5 Q's with Louise Sloan

Freelance writer Louise Sloan has also worked an editor at several magazines and recently published a nonfiction book about single women choosing to become mothers. Here she talks about freelance writing and her new book called Knock Yourself Up.

Urban Muse: Your website has a wide variety of samples. Do you consider yourself a specialist or a generalist?
Louise: I’m definitely a generalist! But that’s a hard thing to market, both as a writer and as an editor, so I guess I don’t recommend it. I’ve probably lost out on a lot of jobs as a result of not being the go-to girl for X topic area. People really want to put you in a box, because it’s just easier to assign that way, I guess. In fact, I wrote one workplace issues piece for Glamour, and suddenly editors from other magazines were calling me with workplace issues assignments, which I thought was kind of hilarious, considering at that point I’d pretty much never worked in a conventional office and really didn’t know (or care!) much about corporate America. (My Glamour piece had been on lesbians coming out at work, and it was the gay-rights aspect of it that had interested me.)

On the other hand, while it may have cost me some career points, I have found it much more interesting NOT to specialize. I have gotten to work on so many different things, from silly fashion copy to serious health reporting. I have loved that, and my ability to do it was why I got jobs in custom publishing, which requires versatility. Also, as an editor, I have sometimes specifically avoided hiring a specialist--for example, to explain really complex HIV science issues to a mass-market readership--because I felt like a smart generalist would do a better job of figuring out how to explain it to the true layman, because she is one herself.

UM: The topic for Knock Yourself Up is pretty personal. Was there a line between what you were willing to share with your readers and what you kept personal or did you want to spill everything so that other potential single mothers would know what to expect?
L: I pretty much spilled everything that seemed relevant and didn’t hurt anyone else. I felt like I was asking the women I interviewed to tell all, and so it would be morally bankrupt for me not to do the same (despite not being able to hide behind a pseudonym!). Also, just from a literary point of view, I felt like I had to be open and vulnerable and truthful otherwise it just wouldn’t be as good a piece of writing and so people wouldn’t want to read it. At the same time, I often wondered whether I was telling interesting personal stories or droning on about “then I woke up, then I poured my coffee, then I ate breakfast, then I brushed my teeth…” I was pretty nervous about it for a long time, but then some positive feedback from early readers made me feel a little better.

You’ve gotten some strong reactions from a lot of readers. How do you handle criticism?
L: Oh, yeah! The reactions to my salon.com Q&A were surprisingly mean, and just today I saw a thread on a right-wing website that was even meaner! They actually posted a picture of me when I was pregnant (taken from my book website)--I think it was meant to illustrate that I’m so ugly that of COURSE I had to knock myself up. When I was writing the book, I was totally freaked out by the prospect of criticism. I woke up many mornings with a stomachache at 5 am, feeling uncomfortable about the vulnerability I was exposing in my writing, and afraid of the right-wing bashing I knew I was gonna get and (worse) fearful of snarky, bad reviews and personal attacks from mainstream media. It was pretty awful inside my mind those early mornings, actually. But I thought, you know, I set out to write this and if I focus on protecting myself, the book won’t be as good. So I just have to ignore my many fears and insecurities and just try to write this as well as I can.

Now, I’m actually able to mostly laugh at the criticism and let it roll off me. I think it’s partly because I got so much worrying done earlier, but it’s also because before it went to press I gave the manuscript to many people, both friends and strangers, and their feedback was quite positive and supportive. So that gave me confidence and also a sense that whatever the bashers say, I have friends and family behind me, and I know that the women who want this sort of imformation have enjoyed my book and found it to be helpful.

Actually, if a review came out saying it was a badly written book about the life of an alternately dull and unlikable woman--that would get to me. (Hasn’t happened… yet.) But the folks (who haven’t read the book, mind you) who say that I’m a selfish, ugly narcissist who can’t maintain a human relationship and who’s raising a future angry, sad criminal, and that I gave birth to him simply to piss off my conservative family because I’m a typical immature liberal? Whatever!
What’s your next project?

