Jodi Helmer

Big News

2008-10-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

I got the best e-mail from the marketing director at Alpha. It said,

"The Green Year is getting fantastic interest from booksellers. The actual orders that came in were nearly DOUBLE from the sales reps' initial estimates. We will have to reprint immediately. This is fantastic news!"

I'm THRILLED! I can't believe the book is going into its second printing before it's even released. Want to know what all the buzz is about? BUY THE BOOK! You can pre-order a copy today.

Suggestions?

2008-10-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have two major weaknesses (three if you count my underwhelming broomball shot): Admitting I'm wrong and asking for help. I'm about to do both.

I was under the impression that having a book released during the holidays would be a great promotional tool. I imagined it would be featured in gift guides and touted as a stocking stuffer and bookstores would be eager to have me signing books for holiday shoppers. As it turns out, I was wrong.

The deadline to submit products for gift guides passed long before galleys of The Green Year became available and bookstores are too frenzied to even think about hosting a signing during the holidays. After making dozens of phone calls, I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be able to schedule any readings until the New Year. Unless (this is where the asking for help part comes in) YOU know of anyone who would like to host an event. I'm available to speak at bookstores, eco-friendly businesses, social and professional organizations and schools on topics like:

*25 Ways to Go Green for Under $100

*10 Minutes to a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

*Kids Can Go Green, Too!

*Going Green in the Garden

*Green Your Workplace

Drop me a note to talk about the specifics. Otherwise, stay tuned for a full list of events in 2009.

Overcoming Fear

2008-09-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not afraid of public speaking. I feel totally at ease standing giving a speech at the front of a room filled with strangers. I'm not afraid to pick up the phone to call an editor I've never met, a source I'd like to interview or a writer I'd like to meet. So, I was very surprised to discover that the idea of picking up the phone to call bookstores about scheduling readings gave me a terrible case of the jitters. I've put it off for weeks. I have a list of the bookstores I want to call, I have a page in my notebook filled with talking points and an e-mail inbox filled with words of wisdom from other authors but I haven't been able to force myself to pick up the phone. I decided that today was the day: My goal was to make two phone calls.

The first call was to a small bookstore just outside of Charlotte. The town hosts a Christmas event in December that coincides with the release of The Green Year and the bookstore is in the center of the action. I talked to the owner who explained that the bookstore only hosted authors who were well-known in the community - which I am not. I understand but I'm still disappointed. The second call was to a chain bookstore near my hometown. The manager promised to find out if he was allowed to schedule events in December. (During the holidays, he explained, shoppers want to get in and out; the store is often to crowded to accommodate author events). He asked me to call back later this afternoon.

My conversation with the second bookstore owner got me thinking: Will it be difficult to schedule signings in December? Setting up for a reading takes up precious space that could be used for extra sales tables. Plus, the stores are crowded, shoppers are frazzled and store clerks are overworked. In a few hours, I'll have a response from the manager. In the meantime, I'm attempting to work up the courage to make a few more calls. I know the success of The Green Year depends, at least in part, on my ability to promote the book - and bookstore signings are part of that. So, I'll continue to make a few calls a day. My goal: to schedule two signings in Charlotte and one in Toronto in December.

The Return to Freelancing

2008-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a month since I submitted the manuscript for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers. The time has flown! I'd planned to take part of September off to recuperate after putting in long hours to finish the book but it didn't happen. I stepped away from the computer for about 10 minutes - just long enough to clean a closet or two, drop off several bags at Goodwill, send some old electronics to the recycling depot and scrub the bathrooms.

Even though I'm logging a lot of hours in front of the computer, I don't have a lot of work. A big part of freelancing is seeking out work so I'm researching ideas, sending pitches and touching base with editors in the hopes that assignments will start finding their way into my inbox.

I've started planning the publicity efforts for The Green Year (it'll be on bookstore shelves in just two months)! I'm working with a publicist at Alpha to spread the word about the book. So far, it seems to be working. I've done a few media interviews, had some interest from book reviewers and am working to schedule book signings. I'm also looking into speaking opportunities at schools, home and garden shows and events with an environmental bent. It's a lot of work - more work than I anticipated - but I love tackling a new challenge. I'm still working on getting a website up and running. As soon as it's live, I'll post details. Until then, I have to keep my nose to the grindstone.

