Writing Profession Series- The Evil Editor- Urp! Halt!

We interrupt this week's regular programming to bring you an important announcement. Evil Editor, affectionately known to his minions as EE or His Holy Eminence Muttonchop the III, is proposing an end to his infamous blog due to lack of participation.

For those who are not aware Evil Editor has been delighting the blogging masses for 5 years with book chats, query lambasting, writing exercises, cartoon caption submissions, and new openings (which involve a chance to show your creative ability and for author's to laugh at the continuation of their story).

In one of his most recent posts- The Decline of the Blog- EE states how participation has lagged over the last several months. It's most distressing to hear that the first query critiquing blog I ever found is suffering so. I've even had my pitiful query ripped apart by EE, which sent me pummeling my husband and friends for telling me the dang thing sounded good. Support is one thing, but don't lie to me people!

Back to my point- Evil Editor is now proposing moving to a Twitter based function, which has me screaming 'Yes' and 'No' simultaneously. FYI, screaming words simultaneously is difficult and I don't recommend it to anyone unless you are ambidextrous, have consumed at least 1 dozen cookies, or you have multiple personalities. While I like the idea of EE moving into the tweeting platform, if he ends the blog I will spontaneously combust.

That being said I'm posting to issue a plea... more like begging, but you get the point.
Come one, come all and gather your queries, your book openings, your creative flogging thoughts and submit to Evil Editor. Become a minion. Become active again. I know that twitter feed is calling. I know you're working on your latest masterpiece. But come back dang it!

For those who've never been try it, you might find yourself possessed by the beauty of EE's devilish wit, razor sharp tongue, and ridiculously long muttonchops. Not saying that those muttonchops aren't attractive in some demented, diabolical way that makes me want to grab ahold of them and stare deeply into his eyes. Forget I said that.

Bottom line if you're anyone who's anyone that's an oxymoron, or I am. Come to the blog, Evil Editor's blog and submit to the carnage, join in the limb foraging and heart harvesting. Nothing says writing like taking a bite out of a query or hacking up a fake plot.

Writing Profession Series- The Content Writer

Ahem!

*big announcer voice*

It's time for another addition of the Writing Profession Series. This week I'm featuring The Content Writer.

You better be applauding.... yes, I'm speaking to you sitting in the Starbucks looking at your Dell Laptop Screen.

Being a content writer is an interesting job. It's also a position getting a lot of attention recently. Including a spot in All You magazine, which lists the position of content writer as a suitable job for those wishing to stay at home with the kids. So for all you mom's out there or those just wanting to bring in a little extra spending money pay attention.

My guest is Michelle Travis with Samuraiko Productions. Michelle is a technical writer by trade, but has experience in the content writing world as well. She's friendly and extremely knowledgeable. For those author's out there looking for book trailers, Michelle creates those too.
As far as content writing here's what she has to say:

Being a Content Writer can be a tricky business, as the 'content' you're expected to produce from one job to another can vary widely. Barring specialized fields, there's no real certifications involved, no specialized training or college courses you can take to become a Content Writer (although classes in journalism, English, technical/business writing, or anything else that hones your actual writing skills are always useful). You'll find yourself writing anything from marketing copy to game dialogue to the latest blog from your local hospital on its blood drive that month. Sometimes you have to produce the content yourself; other times, you're given a bunch of documents (marketing copy, a case study, a series of images, and a topic) and told, "Put this together in one cohesive piece." One boss will want your distinctive voice and writing style, while another will want the entire writing team to sound like the same person.


So how do you get started as a Content Writer? Here are some of the most important things you'll need:

** KNOWLEDGE - If you don't have it, find it and get it. (And if you don't know, ask someone who does.) And this doesn't just mean about your subject matter, either. If you're producing content for a company with multiple audiences, know whom you're writing for and what you are and aren't allowed to say. (Writing a procedure for a developer is very different than writing it for Joe Average who can barely use a computer.) If security clearances or legal compliance is involved, make sure to confer with 'those in the know' about what can and cannot be included.


