Jan is Jan Fields, moderator of this interview/workshop, and Web Editor of the ICL Web Site. Green shows names or usernames of people and the questions they asked of our speaker.

JanFields: . I'm so delighted to have you with us this week -- and not just because you're one of my favorite folks! I know you're going to have a ton of stuff for us and I'm looking forward to it since I am NOT an organized writer but I'd like to be. So welcome!!

Kathryn Lay: Hey there, I look forward to talking with everyone and hope something I say is of benefit. I guess people always call me an organized writer because for years I've juggled a lot; including keeping 30-50 pieces of writing in the mail at a time (including queries), writing both fiction and nonfiction, for kids and adults, for magazines and books. I did it while I homeschooled and while I went through chemo treatments. I guess I'm just obsessive with my writing stuff. So, ask away and we'll see what happens.

Kathryn Lay: Thanks and you're welcome. Like I said, I'm obsessive when it comes to my writing stuff.

Kathryn Lay: Honestly Emily, I spend way less of my time being 'physically' organized with my writing than mentally. For example, I try to be aware of everything I have since I do magazine and book stuff, so that if someone mentions I market, I know that I can quickly go to something and get it off.

Kathryn Lay: I keep my ideas on index cards in a small index box that is easy to carry (they are light plastic and snap shut, not like a big box). I put one idea on each card.

Kathryn Lay: I do have trouble finding things in my file cabinets, so anything I'm currently working on is on my desk in folders, stacked neatly, but easily accessible when I want to work on them. I also keep acceptance letters in a binder, market guidelines in another binder, letters from readers in another, and so on. They are lined up in a bookcase. When I'm looking for a market for a specific story or essay or article, I can grab the binder and go through it. When I need to go back and look at an acceptance letter to see when I should be paid or when the piece was first accepted (though that's also in my journal of submissions), it's easy to grab the binder and check it.

Kathryn Lay: I would suggest trying several options and see what is most comfortable for you. Maybe start with the filing cabinet. You might use one drawer for books, one for short stories, if you write more than one thing. Or one for picture books and one for novels. Etc. If that seems cumberson after a few months, try something different such as the bins. i share my office iwth my husband, but in a couple of years, my daughter should be on her own and I'll take over her room, much larger, for my office. The idea of bins or lots of shelves to put folders I can see and grab sounds very appealing.

Kathryn Lay: So my answer would be that the best way to organize is the thing that works best for you. It may be a trial and error thing. I suppose that's why I haven't changed my system with binders, journals, and index cards for a long time. It's comfortable and quick for me to do.

Kathryn Lay: I do keep a computer file for each project that includes the various versions of a book, the synopsis, cover and query letters. But, as I've said with other questions about computer programs and such, I tend to keep a lot of things the old fashioned way. I do back up 3 times for book projects (2 travel disks and 1 on CD) and print out shorte ones. But I also have a spiral or one of my tons of fun journal notebooks where I keep research notes and so on. I use those in the beginning to do my plotting and planning and character building.

Kathryn Lay: Sometimes I'll also have a file folder to keep loose notes in, but I usually try to transfer them into my notebook for that project unless they are printouts from online sources or brochures or interviews. Definitely find a way to backup all your information though, even if it means printing it out and putting it in a binder or something. You'll be thankful!

JanFields: . After a certain point of being in this business, sales sometimes start coming through connections -- we all get to know each other and sometimes someone recommends someone...that kind of thing. As you look at your work, what percentage of things you have in print can you trace to your time spent studying markets and getting to know them vs. connecting with PEOPLE and getting to know them? Was there a point in your career where it began to tip from market-study sales and toward people-I-know-and-know-me sales?

Kathryn Lay: Great question. I definitely can say that in the last 10 years, since i've really been involved on the internet, I've gotten lots of sales thanks to people referring me, people finding me online, people sharing market information. I'm on several writer's lists and if someone mentions a market, I quickly check it out. I do spend time studying markets (on my Marketing Day), but I also 'listen' a lot. I remember years ago at a writer's group (a non-children's group) someone mentioned he knew someone who had a pet magazine and was looking for some short pieces that would be helpful to readers. Immediately that night I wrote down some ideas. the next day I did some research online and with a vet about traveling safely with your pet and wrote up a piece and sent it in. 2 weeks later I had a check and an acceptance. I was amazed at the next meeting that no one else had jumped on this market chance.

