Read what the press is saying about Portable Writing
The following is excerpted from a review of Portable Writing that appeared in RV Lifestyles ezine July 27, 2006.
“RVer Kay Kennedy's new book, Portable Writing: The Secret to Living Your Dream, opens a whole new vista of discovering lucrative writing projects.”
“I highly recommend Portable Writing to you as a way to combine your love of traveling, writing, and adding income to your journeys. Visit Kay Kennedy at http://www.kennedyk.com.”
To read more articles about writing and RVing, subscribe to the monthly newsletter: Portable Writing Newsletter. Send an e-mail with the word “subscribe” to travelingwriter@kennedyk.com. You'll also find more articles on writing at http://www.portablewritingnewsletter.blogspot.com.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
KAY KENNEDY
Profile: I have been a freelance writer since 1986, and started traveling in an RV in 1992. Since then, I've been all over the country--to some places more than once.
I was editor of two newsletters, including Home Office Opportunities (home businesses) and Rolling Ventures (people earning income while traveling). Hundreds of my articles have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers and I have had two books published, including Make Room for Success: A guide for planning and setting up an office in your home or on the road, and my newest one, Portable Writing (read about it below). I was a columnist for the Pierce County Business Examiner writing business profiles and feature articles for two years while we lived in the Pacific Northwest, and have produced hundreds of projects for businesses and corporations.
Traveling has been the best decision we've ever made. We can travel when we want, stay put when we choose, and enjoy a lifestyle that offers adventure, joy, and friendship, and a chance to visit family and friends whenever we choose.
This is a beautiful country and I'll try to document some of the lovely spots in articles and photos in this newsletter, but meanwhile, here's a photo of me. Look for upcoming segments with features on tourist sites along Interstate 40 heading east from Arizona. I'll also cover some topics besides writing and RVing, such as work camping while traveling. I'll also cover alternatives to buying an RV if that's how you would like to travel.
If you haven't read the book PORTABLE WRITING, here's what you'll find inside: Learn how to make money no matter where you live or travel with 25 different projects, including several types of newsletters that can be marketed to businesses, plus subscription and advertising projects. You'll also find information on writing for publication. You'll find some unique projects that you've probably never considered, even if you're already making money writing.
Find out why this business is well-suited to military and corporate spouses who must move often, retirees who are looking for something fulfilling and to add income, plus anyone, young or old, who wants to live life under their own terms. The book is based on twenty years experience. Believe me, if I had known about writing at age twenty, I'd have done it much sooner! There are four bonus chapters that focus on writing while RVing.
Become a well-paid writer with these step-by-step instructions to success. Read Portable Writing and take the mystery out of making money. Suitable for all ages, and no advanced degree required. Find out how those with limited education sometimes make it big in the writing field. No matter what your background or education, you can do it, too! Available in paperback--$16.95, or as an ebook--$9.95. To read a two-chapter excerpt from the book or to order, go to http://www.booklocker.com/books/2461.html.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Newsletter: August, 2006
Articles in this month’s issue:
-- Tips for Writers: Getting Published, part 2
-- Traveling Topics: Make Money Writing While Traveling
-- On the Road: Read about the big RV gathering each winter in Quartzsite, AZ
-- Quartzsite’s unusual characters
-- Quartzsite area attractions
-- Volunteer on a houseboat
-- Read a review of the book, Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing.
TIPS FOR WRITERS:
Get published (#2 in a series of career opportunities)
Pitching your ideas to a magazine editor
To get articles published in a magazine, you have to get the editor’s attention. There are some instances where you can send in the entire article, but in most cases, the editor expects a query letter. What is a query letter, you ask?
A query letter basically outlines what you plan to write about and how you intend to cover it—but it’s much more than that. It is your introduction to the editor if you’ve never written for this magazine before. You need to make it the best darned letter you ever wrote if you want to impress an editor.
First, you might start with a strong sentence that opens your article. This is why you should have done a basic outline of what you propose to write. If you don’t have a good opening sentence yet, then write something that captures the essence of your proposed article. Sometimes I can’t come up with a great opening until after I finish an article. Then when I look through it, I find the perfect idea for the opening sentence.
In the next paragraph tell the editor how you plan to handle the article. Will you interview experts, and if so, which ones. If it’s a travel destination piece, how will your article be different from all the others that can be found in any travel magazine? Sure, you want to write about Disneyland, but what makes your presentation different. Depending on the magazine you’re approaching, it might be a piece on the best rides for kids, or what would interest an elderly parent in the park. Your article must be different from the usual.
Next, let the editor know why you’re the best person to write the article and why the magazine’s readers would be interested. This section might include your previous writing credits. If this is your first time out, then let your writing ability speak for itself. No, don’t tell the editor you’re a great writer because you made straight A’s in high school English and your teacher told you that you were the best. That’s not going to fly.
You’ve got to make your letter sing to the editor. Make sure your grammar is as good as it gets. I can’t tell you how many letters editors get from hopeful submitters that are full of typos and grammatical errors. Those go in the wastebasket immediately, but the editor definitely notices your name and remembers it. Read your letter over again and again until you’re sure it’s perfect; that you haven’t been redundant; and that sentences are short and to the point.
When is a query letter not necessary? If you write humor articles, it’s hard to get the humorous aspects across in a letter. So write the article and send it in with a short note explaining that you’re enclosing a humor article on “Title” and you think it will appeal to readers because… Your article will have to stand on its on.
Privacy is a major concern for this newsletter. You can be sure that your e-mail address and name are never shared with any business or Web site.
========================
Traveling topics:
Working while RVing
Make money writing while traveling
When I first hit the road in 1992, I was publisher of a subscription newsletter and was also producing newsletters for several corporate clients. In addition, I was writing for some magazines that expected regular contributions from me. Here’s how things went those first few months:
After a month on the road, the motorhome broke down and it took three weeks to get it going again. Meanwhile, I had deadlines that had to be met. We stayed with friends during the time the RV was being worked on except for a few occasions when we returned for a day or two and asked the repair shop to hook us up to electricity so I could operate the computer. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to meet the deadlines.
