This Week in the Life of This Writer

Happy Sunday and Happy Spring, Folks!
I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Me?
It's been an interesting and eventful week.
Due to overloaded circuits, I had a power outage at my house a few days ago.
Funny thing though. All the electricity went out all over---with the exception of my TV in my room and in the basement. Go figure.
Needless to say I was without my computer for hours on end which made me half-crazed!
How did we survive B.C.? (Before computers)...

Having fun so far at my new spot at Bloggingpro.com. It's a great site, (and I'm not just saying that because I'm on their team), really. I dig the fact that I'm learning stuff there that I didn't know before---(technical stuff), which is my area of needed development.
So make sure you show me some online love by dropping by every Monday and Wednesday at www.Bloggingpro.com.
And please leave a comment.:-)

Speaking of Blogging, I will be teaching a new Blogging class in April!
See details here:WWW.Coffeehouse for writers.com

I am also happy to announce that next week begins Spring Break for me! Zippidee Doo da Zippidee Day! This girl is looking forward to a little fun in the sun!
I've been working too hard. And you know what they say about "all work and no play.":-)

What's going on in your world? Let me know your thoughts. Remember, communication is a two-way street.:-)

How to Make Money Through Restaurant Reviews

It was a marriage made in heaven. Some might say love at "first bite".
A managing editor friend of a weekly newspaper needed someone
to cover a new, swank restaurant, and the person
originally assigned backed out. Since I had done work
for him before, he immediately contacted me.
Admittedly this marked new territory in terms of my
writing. But, as my figure will attest, I’m an expert
in eating!

You won’t find me living a lackluster life of sensible
salads and diet products. I love grub. Yep, I’m a
meat and potato gal who enjoys consuming food without
counting calories, and I’m proud of it!
Still very shapely, though.
After all, wasn't Marilyn Monroe a size 16?

What I found really cool about this sweet assignment
was not only would I get to dine for free, I was also
allowed to bring a guest. And did I mention the free
cocktails?
The night of the affair, the evening found me dining
at a beautiful supper club with bold black, red and
white decor with eclectic furnishings.
The cuisine consisted of contemporary small plates and
classic Spanish tapas. I devoured everything from
French chicken breast, Gorgonzola Au Gratin potatoes,
cheese fondue, roasted peppers with feta cheese,
appetizers, and cheesecake for dessert.

It was food fit for a queen! I ate things I couldn’t
even pronounce. I also had the pleasure of meeting
the famous Jack Brickhouse’s lovely wife dining here
as well. My friend who accompanied me for the evening was
really impressed with my “writer’s life.”

The next day, I simply converted my scribblings to a
review that answered the basic “who”, “what” “when”
and “wheres”. And for my efforts? I got paid $40.00,
had great fun, expanded my writing portfolio, and
discovered a new love!

Here is a winning recipe to get you started in food
writing.

1). REMEMBER TO EXPERIENCE THINGS THROUGH ALL YOUR
“SENSES”. Note the textures of the foods, the colors,
the aromas, and what specifically made some dishes
truly palate pleasing.
2). TAKE PLENTY OF NOTES—I would suggest before the
alcohol if possible.
3). WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING. It would probably be a good thing to wear attire that is not restrictive in
nature, or too tight. This way you won’t have to undo
your button under the table after consuming a lot of
food.
4). BRUSH UP ON YOUR ETIQUETTE! This is no time to be
trying to figure out which utensils to use, or which
foods are considered “finger foods”.
5). IF YOU HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES, don’t sample new stuff
without knowing the basic ingredients.
6). BRING HOME THE MENU so that you can spell the
names of the dishes correctly, and are able to list
all the food offerings available to the general
public.
7). PICK UP A FEW MAGAZINES DEVOTED TO FOOD AND
DINING. Some good ones to thumb through are Bon
Appetit, Food Writer, and Restaurant Reviews.

…And remember to leave your guilt and your diet at the
door!
Local newspapers and regional magazines are great
places for your food review submissions.
Also check
out WWW.CRAIGSLIST.ORG and the Writers’ Market for
more complete listings. Bon Appetit!
http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/food3.shtml
Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments.

