If you've ever aspired to become a published writer (be it as a freelancer for magazines, a full-length novelist, or a children's book author), you will definitely want to "meet" Christina Katz.
Katz is the author of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (read my full review here). If you pick up her book, you'll be refreshed and challenged by Katz' honest and encouraging style. She is all about helping other moms and she's not afraid to be authentic in the process.
ME: How old is your daughter?
KATZ: My daughter, Samantha Rose, is five and three quarters. I only give you the fraction because she would. She can't wait until her sixth birthday. We, however, want her to stay five forever. But what are you going to do, right?
ME: What are the top 3 writing tools that you can't live without?
KATZ: My top three writing tools are a Mead Stiff-back notebook, a G-2 Pilot fine-point pen (but not extra-fine—I'm picky about that) and my iMac (desktop version, not laptop). Using these three tools on a daily basis, there's no limit to what I can accomplish.
ME: What are the top 3 writing conferences that you have attended?
KATZ: Three writing conferences I think are more than worth the money are:
* The Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Oregon
* The Pacific Northwest Writers Conference in Seattle, Washington
* The Writer's Digest/Book Expo America Writer's Conference
I attended all three last year. Any one of them can provide the necessary publishing industry insights that writers need to be competitive today. I suggest attending the entire conference, when possible, and milking the sessions and events for all they are worth. At the very least, attend a full day and do the same. Just pick the day that has the most of what you need.
ME: Is it realistic for an aspiring writer to expect to earn a "livable" income as a writer?
KATZ: Thank you for asking! I'll try not to stand on my soapbox too long. It is just as realistic for an aspiring writer to expect to earn a livable income as a writer, as it is for any person to expect to become a professional in any field. What is not realistic is to expect to succeed without learning all of the professional ropes. Would an aspiring lawyer become "a professional" overnight? How about a doctor? An artist? A teacher? I rarely encounter aspiring writers who can't write well enough to make it eventually. But those who succeed as professional writers take a much more holistic approach. They get that writing is a profession. And they do what it takes to develop that professionalism over time. So forget about overnight success. Writing success comes from the accumulation of sustained effort over time.
If you want to stay up with all of the latest news in Katz' world (including what her new book is about and how to get a scholarship for her upcoming writing class), be sure to check in regularly at the Writer Mama blog.
WIN IT! One aspiring writer mama will receive a copy of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Wednesday, Jan. 16, at midnight. The winner will be contacted and announced on Thursday, Jan. 17. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
* UPDATE * The winner is #2 Bree. Congratulations!
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
please enter me thanks
I am very interested in this book. Please count me in.
Comedy will be my specialty since I have children underfoot.
Please enter me in the drawing.
cmpsweep AT hotmail DOT com
I am always being told that I should write a book. I would love to read this. Thanks for the contest.
please enter me, i'd love to win a copy
I have been trying to write my book for about 3 years now. With the 6.2 kids, I'm finding it not as easy as I would have thought. This book looks like something that could truly help me out!
Pick me please!
Sounds like something I need.
Sounds like a great motivator to keep writing.
Sounds like something I gotta read!
themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this prize
I tried to do this eleven years ago after my oldest son was born but failed horribly. Maybe this book is what I need.
maddgiggler@yahoo.com
sounds interesting
Great review! And thanks for the chance to win. What a nice bonus!
marie (at) wordsculpture (dot) com
Count me in!
Count me in as well please.
Like many others here, I think this book could help me kick-start my writing (Once I've managed to find the time to read it of course!)
Nice interview.
linda_warner (at) juno (dot) com
Include me please,
yadgirl (at) chartertn (dot) net
I would love to win/read this book.
:)
looks like a great book
This looks like a great book. Please enter me!
ladypawnbroker[at]gmail[dot]com
This is a great prize. Thanks!
A fun read!
This looks interesting, I'd love to win this for my sister
I want to win
I never knew this book existed! I would love to win this book because I am always writing short stories for my kids and would love to see how to go about getting them published or even if they have what it takes!
Sounds like just the book I've been looking for.
i would love to try freelance while staying home to raise my son.
I cannot say enough great things about this book. I absolutely loved it, and it really provided me with the confidence to transition from business writing to writing for magazines (I just have to find the time to do it now). Thanks for a great interview with an amazing woman.
I would really love to win this one!
OK, it's like this was written just for me. I reeeeeeeeally want to win!
Would love it for my mother.
want to win
Would love this win!
Would love to win
elaineneal389@hotmail.com
i put writing on hold when i had kids so this would help.
bwalleshauser at yahoo dot com
excited about this prize! :-) e.by@hotmail.com
Enter me, please.