Next, we had arranged to share a booth at Quartzsite with our mail forwarding service, so we spent three weeks there. One problem reared its ugly head quickly—unreliable electrical service. So I worked when I could and shut down when there was no way to keep going. We immediately purchased an inverter with plans to go solar, but we didn’t have solar panels yet, and besides, the desert had one of those rare rainy winters so there wasn’t a lot of sun. Still, I met my deadlines.
What was the worst part of this? No, FUN, that’s what! Stress filled my life for approximately three months until I could find a good location to work. Then that summer we decided to spend a month in Branson, MO to see what all the hoopla was about. And what do you know. We ran into more electrical problems. Branson had grown so much, so fast, that their electric grid wasn’t dependable.
I eventually had to turn my corporate clients over to someone else because I was having anxiety attacks trying to keep up. And, in 1994 I sold the subscription newsletter.
Did that mean I quit earning my living as a traveling writer? No way! I still wrote articles, plus I learned how to focus my business writing on projects that could be produced quickly, and we learned to plan our travels better. We were slow learners, but that didn’t stop me! It just slowed me down a bit.
We found a lot of places that really appealed to us, and spent several months at those locales. That gave me time to find new clients for projects like brochures, sales literature, letters, one-time newsletters and other short-term jobs. I even went to work for a publisher as a writer for a few months until 14 degree temperatures drove us back to Arizona. We have one firm rule about RVing. We don’t do winters!
We started RVing in the dark ages of technology, but today it’s so much easier to work anywhere because of the Internet and other advances. Back then, no cellular service provided nationwide coverage and the Internet wasn’t available to everyone. Now I have a laptop computer, broadband Internet and a reliable cellular phone, all of which make life much simpler for a writer.
We also found opportunities to work in RV parks. I’ll talk more about the pros and cons of doing that if you’re trying to also succeed as a freelance writer in the next issue. It is definitely a way to add to your income or stay for free, especially if you have a partner who can work the parks while you write.
====================================
TRUE GRIT: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has a second volunteer houseboat program. GRIT stands for Graffiti Removal and Intervention Team. Teams of four volunteers go out on the "True GRIT" houseboat for 5, 7 or 10 days and remove non-historical graffiti from canyon walls and rocks faces within the park. See http://www.nps.gov/glca/grit/grithome.htm for more information.
Reprinted from "RV Lifestyles" a free ezine featuring tips and resources about the RV lifestyle. Visit http://www.rvhometown.com/ for subscription information, back issues, and more RV information.
==========
On the road . . . Quartzsite, Arizona
Almost every RVer has heard of Quartzsite, but if you haven’t been there during January and February, you’ve missed what has to be the biggest flea market this side of anywhere. Hundreds of booths fill shows scattered along the two-mile stretches of roadway on either side of Interstate 10. You’ll find more booths tucked in among businesses and outside RVs, which park helter-skelter throughout the surrounding desert.
You’ll find everything at Quartzsite, including: RVs and everything related to the RV lifestyle; handcrafted items for every imaginable use; gems, rocks and minerals; jewelry at wholesale prices; tools; antiques; metal detectors and a million other things you can’t possibly live without. You’ll also find merchandise that is unusual, to say the least, and can probably find plenty that’s illegal.
Stay in an RV park or pick your own spot in the desert, where you’ll see million-dollar motorhomes parked amidst RVs in every price range, including tiny campers, home-built wood-shingled sheds on truck beds, and ancient, beat-up school buses.
While Quartzsite is busiest during the show season, the LaPosa Long Term Visitor Area nearby is home to hundreds of snowbirds throughout the winter season. Many RVers seek solitude and serenity while others circle together to form tiny, close-knit, albeit temporary, communities. Some like exploring the desert searching for gems and rocks, others enjoy kicking back to soak up the sun and view the scenery, including gazing upon glorious sunsets.
Be sure to bring your walking shoes and a warm jacket in case it turns cold. You’ll need a vehicle of some sort to travel back and forth to the main show area if you park in the desert. If you plan to drive between shows, though, be prepared to make no better time than if you were walking. We usually park the car at one end of the main drag and walk the two miles down to the end, cross the freeway, and return on the other side after a full day of shopping. Tiring, but then, who cares when you’ve got a world of shopping to explore!
==========
Unusual Characters call Quartzsite Home
Even without the addition of hordes of visitors this time of year, Quartzsite has its own cast of unusual characters who call this small town home. You can expect to be surprised at times.
My husband entered a bookstore in a tent on the main drag one day while I browsed some newspaper stands outside. I felt more than saw that someone had come up just a few feet from me on my right, so I cast a sideways glance to see if my husband was ready to leave. Instead of him, I saw bare legs. Very, very tan bare legs. This was January, mind you. I thought, surely this person had on deerskin britches, but they would have had to have been skin tight! I decided to get back in the car where I could get a better look without being obvious.
Well, it was a sight! This guy didn’t have pants on at all. He wore a hat and a hooded sweatshirt, but no pants. About that time, Joe walked up behind him to ask a question and I saw his head jerk back, and then he turned to grimace at me. I burst out laughing.
Turns out the fellow had a string bikini thing on, but you couldn’t tell from the side. He’s lived in Quartzsite and owned the bookstore for several years. He’s a nudist who has told reporters that he often wanders the desert in his altogether. (I spotted an article prominently featuring him in the Phoenix paper.) Well, I was certainly relieved that we hadn’t run into him while we were out exploring the desert on foot! Let’s say we’ve learned to expect the unexpected in Quartzsite.
QUARTZSITE AREA ATTRACTIONS
While you visit Quartzsite, be sure to take side trips to see the ancient Indian Intaglios that mystify even the archeologists. Although some figures measure up to 180 feet, the intaglios (now called geoglyphs) are virtually unrecognizable from ground level. For that reason as well as to prevent vandalism, many of the 250 that have been discovered throughout Arizona and California have been fenced.
The nearest one to Quartzsite is the Bouse Fisherman Intaglio located on Hwy. 72 northeast of Quartzsite. It appears that these ancient artworks were designed to be viewed from the sky, but of course, air travel wasn’t possible by humans back then. They are amazing to see, considering the artist(s) could never have viewed the complete design from the ground, or presumably, from the sky.
