Land of the Queries

I am approaching my one-year anniversary of this freelance writing endeavor, and one thing has become evident -- the work comes in waves. Editors are planning (or already have completed planning) for their larger holiday issues, so I am scrambling to get my last assignments for the year. And in order to sustain the tide of invoices and subsequent checks, I have to contact numerous editors with what I have that could fit their editorial needs. This means that I am in the ***over-the-top 1960s announcer voice*** LAND OF THE QUERIES.

What, you say? Don't editors just naturally send you assignments once they see your writing clips and resume?? Well, more than not these days, the answer is no. No, editors want to see not only that you can write well, but that you understand the magazine and understand your subject matter and the best way to do this is to let you send good ideas their way. If you are familiar enough with the magazine and familiar enough with the subject on which you're proposing to write and lucky enough to get the idea to the right person -- well, lightning might strike and you just might get an assignment off of your idea, usually after some back-and-forth e-mail tweaking of the subject.

I am not going to clutter the web anymore with discussion about what makes the best queries or how to get editors to notice you. I think these discussions are futile, and well, much like a job interview, it's really a lot more about preparation, contacts, and genuine fit than about any other mojo, tricks or secrets. Oh, yeah, and a healthy dose of optimism, which keeps me sending out those e-mails despite the fact that most never garner a response.

Still, when it all comes together, it can be very satisfying. So far it's worth it. :)

Thanks to Janna and Larry Sprinkle

Last Friday, Janna alerted us that she'd seen Wicked Charlotte on the morning show. Miraculously, she a) recognized the book in a quick flash b) knew the name of it although its total sold copies are 15 or so, and c) was awake enough while getting ready for work to not only pay attention to the segment, but be quick! Thanks Janna!

It seems that Al Roker was in Charlotte last week promoting a charity, and appeared with long-time local weatherman Larry Sprinkle. Larry gave Al a basket of Charlotte goodies, including my book Wicked Charlotte, which they held up and discussed. Random. Funny. As always, thankful.

Oh, and thanks to Holly for providing the following lovely screenshot:

Hello from Lake Michigan

When you think of Green Bay, is it Packers, snow, and cheeseheads? Well -- this is my new version of Green Bay, as seen from Eagle Panorama high above it in Peninsula State Park, Door County, WI. Never know when the paparazzi might be around, so this big hat is keeping me incognito -- or at least not sunburned. And no one can tell it's me when I go for those extra helpings of cheesecurds ...

Pretty Stones

Like many women, I could look at beautiful jewelry all day. I love the variety of stones, especially colored ones, from aquamarine to tourmaline and even the beautiful pink quartz. But looking at beautiful stones for work? Count me in.

Recently, someone turned me on to Luba Warrack's jewelry, interesting organic forms whose focus is unusual, often large semi-precious stones. A little digging located the artist in Lindley Park, just a neighborhood hop away here in Greensboro. A little more digging revealed that she had been a research scientist before turning to jewelry full-time. I smelled a story!

So did the editor of Go Triad, and yesterday, my article about Luba's great artistic journey was published in the Thursday edition. The photographer did a great job on the piece, especially the photograph of one of her pieces, and I was happy to have another art article in the local market.

Harvicks part of Hometown Stories

The interview with Kevin and DeLana Harvick has hit newsstands in Triad Living's Summer issue. The photo shows DeLana in her trademark racing firesuit beside Kevin, a way she shows her inclusion in the team while at the racetrack. Check it out here, and then check out Kevin's racing skills this week as he races to the chase at Pocono.

Out and About

I know, I know. It's been too long since my last post, but I have been out and about, traveling, writing, and planning to do more traveling and writing. I discovered a great little city, Knoxville, on one of my trips, and although the article won't come out for months, it's worth mentioning because I had so much fun.

Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation invited a group of journalists to experience the Dogwood Arts Festival, and on one day, I got to experience behind-the-scenes at the Knoxville Zoo, which included feeding this hungry giraffe here (as you can see, I am holding out the food as far away from my body as possible). We also got to hang out with red pandas and tour the facility in a golf cart, which now, frankly, is my preferred method of travel.

But feeding giraffes is not only for the travel journalist. The zoo offers Animal Encounters where you, too, can be amazed at how much bamboo a skinny giraffe can eat. As for me, I will stick with the Red Panda named Chewbacca. His napping is just my style.

Reese's and Racing

I admit I haven't always been a NASCAR fan. As a Charlotte native, there were two camps: love it or hate it, and my family was in the latter. However, when I moved to my little apartment years ago with no cable, Fox was one of the only channels I got, and I started watching NASCAR. Their coverage and the fact that (from the apt. balcony) I could hear the cars racing at Lowe's Speedway, well, I learned it's a lot more than just driving in a circle.

These days I am a full-fledged fan, so I was thrilled to get an opportunity last month to interview top-tier driver Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana! A short jaunt to Kernersville landed me in the middle of high-performance vehicle dreamland.

The Harvicks have located their headquarters here in the Triad, and I was fortunate to be part of a tour of their amazing facility. I got to walk past Trucks just back from a Saturday race -- the paint on the front hoods burned off mostly through road rash -- and I even got to pet the shop dog! The couple was gracious to spend a little time with me, and I enjoyed talking with DeLana about her role with the business.

Look for the couple's profile in the summer edition of Triad Living magazine. Meanwhile, I'll be cheering for Harvick in the Race to the Chase, especially since his staff gave me a goodie bag filled with Reese's cups and Mr. Goodbars. I am always a sucker for candy.