Meet the Author: Christina Katz

If you've ever aspired to become a published writer (be it as a freelancer for magazines, a full-length novelist, or a children's book author), you will definitely want to "meet" Christina Katz.

Katz is the author of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (read my full review here). If you pick up her book, you'll be refreshed and challenged by Katz' honest and encouraging style. She is all about helping other moms and she's not afraid to be authentic in the process.

ME: How old is your daughter?
KATZ: My daughter, Samantha Rose, is five and three quarters. I only give you the fraction because she would. She can't wait until her sixth birthday. We, however, want her to stay five forever. But what are you going to do, right?

ME: What are the top 3 writing tools that you can't live without?
KATZ: My top three writing tools are a Mead Stiff-back notebook, a G-2 Pilot fine-point pen (but not extra-fine—I'm picky about that) and my iMac (desktop version, not laptop). Using these three tools on a daily basis, there's no limit to what I can accomplish.

ME: What are the top 3 writing conferences that you have attended?
KATZ: Three writing conferences I think are more than worth the money are:
* The Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Oregon
* The Pacific Northwest Writers Conference in Seattle, Washington
* The Writer's Digest/Book Expo America Writer's Conference

I attended all three last year. Any one of them can provide the necessary publishing industry insights that writers need to be competitive today. I suggest attending the entire conference, when possible, and milking the sessions and events for all they are worth. At the very least, attend a full day and do the same. Just pick the day that has the most of what you need.

ME: Is it realistic for an aspiring writer to expect to earn a "livable" income as a writer?
KATZ: Thank you for asking! I'll try not to stand on my soapbox too long. It is just as realistic for an aspiring writer to expect to earn a livable income as a writer, as it is for any person to expect to become a professional in any field. What is not realistic is to expect to succeed without learning all of the professional ropes. Would an aspiring lawyer become "a professional" overnight? How about a doctor? An artist? A teacher? I rarely encounter aspiring writers who can't write well enough to make it eventually. But those who succeed as professional writers take a much more holistic approach. They get that writing is a profession. And they do what it takes to develop that professionalism over time. So forget about overnight success. Writing success comes from the accumulation of sustained effort over time.

If you want to stay up with all of the latest news in Katz' world (including what her new book is about and how to get a scholarship for her upcoming writing class), be sure to check in regularly at the Writer Mama blog.

WIN IT! One aspiring writer mama will receive a copy of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Wednesday, Jan. 16, at midnight. The winner will be contacted and announced on Thursday, Jan. 17. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

* UPDATE * The winner is #2 Bree. Congratulations!