==========
Read the book, PORTABLE WRITING: The Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
==========
RV TRAVEL MAGAZINE published by Chuck Woodbury is a new print RV travel magazine that is distributed quarterly. Chuck is one of my favorite writers, so his magazine should provide more of the same sharp, smart writing that his readers have come to expect over the years. One year's subscription costs $9.95. Learn more at http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=869&m=2
==========
BOOK REVIEW
Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing by Jaimie Hall and Alice Zyetz. This book clearly explains the process of writing, from forming an idea to submitting a finished manuscript. The book also includes lots of helpful tips from other published writers, editors and writing instructors, along with a sample query letter and book proposal. I particularly loved the exercises and checklists to help writers get their writing projects organized. This is a “must read” for new writers!
Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing is available as an ebook or on CD. Visit Jaimie and Alice’s Web site at http://www.rvhometown.com/.
Articles in this month’s issue:
-- Tips for Writers: Getting Published, part 2
-- Traveling Topics: Make Money Writing While Traveling
-- On the Road: Read about the big RV gathering each winter in Quartzsite, AZ
-- Quartzsite’s unusual characters
-- Quartzsite area attractions
-- Volunteer on a houseboat
-- Read a review of the book, Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing.
TIPS FOR WRITERS:
Get published (#2 in a series of career opportunities)
Pitching your ideas to a magazine editor
To get articles published in a magazine, you have to get the editor’s attention. There are some instances where you can send in the entire article, but in most cases, the editor expects a query letter. What is a query letter, you ask?
A query letter basically outlines what you plan to write about and how you intend to cover it—but it’s much more than that. It is your introduction to the editor if you’ve never written for this magazine before. You need to make it the best darned letter you ever wrote if you want to impress an editor.
First, you might start with a strong sentence that opens your article. This is why you should have done a basic outline of what you propose to write. If you don’t have a good opening sentence yet, then write something that captures the essence of your proposed article. Sometimes I can’t come up with a great opening until after I finish an article. Then when I look through it, I find the perfect idea for the opening sentence.
In the next paragraph tell the editor how you plan to handle the article. Will you interview experts, and if so, which ones. If it’s a travel destination piece, how will your article be different from all the others that can be found in any travel magazine? Sure, you want to write about Disneyland, but what makes your presentation different. Depending on the magazine you’re approaching, it might be a piece on the best rides for kids, or what would interest an elderly parent in the park. Your article must be different from the usual.
Next, let the editor know why you’re the best person to write the article and why the magazine’s readers would be interested. This section might include your previous writing credits. If this is your first time out, then let your writing ability speak for itself. No, don’t tell the editor you’re a great writer because you made straight A’s in high school English and your teacher told you that you were the best. That’s not going to fly.
You’ve got to make your letter sing to the editor. Make sure your grammar is as good as it gets. I can’t tell you how many letters editors get from hopeful submitters that are full of typos and grammatical errors. Those go in the wastebasket immediately, but the editor definitely notices your name and remembers it. Read your letter over again and again until you’re sure it’s perfect; that you haven’t been redundant; and that sentences are short and to the point.
When is a query letter not necessary? If you write humor articles, it’s hard to get the humorous aspects across in a letter. So write the article and send it in with a short note explaining that you’re enclosing a humor article on “Title” and you think it will appeal to readers because… Your article will have to stand on its on.
Privacy is a major concern for this newsletter. You can be sure that your e-mail address and name are never shared with any business or Web site.
========================
Traveling topics:
Working while RVing
Make money writing while traveling
When I first hit the road in 1992, I was publisher of a subscription newsletter and was also producing newsletters for several corporate clients. In addition, I was writing for some magazines that expected regular contributions from me. Here’s how things went those first few months:
After a month on the road, the motorhome broke down and it took three weeks to get it going again. Meanwhile, I had deadlines that had to be met. We stayed with friends during the time the RV was being worked on except for a few occasions when we returned for a day or two and asked the repair shop to hook us up to electricity so I could operate the computer. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to meet the deadlines.
Next, we had arranged to share a booth at Quartzsite with our mail forwarding service, so we spent three weeks there. One problem reared its ugly head quickly—unreliable electrical service. So I worked when I could and shut down when there was no way to keep going. We immediately purchased an inverter with plans to go solar, but we didn’t have solar panels yet, and besides, the desert had one of those rare rainy winters so there wasn’t a lot of sun. Still, I met my deadlines.
What was the worst part of this? No, FUN, that’s what! Stress filled my life for approximately three months until I could find a good location to work. Then that summer we decided to spend a month in Branson, MO to see what all the hoopla was about. And what do you know. We ran into more electrical problems. Branson had grown so much, so fast, that their electric grid wasn’t dependable.
I eventually had to turn my corporate clients over to someone else because I was having anxiety attacks trying to keep up. And, in 1994 I sold the subscription newsletter.
Did that mean I quit earning my living as a traveling writer? No way! I still wrote articles, plus I learned how to focus my business writing on projects that could be produced quickly, and we learned to plan our travels better. We were slow learners, but that didn’t stop me! It just slowed me down a bit.
We found a lot of places that really appealed to us, and spent several months at those locales. That gave me time to find new clients for projects like brochures, sales literature, letters, one-time newsletters and other short-term jobs. I even went to work for a publisher as a writer for a few months until 14 degree temperatures drove us back to Arizona. We have one firm rule about RVing. We don’t do winters!
We started RVing in the dark ages of technology, but today it’s so much easier to work anywhere because of the Internet and other advances. Back then, no cellular service provided nationwide coverage and the Internet wasn’t available to everyone. Now I have a laptop computer, broadband Internet and a reliable cellular phone, all of which make life much simpler for a writer.
We also found opportunities to work in RV parks. I’ll talk more about the pros and cons of doing that if you’re trying to also succeed as a freelance writer in the next issue. It is definitely a way to add to your income or stay for free, especially if you have a partner who can work the parks while you write.
