can check the web by doing a search using words such as writers conferences. Also Writer's Digest Magazine publishes a list of conferences around the country in their May issue each y ear.

Mbvoelker: What's your opinion about "selling" writing for no pay "to get the credit"? Is this wise?

Karen: I still write without pay in some situations. Why? Because I want the exposure that a particular web site can give me. I've been posting reprints of previously published articles so that my name will reach more people, draw more traffic to my web site, and thus garner some additional speaking engagements and writing opportunities. ALSO because I've been willing to deliver this free content, the web master said yes to my request to write a column based on my new book Help, Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment, which will give my book wonderful exposure. And he will sell the book in his online bookstore. So it's important to know the purpose for the free content.

Chief: Is getting your own web site to advertise yourself something you recommend?

Karen: I don't have a web site just to advertise myself. I have one as a service to others so they can see what I do at a glance and then decide if they want to work with me. I do recommend a web site once you have some things to show.

Mrspigglewiggle: How important is it to "market" yourself?

Karen: Marketing yourself is essential and I'm not the greatest at it. I don't like to draw attention to myself, but I've learned to in a nice way. I present my ideas and try to be lighthearted, and yet professional in my queries so editors will see a real person behind the words.

Larae: How much time did you spend marketing yourself when you first started? What were the main methods you used?

Karen: I wrote queries every day--at least one or two. I also attended workshops and conferences, as I mentioned, and met with editors when the opportunity arose. For example, at most conferences there is an opportunity to show your writing to one of the editors. I also did that and still do. That way I'm making a personal contact. Then I follow up later with a polite thank you e-mail or written note reminding the person where we met and asking if he or she is interested in such-and-such an idea. That way you get a little dialogue going, and the editor is more likely to remember you and want to work with you. It's really about building relationships rather than trying to impress someone with your ability.

Angel1: Do the editors at the conferences mind you bothering them afterwards with your stuff? Is it a bit pushy?

Karen: Editors come to conferences to BE WITH the attendees. That's their reason for coming. They are looking for writers and they also want to let writers know what they are looking for so everyone is more educated about the business. Generally, this is a very well-structured situation. For example, at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference last March, as an attendee, I had a chance to send my writing in ahead of time and request an appointment with the editor of my choice. I did that. It landed me an invitation to send in my book proposal. The same thing happened last year.

Mrspigglewiggle: Are the speaking engagements necessary? What if you don't like public speaking?

Karen: No, you don't have to speak. But I find that most book publishers today prefer to work with writers who are willing to make appearances in classrooms or speak to groups or clubs that are related to the subjects you write about. If you aren't out there, people will not know about you and your books. On the other hand, if you stick to magazine writing, there is no need to be concerned about public speaking. I do recommend, however, that you give it a try by joining a Toastmaster's Group. My husband has been in the same one for ten years and he loves it. It's about learning to speak, but also about life and about people. It's a wonderful tool for personal growth. I recommend that everyone give some thought and attention to speaking. It will improve your writing, as well.

Hannah: How much financial stability would you say is possible for the average fiction writer?

Karen: I have no idea, I'm sorry to say. So much depends on the individual situation. One fiction writer I know makes a six figure income. Another makes only enough to pay for a family vacation. It depends on how much you write, how much gets published, how that sells, etc. Many variables.

Angel1: Are you afraid of anyone stealing some of your works from your web page?

Karen: Not at all. I simply don't worry about theft. I know it occurs. One time I did spot a couple of sentences that were truly my writing in an article I read. I called the writer and told him. He was shocked and had a feeble excuse. I was very disappointed, but it wasn't something I'd go to court over. If it came to something truly important like chapters from one of my books (and that has happened as you know from recent cases reported in the news) I would then press charges. But my philosophy is this. Live a life of integrity, keep the faith, do your best, and trust that all will work for good.

Pilarb: Have you ever used any of the online writer's employment web sites?

Karen: Yes, I have. I subscribe to freelancing4money, an online newsletter for writers looking for writing opportunities. It's $45/year for a weekly letter. I have gotten a fair amount of work from their listings. I also hit the journalism job web sites, etc. and look around. I send in my resume a lot and sometimes it amounts to something and sometimes not, but again, if one is active on one's own behalf, good things do happen. I'm just now coming out of a slump financially and emotionally. It's been a tough year for me with lots of would-be projects falling apart or work I had counted on being canceled. It can be depressing, but I keep going because I don't want to do any other kind of work!

