Age: 29

Location: Harlem, NYC

What are you working on now?
I am always working on a cocktail but between sips I am continualy pitching to my regualr magazines such as Clear, Flaunt, Genre, Out Traveler as well as to others such as T and GQ. I have been working on short stories about my life in Harlem that I hope to organize and publish in 2006! The blog is my after 5 delight that I indulge in as much as possible.

What's the most helpful thing you've learned about
freelancing/writing?
That being a freelance writer is just like being in PR. My PR background has been a huge help. I am used to pitching magazines/editors, I always follow up and I often know what they are looking for and how to angle it towards them. I also learned alot in the Travel Writing class I took with MB, mostly about editing. It was a great launch pad.

What's been the worst career advice you've ever received?
It may not be advice, but everyone warned me that being a writer is a
very lonely job. I have not found that true at all. My dance card is
always full of people to meet, parties to attend and new places to go. This is how I keep up with what is hot, new and exciting and meet the people I want to interview and editors I want to work for.

You have a beautiful website: based on what you've learned putting
yours together, what would you advise other writers on putting
together an attractive yet functional site for themselves?
Many thanks! It was hard work but such fun. The most amazing thing I have learned about my website is how much trouble people have navigating it. My niece can find my articles after 2 clicks but so many editors are either lazy and dont want to try or really cant find my tear sheets and ask me to send hard copies. If I were to do it over I would put all of my tear sheets on the first page of my site. Also, using your name for your website (and email) is much more respected than www.trendywriter.com or something to that effect.