We wanted to get to know Ruth Thaler-Carter (NAIWE’s Networking Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

How many questions should be asked in an interview?

There’s no standard limit for the number of questions to ask someone in an interview. Sometimes the client will provide the questions they want to answer; sometimes the interviewer handles that aspect. I always prefer to ask more questions than I might need, even if that means having to spend some time on editing responses to fit a word limit. I love it when there’s no word limit! The absolute minimum would be three questions: Please confirm your name, title, and affiliation. What is important about your job or project? What (else) would you like our readers to know about you/your topic?

 

As the interviewee, how can you get the interviewer to ask the questions you want to answer?

The interviewee can say something ahead of time, by email or phone, about the topics you see as most important to cover. Let the interviewer know something like, “I’m most passionate about …,” “Let’s be sure to include X as my favorite [whatever],” “I think achievement X is my most important contribution,” etc.

 

What ways can interviewees get selected for an interview?

Being visible in social media and professional association outlets, having a blog with regular posts, speaking at events, presenting webinars, disseminating press releases about achievements, writing letters to the editor with opinions about local or national issues, and similar outreach can get attention that leads to interviews. You can even contact someone with a blog or publication where you’d like to be interviewed and let them know what you would like to talk about and why it might be of interest to their audience. In turn, the interviews can result in more invitations to speak, contribute blog posts, participate in events, and so on. It’s a self-propelling process or cycle. All of these activities feed each other and help establish you as an expert.

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Interviews are key to a variety of writing and editing work. Whether you’re doing an interview with a subject for a project or are the subject of one yourself, interviewing is an art and a skill. This webinar will focus on how to craft interviews that make the topic and subject come to life, along with tips on being a better subject oneself.

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter has been interviewing experts and colleagues on a wide range of topics for many years and has been the subject of varied interviews herself.

You can join in this conversation on June 24 at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on becoming an expert interviewer. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Ruth Thaler-Carter has been a full-time freelance writer, editor, proofreader, desktop publisher, and speaker for more than 30 years. She has been published locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally in, and does writing, editing, and proofreading for, publications, associations, nonprofits, websites, service firms, independent authors, and businesses. She sold her first freelance articles when she was still in high school. Often called the Queen of Networking, Ruth is active in about a dozen professional associations, serving as a newsletter editor, webmaster, publication author, speaker/presenter, blogger, program host or planner, and chapter leader. In 2006, Ruth launched the Communication Central Be a Better Freelancer annual conference, now cohosted with NAIWE — to help aspiring and established freelancers find greater success. Ruth is also owner and editor-in-chief of the An American Editor blog and owner of the A Flair for Writing publishing business. Her honors include member of her high school alumni hall of fame, in part for her publishing work and networking services; Writers and Books Big Pencil Award for teaching adults and contributions to the literary community; EFfie awards for writing, editing, and newsletters; an APEX award for feature writing; the Philip M. Stern Award of Washington (DC) Independent Writers for service to freelancers; and IABC/DC Communicator of the Year and Silver Quills for magazine writing and newsletters.

We wanted to get to know Karin Beery (NAIWE’s Fiction Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Do beta readers define themselves by genres?

It can be helpful to find beta readers in your genre, but it’s not necessary. If you know which questions to ask, you can assist anyone to become a useful beta reader.

 

Do you suggest working with more than one beta reader on the same project?

Absolutely. Even if you’re working with an experienced beta reader, everyone has personal preference. I recommend at least three: if one person doesn’t like something, that could be taste; if two people don’t like it, there might be a problem with the writing.

 

At what point do you begin to work with beta readers?

After you’ve finished editing and revising your first draft.

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Beta readers can help authors clean up and strengthen their manuscripts without hiring an editor, but like editors, not all beta readers are the same. In this webinar, find out what to expect from beta readers, how to find good ones, and how you can help them help you polish your manuscript.

You can join in this conversation on May 20 at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on turning your friends and family into beta readers. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Karin Beery is a published author and editor with experience in traditional and self-publishing, freelance editing, and editing for publishers. She is an active member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, as well as a PEN Institute instructor. Her specialty is substantive fiction editing with an emphasis in romance and women’s fiction.

