We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ann Byle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
I’ve been a freelance writer for 27 years, and during those years raised four children while my husband worked full-time as a teacher. I’ve loved this work for its variety, flexibility, and the fun of meeting new people, interviewing a variety of people, and writing their stories. I’ve worked from home all these years in a variety of home office spaces. Recently I visited a company I used to work for and so was talking to a number of friends there. As I walked through the building looking at the cubicles with no privacy, lack of personal space, no place to hide, and where everyone can see you all the time, I started to breathe deeply and twitch a little. I couldn’t even imagine how much I would hate being in an office setting after all these years. I realized that I had created a life that I love, working in my home office that I love, and doing a job I love. No more offices for me–ever.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a writer. It took some time to be able to say that with confidence, but now I say it with pride. I am owner of AB Writing Services, LLC, through which I am a writer for a number of local and national publications, a book coach, editor, and, in a small way, a literary agent. I’ve also written a number of books including “Chicken Scratch: Lessons on Living Creatively from a Flock of Hens.”
I write news articles, features, sponsored content, book reviews and more. As a book coach, I help others write their books by helping them get started, find their way, and finish the project. I also edit manuscripts, create book proposals, and ghost or co-write.
Telling stories is so much a part of what I do. Sharing peoples’ accomplishments, stories, and events can be via short news pieces, interviews, longer features, or even books. It brings me joy to help others tell their stories through my writing or coaching. Years of experience as a writer and editor means I’m used to deadlines and have seen. just about anything there is to see in the writing space.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As writer, I love telling peoples’ stories whether it’s through shorter pieces or longer projects such as books. I’ve told stories about local nonprofits and how each one benefits the people of West Michigan, as well as people who are doing great things. I’ve also helped people write their books, including a gangbanger turned hip-hop pastor and a woman who was trafficked for 20 years and is now helping women escape sexual trafficking.
It’s rewarding to get those stories out there. It’s also rewarding to share news and information about events, places, and people with my community.
Along with sharing others’ stories, I’ve been able to write a couple of books, which share, in part, my own story. “Chicken Scratch: Lessons on Living Creatively from a Flock of Hens” is about living a creating life–and my chickens.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Reputation for writers is about making deadlines and writing to the requirements of a piece. I’ve met the deadlines I needed to meet, as well as written the story to the word count and other requirements. Also, kindness and warmth goes a long way in building a reputation among those you interview. One time I interviewed a person who clearly didn’t want to be interviewed. She was a bit crabby and short-tempered. I just asked my questions, didn’t get irritated, and thanked her for her time. Her response? “This has been such a nice interview. Thank you for talking with me.” Who knew? It pays off to be nice.
Also, being as accurate in your reporting as possible is very important. If someone knows you’ll make the effort to get the facts correct and their quotes accurate, this goes a long way in building a reputation and opening the door to additional interviews.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annbylewriter.com
- Instagram: annbyle