====================================
TRUE GRIT: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has a second volunteer houseboat program. GRIT stands for Graffiti Removal and Intervention Team. Teams of four volunteers go out on the "True GRIT" houseboat for 5, 7 or 10 days and remove non-historical graffiti from canyon walls and rocks faces within the park. See http://www.nps.gov/glca/grit/grithome.htm for more information.
Reprinted from "RV Lifestyles" a free ezine featuring tips and resources about the RV lifestyle. Visit http://www.rvhometown.com/ for subscription information, back issues, and more RV information.
==========
On the road . . . Quartzsite, Arizona
Almost every RVer has heard of Quartzsite, but if you haven’t been there during January and February, you’ve missed what has to be the biggest flea market this side of anywhere. Hundreds of booths fill shows scattered along the two-mile stretches of roadway on either side of Interstate 10. You’ll find more booths tucked in among businesses and outside RVs, which park helter-skelter throughout the surrounding desert.
You’ll find everything at Quartzsite, including: RVs and everything related to the RV lifestyle; handcrafted items for every imaginable use; gems, rocks and minerals; jewelry at wholesale prices; tools; antiques; metal detectors and a million other things you can’t possibly live without. You’ll also find merchandise that is unusual, to say the least, and can probably find plenty that’s illegal.
Stay in an RV park or pick your own spot in the desert, where you’ll see million-dollar motorhomes parked amidst RVs in every price range, including tiny campers, home-built wood-shingled sheds on truck beds, and ancient, beat-up school buses.
While Quartzsite is busiest during the show season, the LaPosa Long Term Visitor Area nearby is home to hundreds of snowbirds throughout the winter season. Many RVers seek solitude and serenity while others circle together to form tiny, close-knit, albeit temporary, communities. Some like exploring the desert searching for gems and rocks, others enjoy kicking back to soak up the sun and view the scenery, including gazing upon glorious sunsets.
Be sure to bring your walking shoes and a warm jacket in case it turns cold. You’ll need a vehicle of some sort to travel back and forth to the main show area if you park in the desert. If you plan to drive between shows, though, be prepared to make no better time than if you were walking. We usually park the car at one end of the main drag and walk the two miles down to the end, cross the freeway, and return on the other side after a full day of shopping. Tiring, but then, who cares when you’ve got a world of shopping to explore!
==========
Unusual Characters call Quartzsite Home
Even without the addition of hordes of visitors this time of year, Quartzsite has its own cast of unusual characters who call this small town home. You can expect to be surprised at times.
My husband entered a bookstore in a tent on the main drag one day while I browsed some newspaper stands outside. I felt more than saw that someone had come up just a few feet from me on my right, so I cast a sideways glance to see if my husband was ready to leave. Instead of him, I saw bare legs. Very, very tan bare legs. This was January, mind you. I thought, surely this person had on deerskin britches, but they would have had to have been skin tight! I decided to get back in the car where I could get a better look without being obvious.
Well, it was a sight! This guy didn’t have pants on at all. He wore a hat and a hooded sweatshirt, but no pants. About that time, Joe walked up behind him to ask a question and I saw his head jerk back, and then he turned to grimace at me. I burst out laughing.
Turns out the fellow had a string bikini thing on, but you couldn’t tell from the side. He’s lived in Quartzsite and owned the bookstore for several years. He’s a nudist who has told reporters that he often wanders the desert in his altogether. (I spotted an article prominently featuring him in the Phoenix paper.) Well, I was certainly relieved that we hadn’t run into him while we were out exploring the desert on foot! Let’s say we’ve learned to expect the unexpected in Quartzsite.
QUARTZSITE AREA ATTRACTIONS
While you visit Quartzsite, be sure to take side trips to see the ancient Indian Intaglios that mystify even the archeologists. Although some figures measure up to 180 feet, the intaglios (now called geoglyphs) are virtually unrecognizable from ground level. For that reason as well as to prevent vandalism, many of the 250 that have been discovered throughout Arizona and California have been fenced.
The nearest one to Quartzsite is the Bouse Fisherman Intaglio located on Hwy. 72 northeast of Quartzsite. It appears that these ancient artworks were designed to be viewed from the sky, but of course, air travel wasn’t possible by humans back then. They are amazing to see, considering the artist(s) could never have viewed the complete design from the ground, or presumably, from the sky.
==========
Read the book, PORTABLE WRITING: The Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
==========
RV TRAVEL MAGAZINE published by Chuck Woodbury is a new print RV travel magazine that is distributed quarterly. Chuck is one of my favorite writers, so his magazine should provide more of the same sharp, smart writing that his readers have come to expect over the years. One year's subscription costs $9.95. Learn more at http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=869&m=2
==========
BOOK REVIEW
Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing by Jaimie Hall and Alice Zyetz. This book clearly explains the process of writing, from forming an idea to submitting a finished manuscript. The book also includes lots of helpful tips from other published writers, editors and writing instructors, along with a sample query letter and book proposal. I particularly loved the exercises and checklists to help writers get their writing projects organized. This is a “must read” for new writers!
Taking the Mystery Out of RV Writing is available as an ebook or on CD. Visit Jaimie and Alice’s Web site at http://www.rvhometown.com/.
Newsletter: July, 2006
Plan your writing career
Getting published (first in a series of career opportunities)
Where do you want your writing career to go? How far do you want it to take you? You do have a plan, don’t you? Maybe you’re hoping to have your first article published, or perhaps you’re already a published writer but would like to produce a non-fiction book or a novel. Or could it be that you really want to use your skills to make loads of money, so plan to write for businesses. Might you want to do all three? Since each of you reading this probably has different goals, I’ll cover all of these very different types of projects in future issues.
This time, I’d like to talk about getting your first article published. How many magazines do you read each month? Yes, you must be a reader if you ever hope to get published! You must know what type of articles a particular editor normally uses; what type of writing they prefer (conversational, technical or literary); and who their readers are. Naturally, some publications are fairly easy to figure out, especially if it’s a men’s or women’s magazine, but do you know what age group it is targeting? If you write an article directed to young singles but the magazine clearly appeals to married men or women with families, you’ll never get it published. So, study advertisements throughout the magazine. Who are they targeting? Advertisers don’t waste their big bucks trying to reach the wrong market. You shouldn’t waste your time, either.
