Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing
by Bunny Badertscher
What are the Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing? That is a bit like asking 'how do you get from
Tucson to Maine?'
There are as many routes as there are drivers and various modes of transportation as
well. The three freelance writers on the SSA panel in April have come from different directions, followed
different routes, and arrived at various destinations. But one thing you can be sure of they will have some
ideas worth stealing.
Kaye Patchett (www.geocities.
com/kayepatchett) has worked both
on staff and freelance as an editor
and writer of articles, columns, and
books on a wide variety of subjects
including business, science, health,
and profiles. Her new job as a staff
writer at Canyon Ranch leaves time
for freelance writing. Kaye has won
numerous awards from National
Press Women, Writers' Digest, SSA,
and the 2004 Arizona Newspaper Association Best Writing award.
Surely Alan M. Petrillo must write
23 hours a day in order to turn out all
his fiction and non-fiction from short
articles and short fiction to mystery
novels and non-fiction books. His
eclectic background as a journalist,
editor, and firefighter prepared him
to write for magazines aimed at a
varied audience including Women's
Day, Popular Science, American Profile,
American Style, and Amtrak's Arrive.
He won Best Short Story in 2006 for
"Burn Unit" published in Writer's
Post Journal.
Writing is a "third-life" career for
Vera Marie Badertscher, aka "Bunny"
(www.pen4hire.com). For 12 years,
she has written articles, essays,
and web articles for national (eg.
National Geographic Traveler), local
and regional (eg. Arizona Highways),
various AAA magazines, specialty
luxury magazines, and several
web sites. While she specializes in
travel, she also enjoys writing about
anything that makes her curious
which includes animals, people
and inanimate objects. Articles have
won her three first place awards
from National Association of Press
Women, as well as several state
awards.
Keep It Short and Be Persistent
by Jude Johnson
The Short Story is long-standing challenge for many writers. Shannon
Cain is no stranger to the struggle. "The Necessity of Certain Behaviors"
was rejected by twenty-one different literary magazines before it was finally
published in The New England Review--after they'd rejected three other stories. It
subsequently earned a 2008 O. Henry Award. On Sunday, May 18, Shannon
will share her experience with SSA members and remind us all of how
persistence is a vital requirement for writers.
The Write Word
Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing
Shannon earned her MFA in 2005 from
the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson
College and later that year was awarded a
fellowship from the National Endowment
for the Arts. She is passionate about her
craft. "You can't be a good writer without
being a good reader," she says, and she
credits scribes such as Janet Kauffman, Stacey Richter, and Alice Munro with
consistently inspiring and influencing
her work. Shannon was also a co-chair
of the Authors Committee for the
Tucson Festival of Books, which will be
in March 2009 on the campus of the
University of Arizona. She teaches at
the Gotham Writers' Workshop, and
has been the executive director of
Kore (kor-ay) Press, an independent
publisher of literature by women. In
her spare time she is also a private
writing coach.
Join us at the Sheraton Four Points
Conference Center on May 18th for an
enlightening luncheon with Shannon
Cain. As always, you can either call
in your reservations to 546-9382
OR email forums@ssa-az.org by the
Wednesday prior (in this case, May
14th).
Readers Theater for Plays and Other Scripts
SSA's Readers Theater is an opportunity for writers to have their characters come to life and speak the lines written for them. It allows the audience to respond to the essentials of the writer's story and characters.
Full-length scripts (up to 120 min.), one-act pieces (20-60 min.) and 10 minute plays will make up a monthly performance (approx. 2 hrs.). SSA members may submit any of the above to be considered for the Readers TheaterÐthey will be paid a modest honorarium based on the length of the script and have an opportunity to receive audience feedback.
The Readers Theater will take place from 2-4pm on the last Sunday of every month at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 3201 E. Presidio. $10 admission for the performances and complimentary refreshments. Proceeds benefit SSA and the church's work with families in need.
All genres welcome, but scripts must be appropriate for a general audienc--scripts with obscene language, overt sexual content, or violence will not be accepted.
To have your script considered for the Readers Theater, please send one copy to: SSA, Readers Theater, P.O. Box 30355, Tucson, AZ 85751. Scripts will not be returned unless a return envelope with sufficient postage is include--electronic submissions will not be accepted. For further info phone Carol Costa at 326-4146 or e-mail: ccstarlit@aol.com.
This is an opportunity for SSA members to learn more about plotting, character development, and dialogue. We hope that members will attend performances and bring their friends.
Website Creation by Non-Techies
by Jude Johnson
Have you wanted to have a website to promote your writing but felt
intimidated? Do you feel too confused by Websites For Dummies? You aren't
alone. So bring your laptop Sunday, April 27, from 11AM to no later than
3:30 PM at the Four Points Sheraton Conference Center - SSA is sponsoring
a one-day workshop!
Practical information for non-tech-savvy writers will be shared by authors
who aren't computer whizzes yet maintain their own websites. The program
will include:
- Two hours of practical information WITH HANDOUTS explaining
domain names, where to host, available software, to hire or not to hire
a web designer, getting your site into search engines, setting up Paypal,
etc.
- 30 minute break with box lunches.
- Two hours of very basic practice making a webpage using:
- HTML layout,
- how to put pictures or slide shows onto your page,
- linking to other pages and/or websites.
The cost: $30 per person for the 4.5 hour workshop. (Considering many
web designers charge at least $50 per hour, this is a real GONGA, neighbor.)
Registration forms can be obtained from Jude Johnson: judejb@comcast.net
It's That Time Again!
No, we don't mean tax time (although that's just around the corner). It's WRITING CONTEST time. The 2008 entry forms and requirements are ready and waiting for you on SSA's contest page.
or available by sending a SASE to:
Entry Forms Department,
PO Box 35484,
Tucson, Arizona, 85740.
TAKE NOTE: this is the new address
for contest entries ONLY.
A $10.00 entry fee per submission could earn you as much as $300, or $150, or $75, or $25, depending on where your entry places, as well as publication in The Story Teller, and appreciative applause at the Awards' Luncheon in October.
So open those file drawers and dust off those stories or poems, or put ink to paper and dream up something brand new. We're ready and waiting for you!
Mary Ann Hutchison & Jude Johnson,
the Writing Contest Team