Back in Business

2008-09-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Drum roll, please: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers is finished. It felt so good to hit "send" on the manuscript. The book required a lot of research and writing in a short period of time but I'm pleased with how it turned out (and initial comments from the editors at Alpha echo that feeling).

Less than 24 hours after I sent the final half of the book, I was on the road for a long weekend getaway with some girlfriends. We spent four days on St. Simons Island, soaking in the sun, reading and making regular pilgrimages to the ice cream shop. It was a much-needed break after writing non-stop for several months. Now, I'm back home and back at work.

I missed freelancing.

I've been researching article ideas, sending queries and reconnecting with editors and it feels so good. The thrill of the chase is the part of my job that I love most. For me, there is nothing more gratifying than stumbling upon the perfect story idea, knowing exactly which editor might be interested and getting an assignment. It's not always that easy. Sometimes I think I have a great idea and I'm certain the editor will jump on the chance to assign it and then I get a rejection. So, it's back to the drawing board.

I jotted down all of my article ideas in a notebook while I was writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers so I have a huge list of inspiration to draw from. I'm also working from another list titled Book Promotion Ideas. In just a few short months, The Green Year will be hitting store shelves and it's time for me to start promoting it. Right now, the plan includes bookstore signings, book reviews, published excerpts and even a contest. Stay tuned for details. (Now that I'm not scrambling to finish a 232-page manuscript, I should have more time to update).

Updates

2008-08-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

I've been hiding in the office, writing. In two weeks, the final manuscript for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers is due. I'm moving through the chapters, making progress and feeling good about having the book done on schedule.

Once the book is done, I'm going to focus my attention to promoting The Green Year. It's coming out in December so it's time to start promoting the website, sending tip sheets and press releases to editors and letting writers know that I'm available for interviews on green living. In fact, I'm being interviewed next week for an article for a major

green magazine (stay tuned for details) that'll publish the same month The Green Year comes out.

Last week, I had head shots done for the book. I was dreading the process and felt a little awkward posing for pictures, especially knowing the picture was going to end up on bookstore shelves. I had a great photographer and a friend for moral support and it went much better than I expected. Here's the shot I chose:

I'll be spending most of the next few weeks writing The Complete Idiot's Guide and finishing a corporate project that I've been working on for the past two months. After that, I'm taking a short break. I need some time to pick up the piles of papers and research notes I've spread out all over the office and get the rest of the house in order. I also want to take time to make a plan for the last few months of 2008.

Writing two books this year has made me realize a) it's possible to write two books in a year; and b) I miss magazine writing. I miss the challenge of coming up with ideas, researching markets, sending out queries and the back-and-forth with editors once an assignment has been made. The part of me that has a touch of ADD also misses moving from one topic to the next. This fall, I'm focusing solely on writing for magazines - and teaching classes and promoting The Green Year. Did I mention I have a touch of ADD? I'm also going to try to post more often...

Still Here, Still on Deadline...

2008-07-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm in a Diet Coke-fueled frenzy, attempting to finish the first half of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers before my deadline. I just have 40 pages left to write - and three days left to write them. I'm tired, convinced I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and wondering if writing in 54-point font would help me reach my page count goal a little faster. Must. Meet. Deadline.

Trying to Focus

2008-06-28T14:20:00.001-07:00

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm supposed to be working. I've been to the farmers market, cleaned the bathroom, finished two loads of laundry and scrubbed the kitchen. I haven't written a single word.

I have two articles due on Wednesday, a huge corporate project due on Thursday and I have to write two chapters per week in order to meet the deadline for the Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers. I need to be working. For some reason, I can't focus.

One of the biggest difficulties I have as a freelancer is forcing myself to write. Sometimes, the words flow easily: I sit at the computer, start typing and can write 4,000 words effortlessly but other days, it seems impossible to write 40 words. I can only stare at a blank computer screen for so long before I have to take the dogs for a walk, search the cupboards (again) for a snack or call a friend/freelancer to see if she's doing the same thing.

The fact that I sometimes struggle to put words on paper is one of the reasons I work odd hours. I have to write when the mood strikes. So, I take part of the afternoon off to recharge my batteries. I work late at night. I spend Saturday afternoons in front of the computer. After years of trying to squeeze inspiration into a 9-to-5 schedule, I've FINALLY learned to write when I feel like writing. Of course, it doesn't always work. Deadlines often necessitate working a regular eight-hour day (or an irregular 15-hour day). Even though it's not always easy to find the right words, I love the challenge.