** FLEXIBILITY - Depending on your employer's needs, you may need to produce anything from a 1-2 paragraph article to a 26-page white paper. Granted, if your real talents lie in a particular type of writing, they may restrict your duties to that, but adaptability improves your hiring chances.

** HTML/XML - With so much writing taking place on the Web, knowing how to write your own code has its advantages. Few things are more irritating than writing a terrific piece that ends up horribly formatted because the coding went wonky. The W3SChools Online Web Tutorials site (http://www.w3schools.com/) is a terrific resource for this - the more you know, the more easily you can write for web format, and how to make the web designer's life easier.

** STYLE GUIDES - Note the plural there. In twenty years of writing, I've used the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual, the American Psychological Association (APA) guide, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, and the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. Some employers don't care which format you use as long as it's readable; others hold everyone to the same guidelines. Many guides have a quick-reference online version available for use; however, if you intend to specialize in a field, invest in the actual book and keep it handy.

Most importantly of all, your writing portfolio and resume should always reflect the best of you and your work. Whether you're a Jill-of-all-trades or a specialist, show it. And polish it within an inch of its life - there is nothing so embarrassing as being a writer who finds typos or bad formatting in her portfolio. EVERYTHING must be right. And as always, like the directions say for how to get to Carnegie Hall... practice, practice, practice!

Zowza! Content writing seems to be very similar to technical, from the detailed knowledge a writer must have about the subject to the variety of formats and requests. Obviously it pays to be have experience in multiple fields, not just one, when writing content.

Thank you Michelle for sharing the information. I'm now going to go have a look at my resume and just about every other piece of content I've wrote for typos, and other errors. The whole 'polish it within an inch of its life' is making me wonder how often I've made a mistake. :)

If you're interested in tapping into Michelle's knowledge bank for a project stop by her website. Also you can find Michelle roaming the Twitterverse. Just look for @samuraiko

Writing Profession Series-- The Book Reviewer

And we begin again! I've been a little lax the past couple of weeks without a blog post for the series. Let's just say my day life and nightlife have been a little hectic.

TO BUSINESS!

This week it's all about The Book Reviewer. The elusive men and women that read books and then offer their humble or not so humble opinon about the contents. As most readers know, I review books, but I figured I would get a different voice to provide the knowledge. My voice is heard all too often here!

So, I brought in twitter friend and fellow The Season reviewer Jamie or as most know her on Twitter @jamielynn831  

This lovable gal does more than just review, as she has many talents of course. But she humbly agreed to give the lowdown on reviewing, even though I may have badgered her a little teeny-weensy bit, scouts honor. Without additional preamble here we go:

When I first started out as a reviewer my original thought was “This isn’t going to be so hard.” Well, I was wrong. Writing reviews is hard work. I can’t tell you the amount of times where I sit there and type “This is a really, really good book. You should read it.”

Obviously, that is not going to pass as a review but that’s how I feel sometimes. Nevertheless, it’s your job as a reviewer is to articulate the reasons you liked or disliked the book. And remember, no two people are going to have the same reaction to a book. A book that I think is utterly fabulous someone my think it’s the worst book ever written, and believe me, people will tell you when they think you are wrong.

Now, yes reviewing is a job. And unless you are lucky enough to be working for a newspaper or a magazine then you’re not getting paid. Well, not in the monetary sense. The whole reason I got into reviewing romance was because of my love for reading romance novels. I spent a ridiculous amount of time at the bookstore buying books and it wasn’t until I received my first book in the mail to review that it hit me. I was getting these books for free and I didn’t have to send them back. All I had to do was give my honest opinion of the book.
The main thing about being a reviewer is being yourself and finding your voice. Everyone has a voice: writers, journalist and even reviewers. Find what works for you and own it. Read other people reviews, use them to find what you like and what you don’t. As you start to review more your voice will find it’s way out.
I owe a lot to Beverly Kendall and The Season for Romance. Not only did Bev give me a chance at writing reviews but she as also helped me find my voice.
If you’re thinking about reviewing I say go for it! The best part is that there is no wrong way to review, just be honest.

