A Recession is the Best Time to Build Your Writing Business
Because we are definitely in the middle of a recession and many businesses are feeling desperate, marketing is essential. This applies to all businesses, including yours, especially now that many businesses have closed their doors because they could no longer afford the overhead. You can stay in business because you can write at home, so no additional overhead. What could be better? But you want to make sure clients and prospects know you are in business.
I first started my writing business in the middle of the ‘80s economic downturn. I didn’t really hope to make much money at first, if ever, but I figured it was a good time for on-the-job training. How could I know my business would snowball, especially knowing that so many businesses were shutting down every day, and so many people becoming unemployed as their companies merged with others. What I didn’t realize at first was that many of those unemployed were deciding to start their own businesses. That’s what they did then, and it is likely what thousands of the currently unemployed will do now. And what an opportunity that presents to writers!
Back then, I joined a couple of business organizations that met regularly to network and exchange business leads. Each meeting would include a speaker who would speak on a topic that would interest attendees. Also, everybody present would stand up and introduce themselves and tell a little about their own business. The leader of the meetings would encourage everyone to think of possible leads for each person in attendance. That was where many of my clients came from—either the meetings themselves or somebody would give me the name of a friend in business that needed my services.
I also gave talks at some of the meetings about press releases and a number of other marketing tools that I produced for clients. I stressed that a recession was no time to stop marketing, and that those in attendance should definitely keep their names before the public while their competitors were ducking into their shells to await an economic upswing or their eventual demise, whichever came first.
Those networking meetings, plus some other marketing tactics I used meant that when anyone in the metropolitan area of thousands of businesses needed the services of a writer, many were bound to think of my business. When they needed someone to write a proposal, a brochure, an article for the newspaper or a magazine, or effective business letters, my business was often the one they called. I wrote a regular business column for the business newspaper, which also got me leads and kept my name before the public. But even if I hadn’t stumbled upon that opportunity, I would have offered to write articles for the newspaper for free.
You could research a topic relevant to the business community and write an article on that. I can remember writing about banking, office design, environmentally friendly offices, and of course, marketing for businesses. For the articles that didn’t pay, I made sure that my name, business name, and phone number appeared at the end. Free advertising in exchange for my articles, what could be better?
So if you are just starting out, or worrying that you won’t get much business during this recession, here’s what you can do. First of all, attend a meeting of local business networking groups, and then join if they look promising. Maybe there is a homebased business group near you, or another group that focuses on exchanging leads. If not, why not start your own?
Approach your local newspaper with some business article ideas. If your community has a business newspaper, they almost always welcome articles in exchange for free publicity. Research topics and make notes for future article ideas to impress the editor or publisher. You could write about home offices, marketing material for businesses, marketing on a budget, leasing commercial office space, or any other subject that would interest typical business owners. The list is endless, and who knows, you could end up getting paid for writing them.
A recession means opportunities for writers who can turn a marketing message into magic. That would be you, dear writers! While I know the holiday season means that you may be too busy for awhile to be very productive, it still would be a good time to start compiling lists of ideas to pursue immediately after the holidays, and researching some topics that you might want to write about.
Hey, this might also be the right time to check out some business meetings to see if they're planning some holiday parties where you can mingle and start building credibility. Of course, other than your waistline, the party treats never hurt, either.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Earn a Great Living as a Ghostwriter of Books
Based on a chapter in the book, Portable Writing by Kay Kennedy
Back in the ‘80s, I met someone who had turned her talent for writing into a successful career writing books for people who were willing to pay $25,000-$30,000 to have their story written. That’s in addition to the thousands they would then pay to have the book printed and bound. I’m not talking about celebrities, here. These would be books about ordinary people, like your neighbors and friends. And this is a field that is wide open for willing writers.
First of all, everyone has a life story to tell, and for every story there is a waiting and willing audience—which might only be a spouse, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. No story is as treasured as the one passed down from generation to generation, yet most people leave very little behind except snapshots and perhaps a handful of letters and yellowed, brittle news clippings, and some material objects as evidence of their time spent on earth. Their joyful times, lessons learned, difficulties encountered and overcome, and a lifetime of wisdom are lost forever when they pass on. Everyone’s memories are priceless to someone, and as a writer, you can help preserve their stories for future generations.
One of those people wanting their life story told could be your neighbor who is nearing the end of his or her life and wants to produce a record of family history, successes, triumphs and tragedies, and all the changes that have taken place over the years. Your client might be a couple down the street or in your church about to celebrate a milestone anniversary. It could be that favorite teacher or college professor, or your minister who had an influence on thousands of people, but who doesn’t feel equipped to write a book. Or it might be the successful head of a company who wants to memorialize his business and its influence in his community. Maybe he wants to pass on knowledge of starting and operating a business venture like his.
And it could be the executive director of a non-profit organization who succeeded in spite of overcoming great odds, and wants her family, friends, and others to know about her struggles to achieve her career goals. It could also be someone who has great technical experience and wants to produce a how-to book, but doesn’t know how to organize thoughts or put words to paper.
The ghostwriter I met in the ‘80s earned $50,000-60,000 per year from the two books, on average, that she produced. Most ghostwriters could expect to make much more today depending on the size of book projects tackled. The most difficult task is in finding those who want their story told and have the money to pay, but believe me, they’re out there and ready and willing to use your services.
Ordinary people who want their stories told
Here’s how to find those people you might know who would want to have a book written about their lives.
1. First of all, writers must market their services. To start with, produce a simple but eloquent brochure that spells out why clients would want their story told, then explains how you would turn their memories into an interesting and intelligent story.
A simple typed brochure printed on both sides of 8-1/2” by 13” paper and folded in half, like a booklet, would be sufficient. It doesn’t have to include photos or graphics, unless you want to include a photo of yourself on the back side with a compilation of your writing experience. Then make sure you distribute copies at your church, or at any non-profit organization where you volunteer. You might reach some interested clients by teaching classes at retirement homes to help retirees write their own stories. Some will probably want to turn that chore over to you, the expert. And I’ll bet that if they don’t want or can’t afford your services, many of them will know someone who will. Tell people what you do, and be prepared to answer questions.
2. When you get your first project, draw up a contract that specifies when you are to be paid and how much. Ask for at least one-third retainer fee, with one-third due upon completion of interviewing and research, then the final one-third due on completion of the manuscript. Set a time limit in your contract with your clients so that you and they have clear expectations of when the job will be completed.
You may or may not be involved in finding a printer and handling the submission of the manuscript to the printer, or you might only want to produce the manuscript and let your client take care of the printing details. If so, it would be helpful to learn how to format the book on your computer and give a printed copy plus a copy on disk to your client so all they have to do is send it to their printer. Or if a client only wants a few copies (say under 10), then you might want to have the copies printed by a local printer as wire-bound soft cover copies. Be sure to charge for those copies.
3. Outline of the types of information they might want included. Include memory joggers like school memories; birthdays and other celebrations; young adult and adult memories such as role models, going away to college, first job, first car, marriage, children, first home, holiday memories and traditions, and any other ideas that would make wonderful stories for family and friends.
Expand the list to include everything that might help your client provide you with more information, including what they’ve learned that they wish to pass on to their heirs. Have your client pull out old photographs and go through them, recalling memories of the people and events pictured. Ask your clients to tell how things have changed in their lifetimes. Suggest that they include a family tree to help descendants picture their place in the family.
Business clients
For business clients, obviously your questionnaire would include different questions such as when they started their business, how they came up with the idea, how the start-up was financed, etc. It might or might not include the personal information mentioned above.
Another type of book you might ghostwrite would be a technical or how-to book for someone who has knowledge and skills, but doesn’t know how to organize and write a book. If this is the type of client you prefer to attract, your brochure should appear more professional and focus on information that would appeal to a business-oriented person. You would still spell out what you do, but focus on how your skills would benefit your client (i.e., promote business, build credibility, etc.). This type of client might want to self-publish a book or look for a publisher, so that would be a consideration that might affect whether you want to pursue the job or not since it might involve having you find the publisher for your client.
Freelance rewards
Ghostwriting is only one type of freelance writing that might appeal to you. It offers its rewards, such as getting to know people with interesting stories to tell. As you can see, it helps if the writer knows a little bit about a lot of things, such as marketing, outlining, formatting a book, and printing, but these are topics that are easily learned from books. Ghostwriting is a profitable avenue that you might pursue while you are also writing your own great novel.
Remember, this is your livelihood, and you’re providing a great service for your clients. Don’t undersell yourself, even in the beginning. Realize that it might take longer than six months for you to produce your first book project, so you won’t be making the high hourly rates that you’ll receive once you have some experience under your belt. Once you have some experience, your name will become known and clients will start seeking you out to write their life stories.
Enjoy the process. While you’re writing about someone else’s life remember: your life is also being invested into the project. Make it into a wonderful, memorable experience and make it pay!
Based on a chapter in the book, Portable Writing by Kay Kennedy
Back in the ‘80s, I met someone who had turned her talent for writing into a successful career writing books for people who were willing to pay $25,000-$30,000 to have their story written. That’s in addition to the thousands they would then pay to have the book printed and bound. I’m not talking about celebrities, here. These would be books about ordinary people, like your neighbors and friends. And this is a field that is wide open for willing writers.
First of all, everyone has a life story to tell, and for every story there is a waiting and willing audience—which might only be a spouse, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. No story is as treasured as the one passed down from generation to generation, yet most people leave very little behind except snapshots and perhaps a handful of letters and yellowed, brittle news clippings, and some material objects as evidence of their time spent on earth. Their joyful times, lessons learned, difficulties encountered and overcome, and a lifetime of wisdom are lost forever when they pass on. Everyone’s memories are priceless to someone, and as a writer, you can help preserve their stories for future generations.
One of those people wanting their life story told could be your neighbor who is nearing the end of his or her life and wants to produce a record of family history, successes, triumphs and tragedies, and all the changes that have taken place over the years. Your client might be a couple down the street or in your church about to celebrate a milestone anniversary. It could be that favorite teacher or college professor, or your minister who had an influence on thousands of people, but who doesn’t feel equipped to write a book. Or it might be the successful head of a company who wants to memorialize his business and its influence in his community. Maybe he wants to pass on knowledge of starting and operating a business venture like his.
And it could be the executive director of a non-profit organization who succeeded in spite of overcoming great odds, and wants her family, friends, and others to know about her struggles to achieve her career goals. It could also be someone who has great technical experience and wants to produce a how-to book, but doesn’t know how to organize thoughts or put words to paper.
The ghostwriter I met in the ‘80s earned $50,000-60,000 per year from the two books, on average, that she produced. Most ghostwriters could expect to make much more today depending on the size of book projects tackled. The most difficult task is in finding those who want their story told and have the money to pay, but believe me, they’re out there and ready and willing to use your services.
Ordinary people who want their stories told
Here’s how to find those people you might know who would want to have a book written about their lives.
1. First of all, writers must market their services. To start with, produce a simple but eloquent brochure that spells out why clients would want their story told, then explains how you would turn their memories into an interesting and intelligent story.
A simple typed brochure printed on both sides of 8-1/2” by 13” paper and folded in half, like a booklet, would be sufficient. It doesn’t have to include photos or graphics, unless you want to include a photo of yourself on the back side with a compilation of your writing experience. Then make sure you distribute copies at your church, or at any non-profit organization where you volunteer. You might reach some interested clients by teaching classes at retirement homes to help retirees write their own stories. Some will probably want to turn that chore over to you, the expert. And I’ll bet that if they don’t want or can’t afford your services, many of them will know someone who will. Tell people what you do, and be prepared to answer questions.
2. When you get your first project, draw up a contract that specifies when you are to be paid and how much. Ask for at least one-third retainer fee, with one-third due upon completion of interviewing and research, then the final one-third due on completion of the manuscript. Set a time limit in your contract with your clients so that you and they have clear expectations of when the job will be completed.
You may or may not be involved in finding a printer and handling the submission of the manuscript to the printer, or you might only want to produce the manuscript and let your client take care of the printing details. If so, it would be helpful to learn how to format the book on your computer and give a printed copy plus a copy on disk to your client so all they have to do is send it to their printer. Or if a client only wants a few copies (say under 10), then you might want to have the copies printed by a local printer as wire-bound soft cover copies. Be sure to charge for those copies.
3. Outline of the types of information they might want included. Include memory joggers like school memories; birthdays and other celebrations; young adult and adult memories such as role models, going away to college, first job, first car, marriage, children, first home, holiday memories and traditions, and any other ideas that would make wonderful stories for family and friends.
Expand the list to include everything that might help your client provide you with more information, including what they’ve learned that they wish to pass on to their heirs. Have your client pull out old photographs and go through them, recalling memories of the people and events pictured. Ask your clients to tell how things have changed in their lifetimes. Suggest that they include a family tree to help descendants picture their place in the family.
Business clients
For business clients, obviously your questionnaire would include different questions such as when they started their business, how they came up with the idea, how the start-up was financed, etc. It might or might not include the personal information mentioned above.
Another type of book you might ghostwrite would be a technical or how-to book for someone who has knowledge and skills, but doesn’t know how to organize and write a book. If this is the type of client you prefer to attract, your brochure should appear more professional and focus on information that would appeal to a business-oriented person. You would still spell out what you do, but focus on how your skills would benefit your client (i.e., promote business, build credibility, etc.). This type of client might want to self-publish a book or look for a publisher, so that would be a consideration that might affect whether you want to pursue the job or not since it might involve having you find the publisher for your client.
Freelance rewards
Ghostwriting is only one type of freelance writing that might appeal to you. It offers its rewards, such as getting to know people with interesting stories to tell. As you can see, it helps if the writer knows a little bit about a lot of things, such as marketing, outlining, formatting a book, and printing, but these are topics that are easily learned from books. Ghostwriting is a profitable avenue that you might pursue while you are also writing your own great novel.
Remember, this is your livelihood, and you’re providing a great service for your clients. Don’t undersell yourself, even in the beginning. Realize that it might take longer than six months for you to produce your first book project, so you won’t be making the high hourly rates that you’ll receive once you have some experience under your belt. Once you have some experience, your name will become known and clients will start seeking you out to write their life stories.
