Flexibility: Finding New Markets

For several years, we hosted high-school exchange students in our home. The surprising thing was the ongoing friendships that continued for many years. One European family, in particular, have been friends and it’s interesting to see the students finish college and begin careers. The son, especially, has an interesting attitude: he wants to be flexible enough to go where he needs to get a good job.

His girlfriend/fiance/now wife went to Scotland for experience in the hospitality industry; he went to Germany to learn that language and culture, then worked for a while in Russia. They were considering work in Australia.

In today’s economy, writers need to be flexible.This year, I’m taking risks, trying to break out of the slump forced by the economy.

• I’m trying new genres. I’ve tried at least three new genres this year and plan to play around with a couple more to see if I can find new markets.
• I’m trying to reach new people. I’m attending different conferences than I’ve ever done before, to meet new people in the industry and see if something will click.
• I’m triple-checking resources, looking for markets. What have I overlooked before? Where can I plug in that I’ve over-looked?
• I’m looking at my life circumstances and thinking about how it affects my work. What have I avoided because of other concerns, such as family? Am I in the same place or could I now consider those things? What have I always accepted because it fit my life – but maybe I no longer need to accept?
• I’m appreciating the writing outlets I do have and trying to serve them better. What are the editor’s needs? How can I make their life easy by giving them EXACTLY what they need?

Articles, books, bylines – here I come!

Related posts:

1. Markets, tense & galley
2. Publicity tips
3. Genres
4. Starting Again
5. 5 Ways a Character’s Job Affects Your Story