There it is, the illustrious job of a book reviewer. Like Jamie said, unless you hook up with the mags and newspapers the job doesn't provide monetary gain, but you do receive tons of free books. There is the opportunity to also read fav authors way before the book is released; which is A++ in my opinion. Another reward is finding your voice and building writing skills. You start to look deeper at books and stories, which builds your ability to edit and critique. A Book Reviewer has to analyze creative work vs. technical work, and a book review position can build the abilities of those wishing to write or those working on a novel.

Big...Big Kudos to Jamie for stopping by and sharing her experiences and knowledge. If you would like to read Jamie's reviews of course you can stop by The Season. Jamie also has a blog where she shares reviews of books and other tantalizing info! Check it out here!  And she's one of the host's for Romance Lately.

My question for you: Do you review? Do you want to? Why?

Break Time! Hit the Water Cooler!

Blame it on me and all the projects I keep heaping on myself, but the Writing Profession Blog Series is taking a break this week.

For one thing, it's my birthday! Yes, a big b-day week! Break out the balloons, the cake, the PIE. I celebrate officially on Friday, which according to my clock is about 30 minutes away. I will not reveal my age, simply because I like to maintain an aura of mystery. Enough about me and back to more important things.

The other reason for the break involves absence of professionals. I figure my potential guests are out enjoying the last vestiges of summertime or they are extremely busy hefting the chittlins' back into school. My search will continue and I am actively seeking a ghost writer, screen play writer, book reviewer, newspaper journalist, and plenty more. If you're interested or know someone who might be send me an email.

Side note: You can also send birthday cards, chocolate, gift cards to purchase pie! There are tons of things. Lol! You don't really have to send me anything, but I figure why not. According to my previous post comments, it doesn't hurt to ask!

It amazes me that when I started this blog segment I thought I would run out of writing professions pretty fast. Just when I think I've found the last one someone mentions another or my brain clicks with a light bulb flash!
I truly want to share information and educate others on the possibilities. I think as writers we get locked up into thinking that the only way to accomplish anything is to publish a book-- but there is sooo much more.

Side note: That pie looks absolutely delicious. Can you tell that I'm thinking about pie? Maybe Fridays should be official pie posts. New ideas that make the mouth water!

So, we should be back next week with another edition. Even though my irons are stoking lots of fires I'm doing my best to keep to a Wed-Thurs. post schedule. 'Til then think pie!

Writing Profession Series- The Copywriter

New week, new profession! This week I'm focusing on the Copywriter.
First, blogger was down Wednesday night and this post is late. I say, devils! Also my involvement with other duties, partially writing related, delayed me as well. More to come on that exciting news soon.

Back to business!
What I know about copywriting covers very little. I've heard the term mentioned countless times in the professional world, but the details and nuances are never mentioned. Honestly, I never asked anyone for the answers, but that's going to change. Right. Now.
My guest today is Shona Snowden. She is a copywriter and writes fiction-- her words, not mine. I would say that Shona is a published author. I'm uber excited that she agreed to talk about copywriting and without further ado here's the scoop!

The old saying about writing being one per cent inspiration and 99% perspiration applies solidly to working as a copywriter.

