Writing Class Update

I am lovin' the creative writing class I'm enrolled in this week. Honestly, I wasn't sure it was for me on day one. There was a lot of "creating a safe environment" and "honoring our inner voice" and "What I hear you saying is..." talk that made me fearful I'd entered a mushy-gushy let's-pass-around-flowers-and-contemplate-our-navels zone.

Couldn't be further from the truth. I see now the benefit of establishing that safe zone as there was been some raw writing that's come from class members this week. The group is energetic and fun and yesterday when our assignment was to write an erotic piece, I went home with my belly hurting from laughing so hard at what some people came up with. (Laughing with them, not at them.) It's an extremely talented group of 11 women and one brave man. I'm loathe for the class to end. Turns out I can churn out a LOT of creative writing when I have someone there, leading me through timed exercises. I kind of hate to return to the real world.

But the real world is already creeping back in. I'm working on an article at the moment that not only isn't coming together, it seems to be falling apart at an exponential rate. I'm really not sure how I'm going to salvage it and did I mention the time restraints? I credit my current enjoyment of my writing class for keeping me from being ultra-stressed out over it. I just tell myself I'll get through it and finish it because I always do. But unfortunately, given the time constraints, I'm spending afternoons on the article instead of on the take-home assignments from class.

I've been having...mmmm....if not insights, at least thoughts about the direction I'd like to grow my career.  Not quite ready to share yet as I'm still wavering in areas. Part of the quandary is I'm very much a grass is always greener on the other side type person. So I never just SETTLE for where I am. It's one of those qualities I love/hate about myself.

Okay...off to write some creative erotica. (And you thought writing classes were boring....)

Class All Week

I've enrolled in a week long creative writing class in Winston-Salem this week, taught by Pat Schneider. Why? I don't do much creative writing these days and while I don't necessarily miss it, I fear letting that creative muscle go too long without use will cause it to deteriorate at an accelerated rate. And I'd like it to still be there should I ever feel the need to call upon it.

Forced creativity--that's the key. If I can't make myself sit down and write something, then I'll pay someone money to make me sit down and do it. (It's hard to see my logic put down on paper--it always sounds so much better in my mind...)

I also think practicing creative writing can be a great source of inspiration to beef up my non-fiction work. The more an article reads like a story, the better.

I have no idea what to expect of the class. I'm not sure how it's structured, what we'll be asked to do, how much is lecture versus writing time (although I suspect very little lecture and MUCHO writing time), if there are take-home assignments, etc.

The word of the week, boys and girls, is BALANCE. Auntie Dena still has a major article due on Monday that she needs to conduct 3 interviews for this week, write the piece, let it sit, review it, then send it. But that's why God made late nights and weekends.

Have a great week.

Orson Scott Card Sent Me "Ender's Shadow"

Watch me do my victory dance. Or happy dance. Whatever.

A few days ago I blogged about a new favorite book of mine, Ender's Game. I also mentioned how I had sent an e-mail to my friend Ed (he of yesterday's Bizarro-public speaking episode) with the subject line, "Curses On You." Ed was the one to give me the book and is the editor for Card's hugely popular online magazine, Intergalactic Medicine Show.

It was kind of a cute e-mail as I made a list of what I was supposed to do in the morning and then what I did: Read Ender's Game. What I was supposed to do in the afternoon and what I did: Read Ender's Game. Etc.

Without my knowledge, Ed forwarded the e-mail to Card, and Card turned around and sent me a SIGNED HARDBACK COPY of Ender's Shadow. Whoo-hoo! This is a big deal because:

1) I love books

2) I love signed books

3) It was such an unexpected surprise. I opened my mail and almost fell off the chair. On the title page in blue ink are printed the words: "To Dena Harris: In the dark, where do shadows go?" And then (apologies, Mr. Card) an almost entirely unlegible but page consuming signature.

Right now I'm reading the next book in the series which is Speaker For The Dead. But after that, I'll read my beautiful signed book.

One day, I'd like to be a big name author who spreads joy throughout the Universe by mailing signed copies of my book to unsuspecting fans. Right now, most of my books are to be found in the mass of bathroom reading material beside people's toilets.

"Don't be offended," friends say when I visit their home and find my book wedged between last Sunday's sports section and some book by Martha Stewart on home decor in the basket that also contains the extra rolls of toilet paper.

I'm not offended at all. At least it's being read. Baby steps... b-a-b-y steps.

What Are You Worth?

The biggest challenge with running my business is pricing. I'm never sure what to charge as it's hard to accurately estimate the amount and effort of work that will be required for any given project. I'm so concerned about being fair to clients that I often screw myself over price-wise in the process.

Lately however, I've made a concerted effort to charge what I'm worth. I had the bad habit of trying to guess what I think a client might be able to afford, and lowering my prices accordingly.  A friend who does high level sales coaching gave me an hour of her time and coached me through a "earn what you're worth session" that has been invaluable.  "Quit working for people who can't afford your prices," she said. "Even if you're earning money for a project, you're losing money by working on projects that don't adequately compensate you."

I wrote a blog entry last week about how work was flowing in. The follow-up to that is when I spoke with the gentleman who needed to the wedding speech written, he said he really wanted to work with me but that my bid was double the second highest bid. He explained his project and it was smaller than I had thought so I did lower the price a bit, but my amount was still above the 2nd bid. "This (the amount of the 2nd bid) is what I had budgeted for this project," said the man. "Isn't there any way you can meet that price?"

I refused. I was tempted, but I said no. The price I bid is what I charge and given the time/effort I would expend, it was a fair bid. I didn't get the job, but I feel good about not caving.

Almost as soon as I hung up with that man, I had a call with someone who wanted me to write a letter of introduction for them to area businesses and chambers. I quoted $175 for the letter, which included a phone consultation, resume review, and 2 drafts, if necessary, of the letter.

"Wow, that's more then I was expecting, " said the client.

"That's the price," I said.

The one thing I'm not happy with from that phone call is that I didn't explain why I was worth the price. This was a letter he could send to unlimited business that had the potential to generate massive exposure and income for him. I don't just throw together a form letter. Rather, I pinpoint what is unique about the individual and what they offer and highlight the benefits they bring to clients.  For the rather miniscule price of $175, they have a letter that can be tweaked and used over and over again.

So... jobs lost, but that's okay. I stuck to my guns and feel sure clients with an appreciation for what I bring to the work will materialize to replace clients who hesitate to recognize the value of strong, pointed writing.

What's the tagline to the old Clairol commercials? "Because I'm worth it."