Once you’ve determined what type of people are buying the magazine, read the articles to see whether they’re chatty or extremely technical. Does the magazine use only literary pieces? Now you know how to focus your writing. Then study the types of articles used. Do they show readers how to save money, spend money, enjoy retirement, raise children, take care of elderly parents, start a business? Or does it cover a variety of subjects, but mostly short pieces that provide an overview of the topic. Do most of the articles provide detailed instructions for specific types of projects (crafts, home repair, etc.)? Does it offer personality or business profiles, and if so, what types of people are being interviewed?
After you’ve studied the magazines for content, focus and target audience, you’re finally ready to write a query letter to the editor offering your idea in a snappy format that will get attention and showcase your writing skills. We’ll cover query letters in next month’s issue, but in the meantime, study some magazines and come up with some ideas for articles. Get your ideas down on paper with an outline of how you propose to write your article. Prepare to launch!
Where there’s a dream, there’s a way?
Millions have it all figured out. You can do it too.
Traveling. That is the dream of so many people who never manage to get around to it. Some never seem to have enough money to simply take off and see the country (or world).
Travel can be accomplished in so many different ways. Some people take a cruise on an ocean liner each year. Others want to own their own yacht and see the world. Most people like to fly to their destination, maybe rent a car to see the sights or join a tour group once they get there. Some people seem to think there’s safety in numbers, so they always travel with a group.
Others travel in their car or a rented car to destinations on this continent, and stay with friends or family, or in inns, motels or hotels every night. Some venture into Canada, Mexico and beyond to Central America. Many travelers are rediscovering the magic of the rails and taking scenic trips through North America and Mexico.
Okay, so you know about all these ways to get there. You may have even traveled some of these routes. You just want to know how you can do more of it.
Writing offers possibilities to travel more and earn income while you’re on the move. If money isn’t the object, then writing provides a means of keeping friends and family informed about your adventures and a way to keep a record of your travels. You can always write a book that provides an armchair adventure for those who can’t travel.
I’ve known people who owned a not-so-large sailboat and traveled along the coasts and inland waters of the Northwest. We had a 21-foot sailboat and considered cruising the inland waters of Washington and Canada, but neither of us relished the thought of being tossed around at sea in a storm. Other wanderers, like my favorite writer, William Least-Heat Moon, hopped in a van and traversed the country in search of adventure and great stories to tell. His book, Blue Highways, was a best-seller, as was John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley, which he wrote while traveling in a small truck camper with his standard poodle, Charley.
If you want to travel but money is a problem, then you have to start planning ahead of time on which way you want to go. We planned for years (literally). Now, many people we meet while RVing have sold the home they bought thirty years ago for as much as twenty times the price they paid, and plunked down the profit on a brand-new, fancy RV. Others have scraped up enough for a down-payment on a basic RV and plan to earn money while they’re traveling to pay for their adventure. We’re somewhere between the two extremes.
I planned my writing business so that it would earn income on the go because we needed it. We weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths, we didn’t inherit anything and we didn’t own a home that had increased enough to invest the proceeds and live off them. And we didn’t buy a brand new RV, and it’s definitely nothing fancy. I’ll tell more about how RVing and working has turned out next month.
Plan your writing career
Getting published (first in a series of career opportunities)
Where do you want your writing career to go? How far do you want it to take you? You do have a plan, don’t you? Maybe you’re hoping to have your first article published, or perhaps you’re already a published writer but would like to produce a non-fiction book or a novel. Or could it be that you really want to use your skills to make loads of money, so plan to write for businesses. Might you want to do all three? Since each of you reading this probably has different goals, I’ll cover all of these very different types of projects in future issues.
This time, I’d like to talk about getting your first article published. How many magazines do you read each month? Yes, you must be a reader if you ever hope to get published! You must know what type of articles a particular editor normally uses; what type of writing they prefer (conversational, technical or literary); and who their readers are. Naturally, some publications are fairly easy to figure out, especially if it’s a men’s or women’s magazine, but do you know what age group it is targeting? If you write an article directed to young singles but the magazine clearly appeals to married men or women with families, you’ll never get it published. So, study advertisements throughout the magazine. Who are they targeting? Advertisers don’t waste their big bucks trying to reach the wrong market. You shouldn’t waste your time, either.
Once you’ve determined what type of people are buying the magazine, read the articles to see whether they’re chatty or extremely technical. Does the magazine use only literary pieces? Now you know how to focus your writing. Then study the types of articles used. Do they show readers how to save money, spend money, enjoy retirement, raise children, take care of elderly parents, start a business? Or does it cover a variety of subjects, but mostly short pieces that provide an overview of the topic. Do most of the articles provide detailed instructions for specific types of projects (crafts, home repair, etc.)? Does it offer personality or business profiles, and if so, what types of people are being interviewed?
After you’ve studied the magazines for content, focus and target audience, you’re finally ready to write a query letter to the editor offering your idea in a snappy format that will get attention and showcase your writing skills. We’ll cover query letters in next month’s issue, but in the meantime, study some magazines and come up with some ideas for articles. Get your ideas down on paper with an outline of how you propose to write your article. Prepare to launch!
Where there’s a dream, there’s a way?
Millions have it all figured out. You can do it too.
Traveling. That is the dream of so many people who never manage to get around to it. Some never seem to have enough money to simply take off and see the country (or world).
Travel can be accomplished in so many different ways. Some people take a cruise on an ocean liner each year. Others want to own their own yacht and see the world. Most people like to fly to their destination, maybe rent a car to see the sights or join a tour group once they get there. Some people seem to think there’s safety in numbers, so they always travel with a group.
Others travel in their car or a rented car to destinations on this continent, and stay with friends or family, or in inns, motels or hotels every night. Some venture into Canada, Mexico and beyond to Central America. Many travelers are rediscovering the magic of the rails and taking scenic trips through North America and Mexico.
Okay, so you know about all these ways to get there. You may have even traveled some of these routes. You just want to know how you can do more of it.