The copy writing career that most people think of most often, and probably as the most glamorous, is the big ad agency writer – the creator of those snappy slogans, witty tv ads and unforgettable ambient campaigns. Remember that sweat, though - even when the words are few, the thinking, the debating and the frustration behind them is quite monumental. The hours spent staring at a blank screen, an empty piece of paper or a white wall, many of those hours in the wee small hours of the morning when the client expects the idea by 9am aren't so fun. What's even less fun is when the client rejects the idea by 9.10am and it's back to that blank screen!
Thankfully for those of us who struggle to encapsulate a four-page brief in a three-word slogan, there are alternative copy writing careers available. Design agencies push through a lot of work, including brochures, flyers, posters, packaging, in-house or customer magazines, web sites, marketing material and all kinds of related collateral – there is almost no limit to what they can handle. And almost all of it needs some kind of words. Few agencies have writers in house, which brings us to one of the most common ways in which copywriters are employed – freelance.
With a little help from the internet or a reliable little business book, it's easy to set up your own freelance business and get started. Qualifications are wonderful things and there are college courses available, however for most writers the most important thing is their portfolio – a collection of previous projects that shows your wit, charm and general control of spelling and grammar*.
Other copywriters find reliable work by working for large companies – companies that need a wide range of brochures, publish regular newsletters or launch new products multiple times a year. Some of these companies employ in-house writers; others use a stable of freelances. And, of course, the proliferation of digital media has led to a proliferation of work for copywriters – web sites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter are important elements of corporate marketing – and somebody has to write them.
The versatility of working as a copywriter makes it a career that can last a lifetime. As long you don't mind a bit of perspiration along with your inspiration!

*You may have to excuse my spelling and grammar – it's late here, so no guarantees!!!

Okay, the nail has hit on the head! Copywriting officially sounds like something I could do... possibly, if I didn't stress out the first time the words fail to come to me. So, adding the words to newsletters, websites, etc. is copy writing. I'm already doing that, and I bet half of you out there are doing that too! From Shona's explanation copy writing doesn't sound that bad of a career, especially from the major corporation aspect.
Now when you are working on that website or helping a friend develop a flyer the project will mean more, as you could use the work as a reference for free lancing ability. Regardless being a copy writer sounds like a job that carries a lot of competition, especially in the free lance market.
What do you think about copy writing? Is it something you are already doing for friends or yourself? Is the market too saturated for someone with the capability to jump into?

I want to thank Shona for taking the time to share her knowledge of copy writing. This post definitely cleared some haze from my eyes. Now, for those interested in learning more about our guest you can visit her website at http://www.shonasnowden.com.au/ . Shona also has a story published in the Extinct Doesn't Mean Forever Anthology published by Dare To Dream press. The story is amazing so I encourage everyone to snag up a copy via the links.

Writing Profession Series- The Proposal Writer Part II

It's time for Part II of The Proposal Writer.
Yesterday, Phoenix Sullivan gave me some awesome information about the details of proposal writing, job expectations, and what goes into writing a proposal. Part II of our information divining session is all about what it takes to be a proposal writer and the one thing everyone wants to know about... the moolah!
As always, Phoenix is excellent at crunching numbers. Those who follow her blog already know exactly what mean. With that I relinquish the floor...

Qualifications

A proposal writer must be able to work fast and to produce stellar work under constant pressure. They must play well with others and know when to compromise vision and craft. And they must intuitively understand how to weave technical details into a sales pitch that can’t help but sway the customer’s decision.

The Rewards

In larger companies, the proposal writer is often part of the sales organization and may be bonused for working on a proposal that helps close a deal. Bonuses may range from a small, fixed amount to a percentage of the overall commission on the deal. Depending on typical deal sizes and how many of the deals go on to win, a writer might receive up to $10,000 or more a year in bonus money. This on top of an annual salary that, on average, runs $40-70,000 depending on experience and – becoming even more relevant these days – location.
Many proposals are crafted in a “war room” environment, requiring all team members to be physically present. Larger companies may have the technology and mindset that allows proposal writers to work from home.

Real-World Numbers
I worked for a large technology company that produced thousands of proposals per year ranging from deals worth $50,000 to $100 million and more. Because of the sheer volume, only deals worth $20 million or more got dedicated proposal writer support. My job was to craft compelling boilerplate copy that was plug-and-play into the under-$20M deals and only had to be slightly customized by writers on the larger deals.

