“A few more tips,” is the last post of the series on writing for the newspaper from our guest blogger, Rachel Mendell.  Thank you, Rachel for sharing your incite with us. 

 The print newspaper is still one of the easiest ways to get your name in print and most papers now have websites that will run your writing in tandem (or instead of) the print version. Most papers have expanded their product line with tabs (special print editions in addition to the regular paper) for weddings, city activities (street fairs, county fairs, art festivals), holidays (Christmas, Easter), seasons (Summer Day Trips, Spring Garden Shows), graduations (small town papers sometimes run the pictures of every graduate, including their future plans, in their June “Grad Tab”) and special events (City Center Opens, Arnold Fitness and Sports, etc.). Tabs take more work and much of that work can go to a stringer.

 If an editor likes your work he may sign you on as a “stringer” which is simply a part time reporter. Be willing to take stories on short notice. If a stringer continually puts up barriers (“I can’t because I have to do this or that.”) the editor will stop calling.

 The newspaper has been great training for me as a writer. It has taught me to write fast, write to deadline, write clearly, write organized and rewrite constantly. After the first six months at the paper I discovered I was writing 1,500 words a day (not counting edits). But the best part of all – I saw my name on the front page and collected lots of clips and tear sheets for my other projects.

 Getting seen – the hard truth

 Getting the paper’s attention isn’t hard. Email them. Call them. Go visit their office. Set up an appointment. Buy a paper.

 Do be polite. Do smile a lot. Go out of your way to be nice to everyone there. Start a relationship. Buy a paper.

 Newspaper folks are grumpy. We don’t have much chance of getting a raise or better benefits and most of us are lucky to still have a job. If you want the paper to review your book, call and ask if they would consider it. Then send your complimentary copy plus a wonderful thank you card. Email as a follow up. Call a week later. Don’t forget to buy a paper.

 Don’t pester the paper or they will ignore you – forever. There was a guy that wrote column after column for our paper (he called them letters to the editor) and the count was always too long and he always got mad when we edited it for length and clarity. Do they run his stuff anymore? Nope. Flooding the email boxes of the entire staff and calling incessantly is just plain annoying.

 Don’t lie. There’s a lady that sends her letters to the editor to five different county papers claiming to live in those counties. I found out where she really lives. Only one paper prints her stuff now – her real county – and she’s lucky. Remember, the paper is in the business of exposing liars.

 Newspaper staff can smell a scam from miles away. They can also tell within one sentence that they are being used. If the newspaper says you have to buy an ad, don’t get all huffy and hang up. Buy an ad. And be nice about it. And compliment the staff for a job well done after the paper comes out and you buy a copy to see your ad. THEN ask if they will review your book.

 Don’t call and ask that a reporter get sent out to your event today. Please. We don’t have the staff to do that any more. Call at least a week ahead. If they still say they don’t have anyone to send, offer to send pictures and a short write up of your event. Be polite. If they still say no, don’t send it anyway. Yikes. Talk about pushy!

 Every editor decides what goes into each paper. He is limited by ads. He is limited by space. Here at our weekly we get ten times the amount of copy that we have room for. Advertising determines the number of pages. If you look at your local paper – the one you want to pay attention to you – and you see a page that doesn’t have an ad on it, they are losing money. Be really, really nice to the ads department. They pay my salary.

 Start local. If some guy from Upper Sandusky comes in and wants us to cover his event we will immediately say no. Not many people in Upper read our Morrow County paper, so who of our readers would be interested? The decisions of the editor of your local paper may not make sense to you, but he is part of the community and knows what his community wants to read. If the community is happy with its paper, the ads department can sell ads. If the ads department sells ads the paper can grow. If the paper grows I might just get a raise.

 Once you get your foot in the door things begin to grow. When my book came out someone from the local paper came to talk to me at the book signing. The next day a camera man came out to interview me for the local television station. The day after that the paper from the next town over called and asked for an interview. It was a nice run and I sold a lot of books.

