Food Writing
A Weekly Ezine
Volume V, Issue 26
August 11, 2008
www.food-writing.com
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For writers who love food and food lovers who write. Subscribe and
Unsubscribe instructions are found at the end of the e-zine. Our
subscribers' privacy is important, I will not sell or share e-mail
addresses or names with other businesses or publishers. This
newsletter, in its entirety, may be shared via e-mail and on lists.
Thank you!
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"Frying gives cooks numerous ways of concealing what appeared the day
before and in a pinch facilitates sudden demands, for it takes little
more time to fry a four-pound carp than to boil an egg." – Jean-
Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
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In This Issue:
1. Editor's Note – More Techno Troubles
2. WRITING RITUALS AND ROUTINES by Pamela White
3. TELEVISION APPEARANCE TIPS by Crystal Brown-Tatum
4. Markets and Jobs for Writers
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1. Editor's Note – More Techno Troubles
Hey gang!
This week was one of wild ups and downs. I wanted to get out the word
about my Query Letter Secrets self-guided course so I quickly wrote a
sales e-mail and made the changes to my website…then I got lots of
feedback.
I don't know how, but those who took advantage of the sale were sent
to a page to download another self-guided course. Others were charged
the original, instead of the sale, price. And some were annoyed that
I was sending the ad or sales pitch emails in the first place.
Here's the scoop about the last complaint.
I am a writer. I write books for publishers, pen my own short
stories, create essays, craft magazine articles. BUT I also publish
two writer ezines because I LOVE to do that. So in order to be able
to spend upwards of 20 hours a week on my ezines (yes, it involves
that much time), I need to create an income. I do this by providing
products that, I truly believe, help writers focus their writing
efforts, create new ways to sell their writing and make MORE MONEY.
This is my business but I never, ever try to take advantage of
anyone. I create my products for writers by interviewing other
writers, researching for weeks, and drawing on my own experience with
editors, publishers, magazines, newspapers, reviewing restaurants,
selling weekly and monthly columns and creating query letters that
sell like crazy.
I have decided that in the future, I will add "AD" on the subject
line of any email that goes out with an ad for one of my books,
ebooks, etc. in it. That way, anyone who wants only great information
that is served up free on a weekly basis can stick to the ezine and
just delete the ads.
I hope this helps us all to feel safe and comfortable with my ezines
and the information I offer.
I love to learn new stuff, and learning that creating a safe and
comfortable environment for my readers is essential has been an
important lesson for me.
Peace, Write Well, and Prosper,
Pam White
www.food-writing.com
www.thewrittingparent.net
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There are still plenty of spaces available for students who want to
be better prepared to be hired as a food critic, or for those who
want to do their own food review blogs, or for writers who currently
have a restaurant review column and want to make it the best it can
be. (interested? Of course, you are! Go here for more:
http://tinyurl.com/62ndz4
P.S. – please share this ezine with message boards and discussion
lists for writers of all genre. Or just send them to www.food-
writing.com and invite them to sign up for this no-cost ezine. THANKS!
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2. WRITING RITUALS AND ROUTINES by Pamela White
When I was offered my first ongoing writing position, I never thought
about having a schedule for my writing time, unless procrastinating
until the last minute was a plan. Each Thursday night I would phone
around looking for article ideas from my local contacts so I could
write two articles about the community for my Friday morning
deadline. And each Thursday at midnight I would swear I would never
wait until the last minute again.
I have a better process for working now and keeping on top of my
assignments, but it's still not perfect. Recently I was longing for an
email bankruptcy where my emails, unread and unanswered for three
weeks, could be wiped clean and I could start fresh. Since I couldn't
do that and stay in business, I spent three hours reading and
answering emails today. It went surprisingly well. Sometimes the
anticipation of problems is much greater than the reality.
In case you've ever felt that your writing life could use a little
routine organization and some motivating rituals, consider adopting
some of these tips from my writer friends.
* Write when the baby takes her nap. This won't work if you don't have
any small children, but it does work for new parents. It's just as
easy to pick up the mess, fold the laundry and fix meals when the
baby is awake. Really. But it's hard to still our minds enough to
focus on writing when we have to supervise toddler shenanigans. Let
the mess go and use those naptime hours (or fifteen minutes) to read,
write, and create.
* Take advantage of late night silence to work on that novel. One
beginning novelist told me he didn't have the luxury of writing only
when he felt like it so he trained himself to sit in his office chair
and write from 10 until midnight each evening. It wasn't always easy
but after a while, as he saw his novel grow and develop, he found it
became natural to turn on his creative juices according to his writing
schedule.
* Trade a bad habit for a writing habit. A dear friend who writes for
magazines and newspapers decided to trade her nightly glass (or two )
of wine for writing. She told me at the end of the day she needed to
relax and found herself assuming the nightly drink would do it.
Instead it made it harder for her to sleep at night and left her
exhausted and groggy in the morning, looking forward to the next
night's "relaxation time." Ending her evening tradition allowed her
to have an extra two hours in the evening AND more time and energy in
the morning to write.
