Lynn Skapyak Harlin is a freelance writer, photographer, poet, copyeditor and correspondent.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK DOES SHE DO?
Harlin has worked for several newspapers, including the Fernandina Beach News Leader, Festivities, The Florida Times-Union for 30 years and the Wayne County Press Sentinel in Jesup, Ga. She continues to contribute pieces to newspapers, magazines, trade publications and travel guides. Serving as an editing coach also provides her with income.
WHAT’S YOUR LATEST ENDEAVOR?
“I’m editing three books right now. I write two, two and a half hours a day for myself. My T-U work and my poetry take some time. I’ve been working on a mystery novel for five years and I’m never satisfied with it. I’m my own worst critic.”
COLLEGE
Jacksonville University is where Harlin earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in secondary education.
APPLE FOR TEACHER
Harlin was employed in the Duval County School System for 20 years, teaching English and related courses from rudimentary to advanced levels. She also taught at FCCJ in the adult education department and at the Starke Vocational School, providing instruction on how to drive big rigs.
THOSE THAT CAN, DO. THOSE THAT CAN’T, TEACH.
“I couldn’t stand that idea. I was assigned to teach journalism. I thought it would be foolhardy for me to teach young people how to put a paper together without experience so I went to the T-U. My first poem was published in Time magazine. That led to chap books, poetry readings and seminars.” A chap book is part of a whole work to offer a sample of what a poet can produce. Harlin has been conducting writing workshops for 10 years.
WHY WRITE FOR A LIVING?
“What’s great about writing is I can get into so many fields and ask the most outlandish personal questions and they answer me. Not only do I get to be nosy, I get paid for it.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING FOR YOU?
“Finding out what the writer wants to do. I work with other writers. When they come to me with an idea or manuscript, it’s pretty nebulous. People think you can write in a vacuum. I spend awhile making them pinpoint what they’re trying to do and what audience to reach. I make them verbalize their goals and give practical suggestions on how to get there.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“People, the mystery of humans. No matter who I meet, I find them fascinating. People are the greatest adventure there is; it doesn’t matter where you are.”
HOMETOWN
Stoughton, Mass.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
“My father was in the Navy. I lived in Jacksonville on and off. My husband and I found a houseboat on the Altamaha River at Pig Farm Landing [in Georgia]. We lived there on the boat for seven months then moved it here.” Harlin resides on the Westside but still works on the boat. “When the wind is blowing, you can hear the apes at the zoo.”
FAMILY
Jim, Harlin’s husband, is a freight train engineer. Harlin has a son-in-law, Chad, daughter Rhiannon and an 18-month-old skateboarding granddaughter, Zoe.
WHERE DOES YOUR CREATIVITY COME FROM?
“I think the greatest influence is the gnawing [feeling] to say something that people have seen all their lives in a different way. That’s what drives me.”
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?
“Ned Deloach, founder of New World Publications. He was my first mentor. He got me writing a book but I did copyediting for him first. He believed in me. The hardest thing for any writer is to believe in yourself, to put your work out there in front of people. He taught me a lot of lessons; he taught me by being a rigid task master.”
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
“I shy away from writing groups because I’m not a sociable person. I don’t like the clubsy competition.”
HOW HER HOBBIES AFFECT HER WORK ETHIC
“My hobbies are what I do for money. I love photography and reading. I have over 800 mystery novels written by women. In order to write, you have to read. You have to keep up with what people are reading and who’s being published. If I’m writing a book on spirituality, I’ll read 10-20 books on the subject to give my clients the best.”
HER FAVORITES
“My favorite restaurant is anywhere the waiters will put up with me. We eat out a lot because I don’t cook.” She’ll read anything by Gertrude Stein and “Harold and Maude” tops her list of best movies.
— by Monica Chamness