Tag Archives: writing

Unexpected returns from slacking off!

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Summer’s charging ahead with very little time for writing beyond the Brooks-Range blog – but that’s as it should be, all play and little work in this short period of warmth. Flowers blooming, sun shining, insects buzzing, feet moving, bears roaming – all sounds good to me. Yup, even the bears.

Enjoying the open alpine of Yoho’s Kindersley Pass. (Photo: M.Kopp)

Hiked Kindersley Pass in Yoho National Park this past week and met a grizzly bear on the way. It appeared disinterested in us as we backed off and peered around the trunk of a large tree. Quietly it moved off the trail, ghosting into the woods before our eyes.

Safety off the bear spray, canister in hand, we yelled our approach for the next kilometer or so, kept eyes open for any movement in the trees and heaved a big sigh of relief when we reached the alpine – open – slopes of the pass. Most memorable piece of wooded trail I’ve hiked in a long time.

My mind started racing with a couple of article ideas as we walked. See that’s the great thing about not working, stories can unfold even as you are out enjoying life.

What stories are you experiencing this summer?

“If one advances confidently in the directions of his dreams,
And endeavours to live a life which he has imagined,
He will meet a success unexpected in common hours.”
–          Henry David Thoreau

A Taste of Spring

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I’ve got to say that I’m quite happy to see the backside of January and February. I’m looking forward to the optimism of spring – a rebirth, renewal and recharge.

Saw a loon on the river yesterday – one of the few stretches not ice-covered it would seem. What a wacky winter this has been, but the rhythm of a season beating to a close has begun.

As the promise of change continues, I’m finding myself creatively inspired and willing and able to take on projects that were daunting a month ago. Part of this is no doubt due to an escape south for a week of desert glory – in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Birds sang, sun shone and water flowed. We camped, hiked, explored, talked, laughed, gazed, and stole precious time to rest weary souls.

No matter that we came back to a slam of winter; we tasted spring and it was delicious.

“Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit,
and as vital to our lives as water and a good bread.”
– Edward Abbey

Smarter Social Marketing

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“Flatter me, and I may not believe you.
Criticize me, and I may not like you.
Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
– William Arthur Ward

It feels like school all over again. When one steps away from the familiar and into the unknown, learning is a given. Over the past year and a bit I’ve joined the Facebook fray, started several Twitter accounts, built a blog, and started learning how to promote my online presence. Not bad for a self-confessed techno-phobe. But I didn’t do it alone; I had great help.

When I posted on a question on a freelance forum about how to promote a new blog, I certainly wasn’t expecting this encouraging and pertinent response:

You can share links on Stumbleupon, Digg, Reddit, Yahoo! Buzz, Google Buzz, Netvibes, Sphinn, Delicious, etc. Adding the blog to Technorati can help.

I try to post links to Twitter and Facebook using bit.ly so I can see how many clicks the post has received, as directly related to my tweets and status updates.

…

Thanks Ron Doyle. Gotta go now, I have to study up on and Digg and Redditt and ohhh… my head is starting to Buzz!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

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There are days as a freelancer, where it’s nothing but an uphill slog in a whiteout.

And then there are days when the snow lifts, the sun breaks free and snow-draped evergreens punctuate picture-perfect powder. Today’s one of those days – just saw the covers for two of my latest Capstone kid’s books.

I feel like a kid catching Santa before he scoots up the chimney. It didn’t matter that I knew these projects were in the works.  It didn’t help that I’ve received a paycheque already.  But when I saw the pictures of the covers, it was like the sun breaking out and everything looks beautiful – and I don’t even really like snakes.

Coming out soon!

Spring 2011 from Capstone

May the sun come out for you today – and magically turn snakes into sunshine!

Writing Projects

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“It never rains, but it pours!”

That saying has never been more true. Since September, I’ve completed four magazine articles and five work-for-hire, non-fiction children’s books. I’m in the process of finishing up a sixth book due December 24th.

In November, B-R Dispatch went live. Last week it morphed into five days a week of outdoor-related posts. Also in November, I prepped for and taught my bi-annual travel writing course at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Among all of this, I took an eye-opening four-day trip along Alberta’s Cowboy Trail and headed to the southern States for five weeks of hiking and exploration. Loaded with article ideas, I’ve been steadily plugging away sending out queries to potential markets.

So, if you’re wondering why I haven’t been posting as often as I’d like on this site, there are my excuses!

