Gainfully Unemployed

Time for the Talk?

2009-07-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

By "the talk," I don't mean the one parents have with their kids about the birds and the bees. I mean the talk kids should have with their parents, but often don't because of the difficult, sensitive subject matter. The talk about their parents' finances and assets.

It's hard to choose the right time for this important conversation. Most people don't want to ponder their demise. Some might get defensive, thinking the kids just want to know if they're going to inherit anything. But if you don't have that talk, you, the heirs, will pay the price later. For example, you won't know what sort of funeral they'd prefer, or if they've already purchased a plot or a cremation contract. Myriad other issues need to be covered, such as: Do they have wills, and if so, where are they? What about a power of attorney? Do they have any investments, Social Security payments? Are there medical bills to be paid?

This happened to me and my siblings when my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He never brought up the subject, and I just couldn't. How can you ask a dying man undergoing chemo what stuff he has and where it is? Ask for his PIN or the password for his bank account?

We had his will, but hardly any other information, records or files. It's challenging and time consuming enough to close any estate and, say, transfer a 401K to the heirs. While you're dealing with the loss of your parent, condolences and funeral arrangements, you're also supposed to be getting copies of the death certificate and other paperwork in order.

Here are just a few examples of the frustrating problems I faced:

--I didn't know his email password. Despite giving as much info as I could to the provider, I was never able to get in.
--Past due bills started arriving for things we didn't know he owed. Like the insurance policy on his condo.
--I found a key that looked like it might be for a safe deposit box. It took many phone calls to track down the bank and determine that branch didn't exist any more.

Consider having the talk with your parents. Resources for further information:

Death Education
respect my wishes
what now?

Closure

2009-06-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

While I like having many irons in the fire, sometimes it's nice to get closure. Whatever we've applied for, whether it's a job or graduate school or health insurance, knowing 'yes' or 'no' allows you to take next steps.

I'm not, however, talking about the closure that comes as a form e-rejection less than an hour after querying an agent. I can't help but think it's just an auto-responder, not from a person who actually read my materials.

When I audition, the only way I know I didn't get the part is if the shoot date passes without word. Few and far between are actual rejections, or "Thanks, but no thanks," e-mails/calls, which would be particularly helpful if the job is out of town. Because not only are you holding open the shoot date, you'll probably need to be available the night before and the morning after to get there and back.

And even rarer is finding out if they at least liked your audition. If I knew I was in the top three, I'd know I was in the ballpark and feel better about not getting the gig. Even learning I was in the bottom three would be informative, because I'd know I'd need to work harder/get help with auditioning with that type of copy, etc.

Sometimes I fear my online queries and auditions vanish into the ether of the Internet. But then, poof, I'll get an email saying I booked a job. On the other hand, the last one I got said the final script would arrive late June. Is it late June yet?

With manuscript submissions, it could take months or years to hear. In May I followed up with an agent who had requested a full manuscript a year ago and asked if she was still interested. She responded that she is, but she's just way behind. Six more weeks have passed without word.

Waiting is stressful because we can't really do much to move the process along. So we're encouraged to let our impatience go, to roll off like water on a duck's back, and move on. Keep writing, keep auditioning, keep sending out that resume. But the hope, the 'what if',' lingers in the back of our minds. Getting "the call" that I'd sold a book or another agent wanted to represent me would mean my years of writing and submitting were paying off. Getting that big on camera job or a new VO client would be great for my career and pocketbook.

So it's hard not to wonder, "Is today the day I'll get great news?" Or at least a little closure.

Editor for a Day! Part 2

2009-06-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

Last week I offered suggestions of DOs I gathered from being an editor for a day at a major publisher, here. A couple of lingering thoughts before I move on to the DON'Ts:

7. If you have a Web site that looks professional, enhances your brand and has been updated recently (Hmm. Guess I should go update mine...), include the URL in your correspondence.
a) having a site shows that you understand the importance of self-promotion and building an online presence
b) you never know if the editor will check it out.

8. If you're already published, make sure your query reflects that in the most positive light. The way a couple of already pubbed authors described their experience raised more questions than it answered (I checked with the editor, and she agreed). Consider:
a) mentioning the name of your most successful title
b) including a one sentence review snippet from the best known reviewer you have.
c) though this can be tricky to express concisely, think about letting her know why you are switching houses and/or why you don't have an agent. We agreed we'd request some pages in any case, but having that info up front might have been helpful.

On to the DON'Ts:

1. No pet hair in the pages. Not kidding.
Also, if you smoke, consider printing your submission at a non-smoking facility. I didn't come across any in NY, but I have heard editors/agents say they're sensitive to turning pages and getting a whiff of cigarette smell. I judge a lot of contests, and it's hard for me to concentrate on scented entries.

2. Do not say how much your colleagues at your day job or your friends and family like your story/writing/whatever. Yes, people did this. And yes, it made them look like novices.
On the other hand, if you happen to have a friend who is an NYT best-seller or an author who writes for that house, and she'll give you a quote...that's a different story.

3. Do not say, "this is my first novel." Armed with the knowledge/experience that many first novels don't sell, the editor may think you're not ready. In any case, this isn't info that the editor needs. Save valuable query letter space for factoids that make you look good.

4. Don't address your letter using her first and last names: "Dear Susie Editor." Several people did this. To me this came across as a mail merge form and not a customized letter. Follow the business format and use "Dear Ms. Editor." If you've met her, "Dear Susie" is fine.

5. Don't make your heroine's current boyfriend or husband too, too horrible/evil/unpleasant. When a novel starts with the heroine being married or having a boyfriend, chances are he's going to hit the road in favor of the hero (yeah, he may BE the hero, but I think you know what I mean) or be excised to show the heroine's personal growth. Though most readers have this expectation, you need to maintain tension and make them think the current guy might work out. If he's so awful or their relationship is so bad up front, we might think the heroine is TSTL (too stupid to live) because she's with this complete loser. We might not connect with her and stop reading.