Frugal Freelancing for Tough Times

Let’s face it. No matter where you are on the economic ladder of life today, or where you live, your dollar buys less than it did a few years ago. True? With the increased cost of living, everybody’s feeling the pinch. So what does this mean for today’s freelancer?

It makes it even more important to be good stewards of our sporadic income, and to save for that “rainy day” now. It means being more strategic and governing our time more wisely.

To this end, here are five fool-proof ways to hold on to your writing dollars and your freelancing freedom.

1. Take care of your health. This may sound simplistic, but it’s crucial in its implications. Poor health can often lead to the need for frequent, costly doctor’s visits, prescribed medications, less productivity and/or a modified lifestyle. Ralph Waldo Emerson stated it best “Health is the greatest wealth.”

2. Reinvest in your career. Take a few bucks from paid articles or writing assignments to put money back in your business. For less than a week’s worth of Starbucks, you can: purchase E-books with markets for your work, pay membership dues to a writers’ organization, buy supplies, or get a subscription to a literary magazine. You reap what you sow.

3. Create multiple streams of income. If you write articles, try doing greeting cards. Edit others’ works. Sell products in addition to providing services.

4. Work smarter, not harder. Retain as many of your writer’s rights as possible for resale purposes. Slant. Study online guidelines. Send simultaneous submissions. Opt to send your work via Email rather than snail mail. Keep in mind that time is money.

5. Keep a financial journal. Record expenses, sale dates, spending habits, expected income, and other information to help you to make prudent decisions regarding your money. And most importantly, stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

These are the five laws of cutting corners without compromising your quality of life.
Just make sure to take a little of the money you’re likely to have by following these tips, and put it away in a bank account. That way, you’ll be one step ahead of any tough times ahead of us… Just in case.

What are your ways of dealing with the current economy and writing more frugally or efficiently?
How has it affected the way you work or do business?

Guest Post***The Roar Series** Poet Cop

VET COP
By: Gail Merriwether

Ever more life’s observer
Than participant
Master of evasive replies;
Effuses solid presence
With invasive edges
Upon entering any room.


Twenty years of bitter memories
Accrued like pension interest
Make the face
An irascible, authoritative frown
And
Eyes like Teflon-coated rounds
Force truth from evildoers.
Heart like a righteous rock
Ears that have Heard It All;
Twice.

BIO:
Gail Merriwether is a retired police officer who formerly covered various beats on Chicago's mean city streets. She is the author of Cop's Eyes, and a member of Poets United to Advance the Arts.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on her poetry or her former profession.

The Gospel Truth**6 Things Writers Can Learn from Joel Osteen

I’m a big fan of Joel Osteen. Not because of his huge popularity as a T.V. personality and pastor of Lakewood Church, nor his role as a savvy businessman and best-selling author.

Each week I’m glued to the boob tube, because in addition to learning about the path to salvation---there’s a bonus. He epitomizes what it is to be an effective communicator. And as I see it, there’s a parallel of sorts: he delivers the “word” from the pulpit while writers deliver “the word” on paper.

Each role is a ministry, shaping the mindsets of the masses.
And every week his eloquence is reinforced time and time again.

Whether you write business letters, speeches, articles, or essays, here are six elements he embodies in his sermons that can improve your writing technique.

1. Presentation is important---This may seem a bit sacrilegious, but he’s gorgeous to look at and he dresses to impress; which explains why his fan base is primarily composed of women. When writing, the same principle applies. Make sure your work is “nice to look at,” free of typos, improperly spelled words and poor formatting.
2. An effective lead draws your audience in---Every Sunday he starts his program off with a joke. Some are pretty good, others are a bit corny, but either way this unorthodox approach grabs your attention.
3. Anecdotes help to illustrate key points---Whether he talks about his mom’s faith in her battle with cancer, or humorous accounts of how his wife Victoria really discovered a “gem” when he met her at a jewelry store, it makes an impact and makes things clearer.
4. Expert quotes give credibility---He cites biblical passages and chapters and their respective authors as a way to give guidance and authority to his messages.
5. The take away factor---It’s virtually impossible to watch his show and not come away with a deeper understanding of biblical principles, or encouragement to handle difficult times, or pointers on improving your life. Your work should also connect with readers and make them feel that they know more than they did before and that their time was well spent.
6. A call to action---“Put God first and get into a bible-based church” he tells viewers in closing. Remember that endings are just as important as opening statements to give your audience proper closure and to reestablish your purpose.