Enjoy the process. While you’re writing about someone else’s life remember: your life is also being invested into the project. Make it into a wonderful, memorable experience and make it pay!
Lower Gas Prices Mean More People RVing this Winter
Gas prices have finally returned to a level that puts more people in the mood to travel. Canadians are especially finding RVing more enticing this year, and we are meeting lots of them in the park this winter. Many have not been here before.
For awhile, some RVers were hanging up their keys and trying to unload their gas-guzzling rigs, and while many are still wary of taking long trips, other are breathing a big sigh of relief and making plans to hit the road for an extensive vacation.
I can remember the early seventies, when gas suddenly spiked from an average 30 cents per gallon to around 65 cents per gallon. Sixty-five cents sounds cheap now, doesn’t it? But back then, we watched gas prices double in a very short period of time, and that was scary. What was even worse back then was that many gas stations closed, and those that didn’t had long lines because of gas rationing. We could only buy gas (according to numbers on our license plates) on certain days of the week. At that time, I drove hundreds of miles every week for my job, and in many unfamiliar neighborhoods, which often left me wondering if I would make it back to the studio, or home each day.
Then in the late seventies, early eighties, the same thing happened again. Gas was in short supply and expensive. I was still traveling hundreds of miles a week, and again everyone, including me, freaked out. I even changed hairdressers to cut down on miles.
The main thing I remember during both of those crises, though, was that RVs were practically being given away because owners thought they could no longer afford to travel!
Lesson learned: gas prices will go up, and sometimes they’ll go back down. Drivers, and especially RVers, will always react with alarm when they see their lifestyle threatened. None of us knows how long lower gas prices will hold this time, but it’s certain that they’ll go back up.
RVers learn to adapt. We either cut back on driving when prices get high, or we adjust our budgets to accommodate higher prices and keep going. The economy looks really bleak right now, and no one knows how soon it will right itself. None of us knows what will happen next. But I’m certain that no matter what, some RVers will continue hitting the road as long as they can get fuel, and as long as their budgets will allow.
Gas prices have finally returned to a level that puts more people in the mood to travel. Canadians are especially finding RVing more enticing this year, and we are meeting lots of them in the park this winter. Many have not been here before.
For awhile, some RVers were hanging up their keys and trying to unload their gas-guzzling rigs, and while many are still wary of taking long trips, other are breathing a big sigh of relief and making plans to hit the road for an extensive vacation.
I can remember the early seventies, when gas suddenly spiked from an average 30 cents per gallon to around 65 cents per gallon. Sixty-five cents sounds cheap now, doesn’t it? But back then, we watched gas prices double in a very short period of time, and that was scary. What was even worse back then was that many gas stations closed, and those that didn’t had long lines because of gas rationing. We could only buy gas (according to numbers on our license plates) on certain days of the week. At that time, I drove hundreds of miles every week for my job, and in many unfamiliar neighborhoods, which often left me wondering if I would make it back to the studio, or home each day.
Then in the late seventies, early eighties, the same thing happened again. Gas was in short supply and expensive. I was still traveling hundreds of miles a week, and again everyone, including me, freaked out. I even changed hairdressers to cut down on miles.
The main thing I remember during both of those crises, though, was that RVs were practically being given away because owners thought they could no longer afford to travel!
Lesson learned: gas prices will go up, and sometimes they’ll go back down. Drivers, and especially RVers, will always react with alarm when they see their lifestyle threatened. None of us knows how long lower gas prices will hold this time, but it’s certain that they’ll go back up.
RVers learn to adapt. We either cut back on driving when prices get high, or we adjust our budgets to accommodate higher prices and keep going. The economy looks really bleak right now, and no one knows how soon it will right itself. None of us knows what will happen next. But I’m certain that no matter what, some RVers will continue hitting the road as long as they can get fuel, and as long as their budgets will allow.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Make Money as a Ghostwriter
Excerpted from the book, Portable Writing, by Kay Kennedy
One of the more financially rewarding writing assignments that I’ve discovered is ghostwriting. This is a huge field loaded with opportunities if you’re ready to step into it. You don’t have to be an expert on anything, nor do you have to “know someone.” You can choose to specialize in articles or you might want to seek out individuals who want a book written. Articles are the easiest to start with and tend to pay better for the amount of work done.
Ghostwritten articles
If your interest is in writing articles for publication, consider approaching professional and business clients who might need a ghostwriter. Ghostwriting pays really well, and corporate clients generally will pay more than small business owners for articles. And they pay well even if they’re not personally receiving any payment from the publication. Sometimes their only goal is to share important information they have about a particular subject, or it could be only for recognition and prestige. They hire you because they can’t write well enough for publication, or they don’t have time, or because you charge less by the hour than they receive for their position.
Excerpted from the book, Portable Writing, by Kay Kennedy
One of the more financially rewarding writing assignments that I’ve discovered is ghostwriting. This is a huge field loaded with opportunities if you’re ready to step into it. You don’t have to be an expert on anything, nor do you have to “know someone.” You can choose to specialize in articles or you might want to seek out individuals who want a book written. Articles are the easiest to start with and tend to pay better for the amount of work done.
Ghostwritten articles
If your interest is in writing articles for publication, consider approaching professional and business clients who might need a ghostwriter. Ghostwriting pays really well, and corporate clients generally will pay more than small business owners for articles. And they pay well even if they’re not personally receiving any payment from the publication. Sometimes their only goal is to share important information they have about a particular subject, or it could be only for recognition and prestige. They hire you because they can’t write well enough for publication, or they don’t have time, or because you charge less by the hour than they receive for their position.
The greatest benefit to you as a ghostwriter is that the pay is generally higher than you would ever receive from a magazine or trade journal for the same type and length of article.
The best way to get started in this lucrative field is to first, research an interesting topic in any industry you wish, write an article and submit it to an industry trade magazine. After it is published, you’ll have a sample with which to approach corporate prospects and show what you can do, and this sample will prove that your articles can and do get published. This is your “foot in the door” to write for corporate bigwigs. Hiring you will be cheaper than paying for advertising in the magazine they want the article submitted to.
If a magazine charges $10,000 for a full-page ad and you only charge $4,000 to write an article for them, the corporation will save $6,000 plus receive bigger coverage (possibly several pages) and better publicity from a published article with the byline of one of their top executives. These figures are only examples, but are relative to the amounts charged for advertising and the amount you could make, depending on the length of the article.
Of course, you always want to have a signed contract before proceeding with any work. The contract should state what the article will be about, number of words, how many rewrites or corrections you will provide, completion date, and your fee. You should collect one-half of the total fee in advance, but state that final payment is due upon completion and approval by your client. Do not agree to wait for payment until after the article is published because the newspaper or magazine may decide to hold it for several months for a special issue.
The biggest reward for a client from published articles is credibility and establishment as an expert in his field. Remember that this type of client pool can include not only corporate executives, but also medical doctors or people with advanced scientific and education degrees.
Your marketing presentation to your prospect should include a brief biography about yourself, plus writing samples and a brochure that outlines what services you can provide, including ghostwriting articles and/or books. It will also be helpful to provide a list of former clients you’ve written for, with their permission, after you gain experience.
Who gets the byline?
Realize that your name will not appear on ghostwritten articles unless your client agrees to share the byline, so you can’t use copies to find more business. They’ve paid for the byline, and most expect to get both the credit and privacy.
If they agree to let their name be used as a reference and they’re contacted, it’s up to them to volunteer or withhold information about the types of writing you have done for them. You should never reveal that you’ve ghostwritten articles without their prior permission.
Your own articles that are published in trade magazines may be the only ones you can use to generate new business, so keep publishing on your own to build credibility and to have a supply of up-to-date samples to show prospective clients. Mail copies to your list of prospects each time a new article is published to keep yourself in their thoughts. Eventually prospects will see how articles written by you, but with their byline, will benefit them.
The payment you receive for a ghostwritten article will often depend on whether you place the article or your client does. One of my clients developed a working relationship with a magazine editor and could place almost any article he wanted to propose. I was assured of having continuing writing assignments from this client with virtually no work except for producing the article, so I could afford to charge him less than clients who needed my help placing articles.
Typically, though, I would propose an article to a trade magazine in my client’s name, then proceed to research and write the article, although the client would usually supply the research material. I wrote articles about taxes, small business record keeping, and financial planning for accounting and finance clients. I wrote about investments for a client who was a stockbroker. By the way, that was a field that I knew absolutely nothing about in advance! And I wrote a variety of articles for other clients.
Clients usually hire ghostwriters who have marketed their services to them. Corporate and business executives don’t normally ask their friends or colleagues for referrals because they don’t want their peers to know they are using a ghostwriter. So don’t be shy about getting your name and information out to prospective clients so they’ll know what you can do, and how well you can do it.
The really rewarding part of ghostwriting articles is that some of your more successful clients may want help writing a technical book or an autobiography about themselves. Naturally, you will land on their short-list of writers to help them produce a full-length book. I’ll cover ghostwriting books in next month’s newsletter and tell about one former acquaintance who made an excellent living doing only ghostwriting.
Another source of information about magazines
A good article by Christine Venzon appeared in July 25, 2008 issue of Writers Weekly about checking the media kits from magazines to understand their readership and focus. These are the information kits that magazines send out to the media and advertisers, and as writers, we are also part of the media and can get access to the kits to help us understand the magazines market, especially if they don’t have writers guidelines to send writers. Read the article by clicking here: http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004767_06252008.html, or go to www.writersweekly.com and click on “articles” at top of page, which will take you to the archived articles.
A good article by Christine Venzon appeared in July 25, 2008 issue of Writers Weekly about checking the media kits from magazines to understand their readership and focus. These are the information kits that magazines send out to the media and advertisers, and as writers, we are also part of the media and can get access to the kits to help us understand the magazines market, especially if they don’t have writers guidelines to send writers. Read the article by clicking here: http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004767_06252008.html, or go to www.writersweekly.com and click on “articles” at top of page, which will take you to the archived articles.
Gas Prices Got You Down?
Gas prices reached record highs this spring and summer, then dropped a little, and now they’re climbing again. What’s an RVer to do?
Gas prices reached record highs this spring and summer, then dropped a little, and now they’re climbing again. What’s an RVer to do?
The day before we left Arizona on our trip on March 15th, we gassed up in town. Gas had zoomed up overnight from $2.89 to $3.02. “Oh well, what’s new” we asked ourselves? Our next tank of gas the following evening was purchased in California at a whopping $3.50, and it climbed steadily upward as we made our way northward to Washington. Before we would head back to Arizona in July, it had reached well over $4.00 per gallon, then on our last day of travel, July 17th, it reached the highest price ever recorded! Such is our luck every time we travel in the motorhome! As we pulled into our campsite back in AZ, local gas stations were already lowering their prices by a few cents.
But we learned long ago how to compensate for volatile gas prices. Our previous trip back from Washington happened over Labor Day weekend in 2005, and I guess you can all remember what happened. Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and gas shot up from $2.50 to over $3.00 per gallon overnight. Ouch! When we’re traveling in an RV and something like that happens, nothing is going to stop us from reaching our destination, especially if we’re in the north and it’s getting up into fall. We don’t do cold! Well, not intentionally! This was one time when we had to get back right away.
So how do we compensate when we have the luxury of being able to plan ahead? By traveling slowly and spreading our travel costs out. We plan to go as far as we feel comfortable traveling, which is usually decided by a set budget. Then we settle in for anywhere from a week up to a month. Rates for RV sites are always a little cheaper by the week, and usually quite a bit lower per month. We’ve also kept our overnight costs down by joining Passport America, which provides one-half price camping spots scattered across the country, and Escapees Club, which owns several parks around the country. We also belong to Thousand Trails and can stay in their parks for free for up to two weeks before we have to move on or start paying. Unfortunately, these campgrounds are not always located on the routes we want to travel, but sometimes they are. And sometimes we route our trip specifically to take advantage of them.
Also, while traveling, we always watch for Walmart Supercenters, where there is room to park the motorhome to shop, and where grocery prices are generally lower than nearby chain supermarkets. We also watch for produce stands that we can pull into to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Before we leave on a trip, I usually cook up some hearty soups and bread and freeze them in meal-size portions. Then we only have to find a spot off the highway big enough to pull over and run the generator for a few minutes to thaw and heat them for lunch.
One of our biggest expenses is eating out, which is both an educational and culinary treat as we travel through different regions, so if we need to cut back on expenses, that is often the only area we have to seriously cut.
So what are the best ways you can cut expenses to make up for expensive and rising gas prices?
1. Join a discount camping club so that you can cut costs of overnight stays. Make sure you talk to other campers before you join anything, and go back to your rig and figure out just how much you will actually save before signing on the dotted line. Salesman will tell you that you must make up your mind immediately to get their “special” price, but we’ve found that going back the next day hasn’t cooled their enthusiasm for selling us a membership. Meanwhile, we’ve been able to make an educated decision.
2. If you really can’t afford higher gas prices AND an overnight RV site, you might try bookdocking or dry camping. That means finding a place to park overnight for free, and with no hookups. Some county parks around the country provide free overnight camping, and some states allow overnighters to spend the night in rest areas, but always check first and make sure it looks safe. Some Walmarts also allow overnighters, but check with the manager before attempting it because you don’t want be awakened in the middle of the night by authorities threatening to haul you away because it’s illegal in that particular municipality.
3. If you use gas cards, make sure they aren’t for gas stations with the highest prices, and get one that offers a cash rebate. We’ve found that Sam’s Club gas prices are almost always cheaper than surrounding gas stations. You can purchase a Walmart Road Atlas and pay less for it at (guess where?) that lists all the Walmarts and Sam’s Club locations across the country.
4. Don’t leave home without signing up for emergency road service. We use Good Sam’s, which costs around $100 per year, and they will send a tow truck no matter how far you may be from civilization and haul you to the nearest reliable repair facility. There’s never any money out of pocket for this service.
5. Plan out your trip to fit your budget. If you want to travel for a few months, determine just how far you can afford to go each month, then find a nice but inexpensive place to put down roots for a short period. It’s a perfect way to really explore an area in your toad (towed car). Don’t haul one, or you travel with a trailer or a Fifth Wheel, and your only drivable vehicle is an expensive, fuel-guzzling truck? Then get together with some of your fellow campers and see if you can maybe join them on jaunts around the area, and split the fuel costs.
