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Alyice Edrich is a freelance writer, mixed media artist, and aspiring photographer. She enjoys creating things that bring joy to others. Visit her blog, Coming Home, to check out her latest art. Or stop by her resume site, AlyiceEdrich.net to learn how you can hire her for your next project.

Thank you Alyice for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us what you're currently working on.

I am currently working on a group of photos for a collage e-book, putting the final edits on another e-book, creating art jars for my online shop, working on content for my writing clients, and updating my online magazine, The Dabbling Mum.

Have you received any awards for your work?

I have received awards for my online magazine, one of my e-books, and even my websites. But I have yet to receive an award for any of my art - probably because I haven't entered any competitions as of yet. :)
 
Have you had any formal training in writing or art?

The only formal training I've had when it comes to writing were the English classes I took in high school to receive my diploma and in college to receive my associates degree. Everything else I've learned from books, trial and error, and of course, critiques from editors, proofreades, and colleagues.
 
I've always had a natural ability to write but my writing improved with each passing year, as I continued to read articles and books in the genre I wanted to write for, and as I opened myself up for honest feedback and constructive criticism.
 
As for art, I have never taken a college art class, but have spent many hours learning from art tutorials in books and on video. Youtube.com has a ton of free lessons from everyday artists, and Creative Catalyst Productions offers a wide variety of high quality tutorials.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

I've ghost-written content for small business websites and catalog pages, written how-to articles for online publications, produced content for my online magazine, and written 5 how-to books on starting a business from home - all based on personal experience.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

I used to produce a weekly e-zine that reached a total of 9,000 subscribers. The e-zine allowed me to reach my readers on a level that a magazine or website article didn't. Each time the e-zine went out, readers contacted me to tell me which piece touched their lives personally, which in turn, allowed me to converse with them on a more personal level.
 
But after a frustrating year of dealing wih spam filters, I closed the e-zines and opted to concentrate on reaching my readers through two blogs and a twitter account.
 
What I've discovered, however, is that my readers still prefer to drop an email over leaving a comment on my blog. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm grateful for the feedback and still being able to connect with other like-minded individuals.

What inspires you on a personal or business level?

I am truly inspired by relationships. When my relationships are going strong, I feel more motivated and inspired. When my relationships are suffering, for whatever reason, so does my creativity.
 
I also find that spending time with nature is very inspiring. There's something very  intoxicating about smelling the fragrance of flowers in the garden, or listening to the birds sing, or watching the trees dance with the wind, or observing animals in their natural habitats.
 
Finally, I find that I am inspired when something I create lifts the spirits of another human being. I love touching the life of another in a positive way, knowing that something I've created--either by words or art--made a difference in the bigger scheme of things.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

This may sound strange, but I find writing eulogies to be the most rewarding aspect of my writing. Each time I take on a eulogy assignment, I must listen to the griever talk about the deceased--something they can sometimes find difficult to do with those close to them, I get to ask questions that help them move forward in the grieving process, and then I get to take everything we've talked about and turn it into a beautiful tribute--something that will be read and kept as a memorial for a very long time.
 
As for art, I would have to say creating my art jars. Every time I sit down to create a vase using an old food or beverage jar, I get pleasure in knowing that one last thing is headed for the landfill. Plus, it's very soothing. I don't have to worry about meeting someone else's expectation. I simply need to create and release all the stresses of the world. Each vase also carries with it unique therapeutic principles. For you see, each vase starts out as something that has lost its usefulness and is transformed into something useful, again. And, each jar goes through an ugly phase before becoming beautiful--much like the Ugly Duckling analogy.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Don't be afraid of criticism. You cannot grow as a writer without honest feedback from your peers. And once you get that feedback, listen. Listen to what is being said, then take what you can use and discard the rest.
 
Find a genre you love and then make it your own. There will always be writers whose talent you wish you could covet. Go ahead and admire those writers, even glean from them. But don't try to copy them. It's important that you find your own voice and own it.

What is your favorite quote?

I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. -- The Bible
 
I like it because it says that nothing is impossible. All too often we put limitations on ourselves or allow society to put them on us, for us. While we may not be able to have everything we want, when we want it, there is a lot to be said about what we can have when we put our minds to it.

How do you switch between writing and art?

That's the easy question. Writing requires a lot of brain activity and it can sometimes get really exhausting. Art, on the other hand, requires a different kind of brain activity, one that allows the brain to relax. So when I feel stressed, or tired, I can pick up a brush and feel invigorated. Transitioning between the two just seems natural.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Thank you Alyice! We wish you great success with your future creative projects!