Writing offers possibilities to travel more and earn income while you’re on the move. If money isn’t the object, then writing provides a means of keeping friends and family informed about your adventures and a way to keep a record of your travels. You can always write a book that provides an armchair adventure for those who can’t travel.
I’ve known people who owned a not-so-large sailboat and traveled along the coasts and inland waters of the Northwest. We had a 21-foot sailboat and considered cruising the inland waters of Washington and Canada, but neither of us relished the thought of being tossed around at sea in a storm. Other wanderers, like my favorite writer, William Least-Heat Moon, hopped in a van and traversed the country in search of adventure and great stories to tell. His book, Blue Highways, was a best-seller, as was John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley, which he wrote while traveling in a small truck camper with his standard poodle, Charley.
If you want to travel but money is a problem, then you have to start planning ahead of time on which way you want to go. We planned for years (literally). Now, many people we meet while RVing have sold the home they bought thirty years ago for as much as twenty times the price they paid, and plunked down the profit on a brand-new, fancy RV. Others have scraped up enough for a down-payment on a basic RV and plan to earn money while they’re traveling to pay for their adventure. We’re somewhere between the two extremes.
I planned my writing business so that it would earn income on the go because we needed it. We weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths, we didn’t inherit anything and we didn’t own a home that had increased enough to invest the proceeds and live off them. And we didn’t buy a brand new RV, and it’s definitely nothing fancy. I’ll tell more about how RVing and working has turned out next month.
Newsletter: June, 2006
Live Your Dreams as a Writer:
Do what you love and love what you do!
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”
This is similar to a quote I found on a roll of paper towels, of all places. This little saying can apply to life as a writer and as an RVer. If something isn’t working, adjust your focus. Come up with new ideas. Maybe even change your attitude. If you think you can’t do something, you can’t. So I’ve found it beneficial to have a “can do” attitude. If life throws me curve balls, I switch positions. If all I get is lemons, I make lemonade. Okay, enough with clichés. You get the idea.
How can you apply this quote to your life as a writer? If you’re determined to create articles but can’t get them published, find another way to use your talents. One way is to start a subscription newsletter. You’ll be the publisher and you can get as much exposure as you’re willing to search out. Use news releases to garner publicity for your publication. Tell everyone you know about it. Find a way to make it successful. Sometimes this little change in direction will spur your energy while it builds skills that will help you achieve your goal of getting published.
If it’s the high cost of fuel that’s got you in a blue mood because you can’t afford to travel, take a short trip to seek new surroundings for a few days. Even small journeys can recharge your batteries.
Life isn’t about the big things that happen, like long vacations or huge successes as a writer. Sometimes, it’s the little accomplishments that happen over and over that will renew your strength and build your confidence.
Life IS a journey. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.
Do what you love and love what you do!
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”
This is similar to a quote I found on a roll of paper towels, of all places. This little saying can apply to life as a writer and as an RVer. If something isn’t working, adjust your focus. Come up with new ideas. Maybe even change your attitude. If you think you can’t do something, you can’t. So I’ve found it beneficial to have a “can do” attitude. If life throws me curve balls, I switch positions. If all I get is lemons, I make lemonade. Okay, enough with clichés. You get the idea.
How can you apply this quote to your life as a writer? If you’re determined to create articles but can’t get them published, find another way to use your talents. One way is to start a subscription newsletter. You’ll be the publisher and you can get as much exposure as you’re willing to search out. Use news releases to garner publicity for your publication. Tell everyone you know about it. Find a way to make it successful. Sometimes this little change in direction will spur your energy while it builds skills that will help you achieve your goal of getting published.
If it’s the high cost of fuel that’s got you in a blue mood because you can’t afford to travel, take a short trip to seek new surroundings for a few days. Even small journeys can recharge your batteries.
Life isn’t about the big things that happen, like long vacations or huge successes as a writer. Sometimes, it’s the little accomplishments that happen over and over that will renew your strength and build your confidence.
Life IS a journey. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.
Keep in Touch on the Road
Cellular and wireless Internet service
Thirteen years ago the Internet didn’t exist for the average person. But cellular phone service did, so we tried several different providers before we discovered one we could use almost anywhere in the U.S. which offered nationwide free long distance and enough free minutes to fit our needs. Wow! Suddenly we were living in the modern world. That year and the next we traveled throughout the West with no problems. I used a mobile kit with the desktop computer to connect to the Internet, but I still used libraries for serious work since transfers on the mobile kit happened at the speed of a glacier.
I finally entered the Internet age when Verizon introduced broadband and nationwide Internet service. I bought a laptop and an “air card” to insert into it and experienced my first fast connection from the comfort of the RV. So far, service has been great. Sprint provides a similar service. An Escapees Club RVer survey showed that Cingular is one of the most reliable providers, so you might also check them for a wireless Internet connection. (Note: not all services work everywhere, so talk to other RVers who travel the areas you plan to traverse before signing on.)
We’ve also tried Wi-Fi, but there’s still a problem with provider sharing so if you pay for a month and travel you might not find another “hot spot” for your provider. Still, it’s a great way to access the Internet and you can sign up for the amount of time you need. We’ve tried Tengo at some RV parks and you can get a list of “hot spots” and plan your travels accordingly. I’m sure other Wi-Fi providers service RV parks, but we haven’t tried them. Some municipalities are setting up free Wi-Fi service and truck stops offer it for a fee.
So, how should you access the Internet on the road? First, determine your needs. Do you want continuous access or do you only want to exchange occasional e-mails with friends and family? Many RV parks offer Internet and telephone service at each site while others provide a comfortable place to hook-up your laptop in the office or clubhouse. Or for e-mails only, purchase MailStation® which you hold up to a phone.
Another method of logging on is with a satellite provider. I haven’t tried it, but we do have satellite TV and if we’re parked under trees or they block our view of the sky and the wind is blowing, we lose the signal. Talk to other RVers who use this service before deciding whether it will work for you.
One thing’s for sure: in thirteen years, we’ve come a long way baby!