6. If gas shoots sky high and you’re thousands of miles from home, it pays to have a Visa or Mastercard, or a savings account that you can access on the road for just this type of emergency. Believe me, that’s what’s saved our “can’t stand the cold” booties more than once! There also may be times when an equipment break-down breaks your budget, and you need that extra cushion to tide you over.
For most RVers, there’s no reason to panic about gas prices yet. We may hang up the keys when it reaches $5.00 a gallon, but until then, we plan to continue our journey along America’s backroads. Maybe we won’t travel as far each trip, or we’ll take longer to get to our destination, but we’re not letting fuel prices determine our RVing future just yet.
P.S. Don’t tell the oil companies, but we may take a trip back East in a couple of months. This time though, we plan to leave the motorhome parked on its site and take the car, which gets around 35 miles per gallon. Won’t that just upset the order of things for the gas stations along our route?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Writer's Relief Available Online
One of the most annoying problems I’ve noticed in the past couple of years is that some writers put punctuation marks like commas and periods outside of quotation marks.
For instance, they’ll write: Mary said, “We’re going shopping as soon as I finish the laundry”.
Rules for grammar do change over time, and I've seen writers make this mistake so many times lately, I was beginning to wonder if I had missed the memo on new rules about placing punctuation marks outside the quote marks.
However, according to today’s Writer’s Relief newsflash, the most common grammar problem lies in placement of punctuation in relation to quotation marks. Here’s what they say, which by the way is exactly what we all learned in school:
The standard rule is to include periods and commas within the quotation marks.
Writer’s Relief offers monthly newsflashes that provide good, helpful information to those wanting to get published. Although it is supposedly sent monthly, I receive something from them weekly. You can sign up to receive the newsflashes at: Writer’s Relief, http://www.wrelief.com.
This month's focus is on print-on-demand publishers
This month they have a good article titled: The Ins and Outs of Self-Publishing. Although some of the terminology is odd and the information could have been more complete, I suggest that anyone who is interested in getting a book published, read this important article.
If you’re interested in getting your book published, I would also recommend checking out www.Booklocker.com to see what they offer to self-publishers. They provide a complete print-on-demand service, or writers can choose to use the services they want. For instance, if you have your own artwork or know someone who can create the bookcover design, that’s okay. Have your own editor? That’s okay, too.
Booklocker’s quality control is excellent, the prices are lower than most, and royalties are higher than other POD companies, plus the owners are very easy to work with. And they’re honest, something you don’t always find in this day and age. Writers own all rights to their work, and the contract between writer and Booklocker can be cancelled at any time if a better offer comes down the pike.
Sometimes a bestselling author on Booklocker’s list will receive a contract offer from a traditional publisher. Having had experience with a traditional, although small publisher, I’m not at all sure that I would ever accept an offer from a traditional publisher again, although to be honest, none have approached me on my two latest books because neither is a bestseller. Even if one approached me with a multi-million advance offer, no strings attached except that I produce the manuscript, I might not sign it, but frankly, since I’m not a celebrity and my books don't cover a celebrity or dish dirt on one, that’s not going to happen!
After doing all the work necessary to create a bestseller, why on earth would an author then turn it over to a traditional publisher so they can receive an 8-10 percent royalty when Booklocker pays 35 percent? True, traditional publishers have big advertising budgets and they can get placement on the shelves of major booksellers, but neither of those steps will guarantee that I’ll sell more books. My books are offered through the top bookstores, and anyone can walk in and order them and have them within 10 days. Maybe a few more books would sell if buyers saw them on display in a store, but who knows.
One troubling aspect of bookstore display can be seen at Barnes and Noble. If you’ve been in one of their stores lately, you’ve probably seen people using the store like a library. They take a book from the shelf and sit down to spend the day reading. Speed readers like me can whip through a 200-page book in a couple of hours. My question is, why would anyone pay for a book when they can read it for free?
Amazon, the major online bookstore force in the world, has my books listed on its site, but my page doesn't offer the option of browsing inside. For people who want to read a one- or two-chapter excerpt, they can do that at my page on Booklocker's site. But if they want to read the entire book, they can buy it.
If you decide to use a POD publisher to get your book published, make sure they offer your books through the biggest bookseller sites on the Internet—Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. You’ll be way ahead of the game. And make sure your book is listed in Ingram’s directory, which means it will be available to all booksellers and libraries. Then any one of them can order your book. I noticed that a library somewhere purchased several copies of my book, and can only assume they found it listed in Ingram’s catalog.
Print-on-demand publishing services are growing as more and more authors, even those with previous publishing house contracts, try their hand at self-publishing to make more money. And for newcomers, sometimes this is the only game in town except for completely striking out on their own and finding their own printer and paying upfront for printing costs, formatting their manuscript into book form, paying for the artwork, storing printed copies of their book, marketing and advertising, distributing, and all the other details of getting a book on the market.
Self-publishing has been around for years, and many top-earning authors began this way, but now it's been made a whole lot easier with P.O.D. publishers.
One of the most annoying problems I’ve noticed in the past couple of years is that some writers put punctuation marks like commas and periods outside of quotation marks.
For instance, they’ll write: Mary said, “We’re going shopping as soon as I finish the laundry”.
Rules for grammar do change over time, and I've seen writers make this mistake so many times lately, I was beginning to wonder if I had missed the memo on new rules about placing punctuation marks outside the quote marks.
However, according to today’s Writer’s Relief newsflash, the most common grammar problem lies in placement of punctuation in relation to quotation marks. Here’s what they say, which by the way is exactly what we all learned in school:
The standard rule is to include periods and commas within the quotation marks.
Writer’s Relief offers monthly newsflashes that provide good, helpful information to those wanting to get published. Although it is supposedly sent monthly, I receive something from them weekly. You can sign up to receive the newsflashes at: Writer’s Relief, http://www.wrelief.com.
This month's focus is on print-on-demand publishers
This month they have a good article titled: The Ins and Outs of Self-Publishing. Although some of the terminology is odd and the information could have been more complete, I suggest that anyone who is interested in getting a book published, read this important article.
If you’re interested in getting your book published, I would also recommend checking out www.Booklocker.com to see what they offer to self-publishers. They provide a complete print-on-demand service, or writers can choose to use the services they want. For instance, if you have your own artwork or know someone who can create the bookcover design, that’s okay. Have your own editor? That’s okay, too.
Booklocker’s quality control is excellent, the prices are lower than most, and royalties are higher than other POD companies, plus the owners are very easy to work with. And they’re honest, something you don’t always find in this day and age. Writers own all rights to their work, and the contract between writer and Booklocker can be cancelled at any time if a better offer comes down the pike.
Sometimes a bestselling author on Booklocker’s list will receive a contract offer from a traditional publisher. Having had experience with a traditional, although small publisher, I’m not at all sure that I would ever accept an offer from a traditional publisher again, although to be honest, none have approached me on my two latest books because neither is a bestseller. Even if one approached me with a multi-million advance offer, no strings attached except that I produce the manuscript, I might not sign it, but frankly, since I’m not a celebrity and my books don't cover a celebrity or dish dirt on one, that’s not going to happen!
After doing all the work necessary to create a bestseller, why on earth would an author then turn it over to a traditional publisher so they can receive an 8-10 percent royalty when Booklocker pays 35 percent? True, traditional publishers have big advertising budgets and they can get placement on the shelves of major booksellers, but neither of those steps will guarantee that I’ll sell more books. My books are offered through the top bookstores, and anyone can walk in and order them and have them within 10 days. Maybe a few more books would sell if buyers saw them on display in a store, but who knows.
One troubling aspect of bookstore display can be seen at Barnes and Noble. If you’ve been in one of their stores lately, you’ve probably seen people using the store like a library. They take a book from the shelf and sit down to spend the day reading. Speed readers like me can whip through a 200-page book in a couple of hours. My question is, why would anyone pay for a book when they can read it for free?
Amazon, the major online bookstore force in the world, has my books listed on its site, but my page doesn't offer the option of browsing inside. For people who want to read a one- or two-chapter excerpt, they can do that at my page on Booklocker's site. But if they want to read the entire book, they can buy it.
If you decide to use a POD publisher to get your book published, make sure they offer your books through the biggest bookseller sites on the Internet—Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. You’ll be way ahead of the game. And make sure your book is listed in Ingram’s directory, which means it will be available to all booksellers and libraries. Then any one of them can order your book. I noticed that a library somewhere purchased several copies of my book, and can only assume they found it listed in Ingram’s catalog.
Print-on-demand publishing services are growing as more and more authors, even those with previous publishing house contracts, try their hand at self-publishing to make more money. And for newcomers, sometimes this is the only game in town except for completely striking out on their own and finding their own printer and paying upfront for printing costs, formatting their manuscript into book form, paying for the artwork, storing printed copies of their book, marketing and advertising, distributing, and all the other details of getting a book on the market.
Self-publishing has been around for years, and many top-earning authors began this way, but now it's been made a whole lot easier with P.O.D. publishers.
GRAMMAR! G-R-R-R
Grammar! It’s what we all learned in school, but there were so many rules that it’s easy to forget some of them, especially years after we’ve graduated. And for those of us who haven’t written for a living or used written grammar in our everyday work, it becomes even harder to recall everything we learned.
For instance, what is a participle, and what, for heaven’s sake, is a dangling participle? If grammar questions like these plague you when you sit down to write, you can sign up to receive daily grammar lessons plus archive past lessons at: http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml, This is a fascinating site worth checking out even if you think you remember everything you learned.
If you do remember all the rules, let me know your secret to perfect recall. I could certainly use a little help, even though I’ve made my living at this for more than 20 years.
Grammar! It’s what we all learned in school, but there were so many rules that it’s easy to forget some of them, especially years after we’ve graduated. And for those of us who haven’t written for a living or used written grammar in our everyday work, it becomes even harder to recall everything we learned.
For instance, what is a participle, and what, for heaven’s sake, is a dangling participle? If grammar questions like these plague you when you sit down to write, you can sign up to receive daily grammar lessons plus archive past lessons at: http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml, This is a fascinating site worth checking out even if you think you remember everything you learned.
If you do remember all the rules, let me know your secret to perfect recall. I could certainly use a little help, even though I’ve made my living at this for more than 20 years.
RV Parks that deliver
A few weeks ago I wrote about one of the worst RV parks we have stayed in, and I promised to also write about the really good ones that we encounter. This past trip we had many opportunities to stay in RV parks in California, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, although some were on military installations and one was connected to the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming. They were fine places to stay, especially the FamCamp at the Air Force Academy, but the military installations are not usually open to anyone who isn’t an active duty member of the military or retired.
After leaving the crowded parking lot-style and perfectly horrible RV park in Spokane, we next went to Anaconda, Montana. Fairmont RV Resort is a large park with widely spaced sites, making it great place to stay. Outside the park on one side were horses in a pasture; on another side, a resort. We belong to Passport America, which gives us half-price camping at many RV parks throughout the country, and that’s how we found this park several years ago. The valley where it is located is surrounded by snow-covered mountains (at least in June), the air is fresh, and the deep blue sky seems endless past the mountains.
Our next really great RV parks were located in New Mexico, just off I-25 and I-40. In Las Vegas, N.M. we decided to stay at a state park since the one commercial park was unappealing, and that’s being kind. We headed to Storey Lake State Park just a mile or so further down the road, where we found great pull-through sites with covered picnic casitas overlooking a blue lake. These get reserved early, so overnighters might have to stay in a back-in site, plus it appeared that people who didn’t even own tents could reserve the casitas and sleep in them. We were plucky enough to ask about the pull-thrus after being assigned to a back-in site, and lucky that there was one available for one night, which was all we needed. Storey Lake State Park would make a really fine destination for those wanting to spend a week or so where they can also enjoy their boat, and it’s conveniently located just outside of town.
Then there was Gallup, New Mexico, where we had been forced to stay in a dirt pullout off the freeway a few years ago because no RV parks were listed in our directory. But this time we made reservations at U.S.A. RV Park, and we were pleasantly surprised. The park looks fairly new and is clean and spacious. We had a pull-through site near the office and entertainment area, and were handed a menu for our evening meal when we checked in. The offerings mostly consisted of barbeque sandwiches and hamburgers, but they were deliciously prepared by a young man who is a culinary student, and prices were very reasonable. They also served breakfast, but we passed on that. I’m sure it was also wonderful. Hey, I love a place where good food can be had within walking (or waddling) distance.
Neither of the parks in New Mexico were Passport America or otherwise discounted parks. Apparently, few parks in New Mexico feel it necessary to offer discounts, but for a few that offer an Escapees membership discount, which is usually 10-15 percent.
I shouldn’t forget the RV parks we stayed in on our way through California, Oregon and Washington. We went a few miles out of our way on the first night on the road, and because of a low tire that had to be changed (by emergency road service), it got dark before we arrived at Twin Lakes RV Park in Newberry Springs, CA. The park was down a narrow road off I-40 (also, access off I-15), and after first missing it, we managed to get the RV (after taking the car off the dolly) turned around and headed back. Inside were dirt roads and it was impossible to tell what condition the park was in, but we felt sure it was safe. Were we ever surprised when we woke up the next morning to find a small lake outside our window with ducks placidly floating back and forth? The park was a little rundown, but that mattered little after we spent some time watching the ducks with our very happy and excited cat. This was also one of the Passport America parks, so the price was way less than we would have paid anywhere else, and that made it worth the few extra miles.
We also stayed at Mountain Gate RV Park north of Redding and just off I-5. We had stayed there before, so knew it would be beautiful—especially in the spring. This is where our right front wheel on the car slipped over the front of the car dolly as we headed downhill and made a sharp turn. No problem for the hosts there. They hauled out two hydraulic jacks, and with the aid of our pitiful car jack, the car was soon back where it belonged and we had no further problems.