6. This is my favorite DON'T: ABSOLUTELY 100% do not say, "I have a better book I didn't pitch/submit." I couldn't believe when I read that. The editor will think, "Then why am I wasting my time with this one?"
You need to pitch/submit your best work. If it's not ready to send out, why risk ruining your chance to impress her?
Yes, you may be in an appointment where the editor will say something like, "I don't acquire aliens with red hair who have secret cowboy babies," and your red-headed alien secret cowboy baby book is your favorite. But if your other projects aren't ready for prime time, it's better to say, "I'll contact you when I have something you might like."

Hope these tips help the next time you submit...any questions?

Editor for a Day! Part 1

2009-06-11T06:51:00.000-05:00

While in New York last week, I had an amazing, eye-opening opportunity: I got to be an editor for a day and read submissions sent to an editor at a major publisher.

She showed me to the spare office housing her submission pile, consisting of unsolicited query letters and manuscript requests she made at conferences (agented submissions were elsewhere). She told me sort them into 3 stacks: YES (she should read them), NO (IMO not ready or not something she'd acquire) and MAYBE (something there but not enough for a YES).

She'd told me she was way behind in responding (as many editors and agents are, because they have so many other things to do), so I'd expected a Rumplestiltskinian mountain of envelopes. I found a fairly large pile, but not overwhelming.

I made my way through nearly 50 submissions, running the gamut from historical to paranormal to YA to women's fiction (almost all of her requests were partials-synopsis and first three chapters, not full manuscripts).

I'll divide my gleanings into two posts: DOs and DON'Ts. While the DOs won't guarantee a sale or even a request for the full, and the DON'Ts won't guarantee a rejection, these are things authors can control or work on in order to present themselves in the best possible light. I hope these suggestions help aspiring authors hone their submission packages.

So here are the DOs:

1. Use the cover letter to your advantage:

remind her how you met
include a short blurb about your book
single space

By the time she opens your submission (some I opened were from 2007), she probably won't remember your conversation based on your name alone. I was surprised by how many letters just said something like, "Here is the submission you requested, thanks for your time." These left me feeling unprepared to read the pages. I wanted to know the usual query letter stuff: genre, word count, a few sentences showing you know your hook and/or goal, motivation and conflict, and a bit about the author's experience.

And don't forget to date your letter!! Submissions may get separated from their envelopes or the postmark can be blurred, and if you don't mention where you met or include the date, she has no way to place your submission. Queries are single spaced, not double.

2. Design some sort of basic, professional letterhead. In today's market, author self-promotion plays a very important role. So show an editor on first contact that you know how to market yourself. Letters where the author's name and address were left justified and in the same type face as the body lacked personality and told me nothing about the author or that she knew her brand. I'm not suggesting anything over the top or busy enough to be distracting...name and address centered with a different font (not a crazy one!!) in a tasteful color was enough to let me know this author could set herself apart in an interesting way. If you're submitting, you should have a business card. So consider incorporating an element from that.

One letter was a photocopy of the author's stationery...I didn't like that.

3. Use the least amount of packaging possible. Those sealed with too much of that plastic-y packing tape were very frustrating to open. And took too much time. Also, I learned that envelopes are easier, even for fulls. Boxes are cumbersome.

In the pages themselves,

4. Make sure you reveal information in a way the reader can understand and that you tell the reader what she needs to know when she needs to know it. I got the sense that some authors were purposely holding back information I wanted to know, maybe thinking I'd be more curious and interested.
Nope. I was frustrated and annoyed.

5. Maintain the reader's interest/excitement/stakes that you establish with your opening hook. I see this a lot in judging contests, too. The first few paragraphs are great and draw me right in. I can't wait to see what happens or what is said next. Then it's as if the rug is pulled out from under me. All the tension, the pace is lost because either the thing you thought was suspenseful really isn't--like you think the hero is in the midst of a medieval battle or a contemporary crime or being chased by an unseen nemesis, but you find out he's just training/on a simulation. Or you think the heroine has a huge decision to make--and it's only what to wear on a date.

6. Make sure something happens in your opening scenes. I didn't see a lot of backstory overload, which I expected, but I did see long scenes where nothing really happens. The characters just stand or sit around and chat. Yes, one use of dialogue is to reveal character, and no, not every book has the pace of a romantic suspense, but I found myself getting very impatient and wanted to skip ahead when nothing was happening at all to move the story forward.
There's can also be too much play by play, which isn't story action, but just your heroine going through her day step by step by step by step by step...you get the picture.

Next week---the DON'Ts.

New York, NY Take 2

2009-06-06T07:41:00.000-05:00

Recently I discussed the possibility of moving to New York to work as an editor or agent, here. Before taking such a big leap, I wanted to get the scoop on what it's like to be an editor or agent, and get advice on how someone with my background and experience might proceed.

Over the years I've established relationships with some of the editors and agents who have rejected various manuscripts. These publishing professionals have all requested more than one of my tomes, but didn't love them enough to represent or buy, though they've had very nice things to say about my writing/plots/premises/sense of humor, etc. So I was able to set up in person informational interviews with two editors and an agent, and phone meetings with two more agents.

The trip was a wonderful illustration of, "But wait, there's more!" One editor asked if I'd be interested in reading some of her submissions! I got to spend most of a day going through her (rather large, but not as hugh as expected) pile of submissions requested from appointments at writing conferences, and some of her unsolicted query letters. (This publisher does not accept unsolicted submissions, meaning you either have to have an agent or meet an editor somewhere to get a request to send part or all of your book.) And one of the agents had arranged for me to meet with her boss...and take an agent test!

Much more on my interviews and meetings and will follow in future posts.

I traveled with award-winning, teen author Simone Elkeles (kind enough to thank me in all her books for my critiquing assistance), who was meeting with her agent and editor.

Our visit wasn't all work and no play (no pun intended). We enjoyed two amazing Broadway shows: God of Carnage and Billy Elliot. And in the small world vein, the actor who plays Billy's father, Tony Award nominated Gregory Jbara, and I were in Michigan Repertory's production of Of Thee I Sing--29 years ago. After he changed out of his costume, we joined him on the stage.

What a very cool exclamation point on a wonderful trip.

Doing What You Say You Will

2009-05-28T07:52:00.000-05:00

As our economy deteriorated, I posited that one factor might be poor customer service. Shoppers are likely to spend less money at and might stop patronizing businesses that provide unsatisfactory assistance. (You'd think vendors would ensure that their employees were well-trained, especially in these difficult times when customer rentention is even more essential.)

