Elaine Hobson Miller and the Alabama affiliate were outstanding ambassadors for Birmingham at our NFPW spring board
Elaine Hobson Miller
meeting. It was fun getting to know them better and see the region they call home. Elaine is a dedicated NFPW member you can count on seeing at NFPW meetings. She is outgoing and fun to be around. Meet my friend Elaine.
Name: Elaine Hobson Miller
City and State: Alabama
Affiliate and any leadership positions: Alabama Media Professionals
Years a member of NFPW: Not sure; joined in early 80s, I think.
Tell us a little about you.
I’ve been writing since elementary school, when I did a piece for our little newsletter. While a senior journalism major at Samford University, I landed a part-time job as general assignment reporter for the now-defunct Birmingham Post-Herald. When I graduated, I moved right into a full-time position. A year or two later, I became the first female to cover the city hall beat for the P-H. I was with the paper four years, and returned for a couple of years in the early 1980s to work on the copy desk. Then I became food editor and features writer. When my second child was born in 1982, I quit to do freelancing. I’ve been published in numerous local, regional and national publications, and have two books under my belt. “Myths, Mysteries & Legends of Alabama” was published by Seacoast Publishing (Birmingham) in 1995, while “Nat King Cole: Unforgettable Musician” (same publisher) came out two or three years ago.
When my husband died in 1996, I took over his drug store and put writing on the back burner. I sold the store in 2012 with the intention of doing more writing and riding. I consider myself semi-retired, but contribute regularly to “Discover the Essence of St. Clair” magazine and I’m having fun doing a weekly blog about farm life and life in general. My farm/ranch/whatever consists of a log house in the middle of 28 wooded acres, where I take care of three horses, two llamas, a goat and dogs and cats. I love to go trail riding and camping with my TWH mare, to travel and to spend time with my two grandsons, who are 2.5 and 7.5 years of age.
Any career advice you would give?
Nope, not really. Writing advice, yes. Be sure to proofread your work carefully, and for goodness sake, learn the proper use of a comma. Buy a good book on grammar and word usage. Also, learn to write a good lead (lede?) That’s what draws a reader into your article. If the lead is boring, no one will want to read any further.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could play the fiddle.
Elaine Hobson Miller
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Right where I am!
What book are you reading?
Two that I picked up from The Hub bookstore at the recent Greenville conference: “I Love Me A Turkey Butt Samwich: Finding a Farm Life After Hollywood,” by Pam Stone, and “Stephen King On Writing,” by Stephen King.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Not much. I’m an open book. The few things that might surprise folks can’t be mentioned here!
Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?
When I was doing more writing, AMP helped me stay connected with other freelancers and to hone my skills. Now, it’s more of a social outlet, although I really enjoy steering the communications contest. I value the friendships I’ve made and the travel experiences I’ve had through NFPW.
Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.
Go to countrylife-elaine.blogspot.com to follow my blog…PLEASE!
Talking with Teri 