Newsletter: July, 2006
Plan your writing career
Getting published (first in a series of career opportunities)
Where do you want your writing career to go? How far do you want it to take you? You do have a plan, don’t you? Maybe you’re hoping to have your first article published, or perhaps you’re already a published writer but would like to produce a non-fiction book or a novel. Or could it be that you really want to use your skills to make loads of money, so plan to write for businesses. Might you want to do all three? Since each of you reading this probably has different goals, I’ll cover all of these very different types of projects in future issues.
This time, I’d like to talk about getting your first article published. How many magazines do you read each month? Yes, you must be a reader if you ever hope to get published! You must know what type of articles a particular editor normally uses; what type of writing they prefer (conversational, technical or literary); and who their readers are. Naturally, some publications are fairly easy to figure out, especially if it’s a men’s or women’s magazine, but do you know what age group it is targeting? If you write an article directed to young singles but the magazine clearly appeals to married men or women with families, you’ll never get it published. So, study advertisements throughout the magazine. Who are they targeting? Advertisers don’t waste their big bucks trying to reach the wrong market. You shouldn’t waste your time, either.
Once you’ve determined what type of people are buying the magazine, read the articles to see whether they’re chatty or extremely technical. Does the magazine use only literary pieces? Now you know how to focus your writing. Then study the types of articles used. Do they show readers how to save money, spend money, enjoy retirement, raise children, take care of elderly parents, start a business? Or does it cover a variety of subjects, but mostly short pieces that provide an overview of the topic. Do most of the articles provide detailed instructions for specific types of projects (crafts, home repair, etc.)? Does it offer personality or business profiles, and if so, what types of people are being interviewed?
After you’ve studied the magazines for content, focus and target audience, you’re finally ready to write a query letter to the editor offering your idea in a snappy format that will get attention and showcase your writing skills. We’ll cover query letters in next month’s issue, but in the meantime, study some magazines and come up with some ideas for articles. Get your ideas down on paper with an outline of how you propose to write your article. Prepare to launch!
Where there’s a dream, there’s a way?
Millions have it all figured out. You can do it too.
Traveling. That is the dream of so many people who never manage to get around to it. Some never seem to have enough money to simply take off and see the country (or world).
Travel can be accomplished in so many different ways. Some people take a cruise on an ocean liner each year. Others want to own their own yacht and see the world. Most people like to fly to their destination, maybe rent a car to see the sights or join a tour group once they get there. Some people seem to think there’s safety in numbers, so they always travel with a group.
Others travel in their car or a rented car to destinations on this continent, and stay with friends or family, or in inns, motels or hotels every night. Some venture into Canada, Mexico and beyond to Central America. Many travelers are rediscovering the magic of the rails and taking scenic trips through North America and Mexico.
Okay, so you know about all these ways to get there. You may have even traveled some of these routes. You just want to know how you can do more of it.
Writing offers possibilities to travel more and earn income while you’re on the move. If money isn’t the object, then writing provides a means of keeping friends and family informed about your adventures and a way to keep a record of your travels. You can always write a book that provides an armchair adventure for those who can’t travel.
I’ve known people who owned a not-so-large sailboat and traveled along the coasts and inland waters of the Northwest. We had a 21-foot sailboat and considered cruising the inland waters of Washington and Canada, but neither of us relished the thought of being tossed around at sea in a storm. Other wanderers, like my favorite writer, William Least-Heat Moon, hopped in a van and traversed the country in search of adventure and great stories to tell. His book, Blue Highways, was a best-seller, as was John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley, which he wrote while traveling in a small truck camper with his standard poodle, Charley.
If you want to travel but money is a problem, then you have to start planning ahead of time on which way you want to go. We planned for years (literally). Now, many people we meet while RVing have sold the home they bought thirty years ago for as much as twenty times the price they paid, and plunked down the profit on a brand-new, fancy RV. Others have scraped up enough for a down-payment on a basic RV and plan to earn money while they’re traveling to pay for their adventure. We’re somewhere between the two extremes.
I planned my writing business so that it would earn income on the go because we needed it. We weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths, we didn’t inherit anything and we didn’t own a home that had increased enough to invest the proceeds and live off them. And we didn’t buy a brand new RV, and it’s definitely nothing fancy. I’ll tell more about how RVing and working has turned out next month.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Newsletter: June, 2006
Live Your Dreams as a Writer:
Do what you love and love what you do!