Kathryn Lay: So, I definitely believe that studying markets, getting to know other writers, getting involved in writer organizations and online lists are all important ways to find markets and make sales. Even if it seems like it might be difficult or a 'fat chance', I'll take it. I heard about a travel guide that was looking for someone to redo their guide for my area. They paid well. I didn't think I'd get it and was shocked when I did. It was hard work, but fun. And a couple weeks later, the person doing the book for another city nearby cancelled and they asked me to do that one too. I didn't think, didn't hesitate, but said yes. Later, this editor recommended me to another editor of a new parenting magazine and I ended up writing a half dozen pieces for them. Many times I got requests from websites and organizations wanting to reprint (for payment) those pieces. So, jumping in or meeting someone can snowball.

Kathryn Lay: I've used several things in the past and currently. I've used index cards in a box with a divider for each project, but after writing so much, that became cumberson. I now have a large journal type book. I put each project on a page with headings: market, editor, date submitted, response date, response. Then I can quickly pick up the book and write down responses as they come, as well as know quickly where I've sent that piece before. It's especially helpful as I write for several church papers for teens and adults with theme lists and I might send 3-10 pieces per quarter for themes. Later, I can look back and see what I've sent that was rejected last year that might fit another theme they have this year.

Kathryn Lay: I also have a file folder for each major project, books, and in it I put in rejection letters that specifically say something about my manuscript. Those are kept in my desk and as I'm reworking on a project, I can quickly pull it out and look at suggestions editors have ssaid.

Kathryn Lay: I guess the word 'quickly' is important to me. I work on a lot of projects at once. Right now I am working on two books plus researching a nonfiction series, some magazine pieces, a short story, a set of devotionals i'm asked to write, as well as doing this workshop, teaching 2 online writing courses, speaking to a writer's group tomorrow night, preparing a new flyer for Texas Library Association conference, dealing with a daughter who is a senior, a sick dad, and helping a friend get through chemo. So, when I'm ready to market something, I want to be able to find all the information quickly.

Kathryn Lay: You're welcome, Jeanne. I can't say it's always a great idea working on more than one at a time, but I find that I just can't do one at a time. I've tried. Maybe I have some ADD. But i do focus on one big project, then lots of other little ones and marketing stuff orbit around it.

JanFields: . Okay, I want to know a little more about how the organized writer markets with creativity. I know a lot of our folks see marketing as not a creative act and more like getting pointy things poked into their brains. How do you market with creativity?

Kathryn Lay: Hmm, that's an interesting question. For one thing, I have a 'Marketing Day' once every couple weeks. In the past I've done it once a month or once a week, but for now, this works best. This is a day when I save up my marketing time so I don't interfere with writing time. I have a guilt-free marketing day and get lots done.

Kathryn Lay: I use it for studying old and new markets, finding guidelines, preparing query letters and manuscripts, getting them all ready to mail or emailing them as the case is much of the time with my magazine stuff, especially the religious stuff.

Kathryn Lay: I also make a list for pieces I'm ready to send out. I write down any possible markets, putting my favorites at the top (I have a story about this). Then, when a piece sells, I go back and write down any possible reprint markets for it and start sending it out.

Kathryn Lay: Marketing can be a bear if you let it, but I try to think of it as an extension of my writing. Without the query or the synopsis or the cover letter or the marketing finding, that piece I've lovingly written will be for my eyes only. So, I guess it helps when you don't think of it as writing and marketing, but marketing your writing, all a part of one goal.

JanFields: Did you say you have a story? I love stories.

Kathryn Lay: here's my 'why I put top markets story'. One from me and one about a friend. years ago I wrote a short story for adults that I submitted to a small writer magazine that also printed a short story an issue. I knew the editor, had met her several times at a specific conference and sold her many nonfiction pieces. But, she rejected it saying she didn't see it as a short story as much as a slice of life story. Being the stubborn person i am, I looked for elsewhere to send it. I saw that a magazine at the time, First for Women, had a short story. They were a big magazine, sold alongside Woman's day and Family Circle, so I had little hope. But, I sent it anyways. A few weeks later I got it back with a very nice letter saying they couldn't use it for their regular story, but they were starting a 5 minute fiction piece of 500 words and if I could cut it (it was 1000) she'd consider it again. Right away I dropped everything else and worked on it. Sent it and got a contract. My first National publication. They paid me $500 whereas the other magazine would've paid $50. I had a million readers as opposed to a couple hundred. So, I decided from then on to start at the top first and work my way down in importance or pay of a project, unless it worked best for a specific publication.

