Expert: Alice J. Bogert - 5/29/2008

Question
Dear Ma'am,
    Good day! I need information on the following questions.

1) What is the correct format in writing an article?
2) will you tell me the exact distance between the first and second line?
3) about the paragraph - how many spaces between the first and the second paragraph?
4) still about the paragraph - How many spaces are needed to indent the first line?
5) tell me what is the correct margin?
6) Give me an advice on how to make an article.
7) Inform me also on how to prepare an article that will have a chance of being published and paid?
8) What will i do inorder that i can sell my articles to a magazine?
9) Give me relevant advice concerning article writing.
10) How will i improve my writing inorder for me to become a world class writer like you?

I am sorry for asking you a lot of questions, but i am really interested to become a skilled writer,and i think the best way to start is article writing.

thank you very much. Hope i can hear from you soon.

Respectfully Yours,
Amram  

Answer
Hi Amram,

I'm happy to give you some resources.  However, I cannot answer your article format questions because different magazines require different formats.  

Your best bet in establishing formats for submitted articles, is to request a copy of the magazine's writer's guidelines.  Send a short letter requesting the writer's guidelines to one of the assistant editors listed in the magazine.  Include a self addressed, stamped envelope.  

Some resources that might prove helpful are: (1) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles," by Sharee Bykofsky and Jennifer Sanders; (2) "Get Published: 100 Top Magazine Editors Tell You How," by D. Gage and M. Cople, and (3) "Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing." by M. Ruberg.

You can improve your writing by doing a lot of reading.  See how other articles are written; how articles are organized, and what it is about the article that captures your attention.  An additional way to improve your writing is to take various writing classes and pay attention and learn from the instructor's feedback.

I wish you well.

Alice J. Bogert