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”
This is similar to a quote I found on a roll of paper towels, of all places. This little saying can apply to life as a writer and as an RVer. If something isn’t working, adjust your focus. Come up with new ideas. Maybe even change your attitude. If you think you can’t do something, you can’t. So I’ve found it beneficial to have a “can do” attitude. If life throws me curve balls, I switch positions. If all I get is lemons, I make lemonade. Okay, enough with clichés. You get the idea.
How can you apply this quote to your life as a writer? If you’re determined to create articles but can’t get them published, find another way to use your talents. One way is to start a subscription newsletter. You’ll be the publisher and you can get as much exposure as you’re willing to search out. Use news releases to garner publicity for your publication. Tell everyone you know about it. Find a way to make it successful. Sometimes this little change in direction will spur your energy while it builds skills that will help you achieve your goal of getting published.
If it’s the high cost of fuel that’s got you in a blue mood because you can’t afford to travel, take a short trip to seek new surroundings for a few days. Even small journeys can recharge your batteries.
Life isn’t about the big things that happen, like long vacations or huge successes as a writer. Sometimes, it’s the little accomplishments that happen over and over that will renew your strength and build your confidence.
Life IS a journey. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.
Do what you love and love what you do!
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.”
This is similar to a quote I found on a roll of paper towels, of all places. This little saying can apply to life as a writer and as an RVer. If something isn’t working, adjust your focus. Come up with new ideas. Maybe even change your attitude. If you think you can’t do something, you can’t. So I’ve found it beneficial to have a “can do” attitude. If life throws me curve balls, I switch positions. If all I get is lemons, I make lemonade. Okay, enough with clichés. You get the idea.
How can you apply this quote to your life as a writer? If you’re determined to create articles but can’t get them published, find another way to use your talents. One way is to start a subscription newsletter. You’ll be the publisher and you can get as much exposure as you’re willing to search out. Use news releases to garner publicity for your publication. Tell everyone you know about it. Find a way to make it successful. Sometimes this little change in direction will spur your energy while it builds skills that will help you achieve your goal of getting published.
If it’s the high cost of fuel that’s got you in a blue mood because you can’t afford to travel, take a short trip to seek new surroundings for a few days. Even small journeys can recharge your batteries.
Life isn’t about the big things that happen, like long vacations or huge successes as a writer. Sometimes, it’s the little accomplishments that happen over and over that will renew your strength and build your confidence.
Life IS a journey. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.
Keep in Touch on the Road
Cellular and wireless Internet service
Thirteen years ago the Internet didn’t exist for the average person. But cellular phone service did, so we tried several different providers before we discovered one we could use almost anywhere in the U.S. which offered nationwide free long distance and enough free minutes to fit our needs. Wow! Suddenly we were living in the modern world. That year and the next we traveled throughout the West with no problems. I used a mobile kit with the desktop computer to connect to the Internet, but I still used libraries for serious work since transfers on the mobile kit happened at the speed of a glacier.
I finally entered the Internet age when Verizon introduced broadband and nationwide Internet service. I bought a laptop and an “air card” to insert into it and experienced my first fast connection from the comfort of the RV. So far, service has been great. Sprint provides a similar service. An Escapees Club RVer survey showed that Cingular is one of the most reliable providers, so you might also check them for a wireless Internet connection. (Note: not all services work everywhere, so talk to other RVers who travel the areas you plan to traverse before signing on.)
We’ve also tried Wi-Fi, but there’s still a problem with provider sharing so if you pay for a month and travel you might not find another “hot spot” for your provider. Still, it’s a great way to access the Internet and you can sign up for the amount of time you need. We’ve tried Tengo at some RV parks and you can get a list of “hot spots” and plan your travels accordingly. I’m sure other Wi-Fi providers service RV parks, but we haven’t tried them. Some municipalities are setting up free Wi-Fi service and truck stops offer it for a fee.
So, how should you access the Internet on the road? First, determine your needs. Do you want continuous access or do you only want to exchange occasional e-mails with friends and family? Many RV parks offer Internet and telephone service at each site while others provide a comfortable place to hook-up your laptop in the office or clubhouse. Or for e-mails only, purchase MailStation® which you hold up to a phone.
