Write Your Way Around The World
By Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer
Winter 2004-05
"There's no way I can have a successful career and be a military spouse at the same time."
Sure, it's a challenge. Your career may not be as straightforward as your peers who aren't married to the military, but you don't have to drop your professional aspirations. It's possible to find a career that works for you as you move.
Start by identifying your strengths and ask yourself the big question: What do I really enjoy? Look for careers that tie those life aspects together and creatively craft a mobile career.
Our series on mobile careers series highlights portable careers for military spouses. This article focuses on writing as a career field.
The biggest advantage to a writing career is that a computer and Internet connection allow you to write from anywhere, anytime. There are other advantages, and we asked some military spouses to share their stories.
Alesia Holliday, Navy spouse and author of "Emails to the Front" and the novels "American Idle" and "Super What?" enjoys the flexibility. "I have two children. With my home office, I can write until my son gets home at three. I didn't have that kind of flexibility as a trial lawyer where I commuted and worked long hours."
Heidi Rafferty, an Army spouse and freelance writer, agrees. "Since 9/11, my husband has been involved with numerous deployments. I can schedule my life around his erratic schedule and make the most of my time with him when he's home. I can take my child with me to visit family when he's gone, taking my work along with me," she said.
Although things are improving in the business world, employers often view your military spouse status as a negative. When it comes to a writing career, that same status can be a plus.
Regina Galvin used that advantage to start her writing career. When she chose to switch her work from public relations to reporting, she used her military connection to secure an entry-level staff position on a special "Life in the Times" section of the Army Times newspaper. Her military knowledge has helped her land jobs as a stringer for the New York Times and contributing reporter for ABC's Primetime Live. "I happened to be in
In some cases, military life itself can be the catalyst for a writing career.Ellie Kay is an Air Force spouse and mother of seven. Wanting to stay home with her children and erase her family's $40,000 debt, she drew on her business background and began conducting financial seminars, which came to the attention of a literary agent and resulted in her first book, "Shop, Save and Share." That led to more finance books and the praised "Heroes at Home" book for military families.
Carolyn Quick Tillery, an Air Force spouse, volunteered for the spouse cookbook committee when she moved with her family to
Air Force spouse Carol Vandesteeg began freelancing in 1995, mostly for military publications. Eventually, she began writing an article about deployment for Off Duty magazine. It took on a life of its own and became the book "When Duty Calls," now in its third printing with more than 20,000 copies sold.
If you want to pursue writing as a career, consider these tips:
Be creative, and don't limit yourself. Many writers take whatever jobs they can, from court reporting to community event coverage to military correspondent opportunities. Stretch yourself and add to your portfolio and skill set.
Market your versatility. Navy spouse Karen Jowers was an editorial assistant at the Norfolk Ledger Star before marrying into the military. Twenty-seven years and many moves later, she has always found a writing job. As she says, "There are newspapers everywhere." Gaining new experiences in journalism with each move makes you more marketable to your next employer. Her knowledge as a military family member has been helpful, too. But she stresses that on the job as a reporter, you are a journalist first.
Parlay expertise into writing opportunities. Army spouse Jennifer See worked in marketing for a variety of companies, including Sound Credit Union in
Target trade publications. It's difficult to break in with the large consumer magazines. Rafferty suggests targeting trade publications instead. Many writers suggest targeting the special supplements of the Times newspapers. If you are interested in the consumer women's magazines, read "Feminine Wiles: Creative Techniques for Writing Women's Feature Stories that Sell," by Donna Elizabeth Boetig. She successfully broke into the consumer magazine market while her husband was in the Coast Guard.
Watch how other writers market themselves. Holliday suggests you study the websites of other writers. Just do a Google search for "freelance writer," or jump right in with AlesiaHolliday.com; EllieKay.com, and WhenDutyCalls.net.
Network with writers. Join writers' associations. Holliday credits the Romance Writers' Association with connecting her to agents and publishers. Attending writers' conferences shortens your learning curve and allows you to tap into a community of colleagues to connect with as you move.
Write, write, write. Even if you don't have a degree in journalism, you can become a writer. Create opportunities to write. Volunteer your services to force yourself to develop your skills. Galvin's first reporting consisted of volunteer articles for a post newspaper. Kathie, co-author of this article, started by volunteering for unit and wives club newsletters.
Parlay writing expertise into other opportunities. Clare Morris, an Army wife, has used her writing skills in the West Point public affairs office, in the nation's capital as a press secretary and media relations director for a congressman, as a copywriter for corporate clients, as a freelancer selling articles, and as a technical writer commuting from
Many authors are asked to discuss their books and subjects of expertise in front of various groups, thus adding public speaking to their business mix. Boetig, for example, teaches writing in
Most of all, writing is a thinking person's profession. As Boetig says, "It's invigorating. I'm always thinking, 'What am I going to write about next?'"
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©2004, Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer. Kathie and Holly write the "Married to the Military" column for the military Times newspapers and are writing a book for military spouses. For information and to subscribe to their free e-zine, if you seek more information about a specific career field or have a story to share, go to Military Spouse Help.
