In The Spotlight

This month for my second in the spotlight segment, my guest is a special friend from CA. Kathryn Bechen of Kathryn Bechen Ink is a professional author, decorator, organizer,PR guru and writer extraordinaire. I recently hired her to do some PR consulting with me. My goals are to change my painting business and move it in some different directions I've never gone in before. Kathryn was a great motivator for me and taught me some very wonderful and simple tips to take me in the right direction. I've already gotten to work implimenting all her strategies to get things rolling in the direction I want them to go in. I hope you will all enjoy meeting her and for those of you who are already familiar with her, I hope you will enjoy getting to know her better.

Dear Friends,

Hi, I’m Kathryn Bechen and I’m honored to be Ruth’s featured blog guest this month and to share a glimpse of my daily life with you as a professional freelance writer and PR consultant.

Words are my passion and I absolutely love what I do! I have been a paid and published non-fiction freelance writer for over 20 years, and now am grateful to work full time at it from my home in Southern California. Although sometimes thought of as intangible, (until they hit the page!), words and ideas are my product, and are what people are willing to pay me for.

My work has been published in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and online. I use a small Sony laptop computer, and it’s truly my “baby” that goes with me almost wherever I go. (My next one will be the pink version!) One of the things I love about what I do is that with my laptop and cell phone I can work “virtually” from anywhere, but most of the time I write from the comfort of my “cottage cozy” bed. I use my home office mostly for administrative tasks and business planning.

I write for publications and clients all across the U.S., primarily in the home and garden, professional organizing, interior decorating, art, wedding, and other creative niches. I also write Christian inspirational articles and poems. These areas are where my interest and expertise lie because they are some of the fields I have worked in previously, and I also live a very creative personal life, so I enjoy working with other creative entrepreneurs. I also write and publish a free monthly e-newsletter, which you can sign up for at http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/, and I have my own blog at http://www.kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/.

Mentoring aspiring writers by phone and e-mail is something else I enjoy. I like to share what I know with others, and I custom tailor my services to each client. Helping budding writers allows me to use my B.A. in English and Education, and to work virtually via phone and email vs. in a classroom, making it convenient for both the client and me.

I also offer phone and e-mail consultations to help creative entrepreneurs and other small businesses get PR for their businesses, because I have been successful in doing that for my own previous businesses. I absolutely love hearing my clients’ voices light up, and seeing their creative energies fueled when they realize that getting PR is something they can easily learn to do themselves with a little tutoring and coaching. http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/consulting.html

My writing business would not be as successful as it is without the bookkeeping, tax, and computer assistance from my dear husband of 27 years, Steve. He’s the “numbers and techno guy” behind this “word lady.” And my two Scottish Fold cats, Beau & Monique, a.k.a. The Cottage Cats, have been at my writing side for 14 years, and keep me amused with their antics.

That’s my writing life, and I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about what it’s like to be a professional freelance writer. I also provide editing and proofreading services, so if there is anything I can ever do to help your creative business succeed, please e-mail me at kathrynbechen@yahoo.com.

All photos are used with permission by and are copyright to - Kathryn Bechen of kathryn Bechen Ink.

**A special note about my goose egg pendant drawing - I'll be taking entries through Monday November 19th , you may still enter by signing the post below and letting me know you would like to join in on the fun. I'll pick the winner the night of the 19th and will announce the winner on my blog at that time. Good Luck. **

An Order From A Friend

There are times when I get to create some pieces that are lots of fun for me, now is one of those times. I first met Kathryn online sometime last year and just recently, we've reconnected. Above is a photo of her writing desk, very pretty and did you notice, very well organized. Kathryn is a professional freelance writer for 20 years now, specializing in topics that are dear to her heart. She writes for home & garden, interior design & professional organizing industries. You can check out her blog at: http://www.kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/ where you'll get to read lots of inspiring and informative posts and see lots of pretty photos along the way as well. Her website is: Kathryn Bechen Ink. http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/ . I just purchased one of her e-books she has written, available for purchase and download on her website. If you haven't been to her website or blog, check them out, as there is lots of information and plenty of good reading.

The eggshells above are the order I will be completing for kathryn. Goose eggshell pendants and a jewlery box, a brides box to be exact. I did make one substitution though since taking these photos, I've decided to create the brides box from an Emu egg rather then the hinged goose egg shown. I love Emu eggs for their deep rich color and texture. In addition, they are quite sturdy and a pleasure to paint on. If you want to see what an Emu egg looks like, just click on the link to the right, my ETSY mini, which will take you directly to my shop there. I do have one Emu egg listed and you will get to see the large size, interesting texture and beautiful color of that particular egg. So, these are the before photos....when the order is finished, I'll be taking photos of the finished products to show you.