Another method of logging on is with a satellite provider. I haven’t tried it, but we do have satellite TV and if we’re parked under trees or they block our view of the sky and the wind is blowing, we lose the signal. Talk to other RVers who use this service before deciding whether it will work for you.
One thing’s for sure: in thirteen years, we’ve come a long way baby!
Cellular and wireless Internet service
Thirteen years ago the Internet didn’t exist for the average person. But cellular phone service did, so we tried several different providers before we discovered one we could use almost anywhere in the U.S. which offered nationwide free long distance and enough free minutes to fit our needs. Wow! Suddenly we were living in the modern world. That year and the next we traveled throughout the West with no problems. I used a mobile kit with the desktop computer to connect to the Internet, but I still used libraries for serious work since transfers on the mobile kit happened at the speed of a glacier.
I finally entered the Internet age when Verizon introduced broadband and nationwide Internet service. I bought a laptop and an “air card” to insert into it and experienced my first fast connection from the comfort of the RV. So far, service has been great. Sprint provides a similar service. An Escapees Club RVer survey showed that Cingular is one of the most reliable providers, so you might also check them for a wireless Internet connection. (Note: not all services work everywhere, so talk to other RVers who travel the areas you plan to traverse before signing on.)
We’ve also tried Wi-Fi, but there’s still a problem with provider sharing so if you pay for a month and travel you might not find another “hot spot” for your provider. Still, it’s a great way to access the Internet and you can sign up for the amount of time you need. We’ve tried Tengo at some RV parks and you can get a list of “hot spots” and plan your travels accordingly. I’m sure other Wi-Fi providers service RV parks, but we haven’t tried them. Some municipalities are setting up free Wi-Fi service and truck stops offer it for a fee.
So, how should you access the Internet on the road? First, determine your needs. Do you want continuous access or do you only want to exchange occasional e-mails with friends and family? Many RV parks offer Internet and telephone service at each site while others provide a comfortable place to hook-up your laptop in the office or clubhouse. Or for e-mails only, purchase MailStation® which you hold up to a phone.
Another method of logging on is with a satellite provider. I haven’t tried it, but we do have satellite TV and if we’re parked under trees or they block our view of the sky and the wind is blowing, we lose the signal. Talk to other RVers who use this service before deciding whether it will work for you.
One thing’s for sure: in thirteen years, we’ve come a long way baby!
Newsletter: May, 2006
To write: that was my dream. To make enough money to travel: that was my goal.
So what are your dreams and goals? Are you a writer who doesn’t earn enough income support the family? Or, do you wish you could become a writer but don’t know how to start? Maybe you’re already writing for a living and make plenty of money, but you’d just like some new ideas to stimulate you and provide excitement to your career.
I wrote the book, Portable Writing as an answer to all of the above dilemmas. I once was that person dreaming of writing. And for awhile, I was that writer not making enough income churning out articles for magazines and newspapers. Yeah, I was seeing my name in print, but that doesn’t necessarily put food on the table.
Then an old friend called and asked if I could write some promotional materials for her business. Another asked if I could write an article about her business for the paper. Step by step and brick by brick, my business grew as more and more clients asked for my help writing effective business correspondence.
Soon, I was asked to not only write, but to create newsletters and brochures. So I bought a computer with graphics capabilities and desktop publishing software, and began to spend my spare time learning to use them. I applied the same methods to mastering those skills as I did to learning to write. I read everything I could find on the subject and asked advice from everyone who knew anything about the field. Once I began providing both writing and DTP services, my business exploded.
My message to you is that you can do everything I did, and probably better than I ever could. None of what I’ve done requires any special talent or education. I grew believing that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to – and that anyone else can, too. Of course, that didn’t mean I could become a Nobel prize-winning scientist or mathematician. But if I had been even remotely interested in either, I have no doubt that I could have succeeded.
If you want to be a successful writer, if you want to make lots of money creating words that people will read, you can do it if you really try. You might be one of those lucky people who has a book idea, writes it, gets a publishing contract paying a huge advance, and hits the best seller list immediately. You might, but you probably won’t.
Learn your craft, work hard and read Portable Writing to discover 25 projects that will propel you towards your goal. It took me twenty years to learn what I know, but you can do it much faster – within weeks – if you put into practice everything I’ve shared in Portable Writing. Go for it!