IMO a related problem that's frustrating and inhibiting consumers is people who don't do what they say they will. I just hired a name brand cleaning service to do a move out clean, and specifically requested that they wipe down the kitchen cabinets. But visible fingerprints remain, plus you can clearly see swoop marks where they stopped wiping 6 inches from the top of the doors. And it's clear they didn't even touch the inside of the freezer. Yuck.

Because I respected their brand, expected them to do what they said and do it right, I didn't stay and hover over them. Now I have to call and complain. They didn't do good work and I have to pay someone else to clean. Not only will I not hire this company again, I won't recommend them.

Another recent example: a salon offered 20% off certain services. But they charged me the full amount. I wasn't as diligent as usual, being in a pleasant fog from a most relaxing facial, and forgot about the discount. Now I have to call them back to get it. Has it become the consumer's job to remind businesses of their pricing? Or do they hope we won't notice mistakes?

It seems that doing a great job the first time around and providing satisfactory follow up have become the exception, not the norm. Maybe sales and service people don't think they're paid enough to care. Maybe some companies are so huge that bottom-of-the-food-chain employees think what they do doesn't matter. Maybe they're demoralized because their managers don't do what they say they will.

Think how good you feel when a transaction goes smoothly and on time. When it exceeds your expectations. Or when someone makes a mistake, but accepts responsibility and goes out of his way to compensate.

Perhaps this is a "pay it forward" issue. If I do what I say I will, then you will, then he will...

Roller Coaster Audition Thoughts

2009-05-21T07:50:00.001-05:00

My cell rings. Caller ID tells me it's one of my talent agencies.

Yes. Always get a little zap of excitement when I see a talent agent on caller ID. So many possibilities. Could they be calling to say I booked the DVD job?

No. They're calling about a TV commercial that will shoot out of town on dates I am available. Good. The audition is at one of Chicago's big casting directors. Very nice, would be a coup to book something through her. Details to be emailed this afternoon. Ok.

At this point all is well. The day goes on with no info. Now it's 5:15. I have to leave for chorus rehearsal that goes until 8:45. What if they sent info, but left me off the list? What if there's a script to memorize, will I have time? Should I call and find out? No. Yes.

I call and learn they haven't sent the info. It arrives minutes later, when I'm on the bus. I start to read and am caught up in roller coaster thoughts. Because the first thing I see is that the shoot date has changed...to the day I'm returning from my NY trip.

Hmm. Wouldn't you know, I leave town and the chance of a good job pops up, just like when I went to Puerto Rico. Could I make it to the location AND see Billy Elliot? Unlikely. I really want to see that show. Would the friend I'm going with find someone to use my ticket? How much would it cost to change my flight?

I keep reading. The spot is MOS, which means without sound, so I won't have to worry about sounding real/believable.

Nice. I'm working on sounding real and a VO friend thinks I'm doing much better--for VO at least--but this casting director has told me before to sound more believable.

I''m supposed to be a grandma in her 50s. Hmm. Do I look like a grandma, do I look like I'm in my 50s? Usually people think I'm in my late 30s. But I know agents/casting directors don't have time to waste sending/seeing people they don't want, so there's a reason I'm on the list. Or DO I look like I'm a grandma in my 50s? Hmmm.

The pay is great, and there's additional money for print. Yes. I would really like to book this. I wish I looked like I was in my 50s. No, I don't.

Do I overthink, or is this the thought process other actors go through? I'll find out. Stay tuned...

Domain Debacle

2009-05-14T06:40:00.000-05:00

Don't let what happened to me happen to you.

A week or so ago, the VO friend giving me private coaching wanted to listen to one of my demos again. He went to ruthtalks.com. But my demos wouldn't play, though he could download them. I emailed my Web site designer. She had trouble accessing the files and couldn't figure out what was wrong. She suggested I call GoDaddy, who hosts my site.

Lo and behold: my domain name had expired. My fault: GoDaddy didn't have a current email address so I didn't get expiration notices. It never occurred to me to check myself.

My site wasn't working right because a guy named Andrey in St. Petersburg, Russia had snatched up ruthtalks.com for 3 years. Apparently bottom feeders like him lurk on the Internet, waiting for domain names to expire and then buying them...not to use themselves but hoping the original owners will buy them back. This is legal, though I and everyone I've told think there's something slightly distasteful/unpleasant about it.

Ruthtalks.com remained semi-functional, I learned after a lot of time on the phone with customer service, because he somehow hijacked my content (no one I talked to knew how that could happen). Apparently this is illegal, a copyright law violation. And he inserted odd little tidbits like "Russian company Vodohod organizes russia cruises to see all the sights of Ribinsk," "We better bus charters good for you " and "Wedding dresses London look here" on some of the pages.

What to do? Change the domain I'd used for three years, to deprive Andrey of the satisfaction of me buying it back? Or purchase another domain name? Many voiceover talents use firstnamelastnamevo.com, or firstnamevoice.com. But Ruthsvoice.com isn't available. And I like ruthtalks because it covers more than VO; I also do on camera work and give writing and voiceover business workshops.

I decided to use GoDaddy's Domain Buy service ($59.99 + a 10% commission) instead of having to contact Andrey (who I've since learned doesn't speak much English) directly. This is the process: GoDaddy appraises the value of the domain name. Then the buyer sets an opening bid and maximum bid. GoDaddy deals with the seller while the buyer waits. A very helpful customer service guy handled the transaction, using Google Translate to communicate with Andrey.

I hemmed and hawed over how much I was willing to pay and guessing how much Andrey would accept, assuming he was willing to sell. Fortunately I succeeded in buying my domain back, and for less then my maximum bid and far less than the GoDaddy appraised value of my site. Take that, Andrey.

But my simple oversight of not ensuring that GoDaddy had a current email address cost me hours on the phone with customer service; $215 dollars; and initial shock, frustration, and the uncomfortable sensation of somehow being violated, though I know this was just business.