Kathryn Lay: A friend sent a picture book out to several publishers. After several rejections, someone offered to publish it as a short story and buy all rights. I begged her to wait. Sure enough, she got an acceptance from a book publisher and has done well on the book. I guess I think it's easy for us to assume we should start at the point we believe is more a sure sale. Sometimes that's good. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to start higher and work down.

Kathryn Lay: Yes, I write notes about that publication. I make a list of story titles, whether they are fiction or nonfiction, whether they seem to be freelance or written by staff. I try to make notes about what type of reader they are going for and what the advertising seems to target if there is any. Later, I'll go through the titles (and maybe I've written a synopsis of the piece) and make a list of possible ideas those things give me. Maybe a piece on helping kid's learn to better clean their rooms gives me an idea on a List article about 10 ways kids can share what they have with the needy, including their time and resources...or even a fiction story idea.

Kathryn Lay: That's the biggest thing we writer's waste is time/opportunity. As I mentioned once before, I'm always working on many projects, teaching classes, dealing with personal issues and so on.

Kathryn Lay: For one thing, I have learned that my most productive time to write is between 9-12 am. I usually save marketing stuff for early in the morning or late in the afternoon if it's something that can't wait until a marketing day. I also use most available down times for writing when I can. Working on fleshing out an idea or take a manuscript to edit while waiting in line to pick up my daughter at school, at doctors and hair appointments, and so on. When I was working full time at another job, I had to change my time accordingly, even if it wasn't my best writing time. Generally though, I wrote during lunch then.

Kathryn Lay: This is why I give myself daily and weekly writing goals. My husband understands that I will get things straightened up in the afternoon and cleaned up better around the house when I have an available Saturday, but he doesn't push for perfection. Also, I have a wonderful coffee shop nearby that has some tables that face the wall. They have plug ins and I can sit, drink my drink, set up my laptop and my writing stuff, and not see anyone much, they are all behind me. I take earphones and play the music I like to write too and I get tons of work done. If you can find an 'away' place, try it.

Kathryn Lay: Good point. It's true, I have to be careful of that. Which again goes back to that i try to plan my days ahead each week, by sorting out projects for each day. I don't switch from one to the other right away. i might spend time in the morning working on my current novel (I do fiction when I'm freshest), then do some marketing or errands or nonwriting stuff. Then work on an outline for a magazine piece. Then after lunch I might go back to the morning's novel and work some more.

Kathryn Lay: I give myself self-imposed deadlines for almost every piece when I can once I actually begin working on something. Sometimes they are 'assignments' or query- go-aheads with a deadline and I know i must concentrate on them and getting them done.

Kathryn Lay: If it's something that I find fairly easy to do, some nonfiction essay or devotions or whatever, I begin and finish them in one session and then go back in a few days to rewrite and get them out.

Kathryn Lay: But with my longer projects of things that are truly freelance and I do know know when/where/if they have a buyer, I definitely have to set aside specific time to work on it and keep my focus on that project.

Kathryn Lay: Whenever I'm 'getting back' to something I worked on the day before or last week or several days ago, I read through the last couple chapters or the whole story or article I've done so far to get back into the feeling of it. And, with books, I almost always have a specific group of music I listen to for that book--often a specific classical piece or one of my many Irish or Celtic CD's. Then, if I start listening to it, I'll kind of fall back into the mood and focus of that particular piece. Odd, but it works for me.

JanFields: . Kathryn, give us another organizationl tip -- something we might not think about.

Kathryn Lay: One of the things I do also is keep an Expert Box. This is another little index card box. On each card is the name of someone and something they are an expert in. I might never use them, but they are there.

Kathryn Lay: Try this: Make your own list of experts -- Think of your family, immediate friends, acquaintances, people from work and their jobs, their hobbies, their expertise, their past. do your friends know people who are interesting and have knowledge or expertise in an area? Add them. Watch for experts in your local paper. As you meet or hear of people who might be good to use in your stories and nonfiction, you can keep them close at hand by having an expert box to grab.

