By Mike Rumble, https://rumblesrumblings.wordpress.com/ Image by weekendplayer via Pexels I was serving as an assistant account executive at MarketSmart Advertising, working on the Subway restaurants account. Although I enjoyed my job, I was beginning to develop a passion for writing but needed inspiration and direction on how to take it to the next level. A coworker of mine named Lori noticed my talent and suggested I consider attending a writing conference called “Write Now!” by an [...]
By Ana Shapkaliska, Ana's Author Page Image by edalisu via Pexels One beautiful spring afternoon in 2016, my dear friend and neighbor, Ms. Angelica, showed up at my door. We were looking forward to enjoying our coffee together and catching up on the latest news, since she had just come back from her yearly trip to her native Brazil. As I opened the door to greet her, I noticed she was holding a newspaper clipping in her hand. Her face was beaming with a special glee. “What is [...]
By Sarah Merritt Ryan, www.SarahMerrittRyan.com Image by: soufianlafnesh via Pexels Whenever I tell people how I got started as a professional writer, I let them know about Triangle Association of Freelancers (TAF). I talk about what an encouraging group this is, where everyone wants everyone else to succeed, where all types of writers are welcome, and all skill levels of writers are supported and encouraged. Joining TAF has led to a whole new career path for me. My Success [...]
By Arlene Bice, arlenebice.com Image by: esranurkalay via Pexels It was the writers' oft-mentioned fourth-grade assignment of detailing my family history that first set my heart on fire to be a writer. Back in the ‘50s, I loved the writing portion of all my school assignments. In high school, my work earned an invitation to work on the school newspaper, but an early marriage dashed any idea of being a writer. Eventually, I became a stay-at-home mom of four, struggling to make ends [...]
By Maya Spikes It’s time to look back on 2025. Can you believe how quickly we’re moving through this decade? Here are just some of the special moments that made 2025 a memorable year for TAF and its members: In keeping with our desire to provide interesting and informative resources for writers, we continued publishing monthly posts on our TAF Blog. These essays and articles, written by members, cover many aspects of writing and publishing. This year, we had another eclectic [...]
By Sherry Comstock, www.sherrycomstock.com Image by: pexels-olga-volkovitskaia Part One Dinner is over, the dishwasher is loaded and dusk is falling. I sit in my armchair reading. My phone rings and I answer, even though I don’t recognize the number. I usually let these calls go to voicemail. But I didn’t tonight. A woman asks to speak to me and hesitates as I ask who’s calling. I get ready to do my usual “No, thank you” speech I reserve for telemarketers. Quickly, the [...]
By Elisa Lorello, http://www.elisalorello.com/ Image by Pexels-content-pixie In 2007-2008, blogging was the thing. If you were an aspiring author, a more established author, editor, or publisher would advise you to “Start a blog so you can get your work out there and build a following before you publish your book.” Professionals, literary agents, consultants, etc., also used blogs as a means of attracting clients, speaking engagements, and even book contracts. Five years later, [...]
By Karine Armen, http://photokarine.blogspot.com/p/authors-page.html Image by: pexels.cafepolverini Are you more productive in the morning or the evening? Can you write at a cafe, or do you need a quiet work area? By analyzing our personal working habits, we may be able to get more done. Two years ago, I retired from teaching elementary school in Glendale, California. I traveled to many countries and started writing for a weekly newspaper covering art and cultural events. [...]
By Rita Lewis All photos by Rita Lewis I recently went on vacation for a month in the French Alps. (Tough, I know, but someone has to do it!) When I set off, I had optimistic plans for lots of productive, sunshine-y writing sessions on some mountainside. I took laptop, notes, paper and pens and pencils. I was ready. Well, guess how that went. I hiked. I ate tasty bread with ten different kinds of cheese. I read good books and learned to sleep again. I spent quality time with [...]
By Andrea Wenger, andreadavidauthor.com Photo by JessBaileyDesign via Pixabay As was announced earlier in July, the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers are now part of TAF! Formerly a chapter of the Romance Writers of America, HCRW is committed to supporting romance authors through education and networking. We offer quarterly face-to-face events as well as a monthly Book-in-a-Week writing competition. We also present periodic educational webinars through TAF. All TAF members are welcome to [...]