Expert: Susan Rand - 7/13/2005

Question
My writing has been limited to very local venues...school newsletters, teacher association newsletters. This coming year I am taking a sabbatical in order to study and develop my writing experience. I am interested in breaking into the non-fiction market writing magazine and journal articles. I have read basic information about query letters and adapting an article for different markets. Would you please tell me a few tips to get started? I appreciate your time. Thanks!
Robin Farr


Answer
Hello Robin:

I am glad to hear that you have been writing for newsletters; that is good practice if you want to write for the non-fiction market.

First, I would advise you to read all the articles you can, and read all the "how to write articles" books you can find. Study these articles, try to figure out why they are arranged as they are, because structure is important.

Start a list of topics that interest you, on your computer or on 3x5 cards. Every time you think of something that might make an article, write it down. Keep this list going.

Go to http://absolutewrite.com ((You will have to cut and paste as this site does not support hyperlinks) and join the forums there. You will be in the company of people who write regularly for magazines, newspapers and online vendors and they have much to teach you.

Join a few writing groups at groups.yahoo.com or geocities and put your first efforts up there for critique. Listen carefully to what the members say - don't argue, but do make notes. Ask them to tell you (1) what emotions the writing inspired in them, (2) what images or phrases they remember, and (3) where they found themselves wanting more information.

When you feel you are ready, start submitting some articles to online markets. You will find plenty of information about markets on the absolutewrite forums.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high score over 500+ questions.

And good luck with your writing!