Our next stop was in Sutherlin, Oregon, where we usually stay at the Escapees park, which is absolutely beautiful. This time, since we were only stopping overnight, we turned left off I-5 and drove about one-half mile to the Hi-Way Haven RV Park. We had stayed there overnight before, so knew that it was neat and clean, and just an overall nice park. We also knew about the outdoor movie screen, which had been left in place after it was turned into an RV park. What we didn’t know was that on weekend nights when the weather is nice, you can sit right in your RV and watch the feature movie that the park runs. We were there on the wrong night, but had there been a movie, we were parked directly below the screen and would have had front-row seats. So if you’re pining to watch a movie at an old-fashioned drive-in theater and you also need a pull-through RV site for one night, this is a great place to stay.
I’m pretty sure we spent one or two other nights on the road, but apparently the places we stayed were forgettable. We ended up in Tacoma, Washington at one of our favorite places to stay since it is lakefront and only one-half mile down the shore from where we used to live. It is also located on a military installation, so isn’t open to the general public. Three military installations operate FamCamps in this one area just south of Tacoma, luckily for us—because there are no other RV parks in the immediate area—and that’s exactly where we needed to be.
If you are eligible to stay in military parks, contact me for more information on military FamCamps or you can purchase a directory to all FamCamps across the country at base exchanges. The parks are not necessarily inexpensive, but sometimes they’re the only game in town. And sometimes they offer great views overlooking water or are located in pristine wooded areas.
If you’re interested in Passport America’s discounted program, their Website is at: www.passportamerica.com. Our first three nights on the road back in 2003 saved us the membership price. It’s so worth the cost!
A few weeks ago I wrote about one of the worst RV parks we have stayed in, and I promised to also write about the really good ones that we encounter. This past trip we had many opportunities to stay in RV parks in California, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, although some were on military installations and one was connected to the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming. They were fine places to stay, especially the FamCamp at the Air Force Academy, but the military installations are not usually open to anyone who isn’t an active duty member of the military or retired.
After leaving the crowded parking lot-style and perfectly horrible RV park in Spokane, we next went to Anaconda, Montana. Fairmont RV Resort is a large park with widely spaced sites, making it great place to stay. Outside the park on one side were horses in a pasture; on another side, a resort. We belong to Passport America, which gives us half-price camping at many RV parks throughout the country, and that’s how we found this park several years ago. The valley where it is located is surrounded by snow-covered mountains (at least in June), the air is fresh, and the deep blue sky seems endless past the mountains.
Our next really great RV parks were located in New Mexico, just off I-25 and I-40. In Las Vegas, N.M. we decided to stay at a state park since the one commercial park was unappealing, and that’s being kind. We headed to Storey Lake State Park just a mile or so further down the road, where we found great pull-through sites with covered picnic casitas overlooking a blue lake. These get reserved early, so overnighters might have to stay in a back-in site, plus it appeared that people who didn’t even own tents could reserve the casitas and sleep in them. We were plucky enough to ask about the pull-thrus after being assigned to a back-in site, and lucky that there was one available for one night, which was all we needed. Storey Lake State Park would make a really fine destination for those wanting to spend a week or so where they can also enjoy their boat, and it’s conveniently located just outside of town.
Then there was Gallup, New Mexico, where we had been forced to stay in a dirt pullout off the freeway a few years ago because no RV parks were listed in our directory. But this time we made reservations at U.S.A. RV Park, and we were pleasantly surprised. The park looks fairly new and is clean and spacious. We had a pull-through site near the office and entertainment area, and were handed a menu for our evening meal when we checked in. The offerings mostly consisted of barbeque sandwiches and hamburgers, but they were deliciously prepared by a young man who is a culinary student, and prices were very reasonable. They also served breakfast, but we passed on that. I’m sure it was also wonderful. Hey, I love a place where good food can be had within walking (or waddling) distance.
Neither of the parks in New Mexico were Passport America or otherwise discounted parks. Apparently, few parks in New Mexico feel it necessary to offer discounts, but for a few that offer an Escapees membership discount, which is usually 10-15 percent.
I shouldn’t forget the RV parks we stayed in on our way through California, Oregon and Washington. We went a few miles out of our way on the first night on the road, and because of a low tire that had to be changed (by emergency road service), it got dark before we arrived at Twin Lakes RV Park in Newberry Springs, CA. The park was down a narrow road off I-40 (also, access off I-15), and after first missing it, we managed to get the RV (after taking the car off the dolly) turned around and headed back. Inside were dirt roads and it was impossible to tell what condition the park was in, but we felt sure it was safe. Were we ever surprised when we woke up the next morning to find a small lake outside our window with ducks placidly floating back and forth? The park was a little rundown, but that mattered little after we spent some time watching the ducks with our very happy and excited cat. This was also one of the Passport America parks, so the price was way less than we would have paid anywhere else, and that made it worth the few extra miles.
We also stayed at Mountain Gate RV Park north of Redding and just off I-5. We had stayed there before, so knew it would be beautiful—especially in the spring. This is where our right front wheel on the car slipped over the front of the car dolly as we headed downhill and made a sharp turn. No problem for the hosts there. They hauled out two hydraulic jacks, and with the aid of our pitiful car jack, the car was soon back where it belonged and we had no further problems.
Our next stop was in Sutherlin, Oregon, where we usually stay at the Escapees park, which is absolutely beautiful. This time, since we were only stopping overnight, we turned left off I-5 and drove about one-half mile to the Hi-Way Haven RV Park. We had stayed there overnight before, so knew that it was neat and clean, and just an overall nice park. We also knew about the outdoor movie screen, which had been left in place after it was turned into an RV park. What we didn’t know was that on weekend nights when the weather is nice, you can sit right in your RV and watch the feature movie that the park runs. We were there on the wrong night, but had there been a movie, we were parked directly below the screen and would have had front-row seats. So if you’re pining to watch a movie at an old-fashioned drive-in theater and you also need a pull-through RV site for one night, this is a great place to stay.
I’m pretty sure we spent one or two other nights on the road, but apparently the places we stayed were forgettable. We ended up in Tacoma, Washington at one of our favorite places to stay since it is lakefront and only one-half mile down the shore from where we used to live. It is also located on a military installation, so isn’t open to the general public. Three military installations operate FamCamps in this one area just south of Tacoma, luckily for us—because there are no other RV parks in the immediate area—and that’s exactly where we needed to be.
If you are eligible to stay in military parks, contact me for more information on military FamCamps or you can purchase a directory to all FamCamps across the country at base exchanges. The parks are not necessarily inexpensive, but sometimes they’re the only game in town. And sometimes they offer great views overlooking water or are located in pristine wooded areas.
If you’re interested in Passport America’s discounted program, their Website is at: www.passportamerica.com. Our first three nights on the road back in 2003 saved us the membership price. It’s so worth the cost!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Help Organizations Honor Their History
Based on chapter from the book, Portable Writing by Kay Kennedy
If you have a case of the summer doldrums, there is something you can do right now that will earn enough money for next summer’s RV or plane trip. Usually when any business, civic or business organization, school, church, college fraternity or sorority, or local government gets ready to celebrate a major anniversary, such as the 25th, 50th, 100th, or higher, they want a history of their organization compiled to mark the occasion. And they’re going to need a writer to pull the facts together.
One way to find out about upcoming celebrations is to talk to people who belong to those organizations. Ask them when it was founded, and if a big anniversary is coming up, get the name of a contact person and find out if they have made plans for a written history book to honor their past.
Another way is to go to the library and look up the history of your region. Try old newspapers from way back. Look for nearby townships, churches, businesses, organizations, etc. that were founded about 23-24, 48-49 or 98-99 years ago, then check current telephone books to see if they are still operating. Next, try to find out the name of a contact person, or call the organization and ask for the name of someone who might be in charge of planning an anniversary celebration.
Still another way is to watch the daily newspaper, either the society pages (if your newspaper still carries them) or the business section, for any news about upcoming plans for an official observance or reunion to celebrate a landmark anniversary.
And quite possibly, you belong to a group that has a big anniversary coming up. It could be anything from a local preservation group for a museum, church, school, library, scenic railroad, or fairgrounds to the local chapter of the Elks Club. Think of all the groups you belong to and ask your friends and family about organizations they belong to. Somewhere among your acquaintances and the newspapers you research, you will surely locate one group that has an upcoming anniversary.
Once you have a contact person at such an organization, call them and ask if their organization has discussed having a history of their group compiled into a commemorative book. If they say no, or they haven’t heard of anything, ask if there is someone you can contact who might know, or who might be in charge of collecting and maintaining historical documents. The person most likely to know about such things would be the head of the organization, but it could be someone in charge of volunteer activities or even a secretary who has been put in charge of keeping historical files.
Pitch your idea to the person in charge on the telephone and offer to write a letter outlining your ideas. That way, they will have something in writing and can also see that you have the writing skills necessary to undertake the job. If you’ve ever put together any book or any kind, offer to make an appointment to show your examples and to discuss the project further. And you’ll discuss what type of book they would like to see: whether it will be a large, souvenir hardcover book or a smaller, paperback copy, or even a pamphlet, and whether photos will be included, and then if there will be any color photos.
When you find a group that wants to have a book compiled, present them with a contract (a copy of one can be found in my book, Portable Writing). Get at least a 1/3 deposit on the total amount up front, with another 1/3 due when manuscript is completed, then the final 1/3 due when the book goes to the printer.
You’ll want to have access to their records and any historical photos. You will also probably want to interview people still living who had a part in the founding and former employees familiar with the history and operation of the organization. If founding members are still alive, interview them to learn their original ideas and plans for their organization, and how they view its growth.
You will need to wade through founding papers, board meeting minutes, marketing materials and articles that might have appeared in local newspapers or magazines over the years. Document how the company or organization has grown.
Then put the story together, and get approval from the person in charge at several points along the way to make sure you are on track with their concept. Also show them the final proof, and have them proofread and approve it with their signature affixed before you proceed any further.
This type of project might take a year or a month to complete, depending on the size of the organization and the type of final presentation wanted, but it is possible to work on two or three of these projects at one time, especially if one or two are small pamphlets and booklets and one is a large-scale book. And remember, every one of the projects you complete, including the small pamphlets, can lead to bigger, more profitable projects in the future.
Based on chapter from the book, Portable Writing by Kay Kennedy
If you have a case of the summer doldrums, there is something you can do right now that will earn enough money for next summer’s RV or plane trip. Usually when any business, civic or business organization, school, church, college fraternity or sorority, or local government gets ready to celebrate a major anniversary, such as the 25th, 50th, 100th, or higher, they want a history of their organization compiled to mark the occasion. And they’re going to need a writer to pull the facts together.
One way to find out about upcoming celebrations is to talk to people who belong to those organizations. Ask them when it was founded, and if a big anniversary is coming up, get the name of a contact person and find out if they have made plans for a written history book to honor their past.
Another way is to go to the library and look up the history of your region. Try old newspapers from way back. Look for nearby townships, churches, businesses, organizations, etc. that were founded about 23-24, 48-49 or 98-99 years ago, then check current telephone books to see if they are still operating. Next, try to find out the name of a contact person, or call the organization and ask for the name of someone who might be in charge of planning an anniversary celebration.
Still another way is to watch the daily newspaper, either the society pages (if your newspaper still carries them) or the business section, for any news about upcoming plans for an official observance or reunion to celebrate a landmark anniversary.
And quite possibly, you belong to a group that has a big anniversary coming up. It could be anything from a local preservation group for a museum, church, school, library, scenic railroad, or fairgrounds to the local chapter of the Elks Club. Think of all the groups you belong to and ask your friends and family about organizations they belong to. Somewhere among your acquaintances and the newspapers you research, you will surely locate one group that has an upcoming anniversary.
Once you have a contact person at such an organization, call them and ask if their organization has discussed having a history of their group compiled into a commemorative book. If they say no, or they haven’t heard of anything, ask if there is someone you can contact who might know, or who might be in charge of collecting and maintaining historical documents. The person most likely to know about such things would be the head of the organization, but it could be someone in charge of volunteer activities or even a secretary who has been put in charge of keeping historical files.
Pitch your idea to the person in charge on the telephone and offer to write a letter outlining your ideas. That way, they will have something in writing and can also see that you have the writing skills necessary to undertake the job. If you’ve ever put together any book or any kind, offer to make an appointment to show your examples and to discuss the project further. And you’ll discuss what type of book they would like to see: whether it will be a large, souvenir hardcover book or a smaller, paperback copy, or even a pamphlet, and whether photos will be included, and then if there will be any color photos.
When you find a group that wants to have a book compiled, present them with a contract (a copy of one can be found in my book, Portable Writing). Get at least a 1/3 deposit on the total amount up front, with another 1/3 due when manuscript is completed, then the final 1/3 due when the book goes to the printer.
You’ll want to have access to their records and any historical photos. You will also probably want to interview people still living who had a part in the founding and former employees familiar with the history and operation of the organization. If founding members are still alive, interview them to learn their original ideas and plans for their organization, and how they view its growth.
You will need to wade through founding papers, board meeting minutes, marketing materials and articles that might have appeared in local newspapers or magazines over the years. Document how the company or organization has grown.
Then put the story together, and get approval from the person in charge at several points along the way to make sure you are on track with their concept. Also show them the final proof, and have them proofread and approve it with their signature affixed before you proceed any further.
This type of project might take a year or a month to complete, depending on the size of the organization and the type of final presentation wanted, but it is possible to work on two or three of these projects at one time, especially if one or two are small pamphlets and booklets and one is a large-scale book. And remember, every one of the projects you complete, including the small pamphlets, can lead to bigger, more profitable projects in the future.
Wanna’ Write? Check Out This Article on Taking a Chance
I want to direct you to a July 30 article titled: “Take a Chance,” by Doreen Rosevald in WritersWeekly, http://writersweekly.com/success_stories/004834_07302008.html, to find out what she has learned that might be useful to other writers. She was a farmer’s wife with two babies who dared to take a chance and ended up with her own newspaper column, and much more. Her experience was much like mine when I approached a newspaper publisher at a networking meeting and was offered a regular column plus getting feature articles on a variety of business topics published.
Getting into writing is really that easy! And if you don’t succeed the first time, or it doesn’t work out as you expected, try again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. What’s the worst that can happen? The word "No"? We’ve all heard that word before, some of us over and over again, so what’s another "No" if you desperately want to write and be published? Just another tiny speed bump on the parking lot of a typical writer’s life.
On the other hand, take a chance and you might just find that there really is a paying outlet for your writing. Shucks, you could very easily become rich and famous.