Working on the Weekend

2008-06-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon in the South and I'm working. I peer out the window every so often and daydream about all of the things I could be doing: hiking with the dogs, sitting on a patio sipping iced tea with friends, reading a good book under a tree at the park. Instead, I'm hunched over my computer, writing furiously.

The first chapter of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers is due tomorrow. The deadlines for this book are TIGHT and I'm scrambling to finish writing.

The first chapter is due long before the rest of the manuscript so the editor and publisher can review it to make sure I'm on the right track. Their comments on this chapter will help shape the rest of the book. I want the chapter to be as polished as possible but I also recognize that it will probably change a lot from the first draft to the chapter that appears in the published book.

Next weekend, I'll still be working on the book. The first chapter will be finished and submitted but there are 18 others to go (plus a glossary and an appendix). Still, I'm hoping to find some time to do a few loads of laundry, go to the supermarket and eat a healthy dinner (followed by a decadent dessert. After all, a girl needs a reward for working all weekend).

Back Home, Back in Business

2008-06-18T05:32:00.001-07:00

After two weeks in Toronto, I'm back in North Carolina and working frantically to get caught up. I'm working under very tight deadlines but wanted to post a quick update.

One of the first things I had to do when I got back to The Queen City was write the dedication and acknowledgements for The Green Year. The dedication was easy; I'd been thinking about it since the moment I signed the contract (I'm keeping it a secret though, so don't even think about asking). The acknowledgements were much harder.

A lot of people took the time to provide suggestions and support while I was writing The Green Year and countless others have been supporting my writing career from the beginning. I really struggled with what to write. In the end, I felt like I acknowledged a cast of characters who play a huge role in my life. I'm sure there will be people who feel slighted for being left out; others might be surprised to see their names in black and white. It's going to take six more months before I'll find out.

Stay tuned for more updates...

Working Remotely - Sort Of

2008-06-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

I left Charlotte a week ago with big plans to spend the next month working remotely. Now, just a week into my trip, I'm planning my return to the Queen City.

It turns out that it's almost impossible (at least for me) to get anything done when I'm not in my own office. I've never been one of those writers who can compose a query in a coffee shop or craft an article in a bookstore. I need to work from home, sitting at my desk, surrounded by my files. I'm thinking a lot about work but getting nothing done. To complicate matters, I'm having technical issues with my new computer. So, I'm heading back to Charlotte next week -- 10 days earlier than planned.

Why the rush to get home? I JUST SIGNED ANOTHER BOOK CONTRACT! I'm writing the Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Careers for Alpha. It's scheduled for publication in Spring 2009.

Here's the back story: Several weeks ago, my agent contacted me about a project she was scouting for. She was looking for a writer and since we worked together on The Green Year, she thought I'd be interested in another green title. In my past life, I was a career counselor, so this book was a perfect fit. I'm working with an expert, Barbara Parks, a career coach who specializes in helping clients find jobs in eco-friendly fields. Just like The Green Year, the deadline is tight. I'll be spending the next few months writing furiously to get the book finished.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Colorado for the Magazine Conference in Boulder. I've been preparing the curriculum for the classes I'm teaching. One of the classes is FIVE HOURS long so it's taken a bit of planning to create an outline. I've heard amazing things about the conference so I'm really looking forward to presenting.

The biggest news (although it's not work-related, I can't resist sharing) is the arrival of my niece: Charlotte Elizabeth was born at 8:50 p.m. on May 31. She was 7 lbs 5 oz and has a full head of

black hair. She's the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen.

I've spent the past few days snuggling with her and marveling at how tiny she is. I'm so grateful that I was able to be there when she was born.

Working on the Weekend

2008-05-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

It might be Memorial Day weekend but I'm not eating hot dogs or watching fireworks displays. Instead, I'm working.

I spent part of the morning cleaning and organizing my office. There was a stack of papers a mile high that needed to be filed. Over the past two years, I've tried countless times to teach Molly and Milo how to file but they can't seem to grasp the concept. Molly runs out of my office the second she hears the shredder and Milo curls up on top of the contracts and pay stubs that I'm attempting to alphabetize. It took several hours but every last bit of paper that was on my office floor is now filed away. One of these days I'll spend a weekend organizing my clips...