By following these six tips you’ll improve the effectiveness of your messages while improving the quality of life and the bottom line of your readers.
And that’s the “gospel” truth.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments.
Do you agree or disagree with this perspective?

And the Award Goes to...!

I'm pleased as punch to share with my Blog family some good news.
I didn't want to disclose this until it became official.
Effective this month, I will be Blogging for the fine folks at BLOGGING PRO.COM!
It's a great site with quality content and news related to the blogging world.
I did not know until today, however that I was chosen from over 1100 applicants!
Say what? :-)
Read the details here: http://www.bloggingpro.com/archives/2010/03/15/cold-call-blogging-applications-how-not-to-apply/
This may mean that I'll be posting less frequently here, as I am also teaching online and working with several creative clients as well.

Thanks so much for the support and the energy you all have shown me here. I hope that you will also show some love at my new blogging home at BLOGGINGPRO.COM.

Have a wonderful week and please keep the comments coming.
Even motivators need to be motivated.:-)
Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments.

Friday's Food 4 Thought

Affluence vs. Influence
or
(6 Reasons to Count Your Blessings
When You Can't Count Your Cash!)

Unenlightened individuals often comment on how “lucky” I am to have my work widely published and well received.
This common assumption often amazes me.

Here’s why.
In any other profession, success is typically attributed to diligence, discipline, determination, and strategic planning---while writing is perceived as a
roll-of-the-dice pursuit. Go figure.

It’s this mindset and the sometimes low value that is placed on our work that can make writing a difficult way of life. Not to mention, the fierce competition, sporadic pay, multitude of rejections, and non-existent “benefits package”.

Let’s face it, even for a veteran scribe, these factors can sometimes make it difficult to remain motivated and stay in the game. :-)

But here’s the good news. Writing offers much more than monetary rewards, and on most days I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And you shouldn’t either.

Here are 6 reasons to count your blessings even when you can't count your cash.

1. INFLUENCE---There’s something spiritual and magical about writing---about influencing the masses. The ability and opportunity to entertain, enlighten, and impact thousands of people is powerful! And contrary to popular opinion, not everybody has the chops to be a writer.
2. PORTABLE SKILLS AND FLEXIBLE LIFESTYLE---Freelance writers can write from the comforts of home in a pair of P.J.s, or at the local coffee shop while taking in the sounds and the scenery. No more office politics, punching a clock, or having a bad boss breathing down your neck.
3. FAN MAIL---I love fan mail! And I get it often. The advent of the Internet allows folks from Texas to Timbuktu to read my words, and to weigh in on what they think. It makes me feel privileged, passionate, and accountable.
4. YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY---As far as professions go, writers are the grooviest people on the planet. I enjoy engaging with creative souls, who for the most part have a “we’re in this together” mentality. We share leads on writing work, laughter, and support. Unlike corporate America, where oftentimes it’s a real rat race.
5. IMMORTALITY---Writers die, but they’re never forgotten. In fact, some don’t become famous until after they die. In the words of Keats, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Eloquent writing remains etched in the minds of those who receive it. Consider the impact of Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Gwendolyn Brooks. Schools study their literary pieces decades, and even centuries beyond their demise.
6. FORMAL “CREDENTIALS” ARE NOT REQUIRED---Good writers are “intellectuals”. And yet, this field does not require a lofty degree or many years of labor to ascend the ladder of success. Which, depending on how you look at it, and where you’re at in life, can potentially save thousands of dollars pursuing college degrees or expensive training programs.

So, the next time you’re having a “pity party,” waiting for a late check from a publisher, or thinking of throwing in the towel, keep in mind these six rewards afforded to “LUCKY” writers.

Writers, which is more important for you, affluence or influence? Weigh in.

