18QAlyice Edrich

Alyice Edrich

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

The writing profession chose me. Truth be told, I always received A’s in my English classes, but never thought about a business that centered on the subject. Then one day, back in 1999, I realized that I had learned a great deal of information regarding becoming a mobile notary and many beginners were having trouble finding out how to get started in the business. At the time there was no written material on the subject so I put together a quick reference guide and begin self-publishing the book. As sales grew, so did testimonies and requests for more information. I decided that was my cue to learn more about the writing industry so I joined forums and read plenty of books. On one of the forums I joined resided an editor of a prominent magazine. I remember asking her a question and her reply was this, “You have a talent for flowing words together like strands of pearls. And you’re not afraid to learn the industry or improve your craft. That’s a sign of a true writer.” That was enough to spark my interest in writing and I haven’t turned back!

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

I have an AA in Business Administration, a degree in Paralegal Studies, and several business certificates.

3. When did you “know” you were a writer?

Truthfully, I always knew I was a writer, I just didn’t know I had a talent to get paid for it. I’d write letters to friends and family when I was happy, sad, mad, or simply to keep them up-to-date and they’d always say, “Your letters look more like books!” But I didn’t feel like a writer until several years after I had been published in various places. I think that’s the biggest thing for new writers, it’s not knowing you are a writer, but feeling like you are a writer. I think once we feel like we’re writers, then writing becomes much easier and the writing industry doesn’t feel so hard or foreign.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

I’m not quit sure I have a style, but I do know that I have a voice. And my voice is to always write from the heart. I love to teach, educate, and instruct so I always make sure that whatever I write encourages, inspires, and uplifts my readers. I may not always succeed, but that is my intention.

5. What is your writing process?

My writing process totally depends on my mood. I know writers who have set routines they do not falter from, but I just go with my feelings. I always write using the computer. I hate writing on paper. I find that writing directly on the computer screen allows my words to flow more. I can cut and paste, delete, rearrange, and change words in the matter of seconds and I don’t waste our precious resources. (And I always back up my files when I’m done for the day if I’ve written more than two pages of content—that’s recently saved me when my hard drive unexpectedly crashed!) I always write with the Internet on (and Firewall up). That way, if I decide to use a word I am uncertain fits the sentence a quick search online will tell me if I’ve chosen the correct word (I use Google’s toolbar, so when I insert define: word in the toolbar and hit search, I get a list of definitions and sentences that shows me how the word is used.) And the Internet helps with research and finding interview subjects! (Just remember to take your information from reputable sources.)

6. What was your path to publication?

In the beginning, I did a lot of writing for other publications but as time went on, I was led to start my own magazine and find much of my writing now resides in my own publication or for small businesses as a ghostwriter. I have self-published many successful e-books and I find that process a total thrill ride!

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

Marketing with articles. In fact, I’ve had such great success with it that I wrote an e-book on it titled Tid-Bits for Marketing Your Business With Articles, and have sprinkled several expert interviews throughout the e-book. Marketing with articles allows your readers to get an idea of what to expect in your books, with your business, or in your writing.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

One of the biggest surprises I’ve encountered as a writer is that a writer’s life can be a lonely place. You spend a lot of time at home behind your computer, away from the rest of the world. It’s important to make time for yourself by participating in activities outside the home so that your creative juices continue to flow and don’t become blocked by the mundane in your life. And I’ve learned that it’s important to make time for family and friends and to attend business meetings in person whenever you can. Another thing I’ve encountered is that writers tend to be more open and generous with their time. In the business world, everyone guards their sources, their lessons learned, and their expertise as though they were the only things that made them successful. But with writers, they guard their sources and connections, but they are so generous with their expertise and time. They share in critique groups, online forums, and private writing groups. They make time to instruct other writers through workshops (in the beginning they do it without pay and later begin to earn a salary doing so), one-on-one emails, and in-person chats. They aren’t afraid to say, “I did this but it did not work. Then I tried this and it did work.” And then break down those lessons in a step-by-step manner.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

I think my biggest inspirations come from my desire to help others. If I hear someone is having a problem or needs assistance, I listen intently. Then I research, ask questions, and develop content based on that information or based on information I already know from past experiences.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

When someone emails me and tells me that something I’ve written dramatically changed his/her life. Sometimes it’s something as simple as “I was having a bad today and then I read “XXX” and your words really lifted my spirits.” And other times it’s something more concrete as in the one I received from a reader just two weeks ago. She said, “Here I am 4 years after downloading your e-book on mystery shopping and I wanted to update you—to let you know what a wonderful tool you have made available. That e-book started me in a business that has given me a great part-time income. It’s helping me to stay at home with my kids...You have saved me hundreds, and the e-book has made me thousands over the years. I am a major cheapskate and have found this e-book to be worth every frugal penny. THANKS MUM!”

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

Know the industry. I was told by an editor of a prominent magazine that too many wanna-be writers and even seasoned writers tend to think they can skip out on knowing how the industry works. They don’t read guidelines, they don’t follow guidelines, and they don’t use proper writing etiquette.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

I can’t think of anything.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

My biggest problem right now is tax time. I never seem to put enough aside and I always end up with a whopper of a tax bill at the end of the year. In any business, you must put away 50% of your net income for taxes and I don’t always do that. Life throws a few curve balls and money that was set aside for taxes gets used for everyday life and then tax season rolls around and I’m stuck with a $5,000 tax bill!

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

Don’t be afraid to make changes. Writers love the written word so much that it can sometimes feel painful to have to cut out complete paragraphs or delete sentences to make the work flow more smoothly. I say, “cut and paste those omissions in files to be used later—in other works.”

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

Spend time with my husband and kids and email friends in other states.

16. Who do you like to read?

I am an avid reader of how-to books. But thanks to Glass Roads PR, I am finding a new love and that’s the love of reading inspirational novels written with a Christian twist! My ultimate author is Joseph Grizone. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Stop procrastinating and get something on paper—anything. The hardest part of writing is actually making the time to write. We can get so caught up in the tasks of everyday life, of learning the craft, researching topics, locating the proper publication, editing, and seeking outside advice on what we’ve written that we never complete a single piece of work. If you only have fifteen minutes a day to write, then use that time to write. Don’t allow yourself to think it’s not enough time. In fifteen minutes you can write a complete paragraph! And a week of paragraphs is one article!

18. What are you currently working on?

I am always working on the magazine, The Dabbling Mum. There is always something to promote, an email to answer, a submission to accept or reject, a submission to edit, an article to upload to the magazine, a column to write, recordkeeping to complete, and web maintenance.

Currently, I am working on another e-book geared towards making stay-at-home parents money while working from home, pitching myself to businesses for ghostwriting work, and writing a monthly column for a parenting magazine. And I am squeezing in moments to learn how to shoot better photographs, use Photoshop, and learn how to listen to God better!

Alyice’s 18Q