 Are you still interested in writing for the paper? Here are a few websites to explore:

Ohio Newspaper Association

National Newspaper Association

The Poynter Institute

American Journalism Review

Freedom Forum

You might want to check out the Associated Press Handbook (AP Style Book) for form and style. If you have any questions at all you can email me at reporter@newscolorpress.com. My email is up all the time and I have it set to bringing in email every five minutes. Good Luck!

Read more of Rachel Mendell’s tips on writing for the newspaper by following the links below.

Writing for the newspaper is still an opportunity.

Writing for the newspaper: events

Opinion

Writing for the newspaper: Stories

Rachel Mendell writes for the Morrow County Sentinel, a weekly paper that covers county government and community events in Morrow County, Ohio. She has also written for the Galion Inquirer (daily) and the Crestline Advocate (weekly). Copies of her book, Ghostly Galion, are available by emailing thedomesticwarhorse@yahoo.com. Samples of her writing are available at domesticmobility.blogspot.com. For more information about writing for the newspaper contact Rachel at reporter@newscolorpress.com or call 419-946-3010. Be polite. You may need to leave a message.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Today’s post is from guest blogger, Rachel Mendell.  This post is part of a series on writing for the newspaper.

The first place most writers start their newspaper career is with a letter to the editor. Check with the guidelines as to word count and frequency. If you don’t understand what is expected call the paper and ask. The Sentinel runs local letters to the editor on the opinions page with a limit of 300 words. If you have contributed recently check to find out when you can send in a letter again. Every newspaper is different.

Columns are also a nice place to start. Again, contact the paper to find out if guest columns are accepted. Read the columns the newspaper runs on a regular basis. Is your local newspaper liberal or conservative? Many columns come from other sources besides local folks. Ask the editor who his favorite columnists are and research those writers. Make sure your column follows all guidelines exactly.

In the Sentinel columns sometimes run on other pages besides the opinion page. My column runs on a different page each week. The local superintendent’s column runs on the schools page. Just a suggestion: Humor is hot right now. Do not expect to get paid for columns, at least not right away.

Read more of Rachel Mendell’s tips on writing for the newspaper by following the links below.

Writing for the newspaper is still an opportunity.

Writing for the newspaper: events

Writing for the newspaper: Stories

Rachel Mendell writes for the Morrow County Sentinel, a weekly paper that covers county government and community events in Morrow County, Ohio. She has also written for the Galion Inquirer (daily) and the Crestline Advocate (weekly). Copies of her book, Ghostly Galion, are available by emailing thedomesticwarhorse@yahoo.com. Samples of her writing are available at domesticmobility.blogspot.com. For more information about writing for the newspaper contact Rachel at reporter@newscolorpress.com or call 419-946-3010. Be polite. You may need to leave a message.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Today we have  guest blogger Rachel Mendell, who will be with us over the next few posts!  The focus of these posts will be on writing for the newspaper.

There are lots of ways you can write for the newspaper. In this series I cover event promos, opinion pieces and stories. I have also added a few dos and don’ts for getting the newspaper’s attention.

 Yes, it’s true, the newspaper industry has taken a big hit. But you can still write for the paper and now is a great time to check it out. The newspaper is quick to publish compared to other print products and even though you may not get paid, it sure is nice to have those clips in your portfolio.

 Start a relationship with your local newspaper. Email, write, or visit with the editor. Have patience. Editors have always been busy, but with short-staffed offices, the pace has reached a new level of insanity. You may have to make an appointment. Ask him what his needs are and express your desire to help. Be successful in working for your local newspaper first and it will be easier to move out to a larger audience with that experience.

Read more of Rachel Mendell’s tips on writing for the newspaper by following the link below.

Writing for the newspaper: events

Rachel Mendell writes for the Morrow County Sentinel, a weekly paper that covers county government and community events in Morrow County, Ohio. She has also written for the Galion Inquirer (daily) and the Crestline Advocate (weekly). Copies of her book, Ghostly Galion, are available by emailing thedomesticwarhorse@yahoo.com. Samples of her writing are available at domesticmobility.blogspot.com. For more information about writing for the newspaper contact Rachel at reporter@newscolorpress.com or call 419-946-3010. Be polite. You may need to leave a message.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Need to give your business some more face time? Are you a writer who needs to know how to connect with readers or other clients? Last week we talked about how to market your writing.  This week I want to point out what writing business owners NEED to connect with current and potential customers.
 