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Pamela Ferdinand

For years, I had succeeded at work as a journalist for leading daily newspapers – The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald. More importantly, I enjoyed it: the craft of writing, the adrenaline rush of covering deadline events from elections to hurricanes, and the hope of making a difference in someone’s life or the well-being of an entire community.

And yet, well into my 30s, I was a failure at love. Falling for men who either couldn’t commit or just couldn’t commit to me, I yearned for my soulmate even as girlfriends mocked me as a hopeless romantic. I also wanted a child and knew my time was running out. In each other’s down moments, my girlfriends and I reached into the Hat of Hopeful Stories—the coworker who met her husband on the commuter train, the neighbor who had her first child at 44. Finally, as I neared 40 and another relationship collapsed, I didn’t give up on love entirely but I decided to take motherhood into my own hands.

One of my friends, Carey, had already taken the bold step of buying donor sperm when she turned 40 and her own biological deadline for becoming a mother struck. What she found was not a father in a vial, but a sort of magic potion. She met a man, fell in love, and got pregnant the old-fashioned way. She passed the vials to our friend Beth, and it happened again. Beth met a man, fell in love, and got pregnant. Beth passed the vials to me. Magic struck again. There were setbacks and disappointments, but discovering love and becoming a mother ultimately meant for me that I had found happiness and success in my personal life as well as my work.

Not only that, but I had done it in my own way, on my own terms, and with the unyielding support and encouragement of women friends.
BIO
Pamela Ferdinand is a Chicago-based journalist, mother, and co-author with Carey Goldberg and Beth Jones of the triple memoir “Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood,” published this April by Little, Brown & Co.
Links:
http://www.pamelaferdinand.com/blog/?cat_ID=4
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000531024929

Pen and Prosper welcomes(and encourages)your comments on this post.

30 Days "Net"! My publishing gains and losses

The good, the bad, and the ugly on my online blogging and writing career in the last 30 days...

Wow! It's been a frantic 30 days folks!
First off, I'd like to start this post by welcoming my new "followers" and saying hello to the former ones who have remained loyal from day one.
Thanks so much for your interest and your support.
Whether it's 2 or 200 assembled, I am pleased as punch to have you here.

Now, let's see...where do I begin?
My focus has changed a bit lately, in that I seem to be doing more guest posts for other Blogs than I've been doing for my usual creative writing markets.
Which has been pretty cool. It has allowed me to connect with like minded individuals and cultivate a larger following. A win-win situation for all, right?

In the last 30 days, here's where I've been a guest blogger:
URBAN MUSE
DAILY BLOG TIPS
LIVING WELL FOR LESS
QUICKONLINETIPS.COM
SMALLBIZBEE.COM
Marketing tips for authors also listed one of my pieces in the top 15 articles on blogging in their net round-up.
See it here: http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com/
Not too shabby, huh?
Please show these sites some love and visit when you're surfing the Net.
Additionally, I've been excited to continue The "Roar" Series here at Pen & Prosper.
We've had some pretty fierce females featured! Have we not?

I picked up (1) new client--a tax and accounting service.
On the down side, a few of my regular Ezines where I've been a frequent contributor have been booked up lately and not accepting new submissions. Bummer.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the new look here. I've done a little "remodeling" here at P& P trying to make it more user friendly and attractive.

Well, that's it for me. I'm anxious to hear from you.
What's got you excited in your writing world this Tuesday?
This week? This month?
Do tell.

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Cythia Clampitt

The Virtues of Writing Longhand

Reading recently that some schools have stopped teaching cursive writing, because almost no one writes longhand anymore, both saddened and alarmed me. There is more to writing by hand than just getting the information down, and there is much to be lost by eliminating this skill.

Of course, I readily acknowledge that using a computer has many virtues, especially for a busy writer, but in relying solely on computers we are forgetting one very important fact: we are physical beings, and certain physical tasks simply work better. For example, with note taking, the act of writing the information processes that information in a way that goes beyond merely copying. We must recognize the words, understand which ones are worth writing down, and then physically write those words on paper. Even if we never look again at what we have written, we are more likely to remember the information, because it has been processed and sorted by our brains and transmitted to our hands.

