Interview: C. Hope Clark
C. Hope Clark is known to many writers as the editor and founder of FundsforWriters, a fabulous resource for finding contests, grants, jobs, and finding a way to get your writing published. She’s the author of THE SHY WRITER: An Introvert’s Guide to Writing Success
Enjoy this interview.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you been writing?
I grew up in an Air Force family, living around the country. I was born and raised for 14 years of my life in Mississippi, a year in Washington State, a year in Illinois. I’ve seen 40 states. I’ve written since a child, served as editor of my high school yearbook. However, my forte was science and math, so I majored in those subjects until I realized I enjoyed the plant side of science. My degree is in Agronomy – plant and soil science. I actually turned down a journalism fellowship because I thought writing wasn’t much of a job and didn’t pay enough to take seriously. I worked 25 years with the US Dept of Agriculture, and my writing had a major hand in propelling me into its management ranks. Finally, at age 46, I decided it was time I wrote for me and asked for an early retirement. So my creative writing has been in spurts with a major sabbatical in between. I have a wonderful husband, a retired federal agent and current private investigator, who endorses, supports, and plays sounding board for my work. Of course, the kids are grown, but they think my writing is pretty cool. Guess my support structure is grounded. I feel so sorry for those who don’t have that family support foundation.
What type of writing do you do?
I write nonfiction by day and mysteries by night. My nonfiction consists of writing-related pieces as well as
magazine features, not to mention my blog, Facebook, etc. But the fiction is mystery genre. I’m writing my third novel. The first two are represented by an agent currently trying to place them with a NY publishing house.
How did Funds for Writers get its start?
I worked in financial circles in my day job with agriculture. I knew federal grants. When I started writing for myself, it was early in the Internet writing days – 1998 or so. A writers group in Georgia asked me to speak to them about writing for the Web. However, the conversation went awry when they complained about nothing being able to afford ink, travel, printers, postage, etc. We started talking finances, contests, grants, and so on. They went home and started emailing me. So did their friends. Then an online journalism friend taught me about newsletters, which were very new. I started writing a newsletter to keep from answering so many emails. The rest is history. Without two months I had 1000 readers. Today I have four newsletters and 27,000 readers. I couldn’t give it up if I wanted to. It keeps growing.
In your opinion, what’s the best thing about writing?
The independence and self-satisfaction of accomplishment. However, I see too many people who start writing and think within two months they ought to be published. I’m also not happy with the ease of self-publishing. It dupes writers into thinking they’re published and equal to those who’ve fought the competition and been traditionally published. Guess I’m old fashioned, but when I know that 90 percent of self-pubbed writers sell under 100 books, the statistics tend to prove me right. It’s so satisfying to work for months and years to produce a product that’s been vetted traditionally. There’s room for self-pubbed books, but only for writers who have a platform or a remarkable self-promotional campaign.
Share some of your writing goals.
To land a contract for my mystery series. That’s my largest and most important goal. I’d love FundsforWriters to reach 50,000 readers. The largest writer’s newsletter is WritersWeekly, to my knowledge. It reaches 75,000. I’d love to catch up.
Is there a specific time of day you like to write?
I do email, self-promotion and newsletter prep in the day. I write editorials and fiction at night. My creativity flourishes at night when the world is asleep. Guess I work two shifts. My 7-8 hour days involve 2-3 hours in the day and 4-6 hours at night.
What’s the most interesting book you’ve ever read?
The one I’m reading at the moment. I don’t have a favorite book. There’s always something better out there I haven’t read. Whenever I think I’ve found a favorite author, I find a better one.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve enjoyed writing from the time I could write. I spent summers as a child in libraries researching pretend term papers and writing them. I wrote copy for the high school annual. I wrote for the local paper. I wrote letters to the editor, congressionals, letters to senators, award recommendations… I’ve always written. If you mean written for money, I didn’t start until around 1998. But I’ve always been a writer.
Favorite authors?
See above question. No favorite books. No favorite authors.
Book you’re currently reading.
Deep South (An Anna Pigeon Novel)
Any type of writing ritual you have?
Daily. I may take off on Saturday, which is the least busy day for FundsforWriters. If I’m not writing, I’m editing. I adore editing – hate first drafts. Like I said, though, I prefer writing at night. I’ve always been a night owl. I go to bed at 2 AM each night.
Do you believe in writer’s block? If so, how did you get past it? If not, why not?
Nope. Don’t believe in writers block. When you’re a writer, you cannot afford it. You’ll have good days and bad days. Heck, teachers, doctors, realtors, plumbers all have good days and bad days. They don’t have teacher’s block, doctor’s block, plumber’s block. They go to work and keep working. I can understand taking a break after a novel since a writer’s tapped so much intense, creative energy, but I do not believe in it otherwise. You keep writing.
What’s the measure of a successful writer?
Depends on the writer. I’m writing full-time. I think just the fact I’m able to do that is success. Being recognized by professionals in the business is phenomenal as well. FundsforWriters has won Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites for Writers commendation for nine straight years.
Advice for other writers?
Don’t talk about writing. Just do it. Too much time is wasted talking about being a writer. Professional writers don’t do that. They write and promote. Write daily. Don’t FIND time to write. MAKE time to write. If you have to FIND it, you’ve already placed it on your back burner.
Where can we learn more about you?
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d be glad for your readers to check out the website Funds for Writers and sign up for any of the four newsletters. We have many ebooks and tweetebooks (mini-ebooks) for their perusal. I also provide consultations, custom to the need of the writer. www.fundsforwriters.com/ConsultHope.htm.
More resources on publishing and novel writing:
- Write a novel in 60 days
- Take your book from manuscript to the masses with self-publishing and print-on-demand from CreateSpace.
- Write an ebook in 7 days
- Real Writing Jobs