Thanks for the chance to win!
This is the best book for aspiring writer-Moms!
Oh, yes! Please include me! Thanks!
cbdulrich[at]yahoo[dot]com
I want to write, but have a hard time knowing where to get started, and homeschooling my son is so very demanding. Thank you.
Before I had my daughter, I used to read every issue of Writer's Digest, and devour books on writing.
I can honestly say that a book about trying to keep writing while raising a family is something I haven't seen before.
I think it's hard enough to get started writing some days and a family provides a million distractions and excuses to play hooky from writing.
I can relate to this book. I think there's a need for a book like this because nobody has really covered this subject in depth.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
tonylethal@aol.com
Sounds like a great book.
would like to give to someone I know who likes to write
Thanks for the chance to win this!
My passion is writing, but it can be so hard to figure out the way to go about it with three little boys running around. I think your book would be a miracle worker.
oooh! i'd love this book!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
I would love to have some tips!
RYC about my daughter's Adidas sweatsuit. You know its sad when your 4 month old daughter dresses more stylish than you!! That is my life!
Ooh, I'd love to read the book! Looks like I'm not the only one, based on the number of comments!
I am interestd in writing but hav no idea how to manage it. This book will help.
Thanks for the review!
Caryn
Please anything to get my creativity flowing.
Shay
shaythatcher@yahoo.com
I would love to read this book!
This book sounds interesting
I want this
Sounds great!
I'd love to win this, I've been seriously toying with trying to write "for a living" - I'm a former paralegal turned SAHM, but there's a big difference between writing for a magazine, and a Judge!
Looks like a fabulous read
I could use this book
"My Little Angel Of Love"
I gave life to a precious angel just a few short days ago
I love her more than life itself but I loved her enough to let her go
For two short days I held her close in a warm loving embrace
Those beautiful moments in which we bonded my mind will never erase
God gave me a Christian couple that can take care of her every need
But my eyes will always be streaked with tears; my heart will forever bleed
If I could have just one wish our paths will cross again
But I will hold her close in my heart and love her in silence until then
I know I did the right thing. I'm at peace with the Lord above
And I know He will always be watching over "My Little Angel Of Love"
looks good
Ahhh, finally some help for inspiraation!! Thanks!
stbaisch@yahoo.com
I've been wanting this book.
tabithagardner atgmail dotcom
I'm a SAHM/homeschool teacher and I used to write in high school... I would love to pick it up again. My husband also has written several novels and self-published one of his books. I'm sure that there's plenty of wisdom that both of us could glean from this book.
I bet this is a great book.
I have tried to write but with two kids It has been difficult.
I am trying to be a Writer Mama myself and I would love to read your book.
Count me in!
Good Idea
My friend, a writer, just had her first baby in October and this would be a great gift for her, as she's struggling to fit writing back into her life.
I would love to read this! I've been out of the writing loop for a long time and would like your insight.
vmd68_2000 at yahoo dot com.
Sounds great! I'd love to read it.
whitson1219[at]cox[dot]net
I would really love to read this. I need all the help I can get!
I've always thought about doing freelance!
Cant wait to read your new book.
oh, how I would love to win this!!
Good Day! What a wonderful and useful book. I really like the cover! Please enter me in your book giveaway contest. I appreciate it. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
ooh! i'm in too! i would love to win this book. thanks for the review and the contest!
im.smiling at gmail dot com
I would LOVE to win this!
kelli (at) pfrog (dot) net
I might like to break into that eventually; this might be a good starting place! gumbi1313@msn.com
please enter me
Sounds like a great book!! Please enter me:) garypost@cox.net
This is a very good prize for those of us who like to write. I would love to read it and see how somebody else can get everything done at once.
looks cool
Wow! This is my dream.
AylorCD@aol.com
this book fits my situation perfectly!
I was just speaking with DH the other day about wanting to be a published author since I was a pre-teen. The writing fell by the wayside, and I would really love to win this book to jump start it again!
This looks like good reading. Love to win it. thanks.
Sounds like an interesting book. Count me in :)
I am very interested in this book! Please count me in. :-)
author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com
I'm very interested to read this! If I don't win I may have to go buy it :)
I would love to check this book out! ksrutledge[at]hotmail.com
Sounds great...count me in! ( meg dot wilson at gmail dot com )
Looks like a good book.
I would love to have this book and hopefully it would lead me to do the writing I have always wished to do.
I've been wanting to check this book out!
Wow! This is a great way to be a stay at home mom.
Looks like a great book- just might give me the spark I need!
LOL! Looks like you beat me to the punch with the interview! Nice job!