For writers, an equally important function of writing longhand is that it activates the right side of the brain—the creative side. If I’m staring at a blank computer screen and can’t think of where to start, I just grab a pad and pen and start writing, even if what I’m writing is, “I’m stuck and I have to do something to get unstuck.” Within a few minutes, the ideas begin to flow. (If I’ve taken notes longhand for a story, I may not get stuck at all, as the act of writing the notes will often have me ready to write by the time I reach my keyboard. However, I have had to rely on this time-tested trick more than a few times.)

I travel a great deal, and people are always surprised that I travel with a small, spiral-bound notebook and pens, rather than a laptop. I often simply explain that, if you’re camping in Mongolia, for example, the notebook has the advantage of not needing to be plugged in. A notebook is also easier if you’re in a 4WD bouncing along a rough track, and I’ve even jotted a few notes while perched on the back of a camel. However, I also know I will remember more and write more if I’m writing longhand. On average, for a three-week trip, I will return home with at least 150 pages of notes from the destination—and usually another ten pages of story ideas, poems, or character sketches that just come to me because I’m so locked into right-brain creativity while writing longhand.

So if you’ve stopped writing longhand, I urge you to consider starting again—and if you have children, make sure they know how to write longhand. It can be hugely satisfying, but even if you get no pleasure from the act of writing, at least know that you can use it tap into your creativity more quickly than with almost any other activity.

Brief Bio:
Cynthia Clampitt is a freelance writer specializing in food, travel, history, geography, and language arts. She is the author of the award-winning travel narrative Waltzing Australia, which recounts the six-month, 20,000-mile wander down under that marked her departure from the corporate world. Clampitt has written hundreds of articles for magazines and newsletters, including an award-winning food-history column, and has written history, geography, and language arts materials for every major educational publisher in the U.S., including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Pen & Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. Writers, do you find any benefits to writing longhand? Or do you find computers to be more efficient? What's your process of creating?

Are There "Cliques" and "Politics" in the Field of Writing?

Ask any freelancer what he most enjoys about the freelance life and no doubt you’ll hear things like freedom, escape from office politics, and not having to deal with favoritism.
Think again. Although the dynamics are a bit different, writing as an industry is not totally void of cliques and politics.

Since freelancing many moons ago, I’ve found the creative community to by and large be a place with groovy people, great support and a spirit of generosity.
But, much to my surprise, politics still exist. I won’t bore you with the details of who, what, when, and where…but trust, sooner or later it rears its ugly head.:-)

So, for the purpose of testing this theory, I do what most writers do: I conducted some research, consumed some chocolate and polled some people, and here’s the 411 on what other creative souls had to say. Read and heed!

"The only time you won't encounter politics in this life, is when you're not in this life." ---Elaine C.

"A resounding YES! From writers to soccer moms, from husbands to wives; no grouping of two or more is immune from playing the ugly game of power."---N. Brill

"Yes, I think to an extent politics may play a part in the writing world. While I do believe that editors are willing to give new writers a shot if they like a query or submission, I'm certain that they will deal with -- or even reach out for -- a writer they've worked with in the past who has proven himself\herself and that they can trust before considering new writers.
That's maybe NOT political, but logical -- at least to me."---Steve

"I personally think politics exists everywhere. As long as there is jealousy, envy or any other negative feelings, crap will arise."---Anonymous

Pen and Prosper welcomes your perspective and your comments. Do you think that politics exist in writing? Should they exist? Has this dynamic ever impacted you in your career personally? What lesson did it teach you?

5 Ways to Overcome Writing Setbacks and Move Forward!

It was a wintry Wednesday morning, with below 0 temperatures, and I felt blessed to work from my home office and enjoy some of the perks of the writers’ life.

At 6:29 a.m., poised to start my day, I plopped my bottom in my office chair with the hopes of increasing my bottom line. My goal was to write two how-tos for writers’ zines, a feature article for a singles’ publication, and to hit Craigslist to surf for more job leads.

But “Murphy’s Law” had imposed a different agenda for my day.
By 7:30 a.m. the only thing I was working on was a migraine and the desire to crawl back under the covers and check out for the day!