Because I didn’t have to be present in the war rooms, I worked exclusively from home for the last 4 years I was with the company. I also didn’t have the frenzied pace of a writer working live deals (even though I often worked 60-hour weeks), but I did sacrifice commission-based bonuses in the trade-off. Still, between end-of-year bonuses and individual incentives, even in tight years affected by the economy, I received about $6-8000 extra, on top of a $78,000 salary. During my best-earning – and busiest – year, I took home $93,000.
Why did I quit? Because I retired this past January. At age 51. Not everyone will be in my situation – no partner, no kids, a home in a low-cost state, Texas – but my career as a writer in the corporate world allowed me to pay off my mortgage and save enough to tide me over till I can start collecting pension and social security in 13 years. So yeah, you can earn a decent living writing. It just takes hard work, skill and, as with most things, a lot of luck in landing the right jobs along the way.

Okay... maybe tons of research, good communication and people skills, and 60+ hour work weeks are worth it; especially at that pay grade. Now of course I agree with Phoenix, there is a little bit of luck involved in landing the right proposal job with the right company, and you have to be willing to fight for the best positions by honing skills.
I will say that being a proposal writer has perks and pitfalls as does any writing profession; even the potential lure of working in your jammies or birthday suit!
The true question would be for those interested in pursuing proposal writing: Is this the kind of writing I could do day in and day out?
What do you think?

If you missed Part I of The Proposal Writer post check it out here.
Next week I attacking: The Copy Writer

Also if you missed yesterday's post then you missed the links for Phoenix's blog and my all exuberant push for you to buy her novel Spoil of War: An Arthurian Saga. Definitely check out both and come back by tomorrow as I list my record breaking reading list for the month of June!

Writing Profession Series- The Proposal Writer Part I

It's week 3 of the Writing Profession Series and I'm learning tons! How about you??
This week it's all about Proposal Writer's!! Now proposal writing is a huge topic...
So, without further adieu I'm turning this over to the expert. My guest today is Phoenix Sullivan, author, animal lover, farm owner, and extremely experienced proposal writer. Let's just say, she knows the job details intimately. Take it away Phoenix!

Mix one part technical writer with two parts copywriter, add a dash of the creative and you’ve whipped up a proposal writer.

What’s A Proposal?

Companies wishing to buy equipment in bulk or to have certain services performed solicit bids from contractors who in turn audition for the work. Some bids, such as for window washing or providing one or two printers for an office, are uncomplicated. The contractor sends the potential customer some marketing brochures and price lists and lets the customer choose their own solution.

More complicated services, such as designing and building a new headquarters or installing and maintaining a network system for 60,000 employees worldwide, often require a team of differently skilled people to:

• Meet with the customer

• Understand the results expected

• Design a solution that meets those expectations at a competitive price

• Present the solution in a clear and compelling written proposal

• Negotiate the close

Proposals are often written by committee. For large, complicated deals, the proposal team might consist of :

• Salespeople who will ensure the language of the proposal is geared toward the customer’s specific needs and focuses on how the proposed solution addresses what the customer values most, be it cost, how fast the work can be done, or service after the sale

• Technical people who will flesh out the details of the proposal with specifics on timelines, what products will be used and how exactly the solution will be put together and delivered

• Financial and marketing folk who will ensure the price is competitive enough to win the business while still being profitable for the contractor

• Proposal writers to add the magic it takes to put the benefits, features and costs of the solution together in a way that tells a compelling and persuasive story that strikes the perfect balance between sales and marketing language and that keeps the customer’s concerns front and center

The Proposal Document
The format of the proposal itself is usually dictated by the customer who might provide a template of questions to be answered by all the contractors who are bidding. There might be word count limitations imposed. For especially complex services, there might be several sections requiring multiple teams of experts working on their own sections simultaneously.
Depending on the services being proposed and the customer’s guidelines for the document, a proposal can run anywhere from 2 or 3 pages to several hundred. And when the government is the customer, page counts can be pushed into the thousands.

One constant you can count on is that the customer will provide a hard deadline for delivering that’s impossibly short and that will be met with only seconds to spare. Be prepared to deal with high stress and short tempers.