I have two articles due tomorrow and a to-do list a mile long of things to accomplish before I leave for Toronto later this week. One of the (most annoying) things on my to-do list is a task I'll tackle first thing in the morning: Following up on overdue payments.

Most of the time, I submit an article and an invoice and the payment process is seamless. Other times, I have to e-mail and call editors and AP departments numerous times before a check ever makes its way into my mailbox. Right now, I have one payment due for an article that was submitted in DECEMBER. I'm certain the editor wouldn't be so blase if it was his check that was months late.

For every check that takes months to come and every editor that ignores e-mails and voicemails about overdue payments, there is an editor who is responsive and on-the-ball. A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail from an editor who was just checking in to make sure my check had arrived. It meant a lot to me.

Freelancing is all about balance: rejections and acceptances, low-paying gigs and lucrative assignments, amazing editors and PITA editors. I'll count myself lucky that most of my experiences are positive. After six years of freelancing, I can honestly say that I can't imagine ever doing anything else.

Taking a Break

2008-05-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

The minute the spring arrives, I find it impossible to focus on work. As the days get longer, my work days get shorter. I've spent the past few weeks having long lunches under Carolina blue skies, spending hours romping at the dog park and relaxing on my patio with a good book. In other words, I've been lax about posting.

Despite spending less time in my office, I'm still writing. I've been working on a number of corporate projects, writing magazine articles and sending queries. I've sent two book proposals in the last month (and I'm anxiously awaiting feedback on both) and I'm working on a website for The Green Year.

Next week, I'm off to the Grand Canyon to take part in Hike for Discovery, a program coordinated by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can learn more about the event here.

I'm off to Toronto at the end of the month. My niece is due on May 28 and I'm going to help with diaper changes and middle of the night feedings. Actually, I'm really going so that my brother-in-law will cook homemade meals while I snuggle with the baby. (I'm not too proud to admit that it's been a long time since I've had a delicious meal that wasn't prepared in a restaurant)!

In June, I'll be presenting at the 2008 Magazine Writer's Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. I've heard great things about the conference and I'm excited to be part of it. Drop me a note if you're going to be there.

I just got word (the phone call came in the middle of typing this post) that there could be a very exciting project on the horizon. I should know more in the next few days. It could mean no more long lunches or afternoons reading on the patio - but it would be a great career move. Stay tuned...

The Book is Done!

2008-04-23T13:06:00.001-07:00

Just two short months after receiving the contract from Alpha/Penguin, I've submitted the manuscript for The Green Year to the editor. I still can't believe I wrote a book; I'm sure it'll feel even more surreal when I see it on the shelf at the bookstore. Eight months and counting...

Less than four hours after I submitted the manuscript, I headed for the annual ASJA conference in New York. It was an amazing trip: I reconnected with good friends, met with editors and learned a lot (more) about writing.

The highlight of the trip was meeting my editor and agent. We'd talked on the phone several times but it was great to sit down with the women who are responsible for bringing The Green Year to life.

I'm not the only one who has a book coming out. Fellow freelancer Allison Winn Scotch got rave reviews for her debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found. Cosmo, Marie Claire and Redbook all LOVED the book when it was released in hardcover last year. Now, it's your turn. The book was just released in paperback - the same great story at a fraction of the price. Go here to buy a copy.

I hope to have more book news to post in the coming weeks. I'm working on a website for The Green Year and (she types with her fingers crossed) I'm talking with my editor about another idea. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything...

Quick Update

2008-03-28T09:40:00.001-07:00

I should be writing (updating my blog, while it's somewhat work-related, doesn't really count as actual work) but wanted to pop in to give my loyal readers a quick update.

The first half of the book is due on Sunday. It's written and (mostly) edited. I want to make a few more small changes before I send it to the publisher. I'm working feverishly to write the second half of the book which is due on April 15.

I'm focusing on one month at a time. It's less daunting, I think, to break the project up into chunks. Otherwise, I'd be sitting at my computer, fingers poised over the keyboard, thinking, "I can't write an entire book! It's too much!" This way, I only worry about writing one month. Once that month is done, I start on the next month. It's working.

Ninety percent of my day is devoted to writing the book. It's a lot of work. I'm still squeezing in a few articles here and there which is a little stressful but I also appreciate the break from writing green tips.