If you have a domain name you want to keep, make sure you--not your designer or anyone else--owns your domain name. Make sure you know when it will expire, or set up auto renewal. Don't let Andrey in Russia or anyone else snatch your domain.

New York, New York?

2009-05-07T07:38:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you considered moving to another city?

Faithful readers know I'm at a writing crossroads, wondering if I should continue to pursue publication. Wondering if it's still a question of the right manuscript on the right desk at the right time, or if I should find another way to stay involved with writing. I've often thought about working as an editor at a publishing house or getting a job at a literary agency. I subscribe to the Publisher's Lunch e-newlestter and have looked wistfully at some of the jobs posted. I've never applied for any...because almost all of these jobs are in New York.

Meanwhile, authors I critique for can't say enough great things about how helpful my comments are...one multi-published, award-winning author recently told her editor that I make her books much better. Several authors suggest ad nauseum that I'd be a great literary agent because of my legal background, years of award-winning sales and negotiation experience and knowledge of writing and romance publishing. Could I be a better editor or agent than an author? Hmmm.

The Pros:
--I've lived in Chicago almost all of my life. Maybe it's time for a change.
--I really enjoy editing/critiquing, finding problem areas and offering suggested fixes. The list of published authors I critique for has grown. Maybe it's time to get paid (instead of getting return critiques) for what I do.
--I have friends in the NYC area, so I wouldn't be completely alone.
--The life of a freelancer has upsides, but so does getting a regular paycheck and paid vacation days. I miss those.

The Cons:
--I've visited NYC many times and prefer Chicago, which is what has stopped me from moving ahead (pun intended) with this idea before. NYC is just that much more congested and expensive.
They have Broadway and the Met, but we have fabulous theatre and opera, and these days some musicals and plays headed for Broadway start here (including August: Osage County, and recently Brian Dennehey in Desire Under the Elms. Manhattan is great, but I love Lincoln Park. We don't, however, have anything like The Cloisters!
--Starting over is scary, stressful and a lot of work. It gets harder the older you get because you've put down roots and have established yourself in various communities.
--Moving is a pain, with all the packing and unpacking, the decisions and arrangements to make...would I sell or rent my condo, furnished or unfurnished? What to do with my car and accumulated stuff?
--Here's the biggie: I don't know if I'd enjoy selling/promoting/working on others' books full time instead of my own.

First step: I'm going to NYC for a few days with a friend and have set up informational interviews. I'll get to spend most of a day working with an editor at a major publisher! And, of course, I'll catch a couple of shows.

Passing fancy or probable plan? Stay tuned...

The Famous Brothers

2009-04-30T08:07:00.001-05:00

The Gainfully Unemployed need to take some time off from career pursuits every now and then. So I went to Three Oaks, Michigan, to hear friends who make up the three-part harmony group The Famous Brothers perform at the Acorn Theatre.

Darren 2B Famous, Willie B. Famous and Ricky Famous Famous hail from Monkey's Crevice, West Virginia. They sing original and cover bluegrass songs in the vein of music from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou and share brotherly banter. They're known for their clever lyrics and harmonious blend, which thoroughly entertained the crowd at the Acorn.

Check out The Famous Brothers on Fox 28 in Elkhart performing one of my favorites, 20 Ways to Kill You with my Swiss Army Knife or watch an older performance on YouTube here.

You can order their songs and CD on Amazon.com. Listen to samples, including one from another favorite, "Yodel in the Valley," here.

If you're visiting the Harbor Country area, consider seeing a show at the Acorn Theatre. It's a unique venue offering a wide variety of entertainment in an eclectic setting, which includes a full bar and one of the nicest women's restrooms I've seen in a theatre. The quaint, quiet Three Oaks and surrounding towns are fun to explore, and offer many dining options, including Middle Eastern fare Cafe Gulistan and Swedish breakfast at Luisa's Cafe.

Monday Morning Quarterback

2009-04-23T09:17:00.003-05:00

Note: Blogger had marked my blog as Spam (I think because I tried to have more than 5 tags for one post.) Sorry for any inconvenience.

Making mistakes...if only we could avoid doing that. Have you ever took on an obligation, accepted or quit a job, decided to move, or, referring back to last week's post trusted someone, and then regretted doing so? How many times have you thought "I wish I hadn't (or had) done ___________?"

Recent example: the pain specialist recommended medication for my foot. One dose made me so nauseated I could barely get off the couch. Felt like a zombie and couldn't focus. Perhaps I should have stopped taking it right then. But the doctor and an anesthesiologist friend agreed that the benefits would outweigh the side effects.

So I persisted for several more days...to no avail. Finally I stopped taking it and am waiting to hear from the doctor about next steps. Do I now regret wasting days feeling awful and so getting very little accomplished? Yes. But I did it...because I accepted the advice of professionals and want my foot to stop hurting. Did I have doubts because I know there are medicines I can't tolerate? Yes. Did I think the drug was worth a try? Yes.

So how do you know when to trust your instincts and when to weigh and analyze pros and cons?

These articles recommend a mix of both approaches:

To Your Health
About.com: Mental Health
wikiHow

I think you also have to weigh your instincts. Even if you think you're making a good decision, doubts may linger. If you ignore and push aside the doubts, they might come back to haunt you on Monday, after the game has been played. One idea consider is to discuss your plans with an adivisory board of friends, family and colleagues, and add their thoughts and opinions to the mix.

Sometimes it's hard to be sure you're doing the right thing. Only time will tell.

Who Can You Trust?

2009-04-16T08:58:00.008-05:00

I relate the following tale to encourage you to think about your life and decisions you make. Those times when you aren't sure who to trust, who to believe...whether dealing with medical professionals, your kids, your spouse/significant other, friends, co-workers. How many opinions do you seek, how much research do you do before believing, before making a decision? When do you simply trust your instincts?

And if after information gathering you've been caught between opposing options, made a choice that seemed right but didn't turn out to be, or have been misled or even misinformed, how do you recoup?

Faithful readers may recall that back in September I had foot surgery (for hallux rigidus, arthritis in the big toe).

I chose the doctor, believed and trusted him because he'd been written up in the Chicago Tribune for just this procedure and he paraded several dancing patients in front of me as proof of his successes. He seemed confident that I was a great candidate, promised great results, and said that in a few weeks I'd be so happy I'd be kissing his feet.