Moderator: How important is it to have at least some kind of steady writing income? (like a weekly newspaper column, an adult education teaching job, a resume writing business, etc.)

Karen: It depends. I have some writing friends who have spouses who support the household so they have the luxury of simply writing what and when they please and not worrying about making money at it, but others need steady income. Therefore, they need to find a source of income that will keep them from worrying, but also allow them time to pursue their dream of writing. We must each make our own dream come true one way or the other.

Moderator: How will I know when to quit my regular job?

Karen: That's a personal decision too. One man quit when he landed a huge book contract. The money earned covered a year's wages. Another quit when she was hired to do long-term curriculum writing projects that yielded a couple thousand a month. One must consider needs, wishes, desires, dependent family members, and the basic expenses we all have.

Moderator: Have you ever quit a regular "day job" and had to return and ask for your job back?

Karen: I haven't but I know people who have. One editor I'm working with now was freelancing for years but his wife has become very scared about the unpredictability of their income so he took a job as an acquisitions editor at a publishing company and writes on the side.

Moderator: What kinds of things should writers take into account when "making the break" to full-time freelancing?

Karen: Mortgage. Food. Insurance. Taxes. Children. Health care and more.

pilarb: If you're just starting out as a writer. What types of things can you put on a resume?

Karen: Anything related to writing. For example, I put down that I was a classroom teacher, had been a tutor of writing and reading and had written a column for a local community newspaper. It wasn't much to start with, but it's all I had. If you have NO experience, then don't send a resume. Just write a query letter for an article or send a short story and let your writing stand for itself. Gradually, you will build up a list of published writing and then you can begin mentioning those credits in future query letters.

Moderator: Is it ever a good idea to work as a full-time freelancer if you have to support a family or at least supplement the family income? What happens in economic downturns such as we're experiencing now?

Karen: I think it's risky, especially because of the unpredictable nature of freelancing. I'm in a position now where our children are grown and gone. I'm in a second marriage, my husband is retired from his full-time job and working part-time in the tourism industry. So in a way we are both in a precarious position, but we have some reserves and we don't have dependent children. Also my husband has Medicare now and we both draw social security (I sound old, don't I?) so that helps us to keep the wolves away from our door, but still it's a bit scary sometimes when I COUNT on a project and then it falls through. So unless you have some reserves or some resource to fall back on, I don't recommend full-time freelancing.

Moderator: Have you had to live through economic downturns in the past? How did you get through it?

Karen: Yes, we feel now as though we are repeating a situation we had about 15 years ago. At that time I did some creative thinking. We took in foreign students for five years and that gave us a nice nest egg each month, but it also took time from my writing because we had people in our home and we had to spend time with them. I also hosted a very successful home/support writing group for four years and received a good monthly income from that, but again it took time from my writing. BUT you do what you have to do. It takes some sacrifice to make it through the downturns.

Moderator: What creative ways have you used to add to your income and still keep up with your writing?

Karen: I've run critique groups in my home, tutored students, coached new writers, traveled as an educational consultant for a curriculum company, among other things.

Mrspigglewiggle: How difficult is the self-employment business aspect?

Karen: It's a challenge, no question about it. It's essential to keep excellent and impeccable records for tax purposes. I also see an accountant each year so that I don't miss any deductions!! You must also be the boss and the employee, so there are things to do that in the corporate world you'd never be concerned about, such as getting your own insurance, setting aside money for taxes from the income you make, balancing the income and the outflow so you'll have enough for yearly bills such as property tax, etc. There is a great deal of freedom and flexibility in the freelance life, but in a way, you're never really finished, and yet I have loved being my own boss and running my life the way I want to. I'm willing to put up with the uncertainties and the risks, though I'm also known for screaming and crying at times!!

Angel1: How do taxes work if you are freelancing?

