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Greetings, everyone.
I'm Kathy, and I'm a native Southern Californian. I've lived in Orange County (yes, thee "O.C.") every since I was four years old, except for a few years in Port Angeles, Wash.
I guess my writing "career" began in high school when my twin sister and I co-wrote TV scripts for current shows (none were ever produced; we never even submitted them). I started college as an English major -- no one ever mentioned journalism to me -- but I switched to biology when I got an "A" in that class and a "B" in English. I earned a B.A., then my M.S. in avian sciences (birds). During the five years (yes, it took me that long) earning my advanced degree, I married, conceived and delivered two girls, and failed to gain entrance to veterinarian school.
For my M.S., I opted to write a thesis vs. go before a panel for an oral exam. I guess you could say that the thesis was my first published work. (It was on the chromosomes of raptors.)
Well, I bumped around a bit after that, moving to Port Angeles with the hubby and kids, working at various jobs, including a stint as an assistant biologist with the fisheries department. Remember CETA anyone?
When I learned my hubby was chummy with a housemate, and even conceived a daughter with her, I decided to come home to So Cal without him. It was then that I found journalism and took some classes in it at a local junior college. I began my string of jobs as a writer during this period.
I have to say that my greatest love was reporting for a local newspaper -- I, too, was part of a small team to fill those spaces, WriterDave -- and being a "big fish in a small pool," so to speak. Unfortunately, this job ended, and I've been trying to break into the "big markets," without luck, ever since.
I think, though, I'm finished with that part of my life since I can't seem to get any response even though I apply for all applicable positions. Not even a nice "get lost" letter. No word; nada. It's like my resume and clips go into a black hole or something. I've never understood this attitude by newspaper editors. Also makes me wonder why I'd want to work for any of them, too.
So I'm going to concentrate on freelance writing, which I've been pursuing for the past three years full-time (since I left my last newspaper gig). I picked up a contributing writing slot with a statewide magazine -- it's so great! I don't have to come up with any ideas -- and am helping an Iranian write his autobiography. Yes, he pays me!
The best thing about freelancing -- not HAVING to get up in the morning at any specific time; not HAVING to write about anything I'm not interested in.
The worst thing -- Marketing myself and my skills; coming up with topics on which to write query letters; waiting.
Well, enough about me. I really enjoy the people who post here. I feel right at home; I'm crazy, too.
Kathy
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