Newsletters
A Newsletter informs your customers of changes, benefits, features, and specials on a regular basis.  E-newsletters are quickly becoming a more popular option from the print version, giving customers the option to receive your news immediately through e-mail.  This is also a great way to promote your websites.

Fliers
Fliers or pamphlets are great advertising aids.  Distribute them when you or your employees meet with potential customers.  The fliers give the customer something tangible to remember you and your meeting.

Websites
Billboards on the highway are a way of the past.  Websites are now the coffee shops where you will develop a relationship with people interested in your products and services.

White Papers
A mix between a brochure and an article, white papers are great marketing or sales tools.  White papers give detailed information to your customers while pointing them to the benefits of using you for that service.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

This blog originally appeared on March 30, 2009. It is an extremely popular blog as it shows how editing helps you in the writing process. I hope you will enjoy this re-release of this blog.

One of my coaching students emailed me last week to do an edit. I gave her a very detailed critique on her opening paragraph. I then thought that what I shared might help other writers so I asked her permission to share it with you.

I have kept her anonymous to protect the innocent [and if she is entering Genesis she will want to STAY anonymous] but, if she chooses to reveal herself in the comments, I hope she’ll tell you some of how she applied all of this to her full WIP. Please pay particular attention to the ways to construct questions in the reader’s mind. It is not the only way, but it is one way. The key is understanding WHY you want to do that and how it will help you improve your writing.

For those of you who have wondered about my editing and coaching, this is a sample of what you get. I hope it will help all of you.

Her opening read:

I gripped the steering wheel as Nikko slept in his kennel in the back of the jeep. The phone call that interrupted dinner was from Sheriff Logan, telling me a six year old girl went missing. The longer the child is missing the more difficult to pick up the scent. So far, they have not been successful.
Before leaving Boones Creek, I drove through McDonalds at the edge of town for a cup of strong coffee. Nikko had water in his kennel, besides he sleeps while I’m driving.
***

This is what I said to her:

I really see that you’ve improved.

As I started the first paragraph I started some changes [suggestions] to you. Look below-

You gripping the steering wheel and Nikko sleeping aren’t related. It is better to say something like.

I gripped the steering wheel and tried to process everything Sheriff Logan had said. Behind me Nikko slept soundly in his kennel. His near silent breathing the only noise besides the thundering of my heart. Another girl missing, a six year old, and Nikko and I were needed. Every second that ticked past would make the scent harder for Nikko to pick up. How long had she been missing? How old was the scent?

Nikko let out a muffled whimper from his slumber. Was he dreaming of chasing a rabbit through the woods or was he running to escape the nightmares like I do?
***

I want to tell you what it is I was doing here and why. Gripped is a GREAT verb but we need more. Therefore I have her gripping the steering wheel PROCESSING what the Sheriff said. Immediately the reader starts to wonder what the sheriff said, what her relationship with the sheriff is, what we are going to find out next. She could have heard a loved one was dead. Maybe she is under suspicion for a crime. We don’t know. So the reader will keep reading to find out the answer.

You had the dog sleeping in the kennel but it seemed like a distraction before BUT by HEARING the breathing it engages more of our senses and we start to experience the scene a bit more. Now we are in a car, there is a dog sleeping behind her and we can hear it breathe. “But what did the sheriff say and what does this DOG have to do with anything?” The reader still wonders.

Her heart is thundering. She is gripping the steering wheel. Both indicate stress or fear…hmmm, the reader wonders why.

Next, a girl is missing. And the heroine is needed with the dog. Okay, he is a service dog. A blood hound? A cadaver dog? No, the next sentence indicates that the scent could grow cold. That means we hope the girl is still alive. So the reader keeps reading because we still have the unanswered question of why the narrator is so upset? Then we learn of the time constraint. We want to yell to her “Stop sitting there!!! Go find the girl !!!”