Your bad habit could be too much television or it could be self-pity
(like my fear of being late reading and answering emails because
someone might be mad at me.) Give up your bad habit and gain a
greater success with your writing.
* Create a ritual. We all studied Pavlov's work with dogs in high
school psychology classes. What if we trained ourselves to feel
creative and excited about writing by creating a ritual that
triggered that response?
Maybe it's a cup of coffee and freshly sharpened pencils. Perhaps you
meditate for 15 minutes, or walk around the block to clear your mind.
Some writers read the pages they wrote the day before; others research
magazines they wish to write for. If you don't have a ritual that revs
up your creative juices, then create one! Put your lucky bracelet on,
or light a candle, slip on your headphones or put on your favorite
team's baseball cap.
Personally, I like to wake up at 5, and snuggle into our recliner, a
blanket over my lap. I rev up the laptop and write until I have to get
up to do something else. And yes, I have my lucky coffee cup (filled
to the brim) nearby.
Find your own best ritual or routine that supports your writing life.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAKE MONEY AS A FOOD WRITER IN SIX LESSONS BY PAMELA WHITE at
www.Amazon.com Go here: http://tinyurl.com/5j9jx6
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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3. TELEVISION APPEARANCE TIPS by Crystal Brown-Tatum
Congratulations! You are going to conduct a television appearance.
Being on television can be a dream or a nightmare depending on your
level of preparedness. Relax! Appearing on television can make even
the most seasoned professional nervous but with a little preparation
and guidance, you can tape a successful interview.
1. Prepare for your interview by going over what you hope to
accomplish and what messages you want to convey. It is okay to have
canned messages that you want to incorporate into your interview.
2. Avoid wearing black, red and white clothing. Choose a solid color
top that is appropriate for the season. Avoid graphic patterns
(stripes, checkers, polka dots) and wear minimal accessories. You
want the focus to be on you and what you are saying; not what you are
wearing.
3. AVOID looking into the camera at all times unless directed to do
so. When the interviewer is speaking, look directly at them. It may
feel awkward but they are used to this. They may begin the segment by
looking at the camera and you should remain looking at them.
4. When the interviewer asks you a question, smile (if topic is
appropriate) and begin your answer by repeating the question. Ex.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is......
5. Don't attempt to direct the interview. Allow the interviewer to
ask you questions and then respond in full sentences. Avoid being too
wordy. If you are talking too much, you may be interrupted or the
host will move on to another guest.
6. If the conversation is getting off task, stay focused. It is okay
to sway the conversation back to your main message.
7. Be aware of all of your body movements. The camera may capture
your hands and feet. Avoid movements such as twitching, tapping foot,
etc. because you never know the camera angle! Always stand or sit up
straight.
8. It is okay to collect your thoughts or to state that you don't
know the answer to a question. Remember that the show will be edited
and if you decline or don't know an answer improves the odds that
segment will be edited opposed to having you on camera attempting to
say something that you really don't know or mean to say.
Most importantly, allow your personality and expertise to come
through. Don't try and use big words that aren't necessary to convey
your message. Just be yourself and imagine yourself sitting on your
living room sofa having a conversation with an old friend. You'll be
pleased with how you come across when you are just being yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mrs. Crystal Brown-Tatum is the CEO and President
of Crystal Clear Communications- a Houston based advertising agency
and public relations firm with whose portfolio boasts work for
Fortune 500 companies including Intel, Wal-mart, Comp USA, Best Buy
and Audi. She was profiled on Techmag.com in a Women & Technology
special section for her significant contributions to Intel
Corporation. The firm was ranked as a 2006 and 2007 "Top 20 Public
Relations Firm and named the 4th Fastest Growing Woman Owned
Businesses in Houston in 2007 by the Houston Business Journal.
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4. MARKETS AND JOBS FOR FOOD WRITERS
JOBS
CitySearch, Chicago Editor Needed
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/wri/786979810.html
Restaurant Critic, Dallas, Full-time
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=955031
Food Service Publication Editor, Oakbrook, IL
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=950543
Editors with Food Background, Chicago
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/wri/768657973.html
Food Channel Editor, Essence.com
http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=81581&page=1
MARKETS
ALIMENTUM: THE LITERATURE OF FOOD
Submissions to:
Alimentum, P.O. Box 210028
Nashville, TN 37221
www.alimentumjournal.com
Seeks Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry and Fiction about food.
Submissions period will be open in the Fall 08
MODERN BRIDE
Condé Nast Publications, Inc.
4 Times Sq., Fl. 6
New York, NY 10036
www.modernbride.com
Articles all focus on wedding issues. Articles are 1500 to 2000 words
and pay $600 to $1200.
WHOLE LIFE TIMES
21225 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. B
P.O. Box 1187
Malibu, CA 90265
www.wholelifetimes.com
email for guidelines; contact info here:
http://wholelifetimes.com/info/aboutus.html
Articles on food and nutrition, social change, health, healing,
especially in connection with S. California. Articles up to 2000
words, pays up to $750 depending on piece.
"So few people eat okra (more radishes are grown in this country)
that it never even makes it onto the lists of Top 10 hated foods." -
Julia Reed
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