LAURIE LEE DOVEY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA

QUESTION: How did you get started in the writing business?
ANSWER: I started out on a small newspaper in northwest Florida, writing an outdoor column. Then I joined Florida Outdoor Writers. Then I met John E. Phillips.

QUESTION: In addition to writing and providing content, you also serve as the executive director of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), right?
ANSWER: Yes. I took on the position in 2006 after serving on the organization's founding board of directors.

QUESTION: What advice would you give young writers starting out?
ANSWER: Find a mentor. Find someone who can help you circumvent the learning curve, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Pay attention to what they know and what works. Also, work harder than everybody else does.

QUESTION: What else would you tell young people?
ANSWER: Don't let rejection get you down. It happens. It's part of the business. It's not personal. Move on, and keep writing. A young writer has to know that it's possible to make a living. This line, "Woe is me, I can't make any money -- freelancers aren't supposed to make any money," is bunk. If you work hard, you'll make money.

QUESTION: For what markets do you write?
ANSWER: I wrote primarily in the outdoor market for the first 12 years of my career. Then I had the opportunity to get into golf and have done a lot of golf writing for the past seven years. In terms of freelance, I do a lot of web content delivery for companies and press releases. That's part and parcel of working in freelance -- have lots of irons and lots of fires.

QUESTION: Tell me about the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA).
ANSWER: POMA is the only international outdoor communicators organization focused wholly on the traditional outdoor sports of hunting, fishing, shooting, trapping and other heritage activities. POMA's mission is to ensure professionalism in communications at all levels, provide business-building services and benefits to members, connect media and industry and mentor the next generation of outdoor communicators. POMA currently has 340 media members and 150 Corporate Partner members. Go to www.professionaloutdoormedia.org for complete details.