I’d really like to finish and publish the book I was writing when I stumbled into the Knock Yourself Up book deal. It’s a memoir about my 1996 brain injury from snowboarding, titled Losing My Mind. It’s a very different book--more of a literary memoir, or at least that’s what I hope it is--and one that I’m more invested in. And I’d also like to write a book about single fathers and what they can teach us about parenting and gender. But I start a full-time job at Ladies’ Home Journal in January. I’ll be the senior articles editor in charge of their “Inner Life” (psychology/self-improvement/spirituality) section. I also get to edit the inspiring pet stories! So I don’t think I’ll actually have any time to write books. That makes me sad, but it’s a great job and I’m excited about it!

UM: Any tips for emerging freelance writers?
L: Well, I got both my first major magazine assignment (back in 1993) and the book deal last year because I made a personal connection to an editor and followed up on the opportunities that created for me. So I’d have to say, network, network, network! Get out there and meet people in the field, and then keep up with them. It doesn’t come naturally or easily to me, but the older I get the more I understand how essential it is. As an editor, I have hired people in part because they were the person who kept calling back when I told them, repeatedly, “Too busy now, call me in a couple weeks,” or who kept sending me little, “hey, just to let you know what I’m up to now” emails years after we’d worked together. They were good at their jobs, sure, but were they the absolute best candidate, or just the one who sprang most easily to my mind? I suspect it may be the latter! I may have been their employer, but they were my mentors. I totally took notes from them.

My first magazine article came out of meeting an editor at a barbecue in D.C. and asking her for an informational interview. She gave me the name of a colleague of hers at Glamour, and I called her and set up another informational interview. The Glamour editor then thought of me when she wanted to run a short, first-person piece on “coming out” at work. I told her that my workplace experience (I’d been the Gay Issues columnist and a copy editor for the San Francisco Bay Guardian, an alternative newsweekly) was so far from the corporate norm that I didn’t think it would make a good story for her readers, but I pitched the idea of doing a reported feature on the topic. It turned into an assignment that got lots of reader attention and won a National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association award!

My book deal came because I took a full-day intensive Mediabistro “publish your memoir” class with the phenomenal Sue Shapiro, an author and teacher who is very well-connected in the New York publishing world. She had invited a book editor to be a guest speaker in her class, and the first page of my brain-injury memoir happened to be read aloud in the 20 minutes he was there. He emailed me the next day wanting to see more, and I started an occasional correspondence with him. Months later I somewhat randomly sent him a funny essay about trying to get pregnant that the NY Times Lives column had rejected--really just hoping he’d enjoy it and maybe know some editor at a magazine or newspaper who might publish it--and, long story short, I got a book deal. My friend Jake got many assignments for the NY Times because he took a course taught by a Times editor. So that’s one very doable piece of networking advice--take classes that are taught by well-connected writers and editors!

That is great advice, Louise. Thanks for sharing, and good luck on all your new projects!

Clip: Dealing with Office Drama

Excerpt from my latest quiz on WORKS by Nicole Williams (and yes, several of these situations have actually happened to me but not #9):

Whether it’s a computer failure or a public relations crisis, how your co-workers cope with tough situations can be pretty telling. Of course, they can learn a lot based on how you react, too. So when crisis strikes, are you cool as a cucumber or on the verge of a breakdown? Take this quiz and find out.

Another 5 Q's will be posted later this evening.

Out-Sourced!

Right now I'm working on four articles, a couple of queries, one rewrite of an earlier article (update: make that two rewrites), and a personal essay. I'm a pro at multi-tasking, so that should be easy for me to juggle, right?

WRONG!

What I failed to factor in when I took on all these projects is that each source that you add to mix complicates things exponentially. The essay is no problem, since that's the type of thing I can write whenever the mood (or the muse) strikes me, without waiting for someone across the country to return my calls or confirm the spelling of their name.

