Being as prolific as you are, I'm sure good organization is key. What method do you use for tracking your queries?

I use Writer's Market's tracking feature online. That reminds me where I've sent queries and when to follow up, and I love using the "comments" area to paste in the responses, so next time I query that market, I'll remember what they said about my last query.

Aside from that, believe it or not, I just write everything down in my handy ole' datebook. Assignments, word counts, pay rates, due dates... I like having it in hard copy so I can just flip through my book and see what's coming up.

In a past interview, you suggested that writers design a workspace that feels inspiring. Please describe yours.

I'm laughing right now because my workspace is a MESS... but yes, I rather like it.

I keep photos of my friends' kids and my husband on the shelves over my computer, along with good CDs, a fairy statue, my wedding tiara, a construction paper heart my husband cut out for me on our first Valentine's Day...

The quote "Fortune favors the brave" is taped above my monitor. I buy decorative tissue boxes (the one I have now has kitties all over it).

My filing cabinet is covered in hot pink word poetry magnets and photos of my family and friends, along with some funny magnets I've written.

I have candles all over the place, a lush green plant next to me, scented body butter on my desk for impromptu pick-me-ups, and shelves and shelves of great books threatening to crowd me out of my own office.

Also in my office: a shiatsu massager, a fairy water fountain, a heart mug to hold all my pencils, a hand-made wedding card one of my Absolute Write columnists made for me, and snack food!

What are some of the ways you market yourself?

If you mean for magazine writing, I just send out queries.

For books, I write lots of articles that people can freely reprint; I do interviews on radio, TV, websites, newspapers, and magazines; my publicist sends out review copies; I do book signings and workshops; I participate on message boards and in online chats; I have my own website (www.jennaglatzer.com) in addition to my site for writers; I give away free e-books and reports from time to time; I sometimes pay for advertising in e-zines or run swap ads with other editors; I participate in two web rings; I join e-mail discussion lists... promotion is a big part of my job!

What are some of your favorite writing books?

Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott, The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell, and Feminine Wiles by Donna Elizabeth Boetig are probably my favorite three.

Do you have a favorite writing-related quote?

Many, depending on my mood. One of my favorites is, "Writing is easy: all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead." -Gene Fowler

If a writer were to glean only two or three pieces of wisdom from Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, what would you like those to be?

I'd hope they close the book knowing exactly what it means to study a magazine -- how to ascertain which sections are open to freelancers, who the readers are, and what the editors are looking for. I also hope they realize that being a full-time writer is not some mythical, unachievable goal and that they, too, can do what I've done.

More than anything, I want every reader to feel that they've just sat in my living room and had a long mentoring session where they've come up with a blueprint for making a living doing the thing they love most: writing.

See Jenna's books and learn about her upcoming writers' workshop at the Omega Institute by visiting http://www.jennaglatzer.com/.

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