<<<Back to Table of Contents
Lyssa Myska Allen
An Austin native and former editor of four different magazines, freelance writer Lyssa Myska Allen currently writes for a number of local and regional magazines on fashion, fitness and food. As a fashion columnist, an avid athlete and a restaurant regular, she writes what she knows.
Allen is also involved in marketing, including new media and social networking. Like the subject of her article this month, Dorie Pickle, Allen wears many hats and uses the internet to stay in touch, organized and flexible. She is also a blogger and twitterer, regularly updating her things-to-do-in-Austin blog, thisislifeinaustin.com, and her twitter feed @lifeinaustin.
What did you learn while working on your story?
I picked up design tips from Dorie Pickle – keep your website simple and fresh! She also stressed navigation as a key component.
Résumé highlight:
I’m co-chairing a charity powderpuff football game this May! It’s called Blondes vs.
Brunettes and it benefits Alzheimer’s research while getting young professionals really involved in philanthropy. I love football, so I’m psyched to be a part of the inaugural event in Austin.
On Blogging:
I read as many Austin blogs as I can, and I’m totally into the national blog, fashionista.com. The writers there get paid to write the same things I think in my head! I love it.
Amy Lemen
Amy Lemen is an Austin-based freelance writer who writes frequently about travel, houses and lifestyles for austinwoman, Luxe Texas, Sherman’s Travel, Luxe Colorado, The Austin American-Statesman and Texas Monthly. She spends her spare time running way too much, playing soccer and hanging out with her 7-going-on-17-year-old first grader and her guitar-playing, Jim Morrison-channeling husband.
What did you learn while working on your article?
I learned that there’s a lot to be learned from falling on your butt all the time (humility), from embracing unfamiliar or scary situations (power), and that one should NEVER try snowboarding for the first time 10 days before running a marathon (ouch!)
Most exciting aspect of her job?
I love talking to people – anyone and everyone. It’s an integral part of my job as a writer – that, and listening. I learn so much from other people’s experiences and perspectives, especially when we have different views. That’s always refreshing – and good fodder for story ideas..
Any ‘guilty pleasure’ blogs that you know you spend too much time on, but simply cannot help yourself?
There was this one where the guy posted everything his daughter ate and what she did that day. He was a new dad and an admittedly obsessed engineer, so it was really detailed. I was fascinated, even though my own kiddo was way past the baby stage. Wishful thinking? Perhaps...but I still search for it.
Laurie Stoneham
When people ask Laurie Stoneham what she writes, her response is simple: “anything but fiction.” Her job titles have varied from television news reporter to U.S. Senate campaign press secretary, training director of an electronics-manufacturing firm to associate editor for a medical association magazine. The freelance writer has penned everything from annual reports, video scripts and healthcare recruitment ads, to copy for hospital menus and point of purchase displays. Stoneham’s words have appeared in numerous print and online publications, including Southern Living, Texas Medicine and LiveStrong.org. She is currently writing a memoir for the family of a Houston cardiologist.
What did you learn while working on your story?
The idea of using electricity and colored light on or near the face sounded a tad scary. Now I know you can’t see or feel either, and the effects are both immediate and dramatic.
Résumé highlight:
One of my favorite projects was researching and writing a white paper designed to help family practitioners diagnose and treat mental health issues in children and adolescents.
Her online life?
If I knew the number of hours, days, weeks, months – even years – I’ve spent online, I would probably be aghast … before checking my email for the 15th time that day.