But three of four of my articles require a minimum of four sources, which means that I have well over a dozen people calling, emailing, texting, and otherwise begging me to include them in the article (or in some cases, I'm begging them to please call me back so I can include the West Coast multi-ethnic male grad student perspective in the article and still make my deadline). One of the articles is due on Thursday, so it's nearly done, and hopefully then things will return to some semblance of normalcy. Note to self: think about how many sources, not how many stories, you can handle before committing next time!

What I'm Reading

I just finished Devil in the White City.
My book club chose it for November and though it's not the usual kind of book I read, I found myself hard-pressed to put it down. If you want a good example of suspense and carefully crafted storytelling, then read this book! Writer Erik Larson juxtaposes stories of the architects behind the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and a deranged doctor who uses the World's Fair to lure and kill his victims. Chapters alternate between these two parallel worlds just a few blocks apart, but I think readers will be most intrigued by the more macabre sections (but I'd recommend ending on a funny note before bed; otherwise you won't sleep!).

I think a lot of novelists could learn something from the way Larson unfolds his story, parcelling out details one at a time so that the reader has time to process and come to their own startling conclusions (if he revealed the scope of these murders up-front, it would be too disturbing to read). It reads like a sensationalist murder tale, but it's actually based on Larson's meticulous research into the period (and the parts about missing children eerily echo the current news stories about Madeleine McCann). So, what should I read next?

4 Must-Read Articles for Writers

As I'm sure you've noticed, the blogosphere is brimming with tips for writers of all genres. Here are a few of the articles that I bookmarked this week:

• Using Profnet Effectively - Erik Sherman shares his tips on finding expert sources in Profnet.
• The Seven Myths of Being a Travel Writer - Tim Leffel debunks several misconceptions about travel writing in this humorous and helpful piece.
• 10 Necessary Reasons for Social Networing - Deb Ng lists ten reasons why writers should use social networking tools.
• Tips for Your First Press Trip - Andrea Calabretta (who also happens to an editor I write for on a semi-regular basis) offers insights into the infamous press trip.

BONUS: Also check out my guest post on Lindsey Pollak's blog today.

5 Q's with Hannah Seligson

Hannah Seligson and I are both members of Damsels in Success, a new professional networking site for women. I asked Hannah to tell us about her first book entitled New Girl On the Job.

Urban Muse: At what point did you decide to become a freelance journalist? Or did you always know it was what you wanted to do?
Hannah: I decided I wanted to be a freelance journalist when I was working on the book proposal for my book, New Girl on the Job, a career guide for young women based on over a hundred interviews I synthesized. I was writing for The Villager, a local New York City newspaper. I was covering all sorts of glamorous events, like dog parades. But that was the thing. I saw that there was a story in everything and it didn’t matter whether I was writing about dogs or democracy, it was just the concept of writing a story that captivated me.

UM: How do you juggle bigger projects like writing a book with shorter assignments for magazines or newspapers?
H: Well, you have to juggle. Today, no one is just an author. They wear multiple hats – speaker, journalist, consultant, etc. For me, it’s about prioritizing and figuring what needs the most attention at a certain time. There is also that practical concern of what projects will pay my bills that month!

UM: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching New Girl on the Job?
H: There has been a lot of chatter about young women wanting to opt-out of the workforce. To the contrary, I found that young women are very committed to their careers; they just want to peruse them outside the confines of corporate America. My prediction is that you’ll see a lot of young women opt-out of the traditional workforce and start their own businesses, a trend that we already seeing and will probably be sustained by Gen Y women.

UM: Since you write a lot about careers, what is the most unusual job you’ve ever held?
H: I drove a tractor on a Kibbutz in Israel.

UM: Could you tell us about your upcoming projects?
H: I’m working on my second book about long-term relationships.

Thanks, Hannah! For more info, check out Hannah's website.

A Writing Meme

Jenny recently tagged me for a meme on writing. Here goes...

• I love the sound of my keyboard as my fingers glide across the keys and the words keep pouring out.
• I love when the right idea, the right publication, and the right timing come together simultaneously.
• I love getting inspired by reading a really good essay and wanting to capture that same feeling in my writing.
• I love writing about the things that matter to me.
• I love the community of fellow bloggers and writers I've met online.

