National Association of Independent Writers & Editors
If you have published a book, you may mail autographed copies to NAIWE headquarters. When new members sign up to support a member, they will receive a copy of a member’s book, along with a request that they post a review online. This is a great way to build your book’s audience and reviews!
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
We wanted to get to know Kristen Fischer
(NAIWE’s Journalism Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.
What types of questions add to the story?
Personally, I approach every story as if another outlet is covering it, because that’s likely happening. I’m always on the lookout for a different quote or a different angle to explore in addition to that main news. For me, questions that add to a story go beyond the who-what-when-where-why. Depending on the story, the type of story (say, feature versus exclusive breaking news), and the audience, questions that add to the story always dig a little deeper. And you have to do so in a way that doesn’t cause the source to clam up, so you have to build that objectivity and trust, and avoid being accusatory. That’s why I often go beyond the “why do” to “why don’t” types of questions. That prompts the source to give you more information and really explain it in a way that gives the reader the whole picture. It’s hard to give a specific question, but I believe that by being aware of the different kinds of questions we can ask, it will give reporters an edge.
What are some types of open-ended questions?
I like to ask “what does that look like” to get the source defining what we can expect–other than “we’ll see” or “it’ll be good or bad.” It forces them to give more detail. Then if they do, you can go from there with any additional questions. I also like to ask sources to explain something to me like a layperson if something is confusing, so they explain things and both I and the reader understand the point they are trying to convey. I like to ask “what’s next” in certain cases so the source may speculate on the implications of a news development–that’s the kind of digging that takes my story a step further and sets it apart from the competition. I rarely ask a yes/no question.
Is there a situation when a yes-or-no question works best?
Yes, definitely. Though I rarely ask them (or rarely only ask a yes-or-no question), these questions are great when you want a source’s stance on something and they are not being clear. Make your question clear and you may get that yes-or-no answer that in many cases gets a source to go on the record with their stance on something. Otherwise, yes-or-no questions don’t lead into much of a response. There’s definitely a type of story that they are imperative, and in other stories, they’re not as relevant. You have to know when to ask a yes-or-no question, in terms of thinking of the primary objective of your article. If it’s to get a lawmaker to state their stance on something, it certainly fits. But I think we owe it to readers to go beyond that and understand the sources reasoning for that response as well.
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Journalists have to guide an interview, and how they do it can make or break a story. In this webinar, we’ll explore different tactics for asking questions that receive more open responses, and produce better sound bites. Come prepared with one example of a great question you’ve asked in the past, and one that you thought was great yet fell flat.
You can join in this conversation on April 14, at 10 am eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on asking better interview questions. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!
April: English Language Month. A month-long celebration of the uniqueness of the English language and all the learners working hard to master it.
April: National Poetry Month. Spend time this month writing, reading, and studying poetry.
April: National Volunteer Month. In the United States, volunteerism is instilled at a young age. Most organizations in small towns, rural counties, and the largest cities would not function without volunteers.
April: Records and Information Management Month. This event celebrates good record keeping and information management and emphasizes the importance of having organized records.
April: Stress Awareness Month. This month, we are all challenged to keep our stress levels low, and our peace levels high.
April 4: National Hug a Newsperson Day. Say thank you and send a hug to your local newsperson–virtually, of course.
April 5-9: National Library Week. Visit your local library in person or online, and give your library card a workout.
April 5-11: National Public Health Week. The week focuses on prevention and reducing unhealthy activities.
April 7: National Bookmobile Day. Honor the access to information and resources our nation’s bookmobiles make available to our communities and the professionals who work diligently to provide these services.
April 7: National No Housework Day. Freelancers working from home sometimes choose to be distracted by housework rather than work on a challenging project. On this day, it is not allowed, so find something else to distract you–or rather, sit down and work on that challenging project.
April 8: National All Is Ours Day. This is a day to appreciate everything we have, rather than dwelling on what we don’t have.
April 10: National Encourage a Young Writer Day. Do you know a young person who has a vivid imagination, maybe someone who likes to tell stories and reads a lot of books? Encourage them to pursue their goals and develop their writing skills.
April 14: National School Librarian Day. School librarians spend long hours keeping the library organized, helping our children find the resources they need to keep learning, and are dedicated to creating an environment they can learn in every day of the year. Set aside some time to honor school librarians.
