 Van Ostrand's writing career began with the liner notes for a Roger Miller album, and she began writing professionally upon the death of her friend and mentor Mark Goodson, for whose show "Trivia Trap" she was head writer.Other Mark Goodson game shows on which she worked in varying capacities were "Card Sharks", "The Price Is Right", "Family Feud", "To Tell The Truth" (1990–91) and "That's My Line" (reality show).In 1978 she was the theatrical agent instrumental in galvanizing the acting career of Wilford Brimley.