Then we HEAR the dog again [see, how we have touch and hearing weaving through this scene]. Anyone familiar with a dog knows what this sounds like, but we add a sinister twist to it. The heroine wonders if the dog is dreaming happily or if it is tortured LIKE SHE IS!!

This question of her internal struggle is “BRIDGING CONFLICT”. Go look at it in “Writing the Breakout Novel” and you’ll see it’s function. This is a lingering question you don’t want to answer too quickly. This is ALL just the opening paragraph. The FIRST paragraph of your story. Compare this to what you wrote and you’ll see that I simply added some unspoken questions to the readers mind as they read. You see some I introduced and then quickly answered. Others I introduced and left unanswered.

The big thing is add more senses. You have a great framework to do this with. You had the dog sleeping, I introduced the sound of his snores…

So read through and start to think of places you can include sensory details [the five senses]…and try to associate many of them with an emotion as well. “The comforting smell of pine pulled her back to grandma’s house and the pine trees that bristled outside her window at night. It was her safe place and the one she always imagined escaping to when life at home became too terrifying.” Do you see how you’ve learned a bit about the character, her relationship with her grandma and her childhood all because of a smell?

So, look over your MS and see how you can add those things [we don't want to over do it. Descriptions are like salt. =) ]

I hope this helps.

***
So, if you’ve ever wondered what I do when I coach and offer edits, now you know. I hope all of you will see a nugget in here that will help you in your writing. If you have any questions you can contact me through my website www.WritingCareerCoach.com or www.TheBalancedLife.com

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

This article is excerpted from my article “How can I market my writing.” The entire article is available free under the “Articles” tab at www.WritingCareerCoach.com

As an aspiring author there is a great deal to learn. There are grammar and spelling rules. There is a tone. There is that certain ‘something’ that helps the reader connect with the message of the writer. Writers recognize this and spend a great deal of time at conferences and in critique groups honing their craft and finding ways to better express their thoughts on paper.

What writers are only beginning to realize is that running alongside this is the need for a strong marketing sense. For some people with a business background this could come more naturally. They’ve grown accustomed to networking and making sales contacts. For born writers, however, our more solitary nature sometimes makes the idea of networking about as appealing as dragging our tongue across razor blades. There is the perception that marketing our craft somehow sullies it, and thus, we want to leave that part to our publisher. Doing this will doom your work to obscurity. Therefore, we need to find ways to make marketing, if not pleasurable, bearable.

In this article we’re going to look at a few simple ways to begin to market your writing. While using all of these ideas together may give the best result, selecting only one or two can give you a significant jump start on establishing name recognition. Furthermore, most, if not all, of these techniques can be used before you even have your first book contracted. That makes these not only a means of marketing our writing to readers but also marketing our writing to potential publishing houses.

Blogging

Blogging is a phenomenon that has only been around for a little over a decade and has received mixed reviews. One of the advantages of establishing a blog is that many blogs are free to start. The setback of blogging is the same as the setback of anything else, you must let people know it is there and give them a reason to come again and again.

Articles

Historically the way to publication began with an author writing a variety of articles and then “shopping” them around to various magazines and periodicals. The face of publishing, however, has been changing over the last 5-10 years with a transition from print publications to electronic publications. While this has led to a decrease in the number of paying markets for a writer to break in to, it has offered an increase in the potential of using articles to market YOU, rather than the magazine you are writing for.

Newsletters

For people who like to stay in the know but who don’t like to read daily blogs there are newsletters. One benefit of the newsletter is the ability to add graphics to your stories and links to your blog and to other articles. Furthermore, a newsletter gives the perception of professionalism to some readers. I find that there is some overlap between my blog subscribers and my newsletter subscribers. Despite this, the two distribution means tend to reach different groups.

Speaking

This is my favorite part of marketing. I love to write, but I also love teaching other people how to write. Therefore I spend as much time as I can speaking to business and writing groups. This option isn’t for everyone but if you do have some interest in speaking, take the time to learn how to do it properly. Find some online classes and read books. Remember, just because you can talk, doesn’t mean you can speak.

