What a pleasure it was to interview garden writer Christine Eirschele. I love her answers about what makes a writer successful, and also her advice for other writers. I agree!

Enjoy this interview.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you been writing?

I am a native of Wisconsin but have lived as far away as Germany and now live in central Ohio. I have been a professional freelance garden writer for 3 years.

What types of writing do you do?

I am a garden writer primarily in nonfiction, what-to-know articles and true stories. I do have a fiction story I am working on that centers around characters that live in a garden shop. I write for electronic and print magazines, one is targeted specifically at gardeners and the rest are general mags that have a garden topic section.

What’s the best thing about writing?

It is very freeing to empty your head onto a blank sheet of paper. I mean, we tell people to write down their thoughts as a type of therapy. How cool is that we get paid to do it.

Share some of your writing goals.

My first goals were centered on the basics, getting paid and having x amount of magazine contracts to routinely write for. Then it was quantity, x number of articles. Now I have achieved that and more contract business is coming my way without seeking it out which can be pretty heady. Next goals? I am going to a garden writers conference in the fall. And I want to start actually writing my book this coming winter. From now to then, it is about finishing my storybook research.

Networking is very important to me; networking is a gold mine of help to achieve it, whatever “it” is. Going to the annual garden writers symposium will be expensive but will help me connect with more like-minded professionals.

I am playing with writing a blog. I know all the pros and cons but I just have not worked up to it yet.

Is there a specific time of day you like to write?

I like early mornings but I write any time between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

What’s the most interesting book you’ve ever read?

The most interesting garden book I have read is Planthrology by Ken Druse. No matter the type of gardening one does, there is stuff in it for you.

There are way too many interesting fiction books to pick just one.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

It did not become a serious thought until I was finishing my horticultural education, which I did not do until after I was 50 years old. By then, planting and standing on hard ground for 8 or more hours a day was more than I could cope with. I was a public speaker when I was a Master Gardener; writing became the logical next step for me. And I had a mentor who is a garden writer she helped get me started.

Favorite authors?

Garden authors include Melinda Myers, Tovah Martin, Ken Druse and Tracy DiSabato-Aust.

Fiction authors include Jacqueline Winspear, Sara Rath, John Steinbeck and Agatha Christie. And I like the Harry Potter series just for fun.

Book you’re currently reading.

Paradise Alley (P.S.) by Kevin Baker. I am also reading War and Peace with a goal to finish it in 2009. lol

Any type of writing ritual you have?

I do some type of physical exercise in the morning before starting to write. I hand write notes and drafts away from my desk usually in a comfortable chair. I write on a computer at my desk surrounded by plants, candles and my dog napping on an ottoman next to me. I have a window too, which is very important to me.

Do you believe in writer’s block? If so, how did you get past it? If not, why not?

I do. I got past it by continuing to write, even when it was junk or not my regular writing. Part of it is giving yourself a break, so to speak.

I try to avoid writer’s block by a balance of maintaining my rituals, surrounding myself with things I love and knowing it will come back if I say open. A part of the day I may do things that support my writing but is not actually writing such as research or organizing my files.

What’s the measure of a successful writer?

Wow, that is so personal, essentially it is whatever that person decides. For me, one marker was to say I was published, later it became when I got paid, which were separate events. I know one neighbor who still does not think I work because I don’t leave the house regularly everyday. I suppose my next definition of a successful writer is when my fiction book is published.

I would like to say it is when I make x number of dollars. Except if I made the money but my book was not published, I’m not sure I would think of myself as successful.

Advice for other writers?

Read, read, read. Then write, write, write. Then add reading aloud and carrying a notebook around and writing in it whenever you are stuck in a line waiting somewhere. I know, it is no “light-bulb” moment but really I think that is the best advice anyone can get. It is basic, does not cost much and really works.

Joining a writers group is another worthwhile strategy. They give you feedback that may be hard to hear but it is usually useful and, again, another networking possibility.

OK, here is one more, read stuff you don’t usually read. Join a book club and read books others choose for instance, it forces you to look at stuff different people find interesting and you have the opportunity to find out why they find it interesting.

Where can we learn more about you?

Check out my profile page on Suite101.com, from there you can find more of my garden writings and it leads to other sites I write on.

Anything else you’d like to add?

If you love to write, you will find a way. As many writers as are out there that is how many ways there is to be a writer.

And for you gardeners out there, as always, stay gardening!

More writing resources:

• Freelance writers are making $200 realistically. Learn how.
• Turbo charge your freelance income with these valuable resources.
• Make more money writing online.