Karen: Keep track of all income in a log or on your computer and save all receipts, stubs, etc. Meet with an accountant to determine your tax bracket and then put aside each month the amount you need to make quarterly payments. For example, I must pay this year $560 each quarter to the IRS. This figure is based on my earnings from last year--after deductions for business expenses. He tells me what to send and it's up to me to make sure I have that reserve in the bank.

Mrspigglewiggle: How much did you charge for your support group?

Karen: I charged $25 per person for two hours each week. And I limited my group to six so they could get the most benefit from my help and the critique of others.

Moderator: Can you suggest some jobs that would complement an author's writing and also provide some needed income?

Karen: Yes, from my experience here's what I found complemented my writing. I edited teacher's manuals for a curriculum publisher. I write language arts lessons and geography activities for high schoolers. I have done proofreading. You could also do book reviews for magazines or local newspapers, or teach a class on writing once you have some knowledge and expertise.

Moderator: What kinds of supplementary jobs have you found to be detrimental to your writing career?

Karen: I haven't had any experience with jobs that I'd consider detrimental. However, some of my friends have. For example, working in retail or as a nurse, or as store manager. All these jobs are exhausting and they cut into the energy and creativity needed for writing, but again, we do what we must do. I've encouraged people who feel stuck in jobs they hate to do their writing on the weekends, so they can at least feed their creativity a few hours a week. That can help more than you realize.

Moderator: What types of supplementary jobs would be helpful for young mothers who need to be home with their children?

Karen: Tutoring. I did that for five years when my kids were of preschool and lower elementary ages. You could work as an aid in a classroom (you'd be around children's books) or in a library or perhaps help put together a newsletter for a real estate company or a mortgage broker or any business, for that matter. You'd be using words and earning money at the same time.

Willowbrook: Are there any home-based opportunities you could recommend?

Karen: Selling Mary Kay cosmetics, vitamins, clothing--any of the home-party style jobs would be conducive to working at home while raising children. In fact, I know, and you may, as well, many young women who do this while they are getting their youngsters launched.

Willowbrook: Are there any books you could suggest on the subject of supplementing income? Something that would help carry us through the rough spots?

Karen: I don't have a title in mind but I feel certain such books are out there. I suggest a search on amazon.com using the words home-based businesses.

Moderator: I also love Paul and Sarah Edwards' books, like Getting the Business to Come to You and Secrets of Self-Employment. Karen, are there other types of jobs that would be more suitable to other periods in life, like retired persons?

Karen: The home-party style jobs seem ideal for retired people too. In fact, a couple of my friends in their 50s are doing just that. One sells Shaklee vitamins and the other is into Weekender clothing. It depends on your interest. You could also do something with gardening, tending plants, pet-sitting, etc.

Moderator: How about students?

Karen: I think students could do something similar. There is a program out there now that is just for college students--selling cutlery. We've bought knives, etc. from two different students working their way through college. Students can tutor. My daughter tutors Spanish (while raising two young daughters). Students could also work as proofreaders for a local newspaper or for a small company, or do research online for businesses.

Moderator: How about people with chronic health issues?

Karen: That's a challenge, I admit. One of my friends as a condition that limits her movements and tires her more than the average person. She is looking for a way to earn and hopes that writing will be it once she gets established. Perhaps people with illnesses can do telephone sales or online sales. One young woman I know is in a wheelchair permanently and cannot even use her hands completely. But she went to college and learned technology so she could design and host web sites. She is very brave and very determined.

Nell: I started doing medical transcription when my son was starting kindergarten. It's been a very reliable source of steady income for the past 11 years. Trouble is, you spend SO much time at the computer. But you do have the freedom to control the amount that you work. I cut back on a couple of clients last year, in order to have more time to write.

Karen: That's a problem we all run into. It takes real discipline to make sure you spend time writing. I find that I had to explain to my family how important my writing was to me and ask for their help and cooperation. For example, if you have to work 40 hours a week, maybe you set aside every Saturday for writing or one full weekend a month. The kids go out with Dad or Mom (the non-writing parent) or they go to Grandma's, etc. This is not being selfish. It's taking care of yourself so you can feel and behave like a whole person.

Moderator: We're all so busy, Karen. How can a new writer find the time--and justify taking the time--to pursue writing when he/she is not making any or much money at it yet?

