News media bankruptcy - and what now for writers? - Denyse O'Leary

Recently, almost the entire CanWest newspaper chain was put up for sale after filing for bankruptcy. This echoes a theme many of us have recently been heard to harp on at our Write! Canada conferences.

Basically, here is my take, as the local business teacher: The old media cannot pay you a decent wage for your work because they don't have the money. That's all you need to know.

I hear endless conspirazoid theorizing on how editors oppress writers. But after a lifetime in writing, I have learned this: When people have the money they buy what they want and they pay what it costs to get the job done the way they want it done in their own environment and at their own convenience.

When they don't have the money ... all sorts of nonsense starts up.

On a list I frequent, there was at one time some discussion about "farming out" writing to cheaper jurisdictions.

Yes, that is possible. But, as always, everything depends on the service required. If it is generic, it might work. Otherwise, it won't.

Sometimes, everything useful about a story depends on the specifics, on the local factors.

I lived through the Toronto garbage strike, and would not be very happy to hear it was being covered from Sri Lanka. Not because I doubt the ability of Sri Lankan journalists to cover such a story in principle. But I was here and they were not. If no one wants to fly them in, why assume they can do a better job from afar than the local help can do on the ground?

Local people often know stuff that fly-ins don't, stuff that can be highly relevant to understanding the story.

As I have doubtless mentioned before, the reason for the popularity of blogs is immediacy.

A blogger can tell you things that are happening right now - like mounds of garbage piling up in Toronto.

Not to worry, it was a cool summer anyway and the strike is long settled, so don't hesitate to visit. But back then, you would want someone to tell you what was happening right now back then.

Denyse O'Leary is co-author of The Spiritual Brain.

Writer ... Are you leaving cash sitting on the table? - Denyse O'Leary

I just got my yearly Access Copyright fee, and it was for over $600.

These payments cover the use of your work by MUSH institutions (= Municipalities, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals).

Basically, many of these institutions do not have the staff or the interest to try to chase you down to ask for permission. So they just use your work and never tell you - or you can belong to Access Copyright.

Now, to qualify, you really need to be a published periodical writer, not just an aspirant. But if "writer" is who you are, why leave the cash sitting on the table? Your family would probably prefer you didn't.

Note: I teach business at Write! Canada, so if you see me there in 2010, chances are I am teaching some business thing. Ask me about writing as a business.

The Haberdasher: A Story about the Value of Art-ARENDS

There has been a lot of talk lately about the plummeting value (or perceived value) of creative work. It's gotten me thinking about a great story my musician buddy Spencer used to tell about a renowned haberdasher (hat-maker).

A woman walked into the haberdasher's shop and asked if he would make her a hat. He agreed and told her to pick out a swath of ribbon. She selected some striking gold ribbon; in a matter of moments the haberdasher's experienced and gifted hands had transformed the material into a beautiful headcovering.

The woman was delighted--until she asked the haberdasher what his fee would be. When he named the price, the woman gasped. "You want HOW MUCH for a few meters of ribbon?"

Carefully, the hat-maker unravelled his handiwork, transforming the hat back into the raw material he had made it from. He smiled, folded the ribbon neatly, and handed it to the woman. "Madam, the ribbon is free."

All you authors and musicians and actors and painters out there--keep making hats. And all you who enjoy the work of creative hands, value it. In tough times we can still use the dollars we have to vote for truth and art and beauty. And really fine hats.

Blessings,

Carolyn Arends

www.carolynarends.com
www.conversantlife.com

now available: Wrestling With Angels
"Carolyn observes keenly, reflects deeply, and renders it all poetically. Wrestling With Angels is a book I can give to almost anyone with confidence it will speak truth in the inmost places." -- Mark Buchanan, author

Me? Write a Business Plan?

On January 1, 2004 I created my company’s first business plan. Words of Worth, my writing and editing business, had just been re-launched after our move from Saskatchewan to British Columbia, work prospects were scarce and capital funds even scarcer. The idea of a full-blown business plan, complete with budget and marketing strategy, seemed more laughable than plausible.

Like many writers who have a Christian worldview, my first articles were published in church bulletins, local newspapers and Christian publications. I loved those opportunities and found new doors opening on a regular basis. But when our circumstances changed and I had to become a major contributor to our household budget, I was forced to target other markets. In 2000, I started working with a US company, researching and writing background material for analysts and portfolio managers. Since I’d been living in Saskatchewan and covering agricultural and rural events, my new responsibilities included keeping abreast of the latest developments in agriculture and technology. I enjoyed the work. Life was getting comfortable again.

But my husband and I both had health concerns, and our children had been lobbying us to move closer to them. So, in late 2003, we relocated to an isolated area on the West Coast of British Columbia. The move itself was fine but at the same time, the company I’d been working for went through a major restructuring and I was one of the casualties.

I really needed to find new clients, but how was I supposed to convince total strangers in a small, insular community that they needed my writing and editing services? There were many reports being done by various levels of government but it seemed that technical and qualitative reports could only be done by experts living at least one ferry ride away.

Shortly after we moved, I jumped at the chance to attend a free series put on by our local Regional Economic Development Society. The course was great, but when our instructor, a retired CEO of a global investment company, challenged each of the budding entrepreneurs in his class to create a business plan, I admit I questioned his judgment, at least for me.

From the day I first launched my company, I’d always treated my work as a highly professional venture. I don’t write in my pjs, I keep regular office hours, and I am willing to spend money for top-quality advertising material. But writing a business plan seemed a little “over the top” for my struggling venture.

But, comply I did, and since then I’ve grown in confidence, achieved successes, and received blessings I could not have imagined. While reviewing my 2006 goals this week I realized, much to my astonishment, that I’d met and exceeded all the seemingly unreachable objectives I jotted down on January 1 last year. Among other things, they included:

• Mentoring another writer who is now employed full time with the local newspaper. I also introduced her to the editor of two other publications and she contributes regularly to their monthly magazines.
• Hiring four subcontractors to help with my increasing work load
• Being nominated for 3 Chamber of Commerce business awards
• Doubling my giving to the work of the Lord (my long-term goal is to be able to give $1,000 per month to missions)

This week I’ll work on next year’s goals, and I’ll probably be a bit more ambitious since I’ve learned a whole lot, though mostly the hard way. I’ve gained confidence as a business woman but more important, I’m learning to experience the power of total dependence on the Lord. He has opened doors, sent key people across my paths, taught me that honoring Him always pays (though not always in money), and strengthened me when I ran out of steam and inspiration.

How about you? Got your business plan up to date?