Well, almost 7 months and thousands of dollars later (despite insurance), I am not happy. My "new" foot hurts more than the "old" one (which has the same condition). I can't wear any of my cute shoes, only certain sneakers or orthopedic-looking old lady shoes.

I thought I'd done my due diligence, taken enough time and thought to come up with a good plan. Yet the results aren't at all what I'd hoped and been told I'd receive. Which put me in the unenviable position of making reparations. So I followed up with Doctor #1 several times, receiving injections (in the toe), taking anti-inflammatories, etc. No change.

I just saw Doctor #2, an orthopedist who has worked with the Joffrey Ballet. He should know toes, right? He said he's not a fan of the implant. I could do nothing, or remove the implant, take bone from my hip (!), and fuse the toe. Fusing---arthrodesis--is a common procedure for this condition and is supposed to eliminate pain, but the toe will never bend. I might be able to wear up to a 1" heel. Despite research I've done about limitations after fusion, he said he's had good results...people have run marathons.

Doctor #1 then said I could have a fusion with no bone needed from my hip. Or try a pain specialist. Or wait longer, because it can take a year to heal.

So who to believe? How many more doctors should I consult? What to do? For now, I've decided to see a pain specialist...stay tuned.

Should I Self-publish?

2009-04-05T09:22:00.006-05:00

Many people have suggested self-publishing as an alternative to selling to an NY publisher. (Others have suggested e-publishing...which perhaps I'll address at another time.)

First, a question, fellow readers: how many self-pubbed novels have you bought? My guess is zero or less than a handful.

The Pros:
1. You will get to hold a copy of your book in your hand, see your name on the spine and show it to your friends and family.

2. According to my research, self-publishing often works better for non-fiction. I am considering self-publishing a non-fiction book I'm working on with a friend. We wrote a proposal and got this feedback from a couple of big agents: great proposal, great idea. But you have no platform.
Platform means you're already well-known and highly established in your field, via the Internet, TV/radio, print media. My Web site gets a fair number of hits, but not enough (yet?) to equal a platform. My co-author and I haven't yet decided whether we want to try to build one.

3. If you work hard enough, and spend enough time/money/energy on promotion/publicity, you can probably make a little money.

The Cons:
1. It's not called a 'mass market' novel for nothing. In today's world you still need mass market distribution, availability in bookstores, any publisher support you can get to grow readership and sales. Most self-publishers I've researched charge extra for each service/benefit you'd receive from a traditional publisher.

2. I'd have to hand sell almost every copy. Sure, someone could stumble across it amidst the zillions for sale and buy it, and these days you can get an ISBN number via various self-publishers so you can sell your book in online 'stores.' Sure, my mom and some of my friends would buy my book. But though I know a lot of people, it could take a year to sell even 1,000 copies, which isn't very many to the agents and editors you might want to represent or buy your next opus. And if I'm spending that much time self-marketing, when will I write the next book? Some self-publishers offer various types of marketing packages, with separate fees for each type of media. These can run into the thousands of dollars.

3. It seems that anyone can self-publish almost anything. There is almost no vetting of quality or marketability, though some sites will evaluate your manuscript...for a fee. Traditional editors/agents won't buy or represent you if they don't love your work and see $ dollar signs when they read it, because they are putting their reputations on the line. Just because you and your best friend think your manuscript is amazing doesn't mean it is.

5. Only a VERY few self-pubbed novels are are picked up by an NY publisher.
But then, someone wins the lottery every week...

6. Will you get reviewed if you self-publish? There are hundreds of traditionally published books out every month competing for increasingly limited review spots in major newspapers and magazines. Sure, online sites can review more books, but how will yours stand out if they do?

The jury's still out on this topic...

For good news about self-publishing, see:

More Self-Publishers Hit the Big Time in Publishers Weekly

The Lace Reader in Publishers Weekly

On the other hand,

SFWA has this to say here

Tess Gerritsen's thoughts

And agent Nathan Bransford offers his pros and cons, with lots of reader comments.

Interested in self-publishing your Great American Novel?

Wikipedia says

LifeTips on self publishing

Check out these self-publishers:

Lulu.com

iUniverse

Xlibris

BookSurge

Are You The Next American Star?

2009-04-01T07:21:00.003-05:00

I deviate from my Thursday posting schedule about my adventures among the Gainfully Unemployed to promote my sister's new venture. She is CEO of The Next American Star.

TNAS is the biggest, boldest talent competition ever, where the best stars of today and tomorrow come to work and play on a world stage for up and coming artists. Performers sign up and post videos, pictures and Backstage Interviews so fans can learn about them and vote. If you register, you'll get up to 5 votes per day, and one 'supervote' that counts for five, for a total of 10 votes per day. Your Votepod will tell you how many votes you have left. If you choose not to register, you get one vote per day.

Voting starts today for semi-finalists ing the regional Young Adult Rock Season 1 competition. The best bands will play at TNAS's House of Blues Concert in Chicago in late May. Proceeds will benefit Starlight Children's Foundation.

Artists and fans can win prizes. The top fan each week of voting wins a $150 Target Gift Card for themselves and a $150 gift card for the band/artiste they supervoted for the most. The top fan is the fan who uses the most votes during the week. If there is a tie, there will be a drawing to see who is the Top Fan for the week. The top fan for the entire voting period will win a $500 COACH Gift Card.

Lots of new content and competitions will be coming soon--including a video competition to be the hosts of TNAS's daily show.

So check out TNAS, and vote now, vote often!

Quittin' Time?

2009-03-26T07:14:00.002-05:00

If at first you don't succeed...
Winners never quit...
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

All our lives, we're encouraged to pursue our dreams. To set ambitious goals and work toward them. We hear success stories of those who created thriving businesses, sold their novels, got the part that launched an acting career.

We don't hear much about those who failed...those who really tried, who worked diligently for years but just couldn't get where they wanted to go.

So how do you know if it's time to quit? Should you give up on a troubled relationship, the career change that hasn't paid off, the novel you can't seem to sell? When does an endeavor go beyond "persistence pays" to beating your head against the wall or even TSTL (too stupid to live--a critique given to a romance novel heroine who does something completely out of character or plain stupid)?