We wanted to get to know Marcia Rosen (NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What is a characteristic of a detective that will aid in developing a memoir?

Persistent, determined, willing to ask questions to anyone who might have answers to knowing the truth. A good detective needs to be tenacious, patient, look at the truths of a situation and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter. These qualities are exactly what is needed to write a good memoir. How do you search for clues about your history and their impact on your life?

 

Are there characteristics or situations for a detective that do not align with developing a memoir?

Of course, being involved in murder cases for example. Putting your life in danger when working on a case.

 

Is there a particular detective skill that is essential in the prep work for a memoir?

Willingness to spend time searching for answers to your questions about your life and history. Asking serious questions about your life.
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A good detective needs to be tenacious and patient. A good detective needs to look at the truths of a situation and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter. Those same skills are needed to write a good memoir. How do you search for clues about your history and their impact on your life?

You can join in this conversation on April 30 at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on becoming the detective for your novel. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Marcia Rosen (aka M. Glenda Rosen) is an award-winning author of eleven books including her newest one, An Agatha, Raymond, Sherlock and Me Mystery: Murder at the Zoo plus The Senior Sleuths, Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series, and The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus (menus by her son Jory Rosen). She is also author of The Woman’s Business Therapist and award-winning My Memoir Workbook and has given memoir writing presentations and classes for close to 20 years. She has assisted many authors in developing, writing, publishing, and promoting their books. For 25 years, she was the owner of a successful national marketing and public relations agency. Marcia has frequently been a speaker or program moderator at organization meetings and conferences, bookstores, libraries, and Zoom programs. Topics she has taught and presented over the past 20 years include Encouraging the Writer Within You, Marketing for Authors, Writing Mysteries…Not A Mystery, Writing Your Memoir, and recently Anatomy of Writing a Murder. Many articles on these topics have been published on mystery reader blogs and in newsletters and magazines and her newest articles include Location, Location, Location: Murders Have Their Places; Hearing Voices of Past Famous Detectives: Their Impact and Influences; and Writing Mysteries at a Zoo: With Caution. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National and New Mexico (Croak & Dagger), Southwest Writers, New Mexico Book Association, Women Writing the West, Public Safety Writer’s Association, Women’s National Book Association, and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors.

We wanted to get to know Susan Treadgold (NAIWE’s Personal Energy Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Are the contents of this webinar just for women?

The content of the webinar is targeted at women, but men are welcome and will also benefit.

 

When many of us think of energy, we relate it to physical activities. What makes up the energy that you will be talking to us about?

Everything is energy. Anything that we come in contact with — be it food, a thought, or another person — it all either enhances or detracts from our energy.

 

Is it true that taking small actions are better than taking no actions? How do you recommend starting to build energy in our day?

Taking action and creating small habits that we continue to “stack” is the path to exponential energy. It all starts with a morning routine — to set up your day, week, month, and life — that you don’t need a vacation from!

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Join us for a masterclass with best-selling author Susan Treadgold as she unveils the secrets behind the six habits of high-performing women, with a focus on ENERGY. Susan Treadgold, international executive coach and an award-winning speaker, will share her wisdom gleaned from two decades in investment banking and a phenomenal 15-year coaching career.

Are you tired of feeling drained and overwhelmed? Ready to banish burnout once and for all? Drawing on a pool of extensive research driven, science-backed tools and strategies, Susan Treadgold will equip you with the keys to identify, master, and turbocharge your energy levels.

Brace yourself for a live event that will change the game.

You can join in this conversation on March 27 at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on developing more energy for every day. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Susan Treadgold is a holistic high-performance coach, speaker, and multiple #1 best-selling author with nearly two decades of investment banking experience at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup. She empowers women to have more energy and success with the use of science-backed high-performance habits, executive presence, training and a personally curated longevity portfolio of cutting edge biohacking products. She is an award-winning artist, host of The High-Performing Woman talk show, and on the leadership committee of 5050 Women on Boards. She is a proud mother of two teenagers. Family is her love language, and as a board member of Roots of Promise, she is passionate about helping less fortunate kids.