Whoa... and Phoenix worked as a proposal writer! Whoo, a song comes to mind.
"She works hard for the money!"
I have to say that being a technical writer alone is intimidating at times. I can only image the pressure that comes with proposals. Obviously proposal writer's are required to be a jack of all trades when it comes to knowing the business they work for.
In my opinion there are some things to consider:
-You should probably have an experienced background in whatever product or field you are going to be conducting proposal writing for. Example: I wouldn't want to write proposals for farm equpiment. I know jack diddly about farming.
-Formatting and editing skills are most likely required. The way Phoenix describes it, a proposal writer is the one who ultimately formulates the pitch. Typos and bad grammar will get poor results for sure.
-Short or long, creative flair is a must. Proposal writer's have to make the idea sound delicious.
-Based on the fact that a proposal writing could combine the work of multiple entities, you have to be able to pull the important pieces together.

Okay, so proposal writing is detail oriented and very demanding. What do you need to become one and what are the benefits?
Stop by tomorrow for Part II of The Proposal Writer.

Big thanks to Phoenix for being a guest. For those of you wanting to learn more about my wonderful, talented, firey guest visit her blog. Also, Phoenix recently published a wonderful novel called Spoil of War. You can read my review here and if you want to buy this fantastic work of fiction go here! Important tidbit: I'm not the only one mesmerized by Phoenix's tale, check out the other reviews on Amazon... you'll see what I mean.

Writing Profession Series- Technical Writers

This week I am focusing on Technical Writers. Unfortunately I couldn't drum up multiple technical guests to make an appearance on the blog this week, but I do have lots of info gleaned from the Internet. Yes, I'm a geek. My guest will be me: Landra Graf!
I'm keeping this to the 3 C's and hope that others will chime in on the comments if you have questions or additional knowledge.

A technical writer is defined as: a professional writer who designs, creates, and maintains technical documentation. Technical documents include online help, user guides, design specifications, system manuals, and other documents.

Technical writing is usually synonymous with technological fields like engineering, information design and information architecture. A little known fact is that technical writing can also include education and employee training. Specific qualifications usually include having at least associates degree, but it's not required. What is required is an active knowledge about the business you are producing the writing for, the ability to take constructive criticism, and effective communication skills. Honestly though a degree in English, Creative Writing, or Journalism doesn't hurt.

Now to the guest blogger-- Me!

I have been a technical writer for almost 3 years. Honestly, I stumbled into my current job, which at first involved cooking food- a lot of food! Then I found out that my job included creating detailed, step-by-step, instructions to tell people how to prepare these types of foods on certain pieces of equipment. My job involved designing the format in which the information would be presented and typing up the instructions. Within 6 months the position took a different turn and now I develop instructions for food and any other items that are presented by clients. Unfortunately due to confidentiality and the nature of my job I can't go into any more specifics. Technical writing is not difficult for me, as I have a natural talent for seeing things in steps. Being an aspiring author doesn't hurt either, as I have a knack for coming up with ways to explain things in simple or complex terms. The job is rewarding and offers a significant amount of freedom. The single most important ability is communication! If you are a not a clear and concise communicator then technical writing is not for you. Too many times mistakes are made when someone does not relay all the details clearly. In technical writing success is in the details! P.S. I don't have a writing degree... I have a marketing degree!

Hopefully this blog will give you plenty to think about. Technical writing is a super fun job when you find the right one. The field is vast and in certain cases the positions are unique. I have seen multiple types of technical writing jobs posted on the Internet for writing toy manuals, education books, user guides for appliances and all sorts of neat things.
Hit me up with questions if you want to know more.
*Outside sources include Wikipedia and TechnicalWritingAid.com

Next Week I'll be cover: Proposal Writers
Till then!

Writing Profession Series- Book Author

In my first blog in the Writing Profession Series, I thought I would cover book authors. Most of the people reading this are probably aspiring authors, or authors already. So some of this information may be new, some not. Seeing that I am currently not published (ha!), I thought I would refer to some experts.

