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Meet the Author: Christina Katz
By metropolitanmama | January 14, 2008
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!
Topics: Meet the Author, contests |
January 14th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
LOL! Looks like you beat me to the punch with the interview! Nice job!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Looks like a great book- just might give me the spark I need!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Wow! This is a great way to be a stay at home mom.
January 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I’ve been wanting to check this book out!
January 14th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I would love to have this book and hopefully it would lead me to do the writing I have always wished to do.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Looks like a good book.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Sounds great…count me in! ( meg dot wilson at gmail dot com )
January 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I would love to check this book out! ksrutledge[at]hotmail.com
January 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I’m very interested to read this! If I don’t win I may have to go buy it
January 14th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I am very interested in this book! Please count me in.
author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com
January 14th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Sounds like an interesting book. Count me in
January 14th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
This looks like good reading. Love to win it. thanks.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
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!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
this book fits my situation perfectly!
January 14th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Wow! This is my dream.
AylorCD@aol.com
January 14th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
looks cool
January 14th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
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.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Sounds like a great book!! Please enter me:) garypost@cox.net
January 14th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
please enter me
January 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I might like to break into that eventually; this might be a good starting place! gumbi1313@msn.com
January 14th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I would LOVE to win this!
kelli (at) pfrog (dot) net
January 14th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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
January 14th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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
January 14th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
oh, how I would love to win this!!
January 14th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Cant wait to read your new book.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I’ve always thought about doing freelance!
January 14th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I would really love to read this. I need all the help I can get!
January 14th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Sounds great! I’d love to read it.
whitson1219[at]cox[dot]net
January 14th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
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.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
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.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Good Idea
January 14th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Count me in!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I am trying to be a Writer Mama myself and I would love to read your book.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I have tried to write but with two kids It has been difficult.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I bet this is a great book.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
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.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I’ve been wanting this book.
tabithagardner atgmail dotcom
January 14th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Ahhh, finally some help for inspiraation!! Thanks!
stbaisch@yahoo.com
January 15th, 2008 at 12:11 am
looks good
January 15th, 2008 at 12:12 am
“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”
January 15th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I could use this book
January 15th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Looks like a fabulous read
January 15th, 2008 at 1:11 am
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!
January 15th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Sounds great!
January 15th, 2008 at 1:38 am
I want this
January 15th, 2008 at 1:46 am
This book sounds interesting
January 15th, 2008 at 2:15 am
I would love to read this book!
January 15th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Please anything to get my creativity flowing.
Shay
shaythatcher@yahoo.com
January 15th, 2008 at 2:43 am
Thanks for the review!
Caryn
January 15th, 2008 at 2:43 am
I am interestd in writing but hav no idea how to manage it. This book will help.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Ooh, I’d love to read the book! Looks like I’m not the only one, based on the number of comments!
January 15th, 2008 at 4:26 am
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!
January 15th, 2008 at 4:57 am
I would love to have some tips!
January 15th, 2008 at 5:05 am
oooh! i’d love this book!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
January 15th, 2008 at 5:42 am
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.
January 15th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Thanks for the chance to win this!
January 15th, 2008 at 6:03 am
would like to give to someone I know who likes to write
January 15th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Sounds like a great book.
January 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
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
January 15th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I want to write, but have a hard time knowing where to get started, and homeschooling my son is so very demanding. Thank you.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Oh, yes! Please include me! Thanks!
cbdulrich[at]yahoo[dot]com
January 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
This is the best book for aspiring writer-Moms!
January 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for the chance to win!
January 15th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Enter me, please.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
excited about this prize!
e.by@hotmail.com
January 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
i put writing on hold when i had kids so this would help.
bwalleshauser at yahoo dot com
January 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Would love to win
elaineneal389@hotmail.com
January 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Would love this win!
January 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
want to win
January 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Would love it for my mother.
January 15th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
OK, it’s like this was written just for me. I reeeeeeeeally want to win!
January 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I would really love to win this one!
January 15th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
i would love to try freelance while staying home to raise my son.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Sounds like just the book I’ve been looking for.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
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!
January 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I want to win
January 15th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
This looks interesting, I’d love to win this for my sister
January 16th, 2008 at 1:10 am
A fun read!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:42 am
This is a great prize. Thanks!
January 16th, 2008 at 3:01 am
This looks like a great book. Please enter me!
ladypawnbroker[at]gmail[dot]com
January 16th, 2008 at 4:13 am
looks like a great book
January 16th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I would love to win/read this book.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Include me please,
yadgirl (at) chartertn (dot) net
January 16th, 2008 at 4:59 am
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
January 16th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Count me in!
January 16th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Great review! And thanks for the chance to win. What a nice bonus!
marie (at) wordsculpture (dot) com
January 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am
sounds interesting
January 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
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
January 16th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I would love to win this prize
January 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Sounds like something I gotta read!
themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com
January 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Sounds like a great motivator to keep writing.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Sounds like something I need.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Pick me please!
January 16th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
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!
January 16th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
please enter me, i’d love to win a copy
January 16th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I am always being told that I should write a book. I would love to read this. Thanks for the contest.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Please enter me in the drawing.
cmpsweep AT hotmail DOT com
January 17th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Comedy will be my specialty since I have children underfoot.
January 17th, 2008 at 4:03 am
I am very interested in this book. Please count me in.
January 17th, 2008 at 4:56 am
please enter me thanks
January 17th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!