Comments on: Being Memorable

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:21:26 +0000

They don't post everything online – just a sampling of articles, so I don't know if mine will go online. If it does, it will be after the issue is off the shelves. If they eventually post a link, I'll try my best to remember to send it.

If you're at Borders or Barnes & Noble – or any huge newsstand – the magazine is easy to spot: Thick, glossy, with a gorgeous cover photo, usually with lots of earth tones. (Not sure what the cover photo is; still waiting for my copy to arrive.) I believe it's issue #67. Flip through. I think the final title was "Pasadena Paradise."

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:16:28 +0000

I believe Oy is in the dictionary, but Uffda is not. I don't think that's fair.

Paula, I would try Oofda, but knowing my luck, people would start thinking of an oompa loompa and wouldn't take me seriously.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:43:49 +0000

Paula, send a link to it when it's published – I'd love to see it!

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:22:38 +0000

Wendy, next time try the alternate spelling: Oofda.

(Or is that "oofdah" with extra points for the h?)

Yes, Lori, you may call me the Bungalow Queen this month - thanks to my 5-page spread in the current issue of AB. I haven't see the actual magazine yet, but the proofs were gorgeous. A copy is supposed to be wending its way to me soon. A check, too. Finally.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:46:44 +0000

Devon, it's never a bad thing when sailors recognize you! LOL Well, despite what our mothers taught us. :)

Cathy, silent but powerful - love it!

Paula, we've just crowned you Bungalow Queen. :)

Uffda isn't a word? Really? Wow! There goes MY Scrabble game, too! :)

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:09:27 +0000

I'm the scrabble player that will go for slang words when I can't get any other words. 9 times out of 10, I get challenged and end up losing, but I'll go for it anyway. Did you know that Uffda isn't in the dictionary? (probably is in the urban dictionary)

People never forget and they will always point it out when I join the game.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:53:05 +0000

A few months back, someone surprised me on commenting on an article I wrote nearly 10 years ago. It was the longest article I've ever written (4,700 words at $1/word, so it was also my single biggest payday for one article), but it was a blast to write. Why? The editor let me have fun.

The magazine has since folded, but it was a trade for the cable TV industry. The concept was mine: Uncover the hobbies and collections of some top cable executives. It was quirky and apparently memorable.

My latest column just came out in a local paper. It's a TV column, and I used the fact that two local realty companies have Sunday morning TV shows as my excuse to chastise so many Realtors for confusing bungalows with Cape Cods and ranches. My editor loved it and said, "I bet this one generates a few comments."

Bonus: I was also able to plug my current feature in American Bungalow at the same time. Hey, I live in a bungalow, write about bungalows, and can accurately spot a bungalow at 100 paces. I think I can be a bit judgmental about so-called experts who can't tell a bungalow from a Brady-bunch house.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:31:30 +0000

Well, that's a tough one since so much of what I do is ghostwriting.

I have an ongoing assignment with a cool client who always lets me know when she receives positive feedback from something I wrote for her.

I have the possibility of another assignment from a referral from a client who I ghostwrite for. So I'm like the stealth writer, I guess - silent but powerful. :-)

By: Devon Elllington

Devon Elllington — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:24:15 +0000

I agree with "give them what they expect and better". I know several writers who will only give a percentage of work if they've agreed to a lower fee. If you've AGREED to a lower fee, you still have to deliver quality work. If you don't feel you're paid what you're worth, don't accept the job.

People still comment a lot on the articles I wrote for calendars and almanacs for 15 years, which is nice. And, a few years ago, during fleet week, some sailors off an Australian ship stopped me on a street corner because they recognized my voice from a radio interview I'd given in Australia when my show was there, and they'd come seen the show!

To be memorable, I try to be true to the piece in the moment, and communicate excitement and enthusiasm.