Tudor Hampton –

“It is important for a freelance writer to ask "why is this story important to reader?" Putting that question in context of all queried publications is key to getting more work.

Likewise, every writer/editor/etc. should also seek out a mentor and tap them as much as possible. Anyone who desires to become great must have a coach.

Colleagues can offer educational wisdom but sometimes it is necessary to take classes from a local college or university to get even more ideas.”

Lori Widmer -

“When I have a lull, I consider that my "day off" and I write whatever I want then. I usually go "offline" and stick with pen and journal on those days. It keeps me from obsessing about finding more projects, and allows me time to myself and to do what I'd like to for a change.”

C. Hope Clark -

“I do so if I'm passionate about a subject and when I've completed my editing, I'm afraid. My customers come before my freelance writing.

However, I keep 13 articles or queries in play at all times. That keeps me somewhat focused on my writing which is what got me in this business to start off with.”

Jenny Kasza –

Page Thirteen

“As far as freelance work goes, I only did it for a short time. My full-time job keeps me busy enough.”

-- Question # Nine - How do you make your career or business as an editor or publisher more profitable or rewarding? --

Lori Widmer -

“By learning your craft. I can't be a great editor if I'm not up on proofreader's marks or if I'm not savvy in sentence structure. I try to read at least one section of Harbrace College Handbook every day. If I read it and try to apply it, I'm more apt to remember it.

Also, I try to learn things not in my current field of expertise. As soon as I get some spare cash, I'm getting an AMA style manual so I can start landing some medical editing jobs (which are plentiful here).”

C. Hope Clark -

“I measure success with my editing/publishing with: 1. number of subscribers 2. number of positive emails from those subscribers Those emails are my yardstick and they mean world to me.”

Dana Cassell –

“Haven't figured out any sure-fire strategy yet -- just keep plugging away and trying new things.”

-- Question # Ten - How do you further your education as related to your work? --

Page Fourteen

Jenny Kasza –

“To further your education as an editor, you need to know who your reader is, keep up with industry trends, and keep building your experience. You should also talk to professionals in your industry and attend some shows/conferences when you can.”

Lori Widmer -

“I'm a big believer in a college education. Getting a degree that encompasses area you want to work in makes a huge difference in how your prospective clients perceive you.

For example, I have a degree in Business Communications. That has allowed me to shoot for (and land, amen) one client who needs PR work done.

PR work is no harder than writing--in fact, it's a lot of writing. If I want to be in technical writing, you can bet I'm going to study it, either on my own or in a college setting.

If college is out of question, then there's always studying on your own. As long as you do something to learn and implement your expertise, to broaden your knowledge base, you should be working a long time. At least, that's my hope.”

C. Hope Clark -

“I further my education by constantly reading - online and on paper. Not books, necessarily, but lots of nonfiction sources like papers, lists, government groups, and professional group publications.”

Dana Cassell –

Page Fifteen

“I skim (no time to really read) and file pertinent articles from Folio, Writer's Digest, The Writer, Freelance Writer's Report -- several ezines, such as Dan Poynter's, PublishersLunch -- but nothing formal or structured - no time.”

Teresa Acosta –

“Online courses, continuing education courses and local colleges.”

Look for Part One Here at GoArticles.

I love state [of the] art commission/council websites. They are chocked full of new announcements, competitions, grants, as well as instructional ideas and meetings for writers and artists. These groups are underutilized in my opinion.”

Teresa Acosta, editor & publisher, The Romance Rag www.romancerag.com –

“Writer's Market Online; About Romance, Gila.”

-- Question # Three - What style manuals do you use and recommend and why? --

Tiffany Owens -

“I've only used AP style in my various positions -- seems most easily accessible and widely used of all.”

Jenny Kasza –

“I consult with my AP Stylebook.”

Dana Cassell –

“I prefer AP Stylebook because it is easier to use. I also frequently refer to "One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated?" By Mary Louise Gilman.”

Page Five

Tudor Hampton –

“Regarding style, we should let academics debate rules. In professional world, good style is something not found in any manual, although every writer should own a worn-out copy of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

Mechanically speaking, writers should be familiar with all mainstream styles but not get too hung up on them. Telling a good story is paramount.”

Lori Widmer -

“AP Style Guide--absolute must for some of publications I write for.

Also, a good grammar and sentence-structure primer is essential. I use Harbrace College Handbook. It answers those nagging questions about where my commas should be.

I would recommend that every writer have a working knowledge (or appropriate manual sitting on his/her desk) of both AP and Chicago styles.

Depending on industry you write for, you should also have APA style or AMA style down pat, as well. I don't, but that's next on my list.”

Teresa Acosta –

“Chicago Manual of Style; The Elements of Style (Strunk and White); The Elements of Editing (Arthur Plotnik).”

Page Six

-- Question # Four - How do you deal with stress of your kind of work in particular? --

Jenny Kasza –

“How do I deal with stress? Editing can be stressful, as there is always a deadline. To alleviate stress, I try to take a lunch break where I just sit in car, read a book, or get out and walk.”

Dana Cassell –

“I think stress of impending deadlines stimulates both creative side of brain and drive to get at it. Without stress of those deadlines, I don't think we would get nearly as much accomplished, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.”

Lori Widmer -

“By being in constant motion. If I'm idle, then I notice stress.

Oddly, if I'm busy, it calms me down. I finish one project while farming out for two or three others. I keep in contact with my contacts in my part of industry.

For instance, yesterday a fellow freelancer let me know that a former boss of mine had offered her a story she's not able to do. I sent him a quick email "Hey, how are you--need anything?" and scored an easy assignment.

It's putting your name (and sometimes your face) in front of potential customers that keeps "happy stress" going and wards off "bad stress".”

Page Seven

C. Hope Clark -

“I control my schedule. I rarely get stressed in relation to my work because I love it so much.

The biggest stress I face is when I can't deliver a product (i.e., newsletter) to my membership on time. That's happened only twice in 3 1/2 years with a weekly newsletter. Other than that, my stress is limited.”

Teresa Acosta –

“Take short breaks, preferably outside and try to stretch and drink water every hour.”

-- Question # Five - What are your favorite time savers? --

Tudor Hampton –

“"Just Ask" is my mantra. If you have a question and don't know answer, reliable resources are more likely to help you before you can do it on your own.

Technology can waste a lot of time, too. In my experience, it's faster, not but easier, to make a phone call than to write an email. And without question, people are more important than Internet.”

Jenny Kasza –

“Don't be afraid to delegate to people. When people ask if you need help with anything, say yes, and give them a project to do.”

Page Eight

Lori Widmer -

“Email! My gawd, it's changed my life. Folks who would normally avoid phone usually respond much faster to an email (if they're going to respond at all, that is).

Also, I've made templates of my own personal invoice so I only need to pop in info and not reinvent wheel each time I send out my invoices.

I'm also a list-maker. I have my Outlook calendar littered with notes telling me what I should work on for that day if I want to remain on schedule.”

Dana Cassell -

“I have several utility software programs that save time with copying, pasting in frequently used text and passwords, filing, remembering, and backing up -- such as ClipMate, TypeItIn, Second Copy -- all of which I would not like to be without.”

C. Hope Clark -

“Skipping house work, skipping cooking dinner, and never watching television. My work is from home, and that's where I gather my free time.

I also exercise every morning which makes rest of my day feel better and makes me more efficient.”

Look for Part Two Here at GoArticles.