Today is the first day of the rest of my [writing] life

Today starts a 30-day writing workout. This is the plan: post for 30 days straight on Behind the Scenes at Orozco Ink. Here's why: I need to write more.

Really, for someone who makes their living as a writer I'd really like to write more often.

Ever read the right side of Behind the Scenes at Orozco Ink? The "About Me" part? Where I blab a bit on how my blog is a place for me to work on my writing. Well, recently that's serving as an excellent example of a farce!

It's time to get back to this blog's basics, which are an outlet for writing and telling the back story of making a living as a writer. Read the post What's so funny about peace, love, and billable hours? That's more the spirit of Behind the Scenes at Orozco Ink.

I'm a big believer in practicing the basics, honing one's skills. This will be fun (she says trying to convince herself as her feet get colder and colder). The next basic I'm going to tackle is sending out query letters.

See you tomorrow!

See the following photo, that's me with my five charges! The photo is more than a few months old. Which reminds me of something else -- I need to get professional photos of myself. 

When the going gets tough, the tough IMPROVISE!

Love, love, love the Improv group. Helps so much with my writing ... even though I don't do a lick of writing with or for the group. We meet once a week and play for two hours. It's not a free-for-all. It just looks that way. The foundation of our success is teamwork. Listening and supporting each other is what it is about. 

So how does it help my writing? Keeps the ol' brain in shape. Makes me think on my feet. You know, a brain in motion tends to stay in motion ...

Hmmm ... maybe I need to start bringing pen and paper to Improv. Jot down all the million dollar ideas that pop into my head during all the fun. Hmmm ... stay tuned.

Pictured above, the Plaza Playhouse Improv Troupe members include, from left, Chuck-Hou Yee, Judy Sirianni, Amy Marie Orozco (that's me!), Juliet Rohde-Brown, Hope Zweig, Pauline Reyes, Sherri Mendenhall, and John Pagano. 

She's Back! Madeline Dawkins is on the prowl ...

I had the pleasure of being part of the proofing process for "High Price to Pay," the second book in the Madeline Dawkins mystery series written by Cynthia Hamilton. "High Price to Pay" is a fun, fast read. If you haven't already met Madeline, allow me to introduce her. (Actually, this is copy from the author, Cynthia Hamilton.)

Madeline’s dual professions as event coordinator and private investigator cross paths during the most lavish affair of her career—a weekend-long fortieth birthday extravaganza for the wife of a famous film director. A simple background check after the disappearance of precious family jewels quickly turns into a murder investigation, and before Madeline and Mike can put the pieces together, another body turns up. As the Santa Barbara police and sheriff’s departments search for clues, the Mad Dog P.I.’s use their own methods to untangle the crimes, discovering some unsavory truths behind the glittering façade of their clients.

Adding to Madeline’s already overflowing plate, the D.A. informs her that Rick Yeoman, one of the men who abducted her three years earlier, has been prematurely released from prison after cutting a deal with the Feds. Besides fear of reprisals from the man she helped to convict, Yeoman’s parole also triggers the reappearance of soulless Lionel Usherwood, lured out of his hideaway by the call of revenge. When Yeoman’s body surfaces in Lake Cachuma, Usherwood moves on to the next target: Madeline.

"A High Price to Pay" is the second novel in the Madeline Dawkins Series. Available in print and eBook formats on Amazon.com.

Get the book; read it. It's good! Then, get ready for the next in the series to come.

The Most Humbling of Tasks

Want to know the most stressful aspect of Orozco Ink? Uh, that'd be proofreading.

No, not proofreading my own stuff, because no one should ever proofread their own stuff. I mean being paid to proofread another's writing. The pressure I put on myself is rattling, which, of course, doesn't make a good environment for proofreading.

It's easy to get caught up in the minutiae of serial commas while missing the glaring misspelling in the title. It's happened. How about this one: I took the leap of creating a Facebook page for my writing and editing business only to have a huge grammatical gaffe in the About section of Orozco Ink - Writing & Editing. Yes, of course, people saw it. Thank goodness some of them pointed it out to me.

Plus, when proofreading, I get tripped up on elementary things, such as rein or reign. Lie versus lay. Is it effect or affect?

Yes, proofreading can be quite humbling. (Like my Facebook debut.) On the other hand, it can be quite fun and rewarding, too. I love it when I find something buried in the middle of document that could have been a real problem for a client.

Neither Disorganized nor Unorganized

This is how I understand the difference between unorganized and disorganized. Unorganized means there is no structure or organization. Disorganized means there is a structure or organization, but it isn't being followed. For example, my filing system is disorganized. I use an alphabetical system of organization but there are a number of files yet to be put in their proper home.

Above, see the empty box of chocolates re-purposed as a paperclip container? That's an example of organization. It's neither disorganized or unorganized. It is also an example of not paying proper attention to my business and professionalism. Recently, I rectified that embarrassing situation and overhauled my office. It didn't take very long, only about six hours total, which included the time spent purchasing organizational tools. I was inspired by Cindy Faith Swain, principal of OrganizeSB. Check out her blog post Organizing 101: Tip 1.

Above, now the paperclips and other office supplies have a proper home. I really can't tell you why I didn't bother with this type of organization before now. I mean, containers are that expensive. And, it feels so much better, kind of like right after you get your car washed.

Above, I love having purple cases in my office. They really brighten the place up, don't you think?

As for the empty box of chocolates? I still have it. I think it is a beautiful example of packaging and graphics. Should you ever find yourself in a Japanese market, or in Japan for that matter, be sure to try the Meiji Almond Chocolates - semisweet. They are delicious. Guaranteed.

A Love Letter

Had one of my best nights ever last night – yes, the night before Valentine’s Day! I went to the UCSB Arts & Lectures presentation of Gloria Steinem at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara. She was wonderful!

And, she's a wonderful writer. Have you ever read her "I was a Playboy bunny" expose? Really good stuff. Check it out here. It's easy for me to forget that she is a journalist. Seems her humanitarian work overshadows that nowadays. She is inspirational in every way.

Certainly, my life, and everyone else's in this country, and I don't think that is an exagerration, would be completely different if not for Gloria Steinem. Of course, she didn't accomplish all that single-handedly, but she was definitely one of the leaders. Thank you so much, Gloria. I look forward to reading your next book. Keep up the good work, and I'll keep up mine.

Below photo: Gloria Steinem is on the lecture circuit. I found her to be a gracious, empathetic, engaging, warm, charming, and intelligent speaker. If you have the chance, go see her. Click here to see what the Los Angeles Times had to say. Different event than I went to, that's for sure!

Making Room for New Work in the New Year

From the Life as a Freelance Writer department:

January was a pretty slow month for me in the-getting-paid-for-writing sense. I'm happy to report I used the down time wisely. Among other things, I worked on my marketing, including social media; composed query letters; made new contacts; and cleaned out my office including tons of paper. I'm actually thinking about transferring one of my file cabinets to my garage. That's how thorough I was, and that's how "paperless" I've become.

I'm happy to report that the new year lull ended with a surprise ghostwriting job dropped in my lap. Of course, that job begat other jobs and soon I was sweating some deadlines. What a great problem that is to have! I hope it lasts all year and into 2015.

Though I can't prove it or explain it, I don't think that dry-spell-ending job would have found me if I had not used my down time wisely. Maybe I didn't will it to me, but I certainly was ready when it arrived.

Below is the filing cabinet whose next destination is the garage. During a dip in business last month I used the time to purge my office. I'm a firm believer in getting rid of the old to make room for the new. On a less abstract level, I really think my filing cabinets are beautiful. I love the blond wood and compact size. My friend Susan gave them to me.