Interview with a Freelancer: Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, Writer and Editor

You can reach Ruth at ruth AT writerruth DOT com, or through her web site. Her catch phrase is, "I can write about anything!"™

DEE-ANN: Why did you choose to use your own name or start your own business to work under?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I had established a good reputation under my own name and had clippings from various publications and work-related projects, so using my own name seemed like the best way to go. I also just couldn't come up with a clever business name! IN addition, I started freelancing fulltime in 1984, before the Internet became so omnipresent, so there was no need for a business name to attach to a website or domain.

DEE-ANN: What type of freelance work do you do?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I write articles for international, national, regional and local newspapers, magazines, newsletters and websites, including independent publications and ones published by associations, nonprofits and businesses; write, edit and desktop-produce newsletters and annual reports for nonprofits, businesses and organizations; manage websites for a couple associations; and present workshops and classes on freelancing and newsletters.

DEE-ANN: How long have you been freelancing?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I sold my first freelance piece while I was in high school; made a point of having freelance projects in place while working fulltime since 1980, after one of those "I quit/you're fired" situations made me realize how important it could be to have something in hand other than one's regular job; and went freelance fulltime in 1984. 

DEE-ANN: Full time or part time?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Fulltime since 1984; part-time from about 1976 'til then.  

DEE-ANN: Can you describe a typical, or at least recent, project for us?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Gosh, I do so many! Both "typical" and "recent" would probably be a profile article about an interesting person, all of an association or nonprofit newsletter, and editing or proofreading a few articles written by other people. 

DEE-ANN: How do you choose people to profile, or do you choose them yourself?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I do profiles both of people assigned to me and who catch my interest. Both approaches are fascinating, and I always come away from the projects having learned something new; not just about the people I write about, but about the world in terms of what people do - their professions; their world views; sometimes unexpected connections between us, even when we start out as total strangers before the interview.

DEE-ANN: What type of people do you tend to interview?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Association or nonprofit members and leaders, for the most part; business leaders as well.

Almost anyone interests me. I especially like to meet and write about people who are giving something back to their communities or professions, have overcome some kind of odds in life, or have created something in the arts.

DEE-ANN: How do you approach building someone's profile?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I ask for a bio/CV and, nowadays, do an Internet search for additional details. Sometimes my editor/client will provide background information about the person's involvement and roles in the organization involved; my editor/client or the person being featured often provides writings by the person.

Sometimes I'm asked to contact people who know the subject of the profile and ask for additional information about the person from the perspective of those who work with him or her. Then I draft a few questions, send them by e-mail, arrange a phone or in-person interview that usually includes a few more topics beyond the original questions, take copious notes, and sit down or head home to write it all up. I try to write it up as soon after the interview as possible, so the conversation is fresh in my mind.

Initially, I do a full write-up of my notes without worrying about length, then go back and edit myself to fit the assignment length. If someone turns out to be worthy of a lot more words than the assignment calls for, I'll contact my editor/client to see if we can accommodate a longer profile somehow.

I turn in the manuscript, send off my invoice, and move on to the next project! When the piece is in print, I make sure the person profiled will receive a copy and ask for permission to include the piece in the portfolio section of my website.

DEE-ANN: About how much of your time do you spend on the business side, and how much on creating?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I spend much more time on creating and doing the work than on the business side; probably 15 percent on business activities, from filing and recordkeeping to marketing. I should do more marketing, as should we all!  

DEE-ANN: What is the most important piece of advice you could give to someone starting out or transitioning into your specialty?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Be professional and don't give up. 

DEE-ANN: What are three things you would consider "being professional"?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: 1) Present yourself professionally - no little-kid's voice on your answering machine, no silly photos at your website, always have a business card in hand, etc. 2) Do high-quality work. 3) Don't whine to clients or colleagues if things aren't going well.

DEE-ANN: What’s your favorite part of your work?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: The variety of topics and projects, and the freedom to do things when (mostly) and how I prefer. 

DEE-ANN: What are three things that you would say represent your work style?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: A lively, engaging, interesting writing "voice"; flexibility and reliability; high quality of writing and of self-editing and proofreading my work.

DEE-ANN: What would you rather farm off on someone else?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Record-keeping/filing/bill-paying and finding new business. 

DEE-ANN: Anything else you’d like to share with Freelance Survivors?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: I love what I do, and can't imagine any other lifestyle! 

DEE-ANN: What would you say characterizes the freelance lifestyle?

RUTH E. THALER-CARTER: Never being bored, thanks to a wide range of clients and types of projects; flexible and fitting the individual's biological clock and personal preferences of how, when, how much, for whom and why to work; unlimited opportunities; having control, for the most part, of one's career. Freelancing isn't easy, but it's wonderful when it's done right and it works!