Now I'm tagging Liz, Jessica, and Jason.

When is a Clip Just a Check?

I choose my writing projects based on several factors. How much does this topic interest me? Will this clip help me land more of the kind of assignments I want? And, of course, is the money worth my time? Lately I've been so busy that I've had to turn down assignments that don't meet this criteria. Which is why it's frustrating when I can't get a copy of the clip to show to other prospective editors or the article is being held hostage for some indefinite period of time.

Several of the magazines I write for are so niche, they're not available on newsstands or online. So, unless I wanted to subscribe to every single one of those magazines, I'm dependent on the editor sending me a copy when they come out. Some editors are great about this (usually with a gentle little nudge), and others could care less if I get a copy of the magazine, since I've already been paid (thank goodness!) and they have to focus on getting the next issue out. In these cases, the magazine's name isn't going to impress another editor ("you write for New England Teen Girl Monthly? Big deal!"), so if I can't get a clip showing off my article all I get is a check. Which isn't soo bad, but I still get a kick out of seeing the article laid out with photos and fancy font.

For more writerly rants, check out Writing Frump, one of my new favorite blogs.

Writingpalooza

This week I got exciting news from two markets I've been dying to crack. I don't want to jinx either one, so I'll leave you in suspense for now. Until then, here are two clips for your viewing pleasure...

• What's your fall fashion style?*
• Best Career Advice Books for Grads

*This link hasn't been working consistently, so I'm afraid it doesn't make a very good clip, now does it? Sorry if it doesn't work for you. I'm not sure what the deal is with that website!

5 Q's with Kristin Harmel

Kristin Harmel (also known as the "Lit Chick" on The Daily Buzz) is the author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, and the forthcoming Art of French Kissing. She's also teaches Media Bistro's class on Writing Chick Lit, which I took a few weeks ago. Here Kristin shares her insights into writing...

Urban Muse: Tell us about your next novel, The Art of French Kissing.
Kristin: Well, I had a fantastic time writing it; it required a research trip to Paris! It was also really nice for me, because I lived in Paris several years ago, and a lot of the main character’s adventures happened in the locations I frequented. She even lived in my old apartment (although the one I lived in was slightly larger than the one in the book). So writing it was a really fun trip down memory lane, too. Plus, not only is it set in Paris, but I would describe it as a Sex-and-the-City-meets-Bridget-Jones’s-Diary adventure, all set in the City of Light (ed. note: ooh la la!).

UM: You mentioned in the class that many chick lit writers cross over into teen fiction. You’ve done this, too. Which do you prefer and why?
K: It’s hard for me to pick a favorite type of writing; I like both women’s fiction and young adult (YA) fiction. I think that one of the things that really appeals to me about YA is that I think younger readers are, in general, more impacted by the books they read than older readers are. I remember reading voraciously as a preteen and teenager, and every book meant so much to me. To me, it’s very exciting to write for an audience like that. On the other hand, I really enjoy writing chick lit because it gives me the ability to explore issues that impact my life – and the lives of my friends – now.

UM: You also write a lot of non-fiction for magazines like People and Glamour. Do you think your nonfiction work helps your fiction projects? Or vice versa?
K: Well, I’ve been a magazine writer for years, and I think that years and years worth of interviewing people from all walks of life has given me a really unique insight into human nature, which I think helps me build better characters. As a magazine writer, you get to ask questions that you wouldn’t ordinarily ask of a stranger. You talk to people about the toughest times in their lives and how they managed to turn things around. You talk to them about their fears, their hopes, their dreams. And although I never base characters on specific people, I think that that basic glimpse into human psychology helps me immensely as a writer. I also think that having done so many interviews also helps me to understand the cadence of people’s speech patterns, which I think helps me to write better dialogue.