For a complete instruction book on writing with projects that make money no matter where you live or roam, be sure to read my new book, Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom. In it, I give detailed instructions for how to create twenty-five different projects along with showing how to market your skills.
I've been using these projects to earn a living as a writer for twenty years. My articles have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers across the country, and two books have been published. I also have created writing projects such as newsletters, brochures and dozens of other materials for business and corporations during the past twenty years.
In the book, I tell about how to get published as well as produce projects for businesses and corporations. At least two projects are included in the book that have never before been revealed to readers. You can learn more about the book by going to my Web site, http://www.kennedyk.com, then clicking on the book image to read a two-chapter excerpt and get ordering information.
If you've always wanted to make money writing, but didn't know where to start, this book takes you by the hand and leads you through the process. If you're already writing, but not making money, here's where you'll learn exactly how to do it.
The Ups & Downs of RVing
(with the high price of gas)
The price of gas seems to be slowing the travel industry down, but I doubt that it will bring trips to a screeching halt. Why not? Well, most who take a yearly vacation plan and save money all year for that great escape. For those traveling in RVs that get a measly 6-10 gallons per mile, they might elect to stay in one place longer and take shorter trips, but most will still hit the road occasionally.
Just how many miles do RVers travel each year? Certainly not as many as a vehicle that is used for daily commutes. While the typical vehicle in Arizona (for instance) is driven an average 20,000 -25,000 miles per year, the typical RVer travels less than 6,000 miles per year. We’re full-time RVers and have put 20,000 miles on our rig since 1998, when we bought it. So we’ve averaged 2500 miles per year. I suspect most RVers come closer to that figure than the 6,000 miles quoted by RV industry sources. Our usual trip averages about 3000 miles, roundtrip. However, sometimes we only drive about 400 miles in a year for a change of scenery or to find cooler (or warmer) temperatures.
So before you decide RVing is too expensive for you or that RVs waste gas, consider this. We’re considering making a 3000 mile trip this summer and fall. In the RV, gas will cost close to $1500, but lodging will run approximately $350 per month for the three months we plan to travel. Fuel costs would be about the same if we were driving a SUV or large truck on vacation, which get about the same mileage as our RV.
By car, our gas will only run about $400, but if we travel for three months, motels will run about $70.00 per night, or a whopping $6,300.00. And restaurant meals could easily cost $100 per day or more, totaling $9,000. Even eliminating housing and meal costs for those few days we might spend with friends or relatives, the cost of taking our hosts out to eat dinner could easily run $100.00 or more each time we do it.
A total cost of $2,550 by RV plus groceries (which I’d buy anyway) versus $15,700 in the car. Easy to see why I’m sold on RVing from an economical standpoint. Plus, we get to sleep in our own bed every night!
To keep mileage down on the RV, we tow a car that gets 30-35 miles per gallon and use it for errands and short trips. This saves gas and is a lot more environmentally friendly than a large vehicle that is used for everything, including commutes and leisure pursuits.
So, if you’ve wanted to travel by RV, don’t hesitate because of cost concerns. You can conserve gas, save money and still have a great time!
Live Your Dreams as a Writer
If I could do it, you can too!
If I could do it, you can too!
To write: that was my dream. To make enough money to travel: that was my goal.
So what are your dreams and goals? Are you a writer who doesn’t earn enough income support the family? Or, do you wish you could become a writer but don’t know how to start? Maybe you’re already writing for a living and make plenty of money, but you’d just like some new ideas to stimulate you and provide excitement to your career.
I wrote the book, Portable Writing as an answer to all of the above dilemmas. I once was that person dreaming of writing. And for awhile, I was that writer not making enough income churning out articles for magazines and newspapers. Yeah, I was seeing my name in print, but that doesn’t necessarily put food on the table.
Then an old friend called and asked if I could write some promotional materials for her business. Another asked if I could write an article about her business for the paper. Step by step and brick by brick, my business grew as more and more clients asked for my help writing effective business correspondence.
Soon, I was asked to not only write, but to create newsletters and brochures. So I bought a computer with graphics capabilities and desktop publishing software, and began to spend my spare time learning to use them. I applied the same methods to mastering those skills as I did to learning to write. I read everything I could find on the subject and asked advice from everyone who knew anything about the field. Once I began providing both writing and DTP services, my business exploded.