Maybe there's a better use of your time, money and energy.

I'm seriously considering abandoning my pursuit of publication. Though multi-published friends and industry professionals praise my writing--an editor recently said "incredibly talented"--faithful readers know I haven't sold after 15 years and 10 completed manuscripts. Yes, there are those who have taken even longer and written even more books before selling. But there are also many who sold their second or third manuscripts in a mere handful of years.

So do I write ms #11? Keep submitting the others, because all it takes is getting the right story in front of the right person at the right time? Or do I cut my losses and quit?

CNN: Ten reasons you should quit

Should you quit?

When the going gets tough...

What are you worth?

2009-03-19T09:14:00.003-05:00

How much should you get paid for what you do?

In the acting world, you can get paid nothing for being in a play, despite hours spent rehearsing and performing. Getting experience, a credit for your resume, having something to invite agents to, and maybe working with a prominent director/theatre company are supposed to be enough. On the other hand, some VO jobs I record at home I can get $150 for less than an hour of work. Which may seem like a lot until you realize that union VO actors can earn thousands for a national commercial that took them less than an hour to record, because they earn residuals every time it plays.

It's one thing if you apply for a job an are offered a salary. You have a base from which to negotiate. If you can't ask for more money, maybe you can get flex time or more vacation days. If I get booked for a job through an agent, the rates are set. Plus if the client doesn't pay, they follow through.

Setting rates for jobs that don't come through agents can be a challenge.

I've learned the general range for various types of projects, and I have VO friends to go to for advice. While I want to get what my time, talent and experience are worth, I don't want to price myself out of the job. The hardest to bid on are opportunities that say the budget is "To be defined." Do I bid per minute, per word, per hour of my time or finished audio, or per project? You have to take into account the length of the project, the amount of editing required, and also where and for how long the project will run. Is it just for the Internet, internal corporate use, a small market for cable, radio or TV? Regional or national? Will it run 13 weeks or should you offer a year buyout? Is it for a toy, game or even a phone app? An educational CD or DVD someone will sell? I saw a post recently for real estate narration that paid based on the cost of the property.

And how much should you get for selling a book? Advances range from nothing for some e-publishers to thousands. Some books sell at auctions. Royalty rates differ. Other contract terms such as print runs, marketing, free author copies may be negotiable.

Should athletes get paid millions for dropping half of the balls they are supposed to catch while teachers make so much less? Supply and demand, letting the market decide...that is the American Way. So I guess we are worth whatever we can get.

How do we not sell ourselves short, especially now, in the midst of so many cutbacks and layoffs?

Too Many Choices

2009-03-12T07:50:00.003-05:00

My cell phone contract is about to expire, so I thought I'd do some research to see if it was time to trade in my trusted BlackBerry for an iPhone or another touch screen phone with a larger display and faster Internet access. But the options, price plans and hidden fees boggle the mind.

For me, reliable email is as important as reliable phone service, and I need a QWERTY keyboard. Better Internet access would be a big plus. I don't need or want to pay extra for cameras, MP3s or videos/TV programs on my phone...but some phones come with that stuff anyway.

iPhones may be the bomb, but they're pretty expensive. I couldn't find any AT&T bundle discounts, or worse, figure out what my actual bill would be if I went with them, and their plans seem high. But I can get a 10% discount through an organization I belong to. US Cellular may not have cutting edge phones, but you get free incoming minutes, which is pretty nice. Verizon has all those commercials about how reliable their network is, but I read BlackBerry Storm reviews and wasn't all that impressed. And Sprint...I remember some sort of black and white commercials featuring a building with a yellow Sprint sign...but

I can't keep straight who has rollover minutes or favorite 5 or mobile-to-mobile or whoever you can call as much as you want for free options. So I searched "spreadsheet comparing cell phone plans" and found myrateplan.com, which at first seemed like an amazing solution but then made things even more confusing because though they offer a TruBill Estimate, they want you to buy from them. Trying to figure out which site to buy from, with all the free this and bonus that made me dizzy. Who can you trust?

More helpful is the CNET compare plan site. You enter your zip code and choose plans to compare side by side...then move on to the phone options. Except the Verizon plan I picked didn't say anything about its Wireless Internet fee, but it includes free SMS (texting). The chart says in one place that US Celluar has unlimited free weekends, then in another that it has none and you have to pay extra. So I can't rely on that site either.

I guess I'm going to have to go into each carrier's store to find out how much what I want will actually cost...in writing.

Forgetfulness

2009-03-06T09:11:00.002-06:00

What have you forgotten lately, and what did doing so cost in frustration or money? Is forgetting a sign of aging or illness, having too much on our plates, or being too stressed or tired? Are we too busy thinking about what we're supposed to do next than where we're putting our car keys right now?

Usually I'm pretty good about remembering because I write almost everything down. But recently, I forgot:
-to blog yesterday. It was my turn to post on a group blog, and in doing that, editing a book for a friend under deadline and dealing with a family issue, I just forgot. It didn't help that I didn't add blogging to my 'To Do' list for that day.
-that I had a ticket for the Lyric's production of Porgy and Bess. I thought I'd entered all opera dates on my calendar. Obviously not. The friend I go with called me on the way there, but I didn't get the message in time. Kind of a costly error.

Sometimes I'm surprised when I open my Day-Timer and see a task written in my handwriting. I don't remember putting it there, but that's the point...by writing down what I need to do on the day it needs to be done, I can clear my head of that item, leaving room for other topics.

These days, a lot of people keep their to do lists on line, using sites like Remember the Milk and Toodledo , or have them on their computer and/or synced with their BlackBerry or phone. But I prefer having mine in writing, on paper. It's more accessible; to me flipping pages is easier than scrolling or remembering to keep a site open, plus I can keep it on my desk next to my computer.

If you'd like to be less forgetful, try:

Banishing Forgetfulness

Combat Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness: Not always what you think

Vitamin D...are you deficient?

2009-02-26T07:39:00.000-06:00

After an annual checkup, my doctor called to tell me I'm Vitamin D deficient. So she prescribed very large doses for 8 weeks, then large doses for 8 more.