One of the reasons I love freelancing is because no two days are the same. I can start the day writing tips for eco-friendly living, spend an hour interviewing an expert about maintaining weight loss, research a new construction project and then return to writing green tips. I get bored easily so the ability to hop from one task to another is a necessity for me.

I did take a much-needed break last week to spend a few days at the beach. I went to Ocracoke Island, one of the barrier islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks. It was a long trip (6 hours in the car and 2.5 hours on the ferry) but it was absolutely worth it. Now, I'm back at work. In the midst of finishing the book and working on a few freelance deadlines, I'm dreaming about going back to Ocracoke...

You Should Stop By...

2008-03-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

I'm just popping in quickly to let you know that I'm giving a FREE workshop next week.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is hosting an event called ArtsFest on March 27th and I was invited to speak about query letters. The session is aimed at aspiring writers so if that's you, please come check it out. All of the details are here: http://artsfest.cpcc.edu/literature. I hope to see you there!

She Shoots, She Scores!

2008-03-10T07:18:00.001-07:00

I scored my first broomball goal last night. Sadly, I scored on my own team. Instead of basking in the glory of FINALLY getting a goal, I had to apologize to my teammates for my lack of stick-handling skills.

I started playing broomball last summer and I'm easily the worst player in the league. I was offside for most of the first season, frequently forgot whether I was playing offense or defense and even received off-the-ice instruction on stick handling from opposing team members. Still, I show up every Sunday afternoon, change into my gear and head out on the ice. I play hard and I get a little better every week.

Broomball is a lot like writing: Sometimes I'm excited about it, I feel great about my skills and love working with my team. Other times, it takes all of my energy just to get out there and play.

My life has been consumed by work for the past three months. I've been working 12-14 hours per day from Monday to Friday and putting in several hours over the weekend. I'm working on a lot of great projects, including the book. Most days, sheer excitement about my work is enough to make me jump out of bed and go to work. Last week, exhaustion took over. I struggled to focus on my work; I drank too much caffeine and exercised too little. Now, it's Monday morning and I'm determined to get back on track. Here's to the start of a very productive week...

Ouch!

2008-02-29T08:56:00.000-08:00

I'm in the midst of writing an article about stress. As I type, I'm acutely aware of the muscle tightness and dull headache that have been plaguing me for days. I'm completely stressed out and my body is reacting poorly to the long hours, pathetic diet and lack of fresh air.

I know I should be taking the advice of the experts I've interviewed: go for a walk, soak in a hot bath, write in my journal, learn to say no...Right now, all I can do is keep plugging away, hoping to make a dent in the pile of work on my desk.

On the bright side: the book is coming along and I have a solid plan in place to ensure I meet my deadlines. I met with a web designer yesterday who is going to create a website to promote The Green Year (stay tuned for details) and I talked to a photographer about getting some professional head shots. (I think it's probably time to stop sending vacation snapshots every time an editor asks for a photo).

I'm working on a handful of other projects including Personal Pitch, the one-on-one writer/editor sessions that take place during the annual ASJA conference in April. It's a huge task to coordinate volunteers, contact editors, respond to e-mails and ensure that the 2,256 slots are filled on members' day.

In the midst of the deadlines, I still manage to have a little fun. I continue to train with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Hike for Discovery. To date, I've received donations totaling $1,815. Help me reach my goal of raising $5,000 for LLS by donating.

One of these days I'm going to treat myself to a massage, change my furnace filters, download photos from my camera, start knitting a blanket for my neice-to-be and sign Molly and Milo up for classes to become certified therapy dogs. Right now, I need a nap...

All Work and No Play...

2008-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

My office is starting to feel like a prison cell. I've been sitting in the same small space, staring out the windows, wondering what life is like beyond these walls.

It's been a hectic month (actually, it's been a hectic year). Despite the craziness, I wouldn't change a thing. Ok, there is one thing I would change: I'd have a personal chef deliver meals to my office. I'd nosh on salads for lunch, have fresh fruit (peeled and cubed, of course) as a snack and an endless supply of Diet Coke at the ready. My body would like a break from cereal and Ramen noodles.

So, what's keeping me so busy? Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines. I've been writing non-stop since the beginning of the year. Some of the articles are for editors I've worked with in the past and some are for new-to-me editors I hope to work with into the future. I've also put together proposals for corporate work and two book projects.