UM: How do you distinguish yourself from the dozens of other chick lit authors out there?
K: I love so many of the novels of my chick lit “sisters,” especially Sarah Mlynowski, Alison Pace, Lynda Curnyn, Melissa Senate, Jane Porter, Megan Crane, Liza Palmer, Brenda Janowitz, Laura Caldwell . . . I could go on and on!! I basically just try to write the best novels I’m capable of. I try to come up with fun, complex, different-from-the-norm plots that will both entertain and touch readers. I try to create vibrant characters that are easy to identify with and put them in situations that raise the stakes, so that readers will want to find out what happens next. And I LOVE coming up with fun titles. I think that helps novels to stand out in book stores that are, of course, crowded with great books.

UM: Let’s say that your chick lit novels were being turned into a movie (not a huge leap of faith since you mentioned negotiating film rights). If you could choose anyone to play your leading lady, who would it be?
K: Ooh, I’d love to see Katherine Heigl (Izzie from Grey’s Anatomy) as Harper Roberts, the main character of THE BLONDE THEORY. I think Reese Witherspoon would be great as Claire Reilly in HOW TO SLEEP WITH A MOVIE STAR. And for THE ART OF FRENCH KISSING, hmmm, can I go back to Paris and star in it myself as Emma Sullivan? ;-) Truth be told, it has been tremendously flattering to receive film interest in my novels, and I’d be thrilled to see one of them turned into a movie. I think it’s the kind of thing where I’d have to learn to let go, sit back and enjoy the direction that the producers, the screenwriter and the director take the film.


Thanks, Kristin. We'd love to see one of your book turned into a movie someday!

Weekend Networking

As writers, it's easy for us to become so focused on the words that we forget how important relationships are. Not just with editors, but with other writers and also potential clients. This week I've had several networking opportunities fall into my lap before I even realized it was happening (similar to the way certain guys are oblivious to signals from women until their buddies nudge them out of their sports-induced stupor). Luckily, I managed to put on my game face before the moment passed me by. In fact, today I have two networking calls before noon. Not bad for a Sunday!

Here's an easy way to network and share info that I just discovered (I know, I'm a little behind the times for a Gen Yer). I recently set up a del.icio.us account for my interns since they have to play musical computers. After clicking around, I realized that organizing my bookmarks on del.icio.us is way easier than organizing my favorited sites on my laptop. THEN I thought... why not share the wealth with other writers? So, I'm sharing the link to my (growing) collection of writers' guidelines. If you'd like to set up your account and join my network, I'd love that. If not, maybe you'll discover a new market or two.

Hot Off the Presses

Looks like 5 Q's is still on hiatus, but I have some new clips to share instead:

1. Living the Dream: Devin Alexander on WORKS by Nicole Williams
   
2. Blind Submissions Can Be Lucrative on Writers Weekly

Happy writing!

Suddenly I (don't) See

Today I had a consultation for Lasik eye surgery. Everything looks normal for the procedure, but after they dilated my eyes and subjected me to a variety of bright, multi-colored lights and small black letters, I have temporary double vision. So if this post has major typos, blame my surgeon, not ME! My mother is probably reading this laughing and wondering if I will insist on having my laptop by my bedside during the recovery period. Answer: yes!

Moving on... Writer's Digest recently announced their best writer's websites for 2007. It's worth checking out the finalists, because they have some sharp web copy, creative concepts, and unusual (but functional) navigation. It's also worth noting that most of them were self-designed, not farmed out to a super-flashy and expensive graphic design firm (in fact, none of them even use the program Flash). See? You don't have to shell out the big bucks for a cool website.

5 Hints for Writing Headlines

Often coming up with a snappy headline can jumpstart your creativity when you're feeling uninspired (not to mention grabbing an editor's attention when you send a query). Personally, it helps me when I'm feeling unfocused to hone in on the all-important question "what is this really about?" A good headline usually answers that.