Networking Communities

Finally, a great way to market your writing is by networking. Membership in online communities helps you with national and international connections while local groups help your develop your people skills. Make sure you focus on giving to these communities more than you seek to take.

This is not an exhaustive list of ways to market your writing but gives you a start. While these tips and ideas may not help you with the nerves inherent in putting yourself out there, they will help you to develop the relationships that will make marketing your work a much more pleasurable experience.

For a more expanded view of marketing and developing your writing check out my ebook Writing and Business: A Guide for Freelance Writers.  Available for purchase by contacting Tiffany, only $7.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Events:

MARCH

• March 19-20 Marketing your Fiction Seminar, Nashville, TN. Contact Tiffany Colter with questions 734.474.5489 or tiffcolter@gmail.com, www.TheMasterSeminars.com. At this event we’ll show you how to create—and implement—your own, personalized marketing plan to make your novel stand out in a crowded marketplace. $399 includes seminar materials and lunch both days.

• March 15-April 23rd, Learn to Write for Children, online writing course taught by Karen Whiting, www.WIESworkshops.com. In this six-week course, you’ll learn to engage a children’s heart and mind with words and stories. Registration $125. Deadline to register is Monday, March 8th.
 
APRIL

• April 5-April 30, Dynamics of Dialogue, online writing course. www.WIESworkshops.com. In this four-week course, allow Eva Marie Everson to show you the dynamics of writing dialogue. From tag lines to staggering tags, from adding action and voice inflection, you will learn it all in a fun, hands-on workshop. By the end of four weeks, writing dialogue will come to you as naturally as … well … speaking! Registration $100. Deadline to register is Monday, March 29th.

• April 23-24, Writing a Bestselling Novel, Embassy Suites Portland Airport. Portland, OR. Contact Tiffany Colter with questions 734.474.5489 or tiffcolter@gmail.com, www.TheMasterSeminars.com. In this two-day workshop, Susan May Warren and literary agent Chip MacGregor will explain the basic elements of a bestselling novel, show you how to create great characters, and get you going on plotting a story that will be both memorable and meaningful. We’ll make the whole process understandable, and you’ll leave having taken a major step forward in your novel writing. $349 which includes all materials and lunch on Saturday.

• April 26-May 21, Basics for Beginning Fiction Writers, online writing course taught by Jeanne Marie Leach. www.WIESworkshops.com. In this four-week class you will learn the different components of a work of fiction that must be present, whether writing short stories or full-length novels. Jeanne uses a concise and methodical system to help beginning writers of fiction to know which step to take next, regardless of where they are in their writing endeavors. Registration $100. Registration deadline is Monday, April 19th.

• April 30-May 1, Workshop for Women Writers, Mt. Horeb, WI, at Life Church. Contact Nicole O’Dell with questions 708-691-0081 or nicoleodell6@gmail.com, Or visit the facebook event page. This workshop is $39.00 and that includes lunch and dinner on Saturday.

 
MAY

• May 7-8, Adding Depth to Your Fiction, Orlando, FL. Contact Tiffany Colter with questions 734.474.5489 or tiffcolter@gmail.com, www.TheMasterSeminars.com.  A chance for novelists to share a weekend with two nationally-recognized writers (Lisa Samson and award-winning writer Susan Meissner), in order to explore how to add depth and power to your fiction. Registration: $399 includes seminar materials and lunch both days.

• May 24-June 25, Writing Women’s Fiction, online writing course taught by Deborah Raney. www.WIESworkshops.com. This 5-week workshop will key on the elements of writing that pertain particularly to Contemporary Women’s Fiction, with an emphasis on characterization, evoking emotion, using setting as another “character,” and using social issues in the story plot. Registration $120. Deadline to register is Monday, May 17th.