Earlier this month, I found out that one of the books I pitched was accepted. I'm going to be an author! The book is called The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference and it will be published by Alpha/Penguin later this year. As the title suggests, it's a tip-a-day tome to living a more eco-friendly life. As the publishing date suggests, I'm on a very tight deadline. The first half of the book is due March 30 and the final 50 percent is due on April 15. Needless to say, I'll be spending several long days in my cell, er, office.

I've been invited to present at conferences in Boulder, Colorado, in June and October. Stay tuned for more details.

In my spare time (translation: when I'm procrastinating) I've been researching my next trip. I have no idea where to go but I'm open to suggestions. Right now, I'm tossing around Egypt and Croatia as possibilities. Of course, a week on a tropical island sounds good, too. Thoughts?

Drum Roll Please...

2008-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have just gotten the contract to WRITE MY FIRST BOOK!

More info to come soon, I promise. Right now, I'm in the midst of a huge deadline crunch and I need to devote all of my energy to writing the articles that are due this week.

The Latest Item on My Wish List

2008-01-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Confession: I hate to shop. You won't find me scouring catalogs looking for the perfect furniture (I still don't have a coffee table) or coveting pretty frocks (I'd be hard-pressed to describe a frock) but I did come across a must-have item that made me scream, "I'll take TWO!"

So, now I just have to wait to see if the concept will become a reality. Honda, if you're listening, there are two dogs in Charlotte who NEED this car. Please make it available in the U.S. soon.

No Rest for the Wicked

2008-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

You know the cliche, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions?" It describes my experience with keeping this blog updated: No matter how many times I add "update blog" to my to-do list, other things crop up and I never get around to it.

The New Year is off to a great start. I'm working on some interesting assignments, I've gotten work with new magazines and new editors and I'm in the midst of several time-consuming (but rewarding) volunteer projects.

I'll be in NY in April for the 2008 ASJA conference. It'll be my fifth year at the conference and I've always gotten a lot out of it, personally and professionally. This year, I decided to take a more active role - and before I knew it, my involvement was, er, quite involved.

I started with one small project - coordinating editor goodie bags - and grew from there. All of a sudden, I'd committed to moderating a panel (Environmental Journalism: Writing Green) and overseeing editor/agent sign up for Personal Pitch sessions - a task that involves securing participation from editors of national magazines and huge publishing houses to meet with ASJA members for mini pitch sessions (it's the writer's equivalent of speed dating). I'm working with a co-chair and together we have to fill a whopping 2,256 nine-minute slots! Needless to say, I have my hands full.

I submitted a book proposal earlier this week. While I'm waiting (with fingers crossed) to hear back, I'm working on articles for Parenting, Shape, Arthritis Today, Backpacker, Natural Solutions, Rotarian and Charlotte Magazine. Keep your eyes peeled for my byline in upcoming issues.

One of the biggest challenges I'm taking on for 2008 is Hike for Discovery. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society runs the program which brings hiking enthusiasts together raise money - and awareness - to help people dealing with blood cancers. There are weekly training hikes (starting next month) culminating with a hike at the Grand Canyon in May.

The dogs are racing around the house which can only mean one thing: it's time to start the weekend - and in our house that means bundling up and going for a long walk before settling in with a movie...

New Year, New Goals

2008-01-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

There is a new calendar hanging on my office wall which can only mean one thing: It's time to set goals for 2008.

For the past several years, I've set aside time on January 1 to set my goals for the year. This year was no exception. I curled up on the couch with the dogs, a cup of tea and my notebook and prepared to outline all of the things I wanted to accomplish over the next 12 months.

Normally, I am pretty private about my goals: I tell the hos what I hope to accomplish work-wise, I talk to my financial advisor about all money-related goals and my pack at the park knows all about my goals to have Molly trained as a therapy dog. Otherwise, I keep my goals hidden away in a notebook for my eyes only. This year, I'm changing that.

I've decided to post my goals online. It's my hope that putting them out there for the world to see will help me be accountable. Here's the list:

Professional Goals
* Have proposal for hiking guidebook accepted by publisher
* Submit non-fiction book proposal
* Submit anthology proposal
* Teach at least two classes
* Focus on features, not FOBs
* Attend two conferences
* Write more articles on dogs and eco-friendly topics
* Travel less

Personal Goals
* At least one international trip
* Take two creative classes
* Participate in Hike for the Cure
* Earn the title of "World's Best Auntie"

There are a few other goals I'm working toward this year but I'm not willing to send them out into cyberspace (a girl has to have a few secrets).