My guest(s) today are Best-Selling author Anna Campbell and Harlequin Presents author Maisey Yates. Both author's have graciously submitted a little bit of info about writing books. So without further ado here is Anna's blurb about being a book author:

I wanted to be a writer from a VERY young age – books seemed like glamorous, mysterious items to my childhood self. They still do, in a lot of ways! I spent a lot of time writing and not being published but I finally became a full-time writer when I was in my mid-40s. After all that time, it was a dream come true, as you can imagine. Of course, then I started on a huge learning curve. I thought once I received the validation of publication, the writing would get easier. If anything, it gets harder. You have expectations to meet when you’re published – when everything you write ends up under the bed, not so much. I had to learn to deal with deadlines and the way publishers work (revisions, galleys, ARCS, promotion, etc.) and how to self-promote. For a slow writer like me, there was also the difficulty of producing quality work quickly. For genre fiction, a book a year is probably about the minimum requirement. The hard work is definitely worth it – there are some wonderful perks of being published aside from the opportunity to get paid for telling my stories. Hearing from readers all over the world who have loved my books is wonderful and seeing my books on sale in bookshops is also pretty special. Being able to go to work in my pajamas is a nice treat as well!

Thanks Anna, for sharing the information. Pay attention readers, topics you should learn about: Revisions, galleys, ARCS, promotion.
Questions to ponder: Are you a slow writer?

Now on to Maisey, who's writing experiences are a little different than the standard book author.

Hi Landra, thanks so much for asking me to come gab about writing!
I write Harlequin Presents, which is what you call category, or series, romance. These books have a promise offered to their readers (For Presents it's: Glamorous international settings, unforgettable men, passionate romance.) These books are 50K words long which is a bit shorter than a single title novel.
To write a complete romance with a satisfying character arch in 50K words requires one major keyword: Focus. The focus stays on the hero and heroine. There isn't room for a lot of secondary characters, a secondary plot or romance, or pages and pages of the hero and heroine apart.
I personally keep it at dual POV, only the hero and heroine. No one else gets that screen time, because I only have so many words to set up and solve the conflict.
Also, in a Presents especially, the conflict is mainly internal. This allows for the reader to really get to know the characters, and gives opportunity for maximum emotional impact in a small amount of words.
And that's the real goal in category/shorter length novels: To give the reader the complete emotional experience they expect to get in a romance with half the word count. There might not be as many pages as you get in some books, but everything still has to be there so that you're providing a complete and satisfying reading experience.

Sounds like writing on the short side is a challenge! Thanks Maisey for the great info. Fun Fact about Maisey: She writes fast!
Questions to ponder: Are you good at short, concise writing? Is the dual POV something you can stick too?

Reading both Maisey and Anna's accounts of being a book author gives potential authors things to think about and tons of options.
As author you can choose genre, novel length, and whether you would like to work in pajamas or alternative dress wear. Short or long, you have deadlines. Promoting your books through ARCs and blog tours is a full-time task, full of multiple hours spent writing on anything except the next book you desperately need to finish.
Being a book author involves working hard for every penny you make, but reaping the benefits via adoring fans/ fan mail.

Next week: I'll examine the world of technical writing!

Special thanks to Anna and Maisey for participating.
For more info on Anna's books, and latest releases visit her website at http://www.annacampbell.info/ . Latest news is available on her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans
Maisey's latest and upcoming releases can be viewed on her website at http://www.maiseyyates.com/.

*If you're not a fan of either of these ladies yet, read one book and you will be!

Writing Profession Series- A look at different ways to be a writer

In the coming weeks, I've decided to write several blogs on being a writer.
The Writer Profession Series, is what I'm calling it! (Thought it sounded prim and proper).

With this series I'll cover several different writing jobs including: Book Author, Technical Writer, Copywriter, Magazine Journalism, Freelance Writing, and any others suggested or that I stumble across.

As I prepare for this adventure my question to you is: What writing professions would you like to know more about? Are you a professional writer and if so, which type and would you like to interview with me on my blog describing your job to the masses?