Cellular and wireless Internet service
Thirteen years ago the Internet didn’t exist for the average person. But cellular phone service did, so we tried several different providers before we discovered one we could use almost anywhere in the U.S. which offered nationwide free long distance and enough free minutes to fit our needs. Wow! Suddenly we were living in the modern world. That year and the next we traveled throughout the West with no problems. I used a mobile kit with the desktop computer to connect to the Internet, but I still used libraries for serious work since transfers on the mobile kit happened at the speed of a glacier.
I finally entered the Internet age when Verizon introduced broadband and nationwide Internet service. I bought a laptop and an “air card” to insert into it and experienced my first fast connection from the comfort of the RV. So far, service has been great. Sprint provides a similar service. An Escapees Club RVer survey showed that Cingular is one of the most reliable providers, so you might also check them for a wireless Internet connection. (Note: not all services work everywhere, so talk to other RVers who travel the areas you plan to traverse before signing on.)
We’ve also tried Wi-Fi, but there’s still a problem with provider sharing so if you pay for a month and travel you might not find another “hot spot” for your provider. Still, it’s a great way to access the Internet and you can sign up for the amount of time you need. We’ve tried Tengo at some RV parks and you can get a list of “hot spots” and plan your travels accordingly. I’m sure other Wi-Fi providers service RV parks, but we haven’t tried them. Some municipalities are setting up free Wi-Fi service and truck stops offer it for a fee.
So, how should you access the Internet on the road? First, determine your needs. Do you want continuous access or do you only want to exchange occasional e-mails with friends and family? Many RV parks offer Internet and telephone service at each site while others provide a comfortable place to hook-up your laptop in the office or clubhouse. Or for e-mails only, purchase MailStation® which you hold up to a phone.
Another method of logging on is with a satellite provider. I haven’t tried it, but we do have satellite TV and if we’re parked under trees or they block our view of the sky and the wind is blowing, we lose the signal. Talk to other RVers who use this service before deciding whether it will work for you.
One thing’s for sure: in thirteen years, we’ve come a long way baby!
Newsletter: May, 2006
To write: that was my dream. To make enough money to travel: that was my goal.
So what are your dreams and goals? Are you a writer who doesn’t earn enough income support the family? Or, do you wish you could become a writer but don’t know how to start? Maybe you’re already writing for a living and make plenty of money, but you’d just like some new ideas to stimulate you and provide excitement to your career.
I wrote the book, Portable Writing as an answer to all of the above dilemmas. I once was that person dreaming of writing. And for awhile, I was that writer not making enough income churning out articles for magazines and newspapers. Yeah, I was seeing my name in print, but that doesn’t necessarily put food on the table.
Then an old friend called and asked if I could write some promotional materials for her business. Another asked if I could write an article about her business for the paper. Step by step and brick by brick, my business grew as more and more clients asked for my help writing effective business correspondence.
Soon, I was asked to not only write, but to create newsletters and brochures. So I bought a computer with graphics capabilities and desktop publishing software, and began to spend my spare time learning to use them. I applied the same methods to mastering those skills as I did to learning to write. I read everything I could find on the subject and asked advice from everyone who knew anything about the field. Once I began providing both writing and DTP services, my business exploded.
My message to you is that you can do everything I did, and probably better than I ever could. None of what I’ve done requires any special talent or education. I grew believing that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to – and that anyone else can, too. Of course, that didn’t mean I could become a Nobel prize-winning scientist or mathematician. But if I had been even remotely interested in either, I have no doubt that I could have succeeded.
If you want to be a successful writer, if you want to make lots of money creating words that people will read, you can do it if you really try. You might be one of those lucky people who has a book idea, writes it, gets a publishing contract paying a huge advance, and hits the best seller list immediately. You might, but you probably won’t.
Learn your craft, work hard and read Portable Writing to discover 25 projects that will propel you towards your goal. It took me twenty years to learn what I know, but you can do it much faster – within weeks – if you put into practice everything I’ve shared in Portable Writing. Go for it!
For a complete instruction book on writing with projects that make money no matter where you live or roam, be sure to read my new book, Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom. In it, I give detailed instructions for how to create twenty-five different projects along with showing how to market your skills.
I've been using these projects to earn a living as a writer for twenty years. My articles have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers across the country, and two books have been published. I also have created writing projects such as newsletters, brochures and dozens of other materials for business and corporations during the past twenty years.
In the book, I tell about how to get published as well as produce projects for businesses and corporations. At least two projects are included in the book that have never before been revealed to readers. You can learn more about the book by going to my Web site, http://www.kennedyk.com, then clicking on the book image to read a two-chapter excerpt and get ordering information.
If you've always wanted to make money writing, but didn't know where to start, this book takes you by the hand and leads you through the process. If you're already writing, but not making money, here's where you'll learn exactly how to do it.
The Ups & Downs of RVing
(with the high price of gas)
The price of gas seems to be slowing the travel industry down, but I doubt that it will bring trips to a screeching halt. Why not? Well, most who take a yearly vacation plan and save money all year for that great escape. For those traveling in RVs that get a measly 6-10 gallons per mile, they might elect to stay in one place longer and take shorter trips, but most will still hit the road occasionally.
Just how many miles do RVers travel each year? Certainly not as many as a vehicle that is used for daily commutes. While the typical vehicle in Arizona (for instance) is driven an average 20,000 -25,000 miles per year, the typical RVer travels less than 6,000 miles per year. We’re full-time RVers and have put 20,000 miles on our rig since 1998, when we bought it. So we’ve averaged 2500 miles per year. I suspect most RVers come closer to that figure than the 6,000 miles quoted by RV industry sources. Our usual trip averages about 3000 miles, roundtrip. However, sometimes we only drive about 400 miles in a year for a change of scenery or to find cooler (or warmer) temperatures.
So before you decide RVing is too expensive for you or that RVs waste gas, consider this. We’re considering making a 3000 mile trip this summer and fall. In the RV, gas will cost close to $1500, but lodging will run approximately $350 per month for the three months we plan to travel. Fuel costs would be about the same if we were driving a SUV or large truck on vacation, which get about the same mileage as our RV.
By car, our gas will only run about $400, but if we travel for three months, motels will run about $70.00 per night, or a whopping $6,300.00. And restaurant meals could easily cost $100 per day or more, totaling $9,000. Even eliminating housing and meal costs for those few days we might spend with friends or relatives, the cost of taking our hosts out to eat dinner could easily run $100.00 or more each time we do it.