Kathryn Lay: In the beginning, all I had was a typewriter (later rented an old computer) and a box of paper and such. I am sure I wasn't organized at all. After I sold my first 2 pieces ( a short story for adults and a personal experience essay), I started writing like mad and sending stuff out, collecting rejection slips and selling.

Kathryn Lay: I pretty much started with printing off 2 copies of everything (like I said, no computer disk to save it on) and sending one and filing one in a folder. I still have those old folders in my cabinet. Pretty soon I started a binder with a page for every manuscript with a list of where I wanted to send it on the back and then the submission information on front. I piled my rejection letters and slips into my desk drawer and at the end of the year, put it in a box for a few years then destroy. It's taken me years to work out the systems I am comfortable with. If you looked at my desk, you'd think it was a mess, but for me things are in an order I understand. My organization is more mental and how I know where things are than less paperwork unfortunately.

JanFields: . Can you give us tips for preparing resumes, samples and such for "work for hire."

Kathryn Lay: I've only done work for hire books for one company. A friend told me about writing for them and suggested I try. I had had an idea for a fiction series and they were doing a few fiction chapter book series. I spent about 2 weeks planning and plotting the story line, the characters, and each book. Then I figured out a way to add some nonfiction to each book at the end (the series has to do with weather). I sent in a short query first mentioning the idea. The editor asked for a longer proposal to take to her publisher. I had it prepared by then and sent it. They loved it and sent a contract. Later they asked if I wanted to do a couple of annotation books from classics. Then I sent in a query of a nonfiction picture book series idea and they loved it. They want it and I'm waiting for the final contract.

Kathryn Lay: I've sent in one resume to a publisher who does work for hire books, but no response yet. I think a lot of them have established series they add to and I haven't tried yet on those. As far as short work for hire, such as short stories for educational markets using them for testing and such, I've sold several and most came through a friend's recommendation or something I've seen in a SCBWI Bulletin or something. I would say to watch for opportunities and look for people who publish such things. I have bought a couple of educational booklets, such as homeschool parents use, and plan on querying these publishers with samples of my published short fiction and nonfiction and a resume. A friend did get into an educational book publisher by sending a resume and samples. So, I'd say study the publishers products, even if it's just titles online or look in libraries and read them, and work on an exciting idea or send in a resume and samples of your writing (preferably published).

JanFields: . Okay, let's talk goals...can you talk goals for a bit?

Kathryn Lay: One of the things I thought I'd mention is that every 1st day of the month whenever possible, I spend time that morning going through my goals for that month and getting my writing area ordered for what I have planned. I put things in binders, file folders, and journals. Once I know what my planned goals are that month (though they sometimes change), I set out everything that pertains to them in a stack on my desk. Right now I have file folders for upcoming contests, for a speaking engagement tonight, for stuff I want to redo at my website, for an article I had an idea for a couple months ago, for theme list things due soon, for agents i want to persue, for research on the picture book series I'm about to dive into doing, for the 4 devotionals I've been assigned to write, and papers pulled out from my binder of markets I want to send something to. I also have my notebook of notes for the novel I'm working on. This way, as the month goes along, I know where these things are that I plan on working on. As new things are added, I add them to the stack. As I finish a project, it's removed.

Kathryn Lay: Hmmm...

1. Definitely the Expert File I just mentioned
2. A calendar to write down projects, deadlines, contest deadlines, Chicken Soup book deadlines, theme list deadlines... (I've missed many in the past because I got so busy I forgot about something I really wanted to submit or enter)
3. Being aware of what I have available (making sure I change rights available on a piece after it sells so I'll remember it's now a reprint possibility, knowing what I have and how to find it quickly so that when a specific market comes up with a quick turnaround I know if I have something to submit)
4. Keeping an small index card box of empty cards for ideas. The box is separated by book ideas, short story ideas, nonfiction ideas, and so on. That way, when an idea hits, I can write it down and file it away until I have time from other projects or are bored and need something new.
5. Have a Marketing Day and an occasional Idea Party time (different ways to find new ideas, though I rarely do that these days, too many floating around anyway)