Karen: That's another challenge. I remember when I started my first husband was not terribly supportive. He liked the idea of my writing but then when I began earning bits of money here and there ($400 my first YEAR), he complained that I was impacting our tax bracket in a negative way. Maybe so, but I also had found a wonderful outlet for myself and I was also able to pay for our family's vacation to Hawaii!! We must take care of ourselves and believe that we are worth the effort. My husband spent thousands of dollars on law school and we all sacrificed in order to get him through because we knew what it would mean to our future. We must think of ourselves that way too. We are worth it. If you believe in yourself and in your desire to give your gift to society, then you must persevere even when it's hard, seems fruitless, and few people support you.

Moderator: How do you make something a priority when it doesn't have any tangible rewards yet?

Karen: That's assuming that something tangible is the only thing worth working toward. Unfortunately, a lot of people live that way. But what really matters, in my view, is the intangible. What's REAL in life is what we don't see. And often what we can see and touch is worthless in the long run. We have to be willing to put in the time to cultivate ourselves as beings so that we can create the tangibles that bring us joy and peace and contentment.

Moderator: While some new writers receive wonderful support from family and friends, others do not. It can be especially hard to keep writing when you have no support, or worse, ridicule. Has this ever been an issue you had to deal with yourself?

Karen: I mentioned that above. My husband was not against my writing but he didn't really support it. He never asked to read my writing. He never commented on it. He acted as though it was a cute hobby like playing tennis. SO I got into a critique group and attended a conference each year, as I mentioned earlier. I created my own support system because I was DETERMINED to live my dream. And I noticed that the happiest hours of my day were when I was writing or planning a piece of writing.

Moderator: Do you have to resort to keeping your writing a secret from certain friends and family members if they aren't supportive?

Karen: I know some people who do that. I had a few students over the years who told me their spouses did not know they had signed up for the course and therefore, they wanted all mailings to go to a private mail box or to their place of business. How sad!

Pilarb: Do you think it is really realistic to expect to earn a living writing for children? Wouldn't you have to write a Harry Potter or a lot of magazine articles to truly succeed with financial independence?

Karen: No, I don't think it's realistic to EXPECT to earn a living from writing for children. But there's nothing wrong with holding out for the dream. I imagine the author of Harry Potter had a dream once, and it came true in a much bigger way than she expected. However, I don't think we should focus on earning and making a living from it but rather DOING it and then seeing where it leads.

Angel1: What type of insurance do you recommend for freelancing?

Karen: I'd rather not mention any specific carriers, but you will need health insurance (unless your spouse has it for the family if you're married) and also disability (in case you become disabled and can't work) and maybe business loss insurance (not sure that's what it's called) because someone could steal your computer and other equipment. I guess that's it.

Mrspigglewiggle: Should I be keeping track of expenses, such as envelopes, paper, ink, and postage?

Karen: Absolutely. Use Quicken on the computer or just make up a little file (that's what I've done) or keep it on graph paper. Note all expenses related to writing. They are deductible from your income tax if you can show that you are in earnest about building a writing career. Be sure to check with an accountant, of course, because he or she will know the tax law.

Moderator: I'm sorry to have to stop now, but we're out of time. I think we could talk on this subject all night! Karen, thank you for giving us so many good ideas tonight. I know you've given our viewers hope as well as some avenues to explore. Thank you for coming!

Karen: My pleasure. I wish you all well. Come visit me on my site: www.karenoconnor.com

Moderator: Do NOT come back in two weeks on July 4th because we are taking the holiday off. But do join us the following week on July 11 when Ana Rodriguez will speak on "Building Your Writer's Resumé with Science Articles." Can't break into print? One way to achieve this dream is by writing science articles. Children of all ages are always curious about the world around them, and magazine editors are in constant need for science articles to satisfy this curiosity. You don't have to be a scientist to write science articles! Ana Rodriguiz can show you how. She's an award-winning writer (Highlights for Children History Feature of the Year Award for the article "The Kids Who Fought Smallpox") with 25 science articles published in magazines like Highlights for Children, Yes Mag, Superscience, and Archaeology's Dig. So we'll see you back here in 3 weeks. And now, good night, everyone!

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