Of course, finding the perfect turn of phrase can also be a source of angst and frustration (take it from the Queen of Angst herself). Most of my headlines use at least one of these strategies (including the title of this post):

1. Play on words. Brainstorm a couple of well-known phrases related to your topic and then turn them inside outside out. Example: It's Easy Being Green (OK, this one is kind of over-used for veggie and eco-friendly topics, but I still like it.)
2. Alliteration. As long as you don't go overboard with the alliteration, it can tie a title together rather nicely. Example: Depart with Dignity (my editor came up with this one, and I think it sums up the article perfectly!)
3. Juxtaposition. I just love that word, and I love what it does for a headline. Think: black and white, big and small, high and low. Example: Big Ideas for Small Spaces.
4. Lists. Magazine readers are drawn to cover lines like "10 Ways to Improve Your Sex Life" and "5 Must-Have Acessories for Fall," because they are neat, organized, and seem practical. Example: 5 Time-Saving Tech Tips.
5. Simplicity. Sometimes a short, straight-forward title is better than a long, cutesy one, especially online when you want to incorporate keywords. Example: Taking Constructive Criticism.

Am I missing anything? How do YOU brainstorm for titles or headlines?

Interview Diaries

Here's an excerpt from my latest WORKS article:

From wardrobe malfunctions to mistaken identities, most of us have had a job interview go awry at some point in our careers. We asked WORKS readers to confess their most horrifying (and humorous) interview experiences. Read on...

On Writing Chick Lit

Last week I took another Media Bistro class, and I’ve been meaning to blog about it, but I’ve been so backlogged lately, I’m just now finding the time. Truth be told, I get so caught up in the minutiae of the day-to-day that I have trouble even thinking about my long-term goals (how sad is it that I can barely blog about a novel-writing class, much less write the darn thing?).

The fabulous Kristin Harmel, author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star led us in some plot outlining and character development exercises. We also discussed the many sub-genres of chick lit, which I already sort of knew from reading See Jane Write. Without divulging too much, I'd say I have an idea for a book, but for some reason I'm really, REALLY resisting writing it.

The siren's call of quick, easy money from writing articles is too tempting. Not just the money, but the instant gratification (not that editors respond instantly but the timeline for articles is much quicker than for novels). So, fellow writers, when do you push through writer's block and/or lack of motivation? And when do you take it as a sign that you should back off and work on other projects?

No 5 Q's This Week...

Because I'm a huge slacker. No, actually, I've been quite productive and secured a meeting with the editor of one of my favorite websites next week. Now I just have to figure out a destination. As if meeting the editor of a major lifestyle website weren't enough pressure, I have to find a bar that says, "I'm fabulous and in-the-know but I don't try too hard to impress, either."

Definitely no awkward first date vibes, which rules out every bar within a two mile radius of my alma mater! No clue what I'm going to wear, and frankly I'm not gonna touch that one because the weather will inevitably conspire against me if I plan too far in advance. Is this how guys feel when they try to plan dates?

Journalism Rocks

Until last week, I had a t-shirt that boldly proclaimed my love of journalism. Due to an unfortunate incident with bleach, I no longer have said t-shirt. Feeling glum, I went back to the website in a sad attempt to reconnect with my lost love. Lo and behold, it was still available and ON SALE!! Now I know it's true love.

Why I Love Reprints

1. Generally, they only require a few little changes for a new market.
2. You've already done the work; now you can collect another paycheck for a few minutes of sleuthing.

My reprint of Donate from Your Desktop appears in this month's issue of Simple Joy. I'm happy to say it was a super-easy sell, since the website focuses on women's stress-relief and all I had to do was tweak the opening a bit (the original tied into National Volunteer Month last April). I have another reprint scheduled for November, and then it's back to pounding the pavement again. I wrote myself little notes in my calendar to remind myself when the rights revert back to me.

Any other secrets on selling reprints? I'd love to hear how other writers do it.

Break in with Front-of-Book Pieces

My newest clip is featured on the homepage of Write from Home. Check it out!

Commenting for a Cause

Kathryn over at The Budget Fashionista is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month by donating $1 for every relevant comment posted during the month of October. I think that is a fabulous idea, and I might have to steal it to support MSA. You probably haven't heard of it unless you a) are a neurologist or b) know someone with the disorder, since it's not one of the "trendy" diseases that get made-for-TV movies on Lifetime or awareness months. But until I get my act together, click on over to The Budget Fashionista and support her very cool blogging initiative.