My message to you is that you can do everything I did, and probably better than I ever could. None of what I’ve done requires any special talent or education. I grew believing that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to – and that anyone else can, too. Of course, that didn’t mean I could become a Nobel prize-winning scientist or mathematician. But if I had been even remotely interested in either, I have no doubt that I could have succeeded.
If you want to be a successful writer, if you want to make lots of money creating words that people will read, you can do it if you really try. You might be one of those lucky people who has a book idea, writes it, gets a publishing contract paying a huge advance, and hits the best seller list immediately. You might, but you probably won’t.
Learn your craft, work hard and read Portable Writing to discover 25 projects that will propel you towards your goal. It took me twenty years to learn what I know, but you can do it much faster – within weeks – if you put into practice everything I’ve shared in Portable Writing. Go for it!
==========
Book: Portable Writing
For a complete instruction book on writing with projects that make money no matter where you live or roam, be sure to read my new book, Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom. In it, I give detailed instructions for how to create twenty-five different projects along with showing how to market your skills.
I've been using these projects to earn a living as a writer for twenty years. My articles have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers across the country, and two books have been published. I also have created writing projects such as newsletters, brochures and dozens of other materials for business and corporations during the past twenty years.
In the book, I tell about how to get published as well as produce projects for businesses and corporations. At least two projects are included in the book that have never before been revealed to readers. You can learn more about the book by going to my Web site, http://www.kennedyk.com, then clicking on the book image to read a two-chapter excerpt and get ordering information.
If you've always wanted to make money writing, but didn't know where to start, this book takes you by the hand and leads you through the process. If you're already writing, but not making money, here's where you'll learn exactly how to do it.
==========
An article about my RV lifestyle and the book, Portable Writing appeared in the Spokane Spokesman Review on June 3, 2006. Also, Portable Writing is now available on Amazon.com
An article about my RV lifestyle and the book, Portable Writing appeared in the Spokane Spokesman Review on June 3, 2006. Also, Portable Writing is now available on Amazon.com
The Ups & Downs of RVing
(with the high price of gas)
The price of gas seems to be slowing the travel industry down, but I doubt that it will bring trips to a screeching halt. Why not? Well, most who take a yearly vacation plan and save money all year for that great escape. For those traveling in RVs that get a measly 6-10 gallons per mile, they might elect to stay in one place longer and take shorter trips, but most will still hit the road occasionally.
Just how many miles do RVers travel each year? Certainly not as many as a vehicle that is used for daily commutes. While the typical vehicle in Arizona (for instance) is driven an average 20,000 -25,000 miles per year, the typical RVer travels less than 6,000 miles per year. We’re full-time RVers and have put 20,000 miles on our rig since 1998, when we bought it. So we’ve averaged 2500 miles per year. I suspect most RVers come closer to that figure than the 6,000 miles quoted by RV industry sources. Our usual trip averages about 3000 miles, roundtrip. However, sometimes we only drive about 400 miles in a year for a change of scenery or to find cooler (or warmer) temperatures.
So before you decide RVing is too expensive for you or that RVs waste gas, consider this. We’re considering making a 3000 mile trip this summer and fall. In the RV, gas will cost close to $1500, but lodging will run approximately $350 per month for the three months we plan to travel. Fuel costs would be about the same if we were driving a SUV or large truck on vacation, which get about the same mileage as our RV.
By car, our gas will only run about $400, but if we travel for three months, motels will run about $70.00 per night, or a whopping $6,300.00. And restaurant meals could easily cost $100 per day or more, totaling $9,000. Even eliminating housing and meal costs for those few days we might spend with friends or relatives, the cost of taking our hosts out to eat dinner could easily run $100.00 or more each time we do it.
A total cost of $2,550 by RV plus groceries (which I’d buy anyway) versus $15,700 in the car. Easy to see why I’m sold on RVing from an economical standpoint. Plus, we get to sleep in our own bed every night!
To keep mileage down on the RV, we tow a car that gets 30-35 miles per gallon and use it for errands and short trips. This saves gas and is a lot more environmentally friendly than a large vehicle that is used for everything, including commutes and leisure pursuits.
So, if you’ve wanted to travel by RV, don’t hesitate because of cost concerns. You can conserve gas, save money and still have a great time!
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