I want to direct you to a July 30 article titled: “Take a Chance,” by Doreen Rosevald in WritersWeekly, http://writersweekly.com/success_stories/004834_07302008.html, to find out what she has learned that might be useful to other writers. She was a farmer’s wife with two babies who dared to take a chance and ended up with her own newspaper column, and much more. Her experience was much like mine when I approached a newspaper publisher at a networking meeting and was offered a regular column plus getting feature articles on a variety of business topics published.
Getting into writing is really that easy! And if you don’t succeed the first time, or it doesn’t work out as you expected, try again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. What’s the worst that can happen? The word "No"? We’ve all heard that word before, some of us over and over again, so what’s another "No" if you desperately want to write and be published? Just another tiny speed bump on the parking lot of a typical writer’s life.
On the other hand, take a chance and you might just find that there really is a paying outlet for your writing. Shucks, you could very easily become rich and famous.
Gas too high? Find vacation treasures near home
The summer doldrums have ambushed me! We’ve had hot weather here, but not that hot, and the summer monsoons are back, which means we get some really nice afternoons and evenings to get outside and walk around the park, enjoying the fresh scent of rain. Best of all, many nights we can sleep without air conditioning. As a result, I’ve been too busy enjoying nature to remember the other important things in my life like writing.
August is one of the most popular months for families to go on vacation as summer activities start to wind down. In the South where I was born, it is hot and muggy and everyone hides from the heat inside their air conditioned homes or at a favorite lakeside beach. In New England, where we have family and where we spent a summer in the mid-nineties, everyone seems to own a lakeside retreat or rent a camping spot for the summer where they spend all of their free time enjoying the woods, lakes, or ocean beaches. In Washington, where we spent so many years, it might be cool and wet, but usually it is warm and sunny throughout the month of August, so everyone takes part in activities like hiking, boating and going to the beach—activities that many avoid during the many months of overcast skies and rain.
In California, where we spent a lot of years, activities tend to revolve around the kids’ schedules. If they’re out of school, it’s a great time to drive up to the mountains, which are only a few hours drive from most urban centers in the state. The same for the beaches, which are within reach of most people living in California. Now the metro-link trains in Southern California can whisk families living inland to the beaches cheaply and quickly. Then there’s Hawaii, where we lived for three years when we were young and where America goes to enjoy the beaches and a somewhat foreign culture within our own United States.
We have been lucky enough to have lived in some of the greatest places in the States, and to have traveled to most of the others since we started RVing. And one thing we’ve discovered everywhere we went, with the exception of the lower deserts in the Southwest, is that summer is the time to throw aside the daily grind of life and get outdoors. Even people who are used to the heat in places like Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma get out and garden, take a bike ride, or hike in the early morning hours before the day heats up. And luckily most of them have sky islands nearby where they can escape to and enjoy the cooling winds and rains of the monsoons.
This summer, gas prices are keeping many people from traveling great distances, but there are lots of wonderful places in this great country that have nearby tourist attractions or beaches or mountains that don’t require a lot of gas to get to. I hope you are all enjoying the relaxing activities that summer offers in your area.
No matter what your plans for this last great summer month, travel safely.
The summer doldrums have ambushed me! We’ve had hot weather here, but not that hot, and the summer monsoons are back, which means we get some really nice afternoons and evenings to get outside and walk around the park, enjoying the fresh scent of rain. Best of all, many nights we can sleep without air conditioning. As a result, I’ve been too busy enjoying nature to remember the other important things in my life like writing.
August is one of the most popular months for families to go on vacation as summer activities start to wind down. In the South where I was born, it is hot and muggy and everyone hides from the heat inside their air conditioned homes or at a favorite lakeside beach. In New England, where we have family and where we spent a summer in the mid-nineties, everyone seems to own a lakeside retreat or rent a camping spot for the summer where they spend all of their free time enjoying the woods, lakes, or ocean beaches. In Washington, where we spent so many years, it might be cool and wet, but usually it is warm and sunny throughout the month of August, so everyone takes part in activities like hiking, boating and going to the beach—activities that many avoid during the many months of overcast skies and rain.
In California, where we spent a lot of years, activities tend to revolve around the kids’ schedules. If they’re out of school, it’s a great time to drive up to the mountains, which are only a few hours drive from most urban centers in the state. The same for the beaches, which are within reach of most people living in California. Now the metro-link trains in Southern California can whisk families living inland to the beaches cheaply and quickly. Then there’s Hawaii, where we lived for three years when we were young and where America goes to enjoy the beaches and a somewhat foreign culture within our own United States.
We have been lucky enough to have lived in some of the greatest places in the States, and to have traveled to most of the others since we started RVing. And one thing we’ve discovered everywhere we went, with the exception of the lower deserts in the Southwest, is that summer is the time to throw aside the daily grind of life and get outdoors. Even people who are used to the heat in places like Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma get out and garden, take a bike ride, or hike in the early morning hours before the day heats up. And luckily most of them have sky islands nearby where they can escape to and enjoy the cooling winds and rains of the monsoons.
This summer, gas prices are keeping many people from traveling great distances, but there are lots of wonderful places in this great country that have nearby tourist attractions or beaches or mountains that don’t require a lot of gas to get to. I hope you are all enjoying the relaxing activities that summer offers in your area.
No matter what your plans for this last great summer month, travel safely.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
THE SIMPLE STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO GET YOUR ARTICLES PUBLISHED
This month’s article is a long one, but it holds information that is important to anyone who wants to have articles published in magazines. Most writers think they must have experience or know someone in the magazine industry to get their first article published, but that’s not necessarily true. All new writers get their start somewhere, and often it’s a paying assignment in a magazine.
My first opportunity at getting published was a thrill, but it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t worked up the nerve to approach a magazine editor at an interior design lecture in Seattle. My only previous publishing experience consisted of 3 or 4 very short articles on decorating in a small beach town newspaper for no pay. The newspaper had also published my photo and byline with the articles. I used copies of them to show that I had been published, and editors that I was approaching could see at a glance that I had experience, no matter how pathetic it was.
Those few short articles got me an audience with the editor of a leading interior design magazine, and I was given an assignment to produce an article. I wrote the article, for which the magazine was a great showcase. The magazine did not pay (I was so excited I had forgotten to ask about that), but that one assignment led to others, plus it gave me the confidence to pursue even more magazine assignments.
I found that the best avenue to getting published is to learn how to approach an editor, then do it confidently. I have learned that confidence counts as much as experience, and sometimes new writers must “fake” their confidence as they begin to dip their toes into the publishing industry. Write query letters with the self-assurance of a professional. Start the letter with a fabulous quote from your article so you’ll get the editor’s attention from the get-go.
This month’s article is a long one, but it holds information that is important to anyone who wants to have articles published in magazines. Most writers think they must have experience or know someone in the magazine industry to get their first article published, but that’s not necessarily true. All new writers get their start somewhere, and often it’s a paying assignment in a magazine.
My first opportunity at getting published was a thrill, but it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t worked up the nerve to approach a magazine editor at an interior design lecture in Seattle. My only previous publishing experience consisted of 3 or 4 very short articles on decorating in a small beach town newspaper for no pay. The newspaper had also published my photo and byline with the articles. I used copies of them to show that I had been published, and editors that I was approaching could see at a glance that I had experience, no matter how pathetic it was.
Those few short articles got me an audience with the editor of a leading interior design magazine, and I was given an assignment to produce an article. I wrote the article, for which the magazine was a great showcase. The magazine did not pay (I was so excited I had forgotten to ask about that), but that one assignment led to others, plus it gave me the confidence to pursue even more magazine assignments.
I found that the best avenue to getting published is to learn how to approach an editor, then do it confidently. I have learned that confidence counts as much as experience, and sometimes new writers must “fake” their confidence as they begin to dip their toes into the publishing industry. Write query letters with the self-assurance of a professional. Start the letter with a fabulous quote from your article so you’ll get the editor’s attention from the get-go.
I recommend that you buy a book on writing query letters, read it thoroughly, and build on the examples there. You’ll learn a lot about what editors want to see, so these books should be on your personal bookshelf on writing. Hopefully, you also have a copy of my book, Portable Writing, which details 25 different projects that I have created over the years to earn income, including published articles and books. And you should also learn how to format a manuscript, which I describe at the end of this article.
If you are approaching a magazine editor who does not want to see a query letter, but instead, wants to see the completed article, then decide whether the magazine pays enough and whether your chances are good enough to make it worthwhile. It’s a bigger job to write a complete article, but truly, sometimes it’s more difficult to produce a really great query letter. The editor of Escapees Magazine, Janice Lasko, does not want query letters because she’s found that articles often don’t live up to the promises or quality of the query letter. Escapees Magazine is an excellent market for your articles on all phases of RVing. Read the magazine to see what types of articles get published.
Getting published means you MUST take several steps first:
- Know your audience. Read the magazine you want to write for. Read it thoroughly, including the ads and letters-to-the-editor column. You need to find out what types of articles the magazine wants, whether the articles include personal experiences or not, and you want to determine who its readers are. Are the readers and subscribers young parents or retirees? Are they middle class or upper income? What are their interests and hobbies? Are they male or female, or both? Do they like to travel, or do their lives focus on family and home? Often the best clue to who reads the magazine is determined by simply perusing the ads. Advertisers don’t pay big bucks to scatter their message to readers who aren’t interested in their product.
- Request the “Writers Guidelines” from each magazine for which you wish to write. Sometimes you can go online and download a copy of the guidelines, but if you mail away for them, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a note stating “request for writers guidelines.”
- Submit what the editor wants. If a query letter is requested, then learn how to write the best one that you can. If the completed article is wanted, then make sure you write the most thorough article you can within the number of words requested.
- Make sure you adhere to the editor’s word count. If your article turns out to be 2000 words and the guidelines specifies 1500 words, do not send 2000 words hoping the editor will be so excited by your writing that it will be accepted. It won’t! Start cutting. I can promise you that any article can be made better by tightening the writing. There are always extra words, especially connecting words that can be cut. There will be sentences that don’t really add content to the article, so cut them. There may be a way to rearrange paragraphs or sentences to shorten them. Remember that any article, no matter how wonderful, can be made greater by judicious cutting.
- Make sure the information in your article is accurate. If you write something but aren’t really sure if the place name is correct, or spelled correctly, get online and research it. Make a mistake, and that editor won’t ever read your letters or articles again.
- Keep a Thesaurus handy. When I worked for a publisher, the first thing I was handed was a Thesaurus because I had to know a 1000 ways to say the word “precious.” I gagged as I sought out other ways to say it, but that was one of the most popular expressions used in that particular magazine. You do not want to keep repeating a word, any word, throughout your article.
- Write in the active voice. Avoid passive words when possible. Active words draw readers in and hold their interest, plus your articles can often be shortened by changing sentences to the active voice. Example: “John became upset when it was suggested that he should sell his big SUV if he could no longer afford the gas for it.” “John was livid at the suggestion that he sell his big SUV to save money on gas.” Notice that the passive voice uses 24 words to say the same thing as the 17-word active voice sentence. Besides making your writing more interesting, sentences will probably be shorter and more to the point in the active voice.
- Remember that any holiday or seasonal article should be submitted at least 6-9 months before the publication date.
- When finished, put your manuscript away for a couple of days, then read it aloud. And ask someone else to read it.
- Use the spell check and grammar check to find any problem areas. Remember that a spell check cannot discern between a typo that creates the wrong word, such as when the word hare or hard should really be harp. Also it won’t know whether you meant to write are or or. And also realize that the grammar check sometimes makes outrageous suggestions, so if a problem crops up, don’t take their word for it. Read your sentence to see if it might be awkwardly worded, then rewrite it to suit your meaning.
Important: Before you put your article in the envelope, be sure to give it one final, careful reading to make sure it is perfect. And remember to include photos, if they are being sent with the article, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Of course, if you are sending you manuscript by email, there’s no need for a SASE and photos would be sent according to the editor’s wishes.
To find magazines to write for that you may not be familiar with, buy a copy of Writer’s Market or go to your public library to find the current copy, plus read back issues of Writer’s Digest and The Writer Magazines. All three provide many useful articles on writing for publication and provide a listing of magazine and book publishers.
Formatting a manuscript
Manuscripts most typically have 1-1/2 inch margins on sides and at top and bottom, and should be double-spaced. In the top left-hand corner, type your name; 2nd and 3rd lines: address; 4th line: telephone number; and 5th line: email address.
In the top right-hand corner, type which rights you are selling. Typically, this would read “First North American Rights” but could be “Second Rights” if the article has previously been published elsewhere. Beneath that on the 2nd line, list how many words are used. On the 3rd line you can put “Copyright (or ©) by your name.” There is some argument about whether you should add this line because some editors take offense, but I always include it so that the editor will know that I’m not selling all rights to the article. If you are including photos, on the 4th line type Photos: 10, or the number that you are including.
Drop down about 1/3 to 1/2 of the page and type in the title, centered and in bold type. Drop down two more spaces and type “By your name.” Skip two lines before starting the article. Indent the first line of each paragraph about 5 spaces.
At the bottom of each page, type continued, if the article is continued on the next page. At the top of each following page, type your last name at the top right and the page number at the top left of the page. This is important in case the editor drops your article and has to reassemble it.
Make sure your manuscript is double-spaced. At the end of the article, center and type - end - or ###.
Make sure that you address your letter to the correct editor, and that you spell the editor’s name correctly. Writer’s Market entries usually include lots of information, including the editor’s name and rate of pay. Again, send for the magazine’s “writers guidelines” before actually sending off an article and it pays to check with the publisher to double-check the editor’s name.
That’s all there is to it. You’ll quickly become familiar with all the steps as you submit more and more manuscripts for publication. And you’ll occasionally find exceptions to some of the steps I’ve listed above. No matter what topics you write about, you’ll find that the more you write, the easier the entire process will become.
$7000 in Prizes in First Person Story Contest
The Narrative First-person Story Contest with $7000 in prizes starts May 1, 2008 for entries of fiction and non-fiction. Deadline is July 31, 2008. (I have no personal experience with this Website, but this might be a wonderful opportunity to get your story published and win some money.) For more information, go to www.narrativemagazine.com.