JUNE
• June 18-19, Writing a Bestselling Novel, Embassy Suites Denver Aurora. Contact Tiffany Colter with questions 734.474.5489 or tiffcolter@gmail.com, www.TheMasterSeminars.com. In this two-day workshop, Susan May Warren and literary agent Chip MacGregor will explain the basic elements of a bestselling novel, show you how to create great characters, and get you going on plotting a story that will be both memorable and meaningful. We’ll make the whole process understandable, and you’ll leave having taken a major step forward in your novel writing. $349 which includes all materials and lunch on Saturday.
JULY
• July 23-24, Adding Depth to Your Fiction. Grand Rapids, MI. Contact Tiffany Colter with questions 734.474.5489 or tiffcolter@gmail.com, www.TheMasterSeminars.com. A chance for novelists to share a weekend with two nationally-recognized writers (Lisa Samson and award-winning writer Susan Meissner), in order to explore how to add depth and power to your fiction. Registration: $399 includes seminar materials and lunch both days.

AUGUST

• August 13 & 14, 2010, FaithWriters conference, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Livonia, MI, Contact Lynda Schab, http://www.faithwriters.com/conference.php, The FaithWriters’ yearly conference is unique. Certainly, it offers a whole range of workshops for writers of all skill levels and genres, taught by dynamic speakers. But this conference goes much deeper than that–it nurtures the whole writer, spiritually, physically, creatively, and emotionally through prayer, fun, and fellowship with like-minded writers. Come and be blessed! Price: Early Bird (by June 5) FW Platinum Members $72.00 per person; All Others $82.00 per person General Rate (from June 6, 2010) FW Platinum Members $82.00 per person; All Others $92.00 per person
Rate Includes: Conference cost, Saturday morning breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack. Hotel rates: $93 per night.
Writing Contests:

MARCH

• The Genesis. Deadline March 31, 2010 8am Pacific time. www.ACFW.com/genesis Entry fee: $35

• The Frasier. Deadline March 31, 2010 11:59pm Pacific time. http://www.mybooktherapy.com/index2.php/?page_id=1005 Entry fee: $30

MAY

• Inspirational Writers Alive Open Writing Competition. Deadline: May 15. Entry Forms available by email at marthalrogers@sbcglobal.net, Guidelines available: www.tcwc.blogspot.com, Registration Fee: $15.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Here is an upcoming writing course.  I wanted to give you all a chance to sign up since the deadline is March 8th.  I will be posting a list of other events and competitions within the next few days.  I hope you will take advantage of these postings and learn something new!

March 15-April 23rd, Learn to Write for Children, online writing course taught by Karen Whiting, www.WIESworkshops.com. In this six-week course, you’ll learn to engage a children’s heart and mind with words and stories. Registration $125. Deadline to register is Monday, March 8th.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

In my previous blog I suggested looking for work in other venues. Today I want to show how this will help you with your book or novel writing.

1. You learn to write by writing. While there is a difference between a term paper and a romance novel writing is still writing. You learn to express yourself better as you write, no matter what the writing is for.
2. You learn about people. Interacting with people is a great way to deepen character development. In novels our characters will not always react in a way that seems logical to us. We need to learn how others react to certain situations so we can integrate that in our writing.
3. You make connections with other people who could be future readers. Becoming visible in your community helps increase your platform and will lead to more sales.

While these are just a few ways you can benefit from writing for other venues, they are important. Why don’t you take a few minutes to think of how writing for others will help you build and develop your writing career and share your thoughts in the comments.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.

Do you dream of one day living the life of a novelist? Each morning you wake up full of creativity and then spend a few hours typing beautiful prose that whisk your reader off to a world they never knew existed. As you finish one book and send it off to your agent the next one flows. You get book deals with substantial cash advances. Royalties come in and your only work is going to the book signings.

Well, that isn’t the reality. The truth is many books get a cash advance of only a few thousand dollars and first time authors don’t often get more than $12,000 for a book that took them more than a year to write. Of that 15% goes to your agent, 30% goes to the government and another sizable chunk goes to marketing. Those book signings? You set them up, not your publisher, and you handle all travel expenses.

So, why would a person want to be a writer? Passion. We cannot deny the thoughts buzzing in our minds. Our stories need to get out.

How do you earn a living at it? Diversifying is one option. Find individuals, groups, or community organizations who need writers. Offer your services to them and commit a specific number of hours each week to working on these projects.

Think of three places where you could offer your services for a fee.

Don’t miss a single posting! Subscribe here to receive these postings by e-mail. Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com.