My computer was acting as if it had been possessed! I kept getting error reading messages, it would shut down in the midst of my work, and my mouse was dancing like it was in The Nutcracker Suite!

No doubt as a writer, you’ve had one of these days from hell that seem destined to spoil your productivity and your groovy mood.
Don’t let it!

Whether it’s writers’ block, an uncooperative computer, a biting rejection letter, or self-doubt, here’s how to overcome some common “work related hazards” and stay in the game.

1. In the words of Sarah Palin, “Don’t retreat, reload!” Instead of going back to bed and watching Green Acres and sitcoms all day, I simply regrouped. I decided that if my computer wouldn’t cooperate, I’d simply take down my ideas with pen and paper. It worked for us in B.C. (before computer) days. In times of trouble always have a plan B.

2. Keep your sense of humor. It’s true that laughter is the best medicine. And if you keep your wits about you, it will lower your blood pressure and keep you focused on the big picture. After all, things could be worse. You could be on a 9 to 5 gig having a bad day with a bad boss to boot!

3. Shift gears. About a year ago, I was blessed to discover the joys of gift basket making. I revert to this when I need to recharge my creative battery. Oftentimes, creative artists will find that they are gifted in other areas. Some draw cartoons, others paint, some garden, etc. To ensure some “net profit” for your day, work on anything that relaxes you and allows you to enjoy some degree of productivity. Some is better than none.

4. Refuse to let stress become a distraction. Keep your eye on the prize. Take a few deep breaths, spew a few positive affirmations, adjust your thoughts and then get back to the task at hand. Learn to go with the flow.

5. Revisit your success stories. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our awesome efforts and the lives that we touch through the written word. When you’re in a funk, read those Emails from fans, or the words of encouragement from an editor, Google your name, or pull out that check stub from a recently paid piece. Bask in the glow and recognize that there will be good days and bad in this business. The key is to commit and keep moving forward.

Follow these five tips and you’ll enjoy less burnout and greater financial and spiritual rewards in 2010. And you’ll find that even “days from hell” can be made heavenly with some ingenuity and the right perspective.:-)

How do you deal with writing days when things go wrong? How do you stay motivated amidst rejection?
What lessons have you learned along the way?

Guest Post***The Roar Series**Marla Beck Coaches Writers to Peak Performance

The Time-Management Trap that Keeps Women from their Writing

As a professional life coach for writers, I've peeked into the lives of many talented freelancers, academics and aspiring women writers who really want to finish a novel, book proposal or other writing project. Trouble is, they just can't seem to find the time they need to write!

If this sounds like you, read on to discover the biggest time-management trap that keeps women from their writing. With a simple shift in your perspective, you may be surprised to find how easy it is to begin writing again.

The Trap: "I've just gotta' catch up before I can sit down to write."

Are you the kind of writer who needs to empty the dishwasher, finish your paid writing assignments, return every phone call and fold the laundry before you give yourself permission to sit down and work on your own writing?

Got news for you, sister. You'll never be caught up with day-to-day tasks. Waiting until you're "all caught up" is your mind's brilliant tactic to keep you "busy," keep you safe...and keep you from your own writing. (Ask me how I know!)

The Solution: Pay Yourself First

It may seem paradoxical, but "paying yourself first" is the key to moving your writing forward and working more productively during the rest of your day.

Try using this strategy for one week. Get up half-hour earlier if you have to. Ignore your to-do list and turn off your phone. Let yourself write for just thirty to sixty minutes a day.

As you pay yourself first, you may notice your mind pipes up with a host of seemingly convincing reasons why you actually shouldn't be writing. The trick here is to observe, but not buy into, your resistance. Common scripts to watch out for include thoughts that tell you shouldn't be writing because:

• your writing "stinks,"
• you need to be working on paid writing assignments instead, or
• you aren't yet a good enough writer and don't "deserve" to take yourself seriously.

It's natural for your mind to try and derail you, so don't think that if you have these thoughts, you're doing something wrong. As you learn to pay yourself first, your job is simply to notice these scripts for what they are (derailing thoughts) and to persist in showing up for your writing anyways.

Try It!

