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C. Hope Clark |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? It chose me. I left formal writing in college and switched to science and business subjects. When I went to college, the arts were considered lesser interests and a waste of good tuition money. However, every time I turned around, I was commended on my writing - even when I made a loan and documented the loan file. Eventually, I moved up in management with the federal government and write congressionals, budget justifications, award commendations, even disciplinary actions. I could not escape the fact I wrote with a decent amount of talent. A friend told me I ought to write for me, for a change. So I started.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) BS degree in Agriculture from Clemson University. 25 years with US Department of Agriculture - ten of those years in upper management. Six years freelance writing. Three years full-time freelance writing.
3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer? I always knew it. I just never gave it the attention it was due. I could not write a book report, college paper, resume, work document or even a personal letter without my writing shining through. I never thought of myself as anything other than a writer. It’s just I was other things along the way as well.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? Motivational, humorous, honest and embracing. Whether fiction or nonfiction, I invite the reader to sit with me and read. I love my voice. I was so happy to find it.
5. What is your writing process? I generally outline unless it’s a short piece. I can write essays and 1,000-word pieces in my sleep, but longer pieces I outline. Then I add layers fleshing lines into paragraphs and paragraphs in to chapter outlines than outlines into full chapters. Like adding layers to an onion instead of peeling them away.
I prefer the night to write. I do not do mornings well. My writing time generally runs from 4 PM to 2 AM with a break for dinner. Email and research gets sprinkled in there, but if I can, I accomplish those administrative tasks before 4 PM. I do not like music or television when I write. I love the silence so I can hear each word in my head.
6. What was your path to publication? In terms of magazines, it was pure diligence and constant submission until someone finally decided to throw me a bone. Once I break in, I continually resubmit new ideas. My books are self-published. My dream is to traditionally publish both a nonfiction book on FundsforWriters and a mystery series centered in the agricultural arena. My path was pure repetitive practice of write and submit.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? Branding. Writers think their names are going to be remembered. How so when there are thousands upon thousands out there doing the same thing? So I created FundsforWriters. Now that it has become more well known, especially through the Writer’s Digest 101 Best Web Sites for Writers, I use it to introduce myself to editors. Writers need to clearly identify who they are other than a name. For instance, I am HOPE Clark. People love the “hope” correlation. I am also FundsforWriters. The logo is green and black - money and ink - the best combination in the world for a writer. I write articles for other websites. I conjure images of money for people in terms of the grants, markets and contests I provide. My editorials are humorous and motivational - i.e., hope. That branding has helped open doors for me over and over. Writers need to define themselves and make it difference than the next guy whether it’s a line of books, a color scheme, a quirky writing style or a name that speaks volumes. Then use that brand everywhere - absolutely everywhere.
8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? That editors are human beings. Some are nice and some are butts, just like writers, plumbers, doctors and accountants. I’m always amazed as well at the generosity of freelance writers to reach back and help another. A lesson I’ve learned is never pitch similar ideas to competitive markets. I had the ultimate happen when both publications bought my pitches, then published them opposite each other in the same month. I pay more attention to what, when, who and how I pitch now. Fate will mess with your head and your career if you aren’t careful.
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I look for lessons to teach in my FundsforWriters world, and the world is full of them. I seek creativity in magazines, television and newspapers. I can read anything, turn on the creativity radar, and find ideas. In terms of writing, I sit down and don’t let myself get up without fulfilling the goal for the day. Block is not an option. Sometimes that writing is my absolute best stuff!
10. What is your proudest writer moment? Publishing in Writer’s Digest and selling the article three times to them for their various special edition magazines.
11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing? Keep 13 in play. Actually I created a slightly different version than what I was taught years ago, but I keep at least 13 queries in the works to editors, publishers and magazines. When I receive an acceptance or a rejection, thus reducing the number, then I have to drop everything and find another submission to replace it. It keeps me constantly putting manuscripts and pitches in the mail or email. It stops me from slacking. I’ve followed this rule for five years now.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? As mentioned earlier, I pitches articles on the same subject to two competitive magazines. Even though the slant was entirely different, I was published by both at the same time. One editor was furious with me. I haven’t broken back in with that editor since.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? E-commerce. I hate it. I’d give anything to afford a webmaster to manage my site and sales - an eight hour a week job for me. Probably three hours for a professional. Learning how to manage a website runs a close second. I hate that aspect of the job.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? I love making money at the craft, but I love the craft more. I worked for 25 years at a job, saved money, asked for an early retirement and created a safety net for myself so I could write full-time. It was a sacrifice, but one well worth the investment. Now I write myself silly. I don’t whine about not making sales or receiving rejection but I feel blessed to be able to sit at my desk every day to pen words that not only brighten my day, but enlighten others as well.
15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? Reading, gardening, anything outdoors. I’m a nature lover. I have been known to wet a line fishing. I adore spending time with my sons (in their twenties) and my husband and I adore old movies. And don’t forget my dachshund.
16. Who do you like to read? Janet Evanovich, Dean Koontz, John Irving, Sue Grafton and whoever I’m reading at the moment. I’ll read someone to death then move on to another writer.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? Don’t whine about the investment of time or the rejection. Without either, you do not become a decent writer. They both mold you and make you better. If you do not have the patience it takes to pound on a keyboard for hours at a time, then write for fun and enjoy something else. Writing should be a positive experience.
18. What are you currently working on? A mystery novel set in the agricultural world in South Carolina involving the federal government. My husband is a federal agent and between his ideas and mine, we craft a pretty decent story, I think. I’m also outlining a nonfiction FundsforWriters book I hope to start pitching in a month or two. And of course, there’s always the ebooks and newsletters on FundsforWriters. They receive a lot of my writing energy, because they feed lots of fantastic FFW supporters. |
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Hope’s 18Q |
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The Eighteen Questions |
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18Q |
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FundsforWriters TotalFundsforWriters Writer’s Digest, The Writer, ByLine Magazine, NextStep Magazine, College Bound Teen, American Careers Magazine, Home Business Journal and more. FundsforWriters currently reaches 17,000 readers and has been given the title of a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Web Sites for Writers - for the last six years in a row. |
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