Why do we need Vitamin D? I'm not a doctor, nor have I played one on TV (yet?), but wanted to find out before I took the prescription. I knew one reason had to do with staving off osteoporosis, but didn't know that Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Or that Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has been linked to all kinds of ailments, from heart disease to certain kinds of cancer (including breast cancer).

How much is enough? National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements recommendations can be found here.

Drink a lot of milk and eating dairy products hasn't helped. And my doctor says the best source of Vitamin D is the sun. As many of us do these days to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer, I try to stay out of the sun. Not only that, when I am outside (like last November on vacation in very sunny Puerto Rico) I use sunscreen. Which, according to Wikipedia, inhibits 95% of skin production of Vitamin D.

I read that VDD is hard to detect without a test. The variety of annoying symptoms, including fatigue, difficulties sleeping and symptoms of depression can also be symptoms of many other things...even stress.

Apparently many Americans are Vitaman D deficient. Maybe you should get tested, too.

Learn more about Vitamin D:

Women to Women

Wikipedia

Scientific American

University of Michigan Health System

Are You Prepared?

2009-02-18T11:39:00.003-06:00

How much preparation is enough? If you're giving a presentation for work, going on an audition, or sending out a manuscript to an editor or agent...how far are you willing to go to produce your best, and how do you know when you're ready? When you run out of time? Ha.

Tuesday afternoon around 2:30, I got a call from a talent agent telling me I'd been selected to audition for a SAG movie. A lead role. The audition was Wednesday at 4:30, and she'd be emailing me the sides (ie, lines to learn). I was a bit surprised when not one, not two, but three scenes appeared in my mailbox. And two of them required crying.

Before reading the script, I Yahoo!ed the casting director, Matthew Lessall, and found a 2/14 blog entry () about his adventures casting this film. He focused on preparation, because apparently some actors had complained about how hard the material was and that they didn't enough time to prepare, though he'd booked them for the audition LAST WEEK. (Recall that I only have around 24 hours.)

His advice: "PRACTICE! When you think you have practiced enough, DO IT AGAIN!"

So that is what I decided to do. Fortunately I didn't have major plans Tuesday evening. Would I have gone so far as to, say, cancel dinner with a friend? Try to find someone to use theatre tickets? Miss a chorus rehearsal or class? Hmmm.

Next I researched the director and the film, and found a cool "first look" on the director's Web site. (What did we do before the Internet?) I read through the scenes, decided what a late 40s Orthodox wife with 3 kids might wear and what to do with my hair. I reviewed and reviewed my lines, out loud and silently. The next day, I brought them with me and rehearsed on the bus and while waiting for an appointment. I wasn't fully memorized, but could glance at a line then say it.

How did the audition go? Had I prepared enough?

When my turn came, Matt asked if I'd had time to look over the script. I knew better than to say, "Well, I just got it yesterday afternoon." So I told him I'd read his blog and quoted his preparation advice, which I'd followed. He said that was more than most. Then we had a nice chat about blogging and health insurance. Sounds like a good start.

He asked if I had any questions. I wanted to know what her job was, because one of the scenes is outside her place of work. He said that was a good question, but he didn't know the answer.

I did the first scene, with him reading the other parts. It's a little nervewracking to have the casting director as your reading partner, because you need to make eye contact...and while you're trying to remember the lines, separate the fact that he's the one who can hire you from the need to see the other people in the sence, find the emotion and be in the moment.

He said my performance was flat (Ouch. Is that what it feels like not to go through to Hollywood on American Idol?), but then gave me some direction on how to do better. According to his blog, that's a good thing. And I know some auditioners give notes just to see if you can take direction.

I did the scene again, and he seemed happier. We moved on to the second scene. He said that was good, but didn't ask me to do the third. Which, of course, I'd also rehearsed...

When I gave work presentations, I always had more information to impart than fit into my alotted time. The questions attendees asked were almost always easier than I'd anticipated. I prefer to be as prepared as I can be, so the time and effort I've invested will pay off.

A Little Help, Please?

2009-02-12T07:39:00.001-06:00

Songs have been written about the need for and benefits of help...by artists including The Beatles and Bette Midler (who didn't get teary-eyed listening to The Wind Beneath my Wings?).

Yet there are those unable to realize when they need help. Some who realize the need are unwilling to ask. Others are unwilling to accept help, because they think doing so makes them seem weak. They don't want to sacrifice any of their independence or privacy and/or feel guilty, that they will be indebted to the helper.

Many offer help, and many are happy to give it when asked. Others do so grudgingly, perhaps resentful of the time and effort needed, or they attach strings.

Help can come in many forms...from encouraging words to assistance with a specific project to giving of your time, and in this economy, money or even food.

Writers are one group that thrives on help. Many authors have critique partners, without whom they say they'd never have finished or sold some or all of their books. This writer would not have kept going for so long after so many rejections without the ongoing encouragement and support of many friends, from one who recommended my latest manuscript to her agent to those I've made through Romance Writers of America.

But help goes both ways. I'm helping a friend under deadline by line editing so she can produce new pages. I've helped another stay on task, which also helped me, because it's easier to stay focused when you're writing with someone.

How can you be a more gracious giver or reciever? What's the best way to thank someone who helps you, and the best way to accept thanks? I'd guess any way that leaves both parties satisfied.

For more information on the subject of help: Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help

How to accept help:

Great Entrepreneurial Minds

About.com Article focuses on arthritis but issues are relevant.

How to thank someone: Wikihow

Freecycling

2009-02-05T08:10:00.005-06:00

Do you Freecycle™? It's not a new exercise class, or a way to ride a bike. It's a free way to make sure that stuff you don't want or need anymore goes to a good home instead of ending up in a landfill. The saying, "Someone's trash is someone else's treasure," proves true. And you're helping the environment.

You can also use Freecycle to acquire things you want but don't want to pay for or, in this economy, can't afford.

