My collage "Getting Things Done," created on 7/22/07.It is hard to get paid for writing until you’ve gotten paid for writing, and it is hard to get published until you’ve gotten published—the writer’s conundrum. Whatever type of writing you want to do, even if you’re an experienced writer hoping to break into another field, you have to build up a clip file and publishing credits to show that yes, people (other than your mother) DO want to read what you write.
One way to do this is through articles and essays for local newspapers. If you live in a rural area, you are probably aware of the weekly newspapers, and free shoppers. Even urban areas have similar items. Sometimes these publications pay—sometimes not. Regardless, they are often thirsty for pieces of varying length, or need a writer on call who can write up the emergency town board meeting or interview the new business owner.
I write about 10 to 20 articles a year for a local newspaper. Sometimes I come up with ideas. Sometimes the editor calls me when she needs an extra writer. I am paid for each article—not a lot, but more than my expenses. And I have a nice amount of electronic clips and newspaper cuttings to show the world that I am a professional writer who can meet deadlines and write about a variety of topics. Read a recent article I wrote on horse—yes, HORSE massage at http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2007/07/23/business/business01.txt
Look around your area for publications, and make an appointment to talk to the editor. Come prepared with ideas of articles you could write for the paper. I know an editor of a medical journal who used to write an outdoor column four times a year. He had agreements with five weekly newspapers around Wisconsin. They printed his columns, sent him extra copies for his file, he got his name known as an outdoor writer, and they got excellent writing for the cost of some postage.
Be creative about ways to solve that conundrum and ultimately, get paid AND published. Can’t beat that!
One way to do this is through articles and essays for local newspapers. If you live in a rural area, you are probably aware of the weekly newspapers, and free shoppers. Even urban areas have similar items. Sometimes these publications pay—sometimes not. Regardless, they are often thirsty for pieces of varying length, or need a writer on call who can write up the emergency town board meeting or interview the new business owner.
I write about 10 to 20 articles a year for a local newspaper. Sometimes I come up with ideas. Sometimes the editor calls me when she needs an extra writer. I am paid for each article—not a lot, but more than my expenses. And I have a nice amount of electronic clips and newspaper cuttings to show the world that I am a professional writer who can meet deadlines and write about a variety of topics. Read a recent article I wrote on horse—yes, HORSE massage at http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2007/07/23/business/business01.txt
Look around your area for publications, and make an appointment to talk to the editor. Come prepared with ideas of articles you could write for the paper. I know an editor of a medical journal who used to write an outdoor column four times a year. He had agreements with five weekly newspapers around Wisconsin. They printed his columns, sent him extra copies for his file, he got his name known as an outdoor writer, and they got excellent writing for the cost of some postage.
Be creative about ways to solve that conundrum and ultimately, get paid AND published. Can’t beat that!
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