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Question
Hello! I'm 35 y o a,Journalism B.A. that I've never used. Have wonderful story ideas just from bazaar personal experiences i.e. dating, jobs. Family and friends say I should write due to the letters I've written. Have no idea how to develop the ideas. Would like to start with magazine articles.
Hi, Tiffany!
Well, the best way to get started with magazines is to decide what sort of magazines you'd like to work with. There are a lot of popular women's magazines that can always use tips (called "fillers" in the trade) or feature articles about dating help or on-the-job fixes. If you'd like, I taught an online course for a Florida group about getting started in freelance writing for magazines and could send you the lectures I prepared. Just send me your email address in a follow-up question and I can forward them to you. They're too long to put in these little boxes, or I would. There are five of them, plus a lesson on writing a query. Let me know if that would help, and good luck! :)
Cathy
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Answers by Expert:
Cathy Clamp
Expertise
I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)
Experience
I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.
Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.
Publications
Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others.
Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.
Education/Credentials
Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. Certified Paralegal with specialities in intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) and real estate.
Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
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