The Narrative First-person Story Contest with $7000 in prizes starts May 1, 2008 for entries of fiction and non-fiction. Deadline is July 31, 2008. (I have no personal experience with this Website, but this might be a wonderful opportunity to get your story published and win some money.) For more information, go to www.narrativemagazine.com.
FUN AND KNOWLEDGE AT ESCAPADE IN GILLETTE, WYOMING
This has been a busy couple of weeks. Last week we attended the 30th anniversary of the Escapees RV Club (www.escapees.com). They hold an Escapade once or twice every year, but this was the first one we had ever attended. More than 1000 RVs were parked in RV Parks at the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming with more than 2000 people attending the various workshops, lectures, and other festivities.
The Escapees’ writers group, Penwheels, also had a meeting there, so it was the first time I met the other members. The editor of Escapees Magazine attended as well as many others whose names appear regularly there as authors of articles on a variety of topics. It was especially exciting to meet three of the writers who had generously shared their stories of the Boomer era in my book, Looking Back. Dave Beckes, who is also a subscriber to this newsletter and wrote Segregation and a Vietnam Vet for the book, and Barbara Bowers, who wrote Lessons Learned from 9/11, both attended the Penwheels meeting. Later I met Everett Bowers, whose essay, Through the Lens of a Boomer, also appeared in the book.
The market area had many vendors offering products for RVers that we hadn’t yet seen, so we’re the proud of owners of several of those items, including a couple that I won in one of the many door prize drawings.
Right now we’re in Cheyenne, Wyoming visiting friends and doing some sightseeing before heading back to Arizona. Unfortunately, we must skip the rest of our planned trip to Texas and Arkansas to attend to some medical needs, but we hope to head out again later in the year to finish our trip.
Happy trails to all you RVers, and safe travels to every one of you.
This has been a busy couple of weeks. Last week we attended the 30th anniversary of the Escapees RV Club (www.escapees.com). They hold an Escapade once or twice every year, but this was the first one we had ever attended. More than 1000 RVs were parked in RV Parks at the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming with more than 2000 people attending the various workshops, lectures, and other festivities.
The Escapees’ writers group, Penwheels, also had a meeting there, so it was the first time I met the other members. The editor of Escapees Magazine attended as well as many others whose names appear regularly there as authors of articles on a variety of topics. It was especially exciting to meet three of the writers who had generously shared their stories of the Boomer era in my book, Looking Back. Dave Beckes, who is also a subscriber to this newsletter and wrote Segregation and a Vietnam Vet for the book, and Barbara Bowers, who wrote Lessons Learned from 9/11, both attended the Penwheels meeting. Later I met Everett Bowers, whose essay, Through the Lens of a Boomer, also appeared in the book.
The market area had many vendors offering products for RVers that we hadn’t yet seen, so we’re the proud of owners of several of those items, including a couple that I won in one of the many door prize drawings.
Right now we’re in Cheyenne, Wyoming visiting friends and doing some sightseeing before heading back to Arizona. Unfortunately, we must skip the rest of our planned trip to Texas and Arkansas to attend to some medical needs, but we hope to head out again later in the year to finish our trip.
Happy trails to all you RVers, and safe travels to every one of you.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
IS FREELANCE WRITING ILLEGAL IN SOME RV PARKS?
One of the most common rules in RV Parks is that no business activity is allowed. That could technically include writers, investors, artists, web designers, business consultants, or any other activity that makes money. If taken literally, this particular rule could exclude a lot of people from staying in most RV parks across the country.
So what do you do if you are a writer or consultant who uses your computer to earn a living while you travell?
After much discussion with various park owners I've discovered that these rules were made to prevent any activity that would be obvious to other guests. They don't want businesses that would:
1) Create or increase traffic.
This would include retail businesses operated from an RV or someone providing a service that requires customers to come into the RV Park. Writing and consulting don't normally cause such problems.
2) Cause a risk to the owners' reputation.
Anything illegal could risk the reputation of owners, but if a guest is not doing anything illegal, immoral, or creating excessive noise or pollution, RVers should have no problem. Obviously, operating an illegal Website could become a problem if it attracted the attention of authorities.
3) Cause a nuisance to other guests or create a hazard or risk for the park:
Obviously, making money as a mechanic who works on cars or RVs, giving haircuts and shampoos, or grooming animals, or any number of other activities could be a nuisance to other guests if they increase traffic or take place outside the RV. And some of these activities could run afoul of local officials if proper permits weren't obtained. However, businesses that use computers inside the RV, or where the guest leaves the Park to call on clients should in no way compromise the owners.
4) Use excessive utilities.
First of all, if you are on extended stay and paying for electricity along with your site rent, using your computer extensively should not be a problem. And those using their computers for business may not actually spend as many hours on them as non-working guests emailing their friends and surfing the Internet. Overnighters use the park's electricity, but since those visitors aren't on site for a long period it's doubtful that much extra electricty would be used.
So if you are a working writer or consultant you should have no fear of breaking this particular rule, or of angering management because of your business activities. If you obey the other rules and don't call attention to your business, you should not have to defend your activities.
Some places we stay know that I'm a writer while others don't. Writing has no more impact on the RV Park than guests using their computers for emails and to surf the Internet, so there is little to be concerned about. The only reason I could think that management might kick someone out of a park for violating that rule would be that they use it as an excuse to get rid of someone they want to exclude for some other reason, which could be anything from discrimination based on race and nationality, or simply not liking the condition of their RV.
So do freelance writers need to fear being refused a site in an RV Park? The answer is no as long as you don't call unnecessary attention to yourself or your rig. Write to your heart's content and enjoy a thousand different views outside your window as you roam the continent. We RVing writers are a very lucky group of individuals.
One of the most common rules in RV Parks is that no business activity is allowed. That could technically include writers, investors, artists, web designers, business consultants, or any other activity that makes money. If taken literally, this particular rule could exclude a lot of people from staying in most RV parks across the country.
So what do you do if you are a writer or consultant who uses your computer to earn a living while you travell?
After much discussion with various park owners I've discovered that these rules were made to prevent any activity that would be obvious to other guests. They don't want businesses that would:
1) Create or increase traffic.
This would include retail businesses operated from an RV or someone providing a service that requires customers to come into the RV Park. Writing and consulting don't normally cause such problems.
2) Cause a risk to the owners' reputation.
Anything illegal could risk the reputation of owners, but if a guest is not doing anything illegal, immoral, or creating excessive noise or pollution, RVers should have no problem. Obviously, operating an illegal Website could become a problem if it attracted the attention of authorities.
3) Cause a nuisance to other guests or create a hazard or risk for the park:
Obviously, making money as a mechanic who works on cars or RVs, giving haircuts and shampoos, or grooming animals, or any number of other activities could be a nuisance to other guests if they increase traffic or take place outside the RV. And some of these activities could run afoul of local officials if proper permits weren't obtained. However, businesses that use computers inside the RV, or where the guest leaves the Park to call on clients should in no way compromise the owners.
4) Use excessive utilities.
First of all, if you are on extended stay and paying for electricity along with your site rent, using your computer extensively should not be a problem. And those using their computers for business may not actually spend as many hours on them as non-working guests emailing their friends and surfing the Internet. Overnighters use the park's electricity, but since those visitors aren't on site for a long period it's doubtful that much extra electricty would be used.
So if you are a working writer or consultant you should have no fear of breaking this particular rule, or of angering management because of your business activities. If you obey the other rules and don't call attention to your business, you should not have to defend your activities.
Some places we stay know that I'm a writer while others don't. Writing has no more impact on the RV Park than guests using their computers for emails and to surf the Internet, so there is little to be concerned about. The only reason I could think that management might kick someone out of a park for violating that rule would be that they use it as an excuse to get rid of someone they want to exclude for some other reason, which could be anything from discrimination based on race and nationality, or simply not liking the condition of their RV.
So do freelance writers need to fear being refused a site in an RV Park? The answer is no as long as you don't call unnecessary attention to yourself or your rig. Write to your heart's content and enjoy a thousand different views outside your window as you roam the continent. We RVing writers are a very lucky group of individuals.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO VISIT SPOKANE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO AVOID THIS RV PARK
Writers who are also RVers should expect to stay in RV parks that offer large enough sites for minimal quiet and an uninterrupted source of electricity so that you can work in your RV. It's a rare event when I complain about an RV park, but we have just had one of the worst experiences in our sixteen years of RVing. Most RV parks at the minimum, provide an adequate campsite, and if a problem comes up that will inconvenience the RVer, the park owners will either offer to move the RVer or refund their money.
We've just discovered one where management doesn't give a flip whether your site is adequate or not once they have your money (non-refundable), so I decided I should start rating some RV parks that we stay in if they are really bad or really good. The average ones don't need to be mentioned here.
One of the worst we've found is Trailer Inns located in Spokane, Washington. It's the only one within the metropolitan area so that's why we chose it, but in the future we will drive over to Idaho (15 miles away) to stay when we want to visit relatives in Spokane Valley. This one was 7 miles from our relatives. On a scale of 1 to 5, Trailer Inns in Spokane rates a big fat goose egg! The only upside is that it is convenient to the city of Spokane if you ever need to go there, but we've never found a good reason to go downtown.
Next time I'll write about some of the parks that offer much more than expected. Outstanding facilities and service deserve mention as surely as the miserable places do and we've stayed in some beautiful spots.
Trailer Inns rating: 0
Writers who are also RVers should expect to stay in RV parks that offer large enough sites for minimal quiet and an uninterrupted source of electricity so that you can work in your RV. It's a rare event when I complain about an RV park, but we have just had one of the worst experiences in our sixteen years of RVing. Most RV parks at the minimum, provide an adequate campsite, and if a problem comes up that will inconvenience the RVer, the park owners will either offer to move the RVer or refund their money.
We've just discovered one where management doesn't give a flip whether your site is adequate or not once they have your money (non-refundable), so I decided I should start rating some RV parks that we stay in if they are really bad or really good. The average ones don't need to be mentioned here.
One of the worst we've found is Trailer Inns located in Spokane, Washington. It's the only one within the metropolitan area so that's why we chose it, but in the future we will drive over to Idaho (15 miles away) to stay when we want to visit relatives in Spokane Valley. This one was 7 miles from our relatives. On a scale of 1 to 5, Trailer Inns in Spokane rates a big fat goose egg! The only upside is that it is convenient to the city of Spokane if you ever need to go there, but we've never found a good reason to go downtown.
Next time I'll write about some of the parks that offer much more than expected. Outstanding facilities and service deserve mention as surely as the miserable places do and we've stayed in some beautiful spots.
Trailer Inns rating: 0
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Another Money-making Writing Project
Some of the writing projects in my book, Portable Writing, require that writers sell advertising to finance their project, but let’s face it, we all have to sell ourselves throughout our lives. Change jobs—sell your skills to a new boss. Try to get someone to see your point of view on a topic—sell your idea. So selling ads isn’t any harder than selling your point of view except that you might have to approach a stranger? And you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how happy a lot of business people are to support a local entrepreneur/writer.
One of the easiest projects I’ve done is a little trivia newsletter that you can write, sell advertisements for, then distribute to local restaurants or other places of businesses where people spend time sitting and waiting for service. I know you’ve probably seen these small flyers in restaurants—most often in local family-style eateries.
To get started, think of some interesting trivia and history about your local area. People traveling through as well as locals will love reading about the history of the area as well as about colorful characters from the past, jokes and short, funny stories. Don’t make the articles long. Funny stories and jokes (non-copyrighted) can be used as fillers. Your written material need not fill more than about 30 percent of the total space, and can even be as small as 20 percent. By dividing your pages into columns, then planning which space will be used as ads and which for editorial space, you can come up with the total number of ads you will need to sell.
Layout a small newsletter (2 pages of 8-1/2 x 13” folded in half will work). This size will be small enough that it won’t take up too much space on a dining table. Be sure to leave space for ads—business card size ads will probably sell best. Once you have a dummy made up with your ad spaces shown as blank rectangles, then approach some local restaurants about distributing them. Find out approximately how many copies each eatery will need, add them up, and that will be your total printing number. The higher your distribution number, the more advertisers you can attract.
Once you have your distribution number, get prices on printing the newsletter. Remember, your newsletter doesn’t have to look special and it doesn’t have to use color or photos. Plain black ink on white or colored paper will work fine. Once you’ve figured out how much printing and distribution will cost, you’re ready to come up with ad costs and start selling ads.
Count the number of ads you’ve left space for, then divide them into the total printing and distribution costs. Add your profit before coming up with total costs per advertiser, then start marketing the ads. You might plan prices for a couple of half-page or quarter-page ads in case a business wants to buy that size—which may mean that you have to juggle some space when you layout the final project. Some business owners want large ads.
You’ll want to plan for replacement costs if restaurants run out before your next issue. Plan quarterly, twice-yearly or yearly issues, although the more often you print up new ones and sell ads, the more timely your product will be. Readers can get put off if they see an ad for a local business, then find out it has gone out of business.
This is a project that you control from the beginning. It’s your original work which is supported by ads you sell, and you have final say about how it looks. It’s a win-win-win situation for the advertisers, for consumers who welcome reading the newsletters, and for you, the writer.
Some of the writing projects in my book, Portable Writing, require that writers sell advertising to finance their project, but let’s face it, we all have to sell ourselves throughout our lives. Change jobs—sell your skills to a new boss. Try to get someone to see your point of view on a topic—sell your idea. So selling ads isn’t any harder than selling your point of view except that you might have to approach a stranger? And you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how happy a lot of business people are to support a local entrepreneur/writer.
One of the easiest projects I’ve done is a little trivia newsletter that you can write, sell advertisements for, then distribute to local restaurants or other places of businesses where people spend time sitting and waiting for service. I know you’ve probably seen these small flyers in restaurants—most often in local family-style eateries.
To get started, think of some interesting trivia and history about your local area. People traveling through as well as locals will love reading about the history of the area as well as about colorful characters from the past, jokes and short, funny stories. Don’t make the articles long. Funny stories and jokes (non-copyrighted) can be used as fillers. Your written material need not fill more than about 30 percent of the total space, and can even be as small as 20 percent. By dividing your pages into columns, then planning which space will be used as ads and which for editorial space, you can come up with the total number of ads you will need to sell.