Go ahead, ask me how I'm doing. And, if I'm falling behind, feel free to kick me in the behind to get me going. I need all the help I can get.

Other things I'm looking forward to in 2008:

*The arrival of my neice or nephew in May
*A trip to the Florida Keys with KT
*E, kayaking partner and dog-sitter extraordinare relocating to CLT
*A trip to Portland
*ASJA (aka 'the hos reunited') in April

Now it's your turn: What are your goals for the New Year?

2007 Reflections

2007-12-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's been over a year since my last post. I could come up with a list of reasons for why I've been MIA for the past 12 months: a cross-country move, travel, getting settled in a new life...Instead, I'm going to look back at all of the amazing experiences that have shaped the past year.

A cross-country move: I moved from Portland, Ore., to Charlotte, N.C. The adventure started in February when I packed up the car, picked up RLR and set out on a 10-day road trip. We were denied alcohol in Utah, barked at in Memphis and welcomed into galleries in Santa Fe despite looking road weary and having two dogs in tow.

A solo trip to Europe: I spent 2.5 weeks backpacking through Spain and Portugal in October. I saw some amazing things like the Alhambra and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos but the most amazing part of the trip was having the time to truly explore, at my own pace. I spent hours sitting in town squares, writing in my journal; I wandered down side streets, took afternoon naps, skipped 'must-see' sights that I didn't want to see.

Travel galore: I traveled a lot in 2007 and one of the biggest things I've realized is that I want to travel LESS. There is still so much to discover in Charlotte: I'm in search of a great Thai restaurant, an independent coffee shop with free WiFi, a yarn shop with a full schedule of classes...In the New Year, my focus will be on exploring North Carolina.

The dog park: One of the first things I did when I moved to Charlotte was purchase a Pooch Pass and for the past 10 months, I've spent almost every afternoon at the dog park. Molly and Milo are played out and well-socialized and I've created my own pack - a rag tag group of people I look forward to seeing all day.

KT & the Dead Flowers: KT is my personal cruise director in CLT. She knows all the best restaurants, is up for dancing until 3 a.m., laughs at my antics and keeps my secrets. The rest of the Dead Flowers are a group of liberal girlies who make the Queen City feel like home.

The Hos: I could not ask for better 'co-workers' than this group of smart, successful and sarcastic group of women who cheered me on through another year of freelancing - my most successful year to date.

This year was filled with a lot of highs and lows and looking back, I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn't change a single thing.

I have a great life: I can't think of a better phrase to capture the essence of 2007.

Going with the Flow

2007-12-08T16:15:00.001-08:00

September 15, 2006, 4:20 p.m.
I meant to start updating more often but the last month has passed in a flash.
Things have slowed down a bit on the writing front which has given me more time to concentrate on sending out queries. It’s hard to come up with ideas when I am staring at the computer screen for hours on end. I need to be out, engaging with people, staring off into space or walking the dogs in order to come up with new ideas (or the ever-popular fresh takes on old ideas).
I spent a week on a press trip in Northern Michigan. I went hiking and kayaking and toured several museums and small towns. It was a whirlwind tour that had me on the go from morning until night but it helped me generate a lot of new ideas. I have been working on queries since I got home earlier this week.
I am also spending a lot of time writing content for my new website. I designed the original site four years ago and it was in desperate need of a facelift. I am really excited about updating the site so it is a better reflection of my work and who I am as a writer.
I’ve gotten a lot of bad news this month: two of the magazines that I wrote for on a regular basis have ceased publication and another regular market has changed its format which will result in significantly less work for me.
It was really hard to adjust to the news at first, especially because it has such a huge impact on my bottom line. I threw a long pity party and then realized that while it’s sad to say goodbye to markets I loved (and editors I loved more) it is the push I needed to let go of some of those regular clients to start pursuing new markets.
It’s very easy to fall into the trap of becoming too comfortable as a freelancer, especially when editors are coming to you with work. The time I was spending on these projects prevented me from going after some of the markets I really wanted to write for because I didn’t have time to research and write queries.
I know there is going to be some lag time before I pick up new work to replace the lost income but I’m already excited about some of the new markets I’ve found. One of the most important things I’ve learned in this business is that you have to be prepared to roll with the punches.