At Work, On the Road

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Have computer, will travel.

Finished up edits on my latest kid’s book in between hikes through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and BLM lands outside of Colorado National Monument.  Life is good!

A walk up to Montana's oldest guest ranch just outside Yellowstone.

Glorious Grand Teton

Hiking to Rattlesnake Arches Canyon, Co

Networking Opportunities for Freelance Writers

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“It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

I started writing for a local regional parenting publication almost 12 years ago. Well over a hundred articles later, the editor let me know late summer that they are closing shop and reassessing if, when, and it what form, they may come back.

A newly acquired book editor seemed like the perfect fit in September. In October email reads “moving on to new position in a different company.”

Sent a query to a local newspaper. “Like the idea, unfortunately no budget for additional stories this month.”

One children’s writer forum I follow has a new thread about disappearing school visit opportunities.

Interesting times in the life of a freelance writer. Some may see this news and think it’s time to reassess the writing career. Others may look at it and say get busy finding new places and ways to sell your words. I’m of the latter school.

There is no doubt that the publishing world in a state of flux. Budgets (or lack thereof) are a direct reflection of the current economic recession. There is a definite shift in delivery from paper to computer screen. But the sky isn’t falling in, it’s just clouding over. When the clouds clear, it may look a little different, but it’ll still be there.

Now’s the time to network (see my post on social media for writers). Contact other writers who’ve mentioned  potential new markets and follow through on those leads. Join writing organizations and attend the conferences and other networking opportunities. I’ve got to admit, this is harder than it sounds if you’re somewhat quiet in crowds, but the pay-off is there.

Ready, Set, Net (work!)

Children’s writers – check out the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrator’s (SCBWI) 12th Annual Winter Conference ,Jan 28 -30, 2011.

Travel writers – check out the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC).

Social Media for Writers

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There’s been a lively discussion going on in my non-fiction for kids group  on marketing and social media for writers. The debate rages about whether or not one should toot their own horn and how loud, how often, etc. It’s stirred up a lot of opinions about the value of time spent on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve questioned it myself. 

Writers are wondering where the line is drawn between self-promotion and annoying people.

I’ve wondered the same. 

What I do know is that I have had amazingly good fortune just talking with people, getting to know them and letting them get to know me.

True Writer’s Tale Number One
I was on a press trip to Kentucky. The trip almost didn’t happen because I was recovering a recent cycling accident. I reached my destination and found out that one of the writers was delayed. As a result, we had an hour of down time in the airport. Another writer and I started chatting and before long we were swapping tales of adventures and mishaps. I didn’t have a chance to talk with this writer again for the rest of the trip, but less than a week later, I received an email. One of her fellow editors was looking for a bicycling feature and she recommended me, would I be interested? Are you serious? I’m a freelance writer! That chance meeting turned into four years of cycling features for this publication.

True Writer’s Tale Number Two
I met a fellow writer for coffee and brought along my two newly released kid’s books. I was feeling proud and wanted to share this success. Pat took her time looking at the books and then threw out the name of another publisher in Calgary that I should contact because my work would fit perfectly with their format. Turns out I’d already approached the publisher, but never heard back. As luck would have it, Pat knew the managing editor and had her email address. I sent out an introductory query the next day. I’m now working on my third book for this company (thanks Pat!).

My thoughts on Social Media
It doesn’t matter if you toot your horn softly or blow it loud. Just make sure people get a chance to know you. If they know you, they’ll care about what you have to say. Share your passion, not your product. Don’t fret about self-promotion, be yourself. Do it through Facebook, do it through Twitter, or do it in person. Open up and let the writing/reading world get to know you. It pays off!

“One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills.” – Earl Wilson, columnist (1907-1987)

Fall in Alberta

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“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Writing is not enough, we must do.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

September has been a month full of trips close home. From one day hikes to weekend canoe trips to five days along the Cowboy Trail, I’ve had the good fortune to experience a few of the unique stories Alberta has to offer. This province is rich in natural and cultural history and I’m going to do my best to spread the word!

Sitting on a Brahma bull at Fantasy Adventure Bull Riding is an adenaline rush! (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Meeting a mountain man named Bear at Wild Horse Mountain Ranch and Outfitters had me reliving the past. (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Awakening to a sunrise on the Red Deer River is a magical experience. (Credit: Megan Kopp)

Hiking Big Beehive above Lake Louise is a golden opportunity this time of year. (Credit: Brad Kopp)