Meet Karen Walrond, AOL Content Creator for Gadling.com. She talks about her AOL writing experiences with AOL Living Managing Editor Kristi Anderson.


Karen, it's great to catch up with you! What brought you to the vast and varied world of online content creation?

I began blogging back in 2004, awaiting the birth of our daughter, Alex. My family is international, and I thought it would be a great way for our far-flung families to stay in touch with our growing family. Eventually, Blogging Baby (now ParentDish.com) found me, and the rest, as they say, is history.


What did you do in your former life before creating online content? Were you always a writer?

I was a lawyer. Now, I'm a full-time writer.


What do you like most about writing for AOL?

I like the autonomy. It's a great way to get my authentic voice out there, while having a large corporation with a huge profile back me up. AOL has been instrumental in helping my writing career.
How long does it take you to write an article? What's your process?

It depends on the article. A short article can take as little as ten minutes. Other longer articles – say over 800 words – can take several hours.


Where do you find inspiration? What sources are useful?

As a photoblogger, I love other photoblogs and Flickr, primarily. Also, I'm a voracious reader, both online and off.


What's the most satisfying aspect of creating content online?

The feedback I get from readers. I've learned so much, made some true friends, and certainly enhanced my career from creating online content.


Do you ever get writer's block and, if so, how do you deal with it?

Sometimes. Often I just ask for help and inspiration – from my husband, from friends and other AOL content creators. Sometimes I just use Twitter and ask people what they'd like to talk about.


What advice would you give new AOL content creators wanting to earn a living (or even some pocket change) from their writing?

Write, write, write. If you want to be a writer, then write. Give feedback to other writers and other outlets you admire. Go to networking conferences. Just get your name out there.


Can you share some practical tips for writing online?

Be authentic in your writing – don't try to copy someone else's style, just work on your own. Edit – there's a temptation to hit publish before spell-checking or making sure it all makes sense. And finally, take all feedback and comments with a grain of salt.


What do your friends and family think about the time you spend online?

Well, my husband is a software consultant, so he gets it. My five-year-old daughter often tells me that when she tells me something cool, "I should twitter it." So I would say they're supportive.


Where would you like your writing to take you? Any exciting projects on the horizon?

I'm in the process of working on a book that is scheduled to be published next fall by Bright Sky Press. I'm working with an agent on developing a second book proposal. The new book Kirtsy Takes a Bow has several of my images and essays included in its pages. Lots of exciting projects!


Meet other AOL Content Creators:
Kristen Seymour
Susan Wagner
Nick Zaino


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