Interview with:Charm Baker [charmbaker]
WRITING
 | What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote? The very first book I ever read that inspired me to write was: "The Courage To Write" by Ralph Keyes. It's a "must have" for your nightstand, no matter what level of writer you are. This book helped me to be open, honest and bold in my daily journal writing. At the time, I wrote for therapeutic purposes. Even though my words were completely private, I couldn't bring myself to write what I truly felt. "The Courage To Write" helped me to stop censoring my own writing. Who knew it would one day lead to a writing career?
Once I gained my writing courage, I returned to school (late in life) and pursued a journalism degree. Writing for campus news, and later contributing to local publications was enough to start a fire inside me that still continues to burn. My life is writing because writing is my life!
http://writing-for-pay.blogspot.com/
Charm |
| What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it? I've always fancied myself a fiction writer, but the truth is, it's been years since I've written anything fictional. I thought this was because I like to eat, and writing happens to be my current bread and butter. But the truth is, I actually enjoy writing non-fiction articles that are mostly used for web content. My work is generally interesting and informative, and I can pick and choose the various topics. I also enjoy motivational and inspirational type writing (probably because I'm such a wreak, I always need it myself). I seem to find myself constantly dishing out suggestions and advice. I did used to teach pre-school, so maybe that's why I'm always trying to tell someone what to do. Thanks to all my writing and research, I actually know a little bit about a whole lot of stuff!
Here's an article of mine that contains a whole slew of links to stuff I've written. Enjoy :)
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Survive-Your-First-50-Hubs (...) |
| What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write? What happens before I sit down to write? Everything! First I have to have my hot cup of something (usually coffee, though I do have my days where nothing but tea will do). Then I have to have a few drags on my (cough!) cigarette (just a couple of puffs, it's not like I have a habit or anything). Then I have to get just the right music station on the t.v. (finding just the right music to set my writing mood use to take me forever, but now that I have the cable music channels, it only takes me about - 15 minutes).
I stretch, I stare out the window, I check my email, I post to my blog, I refill my whatever I'm drinking, I have one more (cough!). And then and only then, am I ready to write.
I sit down, ready to really get into it! Until I remember, I have to go to the bathroom.
http://writing-for-pay.blogspot.com/2009/08/questions-abou (...) |
| What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person? I personally like reading and writing in the first person, however, for some reason, this is supposed to be such a "No No" when writing. At least that's what all the experts say. So while I continue to alter my perspective and write like I'm told (because I like getting paid:), I still can enjoy READING a good book written in the first person. That's if anyone is still brave enough to write them!
Here's My "First Person" Article About My Experiences Writing For HubPages
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Survive-Your-First-50-Hubs (...) |
| Are you equally good at telling stories orally? I'm GREAT at telling stories orally because the only thing I love better than the written word, is the spoken word. I'm usually very long-winded in my writing. This is because I'm long-winded in my speech. Some of my favorite days have been spent reading aloud to children and telling a good story!
Here's An Article I Wrote About A String Of Uncanny Experiences That Happened To Me At, And How They Were Coincidental To Some Things In My Life At The Time.
Now that I think about it, it reads like a story - but it's all true!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Final-Destination-5-Experience-Dig (...) |
| Deep down inside, who do you write for? Right now, at this point in my life, I write for others. As a freelance writer, I write for pay in a number of ways. Freelance articles on spec, articles on demand for a flat rate, and articles to generate ad revenue. To be effective in all these activities means catering to what others want written. One day (hopefully in the near future), I'll write for me again. I'll return to a more "creative" type of writing that is based in pure fiction. (I love a good lie!)
http://writing-for-pay.blogspot.com/ |
| Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force? |
| Does reader feed-back help you? Reader feedback totally provides sheer instant gratification for me! I love knowing that my material is being read. Even if I encounter someone that has a negative response to what I've written (how dare they:(
Constructive criticism can help you get your stuff together and improve on your writing. Ultimately, it makes you a better writer. And of course, when the feedback is positive - well, that's just icing on the cake. Then, of course, feedback can help you figure out ways to think outside the box and write more effectively (and turn a profit:)
http://hubpages.com/hub/Online-Writing-Content-Is-King-But (...) |
| Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for? |
| Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process? I write on the computer all day long, but I do my very best "creating" using a pen and paper. I have a rigorous writing schedule now, thanks to regular work with Demand Studios. This requires me to do a lot of research before I actually start writing. Just like I prefer to "write" the old fashion way, I'm also more conventional when it comes to reading. So, yes, I use my printer a whole lot!
An ideal routine that seems to work for me is:
* Research my material and print it all out (if I'm writing 4 articles, I print the research for all 4 articles at one time)
* Read material, digest information, extrapolate facts and write my articles.
* Type articles, proofread text, submit articles, proofread again - PUBLISH!
http://hubpages.com/hub/5-Money-Making-Tips-Most-Hubbers-F (...)
Charm |
| What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information? The HubPages writing network is a great place for writers, in many ways. I not only write "hubs" to help generate ad income, I write some of them to inform others. I love sharing what I know and learn with other writers, especially if it involves something that was a particular challenge or obstacle to me. One of my popular hub articles is about helping other HubPage article writers avoid common pitfalls, and generate more income.
http://hubpages.com/hub/5-Money-Making-Tips-Most-Hubbers-F (...) |
| What are you working on now? |
| What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone? i recommend getting a cheap bottle of wine and sitting down one evening sifting through them all. Have a good laugh, have a good cry. Take time to realize how good and bad your work was. Reflect on how much you've grown as a writer and as a person.
Then, when you're done with all that sentimental B.S., start trying to figure out how much of what you've written could potentially earn you money.
With a quick re-write and a little tweaking here and there, you probably have tons of usable stuff. Begin searching for different writing websites that your material may be suited for. Don't have any confidence in how good your work is? Get someone you know and who's opinion you trust, to read over it first. THEN, determine where to go from there.
Whatever you do with the material you wrote all those years ago, DON'T stick it back in the bottom of the drawer or back of the closet, where no one will ever lay eyes on it again until YOU stumble across it again in another ten years!
http://writing-for-pay.blogspot.com/
http://real-help-for-new-writers.blogspot.com/ |
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Charm Baker
Los Angeles
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