Layout a small newsletter (2 pages of 8-1/2 x 13” folded in half will work). This size will be small enough that it won’t take up too much space on a dining table. Be sure to leave space for ads—business card size ads will probably sell best. Once you have a dummy made up with your ad spaces shown as blank rectangles, then approach some local restaurants about distributing them. Find out approximately how many copies each eatery will need, add them up, and that will be your total printing number. The higher your distribution number, the more advertisers you can attract.
Once you have your distribution number, get prices on printing the newsletter. Remember, your newsletter doesn’t have to look special and it doesn’t have to use color or photos. Plain black ink on white or colored paper will work fine. Once you’ve figured out how much printing and distribution will cost, you’re ready to come up with ad costs and start selling ads.
Count the number of ads you’ve left space for, then divide them into the total printing and distribution costs. Add your profit before coming up with total costs per advertiser, then start marketing the ads. You might plan prices for a couple of half-page or quarter-page ads in case a business wants to buy that size—which may mean that you have to juggle some space when you layout the final project. Some business owners want large ads.
You’ll want to plan for replacement costs if restaurants run out before your next issue. Plan quarterly, twice-yearly or yearly issues, although the more often you print up new ones and sell ads, the more timely your product will be. Readers can get put off if they see an ad for a local business, then find out it has gone out of business.
This is a project that you control from the beginning. It’s your original work which is supported by ads you sell, and you have final say about how it looks. It’s a win-win-win situation for the advertisers, for consumers who welcome reading the newsletters, and for you, the writer.
Another “Top Gear” RVing catastrophe
The BBC-America show, Top Gear recently featured a “caravaning” (RVing) trip in a light-weight trailer pulled by an undersized vehicle. For hilarity, the three hosts on this television show can’t be topped.
This time, Jeremy, James and Richard, along with their Top Gear dog pulled the trailer to a caravan park (similar to our American RV parks) in the English countryside. James managed to back the trailer over a tent in the next site, and then he and Jeremy tried to straighten the supports up since the owners weren’t around. Next morning Jeremy set their trailer on fire while cooking breakfast, burning it, plus the tent next door that they had previously knocked down, to a crisp. Watch their latest catastrophe at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GZRmzuiig8&feature=related.
If you haven’t caught this show on TV, you really should check out the fun provided by the hosts’ unending automotive-related competitions and misadventures.
Meanwhile, our next misadventure may be getting kicked out of an RV park late one night for laughing too loud and keeping the neighbors awake while watching the riotous antics on Top Gear. The show appears on Monday nights on DirecTV, but may be on at a different time on Dish TV or your cable company. And you can still watch the hilarious motorhome race that took place on the show by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU&eurl=http://rvvideos.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html.
The BBC-America show, Top Gear recently featured a “caravaning” (RVing) trip in a light-weight trailer pulled by an undersized vehicle. For hilarity, the three hosts on this television show can’t be topped.
This time, Jeremy, James and Richard, along with their Top Gear dog pulled the trailer to a caravan park (similar to our American RV parks) in the English countryside. James managed to back the trailer over a tent in the next site, and then he and Jeremy tried to straighten the supports up since the owners weren’t around. Next morning Jeremy set their trailer on fire while cooking breakfast, burning it, plus the tent next door that they had previously knocked down, to a crisp. Watch their latest catastrophe at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GZRmzuiig8&feature=related.
If you haven’t caught this show on TV, you really should check out the fun provided by the hosts’ unending automotive-related competitions and misadventures.
Meanwhile, our next misadventure may be getting kicked out of an RV park late one night for laughing too loud and keeping the neighbors awake while watching the riotous antics on Top Gear. The show appears on Monday nights on DirecTV, but may be on at a different time on Dish TV or your cable company. And you can still watch the hilarious motorhome race that took place on the show by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU&eurl=http://rvvideos.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html.
Another RVing Misadventure!
Our next stupid RV trick happened when we were in West Virginia and hubby needed a part for our brand new, larger RV. Everything in town was on a hillside, so his only choice was to turn into a downhill or uphill lot. So he found an auto parts store with a large parking lot on the downhill side of the road. There was another drive where he could exit back out onto the road, so no problem. Ha!
We were towing the car, so when he finished shopping and started out the drive to the road, the hitch became embedded into the blacktop and wouldn’t budge. It looked as though we were permanently, deeply rooted in the exit drive. We managed to get the car unhitched and I moved it away from the RV, then called the emergency road service once again! They finally arrived and hoisted up the back end of the motorhome to free it from the blacktop and get it moving. Somehow we once again got back on the road with everything but our dignity intact.
Then there was the time in Kentucky when we wanted to visit a park just outside a small town. We made it to the park and had an enjoyable lunch in a quiet, peaceful setting beside a bubbling creek, then when we left, hubby decided to save some miles by going through the nearby town and joining back up with the freeway. The town was a nice little place and we made it fine until we were almost back to the freeway. Looming ahead was one of those bridges with a metal sub-structure, and no clue about how high the clearance was. We knew our new motorhome with the air conditioner and other vents was tall, so we stopped and pondered what to do.
Then we thought of the 25-foot metal tape measure we had with us, and hubby climbed out to go measure the clearance, leaving the motorhome parked by the road. Only thing, the wind was howling and he couldn’t get the tape measure to stay put while he inched it up the skeleton of the bridge. Finally, we decided I would have to block traffic while he attempted to turn the motorhome around and head back through town. Did I mention that we had just topped a hill and were headed downhill when we spotted the bridge ahead?
Well, I managed to stop what little traffic was traveling the road, and somehow he got 34 feet of motorhome with a car in tow turned around on a two-lane highway. Yet another misadventure under out belts.
I will have to say that we learned from those first few mistakes. Traveling has been a lot more pleasant (and safer) since 1995. Oops, I forgot about the metal pipe sticking up out of the asphalt in a parking lot that hubby managed to not see and sideswipe, scraping up all of the storage compartment doors on one side. Or the time he was directing me back to get propane but forgot to notice the overhang that I couldn’t see in the rearview side mirrors before I bumped it, bending our ladder.
Looking back, I believe we’ve had more misadventures that most RVers, but seriously, none that we can’t look back on and laugh about today. Okay, so we’ve developed a perverse sense of humor. And amazingly, we’re still together.
Our next stupid RV trick happened when we were in West Virginia and hubby needed a part for our brand new, larger RV. Everything in town was on a hillside, so his only choice was to turn into a downhill or uphill lot. So he found an auto parts store with a large parking lot on the downhill side of the road. There was another drive where he could exit back out onto the road, so no problem. Ha!
We were towing the car, so when he finished shopping and started out the drive to the road, the hitch became embedded into the blacktop and wouldn’t budge. It looked as though we were permanently, deeply rooted in the exit drive. We managed to get the car unhitched and I moved it away from the RV, then called the emergency road service once again! They finally arrived and hoisted up the back end of the motorhome to free it from the blacktop and get it moving. Somehow we once again got back on the road with everything but our dignity intact.
Then there was the time in Kentucky when we wanted to visit a park just outside a small town. We made it to the park and had an enjoyable lunch in a quiet, peaceful setting beside a bubbling creek, then when we left, hubby decided to save some miles by going through the nearby town and joining back up with the freeway. The town was a nice little place and we made it fine until we were almost back to the freeway. Looming ahead was one of those bridges with a metal sub-structure, and no clue about how high the clearance was. We knew our new motorhome with the air conditioner and other vents was tall, so we stopped and pondered what to do.
Then we thought of the 25-foot metal tape measure we had with us, and hubby climbed out to go measure the clearance, leaving the motorhome parked by the road. Only thing, the wind was howling and he couldn’t get the tape measure to stay put while he inched it up the skeleton of the bridge. Finally, we decided I would have to block traffic while he attempted to turn the motorhome around and head back through town. Did I mention that we had just topped a hill and were headed downhill when we spotted the bridge ahead?
Well, I managed to stop what little traffic was traveling the road, and somehow he got 34 feet of motorhome with a car in tow turned around on a two-lane highway. Yet another misadventure under out belts.
I will have to say that we learned from those first few mistakes. Traveling has been a lot more pleasant (and safer) since 1995. Oops, I forgot about the metal pipe sticking up out of the asphalt in a parking lot that hubby managed to not see and sideswipe, scraping up all of the storage compartment doors on one side. Or the time he was directing me back to get propane but forgot to notice the overhang that I couldn’t see in the rearview side mirrors before I bumped it, bending our ladder.
Looking back, I believe we’ve had more misadventures that most RVers, but seriously, none that we can’t look back on and laugh about today. Okay, so we’ve developed a perverse sense of humor. And amazingly, we’re still together.
I am sending part of an article by Angela Hoy, below, so that readers who plan to self-publish or use a Print on Demand Publisher can be aware of Amazon.com’s demand that all POD books that it sells be printed by BookSurge, which is owned by Amazon. This appears as though it might violate anti-trust laws and could lead to Amazon not selling any books from any publisher that doesn’t use their printer, and could drive up book prices. So it is important to readers, self-publishers, and POD publishers alike.
BookLocker Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Amazon.com
By Angela Hoy
This article appeared in Monday's Special Edition of WritersWeekly.com. You may reprint this article or quote from it at your discretion. You can read/post comments here: http://antitrust.booklocker.com
BookLocker.com has filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon.com in response to Amazon's recent attempts to force all publishers using Print on Demand (POD) technology to pay Amazon to print their books.
STRONG DISSENT FROM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
The Author's Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN), YouWriteOn.com (the U.K.'s leading writer's website) and the National Writer's Union have all issued strong statements denouncing Amazon's attempted power grab of the industry.
We cannot say for certain if what Amazon is doing is legal or not at this point; that is for the Federal courts to decide. However, in our opinion, the seemingly covert manner in which Amazon has conducted itself in this matter seems to make their actions highly suspicious.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Amazon has already taken control of publishers' ebook sales on the Amazon.com website by requiring ebooks be available for their ebook reader, the Kindle. Now, Amazon is attempting to take control of the printing of all POD books. We wonder if traditionally published books are next. Some are speculating that Amazon won't stop until they are being paid to print every book they sell.
ARE YOU AFFECTED?
According to Amazon's public statement, ALL POD books will be affected. If you are a POD publisher (this includes self-published authors who publish their own POD books through a printer), and would like more information, please contact:
Angela Hoy, Publisher
BookLocker.com
angela - at - booklocker.com
BookLocker Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Amazon.com
By Angela Hoy
This article appeared in Monday's Special Edition of WritersWeekly.com. You may reprint this article or quote from it at your discretion. You can read/post comments here: http://antitrust.booklocker.com
BookLocker.com has filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon.com in response to Amazon's recent attempts to force all publishers using Print on Demand (POD) technology to pay Amazon to print their books.
STRONG DISSENT FROM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
The Author's Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN), YouWriteOn.com (the U.K.'s leading writer's website) and the National Writer's Union have all issued strong statements denouncing Amazon's attempted power grab of the industry.
We cannot say for certain if what Amazon is doing is legal or not at this point; that is for the Federal courts to decide. However, in our opinion, the seemingly covert manner in which Amazon has conducted itself in this matter seems to make their actions highly suspicious.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Amazon has already taken control of publishers' ebook sales on the Amazon.com website by requiring ebooks be available for their ebook reader, the Kindle. Now, Amazon is attempting to take control of the printing of all POD books. We wonder if traditionally published books are next. Some are speculating that Amazon won't stop until they are being paid to print every book they sell.
ARE YOU AFFECTED?
According to Amazon's public statement, ALL POD books will be affected. If you are a POD publisher (this includes self-published authors who publish their own POD books through a printer), and would like more information, please contact:
Angela Hoy, Publisher
BookLocker.com
angela - at - booklocker.com
Scary to Make the Leap to Writing, But Oh So Rewarding
Sometimes, all one needs to make a leap of faith is a little nudge. I hope reading this post will give you the push you need to get started. I want to talk this time about how writing can be the salvation of those who move often because of job transfers, and for those who want to travel and see the country, or the world. And for that matter, retirees looking for fulfilling, money-making hobby.
My husband was in the military when we married, so for years I was shuffled from place to place, and each time we moved I had to find a new job. I even went back to school and studied interior design, which in addition to writing, had been my dream since childhood. I acquired a skill that was fairly portable. Stressful but portable. And every time we moved somewhere new, it meant starting all over again.
So what could I have done differently, had I been more aware of the opportunities available? I would have started my writing career much earlier than I did! I worked as a secretary for several years, and each place I worked, I was given additional duties after my bosses discovered I had writing skills—jobs such as composing letters and creating newsletters. So in effect, I gave my services away.
Still, I can’t complain because I learned a lot during those years—like how to manage a business, provide excellent customer service, work with difficult people, and the types of communication materials needed by for-profit and non-profit entities. I did clerical work in a department store, a University Medical Center and School, County and State offices, and a huge church, plus I gained valuable knowledge about the operations of retail businesses where I worked as a designer, which gave me diverse experiences to carry forward. None of the jobs would have indicated to anyone else that I had what it took to succeed as a freelance writer, but in my heart, I knew I could do it. And that’s all it takes, really.
They say success happens when opportunity meets preparation (or something to that effect), so when I finally made the decision to become a full-time, committed freelance writer, I was ready. And maybe that’s the way it was meant to be. Maybe I needed maturity as well as life experience. You probably have those things already.
Now I can travel wherever I wish and write wherever I happen to be. This isn’t a fairytale life, but it is the life I’ve chosen for myself, and it is good. I am living my dream!
For those of you still toiling away working for someone else or dreaming of writing for a living, I urge you learn from the projects featured in Portable Writing, some of which are outlined in this newsletter, and then apply your new-found knowledge to starting your own writing career.
I know that it is scary to take a leap of faith into the unknown, but the longer you wait, the more time you lose. You can do what I have done, and probably much, much better. Don’t let time pass by until someday, all you may be left with is regret that you never even tried.
Sometimes, all one needs to make a leap of faith is a little nudge. I hope reading this post will give you the push you need to get started. I want to talk this time about how writing can be the salvation of those who move often because of job transfers, and for those who want to travel and see the country, or the world. And for that matter, retirees looking for fulfilling, money-making hobby.
