December Begins!

Touching the Sky
Originally uploaded by Skyburst.

Last night's writing workshop at Barnes and Nobles went really well. Since it was a features writing workshop I had the group of about 20 or so brainstorm ideas. The workshop quickly turned into a question and answer session about the writing business. I tried to answer the questions as best I could, but I always worry about giving advice to people. What if I tell them something wrong? Will they think I'm a fraud?

Anyway, my basic advice to anyone who wants to write and make some dough off it is to come up with some good ideas, and pitch them until they are blue in the face. The worse thing an editor can say is, "no." And in this age of e-mail, they won't even be out the cost of postage.

However, journalism has its foibles and one of those foibles are publicists. I realize that it's their job to promote their clients, but there is a difference between promoting and pushing.

For instance...

I am in the middle of writing a big magazine piece now, one that involves me talking to a lot of "experts." I sent out a Profnet query a few days ago, one that I felt was very specific. I only wanted to talk to people who were leaders in their field (health, finance, etc.) and who had written a book, etc.

By and large the responses were good. I got about 30 or to to sift through. Depite my parameters, the self-serving and the obtuse got back to me. One women tried to push her client on me who was a psychologist, but since he was an avid hiker, she felt that he could enlighten me about the importance of doing cardio workouts.

Another woman sent me some strange e-mail about how dating is like sales and you only need a 10% success rate to reach your goal, and ultimately, get laid.

Then there was the woman who wanted to work with me and the publication that I'm writing for (she basically wanted to share a byline) on what it's like raising a special needs child. Never mind that the query I sent out mentioned nothing about parenting.

Even when we get to the interviews, there are people who don't answer the question I'm asking, and instead plug their book or diet or financial plan as if it's the way to salvation.

Sometimes this journalism gig is like herding cattle.

Nevertheless, my spirits are high. I am very much looking forward to this weekend. My fella and I have plans to do up New York City. There has been talk of ice skating and movie going. Don't worry, this time I'll take pictures.

And for all you photo fans there is more good news: I am picking up some shots from a trip to the Intrepid a few weeks ago as well as an evening with the fam. Prepare to be dazzled.

Here is something heartwarming and cute: Seems that a cat who wandered onto an airplane in Wisconsin and ended up in France is head back home. The photos of the cat are awesome. Yay for tabbies./>