Kathryn Lay: One tip for the emotional aspect of marketing is something I had in a recent Writing for Dollars issue. DOn't make resolutions, make goals. These goals should be things that you can accomplish. One thing I've learned in this is that I can't make a goal that relies on someone else. For example, don't make a goal of selling a certain amount of manuscripts this year, but of researching them, writing them, marketing them. The sales are up to an editor, not you. Don't make a goal that you will sell to a big market this year and then possibly deal with disappointment. Make a goal to submit to a larger or new market, then when you do it, whether it sells or not, you've reached a goal. Throw yourself an idea party occasionally. Such as:

Kathryn Lay:
1. A party list: Make a list of idea topics, fun titles, quirky characters. Lists of markets. And so on.
2. Take yourself on some field trips to get ideas and information. Fun places, interesting places, scary places, historical places, kid places. Watch and listen to people. Describe settings.
3. Write down at least 2 ways to reslant/rewrite some of your pieces and topics. Fiction to nonfiction and vise versa.
4. Play pin the tail on the dictionary and choose 2 or 3 unrelated words and write something using them.
5. Keep a daily personal journal of what happens to you. You never know when it can turn into an idea. I use this a lot since I write lots of personal experience pieces, as well as turn things in my life and those around me into scenes.
6. Make a list of things that scare you, make you laugh. shock you, annoy you, amaze you. Kids will probably feel strongly about many of them too.
Hope that helps.

JanFields: . Since everyone always likes to know. What's you're call on agents?

Kathryn Lay: I used to have an agent and she sold my novel and picture book for me. But last year we parted ways. We're still friends, but the whole experience hurt and it took me a long while to feel like trying for another one, which I just started doing this past fall. I think you can still sell without one, but it's much more difficult. Smaller presses and work for hire and nonfiction. But if you want to sell fiction to the big boys and girls, it's either impossible without an agent or difficult to break out of the slush pile. Not impossible, just harder these days. I have sent out to a few editors on my own and gotten personal rejections, some very nice ones, probably since I'm published. But, I say just work your hardest with your manuscript. Try to meet editors and agents at conferences when you can. For me, if it weren't so difficult, I'd say the advantages are being more in control of your career and what and where you send stuff. The idea of dealing with contracts on my own scare me, but there are literary lawyers who will look at them.

Kathryn Lay: It's tricky and with the tightening market, the need for an agent seems stronger, but because people who previously sold more on their own are now running to find an agent, the agents are getting much pickier. I've heard that having an agent who doesn't take you seriously or doesn't put effort into you because you aren't a top seller is as bad as having no agent. I believe in many ways that is true. And yet, now that I am suddenly agentless, I fight my own growing fear of finding traditional publishers to sell to. But, being the stubborn writer I am, I will keep moving forward and trying.

Kathryn Lay: I think published means different things to different editors and agents. Some prefer you to have a book sale or offer before they consider taking you on, especially the bigger names and agencies. Newer agents who aren't huge yet may be more willing, as mine was when I first got this agent. I had no book sales at that time and sent a packet listing my then 800 magazine and anthology sales--some for children and some for adults, plus synopsis of several of my completed book projects and sample chapters from 3 books; plus a list of where they'd been sent and any personal notes from editors.

Kathryn Lay: I did have a book at the time that was being seriously considered by an editor, which did become my first sold book, CROWN ME!. But that editor held it a long, long time and when my agent got involved, we gave her a time schedule. Then my agent suggested I rewrite from 3rd to 1st person and funny up some of the scenes. I did and we sold it the first time out, to a different editor at a different house. Turns out later, just as it was about to be published, the other editor said she was ready to buy it.

Kathryn Lay: I have heard editors say though that they do like that a writer has had other things publsihed even in magazines because it shows they have written and an editor has bought a piece.

Kathryn Lay: There are definitely some editors at 'closed' houses who mean book published though when they say published. All you can do is create a stellar query and samples and list your sales in magazines and see what happens. The publishing game has changed a lot since I began and even since I got published in the book market.

Kathryn Lay: Just to say that 20 years ago, there were 2-3 times as many publishers out there. Since, many have gone under or been gobbled by one another. It used to be much easier to be read by an editor if you were unagented. There were more seasoned editors. At critique today, a friend who just returned from a conference said a former editor-turned-agent explained that so many of the veteran agents who learned from the greats have been let go and most of the editors are new, albeit smart and love books, but less experience and so much to deal with because of the changes in finances and marketing and such.