"Pay yourself first" for one week and watch your word count add up (and your overall sense of happiness grow). If you're like many of my coaching clients, you'll find that this simple practice will energize you, help you experience a new sense of integrity, and create a solid foundation for creating even more time to write.

BIO
Professional Life Coach for Writers, Marla Beck, MFA, CTACC, helps seasoned freelancers and other writers to balance their lives and reach their writing goals. For more time management tips for writers, subscribe to The Relaxed Writer, a free monthly e-zine, at www.CoachMarla.com. Read more articles on productivity, creativity and life balance for writers at Coach Marla's blog, www.TheRelaxedWriter.com.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. What are your typical time management traps and how do you handle them? Do you have a system for approaching and completing your writing projects?

Guest Post***The Roar Series** Amy Parmenter

As Pen and Prosper invites women to share success stories, we are reminded of the ‘brilliance’ of Helen Reddy’s hit song ‘I Am Woman Hear Me Roar’. Great tune and perhaps an appropriate call to action in its day but I, for one, think Helen Reddy got it wrong. As a woman, I don’t want to roar. I want to purr.

Let’s look at the definitions.

A roar is loud, intimidating and often used as an expression of ‘distress or rage.’ While a roaring lioness may be captivating to watch from afar, would you dare approach?

A purr on the other hand is the ultimate expression of satisfaction. The dictionary defines a purring cat as ‘content or pleased’. As exciting as a roar might sound, wouldn’t you prefer to listen to the lioness purr?

A year ago I was roaring. Roaring about everything and everybody.

- Though I had landed a dream job, I was unhappy in my work. ROAR!!!
- In order to be with my husband, I had to move away from family and friends. ROAR!!
- I lost a sweet, kind brother who had a difficult life and a tragic death. ROAR!!

I could go on, but roaring is exhausting. It’s exhausting to listen to and it’s exhausting to do.

No doubt you could be ‘known’ for your roar, but being known for something and being respected for it are two different things. Think of the people you respect. Do they roar?

So, one year later I am purring. I am purring so loud that I can barely hear others roar. In fact, I think I noticed some roarers stop to hear me purr – which of course only made me purr more.

Do you roar or purr?

If you are roaring, then the greatest thing you can do for yourself is to figure out what makes you purr.

For me, it’s been writing. And, I have to tell you, I’m shocked. Really. I’ve never thought of myself as a writer. I’ve been a daughter, a sister, a friend, an entrepreneur, and an award-winning reporter – but I never realized I was a writer - until I started to blog.

One of the goals of blogging is to make money, and I’m sure I will. But, in my opinion, the greatest measure of success – blogging or otherwise - is self-satisfaction, because so few are able to achieve it.

We live in a day and age where ‘success’ may come sooner to those who roar. So, everybody starts roaring and nobody is heard. Bloggers, writers and other artists are often encouraged to ‘find your voice’ - but roaring makes you lose your voice.

“Oh yes I am wise but it's wisdom born of pain. Yes, I've paid the price but look how much I gained. I am strong. I am invincible….”

I am woman. Hear me purr.

BIO
Amy Parmenter is a blogger (ParmFarm.com) and a longtime radio and television reporter. In addition to her blog, Amy currently works for NBC in Connecticut and KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia. Not only has she enjoyed success in the media, Amy brings to her work a broad range of experience in other fields as well.

During her early years at KYW, Amy was offered an opportunity to host a CBS radio talk show - and did so for more than two years. But ultimately, Amy says, she returned to her first love, once again delivering the news rather than just talking about it.

Prior to joining the news business, Amy spent several years running her own business, a successful clothing manufacturing company that sold to virtually every upscale store in the country. She has also enjoyed success in venture capital, playing matchmaker between entrepreneurs and investors.

Amy attended Temple University where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Sports Medicine. She now lives in the greater Hartford area with her husband and together they enjoy golfing, biking and all Connecticut has to offer!

See more of Amy Parmenter’s work at: www.parmfarm.com.

Pen and Prosper welcomes your comments on this post. Do you roar or purr? Is being a "strong" woman an asset or a liability for business or relational success today? What are your thoughts?