April 14: National Reach as High as You Can Day. Review and plan your goals for the upcoming quarter or the rest of the year as you reach for your dreams or goals.
April 14: Look Up at the Sky Day. Look for inspirations and beauty by looking up at the sky.
April 14: National Library Workers Day. Libraries do so much more than house the books we can borrow nearly any time of the day or night. Today, library workers are masters of research.
April 15: National Rubber Eraser Day. Celebrate the invention of erasers by acknowledging that we all make mistakes.
April 15: Get to Know Your Customers Day. Select a customer and get to know them a little better today.
April 15: National High Five Day. Spend a moment on social media today, and give a virtual high five to someone who has recently helped you out.
April 16: National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day. Let go of the stress by wearing your pajamas to work.
April 18: National Haiku Poetry Day. Try your hand at this creative form today by writing about what you see outside.
April 18-24: National Volunteer Week. Provide support by offering your services to a local organization you feel passionate about.
April 18-24: Administrative Professionals Week. Celebrate the administrative professionals and secretaries who keep businesses going.
April 21: National Administrative Professionals Day. Even some freelancers have virtual assistants, so we didn’t want you to miss this day! Celebrate your VA and show how much you appreciate this person.
April 22: National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Take some time to mentor your sons and daughters and aspire their writing to new heights!
April 27: National Tell a Story Day. Share a story with fellow word lovers.
April 28: National Great Poetry Reading Day. Celebrate distinguished poetry and the notable poets who wrote them.
April 30: National Poem in Your Pocket Day. Memorize a poem or two to share with the people you meet throughout the day.
Because your professional affiliations are part of your résumé, a “Member of NAIWE” badge image is provided so that you can add it to your social media profiles or other websites you own. Then when someone clicks on the link from your page and joins NAIWE, you earn 10% of their initial dues payment. It’s NAIWE’s way of saying, “Thank you for posting your NAIWE affiliation.”
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
We wanted to get to know Jake Poinier (NAIWE’s Freelance Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.
Are there standards to setting the fee structure?
Setting a freelance fee structure is a taste of the Wild West. The simplest calculation is to know your hourly rate and accurately assess how long the tasks will take, but there are countless factors that can influence what you charge. It’s also important to consider fee structure from the client’s perspective; what makes sense for one might not appeal to another. If a client wants a firm project estimate, you shouldn’t suggest an hourly rate or per-word rate, and vice versa.
What information on an industry rate sheet is helpful?
Industry rate sheets give basic, broad guidance on what others are charging, so they’re arguably most helpful for freelancers who are new and have absolutely no idea where to start. The challenge is that you don’t know what the inputs were: What types of industries, projects, and clients? What part of the country? How many years has someone been freelancing, and how skilled are they? A successful, experienced freelancer will often have rates above the upper range shown in industry charts.
What are some tips for how to properly use an association survey?
An association survey can be one of the components to create your rates, but should not be the only one. Do the math on what you would like to earn annually, and break it down to an hourly rate or range. Networking with other freelancers is an easy way to check your math.
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As a freelancer, pricing and estimating your services properly is the foundation of your long-term financial prosperity and day-to-day psychological well-being. In this webinar, Jake “Dr. Freelance” Poinier offers a strategic, value-focused approach to setting your fee structure, taking into account the numerous factors that can’t be found on an industry rate sheet or association survey. Topics include formulating your basic pricing, creating persuasive estimates, dealing with challenging negotiations, raising your prices, and much more.
You can join in this conversation on March 30, at 3 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on figurative language. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!
Does it take all of our senses to bring a word to life? Explain.
Prepare for the Writing Challenge
During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.
Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2021 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).
At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.
For the most part, to produce feelings pertaining to a word, the word must be said or written. What are some other ways to feel a word?
Prepare for the Writing Challenge
During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.
Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2021 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).
At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.
Is the power of words less effective and more easily misunderstood when only heard and not seen? Why?
Prepare for the Writing Challenge
During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.
Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2021 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).
At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.
Do you find words more powerful when in the written form? Why?
Prepare for the Writing Challenge
During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.
Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2021 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).
At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.
To help bring your words to life, how do you use them so your readers hear them?
Prepare for the Writing Challenge
During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.
Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2021 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).
At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.