A total cost of $2,550 by RV plus groceries (which I’d buy anyway) versus $15,700 in the car. Easy to see why I’m sold on RVing from an economical standpoint. Plus, we get to sleep in our own bed every night!
To keep mileage down on the RV, we tow a car that gets 30-35 miles per gallon and use it for errands and short trips. This saves gas and is a lot more environmentally friendly than a large vehicle that is used for everything, including commutes and leisure pursuits.
So, if you’ve wanted to travel by RV, don’t hesitate because of cost concerns. You can conserve gas, save money and still have a great time!
Live Your Dreams as a Writer
If I could do it, you can too!
If I could do it, you can too!
To write: that was my dream. To make enough money to travel: that was my goal.
So what are your dreams and goals? Are you a writer who doesn’t earn enough income support the family? Or, do you wish you could become a writer but don’t know how to start? Maybe you’re already writing for a living and make plenty of money, but you’d just like some new ideas to stimulate you and provide excitement to your career.
I wrote the book, Portable Writing as an answer to all of the above dilemmas. I once was that person dreaming of writing. And for awhile, I was that writer not making enough income churning out articles for magazines and newspapers. Yeah, I was seeing my name in print, but that doesn’t necessarily put food on the table.
Then an old friend called and asked if I could write some promotional materials for her business. Another asked if I could write an article about her business for the paper. Step by step and brick by brick, my business grew as more and more clients asked for my help writing effective business correspondence.
Soon, I was asked to not only write, but to create newsletters and brochures. So I bought a computer with graphics capabilities and desktop publishing software, and began to spend my spare time learning to use them. I applied the same methods to mastering those skills as I did to learning to write. I read everything I could find on the subject and asked advice from everyone who knew anything about the field. Once I began providing both writing and DTP services, my business exploded.
My message to you is that you can do everything I did, and probably better than I ever could. None of what I’ve done requires any special talent or education. I grew believing that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to – and that anyone else can, too. Of course, that didn’t mean I could become a Nobel prize-winning scientist or mathematician. But if I had been even remotely interested in either, I have no doubt that I could have succeeded.
If you want to be a successful writer, if you want to make lots of money creating words that people will read, you can do it if you really try. You might be one of those lucky people who has a book idea, writes it, gets a publishing contract paying a huge advance, and hits the best seller list immediately. You might, but you probably won’t.
Learn your craft, work hard and read Portable Writing to discover 25 projects that will propel you towards your goal. It took me twenty years to learn what I know, but you can do it much faster – within weeks – if you put into practice everything I’ve shared in Portable Writing. Go for it!
==========
Book: Portable Writing
For a complete instruction book on writing with projects that make money no matter where you live or roam, be sure to read my new book, Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom. In it, I give detailed instructions for how to create twenty-five different projects along with showing how to market your skills.
I've been using these projects to earn a living as a writer for twenty years. My articles have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers across the country, and two books have been published. I also have created writing projects such as newsletters, brochures and dozens of other materials for business and corporations during the past twenty years.
In the book, I tell about how to get published as well as produce projects for businesses and corporations. At least two projects are included in the book that have never before been revealed to readers. You can learn more about the book by going to my Web site, http://www.kennedyk.com, then clicking on the book image to read a two-chapter excerpt and get ordering information.
If you've always wanted to make money writing, but didn't know where to start, this book takes you by the hand and leads you through the process. If you're already writing, but not making money, here's where you'll learn exactly how to do it.
==========
An article about my RV lifestyle and the book, Portable Writing appeared in the Spokane Spokesman Review on June 3, 2006. Also, Portable Writing is now available on Amazon.com
An article about my RV lifestyle and the book, Portable Writing appeared in the Spokane Spokesman Review on June 3, 2006. Also, Portable Writing is now available on Amazon.com
The Ups & Downs of RVing
(with the high price of gas)
The price of gas seems to be slowing the travel industry down, but I doubt that it will bring trips to a screeching halt. Why not? Well, most who take a yearly vacation plan and save money all year for that great escape. For those traveling in RVs that get a measly 6-10 gallons per mile, they might elect to stay in one place longer and take shorter trips, but most will still hit the road occasionally.
Just how many miles do RVers travel each year? Certainly not as many as a vehicle that is used for daily commutes. While the typical vehicle in Arizona (for instance) is driven an average 20,000 -25,000 miles per year, the typical RVer travels less than 6,000 miles per year. We’re full-time RVers and have put 20,000 miles on our rig since 1998, when we bought it. So we’ve averaged 2500 miles per year. I suspect most RVers come closer to that figure than the 6,000 miles quoted by RV industry sources. Our usual trip averages about 3000 miles, roundtrip. However, sometimes we only drive about 400 miles in a year for a change of scenery or to find cooler (or warmer) temperatures.
So before you decide RVing is too expensive for you or that RVs waste gas, consider this. We’re considering making a 3000 mile trip this summer and fall. In the RV, gas will cost close to $1500, but lodging will run approximately $350 per month for the three months we plan to travel. Fuel costs would be about the same if we were driving a SUV or large truck on vacation, which get about the same mileage as our RV.
By car, our gas will only run about $400, but if we travel for three months, motels will run about $70.00 per night, or a whopping $6,300.00. And restaurant meals could easily cost $100 per day or more, totaling $9,000. Even eliminating housing and meal costs for those few days we might spend with friends or relatives, the cost of taking our hosts out to eat dinner could easily run $100.00 or more each time we do it.
A total cost of $2,550 by RV plus groceries (which I’d buy anyway) versus $15,700 in the car. Easy to see why I’m sold on RVing from an economical standpoint. Plus, we get to sleep in our own bed every night!
To keep mileage down on the RV, we tow a car that gets 30-35 miles per gallon and use it for errands and short trips. This saves gas and is a lot more environmentally friendly than a large vehicle that is used for everything, including commutes and leisure pursuits.
So, if you’ve wanted to travel by RV, don’t hesitate because of cost concerns. You can conserve gas, save money and still have a great time!
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