Pros: The recipient picks the item up. You can make someone's day...recipients have been so happy to get what I've Freecyled. You can Freecycle things you can't donate...like a can of paint or even half a bottle of shampoo. I've Freecycled a shopping bag (5 lbs) of unused computer, phone and TV/VCR cords and cables, which was better and certainly easier than trying to find a place to recycle them. Freecycling can be fast...sometimes you offer an item, promise it within minutes and have it taken the same day. It's a great way to regift...I was given a laptop bag that was too big and heavy for me, but the recipient was thrilled to have it for her son.

Cons: You will receive a lot of emails, even if you go on digest. A surprising number of people will want what you don't, and sometimes it's hard to choose who to give the item to. (I usually go with the first responder so I don't have to decide between heartfelt explanations.) Sometimes you'll make pickup arrangements, and the person doesn't show up or call to say why...taking up your time. There may be items you take the time to offer that no one wants: I offered but still have a Radio Shack phone battery I neglected to return it in time that was supposed to fit my phone but didn't.

Other: You'll need to carefully read the etiquette and posting files and follow all the rules. You're supposed to offer more things than you want.

You may have items you'd rather donate, for tax benefits. But if you have things you no longer need, consider joining your local Freecycle group.

Happiness is...?

2009-01-29T08:44:00.003-06:00

Merriam-Webster online defines happiness as "a state of well-being and contentment."

How many times have we heard that happiness comes from within:

Ezine @rticle

Articlesbase

Even so, external events often trigger happiness or unhappiness--you get the job/part you wanted, the guy you like asks you out/your spouse does what he said s/he would...or you don't get it and s/he doesn't.

I'm one of those people who finds it challenging to stay happy when things in my little world or the big world aren't going well. Things that make me unhappy: looking at my 401(k) balance, getting a rejection. Things that make me happy: participating in enjoyable activities, getting the part.

A goal is to stay on a more even keel as opposed to riding the roller coaster of happiness. I'm working on letting go when stuff happens that I can't control, and really appreciating all the good stuff in my life.

What can we do to be happier? Maybe learn more about how to be happy...

About.com advises "cultivating an internal locus of control," or the belief that you are the master of your fate.

wikiHow has many suggestions, including relaxing, smiling, taking the good with the bad, being thankful, pursuing goals that make you happy, developing healthy relationships, and making someone else happy.

The Formula for Being Happy says it's a matter of V2 x S2 x P2 x L2 = H, or V2 = Values times Vision. S2 = Stability times Structure (of which balance, accent, and flow are parts). P2 = Passion times Professionalism, which together produce Power. L2 = Love Given times Love Received. H = Happiness.

Not sure how happy you are? Try a Happiness Quiz.

What makes you happy?

Hope and the last Straw

2009-01-21T12:25:00.006-06:00

When we're getting ready to do something, we hope it goes well. From going on a audition to preparing for a presentation at work, we hope for the best. These days we hope the economy will improve and our 401(k)s will return to normal. Most people recall the role hope played when Pandora opened her box.

How much hope do you have?

I remember a game I played as a kid called the last Straw. A brown plastic camel with wheels on its feet wore two yellow baskets. Players took turns placing colored plastic sticks in the baskets. You hoped yours wasn't the one to break the camel's back.

Just like that camel, most of us have our breaking point. Some people might quit after a single failure. Others persist until they succeed, no matter how long or how hard the journey.

How do you know if you should press on toward a goal in the face of rejection or failure? Sometimes it's hard to tell if you're beating your head against the wall or are about to become an example of that quote, "Winners never quit..." Are you that auditionee on American Idol who clearly has no talent whatsoever, except in his own ears? Or are you the next J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter got rejected a dozen times), Margaret Mitchell (GWTW got rejected 38 times) or Robert M. Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance, over 120 rejections)?

Imagine for a minute sending out 100 submissions, following each agent's or editor's guidelines...some would be queries, some would include sample chapters and/or a synopsis. See the reams of paper printed and tidily stacked, the 100 envelopes ready to be mailed. (Yes, some agents/editors accept e-submissions today but many don't.) Imagine the hope you'd feel.

As each rejection rolled in, you'd think, "One NO closer to YES." (I give a workshop called that.) You'd hope, "Maybe the next one." What if all of that effort yielded nothing but a pile of letterhead? Would you keep going?

Persistence is a lot like gambling. What separates the person who sends out just one more submission and the one who bets on just one more race...that the goal of being a published author is more laudable than trying to make money via luck? The person putting a bet down on a horse with even 20-1 odds has a better chance of winning than the person sending out queries does of snagging an agent or selling a book.

Just because the odds are high doesn't mean we should give up. Let's hope that hope isn't quantifiable. That it regenerates and grows stronger while we persist until we achieve our dreams.

Attention to Detail

2009-01-15T07:19:00.004-06:00

I've been judging a few writing contests lately and have been unpleasantly surprised by the number of typos and misused words in the entries. One or two don't bother me as much. But many not only pull me out of the story, they come across as unprofessional and show me the author lacks attention to detail. And I've heard many agents and editors say that they'll reject or are more likely to reject submissions with too many errors.

Don't believe me? Here are a few examples:

Knight Agency Do's & Don'ts
Four Agents in current issue of Poets & Writers Magazine
Shepard Agency

So why don't authors take greater care before sending their work out to be judged? There are so many other reasons a submission might be rejected, why not control the things you can?

On the other hand, how picky is too picky?

I'm revising my commercial voiceover demo, and have been analyzing every word I've said in the recordings I'm considering, listening over and over for flaws. In this commercial, the third word sounds too scratchy. In this, the first word doesn't have the right inflection. There's too much mouth noise in this phrase that can't be edited out. Or maybe this product isn't one that best reflects me as a voiceover talent. Every time I listen, though I hear many things I like, I also hear something new I might want to change. Am I being over-critical? Is there such a thing when the demo will go on my agent's Web site?

Manuscripts, query and cover letters, resumes, Web sites, headshots and VO demos are our marketing materials. We need to present the best products we can. When are they ready to go? I suggest getting a second opinion, a fresh set of eyes or ears. Have experienced fellow authors review your submissions. Ask my agent(s) to listen to my demo before completing the final version. If your products improve, the additional time and effort will be worth it.

So please, aspiring authors, don't enter a contest, and definitely don't submit to an editor or agent, until your work is as clean of errors as it can be.