Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing

by Bunny Badertscher
   What are the Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing? That is a bit like asking 'how do you get from Tucson to Maine?' There are as many routes as there are drivers and various modes of transportation as well. The three freelance writers on the SSA panel in April have come from different directions, followed different routes, and arrived at various destinations. But one thing you can be sure of they will have some ideas worth stealing.

   Kaye Patchett (www.geocities. com/kayepatchett) has worked both on staff and freelance as an editor and writer of articles, columns, and books on a wide variety of subjects including business, science, health, and profiles. Her new job as a staff writer at Canyon Ranch leaves time for freelance writing. Kaye has won numerous awards from National Press Women, Writers' Digest, SSA, and the 2004 Arizona Newspaper Association Best Writing award.

   Surely Alan M. Petrillo must write 23 hours a day in order to turn out all his fiction and non-fiction from short articles and short fiction to mystery novels and non-fiction books. His eclectic background as a journalist, editor, and firefighter prepared him to write for magazines aimed at a varied audience including Women's Day, Popular Science, American Profile, American Style, and Amtrak's Arrive. He won Best Short Story in 2006 for "Burn Unit" published in Writer's Post Journal.

   Writing is a "third-life" career for Vera Marie Badertscher, aka "Bunny" (www.pen4hire.com). For 12 years, she has written articles, essays, and web articles for national (eg. National Geographic Traveler), local and regional (eg. Arizona Highways), various AAA magazines, specialty luxury magazines, and several web sites. While she specializes in travel, she also enjoys writing about anything that makes her curious which includes animals, people and inanimate objects. Articles have won her three first place awards from National Association of Press Women, as well as several state awards.

Keep It Short and Be Persistent

by Jude Johnson
   The Short Story is long-standing challenge for many writers. Shannon Cain is no stranger to the struggle. "The Necessity of Certain Behaviors" was rejected by twenty-one different literary magazines before it was finally published in The New England Review--after they'd rejected three other stories. It subsequently earned a 2008 O. Henry Award. On Sunday, May 18, Shannon will share her experience with SSA members and remind us all of how persistence is a vital requirement for writers. The Write Word Secrets of Successful Freelance Writing

   Shannon earned her MFA in 2005 from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and later that year was awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is passionate about her craft. "You can't be a good writer without being a good reader," she says, and she credits scribes such as Janet Kauffman, Stacey Richter, and Alice Munro with consistently inspiring and influencing her work. Shannon was also a co-chair of the Authors Committee for the Tucson Festival of Books, which will be in March 2009 on the campus of the University of Arizona. She teaches at the Gotham Writers' Workshop, and has been the executive director of Kore (kor-ay) Press, an independent publisher of literature by women. In her spare time she is also a private writing coach.

   Join us at the Sheraton Four Points Conference Center on May 18th for an enlightening luncheon with Shannon Cain. As always, you can either call in your reservations to 546-9382 OR email forums@ssa-az.org by the Wednesday prior (in this case, May 14th).

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Readers Theater for Plays and Other Scripts

   SSA's Readers Theater is an opportunity for writers to have their characters come to life and speak the lines written for them. It allows the audience to respond to the essentials of the writer's story and characters. Full-length scripts (up to 120 min.), one-act pieces (20-60 min.) and 10 minute plays will make up a monthly performance (approx. 2 hrs.). SSA members may submit any of the above to be considered for the Readers TheaterÐthey will be paid a modest honorarium based on the length of the script and have an opportunity to receive audience feedback.

   The Readers Theater will take place from 2-4pm on the last Sunday of every month at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 3201 E. Presidio. $10 admission for the performances and complimentary refreshments. Proceeds benefit SSA and the church's work with families in need.

   All genres welcome, but scripts must be appropriate for a general audienc--scripts with obscene language, overt sexual content, or violence will not be accepted.

   To have your script considered for the Readers Theater, please send one copy to: SSA, Readers Theater, P.O. Box 30355, Tucson, AZ 85751. Scripts will not be returned unless a return envelope with sufficient postage is include--electronic submissions will not be accepted. For further info phone Carol Costa at 326-4146 or e-mail: ccstarlit@aol.com.

   This is an opportunity for SSA members to learn more about plotting, character development, and dialogue. We hope that members will attend performances and bring their friends.

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Website Creation by Non-Techies

by Jude Johnson
   Have you wanted to have a website to promote your writing but felt intimidated? Do you feel too confused by Websites For Dummies? You aren't alone. So bring your laptop Sunday, April 27, from 11AM to no later than 3:30 PM at the Four Points Sheraton Conference Center - SSA is sponsoring a one-day workshop!

   Practical information for non-tech-savvy writers will be shared by authors who aren't computer whizzes yet maintain their own websites. The program will include:

• Two hours of practical information WITH HANDOUTS explaining domain names, where to host, available software, to hire or not to hire a web designer, getting your site into search engines, setting up Paypal, etc.
• 30 minute break with box lunches.
• Two hours of very basic practice making a webpage using:
  • HTML layout,
  • how to put pictures or slide shows onto your page,
  • linking to other pages and/or websites.

   The cost: $30 per person for the 4.5 hour workshop. (Considering many web designers charge at least $50 per hour, this is a real GONGA, neighbor.)

   Registration forms can be obtained from Jude Johnson: judejb@comcast.net

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It's That Time Again!

   No, we don't mean tax time (although that's just around the corner). It's WRITING CONTEST time. The 2008 entry forms and requirements are ready and waiting for you on SSA's contest page.
or available by sending a SASE to:
  Entry Forms Department, PO Box 35484, Tucson, Arizona, 85740.
  TAKE NOTE: this is the new address for contest entries ONLY.

   A $10.00 entry fee per submission could earn you as much as $300, or $150, or $75, or $25, depending on where your entry places, as well as publication in The Story Teller, and appreciative applause at the Awards' Luncheon in October.

   So open those file drawers and dust off those stories or poems, or put ink to paper and dream up something brand new. We're ready and waiting for you!
                                                                 Mary Ann Hutchison & Jude Johnson,
                                                                 the Writing Contest Team