Kathryn Lay: Marketing - It used to be that the editors had more say so in accepting a manuscript, but in most publishing houses, it is more accepted by committee and the marketing/sales department has a big input in it. So, your book really has to have sales appeal.

Kathryn Lay: And, the market is swinging more towards the fast-paced reader with books that have less telling and slow building with more action. Ereaders and ebooks, graphic and manga novels and so on.

Kathryn Lay: That's not to say there still isn't hope to publish, I'm just saying we have to work hard, learn more, be savvy, and be more technologically savvy. I've resisted having a blog, didn't want to take away writing time. But more and more I hear writers and illsutrators and editors and agents say how important your internet and web presence is. Whether it's a website, blog, being on Facebook or Twitter or Jacketflap, it's important to be a part of the way the young generation looks for information and keeps in touch with writers they like.

Kathryn Lay: Yaya, I rarely submit to non-paying markets anymore, unless it's for a cause that's important to me. I do write a profile article of a new member every month for our church newsletter and have contributed to things for our local animal shelter or such, and sometimes I've allowed churches to reprint articles of mine they found in magazines if it only goes to their members. But overall, I believe a writer should be paid. For me, it's my job. It supplements my hubby's teacher income. And I put a lot of time and effort into it that takes me away from other things. I believe a writer deserves pay as much as a plumber, electrician, or my mechanic.

Kathryn Lay: I generally write between 9-12 every morning, that's when I'm at my mental best. Afternoons I reserve for marketing and research or even editing something. I rarely have 'word' writing goals more than 'project' goals. I decide what I want to get done in my writing in a month, break it into weeks, then each week plan out what I'm hoping to do each day. For example my plan today is to rewrite a short story and expand it for a specific market, write on my novel work in progress (I usually say I'm going to get a chapter done or 3-4 pages done, depending on when I come to a stopping point of a scene or just ready to move on), I'm answering these questions, outlining a chapter book idea, and getting 3 manuscripts ready to submit. Because I know ahead of time my writing plans, it's easier to jump into it. There are definitely times when I am just working on one project, such as editing a long piece or starting an article or story and getting a first draft done.

Kathryn Lay: Everyone has to find their own system that works best for them. I do have individual files for books and those files do include a synopsis, a query, and a cover letter for that project. The query letter file is more for magazine nonfiction pieces.

Kathryn Lay: With short stories I just have a file for children's stories and one for adult stories. Since they rarely need to be queried, I just have a printed copy of a cover letter I send out and then retype it when needed. They usually don't go out that many times anyway, whether it's because they sell or because I run out of market ideas for them.

Kathryn Lay: I pretty much have copies of everything. Friends are appalled when they see my magazine copies stacked in a cabinet and piled in a storage box. But, my books and the 75 anthologies I'm in are neatly in book shelves.

Kathryn Lay: But I do keep track of everything that is published by updating my resume when I get copies of a magazine or something with my piece in it. I also have always kept a page on my computer in my resume file where I just plain list everything that is sold. And since I keep a notebook with a page for each manuscript and where I've sent it and where it's been accepted, if I needed to know where a specific manuscript was published and when, I can just open it to that page.

Kathryn Lay: It's like I tell my daughter about cleaning her room. If you take care of things each day (dirty clothes into the luandry, trash into the trashcan, dishes back in the kitchen) then it will be easy to take care of. So if I take a few moments to set up a page for a manuscript and then jot down when I send it out, get it back, sell it, or it's published, it makes my work later much easier. These are things I can do when I'm watching tv or something.

Kathryn Lay: I guess it's like I told the group I spoke to last night. My best writing time is 9-12am. But when I worked an outside job full time, I wrote during lunch and before bedtime. The only thing I can say is to see if there is one window of time every day that is the same and claim that as your writing time. Otherwise, grab what snippets you can. When I was homeschooling my daughter and taking care of a sick aunt and driving my husband 30 miles back and forth to work because we only had one car many years ago, I write whenever there was a breather. When my daughter napped or worked on school work papers that I didn't have to instruct, when I waited at the doctor's office or hair dressors or while my daughter did gymnastics, etc.

