A writer for all seasons

Okay, I admit it, it's been far too long since I last posted here, and the change in seasons may indicate why. We had a particularly wickedly hot summer where I live, so all available energy went into the work priorities I had, and interrupted my intention of carrying on here. At least that's my excuse. :)

But I have to say that I'm re-energized now. You see, Fall is my favourite season, and it's also the busiest in my business. I don't know why it is, but it's been the trend now for several years. Probably has something to do with the end of summer, with everyone getting back into the groove, ready to hunker down and get things accomplished.

For me, I love being busy in the Fall. It keeps my mind off the days getting shorter. I actually find myself much more energetic. That may sound funny to those who relish hot summer days, but not me. Even though I was born on a very hot summer day, that time of the year is just not my bag.

I love when summer turns to Fall, especially early on when there is a whisper of coolness in the mornings. Strangely enough, I can often be found at the computer very early on these days, yes even with the light on at 5am. I seem to get more accomplished then, even though I've never been a morning person. In the summer, I often take time off during the height of the heat in the afternoon, and return to work in the later evening. In the spring, any old time of the day seems to work, and in the winter, as in the Fall, mornings seem to be my most productive time of the day.

What I love about being a freelancer and able to set my own work schedule is that I can change my work times based on seasonal influences and my body rhythms accordingly. So I can be writing a press release or a sales page at 6am on a blustery winter day, or be working on web copy or a newsletter at 7pm on a sweet-smelling summer night. Makes no different, I still get the job done on time - but in my own time.

I couldn't have imagined this scenario a few years back when I was working full-time in offices or working on contract outside my home. Sure, there would be a few things I'd work on at home in between meetings and appointments, but the bulk of my days would still be spent at an office.

For the past 12 years now, I've only had to commute from the kitchen to my home office a few steps away. No traffic snarls, no nylons to wear, no bad weather to contend with. Ah yes, to be able to make a living from home is the life. A particularly good fit for a writer. :) I still operate with the same professionalism and decorum as I did in my outside-office days, but am much happier and comfortable in this atmosphere.

Okay, enough said. I'd better get back at it. The late summer sun is climbing higher in the sky. I have tea in hand, a Fall pot of butternut squash stew simmering, enveloping the house in its aroma, and a cat sleeping by my side. What could be better? It's a perfect day in the writing life.

First book stage fright

As some of you know, I'm working on my first non-fiction book on a maritime archaeology theme (nope, no specifics right now :).

Okay, I admit that I'm struggling somewhat with this writing journey as I've never yet attempted anything on this scale. Eeek.

Funny how at times, I'm sure the writing skills I've developed over the years have suddenly left me, hitching a ride on a colourful butterfly, flying off on a summer breeze, never to return. Say what? Yeah, the very skills I competently use every day in my business somehow escape me when I face the blank canvas on this particular project. Odd how my mind feels transported back to writing kindergarten, for lack of a better term.

It's like I know what I know but I don't, you know? Then again, could it be that I'm quivering with "writing jelly legs" because I know that my skills and abilities will be stretched and tested in ways they've never been before?

So what's the problem? Isn't that every writer's dream - or anyone with a creative drive for what they're passionate about - to learn, create, be challenged and keep the passion alive?

Guess so, otherwise we wouldn't, as a species, evolve in this context, and Lord knows, there are enough examples of these dynamic, prolific creative types, both on and off the planet.

The thing is, just like with America's Got Talent, I performed the first audition (wrote the book proposal) and I've made it to the next round (got the contract). Reality hits: now I'm staring my dream directly in the face (I gotta write the thing). Next round? We'll, we won't think that far ahead yet.

First I need to ask my brain to try to make sense of words and string them together in a somewhat coherent manner - at least that's a start.

Working in a virtual world

I've been working with clients from all over North America for over eight years, and I still marvel at the technology behind how we communicate. And now, with social media dominating so much of the way we interact, one does wonder where this is all headed.

At times like this, I like to look back and remember the technological changes I've seen in my lifetime. In high school, I was taught how to type on a manual typewriter (perish the thought!). I can still feel the vibrations in my fingers from having to press down hard. At my first job, I worked on a manual cash register, yes, the kind that had the big window at the top with the dollar sign and large, white oblong numbers. When I worked as a parts person in a motorcycle store, we kept all of our inventory on index cards.

It wasn't until I got my first office job that I came in contact with a computer. And that first job was a tough one. I was a claims reviewer for an insurance company, and we had daily quotas we had to make, plus we often worked overtime. Once trained, I kinda worked like a monkey, following the steps to file a claim like connecting dots. It wasn't long before I lost interest, even though I worked there for over a year!

From there, I went back into the parts field, working for several car dealerships. At one company, I became the inventory manager. Working on computers sure helped, especially since that dealership was the largest one in Vancouver at the time.

In the mid 90s, my husband bought our first home computer. I didn't think anything of it. He used it for personal stuff and playing games. He often reminded me that I could use it too. I remember saying, "What do I need to use a computer for?" Of course I did start using it, but for just a few odd things like writing up the minutes of a community dance troupe's meetings.

Then, in the late 90s, after a stint working in communications for the local government, I decided to start looking for work I could do at home. My first virtual home-based job was providing transcription services for a ghostwriting company in the States. Not bad for someone living on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. And I found it through searching on the Internet and being bold enough to ask (it was not a job that was advertised). I was thrilled that I had gone international. :)

Eventually I expanded my services and found more clients via the Net. Over the years, I've worked with people in Ohio, South Carolina, New York, California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, to name a few - oh, and I even had a client from Australia (I know, big deal, it's no longer a novelty).

Nowadays, we don't think twice about how easy it is to connect with people online, both personally and professionally, but I still think about the days before the Internet explosion, the days before voice mail, oh heck, yes, I'll date myself even further - even back to the days of the rotary-dial telephone!

Appreciation

With all the strife going on in the world, I'm reminded how much I appreciate everyone in my life. I have an awesome caring and supportive family, a wonderful husband, great friends, nice neighbours, and incredible clients.

As I sit down to another day full of work I love, and interactions with people I admire and respect, I send my appreciation to every person, wishing them a great day and sending them good thoughts always.

The Interview

One of my favourite parts of writing is the interview. This is where I get into the "head" of my client. I'm always well prepared ahead of time with questions. And I have a knack for quickly absorbing information and turning it into copy that resonates with both the client and their target audience.

Sounds like shameless self-promotion? Well, maybe a little, but the point I'm making is I wasn't born with these skills, I've spent years honing my craft.

• My ultra-fast note-taking ability stems from years as a minute-taker at meetings from small business groups to large corporate entities as well as years of transcription experince and being a captioner for the hard-of-hearing.
  
• My interview questions are pointed and meant to elicit exactly the information I need to write the piece. This I have learned from years of interviewing clients, and people for newspaper or magazine articles or advertorials, and from my naturally inquisitive nature, e.g. I'm always interested in what makes people tick.
  
• And the writing. Well, to be honest, I've never attended journalism school or had any formal writing training, I've just been blessed with many great writing opportunities (they don't just magically appear, I go in search of them). But I've had to prove myself, working hard on every project, learning as I go. Now, the many satisfied clients and publishing credits speak to the fact that I must be doing the right thing!

I really love the whole process of writing from concept through to final piece, bringing together thoughts, ideas, quotes, weaving key points in, and adding flavour with the subject's personality. The whole thing just really jazzes me, but it's the interview that really kick-starts the process and is the piece I most enjoy doing.