My husband was in the military when we married, so for years I was shuffled from place to place, and each time we moved I had to find a new job. I even went back to school and studied interior design, which in addition to writing, had been my dream since childhood. I acquired a skill that was fairly portable. Stressful but portable. And every time we moved somewhere new, it meant starting all over again.
So what could I have done differently, had I been more aware of the opportunities available? I would have started my writing career much earlier than I did! I worked as a secretary for several years, and each place I worked, I was given additional duties after my bosses discovered I had writing skills—jobs such as composing letters and creating newsletters. So in effect, I gave my services away.
Still, I can’t complain because I learned a lot during those years—like how to manage a business, provide excellent customer service, work with difficult people, and the types of communication materials needed by for-profit and non-profit entities. I did clerical work in a department store, a University Medical Center and School, County and State offices, and a huge church, plus I gained valuable knowledge about the operations of retail businesses where I worked as a designer, which gave me diverse experiences to carry forward. None of the jobs would have indicated to anyone else that I had what it took to succeed as a freelance writer, but in my heart, I knew I could do it. And that’s all it takes, really.
They say success happens when opportunity meets preparation (or something to that effect), so when I finally made the decision to become a full-time, committed freelance writer, I was ready. And maybe that’s the way it was meant to be. Maybe I needed maturity as well as life experience. You probably have those things already.
Now I can travel wherever I wish and write wherever I happen to be. This isn’t a fairytale life, but it is the life I’ve chosen for myself, and it is good. I am living my dream!
For those of you still toiling away working for someone else or dreaming of writing for a living, I urge you learn from the projects featured in Portable Writing, some of which are outlined in this newsletter, and then apply your new-found knowledge to starting your own writing career.
I know that it is scary to take a leap of faith into the unknown, but the longer you wait, the more time you lose. You can do what I have done, and probably much, much better. Don’t let time pass by until someday, all you may be left with is regret that you never even tried.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Go RVing
I’m sure you’ve seen ads for Go RVing in magazines, but did you know that they offer a free CD or DVD on RVing. If you are interested, check their Website at www.GoRVing.com or phone 1-888-GoRVing to find out more and receive a free copy.
I’m sure you’ve seen ads for Go RVing in magazines, but did you know that they offer a free CD or DVD on RVing. If you are interested, check their Website at www.GoRVing.com or phone 1-888-GoRVing to find out more and receive a free copy.
Warning about Wi-Fi
This seems like a good time to warn RVers and others that use Wi-Fi Internet connections that your communications over a Wi-Fi network might not be as private as you wish. A Wi-Fi transmission could be captured by a clever hacker, so you definitely do not want to transact personal business or banking activities over it. Never reveal any personal information when using a Wi-Fi connection.
As you travel, always check to make sure you are connected to YOUR Internet provider when conducting personal business, since your computer might automatically connect to the nearest signal—which could be Wi-Fi or a neighbor’s other non-secure connection. Wi-Fi connections are great for emails and non-private communications, but Wi-Fi hotspots like those offered by coffee shops, truck stops, hotels, and RV parks are not secure.
This seems like a good time to warn RVers and others that use Wi-Fi Internet connections that your communications over a Wi-Fi network might not be as private as you wish. A Wi-Fi transmission could be captured by a clever hacker, so you definitely do not want to transact personal business or banking activities over it. Never reveal any personal information when using a Wi-Fi connection.
As you travel, always check to make sure you are connected to YOUR Internet provider when conducting personal business, since your computer might automatically connect to the nearest signal—which could be Wi-Fi or a neighbor’s other non-secure connection. Wi-Fi connections are great for emails and non-private communications, but Wi-Fi hotspots like those offered by coffee shops, truck stops, hotels, and RV parks are not secure.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Recession and Inflation: Should I Worry?
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Succeed as a Writer
Once again the country seems to be in the midst of a recession, or as the government prefers to call it, a little downturn, and we’re witnessing record inflation. To many, this is the worst of times.
However, for those who write, this can be the best of times. Why? Well for starters, businesses are also hurting. After investing time and money getting their business reputations established, some will have to decide between laying off employees and barely hanging on, or closing the doors permanently. Not only that, but many of the newly unemployed will start their own businesses—many of them home-based.
How can you profit? First of all, business owners need news releases. Anytime a new business opens, or new staff is added, or there’s any other newsworthy change, a news release should be mailed to local and regional newspapers. Among other products you can offer are newsletters, marketing letters, advertorials (advertising/editorial columns), ghostwritten articles, and even Web site content. If you have a desktop publishing program, you can expand your range of products.
So how can you get started in this lucrative field? First of all, pick up some “how to” books on business and copywriting. My book, Portable Writing provides detailed instructions for 25 projects that I’ve provided to businesses, some of which have never before been shared in a freelance writing book, but I also recommend any book by Bob Bly on copywriting and freelance writing. Then get a business card printed for your new writing business. It should include your name, phone number and email address where you can be reached, and it should tell what you do. You can make it multi-purpose by listing “freelance writer,” but the card should also say something like “business writing consultant.” Then tell prospects that you help business owners get publicity and attract new customers.
Offer to help a friend in business with publicity or marketing for their service or product. Next, attend meetings of business organizations in your local area to meet more business owners. Use any samples you’ve acquired, and if you have any published clips, put them all in protective plastic covers and show them as proof that you are a professional. However, even if you don’t have any published examples, sit down at your computer and write an article on your business and the services you offer to other businesses, then lay it out in a two-column format with a headline. Scan in a photo of yourself, and print out a copy.
When you’re really comfortable with what you’ve written, print out several copies and hand them out at meetings as a marketing tool. You also need to write a news release for your own business to send to your local AND regional papers, so add a copy of that in your portfolio—published or not. Prospects want to see that you can write and most won’t really care if you’ve been published or not.
My clients ranged from the home-based sole-proprietor to corporations, but it all started with one business owner. Business grew brick by brick, client by client, until I had more work than I could handle alone. When it reached that point—I began to pick and choose which types of projects I preferred to focus on—and at that moment, I realized that I had built my dream business. Then I took it on the road. And this all happened during a recession when many bigger businesses were failing.
My theory is that successful people look for creative opportunities in troubled times. Meanwhile, writers have the ability to help business owners in times of trouble by providing business-growing, profit-producing services. It's the perfect win/win situation.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Succeed as a Writer
Once again the country seems to be in the midst of a recession, or as the government prefers to call it, a little downturn, and we’re witnessing record inflation. To many, this is the worst of times.
However, for those who write, this can be the best of times. Why? Well for starters, businesses are also hurting. After investing time and money getting their business reputations established, some will have to decide between laying off employees and barely hanging on, or closing the doors permanently. Not only that, but many of the newly unemployed will start their own businesses—many of them home-based.
How can you profit? First of all, business owners need news releases. Anytime a new business opens, or new staff is added, or there’s any other newsworthy change, a news release should be mailed to local and regional newspapers. Among other products you can offer are newsletters, marketing letters, advertorials (advertising/editorial columns), ghostwritten articles, and even Web site content. If you have a desktop publishing program, you can expand your range of products.
So how can you get started in this lucrative field? First of all, pick up some “how to” books on business and copywriting. My book, Portable Writing provides detailed instructions for 25 projects that I’ve provided to businesses, some of which have never before been shared in a freelance writing book, but I also recommend any book by Bob Bly on copywriting and freelance writing. Then get a business card printed for your new writing business. It should include your name, phone number and email address where you can be reached, and it should tell what you do. You can make it multi-purpose by listing “freelance writer,” but the card should also say something like “business writing consultant.” Then tell prospects that you help business owners get publicity and attract new customers.
Offer to help a friend in business with publicity or marketing for their service or product. Next, attend meetings of business organizations in your local area to meet more business owners. Use any samples you’ve acquired, and if you have any published clips, put them all in protective plastic covers and show them as proof that you are a professional. However, even if you don’t have any published examples, sit down at your computer and write an article on your business and the services you offer to other businesses, then lay it out in a two-column format with a headline. Scan in a photo of yourself, and print out a copy.
When you’re really comfortable with what you’ve written, print out several copies and hand them out at meetings as a marketing tool. You also need to write a news release for your own business to send to your local AND regional papers, so add a copy of that in your portfolio—published or not. Prospects want to see that you can write and most won’t really care if you’ve been published or not.
My clients ranged from the home-based sole-proprietor to corporations, but it all started with one business owner. Business grew brick by brick, client by client, until I had more work than I could handle alone. When it reached that point—I began to pick and choose which types of projects I preferred to focus on—and at that moment, I realized that I had built my dream business. Then I took it on the road. And this all happened during a recession when many bigger businesses were failing.
My theory is that successful people look for creative opportunities in troubled times. Meanwhile, writers have the ability to help business owners in times of trouble by providing business-growing, profit-producing services. It's the perfect win/win situation.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Why your book should be offered as an e-book
A lot of people ask me, why would anyone buy an e-book (or ebook)? Of course, most of those who ask have plenty of storage space for books. Or, they simply like the idea of holding a book in their hands and flipping through the pages. For those of you unfamiliar with the term e-book, it simply means an electronic copy of a book.
I’ll admit that I’m fond of old-fashioned reading, but as an RVer who likes to have plenty of reading material with me when I travel, I can’t carry that many books. So the ones that I read, then don’t care to read again, I leave at RV parks, usually in the laundry room, for the next reader. I’ve also picked up some of the best books I’ve read there—you know the out-of-print titles that you can’t find at bookstores anymore, and they’ve been removed from library shelves. There were several years during my adult life where I simply didn’t have time to read, and now I’m trying to catch up on some of the good books I missed.
Electronic books are quickly gaining favor as the new way to purchase and read books. Once you find what you like at an online bookstore, you can download it immediately, usually for a lower price than a bound copy, and there’s no wait for the book to arrive in the mail and no shipping fees.
This is perfect for RVers, who can download e-books to the computer and read them on screen, or they can be downloaded onto electronic readers and carried to read while waiting in the doctor’s office or for car repairs, etc. These little readers are still quite expensive, but they usually hold multiple books. And prices will surely come down as more and more buyers seek them out. Think of the space they will save—six books in an electronic gizmo smaller than a paperback.
E-books can also be saved on a CD, which stores in way less space than a book, and you can squeeze several e-books onto each shiny disk.
E-books seem to have found a place in today’s society, but I still enjoying having hard copies of anything I’m going to read over and over because I like to highlight special passages. I suppose I could do the same on a computer copy of a book, but there’s just something about being able to manually flip to a page and read it again.
POD publishers like Booklocker have found, after several years of offering books this way, that more non-fiction books sell as e-books. And I’ve found it’s true for my books. Portable Writing has sold many more copies as e-books than as hard copies. It remains to be seen which way will win the most sales of Looking Back. So far, it has sold more as hard copies, but I suspect that a lot of buyers have been shopping for gifts for their friends and family. One buyer even wrote to tell me she bought 12 copies for Christmas gifts. Fiction books still sell better in hard copy for some reason.
And what's to keep your work from being stolen off the Internet? There’s always the chance that someone will purchase and download a copy of a book, then illegally copy and distribute it themselves. That violates copyright laws, and violators almost always get caught since it is so easy to type in a book title and search the Web, where you’ll discover all the places that your book is offered—legal or not.
For those who are thinking about getting their first book published, e-books can be self-published very easily. Just format yours as a PDF file and offer it for sale on your own Web site or blog. If you want to write a family memoir, this may be the perfect way to distribute it since there are no printing or mailing costs involved. E-books are definitely here to stay.
A lot of people ask me, why would anyone buy an e-book (or ebook)? Of course, most of those who ask have plenty of storage space for books. Or, they simply like the idea of holding a book in their hands and flipping through the pages. For those of you unfamiliar with the term e-book, it simply means an electronic copy of a book.
I’ll admit that I’m fond of old-fashioned reading, but as an RVer who likes to have plenty of reading material with me when I travel, I can’t carry that many books. So the ones that I read, then don’t care to read again, I leave at RV parks, usually in the laundry room, for the next reader. I’ve also picked up some of the best books I’ve read there—you know the out-of-print titles that you can’t find at bookstores anymore, and they’ve been removed from library shelves. There were several years during my adult life where I simply didn’t have time to read, and now I’m trying to catch up on some of the good books I missed.
Electronic books are quickly gaining favor as the new way to purchase and read books. Once you find what you like at an online bookstore, you can download it immediately, usually for a lower price than a bound copy, and there’s no wait for the book to arrive in the mail and no shipping fees.
This is perfect for RVers, who can download e-books to the computer and read them on screen, or they can be downloaded onto electronic readers and carried to read while waiting in the doctor’s office or for car repairs, etc. These little readers are still quite expensive, but they usually hold multiple books. And prices will surely come down as more and more buyers seek them out. Think of the space they will save—six books in an electronic gizmo smaller than a paperback.
E-books can also be saved on a CD, which stores in way less space than a book, and you can squeeze several e-books onto each shiny disk.
E-books seem to have found a place in today’s society, but I still enjoying having hard copies of anything I’m going to read over and over because I like to highlight special passages. I suppose I could do the same on a computer copy of a book, but there’s just something about being able to manually flip to a page and read it again.
POD publishers like Booklocker have found, after several years of offering books this way, that more non-fiction books sell as e-books. And I’ve found it’s true for my books. Portable Writing has sold many more copies as e-books than as hard copies. It remains to be seen which way will win the most sales of Looking Back. So far, it has sold more as hard copies, but I suspect that a lot of buyers have been shopping for gifts for their friends and family. One buyer even wrote to tell me she bought 12 copies for Christmas gifts. Fiction books still sell better in hard copy for some reason.
And what's to keep your work from being stolen off the Internet? There’s always the chance that someone will purchase and download a copy of a book, then illegally copy and distribute it themselves. That violates copyright laws, and violators almost always get caught since it is so easy to type in a book title and search the Web, where you’ll discover all the places that your book is offered—legal or not.
For those who are thinking about getting their first book published, e-books can be self-published very easily. Just format yours as a PDF file and offer it for sale on your own Web site or blog. If you want to write a family memoir, this may be the perfect way to distribute it since there are no printing or mailing costs involved. E-books are definitely here to stay.
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