Kathryn Lay: Sometimes you just have to realize that this moment in your life is too sporadic for a specific schedule. I'm blessed now that my daughter is a senior, my husband has his own car, and I have 7:30-2:30 by myself to work at home. But I wrote many years with a crazy schedule until that happened.

Kathryn Lay: I really do try to keep things very simple. In the past I created a chart to type in the name of a manuscript and it's submission info, but I found it easier for me to keep it all in a notebook, so that's what I've done the past 10 years or so. I'm not a 'business' type person, so charts and forms in great detail annoy me. I create all my own systems in journal books, binders, and spirals. I have them all stacked on one section of my desk (I bought myself a desk with several decent sized nooks and cranny spots on purpose, and they are easy to grab and take just a few moments to jot information down in. May not work for everyone, but it's what works for me and makes me less stressed about the marketing and organization part. I could do forms for my experts, and for my ideas and so on, but I like the index cards in little boxes for that.

Kathryn Lay: Yes, I have done many, many interviews--both to interview someone to write a profile about as well as interviewing experts to make an article better. I love doing it email, I remember way back doing it with a recorder or trying to write it all down. This way I can print it out, put it in my folder for that project, and there you are. I guess I'd say make sure you really think about everything you want to know from this person and get the questions down. But, also, dont' overwhelm them. Second, ask them if when they respond and you have more questions, it's ok to ask more. Almost 99% of the time I find that one or more of their answers prompts me into further questions. If this happens, you might actually want to re-interview on the phone to get those back and forth responses on a particular subject.

Kathryn Lay: Make sure if you are helping someone get more publicity to include all their pertinent information for these days -- not phone or address of course, but email, website, blog site, etc. Other than that, I'd say just remember to thank them with a copy of the published piece (unless it's online where they can go to it) and keep your interview for later reference.

Kathryn Lay: I was telling the group I spoke to last night that of the 1800 things I've sold, I've sold All Rights less than 30 times. Sometimes I've regretted it, but at the time, it was worth it or I was anxious to sell. One short story sold to a curriculum publisher who used it in a booklet of stories sold in stores that many teachers and homeschool parents buy from. The pay was nice, but later on I mentioned the story in an article and my agent said she thought it would be a great picture book. I agreed. But when she talked to the publisher, they wouldn't letl us have the rights back because they were still using it for reading practices and testing materials. It still makes me sad. Yet, I've done plenty of work-for-hire things that buy all rights. The money was good and sometimes, I didn't believe there might be another market for it that would pay as well. This has almost always involved educational markets, other than the 2 sales I've made to Highlights. Those stories were pieces I wrote because I wanted to have something published in Highlights, and because it's difficult to find reprint markets for kids short stories these days anyway. But, if a market buys all rights and doesn't pay me up front, I won't submit to them any longer. I had a bad experience recently I'd rather not get into with pay on publication from all rights publisher and I won't do it again. So, I'd say be leary of all rights, but also think about the specific situation. You may really want to break into a magazine at least once to say you've been in it. Or you may have a story you don't fill you'll use again in another format anyway. If it feels alright to you, then do it and don't worry what others might say. If you feel regrets about the idea, I'd use it only as a last resort.

JanFields: . I like your idea for "marketing day." So do you mark up your calendar each month and slot things in like "marketing day" or do you just wake up in the morning and think, "Today feels like a marketing day?" And if you're a calendar and slotter...is there any other sure to list days besides "marketing day" -- like "revision day" or "celebrate all rejections by eating chocolate until you hear voices" day?

Kathryn Lay: Yes, I do use a calendar these days. A small one I can hang up on or behind my desk. I put in specific projects deadlines, whether my own or an editors. Contest deadlines. Theme list deadlines. Marketing Days (those are generally scheduled so I have a guilt free from not writing moment and am prepared with my guideliens, magazine copies, query letters to write or to submit, and so on), speaking events, school visits, etc. I don't write a specific 'revision day' on it, because that's part of my writing times.

Kathryn Lay: Actually, my obsessive organization thingy is that I always have a mid-size spiral journal/notebook with me. Always. In it are personal do lists and ideas to transfer and budgets and such (told you I don't like predone organization things). But mostly i have iin it a list each month of what I hope to accomplish in my writing and marketing. Then I make out one sheet a day breaking that down a week at a time. I usually follow it unless a sudden market comes up, an editor asks to see something that needs to be done quickly, or an idea pops up for a scene on a new project or a project I've set aside for now. I love the idea of a eatingt chocolate day!! But I do mostly have Fridays marked on my calendar and do lists to not do writing stuff, rather to visit with friends, go to a movie or the zoo or shopping...something to get me away from my office.

Kathryn Lay: Cat. Yes, it's an actual calendar. I find something that I just love the pictures for each month. I've tried a day planner, but it doesn't work for me. I even bought a new one recently for writers. Since I already create my own planner in my little spiral I carry everywhere, I've been doing it for close to 20 years, I just don't open other binders and remember to use them. The calendar is in front of where my computer is and in my face, so I see it to remember things. If i want to enter a contest, or have a deadline, I write that date on the calendar, but also remind myself of it on the calender about 3 weeks before.

Kathryn Lay: I've only done 2 teacher's guides and both are for my children's books. Teachers seem to love them. Some people pay for a professional who is good at this. I was lucky with Crown Me! that a school in upstate New York used the book a couple of years ago as a special program where the whole school (40th and 5th graders) used it in their reading, math, science, history and so on. The teacher committee who chose it for their Community Read spent the summer writing a 100 page curriculum for the use of my book. It was amazing! They invited me to come speak as the culmination of the event and gave me a copy. When I asked if i could use some or most of it and rewrite as a teacher's guide, giving them credit as well, the librarian said yes. So when JOSH'S HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN came out, I decided to do the same and worked on a simple one myself.

Kathryn Lay: This is something I will need to work on soon for the chapter book series as well. I've had teachers and librarians thank me for mine. I have them posted at my website, along with links to information about the topic/subject of the books and some fun stuff such as crosswords or puzzles they can print off or I can take to hand out. I beleive editors love for them to be done. I know my picture book publisher has my Teacher Guide link at their website under information on my book.

Kathryn Lay: No, for the most part, I didn't 'plan' to write in many specific areas. I just love writing and different types of writing. My first sales were personal experiences to religious publications and I've continued to sell them because i enjoy them and because I find them easy for me to write, often in one sitting because I've done it so long. Children's writing is my passion, but it hasn't always been a money maker so I've done many short pieces. After my first sale to Chicken Soup, I got hooked on writing for anthologies. There are areas of writing I'm not interested in at all and wouldn't even try. But some things such as brochures and educational short stories and such, I've done because the opportunity came up and I thought I'd like it, I needed the money, I wanted more experience, I hoped to branch out to finding other editors, and I wanted more bylines.

Kathryn Lay: Yes, I often do read samples, especially if I'm not completely familiar or it's been awhile or I know there's been a change in editors and possibly in the slant of the publications. When I got the contract to do this chapter book series, I spent 3 weeks immersing myself in chapter books. I went to the library and half-priced and got as many as I could find, especially the first book in a series to see how they handled it. After that, when i finally sat down to write, it seemed to flow faster than I ever expected. When I first sold to Chicken Soup, I studied several of the books and read and read the essays to get 'the feel.' So, I guess I've studied them as well as I'm more used to now switching modes. Though, I admit, I'd probably have a better chance at selling my novels if I'd spend all my time with them and work harder on just that one thing. I truly do think I have writer's ADD.

JanFields: I'd like to hear more about your organized goal setting because...again...my goal setting tries to be organized, thinks about being organized, but is pretty hit or miss. Can you give us some tips for going about setting and working goals?

Kathryn Lay: Well, here's a portion from an article in my book and I use in my writing classes on setting goals.

Understand Your Goals

Kathryn Lay: Blogging is definitely something I'm hearing more and more about recently, from editors and agents and people in the industry how immportant it is to have an online presence. Websites, blogs, book trailors. I do have a website and my name is around many places because i'm on lists and write for publications that are online or publish in print and online; but I've avoided the whole blog thing because I didn't want to take the extra writing time and creative time. But this is one of my big goals for the next month or two, to set up a blog, study other people's blogs and figure out how to drive people toward it. So yes, I think it's another step forward that authors have to consider doing for your presence with the publishing industry, present and future readers and other writers.

JanFields: Thank you so much for hanging with us through the last few days. I knew you'd be super inspirational, and you were. It's always good to get new persective on all the "stuff" of this crazy writing life. So thank you and may spring come softly to your door soon.